Back to the Past

 

 

Do you feel like you’re living life in a whirlwind? Is everyday rushed and frantic? Are you constantly struggling to keep on top of daily life? Do you wish you could live a simpler, more stress-free life that’s kinder both to you and to the environment?

Well, you’re not alone. Many people are getting fed up of the hectic pace at which we live our lives and want to make their home environments and lifestyles simpler. Here are a few ways in which you can take inspiration from days gone by to simplify family life whilst having a positive impact on the environment:

 

Transport
Almost every family today has at least one car but 60 years ago, only the wealthy would have had their own transport. Think about the journeys you make and rather than automatically jumping into the car, try cycling or walking instead. Not only is this better for your health but will help cut your carbon emissions too.

 

Clothes
Whether the buttons have fallen off your shirt or you just feel like something new to wear for a night out, it’s become normal to buy new clothes on a regular basis. Rather than mending clothes, we choose to buy new ones and with low prices and more choice than ever before, most of us have wardrobes bulging with cheap items that are only worn a handful of times. In the past, people cared for their clothes a lot more carefully and would mend items rather than replace them. By investing in fewer but better quality items, you’ll have a more stylish wardrobe and feel less stressed when deciding what to wear. And in addition you’ll be helping the environment by reducing the number of textiles sent to landfill and help cut the energy used in producing new clothes.

 

Recycling
In more frugal times, nothing was thrown away if it could be reused or repurposed. Think about the things you throw away and see if there is a new use for them. For example, empty jam jars can be washed and used as pretty flower containers, old envelopes can be used as scrap paper and empty boxes can be given to children for craft projects.

 

Cooking
Today we throw away more food than ever before. Of course, during the wartime rationing of the 1940s and 50s, many ingredients were incredibly scarce and people simply wouldn’t have dreamt of throwing food away. Today’s supermarkets and convenience food makes it easier than ever to buy and throw away food. Try making a food plan for the week, just as households in the 1940s and 50s would have done and then you will only need to buy the ingredients that you know you are going to use. Not only will this save you money and cut waste but could also lead to a healthier diet as you plan nutritious home cooked food rather than relying on ready-meals and takeaways.

 

Of course, many aspects of life in the 1940s and 50s were much tougher than today and it’s great that we have access to mod-cons and luxury items that make life easier but if you’re looking for easy ways to make your home environment and lifestyle simpler and more relaxed, then these by-gone eras may have lessons to offer.

 

For more information about creating a green family lifestyle, visit: www.futurefriendly.co.uk

Categories: Clothes, Food, items, life, nbsp

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Categories: hiiiio, legs, life, prassanna, Tips

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After Cancer: Are You Prepared for What Happens?

 

Cancer is a major health concern, which is why beating it is such a boost to your wellbeing. But what happens after you defeat cancer? In 2012, Kathryn McPeake noticed a lump in her chest—again. ‘I had just gotten my hair back and was feeling pretty,’ she recalls, but her doctor confirmed she had relapsed.

 

Wellness writer Nina Strochlic details, ‘It was a nightmare scenario—a realisation of a nagging fear that occupies the thoughts of most post-treatment survivors for the rest of their lives. Overshadowed by a focus on recovery through the months or years of chemotherapy and medical procedures, the aftermath of being declared cancer-free can be unexpectedly harsh. In the year following treatment, survivors say they’re unprepared for the reality that dawns instead of the expected bounce back into “normal” life. There are the long-lasting side effects, dismissal and isolation from family and friends, financial burden, and constant anxiety that sickness could return. Finishing treatment, they find, is just the beginning of lifestyle adjustments and reevaluated priorities that fall into place in the post-chemo year.’

 

McPeake explains, ‘It’s almost like you’re holding your breath through treatment and then, after, you breathe and everything else comes to the surface. I was almost bothered when people were like, “Congratulations, you’re done.”’ Traci Brundage, a 29-year-old mother of two who finished treatment for triple-negative breast cancer in February 2013, confirms, ‘Once you hit the “you’re-cancer-free” mark, you’re kind of forgotten about. People say, “Move on…why do you keep bringing it up?” I can’t snap my fingers and be back to who I was.’ Brundage started an online survivor’s support group one month after finishing her last treatment, to battle the isolation and find the help she felt she needed. She points out, ‘It’s a club you don’t wanna join, but the bond is unbreakable.’

 

McPeake is quick to note that the lack of preparation for these after-affects isn’t the doctors’ fault: ‘They’re just there to cure cancer, and once the cancer’s cured you almost don’t want to tell them about problems you’re having.’ After her second remission, McPeake – who once eschewed support groups – joined two on Facebook. ‘A big thing we talk about is how stupid we are,’ she comments of her fried mental capacity known as “chemo brain.” Brundage suggests that it’s especially hard for younger victims of breast cancer, as the diagnosis is traditionally associated with a later generation. She outlines, ‘I think there’s a lot more support for older women than for us. I think they think we think we’re invincible, but cancer brings us to our knees.’

 

Daniel Bachove, who got married one month after he finished his last dose of chemotherapy for stage 4 small bowel cancer, asserts, ‘We don’t know how much time we have or what kind of time we have, that’s why every moment is so important.’ Unexpected donations meant Bachove didn’t have to cut corners for his fiancé Mindy, which would otherwise have been a certainty due to the financial strain that the cancer put on their finances. He recalls thinking, ‘I want her to have a real wedding, not something to look back on and say, “Because I had cancer we couldn’t do this and couldn’t do that.”’ Now the wedding is over, Bachove needs to figure out the next chapter of his life. ‘I got used to a life of treatments every other week,’ he says. ‘It’s kind of like being released from jail. You are incarcerated when you have chemo, everything stops.’ Brundage adds, ‘Every day means a little more—you don’t take life for granted, you just take every moment and treasure it.’

Categories: breast cancer, brundage, cancer, cancer free, life, nbsp, nbsp mcpeake, remission, support group, treatment, treatment survivors

How to Take the Lead and Be More Assertive With Sex

 

 

As women, it can sometimes be difficult to take the lead in the bedroom. Many women feel as though it would be unfeminine to be assertive and initiate sex, but they couldn’t be further from the truth. There are a number of ways to make yourself heard in the bedroom and make your sex life more compatible with your needs – here are some of the ways to be a little more forthright with your partner and get the kind of sex life you’re looking for.

 

Be more creative with your ideas

Men are known for being more imaginative when it comes to sex, but that doesn’t mean that it is a true representation of what women are like in the bedroom. If your sex life has become a little routine, it’s easy to jazz it up a bit. It’s all about confidence. You need to tell your partner exactly what you want from sex, what you think is missing, and what you want to do about it. Expressing your sexuality isn’t a bad thing, it simply means you know what you want from your sex life and you’re making changes to ensure that you get it. Men often find it a turn on to find that their partner is being bolder and more assertive – it puts you both on more of an equal playing field where sex is concerned.

Be expressive

The best way to communicate effectively is to have a good understanding beforehand of what it is you want to say or do. Spend some time beforehand thinking about what you want from your sex life, such as more intimacy or passion, then what it is you’d want from your partner in order to achieve that. You need to be at ease with what you’re asking for before you speak to your partner about it. Being expressive isn’t limited to just your likes though – if there is an aspect of your sex life you aren’t happy with, or something your partner does which you don’t enjoy, tell them. Speaking about these issues is the only way to change them.

Give feedback

On that note, giving feedback is a great way of airing any issues between you both which have arisen in the bedroom. Men, in particular, are renowned for not being great at taking hints, so if you’re trying to be subtle its most likely failing. You don’t need to be rude or derogatory about their sexual style – a simple talk about what you both want more or less of is often quite effective. You can also use your body language to show them what you enjoy and don’t, so that they have a better understanding of how to please you.

Share your fantasies

Everyone has sexual fantasies, yet we very rarely share them with our partners. This can be a great bonding session to increase the intimacy between you both, as well as being a fantastic way of spicing up your relationship. Set the mood, perhaps by having a romantic evening together, then you’ll both feel relaxed to share your innermost sexual desires. You may even be inclined to act on some of them, helping to increase the bond between you and improve your sex life. This is a simple way to be more assertive and tell your partner exactly what you want from them out of your sex life, without feeling as though you have to do it on your own. By sharing together, you’re both as vulnerable as each other so the trust is equal.

 

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Categories: assertive, bedroom, life, nbsp, partner, sex life

How to Take the Lead and Be More Assertive With Sex

 

 

As women, it can sometimes be difficult to take the lead in the bedroom. Many women feel as though it would be unfeminine to be assertive and initiate sex, but they couldn’t be further from the truth. There are a number of ways to make yourself heard in the bedroom and make your sex life more compatible with your needs – here are some of the ways to be a little more forthright with your partner and get the kind of sex life you’re looking for.

 

Be more creative with your ideas

Men are known for being more imaginative when it comes to sex, but that doesn’t mean that it is a true representation of what women are like in the bedroom. If your sex life has become a little routine, it’s easy to jazz it up a bit. It’s all about confidence. You need to tell your partner exactly what you want from sex, what you think is missing, and what you want to do about it. Expressing your sexuality isn’t a bad thing, it simply means you know what you want from your sex life and you’re making changes to ensure that you get it. Men often find it a turn on to find that their partner is being bolder and more assertive – it puts you both on more of an equal playing field where sex is concerned.

Be expressive

The best way to communicate effectively is to have a good understanding beforehand of what it is you want to say or do. Spend some time beforehand thinking about what you want from your sex life, such as more intimacy or passion, then what it is you’d want from your partner in order to achieve that. You need to be at ease with what you’re asking for before you speak to your partner about it. Being expressive isn’t limited to just your likes though – if there is an aspect of your sex life you aren’t happy with, or something your partner does which you don’t enjoy, tell them. Speaking about these issues is the only way to change them.

Give feedback

On that note, giving feedback is a great way of airing any issues between you both which have arisen in the bedroom. Men, in particular, are renowned for not being great at taking hints, so if you’re trying to be subtle its most likely failing. You don’t need to be rude or derogatory about their sexual style – a simple talk about what you both want more or less of is often quite effective. You can also use your body language to show them what you enjoy and don’t, so that they have a better understanding of how to please you.

Share your fantasies

Everyone has sexual fantasies, yet we very rarely share them with our partners. This can be a great bonding session to increase the intimacy between you both, as well as being a fantastic way of spicing up your relationship. Set the mood, perhaps by having a romantic evening together, then you’ll both feel relaxed to share your innermost sexual desires. You may even be inclined to act on some of them, helping to increase the bond between you and improve your sex life. This is a simple way to be more assertive and tell your partner exactly what you want from them out of your sex life, without feeling as though you have to do it on your own. By sharing together, you’re both as vulnerable as each other so the trust is equal.

 

The post How to Take the Lead and Be More Assertive With Sex appeared first on .

Categories: assertive, bedroom, life, nbsp, partner, sex life

How to Take the Lead and Be More Assertive With Sex

 

 

As women, it can sometimes be difficult to take the lead in the bedroom. Many women feel as though it would be unfeminine to be assertive and initiate sex, but they couldn’t be further from the truth. There are a number of ways to make yourself heard in the bedroom and make your sex life more compatible with your needs – here are some of the ways to be a little more forthright with your partner and get the kind of sex life you’re looking for.

 

Be more creative with your ideas

Men are known for being more imaginative when it comes to sex, but that doesn’t mean that it is a true representation of what women are like in the bedroom. If your sex life has become a little routine, it’s easy to jazz it up a bit. It’s all about confidence. You need to tell your partner exactly what you want from sex, what you think is missing, and what you want to do about it. Expressing your sexuality isn’t a bad thing, it simply means you know what you want from your sex life and you’re making changes to ensure that you get it. Men often find it a turn on to find that their partner is being bolder and more assertive – it puts you both on more of an equal playing field where sex is concerned.

Be expressive

The best way to communicate effectively is to have a good understanding beforehand of what it is you want to say or do. Spend some time beforehand thinking about what you want from your sex life, such as more intimacy or passion, then what it is you’d want from your partner in order to achieve that. You need to be at ease with what you’re asking for before you speak to your partner about it. Being expressive isn’t limited to just your likes though – if there is an aspect of your sex life you aren’t happy with, or something your partner does which you don’t enjoy, tell them. Speaking about these issues is the only way to change them.

Give feedback

On that note, giving feedback is a great way of airing any issues between you both which have arisen in the bedroom. Men, in particular, are renowned for not being great at taking hints, so if you’re trying to be subtle its most likely failing. You don’t need to be rude or derogatory about their sexual style – a simple talk about what you both want more or less of is often quite effective. You can also use your body language to show them what you enjoy and don’t, so that they have a better understanding of how to please you.

Share your fantasies

Everyone has sexual fantasies, yet we very rarely share them with our partners. This can be a great bonding session to increase the intimacy between you both, as well as being a fantastic way of spicing up your relationship. Set the mood, perhaps by having a romantic evening together, then you’ll both feel relaxed to share your innermost sexual desires. You may even be inclined to act on some of them, helping to increase the bond between you and improve your sex life. This is a simple way to be more assertive and tell your partner exactly what you want from them out of your sex life, without feeling as though you have to do it on your own. By sharing together, you’re both as vulnerable as each other so the trust is equal.

 

The post How to Take the Lead and Be More Assertive With Sex appeared first on .

Categories: assertive, bedroom, life, nbsp, partner, sex life

How to Take the Lead and Be More Assertive With Sex

 

 

As women, it can sometimes be difficult to take the lead in the bedroom. Many women feel as though it would be unfeminine to be assertive and initiate sex, but they couldn’t be further from the truth. There are a number of ways to make yourself heard in the bedroom and make your sex life more compatible with your needs – here are some of the ways to be a little more forthright with your partner and get the kind of sex life you’re looking for.

 

Be more creative with your ideas

Men are known for being more imaginative when it comes to sex, but that doesn’t mean that it is a true representation of what women are like in the bedroom. If your sex life has become a little routine, it’s easy to jazz it up a bit. It’s all about confidence. You need to tell your partner exactly what you want from sex, what you think is missing, and what you want to do about it. Expressing your sexuality isn’t a bad thing, it simply means you know what you want from your sex life and you’re making changes to ensure that you get it. Men often find it a turn on to find that their partner is being bolder and more assertive – it puts you both on more of an equal playing field where sex is concerned.

Be expressive

The best way to communicate effectively is to have a good understanding beforehand of what it is you want to say or do. Spend some time beforehand thinking about what you want from your sex life, such as more intimacy or passion, then what it is you’d want from your partner in order to achieve that. You need to be at ease with what you’re asking for before you speak to your partner about it. Being expressive isn’t limited to just your likes though – if there is an aspect of your sex life you aren’t happy with, or something your partner does which you don’t enjoy, tell them. Speaking about these issues is the only way to change them.

Give feedback

On that note, giving feedback is a great way of airing any issues between you both which have arisen in the bedroom. Men, in particular, are renowned for not being great at taking hints, so if you’re trying to be subtle its most likely failing. You don’t need to be rude or derogatory about their sexual style – a simple talk about what you both want more or less of is often quite effective. You can also use your body language to show them what you enjoy and don’t, so that they have a better understanding of how to please you.

Share your fantasies

Everyone has sexual fantasies, yet we very rarely share them with our partners. This can be a great bonding session to increase the intimacy between you both, as well as being a fantastic way of spicing up your relationship. Set the mood, perhaps by having a romantic evening together, then you’ll both feel relaxed to share your innermost sexual desires. You may even be inclined to act on some of them, helping to increase the bond between you and improve your sex life. This is a simple way to be more assertive and tell your partner exactly what you want from them out of your sex life, without feeling as though you have to do it on your own. By sharing together, you’re both as vulnerable as each other so the trust is equal.

 

The post How to Take the Lead and Be More Assertive With Sex appeared first on .

Categories: assertive, bedroom, life, nbsp, partner, sex life

Addiction: The 5 Signs To Look Out For

 

Addiction is something that impacts almost every person at some point in their life. Whether this is being an addict or associating with one, addiction can have very negative consequences on the addict’s life and the people who associate with the addict. Identifying an addiction can be very difficult as many people tend to keep their addiction a secret because they are ashamed. The following are the signs to watch out for if you suspect a friend or family member is suffering from addiction. The best thing that you can do is be observant of the signs as the addict will try to hide them the best that they can.

 

Behavior Changes

Many times when a person is addicted to something, the world around them seems to become smaller. The addiction takes over their life to the point that the person will give up doing a once loved activity in order to have more time to feed their addiction. The loss of these loved activities can lead addicts to become depressed and lose interest in other passions. This depression often times leads the person into a deeper addiction because the addict is trying to cope with the depression.

 

Trouble At Work

Many times people have professional problems from addiction as their work suffers. This could be showing up late or taking long breaks in order to feed their addiction. Other signs are sleeping at work or missing deadlines frequently when previously this wasn’t an issue the addict had.

 

Legal Trouble

Many times addictions can lead to legal trouble in different scenarios. For example, an alcoholic might receive a DUI and be arrested since they cannot stop drinking even when they know they are going to drive. Legal trouble can also happen if a person is doing illegal things to feed their addiction such as stealing or selling illegal substances. This is the main way that an addict can have a black mark on their record for the rest of their lives so it is important to try to identify the addiction before legal troubles ensue.

 

Physical Changes

This is not always the case with addicts but there are certain addictions that can cause immense changes in a person physically. This could be the way they dress or even the way that they groom themselves. Addicts can stop taking showers or doing regular things as the addiction consumes them. Rapid weight loss can also be another indicator of a drug addiction. There are drugs that are stimulants that cause the addict to stay up for days without becoming hungry. Once the drug has worn off, watch for the addict to consume large quantities of food as they have been fasting because of the drug for days.

 

Everything Seems To Be a Secret

Many addicts are ashamed of their addiction and might feed their addiction in secret. The telltale sign of this is someone who used to be open about everything that suddenly shuts everyone out. It is difficult to spot in teenagers because many teenagers have a secretive nature about themselves regardless if they are suffering from addiction or not. This can be the most difficult sign to spot and address as the person wants to keep their addiction quiet. The addict might deny any problem if confronted with their addiction as they have negative feelings about being an addict.

 

Making sure to watch out for these signs can be the difference between life and death for some addicts. Spotting an addiction early is also a great way to halt the negative impacts of the addiction before irreparable damage to the person’s life has been done. Having support for an addict is important as quick judgements can lead to the addict avoiding you for the negative feelings that they think you have for them. Spotting an addiction is a first step in helping an addict and can lead them on a road to an addiction free life.

 

Categories: addict, addiction, life, nbsp, negative feelings, person

Kitchen Gadgets - Making Life Easier

 

Cooking dinner can be a real chore, especially if it’s for a family. So much food to make, and so little time to do it all in. Let alone learning new recipes. When you’re crunched for time and don’t know what to make, you’ll often end up eating junk food, or going out to a restaurant and spending more than you mean to. Fixing dinner only gets harder if you don’t have much in terms of skills in the kitchen on top of it all. Luckily, we don’t live in the 1860s. Cooking today can be made much simpler and faster by having the right kitchen gadgets for making life easier.

One of the fastest things you can make in the kitchen with the most options is a sandwich, but that can get pretty boring pretty fast. There are about a million options for this though, and one way to add new life to your diet is to get a panini maker! These awesome kitchen gadgets add whole new life to your simple sandwich, and make you more excited to take a few steps to make fancier ones. A panini maker is a grill that heats both on top and on bottom. The idea is to take a sandwich (commonly filled with meat and cheese, but the possibilities are endless) and butter (or lightly brush oil) on the outside of the bread and grill it in a few minutes on the press. Voila! A fancy new meal option. You can also use your press to grill things like asparagus, tomatoes, or tofu.

A more complicated and expensive purchase, but one you can do a lot more with, is a food processor. This is definitely a kitchen gadget that will make your life easier. Cooking is a lot of tedious jobs-chopping, slicing, dicing, grinding, mincing, pureeing, and kneading doughs. These are all things a food processor can take care of. So if you’re going to make a nice soup full of different ingredients, you can just switch the blades in your processor and take care of all these tasks with one machine, in just a few minutes. You can also use this to grind up your coffee beans, and replace your old coffee grinder. This saves you time and hassle.

There are a lot of advantages to life with all of the fancy gadgets available to us in this day and age. It’s easy to overlook technology in the kitchen and only think about how it affects your entertainment, but today’s technology can make cooking so much more fun. These kitchen gadgets are making life easier, and making the kitchen a less intimidating room of your home.

There is a lot out there for easy to make food. For exciting sandwiches check out Panini Makers, and to make cooking amazing things simple, check out food processors, like the bullet food processor.

Categories: cooking, Food, food processor, gadgets, kitchen, kitchen gadgets, life, life easier, panini maker

How to Prepare for an Empty Nest

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

As parents prepare for their children to leave the family home for the first time, it can cause a range of different emotions. Some parents look forward to gaining back their time, money and space. Others dread the day their children will fly the nest and wish that their kids could stay at home forever. The truth is that it’s natural for children to leave the parental home when the time is right and the change needn’t be too painful for parents.

 

But for some parents the experience can cause extreme sadness and shock which impacts their emotional and physical health. This psychological condition is what’s commonly called ‘empty nest syndrome’.

 

In some cases, empty nest syndrome can lead to more serious depression, low self-esteem or feelings that life no longer has a purpose. If this happens, it can be a real strain on health and relationships.

 

But just being aware of empty nest syndrome in advance can help lessen the blow when your children finally do leave home. By planning for your new life, you can look forward to a bright and happy future rather than dreading it.

 

Here are some tips to help you deal with empty nest syndrome:

 

• Remember that it’s natural for happy and healthy children to grow up and embrace the world on their own. If they were still living with you into their forties or fifties, you probably wouldn’t be too happy.

 

• Remind yourself that they are only leaving home; they are not moving out of your life completely.

 

• Think about new hobbies you might want to take up now that you have extra time and spare cash.

 

• Get back in touch with old friends who are in a similar situation – it’s much easier to have a varied and active social life once the kids are grown up.

 

• Enjoy your relationship. Remember that your spouse may be finding the change difficult too but now is a great time to rekindle your romance and enjoy doing the things you enjoyed before the children came along. If you’re a single parent, or divorced it could be the perfect time to start dating again.

For help and advice about family life, visit:  http://familylives.org.uk/

Categories: catton, Children, jenny, life, nbsp, nest, nest syndrome, syndrome nbsp, time, written

Do Self Help Books Work?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

The market for self-help books is huge – worth an estimated $8 billion a year in the USA alone. And with titles promising everything from beating depression and losing weight to finding love and lifelong happiness, the popularity of these books shows no sign of waning. But do they actually work?

 

Yes – Pamela

I’ve got shelves full of self-help books that I’ve collected over the years and I really value the help that they have given me. When I was in my 20s I was overweight, had a job I hated and felt unattractive, unconfident and insecure. I wanted to change my life but couldn’t afford to see a therapist and was too embarrassed to talk to my family and friends. Then I discovered self-help books and realised that whatever issues I was facing, millions of other people were dealing with the exact same problems. I suddenly felt less alone and realised that there were ways in which I could improve my life myself. I’ve since used various self-help books to tackle everything from my diet to my finances.

Self-help books are ideal for helping you face up to your problems. Although there are many on hundreds of different topics, all of them teach self-belief and empowerment and really focus the mind, giving practical advice on how to change your situation for the better.

For anyone who’s depressed or unsatisfied with any area of their life, there will be a book out there that can help. The trick is to not just read the book but to consciously act on the advice within it. Usually there will be steps or exercises to follow and by doing these you can achieve really powerful results. Some of my friends are sceptical about these kinds of books but for me, they are a cheaper, more convenient form of therapy and they can really work.

 

 

No – Bill

You only have to look at how many different self-help books there are on the shelves to know that they don’t work. They prey on people’s insecurities and promise to change their lives but in reality, they have little or no effect.

People get sucked in by the attractive titles that promise to make you happier, thinner, or richer but there’s no way a book can do this. Changing your life isn’t easy – it means changing your behaviour completely for the long-term. People read a book believing that it will make a difference but within a couple of weeks they have forgotten what they read and gone back to their old ways. Then they go on to buy the next book when it comes out – wasting their time and money again.

In more serious cases, I think self-help books can be quite dangerous as they can stop people from getting professional help which they may need. For example, someone who is depressed may seek answers within the pages of books when really they should be talking to their doctor and may need counselling or medication to deal with the issues they are facing. Books can give people false hope and then make them feel like a failure when nothing changes after reading the book.

If you have problems in your life, you either need to deal with them or seek professional help. Don’t waste your time on self-help books which are just there to take your money.

 

Categories: book, Books, life, nbsp, people, work, work nbsp

Should We Wait to Have Kids?

 

 

More and more people are waiting until their late thirties and beyond to have children. For some the reasons are financial; others simply want to enjoy life with no responsibilities before parenthood. But is it best to wait until later in life before starting a family?

 

Yes – Malcolm
My wife and I waited until we were in our mid-thirties before having our two children. I don’t feel we would have enjoyed the experience of parenthood as much if we had chosen to have them when we were younger. By waiting, we were able to ensure that we were secure financially before bringing a baby into our lives and my wife was able to build a successful career – something that she would have found much harder if she’d taken a career break in her twenties.

Many people have children at a young age but then find that their relationship can’t cope with the demands of parenthood and they end up getting divorced. By waiting, you can ensure that your relationship is going to last through all the ups and downs of life before committing to having children together. We also feel that we are calmer and more able to deal with the emotional demands of young children than we would have been ten years ago.

Having children later in life also means that we have no regrets – we have travelled the world and done everything that we wanted to do before our children came along. I think people who have children at a young age must sometimes feel resentful of the lifestyle they have given up. Being older means we’re happy spending days in the park or on the beach, rather than wishing we could go clubbing or partying with friends.

 

 

No – Victoria
If you know that you want children, it’s important to start trying whilst you’re still young. Many of my friends put off having children whilst they built their career only to find that in their mid-thirties, getting pregnant wasn’t as easy as they thought it would be. And this is particularly important if you want to have more than one child – if you leave it too late, you may find that you run out of time.

Looking after small children requires a huge amount of energy and you’re just much better suited to parenthood when you’re young, fit and healthy than later in life when tiredness and aches and pains become a daily part of life.

I also think it’s unfair on the child if you wait until your late thirties or even early forties to have children as this can mean you’re more likely to have age-related health issues whilst they are still young. In addition, having children later in life means that grandparents are likely to be elderly and unable to help with childcare.

Many of my friends say that they want to experience life and enjoy things like travelling before having kids but by having children in my early twenties means that by the time they leave home, I’ll still be relatively young and able to travel and enjoy life as much as I like – something that my friends won’t be able to do again until into their late fifties or sixties.

Categories: Children, late thirties, life, means, mid thirties, nbsp, nbsp nbsp, young, young age

Does Positive Thinking Work?

 

Written by Jenny Catton

 

We’re used to everyone from television celebrities to self-help gurus endorsing the benefits of positive thinking. And thinking positively has been linked to everything from becoming successful in business to recovering from a serious illness. But does positive thinking actually work?

 

Yes – Sunita
I’m a firm believer in the power of positive thinking and have used the concept to achieve many great things in my life. When I was made redundant five years ago, I decided not to feel sorry for myself but instead saw the redundancy as an opportunity to change my life for the better. I wrote a list of the goals I wanted to achieve over the next five years and by using positive thinking techniques quickly began to see dramatic changes in my life. I now have a job that I love and have recently moved into my dream home.

The key to positive thinking is to think big – decide what you really want from life without worrying about how you are going to make it happen. For example, if you decided you wanted to be a lawyer but didn’t have the right qualifications it would be easy to think “oh, that will never happen”. But by thinking positively; spending time to clearly visualise yourself as a lawyer and really believing that it will happen, your subconscious mind takes over and finds a way to make your dreams a reality.

One of my goals was to own my own home but I didn’t know how I would be able to afford it. So rather than dwelling on the practicalities I used positive thinking to picture myself in my dream home. Shortly after that, I received a promotion at work which meant I could afford to save for the deposit on a new house. I believe this is all thanks to my positive thinking.

 

No – Andrew
To suggest that you can make things happen just by thinking positively is a load of rubbish. You can’t achieve anything in life just by wishing for it; you have to be practical and work hard to get what you want. There are lots of books and even courses that promise to teach people how to use positive thinking to get the life they dream of but I think these give people false hope and make people lazy. You can spend as much time as you like writing down goals and picturing a better life for yourself but unless you actually get on and take action, you won’t ever achieve the things you want to.

I think promoting positive thinking at the expense of common sense can also be harmful. For example, I’ve heard of cancer patients who have been told that if they use positive thinking techniques, they will get better. This might be useful for some but could be dangerous if it makes people believe they can ‘think themselves better’, rather than accepting the medical treatments that they need.

People who believe in positive thinking often say that being pessimistic won’t get results. But in life, you have to be realistic. If you want a new career, for example, it’s better to focus on the skills you already have rather than wishing you could be a film star or a model. It can be disheartening to constantly strive for the best things in life if they are unattainable.

Categories: catton, dream home, jenny, life, nbsp, people, positive, positive thinking, Thinking, thinking positively, thinking techniques, work nbsp, written

Best Reasons NOT to Start Doing That New Fad Diet

Diets are all over the place. Whether they’re about improving your nutrition, losing weight or simply boosting your wellness and wellbeing, going on a diet can be really bad for your health. Fad diets are the worst for this – you’ll recognise a fad diet because everyone will be going on about it for a short period of time, and then they will find that it’s unsustainable and will move onto the next thing.

 

Fad diets tend to make all kinds of impossible claims. They seem to set themselves up as some kind of ‘miracle’ and tend to say that the dieter will lose a staggering amount of weight in a very short space of time. There is often some kind of celebrity spokesperson who illustrates how effective the detox/starvation routine can be. They are often pictured in a tiny bikini, showing off a very slender body is if to say that any of us can look like that in just six weeks, when the reality is far from being the case. This celebrity will talk about how much her life has improved since going on the diet, and there will never be any mention of the subsequent weight gain (or how all her pictures for the shoot have been airbrushed).

 

Something else to bear in mind – fad diets are boring. When you’re counting out every calorie or every gram of fat, life can become pretty dull – and unfortunately you can become pretty dull too. The only thing worse than a boring diet is a boring dieter, droning on about the calorie content of things or how they’ve cut out certain food groups or that they are having their life changed by some kind of unsustainable milkshake diet.

 

Unfortunately, it’s also the case that any weight loss through a fad diet is likely to be regained, with a few more extra pounds to keep it company!

Categories: diet, Diets, fad, fad diet, Fad Diets, kind, life, reasons, weight

How And Why You Should Lose Weight For Life

When it comes to weight, many doctors and scientists now believe that your waist measurement is the most important factor. Your fitness levels play a part, of course, but the key thing for your wellness and wellbeing is to keep the amount of fat stored around your middle to a minimum.

 

Knowing your body mass index (usually abbreviated to BMI) is a really good starting point for working out if you are overweight, but it does not represent the whole story by any means. BMI measures how healthy your weight is in relation to your height. You can work out your BMI using any number of available online calculators. If it turns out that you have a high BMI, you are likely to be carrying excess fat. Your health risk, however, could be dependent on whereabouts in your body you store that fat. Storing that fat around your tummy (as opposed to around your bottom or on your thighs) this makes you more likely to develop heart problems or diabetes in later life.

 

For men, a healthy weight circumference is less than 94cm and for women it is having a waist circumference of less than 80 cm. It can be extremely difficult to lose weight (and to keep it off once you have lost it) but it does have many benefits. It may be that you only need to make some very small changes to your general lifestyle in order to help yourself maintain a healthy weight.

 

Obesity is a massive health problem, causing over 9,000 premature deaths in England each year, and it also reduces life expectancy by an average of around nine years for every sufferer.  Obesity is linked to a number of very serious health conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer and prostate cancer.

Categories: BMI, cancer, fitness, Healthy, healthy weight, life, Lose weight, nbsp, weight

Be Happier and Healthier: Ways To Relieve Stress

Whether you are still a student in school, a business professional or even a stay at home parent, stress plays a huge part in all of our lives. And when not addressed, that stress can boil up and become a huge hindrance in your life. Luckily, there are also many things that you can do to relax and get away from all of those stressors. Here are some tips for living happier and healthier by relieving stress.

 

Work Out

Going to the gym has more benefits than just working towards the perfect six-pack. Instead, physical exercise releases endorphins that help balance your mood. If you are stressed, go to the gym and pump some weights or go for a long jog when the weather is nice outside. Working out also helps you clear your mind of what is stressing you and instead put your attention towards the exercise at hand.

 

Meditate

One method of exercise that you should consider is yoga. And while yoga is great for flexibility and core strength, it also helps you meditate. That said, meditation can be used more than just in the yoga studio. Instead, you can learn techniques that will help you control your thoughts and breathing, even when you are right in the middle of a stressful situation. Meditation will allow you to focus your thoughts and calm yourself down when things feel like they are about to explode.

 

Organize

If you feel like the reason you are stressed is because your life is completely disorganized, then you have a great starting place for making things better. It all begins with organization. Put your stress factors, whether it’s school, work or family, all into different categories. Then figure out ways to approach each situation the best that you can. Sometimes the overall idea of life can be quite stressful, but breaking everything down can become much more manageable and relieve any tension that you have.

 

Treat Yourself

You work hard in everything you do, so it only makes sense that you should reward yourself for your efforts. Don’t be afraid to give back and treat yourself every once in a while to relax. Lakeside Spa does massages in Calgary and they recommend that a spa package is a great way to wind down after a long day. No matter how you take a load off, treating yourself will help you relax and relieve stress.

 

Be Social

It may seem like you are the only person who is ever stressed out in life, but you aren’t. There are plenty of other individuals who are equally as stressed as you. Therefore, don’t be afraid to be social and talk to others about how you are feeling. Being social can often get things off your chest and talking with people can help you figure out other methods of dealing with stress.

Categories: life, nbsp, relax, relieve stress, Stress, stress nbsp, stressed

Is Exercise The Answer To Improving Your Sex Life?

Exercise may not be high on your radar when it comes to commitment, but you may be more inclined to hit the gym when you discover this interesting fact: exercise can offer a number of health benefits, and it also improves your sex life. For example, it helps to lower the risk of erectile dysfunction by opening the arteries which supply the blood flow to your penis. In a study carried out by the Harvard School of Public Health of more than 31,000 men who were over the age of 50, those who were physically active were less likely to be impotent than those who weren’t. Even moderate levels of exercise can help to offer such benefits, such as a brisk 30-minute walk each day of the week. Research has even shown that exercise can reverse the symptoms of ED. Physically active men also have fewer symptoms of an enlarged prostate than men who don’t exercise. Men with BPH often feel the need to urinate more frequently or have a weak stream or urine, but exercise can cut their risk of developing of this by simply keeping fit. There’s no exercise in particular which works best for BPH, but getting 30 minutes of solid exercise most days of the week is often enough to see positive results. If you’re trying to have kids, or think you may want to in the future, keeping fit is vital for the quality of your semen – a recent study showed that men who work out at least 15 hours a week had higher sperm counts than inactive men. So if you’re more inclined to lift the TV remote than a dumbbell, you may want to change your habits. Men who watched more than 20 hours of TV a week had significantly lower sperm counts than men who watched no TV – something to consider for men who want a family!

 

Of course, it’s not just your health to consider (although that’s a pretty important factor). There’s also your ability in the bedroom itself. When it comes to the strict matter of sex, fitter men have the advantage over couch potatoes. Men in good shape will find sex easier and less painful than men who don’t exercise very much. For example, you’ll notice the effects after having sex in your abdominal muscles and your hips. But if you exercise regularly, these effects won’t be noticed as the muscles will already be stronger and more flexible. Likewise, if you’re partial to the missionary position, you may find that your chest muscles are achey after sex. Exercise not only lowers the risk of a muscular injury after a particularly passionate sex session, but it also helps you to feel more confident and energised both in and out of the bedroom. This can improve your sex life significantly, as you’ll feel good about yourself which can improve both how you see yourself and how your partner sees you. You’ll be more relaxed and less distracted, as well as less likely to suffer sexual problems, as stated above. The best exercise routine for a great sex life is a well-rounded regimen which sees you improve your strength, cardio and flexibility training. So if you want to become a better lover, as well as healthier in the process, it seems the answer is simple – hit the gym on a regular basis and you’ll be seeing positive results in no time.

Categories: exercise, feel, keeping fit, life, physically active, positive results, sex life, sexual health, sperm counts, week

4 Surgeries That Could Improve the Quality of Your Life

We all suffer from physical problems that impact our quality of life. Some of these problems are overwhelming, such as chronic pain and broken bones, both which demand immediate treatment. Other problems are smaller and easier to deal with, although they still cause our quality of life to decrease. This article will discuss a few surgeries that will correct small physical problems without a lot of recovery time or pain to make a person’s life better.

 

Laser Eye Surgery

One problem that plagues a great deal of the population is that of having skewed vision. Some people will be able to see perfectly up close and not be able to see at all from far away. Others will be able to see the exact opposite. This problem can be dealt with through the use of corrective lenses, such as glasses or contacts, but still poses and inconvenience to those who have to wear them. A way to fix this problem is to get lasik eye surgery, which is a minimally invasive procedure that has almost no recovery time and will fix a person’s vision so that he or she does not have to wear glasses anymore.

 

Appendectomy

One of the most important minimally invasive surgeries is an appendectomy, which is a procedure that removes the appendix when it becomes damaged or infected. When the appendix is not functioning properly, it will cause a person a great deal of pain. Removing the appendix will make that person’s life much better.

 

Arthroscopy

This minimally invasive procedure can be used on a wide variety of different types of joints, from ankles and wrists to shoulders and knees. It is a procedure that is used to diagnose and repair issues with the cartilage in a person’s joint. The cartilage is one of the parts of the joint that allow it to move smoothly. If it is damaged, then a person’s mobility will be severely limited, but can be restored with an arthroscopy.

 

Cholecystectomy

This is a procedure that removes the gall bladder from a person’s body when it has become infected or inflamed. When this occurs, a person will suffer a great deal of pain, as well as nausea and fever. To resolve these symptoms, a person can have this procedure performed.

 

These minimally invasive procedures are designed to help a person resolve unpleasant symptoms before they get out of hand, without requiring a lot of recovery time. They allow a person to improve his or her life without a lot of difficulty or danger.

Categories: eye surgery, health concerns, invasive procedure, life, minimally invasive, nbsp, person, physical problems, procedure, Quality of Life, recovery time, surgery

How to Enjoy an Amazing Sex Life No Matter Your Age

As you reach your 50s and beyond, you may notice a few changes to your physical wellbeing. Sure there are a few creaky joints and wrinkles that weren’t there before, but that doesn’t mean your physical needs have changed – not to mention your emotional needs. The need for intimacy is ageless, and sexual health has actually been linked to good wellness overall and a longer lifespan!

 

According to Arthur Hayward, MD, a geriatrician and the clinical lead physician for elder care with Kaiser Permanente’s Care Management Institute, Many women are surprised by the impact menopause has on their sex life. Some women enjoy sex more after menopause while others feel a drop in interest. Men may feel a decline in their sex drive and may want to learn about treatment for erectile dysfunction. Whatever the situation, be honest and open with your doctor about your concerns, so you can get the help you need to improve your sexual health.’ So how can you continue to enjoy a physically and emotionally fulfilling sex life as you age?

 

1. Communicate: This is a top tip regardless of age, but communication is key when changes occur to your body. As people age, you lose oestrogen while your partner loses testosterone. These hormonal changes may lead to changes in libido, but your partner won’t know what’s going on in your body until you tell him. Not only can openly discussing your concerns and what you’re experiencing emotionally and physically help you both to find a solution; the sheer act of open, vulnerable communication can bring you closer and help you both enjoy sex and intimacy all the more.

 

2. Spend Time Together: Sex and sexuality communicate a great deal: affection, love, esteem, warmth, sharing and bonding. These gifts are as much the right of older adults as they are of those who are younger, so why not take a leaf out of young peoples’ book? Go out on a date to the movies or to dinner, or just suggest you go for a walk. Quality time helps you to focus on intimacy and physical touch, so hark back to your younger selves and hold hands, hug and show affection.

 

3. Experiment: If you find that you’re too tired to have sex at night anymore, try trying it on with your partner in the morning or the afternoon when you have more energy. A low libido can make you want to get things over with quickly, but taking your time and spending longer on foreplay can increase vaginal lubrication and boost your level of desire. If uncomfortable sex is putting you off, try using a lubricant. There are loads of sexual factors to play with, such as mood, lighting and sensual exercises – so try something new to get in the mood.

 

4. Practice Safe Sex: Research shows that rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis have doubled for people in their 50s, 60s and 70s in the past decade, due to the lack of fear of pregnancy. However, condoms are vital for protecting you against STDs, so it’s important to practice safe sex with every new partner.

 

5. Know When to Seek Help: If you suffer from physical limitations or the effects of certain illnesses or medications, you may need to make a few accommodations. Talk with your doctor about any changes that concern you, and he or she can help you make the necessary changes. Some health niggles can be the first sign of a medical problem, so it’s always worth bringing them up.

Categories: Communication, healthy sex life, life, nbsp, older adults, partner, physical, practice safe, safe sex, sex life, sexual, sexual health