Bad Habits You Can Break Today

Hi lovelies,

We’re all guilty of some bad habits - we’re only human after all. But when your energy levels are starting to suffer and your health isn’t what it should be, that’s when you know it’s time to make some important changes.

Breaking bad habits can take time, and it isn’t always easy. But if you’re willing to make some positive changes, you can get your health back on track and feel more energized and youthful than ever before.

Want to know more? Here are some bad habits you can break today.

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

Always eating on the move

A hectic work and social life can mean that you tend to eat on the go, a lot. From a take-out lunch to constant snacking, you’re not doing your body or waistline any good by always eating out. If time is short, then some quick and healthy recipes you can turn to in a hurry are always good for helping you maintain a balanced diet. 

Staying up too late

Do you tend to burn the candle at both ends? All of those late nights will soon catch up with you. It’ll show in your eyes, your skin and your overall mood. Sleep is more important than you might realize, and by making an effort to go to bed earlier, you can help yourself restore your energy. If something’s stopping you from getting your eight hours a night, like work or going out too much, then it’s time to start saying no and making some important decisions for your health.

Things that are causing serious damage to your health

While some bad habits won’t have a serious effect in the short-term, there are others that can cause long-lasting damage. Drinking too much and smoking are two of the worst things you can do for your health, but they’re also some of the hardest to stop. Getting a Juul Starter Kit could be a good way to help you give up smoking cigarettes, while drinking less will also make a difference to your overall health. Remember that your doctor can advise you on some of the best ways to quit to help you benefit your future health.

Not moving enough

Exercise is incredibly important for maintaining your health. It helps to keep your heart and lungs strong, while also making sure you keep your weight within a healthy range. 30 minutes a day is all it takes, so take a look at some of the ways you can fit half an hour of exercise into your day. Your mood will improve, as will your energy levels, to help you live life to the fullest.

Breaking bad habits takes time, but some say you could form a new habit in as little as 30 days. Make some positive changes to your lifestyle to help you put your health first and give your future self the best chance at a long and healthy life. You control your own destiny, so start breaking those bad habits now.

*This is a collaborative post.

Looking For Health Warning Signs In Your Older Relatives

Hi lovelies,

It can often be worrying to consider that our close ones and relatives are also potentially subject to health ills. Of course, we would rather shoulder than burden ourselves, but we have no choice in the matter. All we can do is care for them, look out for warning signs should behavior change, and also divert them to the best help if needed.

This can be important when caring for an elderly relative, whether they live with you, by themselves, or in a care home. While your relative is likely in good care from their healthcare providers or care facility employees, you know them most intimately, and that means you can likely be a great help.

Looking for the warning signs of health issues can be a subtle art, but it can be important. Knowing certain illnesses well, or researching terms such as ‘what is alzheimers?’ you can come across a range of excellent guides and explanations - and thankfully, tips to care for them well.

Let us see how else you might find these warning signs:

Changed Behavior
Changed behavior can often be the most easy-to-spot symptom. For example, it might be that they are continually forgetful about conversations you might have had. They might repeat certain things they say to you, or have trouble with their sentence structure. It might be that when calling on them, they had forgotten you had arranged the visit. A range of small little differences like this can often be easy to pick up. Unfortunately, sometimes events can be quite worrying. They may become frustrated when shopping for groceries, or have a hard time booking a taxi as they usually did. All of these things can require your help and the opinion of a medical professional, so be sure to look out for changed behavior.

Odd Habits
Of course, elderly relatives have more time on their hands, but by that age many of them are set in their ways to some extent. This means that if they start going on longer and longer walks that seem to be completely out of character, they sleep for most of the day, or there’s something else worrying you, talking to them about their renewed habits can be a worthwhile effort. Of course, most of the time a change could be healthy, but some times, the times you need to focus on, they might not be. Be sure to keep actively involved with the life of your relative to understand how and why this happens.

Physical Changes
It could be that itchy, red skin, or perhaps hair loss, or perhaps a range of other issues can be quite noticeable. Talking to them about visiting a medical professional for an expert opinion can be worthwhile. Don’t just chalk something up to old age, such as a slower walk, worse posture, or other issues. Most of the time it will be natural, but keeping that possibility open allows you to be attentive if there is an issue.

With these efforts, you’re sure to help your relative through the health symptoms that they might be experiencing.

Photo credit for collaborative post: Pexels

BODY: Reach for the Stars

Hi lovelies,

Say you’re watching your favorite, film, TV show or program. And there you see them. Your favorite celebrities and stars, looking absolutely perfect and you wonder to yourself how they must do this? What’s their secret. But chances are you already know what it is. Botox. And the concept of getting Botox seems to alien, so unreal. After all, if your favorite celebrities get that kind of treatment, chances are, it’s very exclusive. 

But now, flash back to reality, where I tell you that Botox is far closer to you than you think. In fact, nowadays, it’s only a few clicks and phone calls away. And I’m here to tell you, how this very day, Botox in New York City and many other major metropolitan areas is accessible and easy to find, with reasonable pricing that’s surely within your budget.

So, Botox in New York City, close to your home may seem odd, but believe it or not, many of the clinics you pass by on your way home or to the store actually offer different treatments and packages for Botox. You just have to look in the right ones.

Make It Accessible
First of all, try finding clinics close to your home. Now this doesn’t mean specifically on the same block where you live, but perhaps a few bus stations away. It’s only more convenient for you, if the clinic is as close as possible, so that you can go for a quick check-up or a little boost once in a while.

History Matters
Regardless of what part of town the clinic may be, it’s important to look into the clinics history. By history, what I mean is basically their track record and everyone involved in the track record, from customers to the specialists themselves.

This mean looking through customer reviews, feedback, before and after photos. Basically, anything you can find about how the clinic operates will only give you a clearer picture of what to expect. Furthermore, you can find people in the same budgetary limit as you and maybe ask for a few pointers on forums.

But even if the budget isn’t that big of a deal for you, and neither is the distance, you should always look into the before and after photos and any other client feedback you can get your hands on. While generally reliable, Botox in New York City is quite widespread and specialists with different kinds of experience and qualifications offer their own packages and deals.

This doesn’t mean that you should be overly picky, but don’t just choose blindfolded. Think about what you need, how much of it you need, when you need it (with everyone being so busy nowadays even a week-long downtime following the procedure could be impossible.)

Understand What You Want
Before you go, so as to not waste any more time, make sure you go to the clinic already knowing at least the basics of what you need to treat with Botox, like what part of the face. While obviously, your specialist will work closely with you to give you your desired results and the closest he can get to replicating exactly what you want, it will only make the specialists job easier and make you more confident in your decision if you take some time to think about it yourself.

Pinpoint exactly what it is you want or feel like you need. Think it over. Maybe you don’t actually need it. Maybe you’ve changed your mind. But one way or another, you need to try and think it over on your own. Sleep on it, weigh the pros and cons, find the little nooks and crannies you think need a little change. It’ll only make the process faster and more efficient.

The Stars are Reachable
So, if to this day you thought it was pretty much impossible to even look the tiniest as perfect as your favorite stars, then you’ve greatly mistaken. Botox is an accessible luxury nowadays and has been for some time. You don’t have to be a rich movie star to have it. You just need to look in the right places.

Just know where to look, what to look for and of course, what you actually want from the treatment. And with the vast number of clinics available in most urban areas, you’re sure to find a clinic that’ll offer you the exact deal you’ve been looking for.

*This is a guest post.

BODY: 5 Ways to Enhance Your Workout

Hi lovelies,

The saying "don't work hard, work smart" is a mantra that rings true for many things, including your fitness goals. If you've been putting in the hours at the gym but have yet to see any changes on the scale or in your own strength, don't fret — there's nothing wrong with your body. However, there might be something you can do to improve the way you approach your training and motivate yourself further. If this sounds like you, here are some tips to enhance your workout.

Have a plan

No two bodies are completely the same. So while it's tempting to copy your favorite celebrity's detox diet and fitness routine down to a tee, don't be surprised if it doesn't give you the same results. Your best bet is to figure out your own goals and train accordingly. That might sound obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people's routines don't align with their objectives. For example, you might want to tone up, but all you do is cardio when you should be doing strength training. So build a plan that caters to your needs and stick to it. Don't just aimlessly wander around the gym looking for any kind of burn.

Crank up the music

According to the National Center for Health Research, music doesn't just relieve boredom. It can also improve the quality of your workout by putting you in a better mood. What's more is that some sounds can engage certain networks in your brain that allow your muscle groups to sync with the music. It's worth investing in a pair of earphones that can keep you in the zone as you workout. Jabra's Elite Active 65T ranks as the best earphones for running and the gym, thanks to their wireless fit, sound isolation, and decent battery life. And while you're at it, give the Best Body Ever playlist a listen here!

Wear the right clothes

To "dress for success" doesn't just apply to work. At the gym, high quality fabrics work as hard as you do to accelerate your performance. Your oversized cotton shirt from high school probably won't withstand rigorous training. And when it comes to doing your best, comfort is the key. Choose leggings, tops, and shirts in soft fabrics that allow maximum breathability. They should also be durable enough to see you through your squat session or an hour-long Vinyasa practice. However, if you're the type to workout outdoors, it may be best to layer up so temperature drops don't get in the way. Woman Within's hooded jackets will help you survive those chilly morning jogs, while still providing you enough room for movement. Plus, they're easy to throw on and off at any point if it gets too warm. Pair it with LNDR'S trusty sports bras, which feature chic designs and antibacterial fibers to wick away the cold sweat.

Stick to quality over quantity

Just because you aren't loading up on your weights doesn't mean you aren't hard at work. So grab that two- or three-pounder if that's what you're comfortable with (for now), because a 2012 study by researchers from McMaster University confirms that using light weights can be just as effective. The trick is to focus on your repetitions until you reach muscle fatigue, which will eventually lead to the same muscle building as lifting heavy. Don't forget to master your form, too, which is equally important in avoiding injuries.

Recover properly

No, hitting the gym every single day doesn't speed up your goals. Ultimately, all your hard work needs to be complemented by rest to give your muscles ample time for recovery. Otherwise, you could be setting yourself up for muscle damage. It doesn't have to be an elaborate trip to your massage therapist every time, but it does pay to get acquainted with a foam roller and learn some proper stretching techniques.