Category Archives: SEX & LIFE

Tips on sexual health, mental health, relationships, and everyday healthy life.

SEX & LIFE

‘Drink’ Driving at Christmas

by Guest Blogger, Paul Clarke and his team at Rehab 4 Alcoholism–an alcohol rehab in the United Kingdom.

All facts in this infographic relate to the UK, but many of the facts are representative to other English-speaking countries that also celebrate Christmas.

There is a 40% increase in alcohol consumption during December each year. During December 2016, Brits consumed around 600 million units of alcohol. This equates to around 21.4 million bottles of vodka, or 60 million bottles of wine. Since around 60 million people live in the United Kingdom, this equates to around one bottle of wine per person!

Around 110,226 breath tests were conducted nationally in December 2016, of which 5,543, or 5% were positive, failed or refused. From this number, young people were more likely to fail or refuse a breath test. 5.27% of under-25s stopped by police failed or refused a breath test during the campaign, compared to 3.39% of drivers age 25+.

https://www.rehab4alcoholism.com/article/63/drink-driving-at-christmas-infographic-2017

Message from Tia: For U.S.- In 2002, it became illegal in the 50 United States for motorist to drive with a BAC (blood alcohol concentration) that is .08% or above. Call for a ride or spend the night where you are if you had too much to drink. ‘Drink’ driving can easily lead to drunk driving.

Please have a safe and Merry Christmas!

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

SEX & LIFE

The New Year’s Resolutions You Shouldn’t Make This Year (And We Ones We Should Make Instead)

The New Year’s Resolutions You Shouldn’t Make This Year (And We Ones We Should Make Instead)

As the year draws to a close, many of us are letting out our waistlines and carving new notches in our belts in anticipation of a few weeks of festive gluttony. “It’s okayâ€, we tell ourselves “I’ll get right on it in the New Year!â€. Thus, we plan a long and extensive list of positive life changes that we tell ourselves we’ll make at the start of January. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with making positive life changes, but the concept of deferring them until the New Year may be wrong headed and even counterproductive. Here we’ll look at some of the resolutions we find ourselves making year on year that we absolutely should not make this year, as well as potentially more helpful and productive ones that we should make instead.

 

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Why New Year’s Resolutions rarely ever work

 

They’re a tradition that we’ve indulged in since the days of ancient Rome but, in the words of Tim Minchin, “I don’t believe just ‘cause ideas are tenacious that means that they’re worthyâ€. However well we may mean when we make them the simple fact is that our brains do not want us to keep them. They’re easy to make and rarely do we fully consider how difficult they may be to keep when we make them. Small and specific life changes are often way more effective. Thus…

 

Don’t: Say you’ll lose weight this year

 

It often has a starring role on the top of resolution lists but as frustrated as we may be with our bulging midriffs around this time of year, making a resolution to “lose weight†either through vigilant diet and exercise or a visit to a bariatric center is rarely a great idea. It’s fairly nebulous and we tend to go about it without having specific goals or a clear strategy of how we will meet them. Instead…

 

Do: Say you’ll make healthier food choices

 

Vague promises to ourselves about weight loss are rarely as effective as educating ourselves about healthier food choices and opting for them over the foods that we know will do us no good. Vow to cut down on or eliminate processed foods or join the Veganuary bandwagon since a vegan diet is proven to be the best for fat loss.

 

Don’t: Say you’ll land your dream job

 

This is another staple of the resolution list. While it’s certainly noble, it’s often not a promise that we can keep to ourselves, leaving us frustrated and saddened. An increasingly competitive job market means that even if your dream does job float along, you may, through no fault of your own, not land it. Instead…

 

Do: Say you’ll be happier at work

 

You may not be able to control the job market, but you can control your enjoyment of your current job. However monotonous or frustrating your job may be, there’s always something you can do to enjoy it more. Starting the day with a positive attitude, rewarding yourself for your achievements (however small they may be) and focusing your attention on colleagues and aspects of your job that bring you joy are often a far more achievable goal than waiting for your dream job to come along.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

SEX & LIFE

Tips for Choosing the Right Wine for Your Meal

By Guest Blogger, Marie N.

Tips for Choosing the Right Wine for Your Meal

 

It appears to be an innocuous task – just go out and find the bottle of wine you can drink during or after the meal. However, as we all know, there is more than meets the eye with the wine-selection conundrum. It is not just a matter of red or white. Type of grape, level of quality in the region, tinctures, the method and seasoning all play a crucial part in determining a specific texture or taste. If these factors make your head spin, here are some basic tips for choosing the right wine for your meal.

Read the label

Most people already have a favorite label, but they usually cannot remember why they have chosen it. Sometimes, this preference is a matter of superficial appearance – the label simply looks interesting. The next time you browse the wine-section, turn the bottle around and read the label tentatively, do not merely skip through it. The descriptions on the back often point to the specific flavor texture of the wine, which can help you make the right decision. You should just know that labels which contain expressions like “table wine†and “blend†have far more inferior tastes which are unbalanced and bland – as they use grapes that come from a variety of areas.

 

Be mindful of adjectives

If you dislike sweet wines, you should know that “fruitiness†is not a factor. Some types of Riesling and port wines can be more syrupy, with a distinct sweetness. This does not mean they are “fruit forwardâ€. In fact, some fruity wines that contain tropical fruit tinctures and honeysuckle can be surprisingly crisp once you taste them. “Rich†and “dense†wines are served best with heavier, meat inflected meals and goulashes. “Balanced†and “crisp†wines are good for light meals rich in vegetables and leaner meats.

 

Red or white? Depends on the occasion

Supple red wines are always a good choice – they are rich in resveratrol, the wine’s top health-promoting antioxidant. Since red wines are fermented with the grape skin that contains this antioxidant, there is no other type of wine that is richer in resveratrol. On the other hand, high-quality white wine is the best friend of those who want to keep lean – it tends to be lower in both alcohol and calories while still retaining the health quality.

 

Rosé if you are unsure

If you are having one of those days when you are absolutely not making your best decisions, or if you don’t know what sort of wine will go best with the new meal you are trying, rosé is the way to go. Dry and crisp wine of a light-pink texture is the versatile little palate cleanser that can go well with any meal, but especially light nibbles and cheese plates. Additionally, if you are in an especially festive mood, you can purchase a bottle of sparkling rosé to match the occasion.

 

Opt for lower alcohol percentage

The alcohol percentage in your wine bottle of choice correlates directly with the sugar quantity in the said bottle. This is due to the fact that alcohol comes from the sugar contained within the grapes. If you have a lower tolerance for sugar, this means you should go with wines that contain less alcohol, and you are definitely better for it – you can have more glasses without the fear of getting sloppy. Most wines have between 9% and 16% alcohol, so you can work your way within those parameters.

 

Choose sustainably farmed wines

If you read a label that says the bottle contains “sustainably farmed wineâ€, this means it was made without using pesticides and chemicals that are detrimental to your health. If any such wine is within the acceptable price range for you, always opt for this one since it is made from certified organic grapes and it doesn’t contain added sulfites.

Before you choose the perfect wine, you have to take the pricing into account. Study the general price tags of a variety of wines in your local store or area to always know the ballpark of the money you will have to give up when you venture out to purchase the bottle(s). Just remember one important thing – a fancy looking bottle and a steep price tag do not necessarily mean it’s a wine of top-notch quality.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

SEX & LIFE

Unexpected Dangers Of Jobs In The Arts

Unexpected Dangers Of Jobs In The Arts

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A job in the arts seems glamourous and full of high energy people – which it can be – but these jobs can also come with hidden dangers of injury that most don’t think about, even the artists themselves. Whether it’s writing, drawing, acting or singing, art is a beautiful and creative medium, that not many can do well, and do well enough to turn into a living. But all of these professions come with long hours of hard work, often hunched over a desk, eyes straining at night, and even breaking bones in the pursuit of art. And, as most artists work on a freelance basis, it’s quite probable that the injuries that they conceive could put a pause, if not a stop, to their careers, and to their cash flow.

 

Writers

 

The main injuries that can affect writers are due to the long hours bent over a desk, staring at a screen and at the printed text for hours on end. Most writers throughout their careers develop severe back pain, sometimes leading to sciatica, which is a horrendously painful and debilitating condition that affects the spin. Carpal tunnel is another severe injury that happens to writers due to the position and hours spent typing at a desk. Unfortunately, these issues can cause lasting damage, however, it can be prevented by using a chair with proper support, sitting at a desk where the arms would be parallel and level and the lighting in the room to be adequate enough that the eyes aren’t straining.

 

Artist

 

Artists suffer much the same as writers, with long hours hunched over drawings, and wrists angled and clenched around pencils. Artists who stand will have it easier on their backs, but not on their arms and wrists. Depending on whether the person uses a backlight while drawing, a screen to edit, or studio lights, eyes might strain too.

 

Musician

 

The main injury that a musician can suffer is damage to their ears. It doesn’t sound like much, but damage to the walls, nerves or drum of the ear can cause hearing loss and even deafness. Hearing protection is definitely needed while rehearsing a performing, from amateur to professional. Standing by speakers day in and day out can cause irreparable damage.

 

Actor

 

Some might say that actors have the worst end of the deal – and they’re probably right. Many actors put their bodies through hell for various roles. Look at when Matthew McConaughey lost three stone for Dallas Buyers Club, just to put it all back on again for Gold. This extreme altering of the body, multiple times in a short span, can cause a lot of permanent damage, not just physically, but mentally too. The mental injuries actors have to sustain also stretches into the type of scenes they have to play. Many actors suffer severe injuries while performing their own stunts, or merely by accident when on set – look at Leonardo DiCaprio in Django when he cut open his hand on a smashed glass and kept on acting – and still didn’t get an Oscar for that!

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

BEAUTY, ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, SEX & LIFE

7 Ways to Look and Feel Younger

7 Ways to Look and Feel Younger

 

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In an ideal world, with the advancement of modern technology, one would hope by now, they might have stumbled upon the fountain of youth; however unless the cosmetic companies are keeping this an extremely well guarded secret we are left with a variety of nutritional and superficial remedies to help us keep looking and feeling younger.  In reality, the majority of potions we put on our skin tend to be superficial quick fixes that don’t provide sustainable benefits.  Indeed, prevention is often the best cure in terms of ensuring young looking skin; however this article isn’t just skin deep – it’s about feeling younger too – which entails having more energy and vitality to take life on.

 

Here are 7 tips to help you in your quest to look and feel younger:

 

  1. GET MORE SLEEP

Experts recommend we have between six and nine hours sleep each night.  If you’re a light sleeper then you might want to consider hypnotherapy or guided relaxation videos on YouTube to ensure you’re getting the deep sleep you require, where your brain frequency slows down sufficiently to fully replenish and repair you body.

 

It can take up to 6 weeks to feel the effects of getting a good night’s sleep, but once you do, you will see a reduction in the dark circles around your eyes and will feel a profound increase in your energy levels.  A good way to make sure you fall asleep on time is to slowly wind down your evening.  Try not to watch TV, or be on your phone or laptop, just before going to bed; many experts recommend reading from a book (not a backlit digital device) as a good way to wind down.

 

  1. NURTURE YOUR SKIN

We all know it’s important to moisturise and replenish our skin on a daily basis to keep it soft and looking young, but with so many anti-aging creams on the market containing the vitamin derivative retinol it’s important you discover which Retinol Cream is best for you and your skin as skin care is not a one-size-fits-all solution.  In addition, you might want to consider moisturising with a simple and organic product like aloe vera.  However, moisturisation isn’t the only aspect of skin care; it’s important you cleanse and tone too.  A further consideration, if you wear make-up, is that you remove the make up each night in order to avoid clogged pores.

 

  1. NOURISH YOUR SKIN FROM THE INSIDE OUT

We are often keen to reach for a magic cream to replenish our skin without realising that our skin is an external representation of our internal biology.  If you want younger looking more radiant skin (and hair) then ensure you’re eating plenty of Omega 3, 6 and 9 oils that will enrich your body with important nutrients to replenish skin and hair.

 

  1. DO SOME EXERCISE

Getting up and doing some cardiovascular exercise doesn’t mean you have to suddenly turn into a gym bunny; this could be as simple as starting your day off with a brisk walk.  Not only does exercise help keep you lean, and mentally sharp, it has been proven to boost your energy levels which will ensure you feel young as well as look younger.  If you don’t fancy going to your local gym, then head out for a walk or run with your music or get a group of friends together in order to motivate each other.

 

  1. DRINK PLENTY OF WATER

Very few of us drink enough water, on a daily basis, yet drinking water is absolutely vital for the function of all our organs… and in particular, staying hydrated really helps our skin, as dehydration often leads to tired looking dull skin.  In fact, did you know that one of the causes for dark circles around your eyes is due to dehydration – which is why they tend to be much more pronounced when hungover.

 

  1. GET A NEW HAIR STYLE

Getting a trendy haircut isn’t only great for your self-esteem and personal pride, it’s a fantastic way to look and feel younger.  It’s important to have an age appropriate haircut, as otherwise it’ll have the opposite effect – and, depending on your age, it could make you look like you’re the victim of a midlife crisis.  Keeping on top of your personal appearance is one of the most fundamental things you can do to look and feel younger.

 

  1. CHOOSE YOUR WARDROBE WISELY

In a similar vein to keeping your hairstyle current and on trend, it’s important to choose your wardrobe wisely – as the clothes you wear are a reflection of who you are on the inside; and remember like attracts like – if you wear fun, bold and vibrant clothes you’ll attract fun, bold and vibrant people.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.