Non-Dairy Delights – 5 Alternatives to Traditional Cow’s Milk That Actually Taste Good

Are you curious about milk options beyond the full-cream and a2 milk benefits you regularly enjoy? Would you like to include some non-dairy delights in your life that actually taste as good as dairy milk? We’re here to help! Check out these five alternatives to traditional cows milk that actually taste good: 

  1. Soya Milk

Soya milk is made of oil, water, and the remaining protein from ground, boiled, and sieved soybeans. It’s one of the most popular non-dairy milk alternatives because it has a creamy texture and a plain flavor (especially unsweetened kinds), so it works well with cereal, in tea, in baking, and as a base for sauces. In addition, it packs quite a protein punch, with an average of seven grams of protein per cup of soya milk. 

If you are switching to non-dairy primarily for health reasons, you’ll also appreciate the fact that a diet rich in soy has been shown to help protect heart health, reduce bad cholesterol, raise good cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and more. 

  1. Oat Milk

Oat milk is a favorite amongst non-dairy drinkers who can tolerate gluten because it is so creamy and thick. It is especially popular amongst baristas because you can foam it right up for an epic dairy-free cappuccino. 

It is, however, higher in calories than other non-dairy milk options, coming in at around 130 calories per cup (still much less than whole dairy milk). Oat milk will give you riboflavin and B2 as well as any vitamins and minerals the manufacturer has added to the drink. 

  1. Almond Milk

Almond milk is a highly popular plant-based milk amongst the 41 percent of US households now buying non-dairy milk regularly. Compared to one cup of whole milk at around 260 calories a cup, almond milk sits at just 30 calories for that same portion. While it is not as high in protein as other non-dairy options, fortified almond milk is an excellent choice for those who are looking to reach a healthy weight. 

  1. Hazelnut Milk

If you love drinking a tall glass of plain milk, hazelnut milk may be the dairy-free option for you. In addition to its creamy, nutty flavor, hazelnut milk also has a ton of health benefits including: 

  • Antioxidants 
  • Minerals like magnesium and copper 
  • An abundance of vitamin E
  • Boosts good cholesterol and reduces bad cholesterol
  • Improves blood sugar levels 
  • Is linked with anti-cancer properties 
  • Could reduce inflammation

The above benefits are attributed to hazelnuts themselves so it is important to buy milk that is made with lots of hazelnuts (not filler) so that you get the maximum benefits. 

  1. Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a blend of coconut flesh and water, creating a yummy, creamy, non-dairy milk that has the same indulgent feel as full-cream dairy milk. It is high in fat, but there is also evidence that the type of fat within coconut milk can benefit weight loss. So, in this case, it seems the fat content isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The high fat within coconut milk also makes it a good choice for whole dairy milk drinkers because it will be far more satisfying than something like almond milk. 

Which Non-Dairy Delight Will You Try First? 

There are so many options available to try if you want to move away from dairy. Though the options above are excellent, you can also try cashew milk, hemp milk, and even pea milk – there truly is a dairy-free option for everyone. 

5 Powerful Tips to Practice Mindfulness Every Day

Mindfulness is the practice of being present and aware of your thoughts and feelings. Despite what you might think, mindfulness doesn’t require major lifestyle changes. Having a peaceful state of mind can help you to be more grounded and contented. These practices will help you live more fully in the moment and manage stress more effectively.

Identify Your Emotions

According to GoEatRightNow.com, a recent study found that almost 53% of women in the study reported emotional eating tendencies. When food is used for comfort, then the emotion and underlying reason for that emotion go unaddressed. Eating may make you feel better in the short term, but the feeling may quickly return because you did not address the root cause of the emotion. When you ask yourself what you are really feeling, you may find that you can determine why you feel that way and the best way to address it.

Concentrate on Breathing

Whenever you start to feel stressed by any situation, you can practice focusing only on your breathing. Breathing can help relax your nervous system and stimulate the vagus nerve. Make the breaths in and out as even as possible. Take a steady breath to a count of four and then exhale evenly on a count of four. This practice is simple to do in any situation. Incorporating a daily meditation time can help you learn to deepen your breathing practice, but you can perform simple breathing patterns in any stressful situation to relieve tension and quiet your mind. You can also check holding breath app by breathwrk to learn more about breathing techniques.

Find Time for Movement

Exercise can offer many benefits for your body and mind, but it can also boost your ability to practice mindfulness. Activities like walking, hiking, swimming, and running can help you focus on the present moment and how your body feels with each movement. For example, if you start going for a daily walk, you can train your mind to focus on each movement and matching your breath to each step. Start by taking one breath in for one or two steps and then one breath out for the same number of steps. You may need to experiment to see what breathing pattern makes you feel the best. Please consult your physician before you begin any fitness or movement practice.

Set Boundaries

Learning to say no is about more than setting boundaries. It’s about listening to yourself and recognizing when you feel overextended. When you respect your own time and ability to handle everything going on in your life, you should be able to determine when you can help and when you need to step back. When asked to do something for someone that requires a time commitment, practice asking yourself if it is what you really want or can reasonably do for that person.

Spend Time in Nature

Recently, there have been more studies into how nature can affect health and wellbeing. Some of these studies show that being in nature can reduce our feelings of stress, which can help with blood pressure, weight, and sleep. Being outdoors has other useful benefits, such as increasing the level of vitamin D through exposure to the sun. A simple way to enjoy nature more is to take a leisurely walk, but hiking and other outdoor fitness activities can provide even more of a boost to your health.

Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. You can practice mindfulness at any moment. It is a practice that has been shown to decrease stress, anxiety, and depression over time. By focusing on our relationship with our bodies and mind, we can become happier and healthier.

Forever Young, I Want To Be Forever Young…

Young woman eating healthy food sitting in the beautiful interior with green flowers on the background

“Forever young” may be an impossible dream, but it is something we are all striving for, right? As we get older, and we start to see the wrinkles and fine lines in the mirror, it can be frustrating. But this does not mean that there is nothing you can do about it. In this blog post, we are going to take you through some of the different things you can do so that you look and feel young. 

Reduce stress levels

There is only one place to begin when it comes to looking and feeling young, and this is by reducing stress. It is crazy to think about the impact that stress can have on our minds and bodies. It can cause us to look and feel tired, we can develop lines and wrinkles, and we can feel depressed. Not very nice, right?

Therefore, finding ways to lower those stress levels is the evident place to start in your quest to be forever young! There are lots of great ideas for those who want to feel less stressed. A lot of people swear by Kratom, and you can check out Kingdom Kratom if you have never heard of this before. In addition to this, you also need to consider ways to get more rest and breaks into your day-to-day life. 

Treat yourself to regular facial peels

Not only should you make an effort to reduce your stress levels but we recommend regular facials as well. There are a number of different facials you can benefit from, including superficial facial peels and deep facial peels, so it makes sense to talk with your beautician to find out which facial peel they think is going to be right for you.

The main objective of a skin peel is to lower or get rid of any skin imperfections. This includes post-acne scarring, acne, sun spots, dark circles, wrinkles, enlarged pores, pigmentation, fine lines, and more. These are all issues that can make you look older than you are, so skin peels can make a bigger impact than you realize. Your skin will look brighter, clearer, and more radiant, and you will feel amazing too.

Time to quit smoking

If you are someone who smokes, now is the time to quit.  Smoking can cause many different problems when it comes to your health. In fact, it can cut years off our life. In terms of looking and feeling young, smoking can cause your skin to become discolored and you can experience fine lines and wrinkles. 

Smoking can also result in your teeth and fingernails becoming yellow, which can make you look more aged as well. Therefore, it certainly makes sense to stop smoking. 

Of course, we know that it is not as easy as simply deciding you are going to give up smoking and then doing so. You need to have a dedicated approach to give yourself the best chance of quitting, and quitting for good. For example, it makes sense to decide on an end date and then gradually reduce the number of cigarettes leading up to this date, rather than simply trying to quit all at once. 

Pamper yourself more

We all deserve a treat from time to time, right? From massages to manicures, there are a lot of different ways that you can treat yourself. We know that a lot of people feel incredible after getting a brand new hairstyle, for instance!

Remember, it is not just about how you look, but it is also about how you feel. Once we have been pampered, we tend to feel incredible, and this is something that will make a difference in terms of the energy you give off, and how old you look and feel.

Consider your diet; some foods can help you to look younger

In addition to the different tips and pieces of advice that we have provided so far, we would also recommend that you carefully consider your diet. A lot of people do not realize it but there are foods that can make you look younger! So, time for a diet overhaul, don’t you think?

Some foods that are great for your skin include avocados, pomegranates, flaxseeds, vegetables, dark chocolate, and fatty fish. We would also recommend extra virgin olive oil, which is one of the healthiest fats on the planet, as well as green tea, which is rich in antioxidants. Matcha green tea, especially, is a great choice, as it contains more antioxidants when compared with a regular cup of tea.

You may also want to consider reducing your consumption of foods that make you look older than you are. Some of the foods worth a mention here include red meat, trans fats, processed meat, salty foods, white wine, charred meat, alcohol, and sweets.

Look into youthful skin treatments

Aside from everything we have discussed so far, there are a lot of people that like to keep their appearance look as young and radiant as possible by investing in youthful skin treatments. There are a lot of great skin treatments that people make the most of today, with dermal fillers being a popular option.

The best thing to do is book a consultation with a reputable skin clinic. After all, different people have different hang-ups when it comes to their skin. By having a consultation with a reputable skin specialist, he or she will be able to tell you what treatments will be the best for you. 

Final words on being forever young

So there you have it: some of the different things you can do to look and feel forever young. They say that you are only as old as you feel, and we certainly believe that this is the truth. Taking care of yourself and doing the things that you love can make a massive difference in your life, so it is time to start embracing these things and enjoying yourself. Treat yourself more, and use the other tips that we have provided above to look and feel young and radiant. 

5 Heart-Healthy Tips

The heart is the hardest working organ in our body. Without it, pumping blood around the body, we would be unable to survive, which is why it is so important that we take good care of our hearts.

With that in mind, here are my top tips for maintaining a healthy heart, a few of which may surprise you…

  1. Give up smoking

If you’re a smoker, the absolute best thing you can do for your heart health is to give up right now! Tobacco will clog up your arteries and make it difficult for your heart to do its job, and since it’s one factor that is under your control you must do something about it. Of course, that’s often easier said than done, but these days, with vapes and nicotine replacement products readily available, it’s totally doable.

  1. Take good care of your teeth and gums

Your oral health is inextricably linked with your heart health. If your teeth and gums are in a bad state, you’re more likely to have high blood pressure and suffer from heart disease, amongst other things, So, a really easy way to look after your heart is to look after your teeth. From brushing and flossing regularly to using teeth aligners to straighten out teeth and lower the risk of cavities, anything you can do to improve the state of your mouth will be great for your heart too.

Close-up of wine glasses tapping in a bar. Party and nightlife concept

  1. Drink alcohol

Yes, really, but only in moderation. Studies have shown that drinking a moderate amount of alcohol can raise the HDL levels in your body. This is good cholesterol which helps the heart to function optimally, and which can also help to prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries. Just be aware that too much alcohol is undoubtedly bad for the heart, and the body as a whole, so keep it sensible.

  1. Laugh more

Laughter really is the best medicine when it comes to your heart, anyway. Studies have shown that laughing regularly lowers the presence of stress hormones in the body, lowers blood pressure, and raises your levels of goods cholesterol. Being healthy really doesn’t have to be a drag!

  1. Eat less salt

Salt may give your food more flavor, but it can also increase your blood pressure to unhealthy levels if you have too much of it. That would be bad for your body because it would cause your heart to work harder than usually necessary. 

It’s no surprise that people who develop heart disease tend to consume more salt than average, but studies have shown that if everyone was to lower their salt intake by just half a teaspoon the number of people with heart disease would drop considerably. Start removing some of the salt from your meals gradually and your tastebuds will adapt and you won’t even notice the difference, but you will reap the heart-healthy benefits. 

Your heart is so important which is why you need to take the best possible care of it. Doing the above will help immensely, but always consult your doctor before you make any sigificant changes to your health.

Workplace and Bloodborne Pathogens: The Basics

While an icky topic, it’s important for any workplace to understand the dangers of bloodborne pathogens, how they spread, and how to prevent contracting a bloodborne disease while at work. Most modern workplaces don’t have to deal with bodily fluids (especially blood) all too often. However, pathogens that reside in the blood can be transmitted through even the smallest droplets.

That’s why most individuals that has risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens should complete a bloodborne pathogens training course to protect themselves from contracting bloodborne diseases.

In this article, we’ll talk about how exactly these diseases spread, but first let’s talk about the diseases themselves — what kind of illness could you get from an infected coworker, customer, or hired contractor?

Types of Bloodborne Pathogens

The three bloodborne pathogens that you’re most likely to encounter in the workplace are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDS. Given the right setting, these diseases have a high rate of transmission, and can be quite contagious if employees in your workplace don’t adhere to proper safety procedures. Obviously, HIV is a disease that, while much more treatable than it once was, can still wreak devastating damage to a person’s immune system, especially if it goes unnoticed. Hepatitis A and B are nasty diseases in their own right, and both saw their heyday across the United States in decades gone by. In other words: no one wants these diseases. Luckily, they’re easily preventable with the proper precautions.

How Do Bloodborne Pathogens Spread?

These diseases spread mainly through direct contact with infected bodily fluids, which then, in turn, have to make their way into a person’s body to fully infect them. This can occur when:

· Infected bodily fluids enter an open wound

· Fluids penetrate the skin via a needle or infected blade, entering the bloodstream

· Fluids enter the body via mucous membranes, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth

Even if infected fluids make their way into a person’s body, there’s no guarantee that it will grow into a full-fledged case of disease. In many cases, your body’s immune system can reject an infection. However, prevention methods are key to lowering the risk of infection even more. After all, you don’t want to trust that your immune system can fully fight off a disease it’s never come in contact with before.

Preventing the Spread of Bloodborne Pathogens Completing a BBP training you can learn how to prevent the spread of bloodborne pathogens. Here are a few simple rules to follow to help halt the spread of bloodborne pathogens in the workplace.

1. Wash Your Hands

Keeping your hands clean is incredibly important, as soap kills germs, and a dead germ can’t infect you. Wash your hands after coming in contact with commonly-touched surfaces like door handles, phones, and railings.

2. Don’t Touch Your Face

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth while at work. It’s a good rule of thumb to just not touch your face at all unless you absolutely have to get that strand of hair out of your face.

3. Don’t Touch Bodily Fluids

If someone bleeds in the workplace, don’t clean it up without using the proper safety equipment. This can include face masks, gloves, and a biohazard suit. It might seem silly to go to those lengths over a paper cut, but all it takes is a single germ in the wrong place to infect you.

How To Prepare Your Patient For Homebased Chemotherapy Sessions

Women visiting her friend after chemotherapy at home

Over the years, chemotherapy treatments have advanced to the point where it’s now possible to administer home-based sessions. Chemotherapy doesn’t involve highly specialized procedures because the medication can be administered through injections or intravenous fusions, thus making home-based treatment possible.  If the patient suffers from a curved spine, attending physical therapy exercises for scoliosis before the appointment is also recommended.

This change in the mode of treatment will help patients avoid the hassle of traveling to hospitals and healthcare clinics and cut treatment-related costs. However, not all chemotherapy sessions can be done at home, and your oncologists will help you determine if the treatment can be home-based. Moreover, there are some long term side effects of chemotherapy; hence, it’s vital to make sure you choose the right treatment plan. 

If it’s okay for your patient to have home-based sessions, there are several ways you can prepare them for the treatments. This article explores the different ways to do so:

  • Prepare Them Psychologically

Going for chemotherapy can be overwhelming for some people as the treatment can change their lifestyles completely. For instance, dealing with the side effects such as hair loss can be distressing Therefore, your patients should be prepared psychologically and be aware that the treatment will be good for them, especially in the long run.

First, the oncologists can help to demystify certain myths about chemotherapy and provide helpful, reassuring facts that the patients need to know. Moreover, you can ask the patients to take some break away from work before the session to plan ahead. They can also use this time to address their concerns and fears. The patient should also talk to family and friends about their upcoming treatment as they may offer moral support. 

  • Keep The Patients On A Healthy Diet

A healthy diet will play a significant role in ensuring that the patient has all the essential nutrients their body needs to endure the treatment and ultimately get better. Chemotherapy can cause anemia, so the diet should be rich in iron. You can start giving them lots of fruits, vegetables, and foods rich in protein months before they begin their chemotherapy sessions. 

These kinds of food will also help them rebuild vital body tissues that the drugs might destroy. Moreover, a healthy diet will help the body fight against infections, as chemotherapy will kill some white blood cells, thus putting the body at more risk. 

Illustration de l’hospitalisation à domicile (HAD).

  • Ensure Patients Avoid Injuries

Injuries can also be a significant cause for concern for patients who are about to undergo chemotherapy. This is because injuries can cause infections in the body. Therefore, it’s best if your patient can avoid it altogether.

Make sure the patient stays away from animals that can scratch or bite them. In addition, let them wear comfortable shoes to prevent any injuries to the foot. Lastly, remind them to avoid using razor blades when shaving. 

If, by any chance, the patient gets injured, you should disinfect the wound and dress it properly. If the wound is severe, the patient should see a doctor as soon as possible. Before a chemotherapy session, a patient should be in the best possible condition and not with injuries. 

  • Maintain Hygiene

Good hygiene is important for the patient before and after their chemotherapy session. Chemotherapy sessions increase the risks of infections because they may weaken the immune system. Therefore, practicing good hygiene will help reduce the chances of infections. Here are some ways to ensure your patient and their home environment is hygienic: 

  • Disinfect surfaces that the patient might come in contact with using soap and water, following it up with disinfectants. While the patient can disinfect these surfaces themselves, it’s best to assist them to avoid any risks. 
  • Ensure that the patient takes a shower every day using soap and water. 
  • The patient should practice good oral hygiene by brushing their teeth at least twice every day. However, be keen to remind them to avoid alcohol-based mouthwash. 
  • Get rid of fresh plants and flowers because they can be entry points for germs that lead to infections. 
  • Make sure that your pets are clean by trimming their claws and keep them inside the house as much as possible. 
  • Practice general cleaning around the house. 

Maintaining good hygiene before and after the chemotherapy session may help your patients heal and avoid the long-term effects of chemotherapy. 

  • Ensure Other Medications Are Up-To-Date

Before taking the chemotherapy session, you should ensure that the patient stays updated with all their medications and healthcare practices. If the patient is under prescription drugs, they should continue taking them until the day of the session unless the doctor says otherwise. 

Moreover, the patient should make an appointment with the dentists to receive oral care and inquire about the best oral care practices after the chemotherapy sessions. 

Conclusion 

Homebased chemotherapy sessions can be advantageous as patients get the treatment in an environment they’re used to. In this setup, the patients’ families are better able to take care of them. However, the whole process can be overwhelming, and the treatment can also have numerous side effects. As such, the patient must be prepared for all that’s involved with the treatment. By following this guide, your patient is likely to face the therapy more prepared.

 

Top 3 Reasons for Understanding Your Body

Your body is a complex machine that is constantly changing. Therefore, understanding how it works can be crucial to your health and the success of your business. Continue reading for some of the proven methods for taking care of your body.

Notice in Body Changes

Body changes like weight, skin colour, and texture  may be easy to notice. However, other changes like day pressures may be more challenging to see and may need the help of a professional to diagnose.

You should understand what your body usually looks like so you can notice any deviations from the norm that could indicate a problem. This way, if anything does come up, you’ll know how to proceed with the information provided by your doctor or other health care provider.

Early Detection of Any Illness

Early detection of any illness is essential. Suppose while doing self catheter you notice any strange symptoms or ones that don’t seem to be going away, see a doctor immediately and keep track of the issues. There is no reason to suffer through an illness when treatment is possible.

You may have different experiences in your body. First, however, your need to understand your body and how it reacts to various changes. If you think something is wrong, chances are it probably is. The sooner a doctor can treat the issue, the better chance of a quick recovery there will be.

Remember that your body gets sick for a reason,  don’t ignore symptoms thinking it’s just the flu, and you’ll get over it. You never know if something more serious is going on.

Good Management of Any Conditions You May Have

Understanding how your body works is critically essential to your health. You need to know what’s normal for you and how to distinguish between good health and something that may require medical assistance.

Further, this starts with taking care of yourself because this will help you know what  stress feels to you and help you live healthier in the long term. It also means understanding when something isn’t right or needs treatment, knowing which types of medication are safe for you to take, and being aware that there may be times when your condition gets worse or harms how well other treatments work.

Helping Caregivers and Loved Ones Take Care of You

You can help your caregivers or loved ones take care of you by making them aware of what your body can and cannot do. For instance, pay attention to compliments and please encourage them to be gentle with you on days when your pain is high or after surgery. In addition, it’s essential for everyone involved in caring for you to know how much pressure and force to apply when helping you. This is especially important when standing up from a sitting position or moving to and from bed or wheelchair.

It would help if you also let them know how much assistance your body needs in doing things such as putting on clothes, brushing teeth, using the bathroom etc. Of course, people who care for others want to do what’s best for them, but they might not understand how much energy it takes for you to do some things.

As your caregiver or loved one gets more familiar with what your body can and cannot do, this will help them prevent injuries. Also, this is important so that both of you continue living life without unnecessary restrictions or limitations. You might also find that some tasks are more accessible than you initially thought, which is excellent.

Conclusion

The best thing you can do is understand what’s going on with your own body and how it responds or reacts to certain things you put into it each day. Understanding this will allow you to have a more rewarding relationship with food, providing better health overall.

The Prevention Measures For Obstructive Sleep Apnea- Pillow Buying Guide

Prevention is the best form of treatment for sleep apnea. But, if left untreated, it can worsen the condition. That’s why it is always best to be well informed before trying out any prevention measures. One of the best prevention measures for sleep apnea is pillow buying. Here, in this article you will learn how to choose a perfect pillow for sleep apnea.

There are three types of sleep disorders- central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, and mixed sleep apnea. The most common type is obstructive sleep apnea, where the airflow gets blocked in the upper airway. The leading cause of this disorder is associated with the weight of the head or neck.

● So, the first thing one needs to do is to lose weight. If your head/neck is heavy, the airway is narrowed, making it easier for air to be blocked. Losing weight is the first step in preventing obstruction due to weight in sleeping.

● Second step is to quit smoking and drinking alcohol. These substances relax the muscles around the throat and tongue. When these muscles relax, the airway becomes less blocked. But, some people find it challenging to give up smoking and drinking. So, it is better to ask for assistance from your doctor.

● Third step in preventing sleep apnea disorder is to increase the amount of oxygen intake by 10%. This is possible by practicing breathing exercises while you are sleeping. Also, you can take medications that will relax your throat muscles. The use

of nasal sprays is also helpful in reducing snoring during sleep. This is especially helpful to people who snore with their mouths wide open.

● The fourth step is to avoid eating right before going to bed. Snoring occurs because the food passes through the airways before they are fully digested and expelled at night. If this process happens, there is an obstruction on the airways. And when airways get blocked, snoring occurs. So, it is advisable to avoid food and drink before going to bed. Or, if you must eat or drink immediately after sleeping, do so very slowly and gently.

● The fifth step is to make sure that you are resting on a firm sleeping surface. Some people tend to sleep on their back. So, sleeping on a firm mattress will not only keep you from getting a herniated disc but also keep your spine aligned, and your neck muscles relaxed. It would help if you also slept on polyfoam wedge pillows to keep your neck and spine aligned.

Of course, knowing the above tips is only the beginning. You also have to understand how to take care of yourself properly. And one of the ways on how to prevent having obstructed airways during sleep is by taking care of yourself physically. Pillow buying can help give you ideas on how to take care of yourself physically so you will not have problems obstructing airways during sleep.

Pillow Buying Guide For Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder in which you stop repeatedly breathing during sleep. This happens due to the collapsible soft tissue of your upper respiratory tract that is generally made of soft tissues like polystyrene and fatty tissues. The airway is obstructed by these soft tissues when you sleep on your back. So, pillows for sleep apnea are essential since the tissue can keep the airway open. Obstructive sleep apnea has multiple causes. One cause is the excessive lifting of the head while sleeping; this can happen because of the bed wedge or the used pillow. Other causes are being overweight, sleeping on your side rather than your back, sleeping with the tongue located away from the throat and neck, and sleeping on your stomach. Since the airway gets partially obstructed when you sleep with your mouth open, the most natural thing would be to close your mouth and move your tongue forward. This will prevent the airway from getting partially obstructed.

  • Having the right pillow for sleep apnea problems will reduce the stress on your neck and spine, as well as improve your level of comfort and quality of sleep. Some pillows are specially designed to provide support to your neck and spine while sleeping. They provide proper support to your head and neck while keeping your weight as close as possible to your body.
  • There are various types of pillows for sleep apnea problems. One type is the corner pillow, which provides proper support to your head while lying on your back. Another one is a teardrop pillow that is perfect for those who are overweight. You can also find pillows designed to provide proper support to your midsection as you sleep.

  • When choosing a pillow for sleep apnea, you have to consider factors like the pillow’s size, firmness, and firmness. The perfect one for you will depend on the size of your head and the size of your sleeping area. If you want something comfortable, then you need to find a pillow that is soft and hypoallergenic. If you want something that provides proper support to your neck and spine while you sleep, then a neck pillow for the back will do the trick. However, if you have an obstructed airway while you sleep, you can use an oral appliance device to treat your sleep apnea problem. Oral appliances, which are custom made, treat both the upper and the lower airway during your sleep.

Proper mattresses and duvets, and comforters also help in dealing with issues like sleep apnea and snoring. But ensure that you have the appropriate duvet and comforter sizes, or you won’t have the comfort that you desire.

Conclusion

If you are interested in buying an oral appliance for sleep apnea problems, you will need to know more about it first. Oral appliances are devices that are specially designed to provide support to the jaw and the tongue during sleep. This prevents obstructions from happening and gives you a peaceful sleep. If you want to buy an oral appliance for sleep apnea, you will need to visit your doctor first. You will be provided with the option of either getting a portable appliance or a permanent one.

Does Your Child Hate Hospital Visits? Here’s How To Keep Them Calm

Children can have a lot of anxiety when facing the big bad world outside. After all, they’re only young, so not only is everything bigger than them, but they also have absolutely no experience and no idea what to expect! And that can make the world a very scary place to be, even if your child is usually outgoing and brave and wants to try lots of new things. 

And there’s no situation that causes anxiety like having to see the doctor, or any other healthcare provider. Hospitals and small scale surgeries can be some of the most fear inducing places on the planet, and kids are always going to need a guiding hand in dealing with their thoughts and feelings when stepping through the door for an appointment. 

But it’s not a lost cause – your child doesn’t have to hate the hospital forever! Sure, the hospital is never going to be a ‘nice’ place to visit, but addressing these anxiety corners is essential for helping your child grow up feeling secure in themselves, and in their place in the world. So with that in mind, here are some of the best ways to help your little one when you have to take them along for a checkup. 

Pink ribbon for breast cancer awareness. Female patient listening to doctor in medical office. Support people living with tumor illness.

Stay Calm and Confident Yourself

Kids always pick up on the way we feel about things, and if you’re anxious or nervous yourself about taking your kid along to an appointment, it’s a good idea to try and calm down before you talk to your child about attending an appointment. If you tend to pace or chew on your lip, for example, try to cut back on these behaviors, so they don’t slip out when you’re trying to amp your little one up for a trip to the doctor or optician. 

At the same time, make sure you show your child how confident you feel about how things are going to go. Be sure to smile and seem laid back, so your child knows there’s nothing to fear. Go about your normal routine, don’t rush, and even have a sing-song in the car on the way there – all of these actions help to remove the idea that the day of an appointment is a ‘significant’ day, when it’s just a day like any other. 

Visit a Professional Who Knows How to Work with Kids

It’s always best to work with a healthcare professional who knows the kinds of fears kids have when coming to see a doctor or dentist. These are the people who will know how to put your child at ease, and explain everything they need to know in easy to understand terms, and that’s invaluable when your child has healthcare anxiety. 

Not only that, but these offices will also be stocked with toys and treats, such as a jar of lollipops, to give to kids who hate having to come along but sit through the appointment anyway. This will help your child to establish a bond of trust with this particular doctor or nurse, and it’s a good way to start showing your child that the hospital isn’t necessarily a scary place to be. It can’t be when there’s toys to play with and plenty of sweets to chow down on! 

Let Your Child Know What to Expect

As we mentioned above, kids have absolutely no idea what to expect when they go to see a healthcare professional, simply because they’re too young to have the experience of a couple decades or more of visiting the doctor’s office. They need things spelled out for them, in a clear and obvious way, that’ll help them to stay focused. The fear of the unknown is very common, and it’s the possibility of bad things happening that’s really putting your child on edge. 

So be sure to explain what’s going on to them yourself. Make sure they hear it from you, the most trusted person in their life, so they know that you’re here for them, to help keep them calm and safe. And when you’re proven right about what happens during an appointment, it’ll only help your child to trust you more in the future! 

Promise Something Nice Afterwards

Kids respond very well to being treated to something nice, and even when you’ve already let them play with the toybox in the doctor’s office, or they’ve been given a sticker and a candy for their good behavior, make sure there’s also something nice lined up to do afterwards. This helps to reinforce the idea that a healthcare visit isn’t a scary thing, and can lead to many good things in life, and it’ll certainly motivate your child to come along without putting up a protest. 

So take them out for food you don’t usually eat, like pizza or ice cream, or take them along to a playpark and let them go wild on the swings. As long as it’s fun, and you don’t usually get to do it, it’ll be a worthy treat that’ll help a healthcare appointment seem far less scary. 

Let Them Take a Soothing Toy Along 

Finally, if your child is young enough to still carry a teddy bear or a doll everywhere with them, let them take it along to see the doctor or the dentist with as well. This toy is clearly soothing to them, and will help them to sit still as tests are being done, at least. 

Not only that, but if they have a ‘comfort blanket’ with them, and aren’t forced to leave such an important item at home, they won’t be thrust into a scary situation with no way to ‘retreat’. As long as they can hug something they love really tight, or hide their face in it, it’ll be a great item for reducing anxiety levels both now and in the future. 

If your child hates hospital visits, there are many ways you can help them face up to their fears, especially with ideas like those above! 

4 Little Ways To Feel Better About Yourself

There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to undergo a gastric band surgery to look nice, the problem is when we have anxieties about how we look that affect our daily lives. While there are no quick fixes, there are so many little ways that we can start to feel better about ourselves. 

Find the Good Things About Yourself

You might think that your teeth are desperate for custom dental veneers and fixing up, but if you are looking to feel better about yourself, it’s about focusing that spotlight on the good things about a situation or about yourself. You can apply this to how you look, by looking for the attributes you believe are great, but also, you can do this by finding positives in situations. Sometimes, our minds can go down the “chaos theory” route of events, especially when it comes to our insecurities. If we start to berate ourselves for eating a whole cake, thinking that the whole day is ruined, we can instead think about how delicious that cake was and leave it at that! But the important thing to do is to practice this way of thinking. Every night before you go to sleep, write down three things you did well that day, however small they were. When you look at your notes at the end of the week, you will be surprised as to how many positive things there are. 

Do Not Weigh Yourself Everyday

If you are particularly worried about your body image, weighing yourself as soon as you get up can have an instant impact on your mood. It’s important to remember that your weight can fluctuate between 5 lbs and 6 lbs in the space of 24 hours. While you may be on a weight loss regime, and you want to see how you are going, the best thing to do is to hide the scales so you weigh just once a week, rather than standing on it every single day, and fuelling your negative thoughts. 

Stop Social Media Stalking

Nobody will admit to spending so much time on Instagram being envious of others and how they looked. The fact is that you are you, and when we start to look at other people with completely different body types, this is a very simple way for us to confirm our worst fears. Having a social media detox is going to give us that all-important breathing space, and when we come back to it, we might just realize how we feel about ourselves by not being on social media. 

Pay Attention to the Compliments

We’re always working hard to improve ourselves, but this means that sometimes we can find ourselves being very “tunnel vision” in our approach. Sometimes, we can dismiss complements or ignore them, purely because they don’t line up with how we view ourselves. But if we start to pay attention to those compliments, and write these things down, we are forcing ourselves to pay attention. This can be a key way to accepting the good bits about yourself, so you can look at yourself more positively in the long run.