Females: That Time of the Month.

FEMALES: THAT TIME OF THE MONTH.

The friend that never lets you down, Aunt Flo, The Curse… There are dozens of nicknames for a women’s monthly period. Some would say, ‘On the Rag’ is the crudest one of them all. However, the phrase comes from what was used before disposable pads were invented.  Thanks to some nurses in France who were inspired by the original, war-time invention from Benjamin Franklin, started using wood pulp bandages for that specific time of the month. This then, encouraged manufacturers created the first disposable pad for purchase in 1888. Still, rags, also called, Sanitary Napkins, were still commonly used in household throughout the 1950s.

Period Poverty

In today’s society, a majority of women have at least experienced one period overload or ran out of pads just went they needed one the most. But can you imagine not having a pad or even rags during that time of the month? That is exactly the case for some females in some parts of the world. The belief in some cultures is that a woman is impure during that time of the month and must be banished until she has finished her cycle.

The largest problem with not having a pad or rag to discreetly hide a female’s monthly ‘friend’ is the lack of sanitation during that time. We know that the body sheds a lot of stuff during that time, so it is a major health risk to oneself and others to not have it confined into one area. Plus, the inability to wash their hands in some locations can cause a snowball of health complications.

Disposable Pads: The Convenience is Great, but so is the Harm?

Disposable pads are a blessing, for sure. Yet, pads and diapers have taken a large toll on the environment. It is believed that biodegradability for a single diaper is 500 years. However, these disposables can now be recycled! In Canada and other places in the world, they can toss pads into the regular, curbside recycling bins. Other locations in the world must put in a little more effort. There are several companies out there that have specific pick-up collection companies for pads and diapers.

Going Old School with a Twist

Tradetoaid.org

For those that don’t have the time to find a local pickup service for their used feminine products, but still want to go with an old-school way of handling their monthly flow, in a way more sanitary method than back in the day, there is a product from Tradetoaid.org. Reusable pads.

Reusable pads are included for every kind of flow day needed. The reasonably priced kit that is available includes 2 light-flow, 2 medium-flow and 2 heavy-flow pads. Each dark-gray, microfiber pad is infused with bamboo charcoal to prevent odor while encased in a recycled waterproof lining to prevent leakage. The soft material is non-irritating, and the snap closure keeps the pad in place on underwear. Washing is also easy. Rinse (or soak with tea tree oil to help remove stains) and toss into the washer. Line-dry is the best option, so the pad doesn’t lose shape. Using them might feel different, at first, but you will soon find that you can confidently replace disposable pads with reusable ones to get the same protection.

Helping Out Others

Being a woman has its challenges, for sure. Yet, could you imagine missing work or school because it’s that time of the month? Sadly, it happens in places all over the world. A lot of great companies understand the seriousness of period poverty and are choosing to do something about it. Tradetoaid.org and other manufacturers of feminine products have decided to make a solid guarantee to us, the consumers. When you purchase one of their products, they will donate a supply to a female in need to help in the fight against period poverty. Tradetoaid.org donates to women and girls around the globe, along with educating menstrual health in West Africa.

Our Mission: To End Period Poverty – Trade To Aid

As females, we all have our own menstrual stories and nightmares, but at least most have those experiences with some form of protection. Pads and tampons reduce exposure to many diseases and viruses during a monthly flow passing though the vagina. Just think, some women don’t have that luxury. But remember there is something you can do to help our fellow sisters in the world. When shopping for sanitary pads, whether it be cloth or disposable pads, be sure to look for a product that is allowing you to help out others just by buying something you already need.

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.

How To Appreciate The People In Your Life

How To Appreciate The People In Your Life

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In a poll involving over 2000 Americans, 60% admitted to showing gratitude towards people who go out of their way to do something nice for them. Undoubtedly, there are people in your life who do much for you, and it makes sense to want to do something good in return to preserve memories. Whether family, friends, or a loved one, appreciating them is the way to go. Therefore, if you don’t know how to make them feel recognized, below are a few ideas. In the long run, it’s the thought that counts. 

1. Be there for them

Sometimes, making people feel appreciated is not entirely about buying a physical gift. Instead, it is about the deliberate efforts taken to spend time with them. It is also about the physical closeness, the frequent phone calls to check on them, and any other deliberate action that displays how often you have them in mind. Again, show up at their special events, remember their birthdays, or offer to perform a chore for them. Action, they say, speaks louder than words, and that is what you should be aiming for. Moreover, in many cases, people appreciate efforts that cannot be quantified.

2. Design a handwritten “Thank You†card

If you thought this was just something kids do, you thought wrong. A self-designed ‘thank you’ card can be done by anyone, regardless of age. It also means that you value them enough to spend time out of your busy schedule to create a card purposely for them. Indeed, the handwritten card should not necessarily be for a special occasion. It can be delivered at any time, mainly because the primary purpose is to express gratitude for something they did. Moreover, in the era of the internet and typing, it would be nice to put pen to paper, in a literal sense. Let them know the specifics of what you value about them and how much of a difference they make in your life.

Again, it is the thoughtfulness that makes all the difference. Your loved one is not expecting you to be a grand artist (you’re probably not) with this handwritten card. Your job is to put into words how much you love them and to acknowledge their positive actions towards you. How do you go about it then? Fortunately, there are several blank ‘Thank You’ cards in gift shops around the country. You will also find others on online shops that you can order. Another option you may want to consider is to create a love book. 

3. Pay the kindness forward

One good turn deserves another. In this case, however, that ‘good turn’ can be paid forward. In other words, someone else could benefit from the kindness. You can do this through volunteerism or giving to charity. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to let your ‘benefactor’ know that you’re taking these actions as a way to pay the kindness forward. They couldn’t be prouder to know that their actions impacted you so positively.

Indeed, there are several ways to value the people in your life without necessarily making it seem like spending huge sums is the only form of appreciation. Kindness and appreciation are signs of humanity, and you can never give or receive too much of them.

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.

Can IV Therapy Treat Stress?

Can IV Therapy Treat Stress?

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Living with stress is not easy at all, and people that aren’t stressed will never know how lucky they have it. Stress comes from different sources, and it can weigh down your mind and cause physical health problems as well. Finding stress relief treatments is essential, but what can you do to treat stress?

One idea that’s doing the rounds is IV therapy. It’s not necessarily a new concept, but it has only started coming into the public eye lately. If you are suffering from stress, can this treat it?

What is IV therapy?

First of all, what is IV therapy? 

Most of your direct involvement with IVs will be within a hospital setting. The process is when a bag of fluid is hooked up to your body via your veins – hence its real name: intravenous therapy. The fluid contains various things that will enter your bloodstream directly. 

In hospitals or clinical settings, IVs are most commonly used for extreme pain relief. They are combined with morphine or ketamine therapy to help patients feel less pain and drift off into a healing sleep. Other IV’s contain good stuff in restoring fluids.

How can IV therapy help stress?

Taking the above into account, how on earth can IV therapy help people suffering from stress? Well, it all boils down to the IV concoction you are given. 

Typically, IVs that treat stress will include some of the following nutrients and minerals:

  • Vitamins B and C
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc
  • Water

The idea behind this is that all of these things can improve your internal system and handle chemical imbalances in your body. After all, stress is a response to chemical imbalances that mean your body releases high amounts of cortisol. This is the main stress hormone that makes you feel panicked, raises your heartbeat, and leads to the typical stressed feelings you have every day. 

It is believed that by giving your body the right blend of vitamins and minerals, you can reduce cortisol production and increase your production of serotonin. For those that don’t know, this is basically a happiness hormone that improves your mood. 

How does this differ from taking vitamins and mineral supplements?

A very good question and the answer is that, well, it doesn’t. The only main difference is that these things enter your bloodstream directly, so you might absorb more of them into your body and see faster effects. You could still see similar results if you kept taking a blend of supplements every day, though it would take longer to feel stress relief. 

So, does IV therapy work for stress?

Yes and no.

It can help if your problem is primarily a chemical one. It’s particularly good if you naturally have hormonal imbalances, helping to restore balance to your body. However, you still need to address the main causes of stress. It’s all well and good trying to improve your hormonal balance, but will it do anything if you’re still feeling stressed because of external factors – like work or your relationships? Overall, you can say that it is a possible stress relief method to add to the others out there.

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.

How To Take Better Care Of Your Oral Hygiene

How To Take Better Care Of Your Oral Hygiene

Your oral hygiene matters just as much as your personal hygiene. Taking good care of your teeth and gums can prevent an array of issues and diseases. If you struggle to take good care of your teeth or want to improve your routine, here are the best tips. 

Image by JOSEPH SHOHMELIAN from Pixabay 

Attend routine checkups

Your routine checkups are an essential part of your oral hygiene. They are there for a reason and are there to assist with the health maintenance of your teeth. Should your routine checkup result in no work needing to be done, that’s a bonus. Even if you have no issues as a result of every appointment, it is still important to attend then regularly. You will not want to miss them and avoid discovering an underlying health condition. A place like Infinity Dental will help you stay on top of your oral health and keep your oral health in good check.

Regular treatments and expert cleaning

Using your time wisely at home could mean that you spend an hour wisely deep cleaning your teeth. You could create spa experience at home and pamper yourself whilst whitening and cleaning your teeth. Or, you could ask an expert to professionally clean your teeth. A deep clean and treatment will free your gums and teeth of a buildup of bacteria and plaque. 

Brush your teeth twice a day (or more)

When a dentist tells you to brush twice a day, make sure to take their advice. They aren’t just saying it for no good reason. It is so important to brush your teeth when you wake up and when you go to bed. Cleaning your teeth will free your gums and teeth from dirt and plaque, which if not removed, can cause infections or poor tooth health. Brushing twice a day is advised. Yet, if you can remember to brush more (after each meal, snack, or drink) then you will be able to achieve optimal oral hygiene. 

Brush your tongue

As well as brushing your teeth, it is important to brush your tongue too. Lots of bacteria and plaque can build up there, which can deteriorate the health of your gums and teeth. It is useful to get a separate tongue brush or toothbrush so that you don’t can maximize the hygiene of your brushing. 

Don’t forget to floss

Aside from brushing both your teeth and tongue, it is important to get in between your teeth with floss. It is easy for food or bacteria to get stuck between your teeth and the best way to get rid of it is with floss. Make sure to floss twice a day if you can so that nothing gets stuck between your teeth for too long. If you forget to floss, the food or germs could lead to an infection in your gums and cause pain and inflammation. 

Following these tips, you can attain optimal oral health and hygiene at home and be on your way to optimal teeth health. 

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