Chances are, you rarely think about or hear about your pancreas. Most of the time, you simply go about your daily life, and it does its work with no effort on your part. However, when the pancreas is mistreated and stops functioning correctly…you’ll notice right away. Unlike many other high profile organs such as the heart and lungs, the pancreas is often overlooked and isn’t even considered as the cause of many internal issues. Here are a few ways to give your pancreas some love and why this organ actually matters.
Warm vs Cold Water – Which is Better for Health
No one would argue that water is an essential part of daily life. Our bodies desperately need hydration to function properly and keep us alive. However, there is more debate regarding the desired temperature of water in regards to health. There are two schools of thought. Warm water drinkers vs. cold water drinkers. Perhaps you’ve never thought about which temperature your water should be and are happy with your H2O at room temperature. While neither option is strictly better for you, there may be different situations in which a particular temperature would be more beneficial. The more important issue here is that you actually drink enough water on a daily basis, not necessarily what temperature it is.
Is Sparkling Water Junk Food?
“Drink more water” is practically always at the top of the list for anyone pursuing a healthier lifestyle. But many people don’t enjoy drinking plain water, so we’re always looking for tricks to make the hydration habit easier to keep up.
7 Ways To Pee Less In The Middle Of The Night
There’s not much that’s more frustrating than interrupted sleep at night. For some, sleep is a challenge, but if you regularly have to get up to pee every few hours, then it’s especially difficult. Having to make a trip to the toilet in the middle of the night is referred to as “nocturia,” and it affects more women than men. [Read more…]
7 Summer Health Hazards and How to Avoid Them
Flu season and slipping on the ice may be far behind us, but warmer weather often brings its own set of hazards. Too much fun in the sun, swimming, and even picnicking can create health risks you never expected. Here’s what you need to know about staying safe this summer.
5 Quick Dry Hand Remedies
We’ve all struggled with dry hands at some point. No matter how diligent you are with moisturizing, you’ve probably woken up one morning and looked at your own hands in shock, wondering how you let them get so bad. The truth is, we abuse our hands and often pay the price of cracked nailbeds and flaky skin for failing to look after our hardworking mitts. If you’ve been struggling with dry hands or just want to give them some extra love, try one of these easy home remedies.
Traveling This Christmas? Here’s How to Stay Healthy
Spending Christmas with family can be wonderful and gives you a great chance to create new memories, reminisce on old ones, and catch up on the craziness of the previous year. Unless you live in the same area as your family, you are likely going to be doing some traveling this holiday season. We all know how hard traveling can be on your routine. You don’t have time for exercise, you’re eating unhealthy food that you didn’t cook yourself, and you’re doing a lot of sitting. But believe it or not, it is possible to take care of your body while you’re away from home. Here is our survival guide for how to stay healthy as you travel this Christmas.
Think Better, Work Harder When You Do This to Your Space
Whether you work from home at a dedicated desk, prefer to hop between coffee shops with your laptop, or spend your days in an office building, you most likely know that your environment can severely impact your productivity. Here are a few of our favorite ways to adjust your space to help you think better and work harder…wherever you are.
5 Natural Ways to Combat an Arid Climate
There is just something so alluring about the atmosphere of the desert that causes many people to move to the lands of sweeping mountains, dusty open roads, and 0% humidity. If you live in the western part of the United States, you are probably used to hearing the term “it’s a dry heat” as you dart from one air-conditioned building to the next. Or if you’re preparing to make a transition to an arid climate, you may be wondering just what toll this lack of moisture has on your skin and body. Fortunately, living in a dry climate doesn’t have to be dangerous. Here are a few natural ways to combat an arid climate and ensure you stay moisturized even in the heart of the desert.
Get a humidifier
This is perhaps the single most essential step for returning critical moisture to your body and remaining hydrated. Purchase a large humidifier for your bedroom and keep it running whenever you sleep. A lot of humidifiers also support essential oil use so you can utilize the power of aromatherapy as well. This is especially crucial if you live in a hot area and use air conditioning as this already dries out your body and can be detrimental for your skin and lungs.
Lotion is your new best friend
You may have been able to get away without moisturizing in the humid jungle of Florida, but in the Mountains of Colorado or the red rocks of Arizona, you’re going to need to take your skincare game up a notch. Focus on natural lotion products that are specifically geared towards ultimate hydration. You’ll want to check for ingredients such as coconut oil, aloe vera, shea butter, or olive oil. Be sure that whatever lotion you use does not have alcohol derivatives (which act as drying agents), parabens, chemicals, or any other ingredients you don’t recognize.
You may want to try making your own lotion. Using one of the ingredients listed above and a few drops of essential oil, you have a totally customized, hydrating lotion that you can feel good about using. Rub moisturizer all over your body when your skin is still damp after your shower. This will help give your skin time to absorb and lock in the moisture.
Drink more water than you think you need
It is never a good idea to wait until you get thirsty to drink water. Being thirsty is actually an early sign of dehydration and means that your body is already crying out for water. When there is less water in the environment, you have to work twice as hard to replenish what you lose during workouts or normal day to day activities. It can also be hard to remember to drink water because you don’t sweat as much as you would in an area with high humidity levels. Always try to err on the side of caution and drink more water than you think you need. A good rule of thumb is half your body weight in ounces each day, but this will need to be adjusted according to activity levels and the amount of caffeine you consume.
Protect your skin
Generally speaking, arid climates have more days of full sun than places that experience frequent rain and cloud cover. This means that it is incredibly easy to get sunburn and other sun-related skin conditions when exposed to such bright UV rays on a constant basis. Be sure to protect your sun whenever you go outside. Wear breathable, lightweight clothing that covers your body and still keeps you cool.
It is a good idea to find a natural sunscreen that you love for daily use on your face, neck, and arms, as these are the most at-risk parts of your body for a sunburn. If you are going to be out in the bright sun for an extended period of time, be sure to reapply sunscreen and consider wearing a hat to protect your face.
Spend time outdoors in the early morning and evening
“Aird” doesn’t always mean “hot” but as summer approaches, it stands to reason that your arid climate is experiencing a significant heat increase. Since the sun is primarily what determines the heat levels in a dry environment, it is possible that the temperature could drop 10-20 degrees as the sun sets. Try to organize your outdoor activities when the sun is past its peak and is beginning to cool down. Avoid spending significant amounts of time outdoors between 10am-3pm as this is usually the hottest part of the day.
-Susan Patterson
25 Seeds You Should Be Starting Now and Tips for Success
Just because the ground is frozen and you can see your breath on the frigid outside air, doesn’t mean it’s too early to begin thinking about spring planting. Starting these seeds indoors will help encourage a strong, healthy plant when it’s time to move them outside. Grow your own indoor garden today to get a jump on the season and expand your gardening repertoire.