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How To Maintain A Frizz-free And Voluminous Curly Hair

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How To Maintain A Frizz-free And Voluminous Curly Hair

Our natural hair necessitates far more effort than any salon-styled haircut. Curly and wavy hair, in particular, needs a great deal of attention to retain the curls and prevent them from becoming harsh. Finding and implementing a routine to maintain your hair type takes time and effort. With these hacks and tricks, you can make hair care easier. Make your curls silkier and shinier with the following methods.

What Causes Frizziness?

Frizz in curly hair is caused by a lack of moisture. Because curly hair is drier by nature than straight hair, it requires a lot of moisture. The weather and external conditions are the second source of frizz. If you don’t give your hair enough moisture, it will try to get it from the air. The goal is to provide your hair with the necessary moisture, hydration, and nourishment. Another source of frizz on curly hair is product build-up, thus you can see frizz around the halo region that is sticky and gunky, indicating that your fluffy hair needs to be cared for. This might happen if you’re using products that are too heavy for your hair, or if you’ve been rejuvenating your hair without washing it, simply putting a lot of products on it, which can lead to buildup.

Conditioning

The first suggestion for keeping your hair frizz-free is to use a frequent deep conditioner to hydrate it. Start with once-a-week treatments and watch how your hair responds. You can draw back and do them less than once a week if you notice that you have less frizz and your hair feels less dry. Hair can benefit from deep conditioning treatments since they feed it. Also, when conditioning your hair, be sure to squeeze it as much as possible. This may be done with both a standard and a deep conditioner. When your hair is dripping wet, untangle it, make sure it receives a lot of water, and scrunch it in pulsing motions.

Conditioning is an important step that should never be overlooked. Well-conditioned hair will not only seem glossy and moisturized but will also feel soft and healthy. To avoid diluting the conditioner, wring out any extra water from your hair before applying it. Begin by putting a substantial quantity of product in your hand and applying it to your hair from the ends to the mid-lengths. Conditioner should not be applied to your scalp since it might make your crown seem flat and greasy. If your scalp is dry, place the product 2 inches from your roots. This will nourish your hair while also assisting you in achieving the desired volume.

Detangle your hair thoroughly with a broad tooth shower comb while the conditioner is still in your hair. This will remove any knots and spread the product evenly throughout your hair. To avoid tugging and breaking, always start at the ends and work your way up. To remove any extra product, rinse your hair under cold water for less than a minute.

Voluminous Hair

Simple methods and tactics can help you produce lovely, voluminous curls without causing heat damage to your hair. Begin by gently removing excess water from your hair with a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt. Prep it with a curl cream or a gel to keep your curls in place and prevent frizz. Apply a generous quantity in a comb-like motion from the tips to the midst of your hair, evenly dispersing it. However, don’t use too much product, since it can weigh down your hair and hinder you from getting the volume and bounce you want.

Washing

Avoid using sulfate-containing shampoos, since they deplete your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. This may result in breaking. Use a gentle shampoo with protein and natural cleaning components like neem and kelp instead. The next step is to only wash your hair twice a week. This will assist your hair keep its natural moisture, while also adding definition to your curls and reducing frizziness. Start by shampooing your hair with lukewarm water and gently massage your scalp when washing it. This will get rid of all the dirt, extra oil, and build-up in your hair. After that, use a light cleanser to focus just on your scalp. This process will keep your ends from becoming dry and crunchy.

Styling 

Always select a comb that is appropriate for the density of your hair. Use a wide-tooth comb with dense bristles if your hair is exceptionally thick. Use a hairbrush with narrow bristles for medium to thin hair. Part your hair in the direction you want it to dry once you’ve found the proper comb. Then divide your hair into four sections and begin combing it away from your face. Allow your hair to air dry after completing this procedure on all portions. Use flat hairbands and attach them to your roots, pushing them up before pinning them if you want more volume around your head. When it’s dried, gently open up your curls, and you’re done.

Curly hair can be tough to keep up with, but if done correctly, you can have beautiful, healthy curls all year you can be proud of. Hopefully, these techniques will assist you in caring for your natural curls with all your love and affection.

Published at Sat, 06 Nov 2021 06:28:32 +0000

How To Maintain A Frizz-free And Voluminous Curly Hair

Our natural hair necessitates far more effort than any salon-styled haircut. Curly and wavy hair, in particular, needs a great deal of attention to retain the curls and prevent them from becoming harsh. Finding and implementing a routine to maintain your hair type takes time and effort. With these hacks and tricks, you can make hair care easier. Make your curls silkier and shinier with the following methods.

What Causes Frizziness?

Frizz in curly hair is caused by a lack of moisture. Because curly hair is drier by nature than straight hair, it requires a lot of moisture. The weather and external conditions are the second source of frizz. If you don’t give your hair enough moisture, it will try to get it from the air. The goal is to provide your hair with the necessary moisture, hydration, and nourishment. Another source of frizz on curly hair is product build-up, thus you can see frizz around the halo region that is sticky and gunky, indicating that your fluffy hair needs to be cared for. This might happen if you’re using products that are too heavy for your hair, or if you’ve been rejuvenating your hair without washing it, simply putting a lot of products on it, which can lead to buildup.

Conditioning

The first suggestion for keeping your hair frizz-free is to use a frequent deep conditioner to hydrate it. Start with once-a-week treatments and watch how your hair responds. You can draw back and do them less than once a week if you notice that you have less frizz and your hair feels less dry. Hair can benefit from deep conditioning treatments since they feed it. Also, when conditioning your hair, be sure to squeeze it as much as possible. This may be done with both a standard and a deep conditioner. When your hair is dripping wet, untangle it, make sure it receives a lot of water, and scrunch it in pulsing motions.

Conditioning is an important step that should never be overlooked. Well-conditioned hair will not only seem glossy and moisturized but will also feel soft and healthy. To avoid diluting the conditioner, wring out any extra water from your hair before applying it. Begin by putting a substantial quantity of product in your hand and applying it to your hair from the ends to the mid-lengths. Conditioner should not be applied to your scalp since it might make your crown seem flat and greasy. If your scalp is dry, place the product 2 inches from your roots. This will nourish your hair while also assisting you in achieving the desired volume.

Detangle your hair thoroughly with a broad tooth shower comb while the conditioner is still in your hair. This will remove any knots and spread the product evenly throughout your hair. To avoid tugging and breaking, always start at the ends and work your way up. To remove any extra product, rinse your hair under cold water for less than a minute.

Voluminous Hair

Simple methods and tactics can help you produce lovely, voluminous curls without causing heat damage to your hair. Begin by gently removing excess water from your hair with a microfiber towel or a cotton t-shirt. Prep it with a curl cream or a gel to keep your curls in place and prevent frizz. Apply a generous quantity in a comb-like motion from the tips to the midst of your hair, evenly dispersing it. However, don’t use too much product, since it can weigh down your hair and hinder you from getting the volume and bounce you want.

Washing

Avoid using sulfate-containing shampoos, since they deplete your hair of its natural oils, leaving it dry and brittle. This may result in breaking. Use a gentle shampoo with protein and natural cleaning components like neem and kelp instead. The next step is to only wash your hair twice a week. This will assist your hair keep its natural moisture, while also adding definition to your curls and reducing frizziness. Start by shampooing your hair with lukewarm water and gently massage your scalp when washing it. This will get rid of all the dirt, extra oil, and build-up in your hair. After that, use a light cleanser to focus just on your scalp. This process will keep your ends from becoming dry and crunchy.

Styling 

Always select a comb that is appropriate for the density of your hair. Use a wide-tooth comb with dense bristles if your hair is exceptionally thick. Use a hairbrush with narrow bristles for medium to thin hair. Part your hair in the direction you want it to dry once you’ve found the proper comb. Then divide your hair into four sections and begin combing it away from your face. Allow your hair to air dry after completing this procedure on all portions. Use flat hairbands and attach them to your roots, pushing them up before pinning them if you want more volume around your head. When it’s dried, gently open up your curls, and you’re done.

Curly hair can be tough to keep up with, but if done correctly, you can have beautiful, healthy curls all year you can be proud of. Hopefully, these techniques will assist you in caring for your natural curls with all your love and affection.

Published at Sat, 06 Nov 2021 06:28:32 +0000

How To Care For Your Body While Recovering From An Eating Disorder

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How To Care For Your Body While Recovering From An Eating Disorder

It’s estimated that over 28 million Americans will have some type of eating disorder in their lifetime. These disorders can wreak havoc on your body and aren’t always easy to overcome. Eating disorders can cause digestive issues like GERD, anemia, heart problems, bone loss, and so much more.

But, if you’re in recovery from an eating disorder, even if you’re just beginning that journey, you’ve already taken the first step in taking back your life. The important thing now is to take care of both your body and mind, so you can recover from the inside out.

Recovery is different for everyone. Your body has been through a lot, and taking care of your physical and mental health will make a big difference in the effectiveness of your recovery. Let’s cover a few tips that can help.

Giving Your Body What It Needs

After struggling with an eating disorder, it’s not as easy as one might think to fully understand your own body’s needs. That can cause some frustration and may even be triggering, but patience and dedication are both important. You should be working toward adequate nourishment each day, and you can do that by:

  • Allowing all foods
  • Eating a variety of things
  • Practicing body awareness
  • Recognizing your hunger
  • Eating until you’re satisfied
  • Staying hydrated
  • Cultivating joy

Of course, your body needs more than just food to be healthy and strong. Sleep and exercise are both crucial components, too.

When it comes to getting enough sleep, you might find that it’s difficult, at first. Your diet may impact your circadian rhythms, especially if your body hasn’t had the proper nourishment it needs in a while. You might be so tired during the day that you nap, which can throw off your sleep schedule at night. Work on developing better sleep hygiene and setting a nighttime routine for yourself so you can get the rest your body needs.

Exercise can be a difficult thing for those recovering from an eating disorder. You might be dealing with bone or muscle loss, which can make your body feel weak. You also have to be mindful of not over-exercising. One good rule of thumb is to change your perspective on why you want to exercise. Instead of using it as a way to lose weight, think of it as a way to strengthen your body while boosting your mood.

Setting Healthy Goals

Setting both short- and long-term goals for yourself throughout your recovery can help to keep you motivated. Short-term goals that can be achieved quickly can give you the emotional and mental “boost” you need to feel more confident. Long-term goals can show you that your disorder won’t control your life forever.

In addition to specific goals about your physical health, make sure you focus on your overall wellness.

Set goals regarding self-care and your support system. Strive for more self-compassion as you recover. When you realize that your life goals don’t need to solely focus on your eating disorder and recovery, you’ll also realize that your disorder doesn’t define you.

Developing A Healthy Relationship With Food – And Yourself

Caring for your body during recovery is important. But, you should also be focusing on your long-term goals and what you want your future to look like. Think about what might have triggered your eating disorder, in the first place. You may have felt like food was the only thing in your life you had control over. Or, maybe you’ve struggled with body image issues and have always had an unhealthy relationship with food. Those issues can affect everyone. While women are typically targeted when it comes to ED treatment, men can struggle with body image issues just as much.

This is a disorder that can impact anyone.

Talking to a therapist, counselor, or nutritionist can help you to get to the underlying cause(s) of what triggered the disorder. It’s also a great way to take care of your mental health and well-being and can help you to develop a healthier relationship with food.

On your own, you can try things like mindful eating during every meal. Mindful eating will allow you to slow down and appreciate your food. You can also focus on things like:

  • Why you’re eating (to nourish your body)
  • What you’re feeling (grateful to be healthy)
  • How each ingredient is doing something good for your health

Mindful eating allows you to enjoy and appreciate your food and what it does for you, rather than feeling overwhelmed by what’s on your plate. It requires you to listen to your body to know when you’re hungry and when you’re full, using those natural cues to stop and start eating, rather than “giving in” to what the disorder might still be trying to tell you.

It can be a long road for some people to recover from an eating disorder. But, it is possible, and you’re not alone. Use these care tips to take control of your life again and feel encouraged as you recover and reclaim your body.

Published at Fri, 05 Nov 2021 04:28:16 +0000

How To Care For Your Body While Recovering From An Eating Disorder

It’s estimated that over 28 million Americans will have some type of eating disorder in their lifetime. These disorders can wreak havoc on your body and aren’t always easy to overcome. Eating disorders can cause digestive issues like GERD, anemia, heart problems, bone loss, and so much more.

But, if you’re in recovery from an eating disorder, even if you’re just beginning that journey, you’ve already taken the first step in taking back your life. The important thing now is to take care of both your body and mind, so you can recover from the inside out.

Recovery is different for everyone. Your body has been through a lot, and taking care of your physical and mental health will make a big difference in the effectiveness of your recovery. Let’s cover a few tips that can help.

Giving Your Body What It Needs

After struggling with an eating disorder, it’s not as easy as one might think to fully understand your own body’s needs. That can cause some frustration and may even be triggering, but patience and dedication are both important. You should be working toward adequate nourishment each day, and you can do that by:

  • Allowing all foods
  • Eating a variety of things
  • Practicing body awareness
  • Recognizing your hunger
  • Eating until you’re satisfied
  • Staying hydrated
  • Cultivating joy

Of course, your body needs more than just food to be healthy and strong. Sleep and exercise are both crucial components, too.

When it comes to getting enough sleep, you might find that it’s difficult, at first. Your diet may impact your circadian rhythms, especially if your body hasn’t had the proper nourishment it needs in a while. You might be so tired during the day that you nap, which can throw off your sleep schedule at night. Work on developing better sleep hygiene and setting a nighttime routine for yourself so you can get the rest your body needs.

Exercise can be a difficult thing for those recovering from an eating disorder. You might be dealing with bone or muscle loss, which can make your body feel weak. You also have to be mindful of not over-exercising. One good rule of thumb is to change your perspective on why you want to exercise. Instead of using it as a way to lose weight, think of it as a way to strengthen your body while boosting your mood.

Setting Healthy Goals

Setting both short- and long-term goals for yourself throughout your recovery can help to keep you motivated. Short-term goals that can be achieved quickly can give you the emotional and mental “boost” you need to feel more confident. Long-term goals can show you that your disorder won’t control your life forever.

In addition to specific goals about your physical health, make sure you focus on your overall wellness.

Set goals regarding self-care and your support system. Strive for more self-compassion as you recover. When you realize that your life goals don’t need to solely focus on your eating disorder and recovery, you’ll also realize that your disorder doesn’t define you.

Developing A Healthy Relationship With Food – And Yourself

Caring for your body during recovery is important. But, you should also be focusing on your long-term goals and what you want your future to look like. Think about what might have triggered your eating disorder, in the first place. You may have felt like food was the only thing in your life you had control over. Or, maybe you’ve struggled with body image issues and have always had an unhealthy relationship with food. Those issues can affect everyone. While women are typically targeted when it comes to ED treatment, men can struggle with body image issues just as much.

This is a disorder that can impact anyone.

Talking to a therapist, counselor, or nutritionist can help you to get to the underlying cause(s) of what triggered the disorder. It’s also a great way to take care of your mental health and well-being and can help you to develop a healthier relationship with food.

On your own, you can try things like mindful eating during every meal. Mindful eating will allow you to slow down and appreciate your food. You can also focus on things like:

  • Why you’re eating (to nourish your body)
  • What you’re feeling (grateful to be healthy)
  • How each ingredient is doing something good for your health

Mindful eating allows you to enjoy and appreciate your food and what it does for you, rather than feeling overwhelmed by what’s on your plate. It requires you to listen to your body to know when you’re hungry and when you’re full, using those natural cues to stop and start eating, rather than “giving in” to what the disorder might still be trying to tell you.

It can be a long road for some people to recover from an eating disorder. But, it is possible, and you’re not alone. Use these care tips to take control of your life again and feel encouraged as you recover and reclaim your body.

Published at Fri, 05 Nov 2021 04:28:16 +0000

3 Ways To Reduce Eye Strain Working At Home

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3 Ways To Reduce Eye Strain Working At Home

For the last two years, we’ve all been spending a lot more time at home. Due to coronavirus, many of us have had the opportunity to work from home. But while many of us have enjoyed its benefits, remote working is not all positive.

Many studies show that working from home improves productivity due to the lack of distractions in an office. But the increased focus on our work has meant that we’re all spending more time staring at screens and straining our eyes.

We’ve put together these three ways to help you reduce eye strain while working from home and improve your eye health. These methods will help maintain your vision, but they can also boost your productivity and wellbeing.

Symptoms Of Eye Strain

Being able to recognise the symptoms of eye strain is crucial. Although there are no proven long-term consequences of eye strain, continued exposure to blue light — the shortwave, high energy light that screens emit — could lead to retinal damage.

The problems that screens cause fall under a catch-all term computer vision syndrome (CVS), and its symptoms include:

  • Sore and itchy eyes
  • Watery or dry eyes
  • Blurry visions (sometimes double vision)
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Soreness in back, shoulders and neck
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Struggling to keep your eyes open
  • Increased sensitivity to light.

Although the leading cause of eye strain while working from home is usually looking at a digital device screen, other reasons include:

  • Not resting your eyes while reading
  • Driving for long distances without breaks
  • Exposure to bright lights
  • Straining to see in dim light
  • Stress and fatigue
  • Central heating, fans and air conditioning
  • Underlying eye problems.

How To Reduce Eye Strain While Working From Home

1. Get An Eye Test

One of the significant causes of eye strain is underlying eye problems like uncorrected vision. If you start to experience any of the symptoms of eye strain, you should visit an optician for an eye test.

Your optician will be able to find any underlying problems with your vision and prescribe glasses that can ease the symptoms of eye strain and help with concentration. If you get prescription glasses, it’s vital that you choose a pair of glasses that you like enough to wear. If you select a pair you’re not keen on, you will likely not wear them as you should.

There’s a massive array of eyewear available, from standard frames to designer glasses, so there’s bound to be a pair of glasses that suit you. And, if glasses don’t tickle your fancy, there are always contact lenses.

2. Monitor Your Screen Time

The extended use of computers and digital devices is one of the most significant causes of eye strain. Screens cause our eyes to strain more than print material because:

  • People sit too close or too far from their screens
  • Devices have glare and reflection
  • People blink less while using computers
  • Poor contrast between text and the background.

Working from home has meant that many people have had more flexibility with the hours they work. This flexibility means that you can take the time to give your eyes a rest while you work.

As a rule, for every 20 minutes you look at a screen, you should look away for 20 seconds and stare at something 20 feet away. This is the 20/20/20 rule, and while it’s easy to forget when you’re in the middle of something, it’s a simple way to reduce eye strain. The exercise helps to relax your eye muscles and is a bit like resetting your eyes. Not only will this help to reduce the strain on your eyes from the screen, but it can also boost your concentration. Not bad for a 20-second break, eh?

Alongside the 20/20/20 rule, you can also exercise your eyes by doing eye yoga (yep, that’s a thing!). Eye yoga involves focus shifting, controlled eye-rolling and palming to help your eyes relax and recover from excessive screen usage.

Other ways to reduce eye strain when using a computer at work include:

  • Positioning your screen in front of you at arm’s length
  • Ensuring the top of your screen is at eye level
  • Adjusting your screen settings to make text bigger and adjust contrast and brightness.

3. Take Regular Breaks

While the 20/20/20 rule is something you should follow, you should also take regular, longer breaks. These don’t need to be extensive, but taking a bit of time will help your eye muscles relax.

Plus, the benefits of taking regular breaks go beyond eye health; they can also:

  • Improve your memory
  • Give you an energy boost
  • Reduce stress
  • Boost creativity, productivity and performance
  • Improve your mental and physical health.

When you’re taking a break, try your best to avoid looking at other screens like your phone. It’s tempting to catch up with social media and emails while taking a break, but that won’t give your eyes the time they need to relax. If you’re struggling with ideas of what to do on your break, go for a walk or catch up with your favourite podcast.

Published at Fri, 05 Nov 2021 06:20:49 +0000

4 Ways To Start Burning More Fat When Exercising

To maintain your health and reduce the risk of health issues and problems, you need to start working out today. The existence of little physical activity is better than doing nothing and several health professionals and researchers also recommend a minimum of 15 – 30 minutes of workout and exercise daily. To reach these time stats, you can perform a variety of different exercises that will help you to start burning more fat.

Importance Of Exercise In Our Daily Life

It’s a no-brainer that exercise holds great importance in our lives. However, some people still don’t know why or what exercise can do for us. People who exercise regularly feel more energetic throughout the day, they feel more relaxed and positive. This is why they tend to induct this into their routine as it gives them a great sense of well-being.

Categories of Exercise:

  • Aerobic
  • Balance training
  • Endurance
  • Flexibility
  • Strength building

4 Effective Ways To Burn Fat Faster

Burning unnecessary fat can be quite challenging, but luckily there are plenty of ways and steps to burn the fat quickly and easily.

  • Avoid Carbohydrates

Refined carbs or carbohydrates may increase your belly fat, they also tend to elevate your sugar levels which increases your hunger. So, decreasing the intake of refined carbohydrates may help you in losing extra fats because while processing the grains are separated from their bran, and then the resultant product is of low fiber and nutrients. This is why it is recommended to avoid or limit eating processed foods, pastries, pasta, pieces of bread and replace them with barley, oat, and buckwheat.

  • Following a High Protein Diet

Increasing protein intake in your diet helps to reduce your appetite and decrease calorie intake, leading to burning more fat. Eating high protein food lowers the risk of belly fat. It is also a fact that high-quality proteins maintain muscle mass and metabolism during weight loss.

  • Introduce Strength Training in Your Schedule

Strength training helps you in the building of your muscles, it builds muscle mass and increases your strength and stamina. Strength training is extremely effective in burning fat as it involves lifting weights, shoulder presses, and legs workout. This requires the involvement of different exercise machines which include a treadmill, stair mill, upright bike, and Peloton. However, you can also try other alternatives to Peloton that are way more helpful and believed to provide promising results. Strength training also helps in reducing the visceral fat which is very dangerous for health that surrounds the organs in the belly.

  • Increase Your Coffee Intake

Caffeine is an ingredient that temporarily increases energy and metabolism and breaks down the fatty acids in the body. You may find caffeine in every fat-burning supplement as it enhances the metabolism and helps you in gaining less weight.

Mental Health Benefits Of Exercise

Even if you are physically fit, and not suffering from any mental health problems, exercise offers a boost in your outlook, mood, and wellbeing. Some of the most amazing mental health benefits of exercise are as follows:

  • Better sleep,
  • Great resilience,
  • Higher self-esteem
  • More energy
  • Strong thinking and sharper memory

Improvements can also be made by small changes in your life throughout the day, so increase in your daily activities such as cycling, walking, jogging, gyming, healthy dieting, better routine and many more, but it would be advisable to consult any doctor first before starting any physical exercise.

Published at Fri, 05 Nov 2021 06:15:31 +0000

How Long Do Kratom Capsules Take Effect In Your System?

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The Length Of Time Do Kratom Capsules Take Impact In Your System?

Kratom Capsules Take Effect In Your Body

If you’re new to kratom, it’s a good idea to understand more about what to get out of the experience, particularly how quick a kratom can take result in your system. You should know that kratom is dose-dependent. Its results are also very based on the individual who consumes it.

Furthermore, because the FDA does not control it, identifying a specific time window in

which the effects manifest is incredibly difficult. If you desire to discover more about the length of time does kratom pills work, continued reading. Different Types Of Kratom Capsules Kratom is readily available in a range of forms, including crushed leaves, instilled tea, powder, and pills.

People regularly seek supplements with a quicker onset and longer-lasting benefits. What is the finest type of kratom to consume? This is a typical concern among brand-new users and those not familiar with the results of kratom.

Pills are the response to this inquiry since kratom pills are loaded with precise dosages of the herb. The lab-tested, premium kratom capsules save you the problem of measuring the exact dosage accurately and specifically.

Make sure you have the appropriate brand name of capsules when you buy kratom online. You might get them from numerous reputable brand name stores like Saveon Kratom.

There are likewise two different types of kratom capsules you can get in the marketplace, cellulose-based/vegetarian pills and gelatin capsules.

Cellulose-based/vegetarian pills: Capsules including hypromellose, cellulose, and cleansed water are simpler to digest due to the fact that they are made from hypromellose, cellulose, and purified water. They are gluten-free, making them perfect for vegetarians and vegans.

Gelatin capsules: Compared to cellulose-based pills, gelatin capsules are more prevalent. They are low-cost and come in a range of sizes, colors, kinds, and tastes to fit everyone’s needs.

For How Long Does Kratom Require To Kick In?

By consuming kratom, such as by taking a pill, mixing the powder in a beverage, or consuming an extract, the kratom can work 30 to 60 minutes to end up being apparent. Even between different varieties of edibles, the amount of time it requires to kick in differs.

The kratom can last for 2 hours if taken at a lower dosage or 8 hours if taken at a higher dosage. For increased results, 4-5 grams is a suitable starting dose that lasts for 2 hours.

Likewise, the speed with which you feel the pills begin depends upon a variety of factors. The outcomes of the capsules are believed to be postponed given that the body must break down the pills before the powder can be released and soaked up into the bloodstream.

Your stomach acids quickly dissolve the pills, and the powder is absorbed into your system within thirty minutes. However, with the lots of aspects, the time the kratom pills work varies.

Factors Impacting Kratom Capsules Mechanism And Response

  1. Water Intake

Water Intake

Your water intake likewise affects the speed with which kratom pills do something about it. However, figuring out the right quantity of water may be

difficult. To that end, beverage a lot of water to stay hydrated. Also, drinking excessive water when taking kratom pills dilutes stomach enzymes, which postpones kratom absorption. Age is one of the factors because of various metabolic process in our body. The longer it takes for medications to have an effect on an older individual, the longer it considers drugs to impact them. More youthful folks are more most likely to see instant outcomes after taking it.

  1. Genetics

Often it’s just your genes acting oddly. The speed with which kratom is soaked up and removed from the body is affected by a number of genetic markers and enzymes. Before you can take kratom capsules, it is better to consult your doctor and see if your genes will impact the speed of kratom to work in your body.

  1. Tolerance Level

Tolerance Level

When you take kratom on a regular basis, you may develop a tolerance to it. Kratom will no longer have the exact same effects on your body as

  1. it finishes with other substances. Among the factors that long-term kratom users

take higher doses is this. Kratom can become addictive if used continuously for longer than 6 months. Users who have been taking it for more than six months have actually gotten a dependency to it. The Capsule Itself The compound is contained within capsules. This implies that in order to get to the kratom, your stomach must initially break through the pill. While swallowing pills is convenient, you may experience an unanticipated side effect: absorption time. The time it takes for your stomach to break down the capsule will figure out for how long it takes for the benefits to manifest.

  1. Your Body Size

Your Body Size

The body size of a user effects how quickly stimulants, supplements, and prescriptions act. Individuals with huge bodies usually take longer to feel the impacts of kratom. If you weigh more than 70 kilograms which is 154 pounds, you might opt to take kratom in different kinds rather than capsules because the benefits of the compound take longer to manifest. It takes roughly 40 to 45 minutes for individuals who weigh more than 70 kg to feel the benefits of kratom. After 10 to 20 minutes, the benefits of the lighter ones can be felt.

Everyone is different, and kratom has a varied effect on each person, making it much more tough to anticipate for how long kratom will start and last in your system.

Also, the time it considers kratom pills to work is identified by a range of elements. Curious, casual, and regular kratom users will all benefit from additional thorough studies on how to use this plant as securely and successfully as possible.

Ideally, the details offered above will help you in figuring out an appropriate dosage and enjoying the maximum benefits of the kratom pill.

Nevertheless, remember that the strength of your impact is linked to the quality of your kratom pills. So, demand premium kratom products and begin experiencing all of kratom’s actual potential.

If you have an interest in purchasing kratom online, you can check out Saveon Kratom today. They have first-class quality kratom powder for the lowest cost.

About The Author:

Stacey Smith is a freelance health writer. She is passionate to write about ladies’s health, oral health, diabetes, endocrinology, and nutrition and supplies in-depth functions on the current in health news for medical centers and health magazines.

Released at Thu, 04 Nov 2021 10:50:02 +0000

Do You Look At A Screen All Day? Here’s How To Protect Your Eyes

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Do You Look At A Screen All Day? Here’s How To Protect Your Eyes

Many people spend the majority of their day looking at a screen, either on a computer or phone. And while this is good for keeping in touch with friends and family, it can be bad for your eyesight. Here are some simple tips to protect your eyes from the harmful blue light coming from these screens.

Blue Light Blocking Glasses

Blue light-blocking glasses are the best way to help protect your eyes from screen strain. These glasses block the harmful blue light coming from screens, so if you are wearing blue light blockers all day, not only will you sleep better but you’ll also avoid any eye strain in the morning. You can buy these glasses from any optometrist.

They have the added bonus of protecting your eyes from other harmful rays. Blue light blocking glasses are built with three different quality lenses to protect your eyes from all angles, so you can feel safe while using technology all day long.

And if you were wondering how blue light-blocking glasses help you sleep – blue light is actually a factor that makes it harder for your brain to produce melatonin at night. You know, the hormone you need in order to fall asleep? Basically glasses with these lenses block out the blue light so your brain can produce this hormone and feel tired sooner at night.

Screen Covers For Your Phone

If you don’t want to wear glasses, another option is a screen protector. Screen protectors will only reduce the amount of blue light coming from screens close up and won’t help as much with eye strain when looking at screens across the room. They also tend to be more expensive than glasses.

Blue Light Filter Apps For Your Phone

If you don’t want to use an actual filter, you can download a blue light filter app. These apps will actually change the color of your screen to ease eye strain. They’ll also protect your eyes when you’re using your phone at night by changing the color of the phone’s screen.

It is best if you remember to use the apps and turn them on and off each time. If you forget in the morning, then your eyes will be unprotected all day long without screens!

Take Regular Breaks From Screens

Taking a break from looking at screens will also help with eye strain. If you have a phone, try putting it on “do not disturb” so you won’t feel tempted to look at your screen every five seconds, and if you have a computer or tablet, consider getting an app that takes breaks every 30 minutes for you.

Being mindful and taking breaks while using screens will really help your eyes and ultimately make it easier for you to use technology without getting too much eye strain. After all, we spend so much of our time looking at screens, why not take the proper precautions to protect our eyes!

How To Protect Your Eyes From Computer Strain

When looking at screens, you usually want to sit about twenty inches away. You should also look slightly down at your screen and make sure it’s level with your eyes. If it is not, you can get an attachment to put it in the right position.

Also, if you wear glasses or contacts, make sure they aren’t affecting your screen viewing. You can get no-line computer bifocals to correct vision for your eyes and also protect them from strain. Playing with blue light filters can also do wonders.

It’s also important to adjust your lighting after dark. If you look at a screen in the dark, it will not only strain your eyes but also keep you up later. Make sure the lighting in the room is bright enough that you can still see what’s on the screen.

Today, most of us spend our whole day in front of a screen. Whether this is at work or on the weekends, it’s safe to say that we’re never too far from technology! And while there are many benefits to using screens all day long, they can also be bad for our eyes. Luckily there are ways you can protect your eyes when looking at screens before bed and during the rest of the day. From protective glasses to apps that change color according to how much blue light you need protection from – these tools will help make sure your vision stays healthy as well as protect against other harmful rays coming off screens like glare.

Published at Thu, 04 Nov 2021 16:14:52 +0000

The Top 5 Meal Kit Providers In The UK

If you can hear a growling sound coming from your stomach, then surely it needs to get fixed! If you are in search of tasty and healthy food to treat your taste buds then this article is for you. The Food Industry in the UK has drastically grown, providing consumers thousands of alternatives to choose from. Parallel to that, meal delivery services have also created their unique standing in the industry by providing quality ready-to-eat meals that have caused utmost convenience to their customers. We cover the top 5 meal kit providers in the UK to let you order straight away without waiting for a second more.

1. Musclefood UK

As the name indicates, Musclefood is the real muscle builder. The company provides healthy and tailored meals that are high in protein to help you achieve your fitness goals. Whether you need to shed extra fat or gain muscles; Musclefood stands alone in providing fresh, tasty, timely, and quality meals directly at your doorstep. You can opt from a wide range of products from a lean meat section, fresh meat boxes, fresh veg meals that are vegan and vegetarian, rice, pasta, noodles, as well as snacks, drinks, meals, and supplements that are your perfect fitness companions.

Bonus: You can redeem amazing deals and clearance items at discounted prices find Muscle food Discount Codes.

2. The Good Prep

The most amazing thing that I love from The Good Prep is their detox juices. The Good Prep is the best choice for people who are interested in trimming and slimming, maintaining and sustaining, or growing and gaining goals. The company provides tasty, healthy, tailored meals that best fit with the fitness goals of every customer. The Good Prep assists with how much food intake you need to achieve your goal and facilitates you with the meals that can speed up the process. They provide poultry, meat, dairy, veggies, drinks, snacks, and supplements to make it a complete package for their customers.

Bonus: Get meals delivered to your doorstep with their nationwide free delivery.

3. Hello Fresh UK

The amazing brand that provides budget-friendly, tasty, healthy, fresh, and sustainable meals around the UK. Hello Fresh UK has 6.94 million active customers to whom they provide highly customized meals that include rapid meals, fresh meat-free meals that includes pure veggies, family friendly meals that are scrumptious and can make you drool, calorie smart meals that are designed to provide a perfect balance of proteins and other vitamins. They also offer global flavours to satisfy the cravings of people from different nationalities, premium meals that are best when you have guests over, desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth, sides to add a flavourful twist to your meal, and last but not the least lunch and brunch meals that are best to consume in daily life. You get to choose how many people you want to buy food for and how many meals you are interested in buying at one time.

Bonus: Get 30% off on the first two boxes by subscribing to the Tasty newsletter.

4. The Pure Package

They offer you Holford’s Advanced Optimum Nutrition with Brainfood supplement in addition to the nutritious food in the program for maximum effects and absorption. This potent combination of important antioxidants, omega fats, B vitamins, and phospholipids provides your brain and body with comprehensive nutritional support.

You can expect plenty of tasty brain-boosting meals from The Pure Package Brain Food program, such as oily salmon, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts, and seeds. The Pure Package’s brain-boosting meals are carefully balanced to offer you the appropriate combination of lean proteins, slow-release carbs, and brain-supporting fats.

Bonus: You can take advantage of a limited time offer that gives you up to 10 extra free days of meals from The Pure Package.

5. Balance Box

While ordering a meal from Balance Box you get to choose from four menu options: pescatarian, which excludes fish, meat, gluten, and dairy, classic, vegetarian, and free from. So if you like the idea of maintaining your weight, you need to sign up for the Market Plan with a pescatarian menu. Balance Box has designed its menu under the supervision of health experts so that you can get proper nutrition with food that can keep you full for a longer time. They have the option to make a meal with either 1200 or 1800 calories per day that can be divided into 3 meals and 2 snacks. High on nutrition, and best at flavour Balance Box provide a balanced meal that has a minimum of 10 fruits and vegetables in a box that is to provide a greater portion of vitamins as well as calculated proteins in the form of smoked salmon, massaman chicken curries, or tomato ceviche salad to have for your desired meal of the day. The food is delivered fresh, hygienic, tasty, and fitness-friendly.

Bonus: You can save £21 on your first order and get a £21 discount for new customers.

In a nutshell, it is a difficult decision to pick the best meal for yourself that not only satisfies your taste buds but also helps you achieve your goal whether that be to gain weight, lose weight, or to maintain weight. All the above-discussed meal providers are the best and trusted suppliers upon whom you can trust as they are the top 5 meal kit providers in the UK. The meal providers have a great standing on Trust Pilot which will help you in choosing your perfect meal.

Reviews of Meal Providers

Musclefood UK: Excellent

“Great service food fresh and delicious thank you” Gloria Stronach

The Good Prep:  Excellent

“Best meal prep I’ve tried. Food is unreal, I look forward to every meal. It’s great value for money and totally stress-free”. Samantha Cooper

Hello Fresh: Average

“There are loads of different cuisines to order from, recipes are easy to follow, it’s easy site to follow. Great tasting food” N Decent

The Pure Package: Great

“Great service and follow up! I feel lighter and healthier after trying out their 10 day program” Risa Asakura

Balance Box: Great

“Parcel arrived on time. Very tasty meals, appropriate portion sizes for a healthy diet, very easy to take to work” Petros Fessas

Published at Thu, 04 Nov 2021 13:12:29 +0000

Almond Joy Energy Balls

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Almond Joy Energy Balls

These No-Bake Almond Joy Energy Balls are inspired by the ever popular Almond Joy chocolate bar but without all the gunk! They pack a serious nutrition punch and are also gluten-free, vegan AND paleo.

I haven’t talked much about my pregnancy here on the blog (or elsewhere for that matter) but with just 6-8 weeks out we’re definitely in full-blown baby mode around here. We’ve got ALL.THE.CLASSES and appointments and I’ve been warned that baby will be here before we know it. Our journey to pregnancy wasn’t easy and definitely taught me that you cannot prepare for everything, but if there’s one thing I know I can prepare for it is food.

I’m well aware that once baby is here sleep goes out the window (TBH I’ve barely slept this pregnancy!) and you just have to learn to function on little sleep. While I’m not my best self when I’m sleep-deprived, I’m far worse when I’m sleep-deprived AND hungry. And so I’ve spent the last few weeks food prepping and filling a chest freezer I ordered from Costco with healthy meals and snacks. These almond joy energy balls are one of those recipes!

I’ve actually made a couple energy ball recipes because they’re a) super easy to make and b) an awesome snack at all hours of the day. So for those middle of the night feeds I can count on C to grab me a few of these to prevent hangry spells. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum or just a busy human, I hope these almond joy energy balls bring you all the joy and nourishment you need.

Here’s What You Need

  • Dates – the base of this recipe! The dates add a delicious natural sweetness to the recipe and the stickiness holds the bars together. 
  • Almonds – can you have almond joy without almond? No! If you don’t love almonds you can swap for a different nut though. 
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder – adds a delicious chocolate flavor without adding sugar. 
  • Coconut flakes – I recommend using unsweetened coconut flakes so you don’t have a ton of added sugar. Shredded coconut works as well. 
  • Sea salt – to bring the flavors together
  • Vanilla extract – a flavor enhancer. You can also sub with almond extract if you prefer.
  • Almond milk – I recommend using unsweetened almond milk! 

How to Make Almond Joy Energy Balls

STEP 1: Process the coconut flakes in a food processor for about one minute – you just want to break them up a bit. Make sure you don’t over-process or it will become coconut butter. Remove the flakes and set aside in a bowl.

STEP 2: Place the dates in the food processor and process until they have broken up and come together in a big, sticky ball. 

STEP 3: Break up the date ball a bit with your hands and then add in the almonds, cocoa powder, the coconut flakes you didn’t process and salt. Process for several minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. Add in the vanilla extract and almond milk and process until the mixture comes together in a ball. If it doesn’t do this, add in another tablespoon of almond milk. 

These No-Bake Almond Joy Energy Balls are inspired by the ever popular Almond Joy chocolate bar but without all the gunk! They pack a serious nutrition punch and are also gluten-free, vegan AND paleo.

STEP 5: Remove the mixture from the food processor and roll into roughly 2 dozen balls. Roll each ball in the coconut flakes you processed earlier.

STEP 6 (Optional): place balls on a baking sheet and flash freeze in freezer for 15-20 minutes. This ensures the balls won’t stick together when you place them in your container.

What if my energy ball isn’t sticking together?

This likely means that your dates weren’t sticky enough! If you notice this before you start the recipe, you can soak the dates in hot water for 20 minutes to rehydrate them. If you notice this while mixing the energy balls, don’t stress! Add in 1 tablespoon of almond milk at a time during processing until the mixture comes together. 

How to Store Energy Balls

Store your energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks. You can also freeze for longer storage if you’d like! Just take them out of the freezer 10-15 minutes before eating.

Print

Almond Joy Energy Balls

These No-Bake Almond Joy Energy Balls are inspired by the ever popular Almond Joy chocolate bar but without all the gunk! They pack a serious nutrition punch and are also gluten-free, vegan AND paleo.

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 dozen balls 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Blend
  • Diet: Vegan
  1. Put 1/2 cup of coconut flakes into the food processor and process to break up flakes slightly. Do not over-process or it will become coconut butter.
  2. Remove flakes and set aside in a bowl.
  3. Place dates in the food processor and process until they have broken up and then come together into a ball.
  4. Break up date ball with hands and add in almonds, cocoa powder, 1/4 cup of coconut flakes and sea salt.
  5. Process for several minutes, scrapping down the sides as needed.
  6. Add in vanilla extract and 1 tbsp of almond milk.
  7. Process until mixture comes back together into a ball. If it doesn’t do this, add in 1 more tablespoon of almond milk. It should look like the photo above.
  8. Remove mixture from the food processor and roll into roughly 2 dozen balls.
  9. Roll each ball in the coconut flakes you processed earlier.
  10. Optional: place balls on a baking sheet and flash freeze in freezer for 15-20 minutes. This ensures the balls won’t stick together when you place them in your container.
  11. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for several weeks or the freezer for several months.

*If your dates aren’t sticky soak them in hot water for 20 minutes and then drain before using.

Keywords: almond joy, almond joy balls, energy balls, almond joy energy balls

More energy ball recipes to try:

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Published at Thu, 04 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Almond Joy Energy Balls

These No-Bake Almond Joy Energy Balls are inspired by the ever popular Almond Joy chocolate bar but without all the gunk! They pack a serious nutrition punch and are also gluten-free, vegan AND paleo.

I haven’t talked much about my pregnancy here on the blog (or elsewhere for that matter) but with just 6-8 weeks out we’re definitely in full-blown baby mode around here. We’ve got ALL.THE.CLASSES and appointments and I’ve been warned that baby will be here before we know it. Our journey to pregnancy wasn’t easy and definitely taught me that you cannot prepare for everything, but if there’s one thing I know I can prepare for it is food.

I’m well aware that once baby is here sleep goes out the window (TBH I’ve barely slept this pregnancy!) and you just have to learn to function on little sleep. While I’m not my best self when I’m sleep-deprived, I’m far worse when I’m sleep-deprived AND hungry. And so I’ve spent the last few weeks food prepping and filling a chest freezer I ordered from Costco with healthy meals and snacks. These almond joy energy balls are one of those recipes!

I’ve actually made a couple energy ball recipes because they’re a) super easy to make and b) an awesome snack at all hours of the day. So for those middle of the night feeds I can count on C to grab me a few of these to prevent hangry spells. Whether you’re pregnant, postpartum or just a busy human, I hope these almond joy energy balls bring you all the joy and nourishment you need.

Here’s What You Need

  • Dates – the base of this recipe! The dates add a delicious natural sweetness to the recipe and the stickiness holds the bars together. 
  • Almonds – can you have almond joy without almond? No! If you don’t love almonds you can swap for a different nut though. 
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder – adds a delicious chocolate flavor without adding sugar. 
  • Coconut flakes – I recommend using unsweetened coconut flakes so you don’t have a ton of added sugar. Shredded coconut works as well. 
  • Sea salt – to bring the flavors together
  • Vanilla extract – a flavor enhancer. You can also sub with almond extract if you prefer.
  • Almond milk – I recommend using unsweetened almond milk! 

How to Make Almond Joy Energy Balls

STEP 1: Process the coconut flakes in a food processor for about one minute – you just want to break them up a bit. Make sure you don’t over-process or it will become coconut butter. Remove the flakes and set aside in a bowl.

STEP 2: Place the dates in the food processor and process until they have broken up and come together in a big, sticky ball. 

STEP 3: Break up the date ball a bit with your hands and then add in the almonds, cocoa powder, the coconut flakes you didn’t process and salt. Process for several minutes, scraping down the sides as needed. Add in the vanilla extract and almond milk and process until the mixture comes together in a ball. If it doesn’t do this, add in another tablespoon of almond milk. 

These No-Bake Almond Joy Energy Balls are inspired by the ever popular Almond Joy chocolate bar but without all the gunk! They pack a serious nutrition punch and are also gluten-free, vegan AND paleo.

STEP 5: Remove the mixture from the food processor and roll into roughly 2 dozen balls. Roll each ball in the coconut flakes you processed earlier.

STEP 6 (Optional): place balls on a baking sheet and flash freeze in freezer for 15-20 minutes. This ensures the balls won’t stick together when you place them in your container.

What if my energy ball isn’t sticking together?

This likely means that your dates weren’t sticky enough! If you notice this before you start the recipe, you can soak the dates in hot water for 20 minutes to rehydrate them. If you notice this while mixing the energy balls, don’t stress! Add in 1 tablespoon of almond milk at a time during processing until the mixture comes together. 

How to Store Energy Balls

Store your energy balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for several weeks. You can also freeze for longer storage if you’d like! Just take them out of the freezer 10-15 minutes before eating.

Print

Almond Joy Energy Balls

These No-Bake Almond Joy Energy Balls are inspired by the ever popular Almond Joy chocolate bar but without all the gunk! They pack a serious nutrition punch and are also gluten-free, vegan AND paleo.

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 dozen balls 1x
  • Category: Snack
  • Method: Blend
  • Diet: Vegan
  1. Put 1/2 cup of coconut flakes into the food processor and process to break up flakes slightly. Do not over-process or it will become coconut butter.
  2. Remove flakes and set aside in a bowl.
  3. Place dates in the food processor and process until they have broken up and then come together into a ball.
  4. Break up date ball with hands and add in almonds, cocoa powder, 1/4 cup of coconut flakes and sea salt.
  5. Process for several minutes, scrapping down the sides as needed.
  6. Add in vanilla extract and 1 tbsp of almond milk.
  7. Process until mixture comes back together into a ball. If it doesn’t do this, add in 1 more tablespoon of almond milk. It should look like the photo above.
  8. Remove mixture from the food processor and roll into roughly 2 dozen balls.
  9. Roll each ball in the coconut flakes you processed earlier.
  10. Optional: place balls on a baking sheet and flash freeze in freezer for 15-20 minutes. This ensures the balls won’t stick together when you place them in your container.
  11. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for several weeks or the freezer for several months.

*If your dates aren’t sticky soak them in hot water for 20 minutes and then drain before using.

Keywords: almond joy, almond joy balls, energy balls, almond joy energy balls

More energy ball recipes to try:

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Join 20,000+ members of the THM Community to get access to exclusive recipes, healthy lifestyle tips and behind-the-scenes news from our team!

Published at Thu, 04 Nov 2021 16:00:00 +0000

How Capturing Moments Of Joy Can Improve Your Wellbeing

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How Capturing Moments Of Joy Can Improve Your Wellbeing

For weeks now we’ve had empty photo frames up in our house. And this is for no other reason than that we simply haven’t been able to choose which photos to put up. I guess to some extent we’re spoiled for choice these days, aren’t we? We take pictures on a daily basis, using our phones to capture those moments of joy, and then instantly posting them on social media. And whilst I love being able to share these images so easily with friends and family, it doesn’t stir up quite the same emotions as it does when you have something physically printed out and put on display in your home.

Creating Visual Memories With Photos

Let me explain a little bit more about these empty photo frames then. A few months back I bought a decorative metal framework of a map, and I had this brainwave idea that I could get some photo prints of all our family travels and then artfully display the photos around the specific areas on the map. Genius, I know. Over the years, we’ve travelled to lots of different places as a family (Iceland, Dubai, Singapore, Bali to name but a few) and I love the thought of being able to document these moments of joy in a visual way. So, I’ve got the idea, I’ve got the frames, and yet somehow I still haven’t got round to doing it. And I’ve worked out the problem. It’s that I’ve got too many photos to choose from. I mean it’s not a bad problem to have, I grant you (first world problems and all that) but because there are so many photos and because I haven’t been great at deleting bad ones or archiving them etc. the job to print out a handful of photos has suddenly snowballed.

I am determined to not let that stop me however, because surrounding ourselves with photos of special moments from our past bring us huge amounts of joy. And let’s be honest, it brings far, far more joy than gazing at empty frames!

Why Should We Have Photos Up Around The Home?

Photos take us back to times we had fun. Holidays, special occasions, ‘firsts’, those precious moments of joy in our lives. They remind us of people we love, the people that are special to us, or people who may no longer with us. Every time we glance over at that photo on the mantelpiece we are immediately transported back in time to that place, those people, the emotions connected with that time. It’s all well and good having millions of photos published online, but unless you’re looking at them regularly, what purpose do they serve?

I want to walk into a room and be reminded of the day we got married, my kids losing their first teeth, the day we got the dog, that time at the beach when we all jumped in the sea. So many happy memories that make me feel warm inside and bring a smile to my face. What a shame to keep them locked up inside a computer. And I guess more so than ever the past couple of years have taught us not to take these moments for granted. When we were locked away inside our homes during the pandemic, what better way to be reminded and feel connected to our loved ones when we couldn’t actually see them in person, than to have them there with us in picture form.

Photographs play an important role in our lives. But it’s not just about taking a trip down memory lane, there are also benefits to be had to our overall wellbeing. Looking at photos can help boost our mood if we’re feeling down and this in turn helps to alleviate stress. It’s very difficult to look at a photo of people laughing without feeling as though you want to laugh too. Emotions are powerfully contagious and combined with the nostalgia a particular memory may evoke it can make us feel valued, loved, and included. I guess you could say we feel part of the bigger picture – pun fully intended!

Capturing Moments Of Joy That Last A Lifetime

Photos tell our life story. They capture those split-second moments that are so precious to us, but yet without this visual record could be so easily forgotten. And whilst each image only physically captures a static moment they are also capable of providing  a whole narrative.

I started this post having a bit of a moan about the number of photos I’ve got, but do you know what? I’m glad I’ve got lots of photos, because it’s these snapshots that remind me who I am and what I’ve done. And I don’t want to miss one single moment.

*collaborative post

Published at Thu, 04 Nov 2021 10:15:06 +0000

10 Tips On Finding An Ideal Primary Care Doctor

If you’re serious about your health, you should find a primary care doctor whom you can entirely trust. In this article, you’ll find valuable recommendations on how to detect such a professional.

The better rapport you establish with your primary care doctor, the more efficiently you’ll be able to prevent and cure health conditions. An ideal medical professional should have extensive experience, be empathic and ready to work with patients whose needs are similar to yours. They should remember your health goals, lifestyle, treatment preferences and the nuances of your medical history. From this article, you’ll get to know how to find a perfect primary care doctor in your area and select the best specialist from multiple candidates.

Ask For Advice

Most likely, your friends and family members can recommend to you an empathic and experienced medical professional. Yet it doesn’t mean that this doctor will suit you too because all patients are different. You might want to shortlist the best candidates and visit them one by one to detect your dream doctor.

Make Sure You’ve Got Coverage

Check whether the candidates from your short list are ready to work with your health plan. If you see a doctor outside your plan’s network, you might need to pay more.

Map It Out

You should look for a primary care doctor in your area. No one knows when and how often you might need to see them — and you won’t want to travel very far when you’re not feeling good. Feel free to use find a doctor near me apps and online services to compare the best professionals from your neighborhood.

doctors hands usng a laptop on a desk with other medical admin files

Do A Quality Check

On dedicated apps and sites, you can also find ratings of medical professionals and people’s impartial reviews about them. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can also check with your insurance company to see if they provide any information about the quality ratings of specific primary care doctors in your network.

You might want to assess the following parameters of each candidate:

  • Education
  • Additional training
  • Board certifications
  • Languages
  • Experience
  • Specialties
  • Medical degree
  • Licenses

Board-certified primary care doctors have met the licensing requirements of their states and passed comprehensive exams in internal medicine. Certificates confirm that the medical professional keeps up with the latest developments in their field and will be able to give you up-to-date advice.

Place A Cold Call

It doesn’t need to be a long conversation. Sometimes, just one minute might be enough for you to assess the professionalism of the medical staff. What will the assistant tell you if the doctor is very busy? Will they apologize for being not able to offer you an appointment in the next few days? Or will they promise you to do their best to fit you in even though it might not happen until next month? The etiquette of the office staff is a telltale sign of the quality of medical services.

Ask About Logistics

A perfect primary care doctor won’t make you come to their office too frequently unless that is absolutely necessary. During the initial call, you might want to ask them the following questions:

  • Do they offer same-day appointments?
  • How long do patients usually sit in the waiting room?
  • How will they let you know about test results?
  • Will you be able to email your doctor or schedule appointments online?
  • Will the office call to remind you if you’re overdue for an annual screening or a flu shot?

More and more doctors today support virtual appointments. Even if you have never tried this type of service before, you might want to find a medical professional who offers it. Ask them in advance how easy it is to schedule a virtual appointment. While talking to you remotely, the doctor will be able to analyze your symptoms, share recommendations on pain relief and tell you which medical tests you should have and how urgently.

Keep Your Needs In Mind

Find a doctor who specializes in patients of your type. For instance, if you have diabetes or another chronic condition, you should look for a professional with extensive expertise in this sphere. The older the patient, the more chronic conditions they are likely to have. If you have multiple complex medical issues, you might consider seeing a geriatrician — it’s a doctor who specializes in taking care of older patients.

Get To Know Your Doctor’s Philosophy

You might want to ask the following questions:

  • Why did this person choose this profession?
  • What do they enjoy the most about being a primary care doctor?
  • What do they wish more patients would do after they leave their office?

If you and your doctor share an identical set of values, you should be more eager to follow their advice.

Avoid Culture Shock

An ideal medical professional should be culturally aware and respectful toward your ideas and traditions. For instance, if your religious beliefs go against certain types of treatment, the doctor should discuss any potential alternatives with you. They should be tolerant toward any customs, preferences and taboos their patients might have.

Trust Your Gut

After you see a new doctor for the first time, you should thoroughly analyze your feelings and impressions immediately after you leave their office. On your way back home, try to ask yourself the following questions:

  • Did you feel at ease with this person?
  • Did they show any interest in getting to know you?
  • Did you get exhaustive and comprehensive answers to all your questions?

If you are not 100% sure that this professional is an ideal fit for you, you might want to try another one.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this article came in handy and now it will be easier for you to find an excellent primary care doctor. Ask your friends and family members for advice, map it out and make sure you’ve got coverage. Do a quality check, place a cold call in the doctor’s office and ask them whether they are set up for virtual appointments. Keep your needs in mind, avoid culture shock and trust your gut. When you find a doctor whom you feel comfortable with, that should maximize your odds for a positive outcome with any health condition.

Published at Thu, 04 Nov 2021 08:02:55 +0000

Pick The Right Health Insurance Plan With These Useful Tips

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Pick The Right Health Insurance Plan With These Useful Tips

Choosing a health insurance plan can be a daunting task. There are so many plans out there, and they all have different rates, deductibles, copays, and more. In this blog post, we will go over some tips that can help you pick the right one for you!

Review Your Coverage From Year To Year

Make sure you understand the benefits and costs of each plan. Some plans may offer free preventive services, but charge higher co-pays for prescriptions; other plans might include a low deductible with high monthly premiums. Spend some time researching your options when choosing a health plan to make an informed decision about which type of health insurance is best suited for your particular needs and budget. The Insurance Information Institute has useful information available via its website that can help answer any questions you have regarding health insurance coverage or choosing a medical policy. Whether through employer-provided group rates or if you are purchasing individual policies on the open market, there are many great options from which to choose when it comes to obtaining affordable, quality healthcare coverage today!

Add In Coverage For Your Family Members

Your spouse and any children should be covered by your plan. This is very important coverage to add in because you never know what might happen and it would make things much harder if something did occur. Your kids may not be at the age where they can go off on their own yet or perhaps one of them has special needs that require lots of care. If either were to ever get sick out there without insurance then this could hurt both financially and emotionally for such an event like that to take place when you weren’t ready at all.

The Cost Of Health Insurance Premiums

The premiums you pay for health insurance can vary based on numerous factors, including your age and gender, the amount of coverage you need (i.e., how many doctor visits or prescriptions will be covered each year), whether there are any exclusions in terms of what is paid by your plan (such as if a certain type of surgery isn’t covered) and where you live. To save money on their monthly premium payments, some consumers choose to enroll in job-related plans through work. These may include “high deductible” options that require patients to pay more out-of-pocket before receiving benefits from their insurer—in other words, paying higher deductibles increases the chance that a person could obtain at least partial reimbursement when it comes to doctor visits or prescriptions.

Check Out What You Might Be Able To Save

If you are young and healthy, perhaps you can get away with a high deductible plan. This might be the right choice for you to save money on your monthly premium payments. But before making this decision, make sure that you have enough savings in case an unexpected medical issue arises. Otherwise, signing up for such a plan could mean taking out another loan or credit card when faced with extensive health care bills.

If you need to invest in health insurance, you must find the plan that works best for your needs. If the costs are too high or if there aren’t enough benefits included with your monthly payments, then these tips can help guide you towards picking out a better plan than what was offered at work.

Published at Wed, 03 Nov 2021 13:23:03 +0000

The Different Types Of Tea: Explained

Tea is a popular drink all over the world, but it can be hard to know what kind of tea you are looking for. This blog post will help you understand the different types of tea available and how they are made. With that knowledge in your back pocket, you’ll never have to worry about being confused again when ordering at a coffee shop or grocery store!

Green Tea

This tea is the least oxidized of all teas. Its color ranges from yellowish-green to light olive, and its flavor can be grassy or vegetables like spinach or seaweed. You can visit this website to find out the best tea for your needs and understand why they are great for your health. The brew has a mild but bright taste that may pick up notes of honeydew melon in some Darjeelings, papaya in some Senchas, or lemon in a few Dragonwells.

Green tea is produced primarily in China, Japan, and India. Some of the more famous regions for green tea are Taiwan, Zhejiang province (eastern China), northern Jiangsu province (north-central China), the Uji region near Kyoto in Japan, and Darjeeling in India. Green tea has many health benefits, including protecting against cancer and heart disease, as well as lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure. A cup of green tea contains much less caffeine than a cup of coffee or black tea. However, it can still stimulate the nervous system by increasing epinephrine (adrenaline) production in the body.

White Tea

This tea is made from the new leaves of a Camellia sinensis bush. It has been steamed or fried, which prevents it from fermenting and preserves its more delicate flavors. The name comes from the silvery down that covers all parts of the plant before any buds have formed. This acts as a useful guide to growers, as they can pick the young leaves easily.

White tea is harvested primarily in China and India, but also in Eastern Africa (e.g., Kenya) and the Wuyi Mountains of Fujian province in China. The flavor profile of white tea includes notes such as fruit blossom or “honey” like sweetness, chestnut, or toasted rice, and a general “sweetness” that is refreshing without being cloying.

Oolong Tea

This tea is semi-oxidized, which means that it has undergone more oxidation than green tea but less than black. Oolong teas are known for their complex flavor profiles and lingering aftertastes. Some of the best oolongs have a floral aroma with plenty of body, while others give off an intensely woodsy or smoky scent.

Oolong tea has many health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure while also increasing body metabolism to aid weight loss efforts. It can even help prevent cancer because it contains polyphenols that are antioxidants that fight free radicals in the body.

Black Tea

This tea is fully oxidized, giving it a dark orange-red color and bold flavor. Owing to its oxidation levels, black tea contains more caffeine than both green and white tea. Like coffee, many people enjoy the stimulating effects of drinking this kind of tea in the morning or afternoon as an alternative to caffeinated soft drinks.

Black tea is produced primarily in India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya. The world’s most popular black teas are from Assam (India), Darjeeling (India), and Ceylon (Sri Lanka). When steeped properly at the correct temperature for the right amount of time, this type of tea can yield a bright copper-red liquor with a flavor that’s strong, malty, and brisk.

There are many different types of tea, and it may be difficult to know where to start. With this article, you will learn about the five most common types of tea: white tea, green tea, black tea (also known as red), oolong, and pu-erh. There is no one best type for everyone, but these are the most popular.

Published at Wed, 03 Nov 2021 13:06:26 +0000

Guacamole Chicken Salad

0

Guacamole Chicken Salad

This Guacamole Chicken Salad is an easy, healthy and delicious lunch recipe. Using pre-made chicken your new favorite sandwich is ready in less that 5 minutes!

From start to finish, this recipe took me just 5 minutes to make and fed me for three days. I can’t say this officially but this might be the fastest and easiest recipe I’ve ever posted!

I love chicken salad for a few reasons! Obviously I love how simple it is to make but I also love how versatile it is and how great it is for meal prep! Make it once and enjoy it all week… or for however long it lasts!

Here’s What You Need

  • Avocados – the avocados should be firm but give slightly when you apply pressure. Avoid super mushy or super firm avocados!
  • Garlic clove – adds a savory flavor base – this is entirely optional if you prefer a garlic-free guacamole (which sometimes I do).
  • Red onion – finely chopped to add a robust flavor base to this salad. 
  • Jalapeño – seeded and finely chopped to add a little heat! You can skip this step if you don’t like jalapenos 
  • Chicken – you can either purchase pre-cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great for a shortcut!) or cook at home
  • Lime – we’ll be using all the juice from one lime
  • Sea salt and black pepper – to bring all of the flavors together. 
  • Cumin – adds a kick of flavor!
  • Cilantro – optional but I love adding this fresh herb to the salad!

How to Make Shredded Chicken [3 Ways!]

1. Buy Store-Bought – This is my go-to method because it’s so easy and ensures this guacamole chicken salad is ready in under 5 minutes. Just purchase a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and remove the chicken breasts. Shred using two forks or your hands.

2. Cook on stove-top – Coat two chicken breasts with salt + pepper. Add a little olive oil to a pan and cook chicken breasts on the stove-top over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side or until the interior temperature reaches 165ºF. Let chicken cool slightly and then shred with 2 forks. You can also do this on your grill.

3. In the Instant Pot – Add two chicken breasts to your Instant Pot and top with 1/2 a cup of water or stock. Season with salt + pepper. Close lid and valve and pressure cook on HIGH for 10 minutes. Let naturally release steam for 10 minutes. Open lid and let cool slightly. You can shred chicken directly in Instant Pot.

How to Make Guacamole Chicken Salad

STEP 1: Place the avocados in a large bowl and mash using a potato masher or fork. You can leave some chunks for texture if you’d like or make this more creamy!

STEP 2: Add in the garlic clove, onion, jalapeño, chicken and lime zest and juice. Stir well to combine. 

STEP 3: Season with salt, pepper and cumin and stir once more. Enjoy!

How to Serve Chicken Salad

One of the reasons I love chicken salad is because there are so many different ways to eat it! Here are some ideas:

Bread – add a scoop to a piece of bread or toast and enjoy! Want extra veggies? Add some greens to your sandwich. 

Crackers or tortilla chips – scoop up the chicken salad with crackers or tortilla chips. I love the salty, crunchy combo with the salad!

On a salad or with veggies – enjoy a salad on a salad! But for real, this chicken salad is delicious on a bed of greens or scooped with fresh veggies like carrots and bell peppers. 

How to Store Leftovers

This salad stores really well! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. This guacamole chicken salad may brown slightly after a few days but the lime juice should help prevent that. Even if it browns a little it is still delicious!

Print

Guacamole Chicken Salad

This Guacamole Chicken Salad is an easy, healthy and delicious lunch recipe. Using pre-made chicken your new favorite sandwich is ready in less that 5 minutes!

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 46 servings 1x
  • Category: Lunch
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free
  • 2 large avocados, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 medium red onion, chopped finely (roughly 2/3 cup)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded + chopped finely
  • 12 ounces cooked + shredded chicken breast*
  • juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • optional: handful of chopped cilantro

  1. Place the avocados in a large bowl and mash up using a potato masher or fork.
  2. Add in garlic clove, onion, jalapeno, chicken breasts and zest and juice of lime. Stir well.
  3. Add in salt, pepper and cumin and stir once more.
  4. Place one large scoop of salad onto a bread.
  5. Salad will keep for several days in refrigerator. May brown slightly in fridge but it’s still good.

*Roughly 2 chicken breasts. You can purchase pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to shred or see above for cooking instructions.

Keywords: Guacamole chicken salad, chicken salad, avocado chicken salad

More protein salad recipes to try:

JOIN THE THM NEWSLETTER

Join 20,000+ members of the THM Community to get access to exclusive recipes, healthy lifestyle tips and behind-the-scenes news from our team!

Published at Tue, 02 Nov 2021 18:00:53 +0000

Guacamole Chicken Salad

This Guacamole Chicken Salad is an easy, healthy and delicious lunch recipe. Using pre-made chicken your new favorite sandwich is ready in less that 5 minutes!

From start to finish, this recipe took me just 5 minutes to make and fed me for three days. I can’t say this officially but this might be the fastest and easiest recipe I’ve ever posted!

I love chicken salad for a few reasons! Obviously I love how simple it is to make but I also love how versatile it is and how great it is for meal prep! Make it once and enjoy it all week… or for however long it lasts!

Here’s What You Need

  • Avocados – the avocados should be firm but give slightly when you apply pressure. Avoid super mushy or super firm avocados!
  • Garlic clove – adds a savory flavor base – this is entirely optional if you prefer a garlic-free guacamole (which sometimes I do).
  • Red onion – finely chopped to add a robust flavor base to this salad. 
  • Jalapeño – seeded and finely chopped to add a little heat! You can skip this step if you don’t like jalapenos 
  • Chicken – you can either purchase pre-cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works great for a shortcut!) or cook at home
  • Lime – we’ll be using all the juice from one lime
  • Sea salt and black pepper – to bring all of the flavors together. 
  • Cumin – adds a kick of flavor!
  • Cilantro – optional but I love adding this fresh herb to the salad!

How to Make Shredded Chicken [3 Ways!]

1. Buy Store-Bought – This is my go-to method because it’s so easy and ensures this guacamole chicken salad is ready in under 5 minutes. Just purchase a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and remove the chicken breasts. Shred using two forks or your hands.

2. Cook on stove-top – Coat two chicken breasts with salt + pepper. Add a little olive oil to a pan and cook chicken breasts on the stove-top over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side or until the interior temperature reaches 165ºF. Let chicken cool slightly and then shred with 2 forks. You can also do this on your grill.

3. In the Instant Pot – Add two chicken breasts to your Instant Pot and top with 1/2 a cup of water or stock. Season with salt + pepper. Close lid and valve and pressure cook on HIGH for 10 minutes. Let naturally release steam for 10 minutes. Open lid and let cool slightly. You can shred chicken directly in Instant Pot.

How to Make Guacamole Chicken Salad

STEP 1: Place the avocados in a large bowl and mash using a potato masher or fork. You can leave some chunks for texture if you’d like or make this more creamy!

STEP 2: Add in the garlic clove, onion, jalapeño, chicken and lime zest and juice. Stir well to combine. 

STEP 3: Season with salt, pepper and cumin and stir once more. Enjoy!

How to Serve Chicken Salad

One of the reasons I love chicken salad is because there are so many different ways to eat it! Here are some ideas:

Bread – add a scoop to a piece of bread or toast and enjoy! Want extra veggies? Add some greens to your sandwich. 

Crackers or tortilla chips – scoop up the chicken salad with crackers or tortilla chips. I love the salty, crunchy combo with the salad!

On a salad or with veggies – enjoy a salad on a salad! But for real, this chicken salad is delicious on a bed of greens or scooped with fresh veggies like carrots and bell peppers. 

How to Store Leftovers

This salad stores really well! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. This guacamole chicken salad may brown slightly after a few days but the lime juice should help prevent that. Even if it browns a little it is still delicious!

Print

Guacamole Chicken Salad

This Guacamole Chicken Salad is an easy, healthy and delicious lunch recipe. Using pre-made chicken your new favorite sandwich is ready in less that 5 minutes!

  • Author: Davida Lederle
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 46 servings 1x
  • Category: Lunch
  • Cuisine: Mexican
  • Diet: Gluten Free
  • 2 large avocados, peeled and pitted
  • 1/2 medium red onion, chopped finely (roughly 2/3 cup)
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded + chopped finely
  • 12 ounces cooked + shredded chicken breast*
  • juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • optional: handful of chopped cilantro

  1. Place the avocados in a large bowl and mash up using a potato masher or fork.
  2. Add in garlic clove, onion, jalapeno, chicken breasts and zest and juice of lime. Stir well.
  3. Add in salt, pepper and cumin and stir once more.
  4. Place one large scoop of salad onto a bread.
  5. Salad will keep for several days in refrigerator. May brown slightly in fridge but it’s still good.

*Roughly 2 chicken breasts. You can purchase pre-cooked rotisserie chicken to shred or see above for cooking instructions.

Keywords: Guacamole chicken salad, chicken salad, avocado chicken salad

More protein salad recipes to try:

JOIN THE THM NEWSLETTER

Join 20,000+ members of the THM Community to get access to exclusive recipes, healthy lifestyle tips and behind-the-scenes news from our team!

Published at Tue, 02 Nov 2021 18:00:53 +0000

How To Make Your Workplace A Clean, Safe Place During COVID-19

0

How To Make Your Workplace A Clean, Safe Place During COVID-19

People are returning to the workplace across America and the globe. However, the threat of the current pandemic hasn’t disappeared. The recent death of an otherwise healthy vaccinated man shows the need for ongoing precautions.

What can you do as an employer to keep your staff safe? Here are five tips for making your workplace a clean, safe place during COVID-19.

1. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), up to 30% of all buildings generate excessive complaints regarding indoor air quality. The issue extends well beyond the scent of reheated salmon wafting from the breakroom. It pays to have someone inspect your HVAC system at least once per year and address any issues.

One measure you should take before returning to the office is changing your air filters. Switching to filters with the highest Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating removes the maximum number of viruses from your indoor atmosphere. Germs often hitch a ride on larger particles, and removing them from your ducts helps prevent illness.

Furthermore, it helps to improve ventilation however possible. Open windows and use ceiling fans to improve airflow.

2. Increase Hygiene Stations And Supplies

Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. It costs relatively little to post reminder signs in restrooms. Doing so might be the prompt someone needs not to rush back to their station without practicing proper hygiene.

You can’t always get to a sink after touching something nasty. Please set up hand sanitizer stations around the workplace to encourage your staff members to clean their paws more frequently. Here, signs come in handy, too. It helps to remind folks that you have to rub your hands together until they feel dry and use enough product to cover all surfaces.

3. Encourage Indoor Masking

When creating your sanitation stations, you might want to include a box or two of disposable masks. They cost relatively little — the amount you recoup on preventing infectious diseases can more than pay for your purchase in a short amount of time.

Please remember that COVID-19 isn’t the only germ you have to watch out for during cold and flu season. While it’s an uncommon practice in the west, many Asian countries encourage mask use to prevent disease spread. You’ll get funny looks on the streets of Hong Kong if you venture outdoors with a sneeze or cough uncovered.

The near-disappearance of the flu during COVID-19 lends credence to the argument that masking up prevents the spread of germs. Even though most locales have removed government edicts on mask-wearing, you might consider requiring them for the office if you want to reduce the number of sick days your staff takes.

4. Create Outdoor Workstations

Most scientists agree that outdoor activities are safer when it comes to preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Germs have unlimited space to spread out and dissipate, making it less likely one of them will land in your lungs and set up shop.

Furthermore, exposure to plants and fresh air might improve your employees’ immune function. Research on forest bathers shows increased activity in natural killer cells after taking an overnight trip in the woods. Consider creating outdoor workstations, or at least adding alfresco seating arrangements for employees to grab lunch.

5. Consider Temperature Checks

You can pick up a noninvasive gun-style thermometer for around $20 at many department stores. Should you invest in one and zap your staff before they enter the building?

Doing so might prevent some, but not all, illnesses. For example, roughly 40% of COVID-19 patients present as asymptomatic — meaning they don’t have the stereotypical fever, loss of smell, and headaches typical of many.

Therefore, adding temperature screenings could prevent some, but not all, infected people from entering the building. If you know you have medically vulnerable staff members, you might consider this step — but know it isn’t a failsafe.

6. Improve Leave Practices For Sick Staff Members

However, you do want to avoid the following scenario: a staff member reporting to work while symptomatic because they’ll come up short on rent if they take a sick day. Such practices hurt your other employees and customers alike. Unfortunately, it’s often the workers who have the most contact with the public who can afford to take a day off the least.

Therefore, please consider expanding your PTO policies. The United States is unique among industrialized nations in not mandating paid sick and family leave as a matter of law. That fact doesn’t mean the current rules are correct, adequate, or fair, particularly for preventing disease spread. It costs much more to replace a valuable staff member than to provide a few days out of the office to minimize contagion risk.

Make Your Workplace A Clean, Safe Place During COVID-19

As people return to work, employers bear much responsibility for keeping their staff protected from disease. Make your workplace a clean, safe place during COVID-19 with these tips.

Published at Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:50:38 +0000

How To Make Your Workplace A Clean, Safe Place During COVID-19

People are returning to the workplace across America and the globe. However, the threat of the current pandemic hasn’t disappeared. The recent death of an otherwise healthy vaccinated man shows the need for ongoing precautions.

What can you do as an employer to keep your staff safe? Here are five tips for making your workplace a clean, safe place during COVID-19.

1. Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), up to 30% of all buildings generate excessive complaints regarding indoor air quality. The issue extends well beyond the scent of reheated salmon wafting from the breakroom. It pays to have someone inspect your HVAC system at least once per year and address any issues.

One measure you should take before returning to the office is changing your air filters. Switching to filters with the highest Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating removes the maximum number of viruses from your indoor atmosphere. Germs often hitch a ride on larger particles, and removing them from your ducts helps prevent illness.

Furthermore, it helps to improve ventilation however possible. Open windows and use ceiling fans to improve airflow.

2. Increase Hygiene Stations And Supplies

Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. It costs relatively little to post reminder signs in restrooms. Doing so might be the prompt someone needs not to rush back to their station without practicing proper hygiene.

You can’t always get to a sink after touching something nasty. Please set up hand sanitizer stations around the workplace to encourage your staff members to clean their paws more frequently. Here, signs come in handy, too. It helps to remind folks that you have to rub your hands together until they feel dry and use enough product to cover all surfaces.

3. Encourage Indoor Masking

When creating your sanitation stations, you might want to include a box or two of disposable masks. They cost relatively little — the amount you recoup on preventing infectious diseases can more than pay for your purchase in a short amount of time.

Please remember that COVID-19 isn’t the only germ you have to watch out for during cold and flu season. While it’s an uncommon practice in the west, many Asian countries encourage mask use to prevent disease spread. You’ll get funny looks on the streets of Hong Kong if you venture outdoors with a sneeze or cough uncovered.

The near-disappearance of the flu during COVID-19 lends credence to the argument that masking up prevents the spread of germs. Even though most locales have removed government edicts on mask-wearing, you might consider requiring them for the office if you want to reduce the number of sick days your staff takes.

4. Create Outdoor Workstations

Most scientists agree that outdoor activities are safer when it comes to preventing the spread of infectious diseases. Germs have unlimited space to spread out and dissipate, making it less likely one of them will land in your lungs and set up shop.

Furthermore, exposure to plants and fresh air might improve your employees’ immune function. Research on forest bathers shows increased activity in natural killer cells after taking an overnight trip in the woods. Consider creating outdoor workstations, or at least adding alfresco seating arrangements for employees to grab lunch.

5. Consider Temperature Checks

You can pick up a noninvasive gun-style thermometer for around $20 at many department stores. Should you invest in one and zap your staff before they enter the building?

Doing so might prevent some, but not all, illnesses. For example, roughly 40% of COVID-19 patients present as asymptomatic — meaning they don’t have the stereotypical fever, loss of smell, and headaches typical of many.

Therefore, adding temperature screenings could prevent some, but not all, infected people from entering the building. If you know you have medically vulnerable staff members, you might consider this step — but know it isn’t a failsafe.

6. Improve Leave Practices For Sick Staff Members

However, you do want to avoid the following scenario: a staff member reporting to work while symptomatic because they’ll come up short on rent if they take a sick day. Such practices hurt your other employees and customers alike. Unfortunately, it’s often the workers who have the most contact with the public who can afford to take a day off the least.

Therefore, please consider expanding your PTO policies. The United States is unique among industrialized nations in not mandating paid sick and family leave as a matter of law. That fact doesn’t mean the current rules are correct, adequate, or fair, particularly for preventing disease spread. It costs much more to replace a valuable staff member than to provide a few days out of the office to minimize contagion risk.

Make Your Workplace A Clean, Safe Place During COVID-19

As people return to work, employers bear much responsibility for keeping their staff protected from disease. Make your workplace a clean, safe place during COVID-19 with these tips.

Published at Tue, 02 Nov 2021 09:50:38 +0000