Mental health issues or mental illness is no longer an issue that should be swept under the rug. If you follow the news closely, you know by now that you can be bombarded (almost on a daily basis) with crimes that are often times related to some form of mental illness. And unfortunately it’s not just about crimes, but suicides as well. And on another level, eating disorders and a variety of other disorders both physical and emotional. Mental health issue is a growing epidemic and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better….
So, What Exactly Classifies as a Mental Problem?
Now, this is not totally black and white, because most of us know or can reference at least one or two situations, whether personal or taken from a news broadcast. And it is often a situation where someone who seemed so nice and pleasant suddenly snaps or becomes unhinged.
When such a situation hits close to home, we suddenly are faced with examining ourselves, as well as, the individual involved to see what signs we missed and how we could have possibly missed them. Sometimes there simply are no warning signs. And other times there are big blaring signs that might as well have been neon, flashing billboards …because it is just that obvious.
Mental problems are manifestations of instability in the mind, whether chemically induced or related to a chemical imbalance. Or simply, spiritually related. Mental issues can also be spurred by gradual or rapid deterioration of the brain and it’s ability to process things in a proper manner.
Sometimes the break in thought processes and the ability to decipher right from wrong occurs as a result of highly negative external stimuli that becomes complete overload for the mind.
Other times it is the failure within the body itself that can result in chemical changes and imbalances that can lead to depression, altered moods or mood swings, and changes in mental capacity and capabilities.
How to Counteract Mental Illness
Diet is the first and foremost way to counteract or preemptively strike the issue of mental wellness. A good well balanced diet filled with lots of nutritious veggies and a limited amount of meat (let the meat portion be a quarter of your plate or less) is a very good start.
Also, replacing a meal or two each day with a smoothie or two will help fill in your daily quota for veggies and fruits all in one and give your body a highly needed boost in healing itself in between meals and during restful sleep.
Your body is constantly in corrective mode whether due to external or internal factors so why not provide it with all the nutrients it needs to get moving along in the right direction?
High fiber vegetables provide a great boost to the digestive process and help the intestines cleanse themselves of toxins as waste moves through.
Eating foods loaded with prebiotics and probiotics help the digestive processes as well, since lingering toxins can enter the bloodstream and can cause gradual and in some cases, rapid deterioration of various functions in the body.
Having a healthy dialogue is also helpful when it comes to maintaining a positive mental status. Holding grudges is certainly toxic to mental health and is best if handled or “squashed” before it festers into something bigger or irreversibly damaging to you and or others.
Toxic thoughts foster an array of toxic behaviors and changes within the body of those who harbor such thoughts. This is why you often hear unforgiveness likened to drinking rat poison and expecting the other person (a.k.a the source of your resentment) to die.
Limiting Alcohol Use
If at all possible, eliminate drinking alcohol or at least limit it to a once in a while occasion. Alcohol puts unnecessary stress on the body and in particular the liver and we want our bodies to function in the optimum way possible. Because that is what keeps us healthy and strong and boosts longevity, so limiting alcohol use is a must in our book.
Work It Out!
Working out is good for the body and the brain. So, keeping active is also a key factor in maintaining brain health. It gets your juices flowing and helps clear the brain of fog by helping the body’s cleansing and healing capabilities be more efficient.
Developing A Sound Mind
You can help yourself stay in control of yourself physically and mentally, not to mention emotionally, by choosing to make time for yourself.
Find time to relax and unwind on a deeper level through prayer and meditation. Pray and put it in God’s hand and then let it go. Then meditate and get into a deeper space in your mind and let the peace of God flow through you. Revel in the fact that his grace and mercy is sufficient and knows that He is there for you and continue to let His peace flow. I know not everyone believes in God, so it is up to you….
Smile
This one is self explanatory. A smile can brighten up someone’s day, so get in the habit of putting your best [face] forward and flash that beautiful smile as much as you can. Yes, not everyone will be receptive, but hey just look at it this way, you burned some extra calories and it is certainly worth it.
Sometimes the simplest form of kindness in the form of a smile or show of appreciation or giving encouragement or even lending a listening ear can turn someone’s life around and keep them from going down the rabbit hole so to speak. And prevent them from taking a turn in a downward spiral.
Surround Yourself with Love
Love is powerful and the mor eyou surround yourself self with it the more you find yourself at peace and in a joyful mood. Spend time with those you love as much as possible. Make it a point of inviting or making your way over to close friends or family members homes and take a break from technology and social media.
Make it a priority to just physically be there for each other listening and hashing things out, whether between each other or in regards to situations with others.
Care and love can prove helpful to someone in your life so be sure to stay alert and keep the wellbeing of others a priority. And let the people in your life know you care and take it a step further by showing them.
Conclusion
Although mental issues plague society, there are ways to prevent or reduce the effects and we must do our parts in helping one another overcome and persevere throught this lifetime. We are each others keeper and it’s time we act that way and should that we care and some of the mental issues we see on the uprise will start to dwindle. Mental issue is no longer a matter to be swept away under the rug. It is a growing epidemic that needs to be addressed and hopefully nipped in the bud in order to see a huge difference. If you or someone you love is suffering from mental issues, do consider seeking professional help if necessary, especially if you find the issue to be well beyond your scope of help or dealing with it. And know that feeling ashamed or deterred should not be your deciding factor in seeking the help needed.
Is Taking Nascent Iodine Worth the Risk
Best to ditch the iodized salt and reach for nascent iodine or should you, keep reading to find out, is taking nascent iodine is really worth the risk?
What is Nascent Iodine?
For those who may be wondering what is nascent iodine, it is atomic iodine that is readily available for the body to digest. The body quickly accepts and absorbs this form no of iodine more so than the form available in table salt, but if you can’t find this form of iodine, then go with the table salt or preferably a more natural form of salt.
Why is Nascent Iodine Impotant?
Iodine is very important to thyroid function and the production of thyroid hormones which in turn affects the function of various organ in the body.
Heart health, your body’s immune system and ability to regulate temperature, as well as, your metabolic rate are affected by your thyroid function. So, you can certainly see that a well functioning thyroid is of the utmost importance and the thyroid is one of the most important organs is your body. So, keep it healthy and happy and you will feel much better and your energy levels will definitely improve.
Disclaimer:
Taking any supplementation should be done under guidance of a family physician that is well versed in your individual health care needs.
Also, Beware that not all nascent iodine are created equally, so do your research and select the best option for you and your health care needs.
It only takes a few drops to get your daily requirements and the benefits are seen in a short amount of time. Benefits such weight loss, increase in energy levels, prevention of goiters. This is a good option when it comes to nascent iodine and so is this supplement.
Other Options to Supplementation Using Nascent Iodine
As with most supplements, nature or natural is best and this can be one of those instances; however, due to the rapid absorption, this may very well be the most feasible option when it comes to iodine intake and correcting thyroid issues in the quickest way. Now, when it comes to hyperthyroidism or any thyroid conditions that may change for the worse if not properly managed, do consult your physician and avoid self treating.
Foods you can eat to boost your iodine intake are whole eggs, tuna (be mindful of the mercury content), seaweed (Wakame, Nori, and most of all Kombu Kelp are great sources of iodine), and seafood like shrimp are great places to start in boosting your iodine. If you have issues with eating shrimp, we completely understand and would highly recommend the seaweed route.
Keeping your diet balanced and in check will help prevent imbalances and of course minimizing your stress levels will keep your thyroid from getting out of whack to begin wit . Thereby, saving your from a whirlwind of issues.
Dangers of Nascent Iodine
There are dangers to using nascent iodine, but most of them exist when used incorrectly, so always choose to follow the recommended doseage unless otherwise instructed by your physician. So, on to the dangers….
Dangers of taking nascent iodine include, but are not limited to the following: you may experience allergic reactions based on your level of sensitivity, facial swelling can be an issue.
Also, inflammation in the joints and thyroid gland can be an issue as a result of excessive intake of nascent iodine.
Other dangers include fluid build up in the lungs, thyroid cancer; and a condition in which an abnormal level of the disease fighting white blood cells know as Eosinophils are present in the blood (which can be the case with severe allergic reactions to nascent iodine or due to the body reacting to resulting cancerous growth.
So, all in all do ample research and consult with your doctor, but most importantly know your body and recognize the signs. So, it so happens that this form of supplementation doesn’t agree with you, then you can you can nip it in the bud and work with your doctor on finding a better alternative.
Conclusion
So, is it worth it to try nascent iodine? Absolutely! But do so only if your have thyroid issues that your physician feels can be corrected through proper supplementation. Just be sure to stay within your recommended dosage or intake to prevent overdoing it and causing negative side effects.
Best Cookware for Cooking & Eating Healthy Foods
So, after some time spent researching this topic, we had an idea to write an article for all our readers out there to quickly go over all the best cookwares for cooking and eating healthy foods. After all, you have made the decision to eat healthy foods and what good is there to lose the nutrients you are trying to get from those healthy foods through using the wrong cookware?
So, Just What are the Options of Healthy Cookware?
If you are remotely health conscious, then you know just how important highly nutritious foods are to maintaining good health.
This brings us to our first pick when it comes to healthy cookware – earthen pots. These pots are most commonly known as clay pots or clay cookware. They are an olden way of cooking, but a goodie. And if it works why change it?
Disclaimer:
Healthylivingfromheadtotoe.com is a participant of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program. It is a way for sites like ours to have the opportunity to earn advertising fees through advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
However, over the course of time, we have seen an upsurge in a variety of cookware from nonstick to a myriad of metal based cooking pots and pans. Some are natural metals, like cast iron and copper. And others are man-made blends that come in coated and non-coated varieties – think teflon coated aluminum pots and pans, carbon steel, stainless steel, and other metal cookware and bakeware. All of which are readily available to the masses.
Most of these metal based cookware provide the convenience of faster cooking, perfect searing, and great versatility which includes the ability to fry and deep fry foods, but at the cost of nutrients.
Earthenware Pots
Earthen pots allow foods to be cooked with the optimum amount of nutrients/ micronutrients locked in, providing a more nutritious meal.
The benefits of cooking with clay are great and far outweigh the cons. One such con being that cooking time is a bit longer, but often times improves over the course of time. Another con is most clay cookware need to be cured before use.
One more con when it comes to clay pot is actually dependent on whether you are familiar with cooking with clay. And if you aren’t, you might find yourself faced with quite a bit of a learning curve. But, it is very easy to overcome and you can become quite the expert when it comes to cooking with clay. So much so, that you will find out that it is certainly worth it to have at least one or two of these pots in your kitchen.
One of the major benefits of using clay cookware is that your food is that much healthier, in the sense that you are able to eliminate some of the toxins in the foods. This really comes into play if you are unable to purchase organic foods and grass fed meats on a regular basis.
The porous nature of clay pots and their negative charge or alkaline nature, enable them to pull toxic substances that may bre present in certain foods. This can be visible in thre form of brownish or blackish sticky bubbling out of these impurities. This allows for more bioavailability of the nutritional elements in your food without the extra gunk.
According to a lab test done in India, food cooked in clay pots retain a higher percentage of micronutrients compared to foods cooked in cookware made from other materials. So, that alone should give you reason to at least give this type of cookware a try.
What Features to Look for when Shopping for Your Earthenware Clay Pot
You may be wondering, what features to look for when shopping for your earthenware or earthen pot; so here are some things to keep in mind.
When looking at earthenware pots or clay vessels, unglazed is best. This not only reduces the likelihood of exposing your food to lead, since it can leach into your food while cooking (the glaze process often times includes the use of lead), but provides you with the benefits of nutrient retention and evenly cooked food. Not to mention the foods cooked in earthen pots are often times more flavorful and taste absolutely delicious. Plus your food stays warm longer (four to five hours later you will be able to have warm, not hot, but warm food).
If you haven’t done so, try cooking beans in your earthen pots, the taste is absolutely fantastic! Even rice tastes more delicious when cooked in clay.
Stoneware Pots
Much like Earthenware Pots, this cookware is also made of clay and heats evenly. The main difference; however, is that this clay cookware is fired in the kiln at a much higher temperature than regular clay or earthen pots. This results in a less porous cookware and a slight difference in the level of flavor acquired during the cooking process.
Soapstone or Steatite Cookware
When it comes to Steatite Cookware, better known as soapstone, this cookware, much like earthen or clay cookware gives not only even heating, but retains the nutritional benefits when used to cook your food. Also, it doesn’t react or leach into foods and is a great way to prepare healthy foods and will last for a lifetime when used properly.
Although naturally a softer stone, once cured, cookware made from this stone is highly durable and can provide you with peace of mind when cooking your healthy meals.
Just be sure that the stone used for your cookware is not sourced from California as it tends to contain some strands of asbestos engrained in the rock. Which might pose a health hazard when there is damage to the pot or if it breaks and particles become airborne.
You can always take the added step of checking with the pot manufacturer (or even the retailer) to determine where the rock is sourced and whether there are tests done to ensure there are no asbestos strands occurring within the rock.
Cast Iron Cookware
When seasoned well these can bring added depth of flavor to meats and veggies. For the perfect seared steak, cast iron is certainly the way to and is one of two metal cookware we are willing to recommend.
Unlike clay cookware, this cookware can react with certain foods, especially acidic foods like tomato sauce or paste when not well seasoned.
As far as leaching is concerned, the amount of iron transferred to your food is minimal and is thought to be not so readily available or lacking bioavailability. I however, believe it can be useful to the body.
The only ways you will encounter a large amount of leaching is if you are cooking on bare, unseasoned cast iron; cooking very acidic foods; or letting your food sit in iron vessels for a long time – neither of which we would recommend.
Copper Cookware
If you love making jams and would like to avoid using pectin, copper is the way to go. It reacts with fruits to naturally thicken jams and jellies for wonderful homemade treats.
Now, there is debate as to the safety of copper pots and the potential of leaching into foods; however, copper is a metal that is useful in the body, and the body doesn’t make it own, so an external source is needed….
Conclusion
So, whatever cookware you choose from the aforementioned list is truly up to you, but we highly recommend one of each or at least the following: a clay soup pot, a cast iron skillet, a cast iron Dutch oven, and a copper pan. These pots and pans should get you well on your way to cooking any meal you so desire with little to no health concerns.
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Thanks for reading!
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Engaging Your Kids When it Comes to Eating Healthy Foods
When it comes to eating healthy, it is highly important for kids especially since they are still growing. As parents we all know it can be difficult to get our children to eat healthy especially if we are dealing with picky eaters.So, here are a few tips to help even the pickiest of eaters and that can help with engaging your kids when it comes to eating healthy foods.
Introducing Your Kids to A World of Healthy Eating
Try getting your kids into gardening at an early age, especially if you like tending to a garden. It is not only a great pastime, it is also fun and adds to quality time spent together. Plus you get a good workout while you are at it.
For little kids, cutting fruits and veggies into fun shapes can make for a smoother transition to healthier snacks or substitutions. It sparks their curiosity and makes healthy eating less of a battle.
Plus you can enlist their help by handing them the butter knife, yes, I said butter knife (a flat, rounded knife with no sharp edge) . It may not be proper etiquette, but for safety reasons it certain will do the trick (believe me, its personally tried and true and prevents accidents). We have tried my butter knife method to cut many fruits and some vegetables and it works just fine even with apples; however, I would recommend limiting its use to just soft fruits.
Cookie cutters also make for a good, quick way to safely cut fruits into fun shapes and make for healthy fast food.
Dinner knives like this with a thin serrated edge also work as well. Also, it helps your kids feel good about themselves when they can help mommy or daddy cut up those fruits for their fruit salad or snack time.
You can also add vegetables your kids favorite meals, spaghetti is a great one for incorporating fresh veggies whether you choose to dice them up into tiny pieces or simply puree a variety of veggies and add it into the spaghetti sauce (half a cup to a cup of mixed veggies usually makes for a tasty addition to plain spaghetti sauce or even one already packed with veggies).
To Dip or Not to Dip
Adding tasty (and healthy) dips can also make healthy foods fun for kids.
Next time, try a little bit of plain yogurt with a bit of agave syrup and or honey as a slightly sweetened dip for some fruits (apples, melons, pineapples, cantaloupes, pears, are just a few) and even vegetables (think carrots). This dip goes very well with these and will encourage your kids, especially the wee little ones to finish their fruits and veggies. Just be sure to not make it sugary as that will take over the taste and take away from the healthiness of eating fruits and veggies.
You can also switch things a bit and add a small amount of caramel for an added treat every now and then.
Fruit preserves or a simple blend of fruits are a great addition for creamy dips and yogurt blends and help make healthy snacks more appealing.
Tips for Making Healthy Snacking Work
Take it slow when introducing new fruits especially when it comes to exotic fruits not just for the sake of allergies, but to give them time to get used to the taste. You can add a couple of pieces along with their favorite fruits or vegetables and see whether they notice.
If they don’t notice, you can always make it into a game of what does it taste like and guess that new vegetable (or fruit).
Wrapping It Up
Hope you find these toys and tricks helpful in engaging your kids when it comes to eating healthy foods. If you find this article helpful, don’t forget to like and share on Facebook and other social media outlets. If you have other tips or tricks you would like to share or have us add to our article, please do take the time to post them in the comments section below we would appreciate it.
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Magnesium and Your Body
Magnesium is a crucial mineral and is very important to many processes in your body, but can taking Magnesium hurt your body?! Well, the answer is it all depends on your body. Keep reading to find out more.
The skinny when it comes to Magnesium
Magnesium is an absolute must when it comes to overall health. For instance, it is important in bone building and growth. But taking magnesium in large doses can result in some serious side effects. Magnesium can negatively affect various organs in your body your heart being one of them, as well as, your kidneys.
Side effects of having too high a level of Magnesium include, but are not limited to irregular heart beats, confusion, breathing issues, and possibly death.
So What Exactly is Magnesium Good For?
Your blood pressure, maintaining and ensuring proper functioning of your muscles, controlling your blood sugar levels. These are just a few of the processes regulated by magnesium. Other side effects include nausea which can range from subtle to extreme nausea. The severity of taking too much Magnesium can vary from person to person. So always remember to be aware of the signals your body sends you. And this goes for all supplements as well.
Know your Body Well
If you have negative reactions within and or without, you should notate them and immediately consult with your doctor.
Also, always consult with your doctor before including magnesium as a part of your daily supplement. And be mindful of the percentage of Magnesium contained in your multivitamin supplements.
Feel free to check out this post on the effectiveness of supplements if you would like more details on whether you should be supplementing.
How common is magnesium deficiency?
Deficiency in this mineral is quite rare, therefore magnesium supplementation may not be needed. This is another reason why you should consult your doctor before taking magnesium supplements…since you may be doing more harm than good in the long run.
Women tend to be more prone to having Magnesium deficiencies, but it often times is easily fix through the right dietary changes.
In most cases your doctor will order testing to determine any vitamin deficiencies (Magnesium included, of course). This is absolutely the best way to approach vitamin supplementation. Multivitamin and or vitamin supplementation is not a one size fits all regimen. This is because we all have different things going on within our bodies. …different stress levels, as well as, other factors that can contribute to our need for various elements and minerals.
It is also best to periodically get tested to make sure that your deficiencies have been corrected or are at least maintainable with the current supplementation you may be taking.
Can You Avoid Taking Magnesium Supplements Altogether?
The Absolute best way to avoid having to take magnesium supplement Asian all the supplements for that matter is through your diet. Eating these foods can help ensure you are getting enough magnesium, consider adding the following to your diet: nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews) and various food such as spinach, beans (especially, black beans since they contain higher percentage of this mineral in comparison to other bean varieties). Various cultured dairy foods like Kefir, Amasai, yogurt, etc. can prove to be great sources of Magnesium, as well.
So if your daily diet is rich in plants, more so than meat you are more than likely good to go when it comes to your magnesium levels.
Conclusion
Over all, supplementation should be on a need to basis and you should always consult with your physician to ensure that you are doing your body good and not creating an issue or issues in the long run. If you do find this article informative or helpful to share with others (thanks in advance). And be sure to subscribe for more posts in the near future.
ADD /ADHD | Help from Nature | What You Can Do
ADD /ADHD is well known nowadays, as it has become more prevalent. If you or a loved one has such a condition, you may choose a conventional approach. Or you may simply choose a more natural approach.
There are quite a few options available conventionally and otherwise…and you may find it hard to decide. So in this article, we will discuss ADD / ADHD and getting help from nature and what you can do.
If you are looking to nature for an answer, then keep reading to find out more.
What is ADD Or ADHD?
For those who may not know, ADD stands for attention deficit disorder and ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
If you often find yourself lacking focus or unable to stay still long enough to get things done then there is something amiss and it is best to deal with it. whether through a psychological approach or through a physical approach.
But often times, both Psychological & physical issues are to be addressed.
Why Take a Natural Approach to Dealing with ADD/ADHD?
One of the best approach to dealing with Attention Deficit Disorder naturally is through the use of herbs. According to the Bible, our creator tells us that the herbs are for healing and for “meat”. So, for whatever ails you, you must first look to nature for the answer. And the response you get, may very well be the greatest response you could ever hope for….
You may get results that are longer lasting than any synthetic medicine and more healing to your body, without as many negative side effects, if any….
Conventional medicine can prove to have negative side effects to overall health of the body, so why go through ill effects if there are more health friendly options?
Herbs not only heal, but are a means of preventative care for maintaining our bodies in a healthy, natural state.
To avoid or ignore the crucial roles herbs play in up keeping our bodies for the sake of maintaining or obtaining good health is to commit a grievous offense to one’s own self.
Approaching ADD / ADHD Systemically
First, deal with any of the emotions that may be igniting or triggering the divided attention/ disruption in the thinking processes.
Next, keep a journal of what occurrences or environmental stimuli may be occurring that bring about episodes of ADD/ADHD. Be sure to note if such occurrences are stress related or due to too much excitement, i.e. is it brought on by stress or being overexcited?
Does it seem to be brought on by certain foods, drinking unfiltered water or even bottle water?
Is it linked to emotional occurrences, etc.?
Emotional issues or past occurrences in life may trigger scattered thoughts and over activity in trying to grapple with the rampant thoughts and or surge of emotions and ideas.
Handling ADD / ADHD in Children
For children, this can make an already super active time that normally occurs during childhood, even more active. Unfortunately, most kids who display hyperactivity are written off as being bad or just plain troublesome. Which is often times not the case.
Instead of dismissing or writing off a kid as troublemaker, try changing their diet. Which leads me to the third step you can take in dealing with hyperactivity, that being the use of herbs.
One in particular that I have seen to have a calming, as well as, relaxing effect on both kids and adults alike is Lemon Balm.
Lemon Balm is a great herb to help reduce the effects of hyperactivity.
Background Information on Lemon Balm
It is a herbaceous plant belonging to the mint family and it is a perennial, so it can grow up through autumn and then die back or overwinter during cold winter season. No worries though because it will return in the Spring.
Lemon Balm is a vigorous grower so you may want to consider growing it in pots if you are looking into adding it to your garden.
It has a very pleasant, soothing, and delicious lemony taste. Its effects includes creating or giving a sense of calm, thereby, aiding in relaxation and a better ability to focus.
It is a great addition to any tea lovers collection of teas and on the plus side, it is loaded with plenty of health benefits, making it a great medicinal herb tea.
Self Awareness | Being The Best You By Removing Toxicity in Your Life
Our environment is not the only source of toxicity in our lives. We are not all born with the perfect friends or family and through the hustle and bustle of life we may find ourselves lost and beaten down by life. But at some point in time we need to take an active approach in looking for the light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. And this may include reevaluating your life and assessing what is more important and what isn’t. You may even find yourself asking the following questions: Who is worth keeping close and who is better kept at a distance? What is the best way to lead my life and how can I ensure I get on the path to leading my life in the best way possibly? All of these questions and more are part of self awareness and how you can promote being the best you by removing toxicity in your life.
The Negative Aspects of Dealing with Toxic People
Now, you already know that there are other factors that come into play here. And some of those factors may prove limiting, but it is always up to you to find a creative way of approaching those limitations. Some of these factors may prove to be extremely challenging, whereas others may not.
One such factor that can be very challenging is getting rid of all that is toxic, including those toxic folks you may or may not be related to. It is quite unfortunate that at times those toxic people in your life are family members and or friends you were once close to, but rest assure that releasing those around you that pull you down or weigh heavily on your soul is quite freeing and can bring about breakthrough in your life. Keep this in mind, that if they are not for you then they are against you and they can and will negatively impact your life. Whether it is through the way you view yourself, self-worth, capabilities, and all or affect the way you treat those close to you when you give them the power to invade your thoughts and steal precious time from those you love. And in the worst case scenario, create a wedge between you and those who truly care for your well-being, by causing you to be in a bad mood, lashing out at those closest to you. This can then result in hurt feelings and even grudges held by your loved ones.
The stress that toxic people inflict is not only emotional/ mental, but also physical as well. Such negative interactions can impact your body in adverse and irreversible ways. Your heart health is one such ways in which emotional stress of toxic influencers can seriously impact your health negatively. You see the heart and brain are connected and when there is discord in the heart the brain perceives that pain and the body can receive and interpret it in ways such as creating tumors or causing anxiety and dis-ease within.
How to Recognize the Toxic Influencers in Your Life
If you find yourself having panic attacks or just merely dreading the thought of face to face interaction with someone, then you may be dealing with a toxic influencer. There are exceptions to this case scenario, so be sure to thoroughly assess the situation and the party involved, as well as, past interactions with such party, so you can see if it is rooted in the way they speak or interact with you or whether you have a part to play in how they perceive you and believe you should be treated.
If you find that after talking to a certain friend or family member and you find yourself emotionally drained or bogged down then you may be dealing with a toxic individual, though in some cases not an intention on their part. And this is where you should speak up and set boundaries on what levels your conversations should reach. If they are constantly complaining to you about a particular person or issue and they are doing nothing to rectify the situation, then speak up. If they are coming to you for advice and taking none of it when it comes to addressing the situation(s) then its time to speak up. If they are constantly pointing the finger at others and taking none of the responsibility for their actions and decisions then it is time to speak up and set those boundaries.
Another way you will know you are dealing with negative influencers is if you find yourself changing in a negative way, i.e you find yourself referencing those toxic influencers as the reason for your bad mood and or behavior, then you know the toxic influencers have invade your space and are ruling your actions. So, time to give them the boot!
If you find yourself fantasizing about ways to get back at someone or seeing them fall flat on their face, then you know you are dealing with a toxic influencer and they are impacting you to the core. And it is time to handle the situation and take the power back over your thoughts and emotions.
But How Can I Go About Letting Go of Toxic People?
If you are someone who believes in God, then be sure to take this decision to the Lord in prayer to get your confirmation and put those people in his hands. You never know, you may be pleasantly surprised that some of them may change their ways. Now if the toxic people happen to be your parent(s), then this can prove extra challenging. There are two ways to handle this one of which is to severe all ties. Another option is to maintain ties, but to set the boundaries openly and make it known that you are there for them when needed, but would rather not have an ongoing or a close relationship with them. Clearly, list out the main reasons for distancing yourself and more often than not they will have a response or rebuttal to your claim (which is quite alright). After all, everyone has their own perception and reasoning for doing things the way they choose. Just be sure you have enough emotional support from the one you love and that love you back and it can be a bit tasking and you may find yourself questioning your decision to let go.
Also, make sure when you do let go of the toxic people in your life, to draw closer to the Lord and to the people in your life that have proven they are there for you. This will help balance your emotions and over the course of time, your life.
A great sense of relief will be present once you do this, especially, if you do this correctly and make sure the air is clear, so to speak.
Now, I realize that this may not always be possible, especially if the other party involved is combative and refuses to hear you out; however, as long as you know you tried to amicably resolve or absolve your relationship, then you certainly have no need to worry and or stress over them.
Summary
In today’s world where up is down and left is right, you certainly have to find ways to adapt to the surrounding changes, as well as, the changes you may see in the people you interact with. Just make sure that the impact you have on others, as well as the impact they have on you is overall a positive one. After all, we only have one life to live and we should strive to do so in the best possible way. Even if, it means letting go of the toxicity in your life.
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Dangers of Mold in Your Home
A biannual, if not annual test for mold is a must in our book, especially if you live in areas or regions with high humid. Whether you live in a yurt or a big mansion of a house, maintain good air quality is essential to your overall health. And could mean the difference between waking up sniffling and snorty or waking up clear and free of congestion, ready to take on the day. There are many dangers of mold in your home that can affect your health in the long run so be proactive in keeping mold from becoming a problem.
What are the Dangers of Mold?
Much like allergies, symptoms from mold contamination can be presented as coughing, sneezing, headache, runny nose, itchy eyes. So, where does that leave you in determining whether its just plain ‘ole allergies or a result of breathing in mold spores?
Breathing in mold for a prolong amount of time will cause health issues such skin issues, lung disease and possibly cancer over the course of time. The mycotoxins from these mold spores can wreck havoc on a person’s nervous system leading to a host of other issues throughout the body, as well as the a variety of issues within the nervous system itself.
Dangers of Black Mold
Black mold is even more so dangerous as it can prove costly both healthwise and for your pocket book. This type of mold is hard to get rid of and can spread quickly if not caught in time. It can also cause a host of health issues, such as bleeding in the lungs, severe allergies, nausea, chronic headaches, to list a few.
Where is Mold Most Likely to Occur in Your Home?
Moist, damp places are the perfect haven for mold and can quickly become the perfect breeding ground for mold and worse, black mold.
Any form of mold should be properly removed and precautions taken to prevent reoccurrences in the future.
Places that are constantly in contact with water or become warm and humid on a regular basis are perfect conditions for mold to grow and it is best to regularly check any hidden nooks or areas that are dark and unexposed to free flowing air for any signs of mold.
What to Do If You Suspect Mold Growth in Your Home
If you suspect mold growing in any part of your home, do seek professional help and if need be replace walls or drywall with moisture resistant drywall that will help keep the likelihood of mold growth at a minimum.
Natural Remedy for Ridding Your Home from Mold
If you find signs of mold starting to grow in your bathroom for instance or kitchen cabinetry, you can try to remedy the situation using white vinegar at full strength (meaning no need to dilute it at all), simply put some white vinegar into a spray bottle and generously spray onto moldy areas or any area that is starting to show signs of mold growth. Leave the vinegar on for at least an hour or two, if at all possible, overnight provided the area is not easily damaged by the acidity of the vinegar.
Rinse off affected areas(s) or use a damp towel or sponge to remove residue. But do be sure to have a fan or blower going to dry the affected area(s) as quickly as possible in order to avoid creating a moist environment for mold to reoccur.
Chemical Means of Ridding Your Home of Mold
Another remedy for getting rid of mold in small areas of your home, although not the most health conscious way to do so, is to use one part bleach to one part water and place this mixture in spray bottle designed to handle strong cleaning chemicals and spray onto the affected areas.
Leave this mixture on for twenty to thirty minutes and rinse off or sponge clean surface using a damp sponge or towel. Rinse your sponge or towel as many time as possible until the smell of chlorine bleach is gone.
Once bleach residue is cleaned off, make sure to dry the affected surface as quickly as possible. A blower or fan(s) will definitely prove useful in geting the job done.
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General Wellness: 5 Things you Should do Regularly to Stay in Good Health
General wellness checkups are extremely important to maintaining good health, so here are 5 things you should do regularly to stay in good health. These tips can also serve as preventative care to stave off any possible decline in health.
1. Start Building a Great Diet and Exercise Regimen
Get a wellness check done so you are aware of your health status as you start on your wellness journey. Get this done at least once, if not twice a year (at the beginning and end of the year). This will help guide you when it comes to the health related changes you may need to make, as well as, give you a better reference point. Plus, you have the added bonus of consulting with your physician before making any changes that may drastically affect you and your health. So checkups for general wellness is certainly among the 5 things you should do regularly to stay in good health.
There are about 91 essential nutrients the body needs everyday, 60 of them are minerals like calcium, phosphorus, silica, which are found in soil, so eating plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits, and greens on a regular basis is a must…frozen is okay when necessary or if fresh plant based foods are not readily available in your area or region. In other words, make sure organically grown plants, preferably, homegrown greens are a dominating part of your diet.
Other things you can do include, but not limited to swapping out your table salt for unprocessed or unrefined Sea Salt. Make sure you are getting plenty of natural vitamin A, C, & E from the foods you eat or from natural means of supplementation.
Reduce your intake of sugar and sugar filled products (sugar can cause your immune system to not function correctly and can even prevent it from working at all it has been said that Sugar will keep your immune system suppressed for up to 6 hours).
Drink lots of water and replenish any lost electrolytes, especially during workouts or situations where you sweat a lot.
Weight Management – exercise…get your body moving for at least 20 minutes even if it is a light workout.
2. Dental Care
When it comes to our teeth and even our mouth, a lot of us forget that it can have an impact on our overall health – so you definitely want to take a good look at your dental regimen to make sure you are taking good care of your teeth.
Lack of proper dental hygiene can not only lead to problems with your teeth, but also issues within your body as it can also affect your heart health. Flossing is a great way to maintain proper health of your teeth, it helps get rid of anything that is in between your teeth and can potentially cause cavities or create an environment for microorganisms such as bacteria to grow and fester.
Create or make your own natural mouthwash rinses using herbs such as Rosemary or Thyme & and even spices such as cinnamon and sea salt to create a healthy natural solution that is great as an anti-microbial rinse for your mouth.
3. Get Involved in Church
If you believe in God, then you most definitely can attest to the healing effects you can have when you attend church regularly.
There is an indescribable atmosphere and essence that fills the room when you choose to serve and praise the Lord, especially, when you do so through fellowship and communion with other Christian believers.
Your fellowship with others does not have to stop or end with Sunday services. Getting deeply rooted in 1 or 2 of your church’s regular gatherings, i.e. Bible Study, Group Workout Sessions, monthly retreats, and various regularly held activities is highly recommended.
Plan to attend a least one Church event on a quarterly or semi-annual basis and get involved with community service opportunities your Church may be involved in.
Interacting with other Christians on a regular basis can really help you stay grounded and can even help take away some of the stresses of everyday life.
4. Great Stress Management
Stress supresses the immune system and can cause it to stop working altogether. So try these suggestions for reducing and letting go of stress.
> address the stressful situations in your life
> learn to forgive and not hold on to unforgiveness
> surround yourself with positive people and people who share your aspirations.
> find time to unwind and listen to your favorite music
> meditate, it can help lower stress and also boost your immune system
> take the time and go out and enjoy nature
> explore the benefits of “Earthing” and get grounded, literally. Come in contact with the earth, whether you are laying on sand or soil, or even immersing your body in the ocean can help your body get in tune on a whole other level…. More research is needed, but there are health benefits that can come of it. Supposedly, the Earth’s negative charges can help balance the positive charges that result in our bodies over the course of time due to stress.
Earthing mats are available if you can’t always get outside, but nothing beats the real deal, so make time to get out there and spend time in God’s creation.
> get plenty of rest which can have a positive impact on your mood and in dealing with the day to day stress factors.
> get in the habit of laughing more! This helps release tension and stress and can help put you and others in a good mood.
5. Minimize exposure to toxins
In today’s world, toxins are found pretty much everywhere and even in some unlikely places.
No one wants to think of their home as a source of everyday exposure to toxins, but it unfortunately often is….from carpeting to computers – you are highly likely to find sources of toxins in your home.
The treatments used in the carpet making process may prove to have a negative effect on your health and the gas released from your computer while it is on and in efforts to try to cool itself off, are just a couple of avenues of toxic exposures that you may not have thought of or even be aware of.
Everyday items that we use such as detergents, cleaning solutions for tubs, toilets, etc. all contain chemicals that overtime can have a negative impact on the body.
Now there are natural alternatives to these harsh chemically laddened, miracle, cleaning solutions, but it is up to us to make the decision as to whether we are willing to forego our health in order to get instant cleaning results. Or would we rather put in a bit of “elbow grease” and time in order to have better health in the long run.
Natural alternatives like apple cider vinegar, baking soda, steam, all have their own distinct cleansing properties and appeals and can be highly effective when used consistently and in the right concentrations.
Natural alternatives like apple cider vinegar is not only great for cleaning, but can also be great for sanitizing various surfaces.
Other sources of toxic exposure that we might not think of that can be lurking around our home and even affect our outdoor activities are electromagnetic fields generated by powerlines…food toxins, pollution, exhaust fumes, just to name a few.
Now I am aware that we cannot possibly avoid every single one of the listed sources of toxins; however, we can minimize our exposure and engage in various healthy habits that will help combat whatever negative effects may come from regular exposure to such toxins.
Conclusion
General wellness is our own responsibility and it is within us to change and make things right when we so choose and deem it necessary. I hope these 5 things you should do regularly to stay in good health when it comes to general wellness prove very helpful in keeping you in good health. If you enjoy reading this article, please sign up or subscribe, so you can be notified when we post new articles – it lets us know you enjoy what we post and find it useful. Do NOT forget to also share our post.
Puffy Mattress Review
Product: Puffy Mattress
Country of Origin: USA
Cost (before discounts): $595 – $1350
At this point, I’m sure you may have already heard about Puffy mattress, but you may not know exactly why you should get this mattress. Keep reading this Puffy Mattress Review to find out more about why you should consider purchasing this mattress.
If you are in the market for a new mattress, strongly consider purchasing the Puffy Mattress. Much like a lot of mattresses this these days it will be delivered in a box and you get to take it out and watch it inflate….
Why get the Puffy Mattress?
Getting more REM sleep is very important, so if you are having trouble sleeping through the night then this mattress may provide you with the help you need to not only fall asleep faster but to stay asleep throughout the night. It is so comfortable that sound sleep will no longer be a thing of the past.
It is very comfortable compared to your average mattress and it keeps you nice and cool, as well as, comfortable as you sleep. For instance, if you have issues with night sweats you may find this a very good mattress to have compared to your regular old mattress because the likelihood of waking up in a pool of sweat is diminished due to its cooling effect.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
First off this mattress may not be for everybody, but it is very comfortable and can prove to be worth the while and worth the money. And if you are looking for something that is soft but somewhat firm and makes you feel as though you are sleeping on Cloud 9, then the Puffy mattress may just be the mattress for you. The fact that it is made out of memory foam allows you to easily get comfortable as it contours to your body and helps you stay aligned in a relaxing and natural position.
It is crafted with high quality foam layers that helped make it universally comfortable.
An added benefit of their use of high quality foam is that there is little to no “off gassing”, so no worries when it comes to odd or offensive smells which is one of the main reasons I like this mattress.
When it comes to tossing and turning throughout the night this may be a fantastic mattress, especially if you have a significant other that may be bothered by your movements.
Puffy mattress manufacturer gives you a lengthy time-frame to try this mattress out and see if it will work for you. Just to give you a better idea, they give you at least 100 nights as a trial period which is longer than the usual trial time frame given to customers who purchase mattresses from other manufacturers. And at any point during this time frame, return the mattress if you are not satisfied with it and get your money back.
The quality of this mattress seems to be on par, so it is definitely a good investment; after all, sleep is very important and helps to keep your body in a healthy state and your mind well rested and refreshed.
The manufacturer has Puffy mattress also offers a lifetime warranty for their product which is a definite bonus.
Currently there is an upgraded version of the Puffy Mattress and it is known as the Puffy Lux Mattress. It is slightly softer than the original Puffy Mattress and is a bit pricier too. You can expect to spend anywhere between $597 up to about $1,795 between the two models of Puffy mattresses and depending on the size of mattress you are looking for.
So if you would like to buy this upgraded version (or the original version), then keep reading for a discount code.
Disclaimer: This post contains products for which I may receive a small percentage of commission if you purchase through my links. This will help our site greatly and help us keep articles posted on a regular basis. We do not get any of your personal information through the links provided. These links simply take you to the manufacturer’s site, where you can readily purchase their products.
There is currently a sale going on, so now is the prime time to make a decision and purchase a puffy mattress . Click below for discount codes based on which mattress you prefer to purchase.
For a $250 Off Puffy Coupon Code on your purchase GO HERE!
For a $275 Off Puffy Coupon Code on your purchase GO HERE!
Cons:
If you are in love with an extra firm mattress, then definitely, this would not be the mattress for you.
Numerically speaking, if I were to rate this mattress on a scale of 1 to 10, I would give it an eight as far as firmness is concerned personally speaking.
Puffy mattress is a relatively new company that was started in 2017 and are currently building their reputation and all that goes along with that…quality included.
As previously mentioned, puffy carries only one firmness when it comes to their mattresses and it may not be firm enough for some. In fact, it may prove to be a bit on the softer side for those who prefer extra firm mattresses.
This mattress company, unlike most mattress companies we are used to only have their product available on their online store. They do not have a physical store that you can go to in the event that you do need to return the mattress or would like to at least give it a try first-hand before purchasing. So that is something you will definitely need to consider before taking the leap and spending your heart and money.
Speaking of hard and money, puffy mattress does tend to be a bit on the expensive side; however, it is possible that over time the quality may prove that it is worth the purchase…it certainly seems that way from what I can tell.
Summing it up
The Puffy Mattress definitely lives up to the hype as “the Internet’s most comfortable mattress”. Overall, this mattress can be a wonderful addition to anyone’s nighttime regimen and can be a great way to ensure that you get a full night’s worth of sleep and wake up refreshed for your daily activities.
If you would like to make a purchase CLICK below.
