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5 Signs You’re Not Getting Enough Quality Sleep

By
Elizabeth Williams

We all need to get enough sleep to function well. Most of us need at least 7 hours of non-interrupted sleep every night. Our body uses the sleep function to go to work repairing itself. So, when there’s insufficient sleep, it starts to breakdown, affecting the immune system or repair work like healing skin abrasions and more serious health issues too.

The balance of chemicals that each perform a role in the body’s functionality is also not allowed to rebalance overnight when the quality of sleep is poor. Over time, this can cause related problems. Also, during sleep, the day’s events are linked to previous life experiences through making connections in the mental pathways. The brain’s memory center is then updated to include the last day’s activities. With insufficient sleep, many of these activities are badly affected.

Here are 5 signs that you’re not getting enough quality sleep.

1.      Memory Problems

If you don’t normally experience short or long-term memory problems, but you have begun to do so, then it could be due to sleep deprivation. Not being able to remember events from a few days ago is a clear sign that you might not be sleeping long enough.

Consider what the causes of lack of sleep might be. This could include poor sleeping posture or a sleeping environment that’s not dark or quiet enough. Also, if you snore or your partner snores, this could be waking you up too. In which case, fixing your snoring will help by looking into sleep aids, such as mouth strips.

2.      Repeated Bouts of Sickness

If you’re someone with a decent immune system, then you don’t usually pick up the cold or flu going around. Even if you do, you probably don’t get it too badly and it goes away quicker that other people.

However, if you find that sickness has become a far more common thing that you’re living with, then it could be a sign of not getting sufficient REM sleep. Your immune system gets rundown when you don’t let your body rest. During your sleep cycle, the body produces substances that act to protect against infections, virus and bacteria. This doesn’t happen as well when you are sleep deprived.

3.      Digestive Changes

Not getting enough sleep can cause you to put on weight. This is because the amount of sleep changes how much leptin or ghrelin hormones are released. The former tells your body when you feel sated and should stop eating. The latter is a stimulant to encourage you to eat more.

When you don’t sleep enough, leptin is reduced, and ghrelin is increased naturally. It’s possible this corelates to eating at night when staying up late. The weight gain comes into play with increased calorie consumption. Also, a lack of sleep reduces energy levels, making it harder to stay active and keep the calories off. An unhealthy lack of sleep can weaken your immune system. By sleeping more and taking a nutrient supplement like Balance of Nature you can strengthen your immune system.

4.      Hormonal Imbalance

The production of hormones is linked to your sleep pattern. It’s necessary to get at least 3 hours of sleep to enter the REM cycle.

Testosterone doesn’t get produced well until you are safely in the REM cycle, so interrupted sleep badly affects the hormonal balance in your body the longer it continues.

5.      Fatigue

If you find yourself yawning halfway through the afternoon, or you’re generally feeling lethargic even when you’ve fueled up with a good meal and adequate H2O, then you may be suffering due to not enough hours with your head on a pillow.

You never really “catch up” with your sleep per se, but you certainly can sleep more to let your body totally rest if you’re exhausted. Make sure your phone is blocking out blue light using an app and prepare your bedroom with close to complete darkness to sleep more deeply.

Sleep deprivation is very real. It can even cause accidents when falling asleep at the wheel. So, we’d recommend taking it seriously and ensuring you get plenty of shut eye every night.

This Is The Kind Of Man You Should Date After A Messy, Toxic Relationship

By
Riley Cooper

Relationships are supposed to make you happy. They’re supposed to make your life more meaningful, fulfilling, and exciting than it already is. They’re not supposed to bring disappointment, sadness, pain, and remorse into your life.

But, things never go according to plan in life. You never know what kind of people will walk into your life. You never know what kind of person will gain your trust, win your love, and then nonchalantly break your heart into thousands of tiny pieces.

But, there’s something I want you to know: If you have ever been in a messy, tumultuous relationship, then know that it wasn’t wasted energy, emotions, or time. Rather, it was a valuable lesson that you learned the hard way.

If you have ever been in this kind of relationship, then you know how you don’t deserve to be treated. You know what kind of person doesn’t deserve a place in your life.  

You see, being in a messy, toxic relationship is a painful experience, yet it’s also one that teaches you that not every person around you is as honest, good, and loyal as you are. That not every person in your life deserves your attention, respect, trust, and affection. That not every person that swears that they truly love you really means it.

When you finally pluck up the courage to put an end to an unhealthy, troubled relationship and let go of the toxic partner completely, you are left doubting your self-worth. You’re left thinking that begging for someone’s attention and love is all you deserve. You’re left thinking that you’re not good enough to love and be loved.

As you start to move on with your life, you start reconnecting with the people who you may have distanced yourself from or who your toxic ex-partner didn’t want to see around you. You begin feeling like you’re reconnecting not only with your loved ones but with your old self. You start feeling more enthusiastic and livelier.

You even start to date again, yet your relationships are nothing serious. It flatters you and makes you feel good when you change your hairstyle or dress in elegant clothes and some man out there notices that. It’s an amazing feeling when a guy is giving you his attention, complimenting you, trying to flirt with you, and making you feel desirable and sexy.

The attention and compliments you are receiving are helping you rebuild your confidence and become aware of all those things about yourself that you completely forgot about in your last relationship.

Yet, you still don’t feel like you are the old you. You still don’t feel like you are the person you used to be before the manipulative, selfish, toxic man walked into your life. You feel like you’re still carrying burdens from your past on your shoulders.

And all this prevents you from realizing one vital truth – the truth that a guy is going to walk into your life and give you all the attention, respect, and love you deserve. And you won’t even have to ask for them.

This man will accept and love you just the way you are. He’ll know all your insecurities and fears, but he won’t make you feel ashamed of them. He’ll see you at your worst, yet he’ll never make you feel weak. He’ll simply know that your weaknesses and imperfections don’t make the person you are. He’ll know that your flaws don’t reduce your worth and both your outward and inner beauty.

This man will wear his heart on his sleeve. He won’t feel ashamed to tell you, “I love you” every day. He’ll make sure you know how much he loves you and how much you mean to him.

This man will be fiercely loyal to you. He’ll never make you wonder if you’re his only choice or just one of his “options.” He’ll never make you feel like you have to compare yourself with other women.

This man will fight for your happiness. He’ll try to be the reason behind all your smiles and laughs and never the reason behind your sadness.

This man will always be there for you. He won’t neglect your problems, instead, he’ll consider them as if they’re his own. He’ll never leave you to deal with your worries on your own. He’ll stick with you through thick and thin.

This man will make you feel in ways you’ve never felt before. He’ll love you and take care of you in ways no one ever has. He’ll love you genuinely, deeply, intensely. He’ll love you wholeheartedly and unconditionally.

When this kind of man enters your life, trust me, you’ll know it – you’ll feel it in the depths of your being.

Should you have any questions regarding this topic or one of your own interest, feel free to email me at [email protected]  

4 Types Of Soulmates Sooner Or Later Everyone Meets In Their Life

By
Riley Cooper

When you hear the word “soulmate,” the first thought that comes to your mind is probably of that one man or woman who is your perfect match. But, a soulmate is not every romantic partner you encounter in your lifetime. In fact, a soulmate can come in the form of an acquaintance, a friend, or a family member.

A soulmate is someone who comes into your life when you expect it the least. Some soulmates stay for a limited period of time in your life and others stay forever. And what they have in common is that they all walk into your life for an important, specific reason.

Following are 4 types of soulmates sooner or later you’ll encounter in your life:

1. The Stranger Soulmate

This type of soulmate is a person you encounter randomly on the bus, at a party, in a shopping center, or while you’re on your way to work. When you meet this type of soulmate, you feel as if you’ve known them for your entire life although you’ve just met.

You don’t build a strong, lasting relationship with this person, you just interact with them for a brief period of time. However, although the interaction is short, both of you feel free to share with each other whatever comes to mind, even give each other wise pieces of advice, because you feel comfortable with each other.

2. The Friend Soulmate

The friend soulmate is the type of soulmate that you should cherish your entire life and never take for granted since they are here to stay for good.

This is the type of person with whom you could talk for hours and never get bored because you understand and know each other very well. Moreover, this type of soulmate is someone who never judges you for your flaws, mistakes, and decisions and someone who selflessly helps you navigate your way through life’s challenges, problems, temptations, and pains. This soulmate is usually your best friend.

3. The Lover Soulmate

This soulmate is not necessarily the man or woman you will get married to and spend the rest of your life with. In fact, this kind of soulmate ends up being your life partner only in the rarest of cases.

This soulmate could be your first crush, a short fling, a secret, brief affair, or just a casual, no-strings-attached kind of relationship. These soulmates normally stay in your life for a short period of time.

However, you always remember them because they teach you important things about yourself and help you become more aware of your feelings, needs, insecurities, and fears. They also teach you valuable lessons about relationships and life in general that will be beneficial for you down the road.

4. The Wrecking Ball Soulmate

This type of soulmate is not someone who enters your life peacefully. These soulmates walk into your life to shake everything up. They challenge your beliefs, assumptions, and expectations and they make you question everything you thought you knew about the world around you.

The relationship you build with this person can vary from a genuine, deep friendship to an intimate one. Nevertheless, it’s a relationship that shapes you into a different person and changes your perspective on life.

Should you have any questions regarding this topic or one of your own interest, feel free to email me at [email protected] 

How to Fight Cognitive Decline Associated With Aging

By
Elizabeth Williams

The Trouble with Aging

Although the saying that “everything gets better with age” is true of a good cheese and wine combo, it’s not the case with people’s cognitive abilities. Some subtle changes in your ability to think are considered a normal part of the aging process, but that doesn’t mean you must passively accept the idea that a decline in your mental acuity is inevitable.

In fact, there are a number of things you can do to help decrease your chances of experiencing mental decline as you age. We’ll be discussing some of those solutions in depth within this post.

Fighting the Decline

From the time we’re born, through 5th grade, and on, our cognition continues to improve; however, many of the thinking abilities we develop peak, on average, around the age of 30 and begin to slowly decline from there. The most common abilities that see changes can include but are not limited to, your thinking speed, multitasking, paying attention, and keeping information in mind.

To prevent cognitive decline, scientists suggest adopting a lifestyle that focuses on regular exercise, a Mediterranean diet, consistent, good-quality sleep, moderate alcohol consumption, and avoidance of drugs. Scientists also say engaging in mentally stimulating activities like reading, writing, crossword puzzles, playing music, group discussions, and playing board and card games can have a significant impact on your sharpness as the years go on.

None of these practices are guaranteed to protect you from dementia and cognitive decline later in life, as studies estimate about 60% of your mental acuity can be attributed to genetics. However, recent studies suggest that implementing the following lifestyle changes and maintaining them over time can slow and, in many cases, even prevent cognitive decline due to aging.

Adopt Healthy Habits

This may seem intuitive, but healthy habits can have a huge impact on your mental acuity. Regular exercise offers a wide array of health benefits that spill over into every facet of everyday life, including your ability to think clearly and experience regular, refreshing sleep.

In fact, a lack of physical exercise, high blood pressure, and obesity have been linked to a higher risk of cognitive decline. Depression has also been shown to have an impact on people’s long-term mental abilities, and depression can be alleviated with serotonin from exercise.

As Elle Woods said in Legally Blonde, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. And happy people don’t kill their husbands.” Or in this case, happy people don’t experience a decrease in mental acuity as they age.

Build a Solid Social Support Network

In the same vein, a poor social support network can also have devastating effects on your mental health over time. Studies have shown that persistent loneliness causes accelerated aging and can eventually lead to death. These same studies show that loneliness often leads to depression and can have the same long-term effects on your physical and mental health as obesity, excess alcohol, and cigarettes.

So what can you do to prevent loneliness and its effects?

Scientists say the only thing you can do is take action. Reach out to family members or friends you haven’t spoken to in a while, join a new activity you’ve never done before, or utilize Skype and other online social platforms. No matter what you do to alleviate the loneliness, make sure you are satisfying your innate human need for social interaction.

Engage in Mental Stimulation

Aside from a healthy diet, frequent and close social interactions, and physical exercise, you need to start training your brain as well. Whether this means taking Chinese lessons or taking a quiz to find out if you’re smarter than a 5th grader, it’s up to you.

Activities that require you to think critically and recall information are irreplaceable in the fight against cognitive decline. These activities can include reading, writing, dancing, gardening, and trying new pastimes that involve your brain but don’t add stress.

Although we’ve broken these strategies into groups, they function much like a spider web. Without a focus on each one of these interwoven parts, your effectiveness at preventing mental decline is reduced. Social interaction, regular exercise, and mental stimulation can all be done together in activities like hiking with friends, hosting game nights, and trying something new with the person you love.

You Can’t Avoid Time, But You CAN Avoid Cognitive Decline

Getting older doesn’t have to correlate with slowing down. If you start now with the strategies we outlined above, you’ll be much less likely to begin seeing decline once you reach 30. And even if you’ve already passed the big 3-0, there’s still time to delay or prevent diminishing cognition. Now is always the best time for a fresh start.

6 Reasons Why Everyone Is Obsessed with Matcha

By
Elizabeth Williams

The Japanese are known to have amazing delicacies in their country, from the well-known sweets like dangos and sakura-flavored snacks to savory goodies like takoyaki and okonomiyaki. But one thing that stands out the most is matcha tea. If you hear the word Japan, matcha comes to mind and vice versa. This type of green tea has been making international waves primarily because of its great taste and the loads of benefits this tasty treat has to offer.

With so many kinds of matcha to choose from, it is no wonder many have become obsessed over this green wonder. If a shop has a matcha-flavored item in their menu, many will try to get their hands on it and taste it for themselves. So what’s the deal with matcha? Here are five reasons why everyone is obsessed with matcha:

Various Health Benefits

Matcha is known to have various health benefits. Packed with antioxidants that are known to prevent aging and chronic diseases, matcha is considered a powerhouse of minerals by many. Tufts University conducted a study that has proven matcha contains twenty times more antioxidants compared to blueberries and pomegranates. This makes matcha a great way to help the body fight off diseases.

Because it contains a lot of antioxidants, matcha is also known as a great, healthy way to prevent cancer. Catechins in matcha, called EGCg, are responsible for protecting the cells from damage, killing cancerous cells and stopping its progression. This means that partaking in matcha is a great practical means of cancer prevention.

Great Coffee Alternative

Matcha is made by grinding up nutrient-rich young leaves of Camellia sinensis plants, which are known to have L-theanine. L-theanine is an amino acid known for promoting relaxed alertness, focus, and memory. This makes matcha a natural brain booster and mood enhancer at the same time. Matcha has caffeine content depending on its grade and is known to be more than a shot of espresso! However, the L-theanine in matcha helps with concentration much more than when ingesting coffee. No caffeine-induced jitters means no stress!

Aids Weight Loss

Besides helping out with the protection of your body, the EGCg and caffeine content in matcha is known to boost metabolism as well. These natural chemicals in matcha help stimulate the body to secrete gut hormones that make you feel full. Take a cup of matcha after every meal to help lose those snack cravings.

With all the focus and energy boost obtained from a cup of matcha, one can definitely get the body moving even better when exercising. Matcha helps burn calories away much quicker than other drinks, so it’s recommended to drink a cup before starting the day. These natural catechins in matcha help activate the body’s ability to burn fat faster even when at rest. This makes it so that when you exercise and drink matcha as well, it boosts the fat oxidation or fat burning your body does when exercising. A neat and tasty way to get yourself pumped to pump some iron!

Helps Keep Your Pearly Whites White

It’s been mentioned here time and time again how matcha’s naturally occurring antioxidants, amino acids, and other chemicals help in various ways for your health, but no other drink comes close to keeping your choppers clean and protected like matcha. Many a matcha lover out there has taken matcha in its purest form, which is without sweeteners, and many love it that way! The one great thing about taking matcha this way is that it helps reduce plaque buildup and bacteria in the oral orifice.

It Tastes Great!

The list of things that make matcha great always come out lengthy, but it only reinforces the fact that matcha is one of the best consumables for a healthy life today. No matter the matcha grade, this wonder powder is considered one of the most versatile products, usable in almost every kind of edible item. It’s no wonder people get obsessed over it!

Matcha continues to be one of the most sought-after products for any health buff. If you’ve ever thought about testing matcha but aren’t convinced yet, then it’s high time you do! Grab a cup of matcha today!

When You Were Raised By A Strong, Loving Mother, You Grow Up To Be A Tough, Confident Woman

By
Riley Cooper

When you were raised by a strong, loving mother, you grow up to be a tough, confident, and self-respecting individual.

When you were raised by a strong, loving mother, you learn that the only person who is responsible for your happiness is YOU. You learn that you’re the only master of your life and that you’re the one who directs its course.

When you were raised by a tough, loving mother, you learn how to take care of yourself, your feelings, your needs, your desires, your passions. You learn to treat yourself with patience,  kindness, compassion, and dignity. You learn the importance of self-love and self-respect.

When you were raised by a tough mother, you learn how to survive without depending on anyone. You learn to speak up and stand up for yourself during arguments. You learn how to defend yourself when someone is criticizing you and trying to undermine your worth. You don’t allow anyone to take advantage of you and your kindness. You call out other people on their crappy behavior. You let everybody know that you don’t tolerate disrespect and bad behavior.

When you were raised by a strong, loving mother, you learn to accept and love yourself exactly the way you are. You learn to embrace all your annoying habits, whims, and quirks. You learn to overcome your insecurities and fears. You realize that your weaknesses and imperfections don’t make you a weaker and less important person than the rest. You realize that your flaws don’t determine your worth and happiness.

When you were raised by a strong mother, you realize that feeling worried, sad, or afraid doesn’t equal weakness. You realize that even the strongest and most confident women sometimes feel like their world is crumbling down in front of their eyes and yet they will always be there for the people they love.

When you were raised by a strong, loving mother, you learn what genuine, honest, deep, eternal love is. You realize what it means to love someone selflessly and unconditionally. You realize what it means to love someone from the bottom of your heart without expecting anything in return.

When you were raised by a strong, loving mother, you realize that when you genuinely love and care about someone, you don’t feel reluctant or afraid to sacrifice your own needs, passions, and even happiness for their own. You make sure they always feel happy, safe, and protected.

When you were raised by a tough, loving mother, loneliness is just an abstract term for you. Because you have someone who is always there for you. Someone who is always willing to patiently listen to your problems and help you ease your worries or pain. Someone who is ready to do everything to make you happy. Someone who is not afraid to walk through fire to make sure you’re safe and live a fulfilling, happy life.

When you were raised by a tough, loving mother, you learn what true, deep, lifelong friendship is. Because you have someone who is fiercely loyal to you. Someone who is always honest with you. Someone who is always there to pick you up when life knocks you down.

When you were raised by a strong, loving mother, you learn how blessed you are. Because you have someone who always believes in you. Someone who reminds you of your strength and qualities. Someone who makes sure you never doubt yourself and your worth.

When you were raised by a strong and loving mother, you realize that you have a guardian angel that will protect you from every pain and evil in the world. You have a role model. You have someone who will love you forever.

Should you have any questions regarding this topic or one of your own interest, feel free to email me at [email protected] 

Taking Control Over Your Life – The Anxious Person’s Guide

By
Ana Miller

We all live under the impression we are in full control of our lives until the unpredictable happens. This is when we realize this is far from being true, and we start panicking. While the unpredictable can always occur, how you react to it makes the difference between being or not in control of your life. Dominating your anxieties and managing obstacles is what also puts us in full control of our lives. Below are some strategies that will help you manage better how you deal with, and react to what is happening in your life. (1)

Accept you are not in full control

Acceptance is the first step to mastering your own life. This doesn’t mean you have to act passively to what is happening to you. It only means that you have to accept that unpredicted and unasked for events can always occur, and they shouldn’t derail your entire life. It means you have to accept your life also depends on external events, which you may not always account for in your plans. This is the first step to always being ready to deal with the unpredictable.

Do things that scare you

If fear is what is holding you back, getting involved in things and activities that scare you can be a good form of exposure therapy. It will help you, in the long run, to face your fears easier, and become less sensitive to scary scenarios.

Breaking free from a life lived in fear is facing them. Are you scared to sit in the face of a large audience? Next time you go out, pick a karaoke night and sing in the face of all those strangers. This isn’t as useless at it initially looks. It will force you to master your negative emotions with more ease in more formal situations; a business presentation, for instance.

Sleep plays a determinant role

Anxiety and the lack of control are things that go hand in hand. And, apparently, they are both rooted in the lack of sleep discipline. Try to get at least 7 hours of sleep every night, and try to stick to a clear sleeping schedule. Discipline is the key word here and you should follow the same sleep schedule every night, to maintain a healthy circadian rhythm.

The lack of sleep structure and discipline are identified as roots of several mental disorders, such as anxiety and depression. You can’t be in control of your life when battling anxiety, so beware of your sleeping patterns.

Save money to control the unpredictable

Financial hardship is the least desired situation you want to find yourself in. However, when you are in control of this situation, your self-esteem goes through the roof. Save money, to prepare for the unpredictable.

When living without savings, you are not in control over your life. You can do as much as prioritizing expenses, without having an actual choice. And if unpredictable expenses appear, your entire life is thrown back, and you start panicking.

You can follow some simple money-saving strategies, the 50-30-20 being one of the most popular. In this budgeting strategy, you allocate 50% to paying off your bills and monthly expenses, 30% to clothing, entertainment, and so on, and 20% of your monthly income goes into your savings account.

Pick up a hobby that forces you to be cool-minded

Being in control of your life also means not letting yourself driven by emotions, exclusively. If you have difficulties in controlling your reactions and keeping a cool head, you can look into hobbies that virtually force you to keep your cool and avoid impulsive reactions.

You may be surprised, but Forex trading is one of those hobbies that might help you. You can’t trade currencies successfully without patience and discipline.

Get a good grasp of the basics and try to find reliable ECN brokers. These are good starting points, and you can build up from there.

Currency trading will also force you to outline clear goals for your journey and to define strategies that will help you reach those goals. Being able to identify risks, to keep fear and greed at bay are good lessons Forex trading will teach you. And that will put you in full control over your life. 

Ditch social media

Social media is outdated, and it prevents you from becoming your best self. It forces you to unintentionally compare yourself and your life with others’, it makes you waste time, and it is far from being as useful as it used to a while ago.

Use social media only as a tool to keep in touch with your loved ones. A social media-free regimen will help you a lot, in the beginning. After a while, you can start checking your feeds once a day, but no more.

Lists are your best friends

If forgetfulness and the lack of organization are the things that prevent you from being in full control of your life, making lists can be a good habit you can pick up.

Get a daily planner if this helps. Prioritize your activities based on their importance, and try to achieve as many goals as possible from your list. This will teach you discipline and organization and will allow you to refill your schedule with other important tasks and activities, as soon as you tackle the ones you have on your list.

Give up stimulants

Caffeinated drinks can be a real helper, but for the anxious person who wants to gain more control of their life, it can be destructive. It’s not about the substance itself, it’s about the amounts you ingest. And most people tend to consume too much caffeine and energizing substances. Besides, ditching caffeine can help you practice self-discipline and acquire more control of your life. After all, caffeine causes dependency and kicking off the habit will reinforce your discipline.

These are some of the best tips we can offer for those who want to gain more control over their lives. However, there are more strategies than the ones presented above, so feel free to do your independent research.

3 Tips for Preventing Skin Cancer

By
Ana Miller

In Australia, skin cancer is a big problem. The sun is particularly strong over the country, and the numbers of skin cancer diagnoses climb every year. Although skin cancer is one of the most curable cancers if treated early, it’s still better to prevent it where possible. This article discusses ways that you can avoid ending up in a skin cancer clinic by practising good preventative strategies. 

  1. Protect Yourself from the Sun

The best way to prevent skin cancer is to stay out of the sun, as it’s usually the sun’s rays that cause skin cancer. While this isn’t always true, as a skin cancer lesion can appear in places that are not usually exposed to the sun, it’s still an important factor that you have a lot of control over. Therefore, protecting yourself from the sun is essential when trying to prevent a trip to your local skin cancer clinic. Here are some simple steps to take to protect yourself from the sun:

Wear a Big Hat

A wide-brimmed hat will protect your head, face, ears, and neck from sun damage.

Cover Up

Wear long-sleeved tops and long pants to protect your skin. It can be tempting to wear less clothing in summer, but this will put your skin at risk.  You should also note the fabric. Some fabrics naturally offer better protection from the sun – especially if they’re dark colored or tightly woven. Some clothes even have an SPF value like sunscreen.

Be Mindful of the Time

The sun’s rays are at their strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, so if you want to enjoy the sun, do so outside of these times. During the peak hours of sun strength, try to stay indoors or in the shade. 

  1. Apply Sunscreen

For the best kind of sun protection, always choose a sunscreen with a high SPF (sun protection factor) like SPF 30 or more. Apply it to all areas of the skin where the sun might reach, including the face, ears, nose, chest and shoulders, arms, hands, stomach, back, legs and feet. Don’t assume that just because you have a hat on that you won’t get burned to − apply sunscreen as well to make sure you’re fully protected.

  1. Avoid Tanning

When you get sunburned, you’ve experienced skin damage caused by the sun. Yet for some reason, many people don’t realize that tanning can cause a similar form of damage. Sunburn and tanning increase the risk of getting skin cancer and having to visit a skin cancer clinic. Avoiding excessive doses of the sun’s UV rays will always help you prevent skin cancer lesions from forming on your body. (1)

Conclusion

If you take the above points seriously, you’ll have a much lower chance of getting skin cancer from excessive sun exposure. As a bonus, your skin will also be in better health and will naturally appear more youthful. So there’s more than one reason to slip slop and slap − you’ll be looking after your health and also preventing skin cancer at the same time.

What is the Effect of Cannabis on your Metabolism?

By
Ana Miller

In 2013, the American Journal of Science shared a report on the effect of marijuana (cannabis) on human metabolism. The findings noted a lower prevalence of obesity in users compared to nonusers.

During an interview with Time magazine, an associate professor of medicine at the Harvard Medical School explained that users had a healthier carbohydrate metabolism. Keep in mind, carbohydrates are noted for producing midsection obesity and a significant contributor to diabetes. (1)

What is Cannabis?

It’s important to understand that cannabis is a flowering plant consisting of three species; Sativa, Indica, and Ruderalis. The terms of hemp and marijuana are used simultaneously with cannabis, when in fact these two varieties are strains of the plant.

They do share the active ingredient of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is a psychoactive compound responsible for physiological effects (high). One of the side effects of THC is an increase in appetite, known as the munchies.

  • Dry weight, hemp contains three percent or less of THC.
  • Marijuana contains over three percent of THC.

What many don’t realize, THC is one of two cannabinoids. The other is known as CBD (cannabidiol). CBD is a non-psychoactive compound. Further research has demonstrated that CBD, as a derivative of cannabis, may have a direct effect on the body’s metabolism.

In Canada, where cannabis has been legalized, individuals have the opportunity to explore the potential benefits of both THC and CBD and make informed decisions about their usage based on personal needs and preferences. To explore the wide range of cannabis products available, residents of Kingston can visit a reputable cannabis store in Kingston that offers a diverse selection of strains, concentrations, and consumption methods. Such a dispensary can provide valuable guidance and information to ensure a safe and enjoyable cannabis experience.

Metabolic Effects

Research studies on molecular and cellular biochemistry discovered CBD stimulated the body’s metabolism to increase the breakdown of fat. The studies explained that CBD multiplied the number of mitochondria boosting the body’s ability to burn more calories.

Mitochondria (living cells) are part of our body structures like our brain and heart. They take in nutrients so our structures can function. In this case, mitochondria cells break down carbohydrates (sugar) to make energy.

The effect is called “fat browning.” CBD appears to have the ability to deplete the body’s stored white fat by burning it into brown fat. Medical professionals refer to brown fat as the good fat. Brown fat gets its name from the high iron content causing the hue.

  • White fat accumulates around a person’s waist and thighs and is associated with the onset of diabetes and heart disease. Consuming excess calories causes the body to store white fat.
  • Whereas, brown fat is linked to helping with weight loss and good health. Brown fat generally collects around the neck area.

In 2018 the Agricultural Improvement Act removed hemp from the 1970 Controlled Substance Act (CSA). The action legalized hemp or hemp derived (CBD) products with restricted THC percentages. Exceeding THC allowable limits is a violation of federal hemp laws. Marijuana or any by-products is still listed as a controlled substance and federally illegal under the CSA.

Kratom

Kratom is an herbal product derived from a tropical evergreen tree in Asia. Its medicinal properties provide opioid-like pain relief. Low doses have helped to relieve chronic or injury related pain with no side effects in most cases. Sensitivity or risk of addiction is lower compared to traditional prescription pain medicines.

Like all health treatments or medications, talk with your doctor before making any changes. If you are taking prescriptions, over-the-counter supplements or being treated for other health disorders combining non-prescription remedies could cause side effects.

Right now, only forty-six states allow the distribution, selling, buying or consumption of Kratom legally. It’s available in liquid, powder, tablet, and capsule forms. Depending on the level of pain a kratom dose can range from two to eight grams or more.

Officially the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DES) is waiting for analysis before determining Kratom as a legal or illegal substance.

Ways to Improve Your Relationship with Yourself

By
Ana Miller

Not all of us have the best relationship with ourselves. We are criticizing ourselves and we are too harsh on us, most of the times. With time, comes wisdom, and most of us learn then how to deal with our deepest negative emotions and learn how to love ourselves.

The relationship with ourselves is sometimes the most complicated in our lives, marked by internal struggles and difficult to make choices. When we lack a good view of ourselves, we are more likely to cause external conflicts and struggles. We are unlikely to develop and maintain healthy relationships with others. But a faulty view of yourself can be easily fixed by using several strategies. (1)

Create self-love habits

Finding and getting into habits which help you practice self-love is one of the best strategies you can apply to develop a healthy relationship with yourself. It’s surprising how many strategies work wonderfully for this purpose. For instance, thanking yourself for making the bed, for fixing yourself a meal, taking yourself on a date and making the most of your time spent with yourself.

Spend time analyzing how you feel on a daily basis and make resolutions of being kinder to yourself. Compliment yourself whenever you feel like you deserve it.

Reduce social media use

When you feel like you don’t tune in with yourself anymore, you can always try to reduce social media use for a day or two. Take a day off from using it and focus on living your life without external interferences. This will help you eliminate some of the FOMO syndrome symptoms we are all pressured by and to actually enjoy your own presence, without scrolling page after page of online content. This will help you become a kinder and more pleasant person and will boost your joy levels!

Practice forgiveness

Sometimes, it’s difficult to forgive others, but most difficult it seems to be forgiving ourselves. Not forgiving others or yourself puts an enormous burden and strain on yourself. You don’t forgive for others’ sake; you do it for your own good. The act of forgiving yourself and others is releasing all negative energy in your life and making peace with yourself and others. Practice forgiveness and this will turn you into a better person.

Help somebody out

When you have too much on your plate and feel helpless, the best way to make this feeling disappear is helping out somebody else. This will offer you the feeling you’re in control and will give you a positive energy kick. This will turn your energy 180 degree and will make you feel like you’re in control. When you have little control over your life, try to make others’ a little better.

Meditate

Meditation will offer you the opportunity to completely tune in with yourself and become more self-aware than ever. Find some online tutorials and try to get a better grasp of several meditation techniques. Practice meditation as frequently as possible and try to din the best methods to tune in with yourself. Meditation will also help you grow as a person and individual in more than one way.

Rediscover yourself

You will be surprised by how much a little self-discovery session will help you grow in unexpected ways. Rediscovery comes in many shapes and forms and you can explore whichever you feel you have to work on a bit more. If we’re discussing sexual rediscovery, think of experimenting things you have always been afraid to. Experiment with sex toys or whatever toys you find appealing.

Rediscover how pleasant keeping yourself company is and how to deal with solitude, even if, for many, this is the biggest punishment out there. When you have a great relationship with yourself, solitude is not a scary prospect anymore. It becomes strangely appealing.

Be easy on yourself

When you feel your relationship with yourself is going not as well as you’d like, remember not to take everything so seriously. Be easy on yourself and others and treat yourself with kindness. Try not to look too deeply into everything and overanalyze all things happening in your life. This is a sure way to become more critical of yourself and others.

Even negative events in your life should be seen with a positive eye. They allow you to grow and discover that your limits are others than you would expect.

Write your feelings out

Bottling up feelings is not a healthy way to deal with them. This usually leads to frustrations and resentment. To deal with your negative emotions better, you should practice writing your feelings and letting go. If something is bothering you more than it should, this will make your relationship with yourself more difficult than it should be.

Writing your negative feelings will also help you gain a new perspective and have a clearer view of the situation. Remember that acknowledging your feelings and accepting them is the first step to a healthier relationship with yourself and the world.

Mirror exercises

Some mirror work has been proven to raise self-esteem and help us deal better with ourselves. It has also been proven to help us accept us for what we are, rather than what we would like to be. Look at your reflection in the mirror and affirm love whenever you feel like your relationship with yourself deteriorates.

Mirror exercises of self-love and acceptance will make you realize that you deserve love and appreciation, even if it comes from yourself!

Be aware of your thinking processes

How you think of yourself is how you are. If you know that you’re prone to self-criticism, try to control this and ensure that you practice self-love and appreciation, instead.

Also, in terms of thinking, remember that not everything crossing your mind deserves your undivided attention, try to be picky in the process and try to remember there are fewer things that you expect deserving headaches and sleepless nights. (2)

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