Health and Fitness

Spring is finally here! For those of us who have been hibernating during the dark, cold, dreary days of winter, we are so excited to see warmer weather, trees in bloom, and a whole new world emerge before our eyes.

If you are like many of us, we have allowed our self-care routines to slip during the desolate days of winter, and we now need to amp up our personal care routines in order to meet the demands of warmer weather. Here are some tips for getting—and staying—-healthy this spring:

1. Get some sun!
Exposure to the warm rays of the sun triggers the release of serotonin in your body, a feel good hormone that helps to regulate your metabolism, your sleep cycle, and many other vital functions of the body. Opening your windows to let some sunshine in, going for a warm spring walk, or even basking in a few minutes of sunshine on your lunch break will do wonders for your mood and your body.

2. Improve your skin care routine
Winter takes its toll in many ways; your skin bears the brunt of dry air, forced heat indoors, and harsh cold when venturing out. All of these conditions are a recipe for disaster if you don’t properly care for your skin. Invest in a simple system of cleanse, tone, and moisturize, and stick to this routine at least once daily for best results. Consider doing some whole body treatments of exfoliating and moisturizing to get ready for shorts, swimsuits, and flirty dresses of spring and summer.

3. Commune with nature
Studies have shown a clear link between time spent in nature and improved mood. Spending time looking at lush greenery, beautiful flowers, and the freshness of spring will improve your mood, lower your stress, and improve your overall health.

4. Up your exercise game
Spring weather is the perfect excuse to get outside and do your workout routines, or get in an extra calorie-burning walk to improve your fitness goals. Making excuses during winter might be acceptable, but being a couch potato in the springtime is just plain laziness. Get off your duff and start exercising to improve your health!

5. Eat healthfully 
Grocery stores are teeming with bounty in the spring; fresh fruits and vegetables are at their most accessible, and your body craves lighter and healthier foods moving into a season where you will be more active. Focus on eating fresh, whole fruits and vegetables, clean protein, and whole grains, and you will look and feel better.

6. Drink more water
Increased activity and increased perspiration demand that we improve our consumption of water. Aim for eight 8-oz glasses of clean, pure water daily, and your body will respond by flushing out harmful toxins, dumping toxic pain, and giving you increased mental clarity.

7. Establish a healthy sleep routine
Despite the fact that the sun is keeping longer hours these days, it is necessary to get enough sleep. Consider turning off technological devices, dimming the lights, and going natural closer to the time that you usually retire. You’ll wake up rested, refreshed, and ready to tackle the next beautiful spring day before you. If snoring is bothering you, check out Smart Nora.

8. Schedule some check ups
Weather is warmer, road conditions are improved, so it’s time to get in for some long awaited appointments. If you find yourself suffering from seasonal allergies, perhaps it’s time to get in and see your doctor for seasonal relief. Being at your healthiest and most fit when spring turns the corner will ensure that you will be able to take full advantage of all the season has to offer.

Enjoy the warm fragrant days, the balmy nights, and look forward to better health as a result of following these simple tips for staying healthy this spring!

Author Bio: Paige Jirsa– I work with https://stdtestingfacilities.com/, which provides users same day STD testing in a discrete and proficient manner.

 

Various things cause acne. Before you start thinking of ways to treat the problem, you need to know first what caused it. By understanding the root cause of the problem, it will be easy for you to find a way to treat it.

Clogged Pores

Acne occurs because of the hair follicles and oil glands getting clogged. These glands are responsible for the production of sebum which is an oily substance to keep the skin soft and hydrated. The problem is when there is overproduction, and it leads to the buildup of oil that results in dead skin cells and acne lesions. You can buy products to help unclog the pores or reduce the oiliness of your skin.

Genetics

It is quite difficult to stop acne if it is in your family’s genes. If your parents have a history of acne, it is possible for you to suffer from the same condition. You can consult with your dermatologist to identify how to fix the problem. Your genetic makeup is responsible for a lot of things, including hormonal fluctuations and how quickly you can let go of dead skin cells. It also indicates how strong your immune system is and how much oil your oil glands produce. Understanding your genetic makeup can help prevent the worsening of acne problems.

Hormones

Hormonal imbalance can lead to the growth of acne. When you are experiencing puberty or pregnancy, your chances of having acne increase. The fluctuation of hormone production which is quite common among pregnant women is the primary reason why it is difficult for them to maintain healthy skin. It is also because of hormonal fluctuation that women who are currently menstruating face these issues.

Stress

Stress is a culprit of some of the most severe illnesses today. You can add acne breakout to that list. When you feel stressed, it increases your chances of having acne. As a result, you start to stress out even more. You pop your acne because you panic and you start losing confidence. It will then cause you to feel conscious of your appearance, and it becomes a vicious cycle.

Smoking

Smoking increases your chance of having acne. Apart from that, it also makes your skin look old and tired. You age quickly when you continuously smoke. Not to mention all the diseases you might contract because you smoke a lot. When you smoke, it disrupts the natural production of hormones in your body and affects the flow of oxygen to the skin cells.

Food intake

The food you eat could also lead to the growth of acne. You need to select what you eat carefully. Avoid processed foods like chips, white bread, and canned goods. They contain chemicals that may induce the growth of acne. You also need to avoid sugar-rich foods. They can lead to spiked blood sugar levels which lead to the production of more sebum that blocks the pores. Dairy products also need to be off the list

Once you have identified the reason behind the acne, you can now find a way to stop it from getting worse. You need to know how to use hyaluronic acid if you want a quick fix to the problem. Ask your doctor what skin care product suits your skin best.

Image: Unsplash.com

 

As you age, your skin requires different treatments and pampering to maintain a healthy glow. Depending on your age, you may need more or less than these eight skin care products.

No matter what you do, always choose all-natural skin care products. Leave behind the toxic chemical peels and harsh creams. They tend to irritate the skin more than they help fix issues.

1. Cleansers

It is important to clean your face and body on a daily basis. Even if you don’t live in a big city with a lot of pollutants, the atmosphere contains dust particles, chemical toxins, and dead skin cells from other humans and animals. All of this micro-materials lands on your skin as you are walking around. You may never feel or notice these minute particles, but they can do a lot of damage to your skin.

Always use the most gentle cleanser for your skin type. There are all-natural cleansers for sensitive skin, normal skin, oily and dry skin.

Use a body wash for your body and a specific facial wash for your face, both with the most natural materials.

2. Toners

This is an often-skipped part of facial care. Many people clean their face and go right to a moisturizer, skipping the toner. A facial toner is necessary after wearing sunscreen and/or makeup.

Toners act as a barrier and protection to the open pores after cleaning. This layer of protection keeps toxins and dirt from penetrating too deeply into the pores.

Another important job of facial toners is to restore the pH balance. A naturally acidic skin can be stripped of normal oils, leaving skin dry. A good quality toner will replace and balance the pH of your skin.

3. Day and Night Creams

Most people use only one type of moisturizer, either in the morning, in the evening or both. There is a difference between day and night creams and they should both be used to gain the most from their ingredients.

Using a day cream will help protect your skin from the sun, free radicals and other random toxins that clog pores. Additionally, most moisturizers formulated for day time use add a certain glow to your skin.

Night moisturizers are used to help the skin repair itself from the damage it took on during the day. And, a deep penetrating night lotion will protect your skin from dirt and oil collected on your pillow over time.

Although each cream has different properties and jobs, it is important to use them both for maximum protection and repair, helping to put your best face forward.

4. Blemish Corrector

Many adults are now suffering from acne, which they somehow avoided in their teens and early twenties. Adult acne can be caused by a number of things, including stress and a poor diet.

Clearing your face and body of blemishes is not as easy as it sounds. Most dermatologists suggest using a retinol-based cream that helps to dry out the blemish, without harming the delicate skin around it.

Avoid acne medications and lotions that contain harsh chemicals and peels. A small amount of the medication goes a long way to eliminating the bacteria and lessening the redness around the pimple.

Use a preventative medication to keep blemishes away. Learn to control stress and eat better can also be helpful in keeping your face fresh and spot-free.

5. Wrinkle Corrector

Many women, but some men, rely on an anti-wrinkle cream to help them look and feel young. Wrinkles appear from ultraviolet radiation speeds up the natural process of aging. This toxic light from the sun breaks down the connective tissue in the skin. This tissue includes elastin fibers, the deep layer of skin, and collagen, the upper layer of skin or that nearest to the surface.

Wrinkles can also form from weight loss, smoking and general stress.

6. Exfoliator

It should be no surprise that skin is constantly shedding and renewing itself. Dead skin cells fall off your face and body without help from you. However, there are times when these dead skin cells get trapped in larger, open pores. This is when an Exfoliator is a good idea.

Using an Exfoliator helps to physically remove both dead and dull skin cells. It also helps to speed up the process of revealing younger skin.

To avoid stripping your skin, use an Exfoliator no more than twice a week. Use the mildest form you can purchase for your skin type. If you have dry skin, use less time per week, and if you have oily skin, use a little more each week.

7. Masks

Facial masks seem to be trending at the moment. They are made of many different materials including charcoal, clay, and mud. They also come in a variety of colors to spice things up as you wait for them to work. Designed to work by soothing, clarifying, and repairing skin.

The best mask for your skin is the one your skin needs. If you have oily skin, use a facial mask made of charcoal. This is a drying agent and can also close pores to help prevent acne from forming.

The best mask for dry skin is one made with hydrating essential oils that nourish your skin without taking it to an over oily state.

The best mask for combination skin, one that is both oily and dry, is made of a soothing clay. Always read the directions and don’t leave the masks on longer than the manufacturer recommendations for optimum benefits.

8. Weekly treatments

There are a number of procedures you can do on a weekly and monthly basis to prevent acne, redness, brown spots, and thickening of the skin. And remember, less is more. These products are designed to be used sparingly.

Unclog your pores. At least once a week, use a deep pore cleanser to open up and remove all the dirt from your pores. This helps to prevent acne and a buildup of blackheads. Use a toner after to shrink the pores to avoid getting more dirt inside them.

Use a serum to plump skin and help remove wrinkles. This is another practice to be done on a weekly basis. There are specially made serums for daily use, but it is best to stick to one that allows your skin to rest between uses.

For the last year and a half, I have been training hard to build muscle and really have something to show for it. While it is true that I received, like many weightlifters, my biggest gains within the first 3-6 months, as I continued to lift and eat within my “macros”, it happened… I plateaued.

It happens to all of us. The trick is getting over the hurdle. Whether the hurdle is finding it hard to pack on more muscle mass or finding nearly impossible to ¨cut¨ our weight to show off our hard work, we sometimes plateau.

In order to beat my plateau moment, a fellow lifter (and long-time lifter I might add) suggested Force Factor Test X180 Ignite to me.

The following is my experience with Text X180 Ignite, and what it did for me.

Mind-Blowing Benefits

What I loved about this product is that it is kind of an all-in-one supplement with added, unexpected benefits.

As lifters, we all want to gain more muscle mass and to do so we need more endurance during activity, and we need to allow our bodies to recover after.

Force Factor’s Test X180 Ignite helps deliver both. Along with boosting metabolism, you can also expect to experience perks you usually don’t find in a workout supplement: extra passion in the bedroom and more endurance in the sack.

Dude-Friendly Ingredients

With a list of ingredients that work for you and your workout sessions, let´s take a look at the special blends that make up Force Factor’s Test X180 Ignite.

Manliness Ignition Matrix

This powerhouse blend contains ingredients that have been talked about quite a lot in the weight room. Testofen^® Fenugreek Seed Extract is one of the most recognized libido enhancers in the industry. Add that to Green Tea Leaf Extract and Avena Sativa Extract, along with Horny Goat Weed, and you are in for a real treat both in the gym and in the bedroom. Expect more energy. Expect more get-up-and-go, and expect to get it sooner rather than later, if you know what I’m talking about.

Fat Incineration Complex

In this blend, you will find caffeine, white tea leaf extract, and green coffee extract. This group of ingredients works to help you beat the battle of the bulge while also cutting away fat that shows off the hard work that you have put in at the gym.

When the fat melts away, you just might be surprised at just how effective your workouts have been to build long-lasting lean muscle mass. As a result, you’ll be happy with what you’re seeing in the mirror.

Get the Fire Back in Your Life with Test X180 Ignite

You can snag your own bottle of Force Factor’s Test X180 Ignite by visiting the company´s website: https://www.forcefactor.com/products/test-x180-ignite.

If you don’t want to wait for it to ship, you can find it at your local Walmart store or if you are a loyal Amazon user, it is available there as well.

However, if you are not yet ready to commit, see if you qualify for a sample of the product (you do have to pay for shipping and handling) that will help you to determine how it works with your body and if you want to continue to be a faithful user.

I found that after using Test X180 Ignite for a few months, my muscles were more pronounced, I had more energy, and I had managed to cut back stubborn fat that hid muscles (abs, especially) that I had worked on in the gym for what seemed like forever.

I do not believe I would have been able to do this without the help of this supplement. I decided to continue my regimen of taking Test X180 Ignite and make this supplement part of my daily routine.

For all of the other lifters out there, if you need that extra something to get over the next hurdle in your bodybuilding journey, or if you are just an everyday guy looking to shed stubborn fat and enhance other areas of your life (including your sex life), Test X180 Ignite just might be the answer for you.

A human body has its own methods of detoxification among which the liver plays a major role in removing toxins. Your body also removes toxins through urine and sweat. However, sometimes your kidneys and liver overwork and they do deserve a break. A detox diet helps to relieve some pressure off these organs and this helps them to function smoothly for as long as the person lives.

There are several kinds of detox diets and the results would vary based on what diet you’ve chosen. What are some of the major health benefits of taking a detox diet?

Removal of waste and toxins from your body

Continuous exposure to chemicals, pollutants, industrial waste, metals, and preservatives becomes a threat to our immunity and affects our metabolism. This could result in various chronic diseases and terminal illnesses. We need to detoxify our body on a regular basis to get rid of these toxins from our body. Detoxification also helps our body to remove excess waste that it has been storing within. A detox diet gives a boost to the functioning of kidneys, colon, and liver. Colon cleansing is a major part of detoxification as the waste needs to be removed completely from your body to stop it from re-entering.

The immune system becomes stronger

Detoxifying your body removes unwanted strain from the vital organs and they are able to function properly. Your body is able to absorb all the vital nutrients including Vitamin C and this gives a boost to the immune system. The lymphatic system is also strengthened through the intake of certain herbs as part of a cleanse diet. The lymphatic system plays a major role in removing toxins from your body and keeping you healthy.

You feel energetic

Detoxifying your body boosts your levels of energy. During this programme, you stop taking those ingredients that have made it necessary for you to undergo detoxification. Hence, you’ve cut down the intake of caffeine, sugars, trans-fats, and gluten and replaced them with fresh vegetables, fruits and plenty of liquids. This will increase your levels of energy be it physical, emotional or mental.

Prevents chronic illness

Several types of diseases including neurological health issues, cardiovascular problems, different types of cancers and strokes are the result of toxins in the environment. Most of the time, the vital organs responsible for removing toxins from the body are overloaded. The process of detoxification helps your body remove these toxins and improves its overall functioning. Undertaking a detoxification programme at regular intervals can prevent diseases that are chronic and terminal.

Aids weight loss

Toxins within the body could result in a person gaining weight as the ability to burn fat naturally is affected. This could lead to several serious health disorders. Detoxifying the body removes toxins and the rate of metabolism increases. As a result, you will lose weight. The detoxifying programme will also introduce good food habits in you and if you continue following it along with regular exercise you can stay fit and healthy as long as you live.

Healthier skin

Toxins from the environment coupled with unhealthy eating habits affect your skin. Undergoing a detoxification programme is one of the best ways to remove these toxins from your body and you get a clearer, smoother and healthier skin. Detoxifying your body also helps in removing acne from your skin and gives you a natural glow.

Fights premature aging

Dealing with heavy metals and toxins on a regular basis causes your body to age prematurely. The process of detoxification removes these harmful toxins and helps your body to absorb nutrients properly. Proper absorption of antioxidants and vitamins helps in reducing oxidative stress. Once you complete the detoxifying programme make sure that you continue to follow a healthy lifestyle for long-term benefits.

Clarity of thought

Detoxifying your body helps to attain a clearer mind and you are able to think properly. Consumption of trans-fats and sugar based food on a regular basis will obstruct our thinking capacity. Many people testify that the process of detoxification clears the fogginess from their mind and that enables them to think with clarity.

Clean breath

A colon that is backed up is usually a factor that contributes to bad breath. Specific detox diet plans help in removing the colon back up and this causes the digestive system to function properly. This improves your breath.

Taking the detox diet in a controlled and healthy environment will ensure that you’ll get the desired results. This helps us regain our balance and our system starts functioning properly.

For all the controversies involving cannabis use, the biggest question is, is it effective? People argue about whether or not the use of cannabis products should be legal. Before we consider if legalisation is worth debating, it is essential to prove first that it has strong medical effects.

Cannabidiol oil or CBD is one of the products coming from marijuana. Unlike other components of the plant, it is not psychoactive. Hence, you will not get “high” if you use it. Furthermore, the use of cannabis as a medical solution is not something new. It has been a known medical product in various cultures for hundreds of years.

One of the most persuasive justifications in favour of legalising medical marijuana, or at least the use of CBD oil, is that it has pain-relieving effects, without the habit-forming impact. In short, you can receive all the health benefits without becoming addicted to the drug.

Chronic pain relief

The most widely accepted medical impact of CBD is for chronic pain relief. People suffering from extreme recurring pain use CBD to treat themselves. The oil has anti-inflammatory effects that aid in killing the pain. Therefore, if you have chronic back pain, you can apply the oil on the affected area, and you will start feeling better.

Cancer treatment

Although more studies are necessary to prove the effect of CBD on cancer patients, some of them already expressed feeling better when they started using CBD oil. Getting treatment from cancer using chemotherapy and other procedures is not easy. At the very least, using CBD oil helps in pain alleviation.

Less dependence on drugs

Marijuana use is controversial because of its addictive properties. Since CBD does not contain the said property, it does not make a patient dependent on it. To the contrary, the use of CBD oil helps make patients less dependent on drugs. Morphine and heroin addiction are a huge issue, and the use of CBD oil could help addiction to such drugs.

Epilepsy treatment

Over the years, several studies proved that the use of CBD oil helps in treating epilepsy. It prevents the occurrence of the problem, or at the very least, makes patients less anxious. It remains a controversial topic, and a lot of experts still contradict results showing the effect of cannabis on epilepsy, but a lot of people are always willing to give it a shot.

Potential side effects

Just like any other drug, there are possible side effects. Nausea, irritability and sleeping problems are among them. However, given all the benefits that you will receive from the use of CBD oil, it is worth trying. Besides, you will not suffer from withdrawal symptoms even if you decide to stop using it one day. Therefore, it comes with no risk at all.

You can look at online CBD oil UK stores selling it and give it a shot. Perhaps, this is the answer to the chronic pain and other medical issues you are suffering. Since it has no known severe side effects, you need to give it a try.