ORGANIC HEALTH & HOME

5 Ways to Find the Help You Need to Stay Healthy This Winter

5 Ways to Find the Help You Need to Stay Healthy This Winter

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This year has shown us how important it is to take care of ourselves and the ones around us. At the same time, the months spent indoors, the travel restrictions, and social distancing measures have made it incredibly challenging to remain happy, healthy, and motivated. And, now that winter is here, there are even fewer occasions to spend a sunny afternoon in the garden. However, all this makes it crucial to understand how you can support yourself throughout these challenging months. Below are some steps you can take to work towards perfect health.

It All Starts Within Yourself

You – and your mind – are much more in control of yourself or what you think. Even if you have found the past months difficult to deal with, it might be the right time to discover what your mind can do when stimulated. For this, there is no need to sign up for a course or retreat. Instead, you might decide to learn something new or start meditation sessions to gain a better understanding of yourself and your mind. 

Reach Out to the Ones Around You

Over the past months, we have all been dealing with sky-high levels of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. The travel restrictions and social distancing measures have made it even harder to cultivate those relationships that are the closest to our hearts. However, technology, this time can help! Make sure you schedule regular catch up calls and coffee chats with your friends and family. 

Rethink Your Habits

Your lifestyle has a greater impact on your well-being than you would think. For example, the way you start your days can impact the hours ahead or even your entire time. Nutrition is also crucial in looking after your body. Through the right foods, you can start detoxing, feeling more energized, and love yourself a little more!

If you are not sure how to change your habits under this aspect, you might consider speaking to a professional nutritionist who can guide you along the journey. You might also consider trying a different way of eating such as plant-based diets or organic nutritional regimes.  

Find Support in Nature

We all tend to spend most of our time indoors, something that has been made even worse by the various lockdowns we have gone through. However, sometimes, there is nothing more therapeutic than getting out of your four walls and reconnecting with nature. Just a short walk in a park, forest, or beachfront can help you breathe in the fresh air and benefit from sunlight. Studies have even confirmed that being in contact with nature can have healing properties and help you feel better emotionally. 

Find Professional Help

Sometimes, you might need the guidance and help of an expert in the field. The past months have been challenging for everybody, and it is only natural to need additional help. Getting in touch with professionals such as those at Meridian Psychiatric Partners can help you identify the right path to work on your emotional health and go back to living your life to the fullest. 

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 Survive Lockdown With Your Partner

How to Survive Lockdown With Your Partner

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It’s a difficult time for everyone at the moment. There are lockdowns going on over the world, and people are unable to do many of the activities that once brought them joy. There are restrictions on going out for dinner or drinking at bars, and don’t even think about going to a concert or sports event in the foreseeable future. As winter continues to settle in, more and more people will find themselves stuck at home for long periods of time. You may be working from home or unemployed due to the pandemic. Perhaps you’ve had to self-isolate or shield to reduce your risk.

Whatever your reasons for being stuck at home, it can be an incredibly frustrating and isolating experience. Having a loved one to share the experience with can help, but it can also present challenges of its own. You may think spending more time with your partner at home would help strengthen your relationship, but if you’re not careful it could do just the opposite. When you are together 24/7, with little room to get away, you may find yourself getting increasingly annoyed with one another. Your partner’s habits will go from cute to unbearable in the blink of an eye, and you may find yourself engaging in constant shouting matches and passive-aggressive silences.

But if you are prepared for the challenges of being stuck indoors together, you will be better equipped to avoid putting a strain on your relationship. To help your love make it through the winter, here are a few helpful tips for surviving lockdown with your partner.

Face issues together

You and your partner are both completely different people with different minds, experiences, and habits. One of you may be coping perfectly well with the situation, while the other is silently suffering. It’s important that you are open and honest with each other about how you are feeling, and face your anxieties and worries together. If you bottle up your emotions inside, they will eventually overwhelm you and lead to cracks in your relationship. Keep an open line of communication and constantly check in with one another. Speak up about any irritations you have as well. Perhaps your partner puts the heating on too high or leaves their clothes all over the floor. You probably have some habits that annoy them too, so talk about them together and be prepared to make compromises.

Give each other space

No matter how in love you are, everyone needs some alone time now and then. But if you’re stuck at home together day and night, this space is harder to achieve than you would like. Make sure you schedule some alone time every day, to give your thoughts a chance to breathe and check in with yourself. You could go for a long winter walk, or spend an hour in the bath with a scented candle and a cup of tea. Once you return to your partner you will be in a much better frame of mind.

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, SEX & LIFE

Hair Loss: 4 Ways You Can Support Your Man

Hair Loss: 4 Ways You Can Support Your Man

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Most guys don’t know this, but hair loss can start as early as the late teens in men. As his partner, it’s your job to help your guy through this difficult transition, especially if he’s taking it poorly. Plus, you want him to look his best, in the same way, that your beau does for you. 

Of course, it’s often easy to do more harm than good when you’re trying to lend a hand. This is particularly true if he’s touchy about the subject. So, what can you do to show your support? Here are four options for women.

Show Him He’s Not Alone

Although the research is out there, it’s tempting for people to deal with their issues the old-fashioned way – ignoring it! Men aren’t the best at dealing with emotions, so there’s a chance your guy is doing this to try and cope. Therefore, proving that he isn’t the only person going through the process is a step in the right direction as it removes the stigma and embarrassment. You can tell him that 66% of men are affected by hair loss by the time they reach 35, according to Healthline. That way, he shouldn’t feel as isolated.

Help Him Protect What He’s Got

The best form of defense is to protect what hair he has left since it won’t grow back without some form of invasive surgery. With that in mind, you can buy hair loss-related presents to encourage him to take better care of his follicles. My Hair has a kit that is very popular because it’s designed to target the main problems, such as dandruff and protein deficiency. Alternatively, Alpecin is a German-engineered shampoo that helps the scalp absorb caffeine and boost hair follicles.

Focus On Stress

When something plays on a person’s mind, the negative emotions won’t go away until the stress dissipates. Hair loss in men can lead to high levels of cortisol, which then encourages poor mental health. Thankfully, loved ones have the power to reduce tension by taking their minds off their issues. Doing activities he enjoys, such as walking, could be the answer as you can pick a secluded spot where he doesn’t have to worry about his appearance and forget about life for a bit.

Let Him Know You Love Him

Showing how much you care can be the difference between men coming to terms with their hairline and pushing the feelings even deeper down. It’s not only about love, either, but attraction. Losing hair makes guys feel as if they aren’t as good-looking or desirable, which leads to inadequacy and low self-esteem. So, as well as showing him that you care, you should talk about the attractive personality traits that you’ll love, regardless of how he looks. Outlining them should help your man to see there’s more to life than looks.

The key is not to push him. You should support him however you can, but he needs to take the lead and open up about his thoughts and feelings.

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, FOR THE GUYS, SEX & LIFE

How To Get Your Guy To Always Look His Best

How To Get Your Guy To Always Look His Best

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Picture the scene: It’s date night, and you have spent the day getting yourself ready for the special evening ahead with your guy. You have taken a shower, organized your evening wear, and carefully applied your beauty products. You’re good to go. 

Your partner on the other hand…

If he isn’t looking his best, perhaps because he hasn’t made the effort, you’re going to be pretty upset! This might even taint your date night, as you might be a little angry and embarrassed if he hasn’t bothered to care about his appearance. 

So, how can you make sure he always looks his best in the future?

#1: Buy nice clothes for him

Some guys prefer to do their own clothes shopping, but there are also those who are content to wear whatever they have owned for the last ‘x’ number of years. If it’s a case of the latter with your guy, it might be that you should gift him nice clothes occasionally, perhaps on his birthday, at Christmas, or on any random occasion. You do need to be careful. of course. You will need to know his size, and you will need to know what he is likely to wear, as you might make matters worse if you buy something ill-fitting and against his taste. But if you do your homework first, you should be able to buy him something that looks good, and as it’s a gift, he might be more likely to wear it. 

#2: Add items to your supermarket basket

When you’re out shopping, look for the best deodorants for your guy if you know he doesn’t have any. And look for the right shampoos for your guy too, and even the best oil-based pomade if you know he would benefit. When he has the right products at home, he will be more likely to use them, even if you do need to point him in the right direction occasionally. So, consider what he is short of and unlikely to buy himself, and add them to your supermarket basket. 

#3: Compliment him when he does make the effort

We all like to be complimented, so when he does do something to make the effort with his appearance, let him know how good he looks. This form of encouragement might make him make more of an effort again in the future, not only because he knows he looks good, but because he knows it makes you happy too.

#4: Gently educate him

Some guys want to look good but they don’t know how to do it. They might be clueless when it comes to choosing their own wardrobe, and they might not know the first thing about hair or skincare. So, direct him to fashion sites where he will pick up a few top tips, and bookmark any articles you find, such as our post on men’s skincare. Maybe look for a few YouTube tutorials too, but in all that you do, don’t force these things on him. Simply encourage him to take a look in his own time, without making a big deal about it. This way, he won’t feel as if you are nagging him in any way.

With these tips, your guy should (hopefully) look his best the next time you’re out together! Leave a comment below if you have any other advice for our readers.

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

Why Breathing Right is So Important

Why Breathing Right is So Important

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If you’ve ever felt short of breath or experienced tightness in your chest, you’ll know just how uncomfortable it can be when your breathing is impaired. Of course, most people take breathing for granted but few of us are doing it ‘right’. How you breathe has a major impact on your physical health and your emotional well-being, even if you don’t realize it.

How Does Breathing Affect the Body?

Your breathing has a direct impact on your blood pressure and your heart rate. If you’ve ever noticed how your heart races when you feel anxious, this reaction is often triggered because of a subconscious change in your breathing pattern. When you get nervous or anxious, you take more shallow breaths and, as a result, your heart rate and blood pressure increase.

In addition to this, your breathing impacts how well your muscles are able to function. If you take shallow breaths, rather than deep breaths, you use the muscles surrounding your collarbone and neck, instead of your diaphragm. However, tightness in the muscles or poor posture impairs their ability to function adequately, which can make you feel like you’re not taking in enough air.

Can Breathing Affect the Mind?

Yes. Your emotions can have an impact on your breathing, but the reverse is true too, which is why breathing right is great for mental health. If you’re not breathing properly, it can fuel anxiety, rather than diminish it. This can lead to a vicious cycle where your anxiety affects your breathing and, in turn, your breathing exacerbates your anxiety, often leading to a panic attack.

In addition to this, consistent, short, shallow breaths can make you feel more stressed and overwhelmed. When your blood isn’t filled with oxygen-rich air, it can also cause confusion, which can make you feel even more out of your depth. Furthermore, breathing too rapidly can cause your carbon dioxide levels to drop, which can lead to a feeling of panic, dizziness, faintness, and/or nausea.

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How to Optimize Your Breathing

Now you know why it’s so important to breathe‘ right’, you’ll want to do everything you can to optimize your breathing patterns. Firstly, it’s important to ensure that the air you’re breathing in is as fresh and clean as possible. By having air ducts in your home professionally cleaned by DUCTZ, for example, you can ensure the air quality in your property isn’t having a negative impact on your well-being. Similarly, keeping your home well-ventilated will help to ensure you have constant access to fresh air.

Once you’ve taken steps to enhance the air quality, take a look at these top tips for improving your breathing patterns:

1. Keep Your Chest Still

If your chest rises and falls with each breath, it probably means you’re taking shallow breaths. Many people are surprised to learn that your chest doesn’t really need to move in order for you to breathe properly. When you’re learning how to take deep, diaphragmatic breaths, aim to keep your chest as still as you can.

2. Inhale Through Your Nose

Instead of gulping air in through your mouth, aim to inhale slowly through your nose. As you do so, place your hand on your belly and notice how it expands slightly as you draw breath into your body.

3. Exhale Through Your Mouth

When you’re ready to exhale, try to engage your stomach muscles. You can do this by attempting to pull your muscles towards your spine. As you exhale, purse your lips and allow the air to be expelled via your mouth.

Use Your Posture to Enhance Your Breathing

If you have poor posture, you may experience back or neck discomfort, but you may not realize that the way you stand, sit, and move could be affecting your breathing too. If you’re sitting in a hunched-over position, for example, your stomach muscles won’t be able to fully engage as you exhale.

By practicing good posture, you can breathe far more effectively, particularly when you’re learning how to take deep breaths from the diaphragm. When you first start experimenting with new breathing techniques, try to practice will you’re standing up or lying down, rather than sitting. This will help you to activate the appropriate muscles and allow you to feel the difference between taking shallow and deep breaths.

Breathe Mindfully

When you’re used to taking short or shallow breaths, it’s easy to overlook the impact it has on your well-being. However, once you begin to feel the difference that deep breathing makes, you’ll be acutely aware of how good it feels. By taking the time to practice deep breathing techniques every day and by being mindful about your breathing, you can enjoy the physical, mental and emotional benefits it brings.

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