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

Are Your Hobbies Harming Your Health?

Hi lovelies,

There are so many hobbies out there that people enjoy. Reading. Writing. Running. Skipping. You can list around a hundred hobbies, and there will be avid and excited followers of all of them. Some hobbies are healthy to have, and there are others that are just as fun, but perhaps not as healthy. It's very easy to follow and embrace hobbies that aren't so great for your health, but not always as easy to enjoy a hobby that is fantastic for your wellbeing. You should be able to enjoy whatever it is that's making you happy, but can you really appreciate it if it's affecting your health?

There are a lot of things that you can spend time doing, but the one thing that you need to know is whether you are doing something that is good for you or not. With that in mind, let's take a look at a few hobbies that you could be engaging in that are truly detrimental to your health.

Netflix and what?
Those binge-watched TV shows on your Netflix account make you feel happy. You've caught right up to the latest and greatest TV shows in your life, and that makes you feel fantastic. Here's the thing: spending time sitting on the couch and catching up on those shows could be having a toll on your health without you even realising. Sedentary life is not the life we humans were meant to lead: we are not slugs. You can still binge-watch those shows, but why not use a step like this while you do it? Or try weighted hula hoops while you watch; getting your heart going while you enjoy your show is a good way around it.

Gigging Away

Whether you are in a band or you are watching concerts live as much as possible, you need to pay attention to the way that your hearing is working. Exposure to loud music is not great on the ears, and if you're a musician yourself, you need to learn more about your hearing and the impact of the music on it. It doesn't mean that you have to give up something you love: it just means you have to get smart about it.

Excessive exercise
Running is supposed to be a healthy hobby, but it's not always the best thing for your body when it's in excess - much like anything else. You wouldn't mind the odd cheeseburger but probably wouldn't eat ten in a row. The same goes for running. Pushing yourself past your limits, running harder than your body is truly ready for and causing injury to your legs is one of the worst ways to spend your time. Talking to your doctor about what's safe for you can help you to find a healthy balance in your favourite hobby and allow you to enjoy it.

Hobbies should complement your life, not harm your health. Review what works for you and what you enjoy, and you'll start to feel great about yourself.

*Photo credit for this guest post: Image Source

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.