Have you ever witnessed a condition of pain, blisters, ulcers, pain while urinating, cold sores etc in your genital area? Not only genital area, but this condition can also be witnessed on other parts of the body, on the skin, the outer region of your genital area etc. This medical condition is known as herpes. Herpes is a disease that is caused because of the Herpes Simplex Virus.

Basically, the condition of herpes is a contagious situation. In case you are in association with a person who suffers from herpes, you can be on the verge of acquiring this condition. But there is a silver lining to this situation. The diseases are not passed on by mere touch. It passes on due to the following reasons:

1. Having sex with the person suffering from herpes.
2. Sharing their sex toys.
3. Having genital contact with that person.

Thus, the condition of herpes is passed onto another person from the lining of the anus or the mouth. Here, we will acquaint you with some unknown facts about herpes, home remedies for herpes and other treatment options.

Facts About Herpes

1. The medical condition of Herpes is divided into two types that are HSV-1 ( in reference with oral herpes) and HSV-2 (in regards with genital herpes)

2. If you are doing oral sex with someone, make sure to notice the condition of blisters around the mouth. If you have oral sex with someone who has got cold sores, you are vulnerable to herpes.

3. It has been recorded that in the U.S. around 50 percent of people suffer from the condition of HSV-1.

4. Secondly, people between the age of 14 to 49, 14 percent people suffer from HSV-2, in the U.S.

5. There is a belief that you can get herpes by using toilet seats. Let me break the bubble for you. No one can get attacked by genital herpes using a toilet seat.

Since we are well-versed with the facts of the medical condition of herpes, let us move ahead and unveil some of the treatments to cure this condition.

Home Remedies For Herpes And Other Treatment Options 

Home Remedies For Herpes 

There are many effective remedies are there for treating herpes. Out of which apple cider vinegar, tea bags, hydrogen peroxide, aloe vera and turmeric, ice pack are most famous one. 

Medication

The condition of herpes cannot be cured with any medication. You can only prevent it from spreading in your body by consuming some medication. Often doctors prescribe acyclovir, which is an antiviral. The antiviral protects the virus from multiplying in the body. It further helps in reduction of inflammation and clearing up the outbreak. Medication is the first step in the diagnosis of HSV.

Episodic Treatment And Suppressive Treatment

 Episodic treatment is prescribed to all those people who get recurrences maximum 6 times a year. A five-day course of antivirals is prescribed before the recurrence of herpes.

Suppressive treatment is prescribed to all those patients who get these recurrences more than 6 times a year. In such condition, the doctor prescribes the patient to consume the medicine on a regular basis, so that the multiplication of the virus does not take place because of several recurrences.

In a nutshell, all those people suffering from Herpes are recommended to have sexual intercourse with protection. Go ahead and live your life, but take care and swallow those medications.

Hydration is key. But getting your offspring to drink enough water can be a real challenge. They might not like the taste of it, prefer soft drinks, or are just not good drinkers. Here are 9 tips & tricks you can apply to encourage your kids to drink more water throughout the day:

1. Be a Good Example

Kids learn new things by watching their parents and tend to mimic their behaviors. This is why you have to set a good example and drink enough water throughout the day yourself. Trade coffee, soft drinks and sugared fruit juices for water – 8 to 10 glasses a day is considered the optimum.

This will not only encourage your kids to drink more, it’ll also benefit your health and well being. Can you think of a better way to kill 2 birds with one stone?

2. Flavor Up!

I get it – plain water can taste a little flat. So it’s not really a surprise that many kids favor sweetened drinks and juices. One possible solution to this problem is to add healthy flavors to your water (yes, they do exist!).

For starters, you can try out one of the many fruit-infused water recipes. Fruit-infused water is so easy and fun to make. You can even involve your kids in the process and they’ll be more likely to appreciate the new tastes. Strawberry, Lemon, and Basil or Orange and Blueberry are just two of the many great recipes which you can find in Buzzfeed’s collection right here.

Another option is to buy flavoring mixes. But make sure to check the ingredients list and stay away from sugar, artificial sweeteners and other unnatural additives.

3. Water Always at the Ready

This is probably one of the most important tips: Always have refreshing drinking water at the ready. If you make this your mantra, you’ll soon discover that your kids will drink more of it.

Whenever you go out make sure that you bring a chilled glass bottle full of cool H₂O with you. What’s more, have your son’s or daughter’s favorite cup filled in your refrigerator at home.

And lastly, actively encourage your kids to drink by having a couple of sips every once in a while. You’ll notice that most of the time they say they’re not thirsty. But once they start drinking, they’ll realize that they are thirsty after all and drink way more than you thought.

4. Reward

You reward your kids when they behave well, clean their rooms and get good grades in school. Why not offer rewards as an incentive to encourage them to drink more water?

A star on a chart can already be fun and exciting enough to reach the daily water goals. Imagine what an extra half hour before bed time can do!

5. Lots of Fruits & Veggies

According to WebMD, “Approximately 80% of our water intake comes from drinking water and other beverages, and the other 20% comes from food.” This is what makes eating plenty of fruits and vegetables so important – they are full of water.

Lettuce, for example, is 95 percent water. Watermelon 92 percent and broccoli 91. Even a carrot is 87 percent water (who would have guessed that).

Of course, an extra benefit of fruits and veggies are all those healthy vitamins, minerals, etc. that they contain.

6. Filter, Filter, Filter

If the tap water in your home has off flavors or odors, consider using a filtration system. With the right system in place, you’ll get the cleanest and tastiest water possible.

There are many solutions to choose from:

• Water filter pitchers are the most popular and affordable option and best suited for light contamination issues.
• Activated charcoal filters are best at trapping chlorine and other chemicals that make your water taste like a swimming pool.
• Reverse osmosis filters are your best chance to remove a whole plethora of toxic substances from your water, according to the guys at BOS.

7. Stay Cool

Especially in hot summer days, cool water tastes so much better than a lukewarm puddle. So do your little ones and yourself a favor and keep the water in your home nicely cold.

A pitcher or freezer-safe water bottle might be a good investment to have refreshing drinking water all day long.

A valuable alternative is a refrigerator that features a built-in water cooler and dispenser or ice maker.

8. Limit other Options

Choosing water is so much easier, if there are not dozens of other seducing options to go for. If all you have in your home at a time is water, milk and maybe one type of juice, you can expect much better results than you will get if water has to compete against Coke, Fanta and Dr. Pepper.

If ditching soft drinks is too much to ask for, try to find a compromise that’s acceptable for everyone, such as allowing 1 drink per week.

Or you can reach a different agreement and only allow your kids the next beverage once they’ve finished their water glass. This way they can decide for themselves when and how much to drink.

9. Whatever You Do, Make It Fun!

Kids want to have fun. Who can blame them for that? So if your kids love to drink icy water through a straw, because they like the feeling of ice-cold in their mouth, let them. If your kids prefer flavor-infused water instead of plain, give it to them. If your kids respond to making drinking water a game, play with them and let them rise to the challenge.

The point is, good hydration is key in order for us to be healthy and feel good. And it is all the more important for kids. You should do everything you can to encourage them to drink enough water.

It is not easy to deal with the problems of life we face every day. Be it anything related to our professional commitments or something in our personal front, we tend to face obstacles and heartbreaks in many forms.

Only those with a strong mind has the best chances to survive the storm; the weak ones get lost in the midst of the hullabaloos of life and it takes lots of efforts to bring them back into normalcy.

And, getting lost leads people to be depressed, stressed or losing hope in the positive aspects of life. The psychological game is indeed a substantial parameter to sail easily through our lives or else the chances of drowning in the potholes increase by leaps and bounds.

So, how do you make yourself mentally strong?

Well, some people are literally born with a strong and straightforward mentality which makes them a stout personality. And in some cases, the circumstances blend people into such ways where they have no option but to be strong. Then comes the third category of people who are mentally the weakest of the lot.

So how do we figure out a person is mentally weak? By seeing if he or she cries a lot? Absolutely not! Crying is, in fact, the sign of the strongest; they let their emotions out! Being mentally weak means, you cannot see life in a positive way and breaks down at the slightest of troubles which drives you to depression.

Only when you are able to deal with both sadness and happiness with optimism and believe that it is the part of our lives, then is the time when you take a step towards attaining a strong mental condition.

It is a fact that the blows in life make us weak

If we may say so, yes, people do find it difficult to deal with certain situations in life and need expert guidance or a proper rejuvenation of their mind to get back to the calmness of mind. And when situations like these arrive, trust The Art of Living Retreat Center for their delicate and expert handling of a person’s mental health conditions along with bettering the physical health as well.

When you feel like you are done with life and need a break from it to feel the temptation of life and want to attain mental peace, go visit them. They provide you with the required refreshment through several techniques which are all natural and pure.

It includes Ayurveda spa treatments, meditation, yoga, in-depth conversation with the mental health experts to increase the growth of your mental condition, nutritious food platters and outdoor activities which helps you experience the cheerful aspects of life as well.

And so,

It is a boon if you are born with a strong mentality, but it is kind of a curse when you are mentally weak. Even if the trouble isn’t that complex, the mentally weak people tend to make it so. Therefore, try to build a better mental health by any and every means possible.

Are you tired of counting sheep after sheep, only to remain wide awake? Falling asleep is a struggle for many individuals. But with these five secrets to falling asleep quickly, you can stop counting sheep and start sleeping.

1. Get Up for Ten Minutes

If you use your bed for anything more than sleeping, it becomes more difficult for you to fall asleep in it. The next time you find yourself lying awake, get up. Find an activity and do it for about ten minutes. Then, try to sleep again. This prevents your body from thinking that your bed is for more than just sleeping.

The activity should be something that requires your hand and your mind. For example, a puzzle is ideal. It’s enough to occupy you and has the potential to wear you out.

2. Sleep in a Cold and Dark Room

The ease at which you fall asleep depends on your body clock. Recent research shows that your body clock is partially regulated by your body temperature. When you have a cold room, your body clock is more likely to tell your brain that it’s time to sleep.

Darkness can also help. When it’s dark, your brain gets a signal to produce melatonin. In turn, it lowers your body temperature and prepares you for sleep. A dark and cool room is the ideal sleep environment.

3. A Good Mattress

If your mattress isn’t comfortable, you’ll never fall asleep. One of the keys to getting to sleep fast is to invest in a good mattress.

You need a mattress that contours your body and provides the utmost comfort. Do some online mattress shopping or head to your local mattress shop and try out a mattress. When you find the right one, you’ll know it.

4. Take an Ice Bath

Ice baths provide numerous benefits for sleep, promoting relaxation, reducing muscle soreness, regulating the circadian rhythm, and enhancing melatonin production. Cold plunge tubs provide a myriad of benefits for sleep as the immersion in cold water calms the nervous system, induces a profound sense of relaxation, and lowers heart rate, ultimately leading to a notable improvement in sleep quality. Additionally, the cold temperature aids in muscle recovery and alleviates discomfort, facilitating a more restful night’s sleep. By incorporating ice baths into a bedtime routine, individuals can enjoy the sleep-enhancing effects, waking up refreshed and rejuvenated.

When you shock your nervous system with ice water, it resets. It’s an effect known as the Mammalian Dive Reflex. Your blood pressure and heart rate lower, which soothes your body. Once this occurs, it’s easy to fall asleep.

5. Use a Breathing Technique

There’s a common breathing technique known as the 4-7-8 technique. When you use this method, you get more oxygen to your bloodstream. Your heart rate slows down and carbon dioxide leaves your lungs at a faster rate. The result? You fall asleep quickly.

If you’re interested in trying the technique, you’re in luck. It’s easy to learn. First, take the tip of your tongue and set it on the area behind your upper front teeth. Keep it there as you complete the technique.

Breathe out through your mouth and make a whooshing sound. Then, close your mouth and inhale from your nose. Count to four in your head, and hold your breath for a seven count. Breathe out from your mouth and count silently to eight. Repeat the process three times.

Are you having trouble determining whether you have oily skin or dry skin?  You’re not peculiar in any way.  In fact, with more people having some kind of allergic reactions with commercial products, it’s likely that continued product-related inflammation and irritations are causing you to have unmanageable skin.

In which case, you may be experiencing symptoms for combination skin. How do you know for sure if you’re dealing with a combination skin type?  Here are some of the characteristics of combination skin:

1.  Some parts of your face get extremely oily while some areas are noticeably dry and tight.
2.  It’s the t-zone that often becomes oily and the surrounding areas of the face dry.  However, it’s also possible for different areas of the skin, like only your cheeks or your forehead, that gets greasy and all the rest are dry.
3.  You’ve been having trouble managing your skin. Some parts breakout or dry out when you use certain products while other parts do so when you’re using something else

Tough luck.

While combination skin may result from harsh ingredients in your beauty routine, it’s possible that you’ve inherited this skin type too.  Whatever the root cause might be, there are at 5 basic tricks to finally put your skin under control. Here’s how:

Trick No. 1:  Always choose products that are mild and gentle.  

You’d rather practice extreme precaution when it comes to combination skin.  Use products that do not contain irritating ingredients like sulfates, parabens, colorants and fragrances.  Therefore, your first step to manageable combination skin is to evaluate all the products that you’re using for your skin — that means everything from cleansers down to your cosmetics.

Trick No. 2:  Treat different areas differently.  

This can be tricky and you will only be able to do so once you can identify what areas are dry and which ones are oily.  Others would recommend you to have two sets of everything — well, you don’t have to.  Instead, here’s what you’re going to have to do:

• Cleanse with a soap-free cleanser.  By being soap-free, it means that your facial wash will not leave behind any product residues that can block your pores and start an infection.  Soap-free cleansers that contain salicylic acid are mild enough for combination skin types.  It works to regulate oil production in oily areas of your skin while it also does not scrape off your skin’s natural oils which is a must for dry patches of your skin.
• Follow up with an alcohol-free toner.  That way, your toner does not suck up lower than usual levels of oils on dry parts of your skin and it will not trigger oilier areas to overcompensate for lost moisture.
• Use two separate moisturizers.  One that dries down to a matte finish, and another that leaves your skin with a silky feel will be ideal.  If you choose to use BB cream instead, make sure that both products carry the same tint.
• Get a midway formulated foundation.  Look for one that is water-based.  This will ensure that oily parts don’t get oilier. Your moisturizer will take care of your dry skin.
• Use only cosmetics that are made for sensitive skin.

Trick No. 3: Carry a mist around.  

When you have symptoms for combination skin, carry a bottle of mist in your purse and spray around your face when the air feels to dry so it doesn’t make your skin oil or tight.

Trick No. 4: Plug in a humidifier.  

Control the dryness indoors, whether at home or at your workplace.  A humidifier will be able to detect when the air is too dry.  It will then release water vapor in the air.  This action will stop the dry areas of your skin from becoming tight and will keep oily areas from greasing to compensate for the dryness.

Trick No. 5: Spoil your skin  to regular treatments.

The most basic weekly treatment you can give your skin are exfoliation and soaking it in a hydrating mask.  Exfoliate to facilitate faster skin turnaround and mask so that your skin can get used to being well moisturized and just might be able to adjust the oiliness and dryness to become more normal.

Conclusion

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it,” wrote Confucius. Don’t hate your skin. It neither will love you nor hate you if you do. It will just keep being what it is so live with it.

Couponing is one of the easiest and smartest ways of saving your money. However, you will hardly get the full benefits from your coupons if you shop without a plan. While coupon codes are available throughout the year, it is important to have in mind the best months for purchasing certain products online. Only then can you maximize your gains from coupon discounts.

1. January

With almost everyone suffering from December holidays hangovers coupled with the need to come back to the realities of life, January is probably the least enjoyable month of the year. Not for the coupon hunter, however. Prices on items related to holidays plummet to the lowest heights. You can get such items as wrapping paper, candy and decorations at half the price you would have bought them just a few weeks before. If you combine the low prices with coupon discounts, you get them for next to nothing.

1. April

With April, what comes to the minds of many people is Easter and the onset of spring. However, it means something else for the coupon hunter. It is time to take advantage of the discounts that come with the end of the Easter holiday. Eager to clear their stocks, online retailers offer incredible discounts to anyone who buys certain items, including candy and chocolate as well as Easter baskets. The price of eggs also takes a great dip. Remember that you can also buy seasonal produce such as broccoli, onions, avocados, carrots, and asparagus at lower prices than you would in other months.

1. June

June is the month to not only get superb discounts on certain items but also get others for free. The price for seasonal vegetables and fruits such as blueberries and cherries drops to as low as $2 for every pound. Since June is the National Dairy month, products such as milk are discounted. In addition, the price of men’s clothing, including ties, are sliced off by almost half, courtesy of Father’s Day. You can also get coupon discounts for sweaters, jackets, rain boots, umbrellas and even floral wreaths as retailers clear stock ordered for Memorial Day. The June 5 National Donut Day also brings a high possibility of getting free donuts.

1. August

August is the month school children go back to class. Retailers stock their shelves to the brim with school supplies. Taking the competition into account, they offer discounts on every kind of school item. You can get great deals on backpacks, pens, notebooks, and markers. Also look for coupon codes for laptops, USB flash drives, and camping gear. For the grocery shopper, every month has something for you and August is no exception. You can save on seasonal produce such as cucumbers, green beans, tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, and grapes.

1. October

Here comes the Halloween month. It is the best time to buy candy at low prices. Don’t buy Halloween costume for any price. Hit the internet in search of coupon codes that will reduce the price. You may end up paying only a quarter of the original price only a few days before the celebrations. Huge discounts are offered on outdoor items such as camping gear and swimsuits. October is also the best month to stock up on spices which are likely to go up during the months of November and December. The seasonal fruits and vegetables to go for include pears, apples, cabbages, turnips, parsnip, artichokes, and potatoes.

1. December

December is the month of celebrations. Thus, the prices of many holiday-related items soar. However, there is always a way of ensuring that you pay less. In a bid to entice you into buying in their stores, online retailers will be willing to provide coupon codes for shopping discounts. The best time to take advantage of coupons to reduce lowered prices even further is the days after Christmas.

Every month is a shopping month. There is always an excellent chance for saving with coupons on everything you buy, each day. Nonetheless, there is a big difference between saving and saving big. By choosing the right months to purchase certain items you can combine your coupon discounts with lowered prices. Thus, you get a bigger piece of the cake than everyone else.