self care Archives

15 Self Care Activity Ideas To Kickstart a Healthy Lifestyle.

July 1, 2022

What is self-care to you? Self-care is not just eating a nice healthy meal and create a 6-pack at the gym. It is the action you take to meet all your physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional needs. We tend to put ourselves last, at the very bottom of our priority list because when we stop doing something in order to take care of our needs; people or even yourself think of it as laziness and feel guilty about it. Well, I hate to break the news to you; if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be there to help others. Therefore, make an effort to put yourself first without feeling guilty. In this post, I will share 15 self-care ideas to kickstart a healthy lifestyle.

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4 Benefits of Eucalyptus Leaves

June 25, 2020

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As I was sitting outside drinking my Eucalyptus tea this morning, I thought about sharing some of the amazing health benefits with you. Eucalyptus is an evergreen tree that’s widely used for its medicinal properties. Although, Eucalyptus can be used for many other reasons but more research needs to be done in order to claim that it’s actually working in that particular area.

(As you can see, I chose to blend mine with some peppermint leave)

Eucalyptus may relieve cold symptoms

Eucalyptus is a natural anti-inflammatory agent and it is widely used as a natural cold remedy and is a common ingredient in cold and cough products.

There is a main ingredient responsible for these properties in eucalyptus called eucalyptol, also known as cineole. Research has shown that eucalyptol relieves cold symptoms like cough frequency, nasal congestion, and headache by decreasing inflammation and mucus buildup, asthma and so much more.

However, if you are using eucalyptus oil, any small amount can be considered as toxic. So, it’s best to consult with your doctor, especially if you’re taking some other medications that are not compatible with.

High in antioxidants

Although you cannot eat fresh, whole eucalyptus leaves, dried leaves can be made into tea. Be sure to choose a tea that’s labeled “eucalyptus leaves tea,” because it can be TOXIC to add eucalyptus essential oil to your tea.

In addition, eucalyptus tea contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants that may lower your risk of certain cancers, heart disease stress, and dementia.

Promote relaxation

Eucalyptus is widely believed to decrease symptoms of stress. If eucalyptus has the ability to decrease heart disease therefore it has its importance in decreasing stress as well. Stress is one of the leading cause of heard disease such as hypertension after all! Also, the same eucalyptol component from the eucalyptus leaves has been found to possess anti-anxiety properties Want a nice calming effect on your body? Hanging some eucalyptus leaves in your shower can do the trick.

Natural insect repellent

Eucalyptus oil is a natural insect repellent, mainly due to its eucalyptol content once again.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention lists lemon eucalyptus oil derived from the lemon eucalyptus tree as an approved and powerful bug repellant. Topical application is very effective at warding off mosquitoes and other biting insects for up to eight hours. So, before you go to that mountain trip, camping getaway, don’t forget to add one in your bag.

While eucalyptus leaves are generally recognized as safe, there are some serious health risks associated with consuming eucalyptus oil, as it can lead to toxicity in both adults and children. Again be sure to consult your healthcare provider.

Five Realistic Self-Care Tips For Mind, Body And Soul

March 27, 2020

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Five Realistic Self-Care Tips For Mind, Body And Soul

How many time you confuse self-care as laziness? I bet you’d be feeling guilty each time you have to put aside some things just to take care of YOU!
But every time you go through the week or month without reserving your self care break, you’ll feel overwhelmed.
Self care is no magic! You become more connected to yourself once you start giving it a little bit of attention. Self-care is extremely important to a healthy lifestyle and does not hurt.

Pamper Yourself

“Just get in the shower and get dressed”, we do that everyday and sometimes in a rush. Yet, finding time to pamper yourself doesn’t have to be during your vacation. Turn off your alarm, take a long shower or bubble bath, go experience a massage or create a spa day right at home with music, wine or whatever makes you feel confortable. Also, schedule your bed time early that day in order to get enough sleep.

Leave The Comfort of Your Home

If you read my previous posts, you’d notice how I am a big fan of spending time outside. Being outside will decrease tension and make you feel less depressed. Therefore, go and enjoy mother nature; at a park, a lake or anything that involves a fun outdoor activity.

Laugh out loud

We live in a world where so much is happening and this is why laughter should be your best medicine. Laughter also improves your mood and connect you with your loved ones. During your self-care moment watch a funny movie and If you enjoy music; turn up the tunes, have a silly break dance, shake your booty and dance around. I can assure you, this will put a smile on your face. You are not alone… If you haven’t danced to a song until you tired; you are missing out in life honey!!!

Treat Yourself With A Good Meal

With a busy schedule, eating healthy can be very demanding . You grab anything and have no interest in knowing what’s in it because it is simply readily available. So, on your day off, a nice home cooked meal is a great way to balance your diet and if you don’t cook it’s OK to book yourself a table at descent restaurant for a healthy meal.

Gratitude

Gratitude is defined as readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. It’s a blessing to wake up everyday, mind your business, go to work, eat or do whatever you are supposed to do. Sometimes, you can become ungrateful when you have not reached your goals in life; nevertheless, you are not in the same place from three, five years ago. Trust me, many people would love to be in your position and don’t have the opportunity because life can be a THING!!! Therefore, If you are grateful enough for what you have, take it in consideration and pay it forward. Now don’t get me wrong; I am not asking you to spend money you don’t have. But, landing a hand by voluntering, mentoring and giving is all part of “paying it forward”.

What to Eat to Improve Your Digestion.

February 12, 2020

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There are more than 2 million doctor visits for constipation in the USA each year, and hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on laxatives yearly. Lifestyle choices, medications or medical conditions are known to be the leading factors. In my opinion, it’s important to know the causing factors because that will push you to change your lifestyle and get a second opinion from a healthcare provider in case of a medical condition.

Constipation from lifestyle factors may include: poor diet which includes too many rich and fatty foods and too little fiber, dehydration, stress, not going enough or trying to hold stools in.
In addition , it can be a result of certain medications and supplements such as: opioids, anti-inflammatories, anticonvulsant, iron supplements, antacids and much more.
Sometimes, chronic constipation can be related to gastrointestinal and neurological disorders, and these medical conditions include: irritable bowel syndrome or IBS, pregnancy and giving birth, diabetes, intestinal tumors, anxiety, rectal prolapse, stroke, spinal cord injury, dementia, etc…

Now, what can you do? Honestly, I can suggest two things. First, change your lifestyle if you notice anything different and talk to your provide if the cause is a medical condition.

Here’s a list of things you can eat/drink to improve your digestion.

Water
I personally know people that just hate drinking water. Well, HATE might me a strong word but if you’re not drinking, you’re dehydrated, constipated and much more. According to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine, it is recommended for men to drink about 15 cups (3.7L) of water and women 11.5 cups (2.7L). Many people would prefer to drink sodas for their fluid intake but the amount of sugar that can be found in these drinks can definitely lead to other health issues in the future.

Dehydration is a common cause of constipation since the intestines cannot add enough water to the stools. As a result the stools become lumpy, hard and lead to constipation, so make an effort to drink your water.

Prunes
Prunes and prune juice are a time-tested home remedy for constipation in different parts of the world and they work wonderfully. Prunes contain fiber and sorbitol compounds, elements known to ease and speed up bowel movements, improve stool consistency and provide other gastrointestinal benefits.

Broccoli
As much as I don’t like broccoli, I’ll eat it from time to time because of its health benefits. Broccoli contains sulforaphane which is a substance that may protect the gut and ease digestion; therefore more trip to the bathroom.

Yogurt
Many dairy products, including yogurt and kefir, contain microorganisms known as probiotics. Probiotics are often called “good” bacteria, and they may help to improve gut health and soften stools.

Whole wheat breads, cereals, and pastas
I am personally in love with bread and pastas. I can’t go weeks or days without them. So, I usually choose whole wheat breads that also contain nuts and seeds which pack even more fiber into each serving.
Whole wheat products are an excellent source of insoluble fiber, which adds weight to stools and speeds up the flow of materials through the intestines.

Apples and pears
Apples and pears contain several compounds that improve digestion, including fiber, fructose, high levels of water, which can help to ease digestion and prevent constipation. It is recommended to eat them raw with the skin intact in order to get the most benefits from them.

Kiwi

On average, 100 g of kiwi contains around 2–3 g of fiber, which can add bulk to stools and speed up the intestinal flow.

Takeaway from this post
Remember to not skip meals, avoid processed or fast foods on regular basis, drink at least 8 to 10 cups (2 to 2.5 L) of liquids every day, particularly water. Moreover, call your doctor if you: have not had a bowel movement more than 3 days, if you are bloated or have pain in your stomach, have nausea or throw up or have blood in your stool. Also, talk to your doctor about a personal regiment because everyone has a different dietary needs.

References:Koyle MA, Lorenzo AJ. Management of defecation disorders. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 144.

Camilleri M. Disorders of gastrointestinal motility. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 136.

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Mental Cleanse. Have you done any?

January 17, 2020

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Mental Cleanse. Have you done any?

It is hard to stay on top of things and I want to remind you not to forget yourself in the picture. Here’s a list of things you can do to cleanse your mind.

First, you need to get rid of any negativity.Continue reading

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Listen to Your Body and Go to The Potty

November 7, 2019

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Listen to Your Body and Going to The Potty

Constipation is the most frequent gastrointestinal complaints in the USA and Western countries. There are at least 2.5 million doctor visits for constipation in the USA each year, and hundreds of millions of dollars are spent on laxatives per year.

What is Constipation?

Constipation means that a person has three or fewer bowel movements in a week. Constipation most commonly occurs when the stool that forms after food is digested moves too slowly as it passes through the digestive tract. Change in diet , dehydration,certain drugs and sedantary lifestyle are frequently to blame. Also, poor coordination of the pelvic and anal muscles sometimes contribute to constipation which may cause bowel obstruction (blockage).
At one time or another, almost everyone gets constipated. In most cases, it usually lasts a short time; however, it can be pretty serious. If you have any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from constipation.
1. Hard and dry stool
2. Painful and unpleasant discomfort during bowel movements
3. Feeling of being unable to empty the bowels fully
4. Loss of appetite due to a feeling of fullness
5. Stool loos like small rocks etc..

There are many things you can do to prevent constipation. They include:

• Eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, which are high in fiber
• Drinking plenty of water and other liquids
• Getting enough exercise
• Taking time to have a bowel movement when you need to
• There are different laxatives over the counter you can use but I really recommend that you talk to your doctor if you simply have to rely on them go the bathroom.
• Asking your doctor if the medicines you take may cause constipation so he can prescribe something else for constipation.
Everyone’s body is different, you may go every day while someone else every other day. However, pay closed attention if your bowel habits change.

What can happen when things remain unclear?

Some tests may be done. The doctor may recommend an examination with a flexible viewing tube, either just the lower part of the large intestine (sigmoidoscopy) or (colonoscopy) for entire large intestine. This examination is important if the constipation developed suddenly or if it is worsening noticeably. So, listen to your body, do what you need to do, reflect on your lifestyle and talk frankly to your provider in order to receive proper treatment.

self care

15 Self Care Activity Ideas To Kickstart a Healthy Lifestyle.