ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

7 Best Tips to Stop Allergies at Home

By Guest Blogger, Diana S.

7 Best Tips to Stop Allergies at Home

 

Allergies are a rising epidemic. Just in the US alone, they are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness. A lot of people presume they know what they are allergic to, but, due to possibly delayed reactions, it’s actually quite hard to discover the culprit. However, what you can do is try to prevent an allergic reaction, which will alleviate the symptoms as well. Here are some ways to do that.

Try to determine the cause

Determining the cause of your allergy is not always an easy task, but it could be very helpful. Unfortunately, allergy sufferers are often allergic to more than one allergen. Year-round allergy sufferers could benefit greatly from getting vaccinated. These vaccines have pretty good results, reducing the symptoms greatly. The downside is that at the beginning, they are pretty time-consuming, and can sometimes cause negative reactions, which means you need to be monitored for a while after receiving one.

Clear the air

In the case of airborne allergens, clearing the air in your home is essential for good health. Start out by regularly cleaning your AC filters and keeping your home free from dust. If your allergies still aren’t going away, you should probably consider getting a high-quality HEPA filter air purifier. With so many products available on the market with huge differences in price and quality, choosing the right one can be a nightmare. Relying on a reputable source like Air Purifier Ratings could help you find a product that fits your needs and budget. Finally, stop smoking and make your home a smoking-free zone.

Make your home spotless

Although uncleanliness, at least to a reasonable degree, can actually help boost our immune system through exposure to pathogens, once you already have an allergy or even asthma, there’s nothing you can do but scrub your home until it’s spotless. Fabrics are notoriously difficult to clean, so you might consider removing your curtains and using furniture with as little fabric as possible. Removing carpets will make vacuuming and sweeping the floors a breeze.

Reconsider having pets

Parting from beloved pets is hard, but sometimes, if allergies are severe, there’s no other option but to reconsider. Pet dander is very difficult to get rid of, so a quality filter is a must. Also, sometimes it’s enough to just make your bedroom a no-pet zone. Keeping animal dander as far from your bed as possible and vacuuming it from the floors and furniture could help you keep your allergies under control.

Wash your hair frequently

Your home might be a clean, allergy-free zone, but remember that you are carrying allergens inside every time you walk in. It’s helpful if you change into clean clothes once you come home. Your hair is another reservoir of allergens, so try to wash it every day during allergy season. Clearing your nose from accumulated allergens is also great. All it takes is a simple netipot and some salt water. It’s a simple enough addition to your daily routine, but one that might make all the difference.

Keep dust mites away

Dust mites are present in every home, no matter what you do. However, you can try to minimize their effect on your health by vacuuming often, deep cleaning your furniture and washing your pillows and blankets frequently. To keep them away from you, try creating a barrier by using high-quality, tightly-woven linens. Linens marked as 2-micron or lower are ideal for keeping these tiny critters from reaching you.

Get rid of mold

Mold can cause allergies or exacerbate already existing ones. It’s usually found in humid spaces, so your bathroom and kitchen are the biggest risk zones. If you happen to find mold, get rid of it immediately using a chlorine-bleach solution. Mold spores can be very dangerous to your health, so always handle mold with caution and use protective gear such as a face mask and gloves. To prevent further growth, don’t leave wet clothes, towels and rugs in your bathroom and fix any leaks straight away.

If you happen to suffer from allergies, one of the best things you could do for yourself is make your home an allergy-free zone. That could make a world of difference and help you manage your symptoms in a much more effective way.

 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

What We Learned from Sex and the City

By Guest Blogger, Brigitte E.

What We Learned from Sex and the City

 

Our favorite girl gang might not be airing on TV anymore, but they still hold their spot in our hearts. The Sex and the City show made us all wonder if we have what it takes to live the high life in the urban jungle and what it is you actually need to do to get there. So, if you want to bring back the best of the times into today, here’s what you’re going to need:

An outfit to make a statement

Each of the girls in the show has her own unique style that worked brilliantly when then show aired in the early 2000’s, but let’s just say that not all of their styles aged so well. While Carrie might have been the fashion icon during the series, these days you might want to be a bit more like Charlotte. But if the girls have thought us something, it’s that you should always dress to impress. Surprisingly, while Miranda was the odd one out, dressing far less stylish than the other girls, her outfits would look the most normal if worn today. Clashing colors and weird pattern mixes might have been considered a catastrophe back in the day, but today you can see such designs on the biggest runways of the world. So really, whether you want to rock knee-high boots with an over-the-top fur coat, or if you want to show off your body in a sexy red dress, it’s important that you find the look that represents you.

Dating

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Relationships take time. You might meet the perfect one and fall in love instantly, but actually not end up together until several arguments, other partners and a couple of seasons pass by. But if we step away from Carrie and look at Charlotte, we’ll see that things don’t always work out – or do they? Your perfect life falls apart, you get divorced and you feel like you are at the bottom, but them someone new just walks by and there you go, back up on your feet.

Sex

 

Let’s take a page from Samantha’s book: She’s not only sex obsessed, but she is perfectly fine with sharing every single detail with her friends and the unseen audience. The thing to remember here is that this show made great strides in demystifying adult toys and showing us that sex isn’t always good. And when it isn’t – you should speak up, change something about it or, at the very least, take things into your hands. But the show also addresses a major problem: unplanned pregnancy. Miranda’s against-all-odds pregnancy was a shock to everyone, and the message is clear: if you don’t want kids (or and STI) always use protection.

Know your perfect cocktail

There is really nothing more iconic for this show than a glass of Cosmopolitan. So let’s see how you can recreate it at home with your best friends: Originally, the recipe uses cranberry juice, but you can substitute it for grapefruit or blood orange. Put 1oz in a shaker over ice, add a ¼ oz of triple sec and 1 ¼ oz of vodka (or a bit more, if you’re trying to cheer up a friend who just broke up). Shake it all up and pour into a martini glass. Garnish with a twist of lemon and you are good to go. Alternatively, go downtown to your favorite bar and tell mr. Bartender to keep them coming.

Have a support group

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If you strip away all the side action that fills up the show, you are left with one very simple theme: friendship. The four girls go through their life’s ups and downs together and support each other through it all. So before you start buying furry coats, shaking up cosmos and updating your sex toy collection, first make sure you have a group of friends that will see you through thick and thin, laugh and cry with you and love you and simply love you unconditionally.

 

And if this made you feel nostalgic, then maybe get your friends together and watch a season or two of the show to remember the good time and give yourself inspiration for your own adventure. After all, we are all writing our own stories, and perhaps it’s just the right time for another plot twist.

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.

FOR THE GUYS

Men’s Jeans Shopping Guide

By Guest Blogger, Diana S.

Men’s Jeans Shopping Guide

 

The diversity of men’s jeans is both a blessing and a curse. While you have a myriad of fits and cuts to choose from, sometimes that just makes it even more difficult for you to find the perfect fit. The original jeans simply used to fit or didn’t fit, they were black or blue, had five pockets and that was pretty much it. Today, with the variety of fits, cuffs and washes, the search for the perfect pair of jeans can sometimes be a true nightmare. If you’re one of the many men who see shopping for jeans as a big challenge, this guide will make your life so much easier.

The fit

The most important thing to pay attention to when shopping for jeans is the fit, simply because the fit determines how the jeans will feel, which further determines how you look. Since you want to look your best in comfortable men’s jeans, you need to choose your fit accordingly. Skinny fit is the tightest fit of all, and has a tapered leg opening. Skinny jeans are tight from hip to hem, looking quite similar to jeggings. Slim fit, on the other hand, will slightly hug the thighs, knees and calves, loosening up around the ankles. This fit is perfect for athletic men, because it’ll look very flattering on their toned body. Straight leg fit is a bit looser in the knees and calves unlike the slim fit, but feels the same in the thigh area. Thin men should consider wearing straight leg jeans, because they’re roomy and won’t attract attention to their undefined legs. If you’d like to offer more room for your thighs, look for a relaxed fit because they’re cut loose from the waist to the leg opening. Relaxed fit is the roomiest fit of all and it’s perfect for men with large hips, because they’ll need a pair of jeans with an equal leg width from hip to hem, which the relaxed fit offers.

The rise

Aside from knowing the perfect fit, when you start looking for a pair of comfortable men’s jeans, you should know which rise is perfect for your figure. High-rise is the perfect option for bigger men with wide hips, and make sure you don’t tuck in your shirt. Wear high-rise jeans above the belly button, because that’s where they’ll fit nicely. Medium or mid-rise jeans are a great choice if you like to tuck in the shirt, because the waistband skims the belly button. For a more relaxed appearance and a casual fit, go with low-rise jeans. If you have a thin body, low-rise jeans will look great on you. If you prefer jeans that are saggy at the rear, seat and hips, then a low crotch rise is your best pick.

The length

A pair of jeans should be long enough to have a half or full break, because that will make your entire look sharp. The length that sits right on the ankle ‒ usually it hits 0.25 inches above the bottom of the heel ‒ is the one you should go for. So, if your jeans are much longer than that, make sure you take them to a tailor, so they can have them hemmed to the proper length. However, if you want to cuff them, they should be a bit longer, and the cuff size will determine the length in that case. If jeans are too long, they’ll look too baggy on you, which won’t look stylish as it should.

Choosing the perfect pair of men’s jeans is crucial for achieving a dashing look. Therefore, make sure you know which fit is the best for your body type, don’t wear jeans that are too long, but have them tailored and you’ll look and feel amazing in your perfectly fitted pair of jeans.

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.

ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME, SEX & LIFE

How To Improve Your Focus

How To Improve Your Focus

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Do you find that you are struggling to focus as of late? Do you often find yourself staring out of the window or daydreaming and you don’t know how long you have been doing it for? Maybe you cannot focus on one idea for a long period of time without getting frustrated and thinking about something else. We all get like this from time to time. However, the only person that can get your focus back is you.

With that being said, read on to discover a number of different suggestions that will help you regain your focus again.

Read: THIS IS WHY YOUR BRAIN CAN’T FUNCTION WITHOUT SLEEP

Take short breaks –

There is only one place to begin, and this is by taking short breaks. Sitting at a computer for hours on end is not going to help anyone. Instead, if you take short breaks and you do so regularly, you give your brain a chance to refresh. You will come back to your station feeling rejuvenated, which will enable you to tackle your work with a much higher level of focus and concentration. There have also been a number of studies that have backed this up, too.

This includes one that was carried out by Alejandro Lleras, a psychologist at the University of Illinois. He carried out a study that involved participants taking short breaks throughout a task lasting 50 minutes. He found that they performed better than participants who worked straight through the task without taking any breaks. The theory is simply that short breaks like this will re-energize the brain. In order to stay focused, you need to deactivate and reactivate your goals. Brief mental breaks will actually enable you to stay focused on the task at hand.

Turn on some music –

Another way to increase your focus levels is to turn on your music. You may assume that this would be a distraction, but it all depends on the music you play. After all, too much background noise can be very distracting. However, if you play a song that you like, it can help you to focus your thoughts. This is something that was proven by the University of North Carolina and Wake Forest School of Medicine. You can find their research in the Scientific Reports. The researchers who carried out the study said they were surprised by the consistency of their results because of the fact that music varies considerably, from pieces with and without lyrics to the differences in acoustic complexity. Nevertheless, no matter whether it is Beyoncé or Beethoven, listening to music that you enjoy can help you to improve your focus.

Check the thermostat –

The next step in improving your levels of concentration is to check the thermostat. Your focus can be negatively impacted if your place of work is too hot or too cold. You need to make sure you are comfortable and that you are working to the optimal temperature.

Grab a coffee –

Are you the sort of person who needs a morning coffee to get your day going? If not, this could be where you are going wrong. You are probably aware of the fact that coffee can give you an energy boost and wake you up. However, it does a lot more than this, as it can actually help you to focus on the day too. A run to the coffee shop could be just the thing you need if you require an attention booster in the afternoon.

Natural energy boosters –

There are a lot of energy-boosting products available on the market today, yet most people are skeptical of using such supplements. This is understandable. After all, you don’t want to put something in your body if there is a risk of it having an adverse side effect. This is why it is good to use a natural energy booster, for example, something like Nitro Xtreme works well. With natural products like this, you can be sure that you are not consuming anything harmful. Some of the ingredients in this product include Niacin, Chromium, Zinc, Magnesium, and CoQ10. This increases your focus and gives you a natural boost of energy, making it especially suitable for anyone who has been experiencing a hectic and stressful life lately. Similarly, you can also opt to use Dr. Grundy’s MCT Wellness supplement to improve focus and boost energy function. You can check out MCT Wellness reviews online to see whether this supplement might be a beneficial addition to your diet. 

Unplug for 30 minutes –

Earlier, we spoke about the importance of taking brief breaks throughout any task you are carrying out that is going on for a considerable amount of time. However, it is also good to unplug for 30 minutes if you find that you are struggling to get in the zone out of work. This means logging out of social media and your email too. You can do this at the beginning of the day or for a period during the afternoon, whichever is better for you.

You will be shocked by how much more you can achieve once your emails and social media messages are not distracting you. Why not go one step further and turn off your notifications altogether? A lot of people assign themselves certain periods throughout the day for checking their emails so that it does not get in the way of what they are meant to be doing at work.

Understand what your focus needs to be –

You are going to struggle to achieve the high levels of focus and concentration you need if you cannot determine what is worthy of your distraction. Every morning, think about what really needs your most focus for the day so that you can direct your efforts properly and you can avoid wasting time on tasks that are not considered an emergency.

Prepare your brain –

Aside from the points that have already been mentioned, another way that you can focus more effectively is by calming your brain prior to carrying out any task. You should take a minute or two and sit in a position that is comfortable for you. Practice deep breathing into your stomach. This does not mean that you need to chant or sit cross-legged. You merely need to find a way to calm your body down before you start your work. This will really help you to get into the zone and concentrate.

Read: ULTIMATE SUCCESS ROUTINE

Drink more fluids –

The final tip when it comes to giving your focus the boost it needs is to drink more fluids. This is another suggestion that has been proven with a study. The Journal of Nutrition found that mild dehydration is one of the key reasons for inattention. Their 2012 study concluded that drinking more fluids could make a big difference in terms of focus levels. They recommend 12.5 cups for men and nine cups for women. Carry a water bottle with you while you are at work and use an app on your phone to track how much water you have drunk each day.

As you can see, there are many different ways that you can improve your focus. If you have been struggling to concentrate in the workplace and you do not know what to do to get your high levels of concentration back, follow the suggestions that have been provided above and you should notice a difference in terms of your efficiency and focus levels. You will be able to achieve more, and you will know exactly what to do if your concentration levels ever start to take a dip again.

​Tia and TipsfromTia.com are 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, TikTok, or Instagram.

BEAUTY, SEX & LIFE

5 Things You Can Do to Feel Better about Yourself

By Guest Blogger, Rebecca B.

5 Things You Can Do to Feel Better about Yourself

We can’t always feel our best or be at our best. But in order to live a happier and more stress-free life, there are certain things you can do to help the tough times flow by faster.

Exercise More

Did you know that exercise actually makes you happy? While doing your workout, your brain recognises the activity as stress, which is why it releases endorphins which are also known as the hormones of happiness. And the more you “torture” your body with exercise, the happier you are afterwards! You can even get hooked on your daily workout and it is probably the best addiction you can develop. There is a long list of benefits including a healthier heart, lower blood sugar levels, a slimmer figure, a sense of achievement, better mental health, to name but a few.

Most people find it hard to endure a certain type of exercise. We tend to give up for all sorts of reasons: it is too hard, we don’t have the time, it is more fun to do other things or we simply get bored of repeating the same drill over and over again. You can solve this problem by changing the type of workout you do. Combine different activities such as running, cycling, swimming and going to the gym. Or try out some fun new ways to keep fit such as power yoga, pilates, kickboxing or even dancing.

Enjoy a Long Walk by Yourself

If you want a quick fix for your body and soul, then go outside and take a stroll by yourself! Did you know you can spend a lot of calories just by walking? In one hour, you can burn about 200 calories, which is one snack. And just being outside alone and enjoying the fresh air will help you clear your mind and forget about anything that was previously bothering you. Beautiful scenery will help you even more, so go to a park, forest, river bank or simply stroll along quiet streets.

But what if it is too hot, too cold, too windy or too rainy outside? Then you can walk at home! All you need is a few square meters and a step counter. You can play the music you like or even watch a movie! And if you need extra motivation, find walk at home videos online.

Eat Healthy

Changing your eating habits can also help you feel better about yourself. If you want to lose weight, start counting calories. You can download an app to help you monitor what you eat and achieve your goals. You should also carefully choose the food you eat. Read the labels and avoid products which contain additives, artificial sweeteners, nitrites, nitrates, and other nasties.

You should also try to eat more organic food and cook your meals from scratch. Instead of buying a pasta sauce or mayonnaise, why not make them yourself. Fresh, healthy food tastes better anyway! Whenever you can, cook your meals, because it can be so rewarding. And if you don’t have time to do that, buy healthy, quality ingredients which can be tossed together and prepared quickly, or order food from trusty restaurants.

Have a Cosmetic Procedure

Not happy with your looks? Why not treat yourself with a cosmetic procedure! If you need a small boost, try one of the non-surgical treatments such as lip enhancement, face fillers, acne treatment or laser hair removal. Perhaps you have a tattoo you are no longer happy about? That can be fixed too!

Cosmetic surgery is nothing to be ashamed of if it can actually improve your overall wellbeing. A small intervention can boost your confidence and let you embrace new opportunities in life easier. In some cases, it can even improve your mental health!

Have a Pampering Session

 

And occasionally spoil yourself with a pampering session! Book a treatment at a beauty salon to fix your brows, get a wax or have your nails done. It will make you feel so much better about yourself! Or even go to a spa and enjoy a massage, an indulgent cosmetic treatment, a sauna or an energetic swim in the pool. It is a great idea for a girly outing with your bestie!

Alternatively, stay at home and dedicate an evening to yourself. Light up your favourite candles, make a bubble bath, put a rejuvenating mask on your face, do a scrub and use your most loved lotions and potions. Then tuck yourself in comfy pajamas and watch a series you are hooked on. It is one of the best ways to end the day and fill yourself with positive energy.

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.

Everyday Tips from Tia