7 Reasons to Consider Putting Your Dog on a Grain-Free Diet

In recent years, grain-free diets for dogs have become more and more popular, with grain-free food options becoming a common choice among responsible dog owners who only want the best diet, lifestyle, and health for their pets. While there are still plenty of kibble brands and other commercial dog foods available that are not necessarily unhealthy for your dog to eat, these are becoming less popular since they are filled with wheat, corn, and soy. Grain-free dog food options do not contain all of these common ingredients. Instead, feeding your dog a grain-free diet means that they get fewer carbohydrates and a diet that is richer in protein, meat, and animal fats.

Is grain-free food better for your dog? Raw feeding, grain-free dog food brands, and bone broth are all becoming popular choices for a dog’s diet, but there’s still a lot of debate around it. The truth is that every dog is different, with varying dietary requirements, so just like with people, what works well for one dog might not be great for another. As a pet owner, it’s up to you to be aware of what your dog needs. Speaking with your vet can help you determine your dog’s specific dietary needs and decide whether or not switching to grain-free feeding is going to be the best choice for your pet.

Below are some of the main reasons why some dog owners are switching their pets to a grain-free diet.

Better Nutritional Content

For most pet owners, their dog is a main member of the family, and looking after their health and nutrition is important. Sadly, many commercial dog foods are packed with large quantities of grains that are mainly included to bulk out the product and keep production costs down to make a larger profit. As a result of this, commercial dog foods are often cheap to buy but have very little nutritional value for dogs due to the main ingredient being grains and carbohydrates. On the other hand, many pet owners agree that grain-free dog food is worth investing more in since it has a much better nutritional content for dogs including meat and fish proteins and vegetables, providing your beloved pet with a much more balanced diet.

Improved Digestion

Dogs are biologically unable to digest many grains, which can lead to digestive problems if a dog is a regularly fed food that is high in ingredients like wheat. Grain-free dog food options like bone broth can help to improve digestion in dogs since they contain much fewer carbohydrates and more protein, making them easier to digest. Bone broth for dogs is easy to make at home or you can purchase pre-made versions for your dog to help with digestive issues. According to Native Pet, bone broth for dogs can also help with your dog’s gut health and reduce the risk of leaky gut. If your dog is suffering from digestive issues, Native Pet offers a wide range of products that may benefit.

Healthier Coat

Many pet owners say that switching their dog to a grain-free diet helped to improve the condition and health of their coat. Unfortunately, most standard dog food that is made with grains does not provide your dog with the full range of oils and nutrients that they need to maintain healthy skin and fur. Since it is much higher in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, it’s no surprise that switching a dog to a grain-free diet often means that you see improvements in the softness and shine of their coat quite quickly. More protein in their diet means that a dog’s coat is likely to be stronger, healthier, thicker, and shinier, which reduces shedding and malting too.

More Energy

A dog that doesn’t seem to have as much energy as you would expect them to have for their breed and age might be suffering due to their diet. If your dog is lethargic and tends to get tired quickly after walking even though they are young, fit, and healthy, you might notice a change if you switch to feeding grain-free. This is because the main source of energy for dogs is protein, and a lot of commercial kibbles and dog foods just don’t contain enough of it to provide your dog with the energy that they should have right now.

Help with Allergies

A switch to a grain-free diet is often recommended for dogs that suffer from food allergies. When it comes to food allergies in dogs, corn and wheat are two ingredients that are very likely to lead to symptoms. Some common signs that your dog may be allergic to their food include signs that they have an itchy butt, licking their feet excessively or diarrhea that lasts for longer than twenty-four hours. Some dogs might be allergic to certain meats and proteins that are present in their food; however, carbohydrates and grains tend to be a much more common culprit. If you are concerned that your dog might be allergic to a food ingredient, contact your vet who will be able to help you put your dog on an elimination diet to determine what is causing the symptoms.

Better Breath

If you’ve ever pushed your dog away because they have stinky breath and got too close to your face, then you’ll know that it can be an unpleasant experience that many pet owners have had to deal with. Sometimes, your dog might have bad breath because they have eaten something that they shouldn’t or need a dental chew, but if your pet persistently suffers from bad breath problems, this could be a sign that they are not getting the right diet. Your dog’s dental health is largely impacted by their diet, and bad breath can be a sign of poor nutrition. In fact, many pet owners who changed their dog’s diet to a grain-free one said that their dog’s breath also improved a lot.

Weight Management

Dog — A young woman is hugging her dog while outdoors taking a walk

If you need to watch your dog’s weight, swapping to a grain-free diet can be a beneficial move. Dogs that eat a diet that is rich in carbohydrates are often more prone to putting on excess weight, especially if they are not getting enough exercise. This is an increasingly common problem among dogs who are on a regular kibble diet if they do not get out for several walks a day. On the other hand, grain-free food for dogs is much lower in carbs and tends to have higher amounts of healthier carbs like sweet potatoes, which are less likely to cause a dog to gain weight.

Making the Switch

If you think that your dog might benefit from a grain-free diet, there are a few things to keep in mind before you swap their food over. Gradually switching to a grain-free diet can be a good idea since this will give your dog a chance to adjust to the changes to their food and avoid issues with digestion. A sudden change could cause your dog to have an upset stomach or even cause anxiety if your dog’s blood sugar levels are suddenly changed as a result. Start adding grain-free food to your dog’s meals each day and reducing the amount of their old food a little more daily while keeping a close eye on them.

More and more pet owners are switching their dogs to a grain-free diet for a number of benefits. With more meat, protein, and healthy nutrients, it’s no surprise that dogs enjoy and benefit from grain-free food, bone broth, and other more natural meals.

5 Appliances to Keep Your Family Stay Healthy

Home is the place that makes us feel secure and safe. However, the rising pollution hasn’t been kind to our homes. From the water we drink and the foods we consume, all are somehow affected by pollution. It is crucial to set up some essential appliances at home to ensure that your family members are safe from these toxins. Homeful, an appliance review website has listed five appliances that can ensure that your family is safe and healthy.

Breathe in peace with an Air Purifier.

Do you realize that the inside atmosphere is five times more polluted than the outdoors? Pollutants like PM 2.5 dust and pollen, formaldehyde smoking cigarettes, and VOC can deteriorate in-room air quality by alarming amounts. The problem gets worse when the air is smog-laden after the Christmas season.

Installation of the HEPA air purifier assists in eliminating indoor air pollution to ensure that you breathe safely. The air purifiers made by reputable brands utilize the three-stage process of purification that captures and blocks pollutants in different levels. It means that the air purifier will capture pollutants as small as 0.3 microns in size.

Drink safe water with an advanced purifier

The water delivered is contaminated by harmful contaminants. Microorganisms, hazardous chemicals, and dust particles degrade the water in alarming amounts. In light of these contaminants, there is a need to install a high-tech RO purifier.

The most advanced and technologically sophisticated water purifiers from popular brands utilize a multi-stage purification procedure comprising RO, UV, and UF to eliminate chemical and physical impurities. A few water purifiers come with an inside tank UV disinfection system to ensure pure and safe water. It ensures that the stored water is clean enough to drink.

Adjust the pH of water by an Alkaline Pitcher

Consuming water that is filtered isn’t enough. You must ensure that the water you drink is of a well-balanced pH. pH measures alkalinity and acidity in every kind of liquid, including water. Anything with an acidity level lower than seven is considered acidic, whereas anything higher than seven is considered alkaline.

The top-quality alkaline water filter pitcher helps regulate the pH in water, and it also helps remove the chemical and physical impurities present in water.

Get your daily Dose of Nutrients by using a Cold Pressed Juicer.

Cold pressed juicer is displayed as a prototype of the modern juicer

Juices make up a significant component of our morning routine. But, buying store-bought juices is more harmful than healthy. Ready-made juices contain preservatives and are of low nutritional value. A cold-pressed juicer will help you make nutritious and healthy juice free of chemicals.

It doesn’t produce excessive heat, which is why it’s great for keeping the vital nutrients contained in the vegetables and fruits.

A cold press juicer extracts the juice by first crushing the fruits and vegetables and then pressing it to get the maximum juice. However, it will be more costly for you than normal centrifugal juicers.

Vegetable cleansers.

The food and vegetables you consume contain chemical compounds, pesticides, and preservatives that negatively affect your body’s health. When you cultivate the fruits and vegetables are sprayed pesticides as well as chemicals.

The surface of vegetables contains a trace of chemicals and pesticides that you can’t eliminate with water alone. Cleansing, a cleaning solution for fruits and vegetables use advanced ozone-based technology to disinfect effectively and remove chemical pesticides and other chemicals accumulated in the surfaces.

Last Few Words

They are among the essential appliances you require at home to remain healthy. These appliances will ensure that you’re protected from polluting effects that can be harmful, even when you are at home.

The 5 Facts You Didn’t Know About Kratom as a Nootropic

Most people turn to medication whenever they feel anxious or depressed. It’s been the norm for quite a while.

However, while medicines are effective, they offer temporary relief. What’s more, they have some unpleasant side effects.

The best move you can make is to include Kratom in your daily life. Many individuals opt Kratom Krush to buy high-quality kratom online and use it for both recreational and medicinal purposes. You can also use it as a nootropic.

Maybe you’re learning about Kratom for the first time. Or, you know very little about it and would like to know more about its nootropic capabilities. This is the right post for you.

What Does the Term ‘Nootropic’ Mean?

It loosely means ‘cognitive improver.’ A nootropic is a substance that:

Boosts alertness
Improves focus
Increases cognitive processing speed
Enhances memory

Other names for nootropics are:

Neuroceuticals
Smart drugs
Cognition-improving supplements
Memory improvers
Cognitive improvers
Nutraceuticals
Brain drugs
Racetams
Brain supplements
Intelligence enhancers
Nootropic supplements
Neuro-enhancers

About Kratom

Kratom, or Mitragyna speciosa, is a Southeastern Asian tree of the Rubiaceae family, of which coffee is a member.

Dutch botanist Pieter Korthals gave the genus its Mitragyna name in 1839. He named it that since its flowers and stigmas looked like the shape of a bishop’s miter.

You can also call it:

Mambog
Krathom
Ketum or biak-biak
Kakuam
Thom or ithang

It exists in three main strains:

White vein Kratom
Red vein Kratom
Green vein Kratom

It has two main alkaloids that are in charge of its effects: Mitragynine and 7-hydroxy mitragynine. These alkaloids are agonists of the u-subtype opioid sense organ (MOR).

Neuronal Ca2 plus channels, postsynaptic a2-adrenergic sense organs, and 5-HT2a (a sub kind of serotonin sense organ) are included in mitragynine’s unique action as well.

People have traditionally used Kratom as dried or fresh blades. They either chew the leaves or steep them into tea. Individuals use Kratom for its stimulant impacts at lower doses. They use it to fight exhaustion.

Kratom may have more of an anxiolytic and sedative impact at higher doses. Specialists have used it in natural and traditional medicine as an option to opiate medicines.

How Much Kratom Should You Take?

Kratom dosage is essential when your goals are for particular impacts. You won’t receive any benefit from a too-low dose. A higher-than-usual dosage may result in pretty harmless but unattractive side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, or even sweats.

Please note that Kratom has a brief half-life. Therefore, you should dose it several times each day to keep stable degrees in your structure.

Professionals recommend the following dosages:

Gentle impacts- one to two grams
Medium effects- two to five grams
High results- six to fifteen grams

Note that strength can differ a lot between varying Kratom threads. And the location where reapers harvest Kratom. There’s no ‘standardized’ dose. Instead, physicians base the dosage on user reports and experience.

Usually, lower doses are more stimulating. Higher dosages are more sedating. However, every Kratom thread has a general, optimal dosage for its healing worth and ‘feel-good’ impacts.

Most people discover that Kratom works better when you ingest it on an empty tummy. Consuming it with a meal could dramatically lower or nullify its impacts.

Common Ways of Taking Kratom

There are several ways to enjoy Kratom:

In capsule form,- it offers the preferred therapeutic benefit within twenty minutes of ingesting the capsules. Plus, it eliminates the unbearable taste.

The ‘toss ‘n’ wash’ technique- here, you put an amount of Kratom powder in your mouth and chase it down with water. Some people also use juice or yogurt, but water is ideal.

Brewing it into tea.

The traditional technique- using fresh blades, eliminating veins and stems, bundling the leaves, then chewing them.

Mixing it with chocolate milk, yogurt, peanut butter, juice, or applesauce.

Young woman — A young woman is drinking a beverage

Why Experts Consider Kratom to be A Nootropic

They think of Kratom as a nootropic since it may enhance cognitive ability and brain function while lowering anxiety and stress. People in Southeast Asia have utilized it as a natural heal-all for years. And it’s now gaining acceptance globally.

Researchers have shown the compounds in the tree to increase clarity and concentration while also assisting people in getting through daily tasks efficiently.
They found Kratom’s active component, the main alkaloid mitragynine, to have powerful impacts on the cerebrum, enhancing cognition.

What You Didn’t Realize About Kratom As A Nootropic

Kratom is effective as a nootropic in the following ways:

It May be an Antidepressant

Kratom consumers regularly talk of its capability to tame anxiety and elevate mood soon after ingesting it. Investigators have verified these qualities in an animal survey.

A Malaysian study assessed the antidepressant impact of mitragynine in rodents. The mice got thirty mg/kg and ten mg/kg of mitragynine.

The researchers concluded that mitragynine encourages an antidepressant effect in rodents. Interaction with the neuroendocrine HPA axis structure seemed to mediate the impact.

It May Give Energy

Kratom impacts dopamine D1 sense organs which assist in boosting mood and energy.

It May Lower Pain

People have traditionally used Kratom to treat different kinds of diseases, mainly in Malaysia and Thailand. Research indicates that mitragynine affects the serotonin and norepinephrine pathways in the cerebrum, contributing to its ache-soothing attributes.

It May be an Anxiolytic
In a Malaysian study, investigators treated Sprague-Dawley rodents with ten, twenty, and forty mg/kg of mitragynine or ten mg/kg of the benzodiazepine diazepam an hour before evaluating.

The specialists chose the Kratom dose based on human equal dosages from previous reports.

As per the survey, mitragynine created anxiolytic impacts resembling diazepam, which scientists attributed to interactions among dopamine, opioid, and GABA sections of the cerebrum.

It May Help With Withdrawal From Opiate Addiction

Investigators at Prince of Songkla University in Thailand researched the impacts of Kratom extract on morphine withdrawal in rodents.

They gave male Swiss Albino rodents morphine until they relied on it. Afterward, they gave the mice administrations of naloxone, an opioid agonist, to encourage morphine withdrawal manifestations.

They assessed the mice, then gave them Kratom extract and evaluated them once more. The extract lowered the seriousness of morphine withdrawal manifestations considerably.

Conclusion

Kratom is a healthy and effective nootropic. All you have to do is ensure that you take it in the recommended dose. And purchase it from a certified vendor. The herb works wonders for people differently. Therefore, please be consistent in your intake even if you don’t notice any changes.

Try Kratom today for its nootropic benefits if you haven’t already, and discover why it’s growing in popularity as the days go by.

Surgery or Chemo: Which is Best for You?

In medical science, there are different treatment methods for various diseases. But the patient’s condition matters a lot in this regard as doctors make recommendations by analyzing the patient. When you hear the name of cancer, it automatically gives you goosebumps as it is one of the scary and deadliest diseases. Chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy are standard treatment methods you can consider after diagnosing cancer. Diagnosis is one of the critical elements of cancer treatment because the earlier it is diagnosed, the better chances a patient will have to survive.

Proper consultation with the doctor is required after the cancer diagnosis. It is essential to keep track of everything from medication to diet to ensure that the patient’s body starts recovering soon. It would be better if you know some of the common symptoms of cancer, such as constant cough, fever, and never-ending fatigue, to take the measures at the right time. The question remains whether surgery or chemotherapy is better for cancer patients. Let’s find it out without any further delay.

Surgery Treatment

If you or any of your loved ones are diagnosed with cancer, you must know different aspects of cancer surgery. It is an operation used to remove the tumor from the body.

You need to have complete surgery information as a primary caregiver to ensure that treatment moves forward in the right direction. Surgery is one of the oldest treatments that is used for cancer patients. A doctor specializing in surgery is known as a surgical oncologist.

Surgery helps determine the tumor’s location in the body and prevents it from affecting other body parts. Surgical operations also require medications to reduce the pain according to the surgery type and patient’s condition.

Types of Surgery

Doctors recommend different types of surgery by analyzing the patient’s condition. Again, you should know that early diagnosis always provides better survival chances to the patient.

The biopsy is the initial level of surgery to diagnose cancer. Doctors mostly cut the skin to take some part of skin tissue for examination. Doctors can also take the whole or small portion of the tumor in some cases. Image-guided and needle aspiration are common biopsies known as less invasive processes. A pathologist examines the skin tissue under the microscope during a biopsy to assess the cancer cells.

Staging surgery helps to figure out the size of the tumor. It also helps the medical experts to find out whether cancer has spread to other parts of the body or not.

Tumor surgery is one of the standard and important types of cancer surgery. Doctors remove the tumor and the healthy skin tissue around it. Tumor removal mostly requires a more significant cut as compared to biopsy. Some advanced treatment methods are available for tumor removal, like robotic and laparoscopic surgery, which are less invasive. These methods also ensure quicker recovery with less pain.

Chemotherapy Treatment

Chemotherapy is known as the use of drugs to treat any disease. You should know that all medicines and drugs cannot similarly treat cancer. The only drug that can treat cancer is the standard or traditional chemo. Although there are different types of drugs available for chemo, standard chemo is still known as the best type of chemo.

Chemo is the systematic process as drugs move across the patient’s entire body to kill cancer cells. If your doctor recommends the chemo treatment, you should know its goals. It includes the cure, control, and palliation.

Cure in Chemotherapy

Doctors closely monitor the patient’s condition, and if it is possible, they decide to cure it through chemotherapy. It means obliterating cancer from the body and ensuring that it does not return.

Most doctors describe it as treatment with curative intent as nothing is certain when dealing with a complex disease like cancer. The cure is the doctor’s ultimate goal in such situations. Still, it takes years to determine whether the patient is completely recovered or not. The body of every individual is different, so the immune system of everyone also differs. Some individuals recover in months, while some take years.

Control in Chemotherapy

If a cure does not work for the patients, doctors can consider controlling the patient’s cancer through chemotherapy. This type of treatment aims to reduce the size of the tumor or prevent its growth in the body. It helps the patient to feel better and increases his survival chances. In some cases, it is tough to get rid of cancer entirely, but it can be treated like other chronic diseases. In other cases, doctors successfully control cancer and live longer.

Palliation in Chemotherapy

Chemo controls the symptoms with a treatment that is caused due to cancer which is known as palliation. Suppose cancer has advanced into the body and becomes hard to control. In that case, chemo is given to the patient to improve the quality of life. It is used to ease off the patient’s pain to help and shrink the tumor to reduce its pressure.

The treatment that improves the comfort level of a cancer patient or reduces the symptoms is known as palliative care. The anti-nausea treatments and other pain-relieving medications can use at any stage of the treatment to control cancer. But if the goal of treatment is to comfort the patient, then a palliative care plan becomes part of chemo.

Conclusion

Cancer is one of the scary diseases that can make anyone lose their senses and composure. When it comes to cancer treatment methods like surgery or chemo, each one of them has its effectiveness. The condition of the patient holds special significance in this situation. No matter how advanced level chemo or surgery you are using for the treatment, if the cancer is in the later stages, it becomes tough for the patient to survive. It is crucial to spot the cancer symptoms as early as possible. Whether it is chemo or surgery, you should make the right decision after consulting the doctors because nobody knows better about the patient’s condition. So, they can suggest whether chemo would be the right fit for the patient or surgery.

Top Health and Well-being Trends for 2022

2020 and 2021 have changed perspectives about health and wellness drastically. People all around the world have begun prioritizing health than ever before and quite surprisingly in newer ways.

The pandemic has pushed us to explore areas of our lives, which we either preferred ignoring or weren’t even aware of. Consequently, we see a brand new array of health and well-being trends in the coming times.

Let’s check out a few.

Disease Determination Using DNA

Fields like bioinformatics and biosciences are also progressing to make the best of their knowledge and make this world a better place, especially after the horrors of the pandemic. In 2022, DNA will serve as a major means of determining diseases.

This determination could help predict possible health risks as per the genetics of a person. And consequently, keep the particular individual from contracting those diseases.

This health trend will particularly apply to infants. Before birth, DNA tests will help medical professionals detect the possibilities of diseases in the developing baby. The mother will be given medications and treatments to eliminate the possibilities for those diseases.

Stress Tracking

Currently, technology is helping us take better health initiatives by suggesting beneficial stuff. In 2022, this technology will move one step ahead. And more and more devices and technology will incorporate health monitoring systems. These mini-systems will keep us updated with our heart rate and stress levels.

Be it physical stress, emotional, or mental stress. Users can use this data to enhance their routine and lifestyle and eliminate factors that cause stress.

Zero Commitment Makeovers

The world is becoming fast-paced, both professionally and socially. Most of us find ourselves searching for the perfect look almost every other day. This leaves minimal room for permanent changes, such as dying your hair and investing thousands in getting extensions that you will eventually get removed.

Hence, people are shifting towards wigs, accessories, and make-do beautifying stuff that serves temporary needs. If you’re an Instagram influencer who wishes to transform into a new persona for their audience, then this news may as well be the biggest win for your next year!

Facial Exercises Becoming a Part of Skincare Routine

Facial exercises will be trending in 2022 as well. Fundamentally, facial exercises help with improving the appearance of facial skin. With facial exercises or yoga in implementation, the skin will become more fresh and smooth.

It will be excellent for those who wish to straighten out wrinkles and marks of stress from their face. Along with relieving tension, it will increase circulation as well.

Balanced Diets & Must-Have Breakfasts

Brekfast — During breakfast, different kind of food is displayed on the table

COVID swept off a lot of people because of two reasons. Either these people had a weak immunity system or they took the virus quite too lightly.

The only solution for COVID-affected was to have a heavy and nutritious diet. For that very reason, the diet has come forth in the spotlight.

People have learned their lesson for good and it’s going to walk into 2022 with us. We will be witnessing a great inclination towards consumption of a balanced diet involving whole grains, nutritional yeast, dairy foods (low-fat), fruits & vegetables, proteins, etc.

With that said, breakfasts appear to have gained the most priority. We’re witnessing people planning ornate but essential & refreshing meals to begin the day with. That’s because a healthy breakfast such as Kosher bread basket, eggs, low-fat dairy, fruit, and vegetables delivers the much-needed dose of glucose and nutrients at the start of the day, empowering us to function at our best throughout the day. Plus, it reduces the risk of illnesses.

Health Policies Prioritized in Work

Many people lost their mental stability working from home. The same applies to those who suffered extreme economic crises and got turned down by companies for whom they’d work for decades.

Naturally, this has led to an increased rate of suicide, mental instability, loss of work efficiency, and whatnot.

For this very reason, the year 2022 will be witnessing a rise in the development and implementation of health policies. Work environments are becoming more forgiving and acknowledging health issues. Newer policies like more paid leaves are coming into existence.

Some companies have even expanded their range of valid excuses, considering mental instability an acceptable excuse in case the work comes to a halt. Greater grants and leniencies are also coming forth.

Portable Well-Being Tools

Biomedical engineers of the present times have come up with innovative solutions. You can now carry wellness tools anywhere and everywhere to keep your sensitive body metrics in check.

For example, the use of self-purifying bottles helps keep the water fresh and safe. EKG monitors help keep a check on your heart rate. And a portable massage gun could help you get relieved as you practice your mini-workout routine in your office.

Virtual Healthcare

Similar to portable well-being tools, healthcare services are also becoming available on the go. You need not dedicate a day to book an appointment and travel back and forth to the healthcare center. Instead, you can book an appointment and consult a medical professional online only.

If you have therapy sessions or consultation sessions due, you can take these online too.

Final Thoughts

Summing up, health and well-being will be a prioritized concern in 2022. We may see more trends apart from those listed above. Surely, this is a positive change. Let’s hope for the best!

6 Easy Health & Fitness Habits You Can Start Before the New Year Begins

As the year comes to an end, that’s often a sign it’s time to make some amazing decisions for the year that’s ahead. The majority of people love feeling excited and self-assured as they write down their goals, intentions, and plans. However, when reality hits, things become a little different: suddenly, all those decisions about health, fitness, and a better lifestyle become less important.

This is why it’s better to start now. When you wait for a perfect moment, you also make time for excuses. So if you’ve been thinking about adopting some easy health and fitness habits, then here are some of them that you can do now, without waiting for the new year to start.

1. Start embracing mindfulness

Mindfulness is probably the healthiest habit that you could literally start now, which will benefit you if you remain persistent about it. Meditation is a wonderful habit that can teach you how to be in the present moment, which will also help reduce anxiety and stress. In case you’re a parent, then you know how stressful it can be. Mindfulness is one of those easy habits that can help you be more grateful about everything.

Additionally, regular meditation is a great way to stop taking things personally, and if there’s one thing that can help you be your better self, it’s this. The easiest way to start is through guided meditations, and when you feel ready, feel free to move on to traditional practices.

2. Move your body (without going to the gym)

Exercising and being physically active in general is one of those habits that are often put on hold. A lot of people wait for an ideal moment to start going to the gym. However, going to the gym isn’t necessary if you want to work out. Basically, all you need is a stable internet connection, some gear, and self-discipline. Besides, home workouts are a great solution if you’re a young parent who’s too busy to go to the gym.

There are many YouTube videos and other online spaces that offer amazing workouts, from yoga to more demanding exercises. Therefore, you don’t need to prepare for a special moment, you just need to feel motivated enough to exercise from the comfort of your home.

3. Focus on your mental health

Your mental health is your biggest asset that you should cherish above anything else. This is especially important if you already have a history of mental health issues, or if they run in your family. We are living in unprecedented times, which is why it’s important to remain grounded and focused on our own well-being. This is why you should never neglect your own mental wellbeing, and if you ever notice symptoms of depression and anxiety, then make sure to consult a mental health professional.

4. Eat healthy and stay hydrated

This might seem challenging, considering that the festive period is when we tend to indulge more frequently. But, with some effort, it’s possible to feel satisfied and to eat healthily. If you’re also exercising, then consuming healthy protein powder supplements will help you remain strong while feeding your body all the important nutrients. So feel free to eat anything you like, but keep in mind that your diet needs to be diverse and nourishing to keep you strong, healthy, and energized.

5. Spend more time with your loved ones

Your loved ones are another integral part of your life, so spend more time with them. If you’re a parent, then you’re already aware of the fact that kids grow up so fast. So don’t hesitate to laugh, dance, go out and have fun with them without worrying about the future. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty with paint colors or cake mix. Enjoy your life, and invite those you love to be a part of it. Being close to your loved ones will also help you appreciate your own life a little bit more.

6. Stop taking everything personally

Girl — A happy girl is outdoor and is thankful for snowing for the first time in a while

Sure, if someone’s acting offensive, it’s your right to speak up. But sometimes, there’s no need to, because not everything is aimed at you. Hence, if you want to improve your life, then it’s important to stop taking everything personally since a lot of things people say are a reflection of them and their issues. Now, mastering this skill takes time, but once you manage it, you’ll definitely feel much happier and more accomplished.

In conclusion

These are healthy habits that you can start implementing right now, especially if you’re a busy mom. A new year symbolizes new beginnings, but if you start now, you’ll start a year feeling more motivated and self-confident.

By Lucas Bergman

Feeling Bloated? Here Are a Few Things You Can do to Reduce Period Bloating

If you talk to 10 women out there, at least 7 of them will confirm that they feel bloated before and during the periods. A few of them have such severe symptoms that their fingers swell, which causes immense pain when they do physical activity. Honestly, this is caused by fluctuating hormones, and you never know how your body will react. Having said that, if you are a working woman, you cannot take 3-7 days off every month due to periods (I believe this period holiday should be granted to women worldwide). This is why you can try a few things to reduce the discomfort to an extent, as discussed below.

1. Reduce Salt Intake:

Sodium is known to increase bloating due to water retention. Anything which has a high salt content needs to be avoided. I know when you are feeling really uncomfortable, you may feel like binging on a lot of junk. I have done it several times, but that made my condition worse. You need to take a little salt in your food and avoid excessive salt.

2. Drink More Water:

This may sound strange, but water retention can be reversed only by drinking more water. Ensure to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day which will immensely help in reducing bloating. Water intake will also keep digestive irritation in control, which is a common issue a lot of women face during their menstruation cycle.

3. Cut Back on Caffeine:

Caffeine is known to irritate the bowels if you drink it in excess. It can also dehydrate your body, which further causes water retention. This is why you should reduce caffeine intake during your periods.

4. Make Use of a Sauna Blanket:

A sauna blanket that uses infrared technology is a great way to actually reduce bloating. It has several other benefits as well, such as it aids weight loss, helps in detoxifying, relieving sore muscles, and improving blood circulation. Finding the best sauna blanket will help get rid of period discomfort to a great extent.

5. Try Yoga Poses:

I have heard people say not to skip workouts during periods, but that is not really practical. For starters, you may feel uncomfortable during a workout and also due to sweat developing rashes. This is why instead of rigorous routines, stick to Yoga stretches that will help in relieving discomfort without causing any additional issues.

6. Just Take Rest:

This is a very easy solution that actually helps in a great way. Menstruation may disrupt your sleep, which is why you should try to get all the rest you can so that your body goes back to functioning absolutely fine and you feel energetic.

These tips may work to a certain extent, but you may still feel a little bloated in the end. If you feel things are not getting better, you should consult a gynecologist who will medically advise and treat you, which will give sure shot results.

Life After Breast Cancer: Steps to a Healthier You

In the United States, one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. The reality affects many people and has a wide-ranging impact on their lives. It can take time to recover from this experience.

However, it is possible to find ways to live a healthier life after a breast cancer diagnosis. Here are some helpful insights you should take if you want to start living your best life after being diagnosed with breast cancer:

1. Find support

Find support from a community of people who have been through a similar experience. You can find online communities, attend support groups or join social networks for breast cancer.

Such communities bring together survivors and those with breast cancer diagnoses to talk about the struggles and triumphs you are going through. Through such conversation, you will realize that you have similar experiences. There is no need to go through this process alone because many others will empathize with you and show you the support you need.

By finding a community of people who have been through a similar situation, you can work together to encourage each other when the going gets tough. Also, the community will be there to celebrate the successes along the way.

2. Breast reconstruction

Many breast cancer survivors opt for nipple reconstruction surgery and other cosmetic procedures. There are many reasons women may want to go through with this surgery after being diagnosed. It can help them feel more comfortable in their skin, boost their self-esteem and give them a sense of empowerment over the body previously affected by cancer.

The decision on whether or not to undergo cosmetic surgery is personal. Therefore, there is a need to schedule a consultation with your doctor and a plastic surgeon. If you choose to go through breast reconstruction, different surgeries will provide the results you want. The physician will discuss the various options available.

3. Take care of yourself

After a breast cancer diagnosis, you may feel that your life is no longer in your control. Take some time for yourself to rest and relax so you can recharge the batteries.

It would help if you also took care of yourself by eating healthy foods, staying active, and taking any medications prescribed by the doctor. A healthy diet incorporates eating grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Experts recommend avoiding processed meat, red meat, and other potentially carcinogenic foods as they may trigger a breast cancer relapse.

Taking good care of your body will allow you to get back into a positive mindset and keep up your energy levels. It is also important that you find the right doctor who can provide care, support, and advice on starting living after breast cancer diagnosis in an optimal way.

4. Practice stress management techniques

Stress is one of the feelings that can be heightened after a serious diagnosis like breast cancer. You may also feel alone and isolated in your experience, making it harder to manage stress levels.

There are many ways you can practice managing stress. These include yoga, meditation, taking supplements such as sleep gummies, or writing in a journal when you need some time to yourself. Stress management techniques will help you cope with your emotions and make better decisions about living after a breast cancer diagnosis.

5. Live your passions and embrace life

After a breast cancer diagnosis, you may feel like your life is over and that there is no point in continuing. You can start living again by doing things that make you happy, such as spending time with family and friends or creating art that allows you to express emotions and feelings.

It would be best if you also did fun activities to have positive experiences during this time in your life. It is also important to embrace life and live it fully. It would help if you tried new things and traveled the world.

6. Making life-changing choices

Most breast cancer survivors find a new meaning in life. You may decide to engage in some philanthropic work or become more spiritual.

By living a healthy, happy, and fulfilling lifestyle after a breast cancer diagnosis, you will be able to find the strength within yourself that makes it possible to take back control of what matters most in your life.

Tips for Taking Care of Aging Relatives

Family caregivers are often thrust into their roles with little warning or instructions about what is to come. When you found out that your loved one needs help, you might have jumped right into your duties without hesitation. Or, you may be exploring your options for providing them with care while they are still in the hospital working on their recovery. In either case, these tips will help you meet your loved one’s needs without putting yourself at risk for caregiver burnout.

Identify Your Loved One’s Needs

The first thing you need to do is find out what your aging relative needs to age in place. You can perform a home assessment to see if they need to make accommodations such as putting in a wheelchair ramp or bathtub handrails. You’ll also want to talk to your loved one about their current abilities. For example, you’ll want to know if they need help with cooking or housekeeping. Some seniors may also need help with changing their bandages or taking their medication.

Hold a Family Meeting

Your next step is to talk to your loved one about their preferences and find out how much your other family members can help out. For instance, your sibling might be willing to drop off meals a few times a week or help make sure that their bills are paid. A long-distance relative might be able to make regular phone calls and provide emotional support. Once you’ve identified each person’s roles, remember to write it down. It may also help to create a shared calendar that everyone can use to keep up with important dates.

Work With a Home Health Aide

Home health aide services are designed to help with this exact situation. It’s easy to find reliable elder home care in NYC and other cities, and doing so gives you a professional who can work along with your family to make sure that all of your loved one’s needs are met. Home health aides go through rigorous training and screening procedures to make sure that they are the ideal fit for working with your loved one. You can even arrange for an initial meeting to make sure that their personalities mesh.

Get Their Paperwork In Order

Your loved one may need to set up legal documents to outline what they want to be done if the worst should happen. For instance, they may need to set up a power of attorney to make decisions for them if they are incapacitated. Setting up a will also helps your loved one know that their assets will be distributed according to their wishes. Additionally, they may need to set up an advanced directive that outlines when they wish for life-saving services to stop. Having this in place helps take the burden of decision-making off of your shoulders, and your older loved one will feel better knowing that their wishes will be honored.

Make Their Living Environment Safer

A senior is more likely to get injured at home than anywhere else. Making sure that a caregiver is available to assist with things such as getting out of bed is helpful. You can take this even further by walking through your loved one’s house to see if there are any safety hazards that need correction. Creating clear walking paths and adding additional lighting are excellent ways to prevent fall-related injuries.

Remember to Have Fun With Your Loved One

Senior citizens are having a good time together in the nursing home

Life as a family caregiver can often start to feel like you are weighed down with responsibilities. Make sure to take advantage of the extra time that delegating tasks to a professional provides by planning a few fun activities. Depending upon your loved one’s health, you might be able to help them record their memoir. Or, you might enjoy playing games together during your time together at their home. Spending more of your time engaged in enjoyable activities together helps you to bolster their mental health while creating sweet family memories.

Caring for an aging loved one is a continuous work in progress. At times, you’ll need to revisit their current care plan and make changes to fit new needs that arise. Your loved one may need additional care services at home after they receive a new health diagnosis or return home from a recent hospital stay. Staying on top of their needs helps you to readjust their plan as needed so that they always have the services they need to thrive.

How to Raise a Healthy Dog

Statistics show that 95.5% of dog owners consider their pets to be a part of their family. A companion to play outside with and lounge on the couch with. Dogs can be a calming presence in a busy home and give more than they take. Keep reading to learn a few tips on how to raise a healthy dog to live a long life with you and your family.

Proper Nutrition

What your dog eats will have an effect on how long it will live. Many dog owners overfeed or underfeed their dogs, so learning the proper amount based on your dog’s breed and their activity level is important. A young labrador may eat more than an older German Shepard. There are many different brands to choose from, so finding a fit that agrees with your dog’s digestive and gut health is key. Be careful when switching brands of food, as your dog may take time to adjust to the new recipe.

Focus on Regular Exercise

Like humans, dogs need regular exercise. They are active pets and are not meant to be sedentary for 20 hours a day. This exercise can come in many different forms. First, you can take them for a walk. This is an easy solution that you can build into your morning and evening routine. It also lets you keep track that they exercised for 20 minutes in the morning and 40 minutes in the evening. The dog will appreciate the routine as well and come to expect it as a part of their day.

Keep up on Grooming

Have you ever seen a pet that has been ungroomed? Do they look healthy? The lack of grooming not only affects the outward appearance of a dog but can have damaging effects on its skin. Dirt, moisture, and bacteria can build up and cause issues if it is not addressed. One way to avoid this is to groom your dog regularly. This includes brushing their fur every few days and regularly bathing them yourself or taking them to a pet place that does grooming. In addition, trying salmon bites for dogs regularly can help them maintain a healthy coat and skin. This will supplement the grooming that you are already doing and help their skin stay healthy long-term.

Interaction with other Dogs

Dogs crave social attention and not all of this can be solved by the owner giving them attention. This can be achieved by going to the local dog park or getting together with family and friends that also have dogs and letting them play for a few hours. This will help break up the mundane day-to-day for your dog since they don’t travel to work and other places like humans do. There is a new sense of energy and discovery whenever dogs meet for the first time and get to play together.

Proper Amount of Attention

Neglected dogs are a difficult sight to see. You probably have seen the result of this in rescue shelters or maybe even in your neighborhood. People that are too busy to care for a dog or no longer want it, typically don’t treat them with respect. Giving your dog the right amount of attention so that it feels loved and cared for is an important part of its overall health. Rewarding good behavior and finding ways to calmly address poor behavior will help the relationship between you and your dog.

Vet Checkups

Humans typically go for a yearly physical to see a picture of their overall health. This same concept is important for dogs to go to the vet. Not only can they get the preventative flea medication they need or the rabies shot, but you can also see what their overall health is like. You may find that your dog is overweight and needs to make nutritional and exercise changes moving forward.

Practice Patience

Dog — A dog is looking straight to its owner

Dogs are not humans. As much as they feel like they are a part of the family, owners can have unrealistic expectations of how the dog will act. They are an animal and will occasionally go crazy with energy when they spot a squirrel. Chasing the neighbor’s cat up a tree is a burst of adrenaline for them and seems harmless. Practicing being patient when teaching your dog how you expect them to act will help the process go smoother for both you and the dog.
Now that you have read more about tips for raising a healthy dog, you can start practicing these tips today. Adding a walk into your day with your dog can bring many positive benefits to both of your health. Check out our website for more helpful articles like this one.