How to Make Sure You Get Lucky on the First Date

For most guys, sexual wellness and wellbeing is extremely important. That means that even although it is a first date, and not traditionally a time to hook up, you can guarantee that sex is going to be on a man’s mind. After all, if he was interested enough in a woman to pursue her and ask her out on a date, then he’s probably interested in taking things to a physical level. So, if you’re a man, the big question on your mind is probably how to make sure that the night ends in a fun, sexy experience rather than a hug and a quick peck on the doorstep?

 

Fortunately, there are some things you could try to make sure that things turn physical as quickly as possible. First of all, when you’re heading out on your date, invite her to come over to your place and say that you will both go out from there. She doesn’t even have to actually come into your house (although it’s great if she does). It simply means that at the end of the night she will have to come back to your place because that’s where her car is. From that point of view, it will be very easy to invite her inside for one last drink, as you will both be there anyway.

 

Another top tip is to swoop in early. During most first dates, women are weighing up the big question of ‘should I or shouldn’t I kiss him?’ If you swoop in early with a (good) kiss, then it takes the pressure off and lets the woman know that you are interested in her physically.

 

Another important factor is not to make sure that you end up sliding into the friend zone. If you have ever taken a great woman home and then sat on the couch not quite sure how to make your move, then this is aimed at you. Be decisive and confident – it should be a natural progression and not a shift in the mood of the date. Try playfully putting your arm around her shoulders and see how she reacts.

Categories: date, interested, nbsp, physical, Sex, swoop, woman

Why You Should Finish Your Physical Therapy

While it might seem tempting to skip those last few physical therapy sessions, they can be the most crucial to your treatment. The goal of physical therapy, as stated by WebMD, is to help you regain the functions necessary to make daily activities easier. Whether you are recovering from surgery, an accident or an age-related ailment, here are some reasons you should finish your physical therapy:

 

Reduce Your Liability

If you are going to physical therapy in coordination with an insurance or workers’ compensation claim, completion of the prescribed sessions is critical. Keep in mind that insurance companies and workers’ compensation case managers are responsible for collecting all of your medical records. If you miss appointments or fail to finish physical therapy, your claim could get denied. Even if you do not feel significant improvement, make it to all of your scheduled physical therapy sessions to help prove your insurance or workers’ compensation case.

 

Gauge Your Results

Physical therapy often produces the best results toward the end of treatment. You will be able to look back at your initial sessions and track progress, which is a crucial component of treatment. For instance, range of motion progress and pain levels are documented at each appointment. Physical therapy cannot be deemed a failure or success until the very last session. Whether you go to Westmount Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation in Hamilton or to a clinic near you, you should always finish physiotherapy to know the definitive results of your complete treatment.

 

Learn DIY Techniques

The goal of physical therapy, as stated earlier, is to help you regain normal function. For this reason, you will likely learn many techniques that can be used outside of the physical therapy setting. These exercises can be important for pain relief, range of motion or motor skills. These calisthenics might need to be performed indefinitely or just periodically, but you won’t know your therapist’s recommendations until you finish your physical therapy.

 

Know Future Needs

If you have been referred to physical therapy by your general doctor or a specialist, your physical therapy results will be used in your overall treatment plan. If physical therapy is successful, then no further action will be immediately needed. However, unsuccessful physical therapy can pave the way for a surgical procedure or pain management treatment. Finishing physical therapy will rule out or confirm future healthcare needs.

 

Physical therapy is important for legal liability and your long-term health. Completion of physical therapy treatment will impact your future healthcare needs. If you do not regain normal function during your scheduled sessions, your doctor will rule out physical therapy as a treatment and make further recommendations. If you have specific questions regarding your physical therapy treatment, ask your physical therapist.

Categories: compensation case, future healthcare, normal function, physical, Physical Therapy, regain normal, techniques, therapy, therapy nbsp, therapy sessions, therapy treatment

Four Great Exercises Proven to Help Prevent Alzheimer"s

Alzheimer’s disease is a frightening affliction of the mind that is not yet fully understood. It can be a dangerous illness, as Alzheimer’s patients try to navigate their world with a changing mind. Fortunately, there are some ways you can reduce the risk or magnitude of Alzheimer’s disease by taking certain preventative measures. Exercises, both mental and physical, can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s. These are four exercises you can use to keep your brain alert:

 

1. Puzzles

Puzzle games like crosswords, Sudoku, and jigsaw puzzles, help keep the brain alert. Not only are they challenging and fun, they’re excellent for keeping the mind occupied when you have extra free time. Keep a puzzle book with you when you’re in line at the DMV, the doctor’s office, or anytime you have a spare moment or two. Switch up the puzzle types for the best brain workout.

 

2. Memory Games and Trivia

These work especially well if you have friends you can play with on game night. Keep your mind sharp with board games that combine trivia with wordplay, drawings, and charades. Sarah Blige, a memory care specialist with Osprey Lodge, recommends playing with a group, as this pushes your mind to adapt to the clues and strategies of those you play with and provides an extra level of mental stimulation while you participate.

 

3. Current Events

It may seem odd, but staying on top of current events in the world around you is another great way to stay alert. Even tuning into public access radio helps keep you thinking clearly, and it certainly isn’t any worse than hearing the same Top 40 song for the third time in an hour. If you can, subscribe to a newsletter that will give you condensed versions of important current events in politics, entertainment, and your local area.

 

4. Combining Mental and Physical Exercises

Physical exercise has been shown to both delay the onset of Alzheimer’s and reduce its chance of developing. When you keep your body physically fit and healthy, your brain, which is an organ that needs training just as your heart or lungs, will stay healthy as well. Try to mix up cardiovascular and strength training exercises, combining physical exercise with mentally stimulating activities like archery, tennis, or hiking.

 

Alzheimer’s disease can be scary, but it is also preventable to a degree. Staying active using puzzles, games, and other engaging activities is a great way to reduce your risk. With regular activities like these, you can reduce the risk of developing severe Alzheimer’s and prevent its early onset.

Categories: alzheimer, alzheimers, brain alert, current events, exercises, mind, nbsp, physical, physical exercise, prevent

Does Your Sex Life Need to Change as an Older Adult?

Whether you’re 18 or you’re 80, everyone likes sex and deserves to enjoy it. So how do you keep the good loving going once you’re past your physical prime?

1. Let’s Get Physical: Not only is exercise good for your overall wellbeing; it also works wonders for your sexual health. Exercise helps with physical wellness issues, such as energy and stamina, as well as improving your sense of body image. If you find sex not-so enjoyable, Kegel exercises can help both men and women get more out sex, improving the functioning of your sexual organs and improving your bladder control at the same time. Just make sure you speak to your physician before engaging in a rigorous exercise programme, especially if you have an existing condition or you’re taking certain medications. This leads us nicely onto…

2. Doctor, Doctor: If you suffer from physical limitations or the effects of certain illnesses or medications, you may need to make a few accommodations in order to enjoy sex. Talk with your doctor about any changes that concern you, and he or she can help you make the necessary changes. You can still can enjoy full, satisfying sex lives if you have a heart condition, although most doctors recommend that you abstain from sex for a brief time following a heart attack. If you have angina, ask your doctor about taking nitroglycerin before you have sex, but refrain from taking erectile dysfunction medication if you are using nitroglycerin.

3. Let’s Talk About Sex, Baby: 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.

4. Take Me Out: 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.

5. Afternoon Delight: 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.

6. Safety Dance: 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.

Categories: doctor, exercise, nbsp, older adults, partner, physical, safe sex, time

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

Fizzy Yoga: The New Exercise Trend Sweeping the Country

Fizzy yoga is the latest weight control and fitness trend sweeping the country. If you’re interested in giving your overall wellness and wellbeing a huge boost this winter, you might want to check it out. Sadly, it has nothing to do with sipping fizzy champagne while striking a few yoga poses – it’s actually short for something called physiyoga and fizzy is just a cute way of abbreviating this.

 

Fizzy yoga is a hybrid kind of yoga which incorporates physical therapy, massage, body alignment, yoga and other techniques. The people who teach fizzy yoga are usually physical therapists as well as yoga teachers and it’s usually carried out in a one-to-one setting rather than a group situation.

 

Teachers of fizzy yoga usually tailor the programme to each individual who is taking part, considering their body type, any injuries that they may have and of course their natural strengths and weaknesses. It can be suitable for those who have had injuries or strains in the past, or those who simply wish to avoid them. The expertise of a physical therapist, combined with popular yoga techniques usually results in stress reduction, centring and better alignment.

 

Due to the fact that it is usually taught one-on-one, and each class is tailored and personalised, fizzy yoga is not cheap at all, coming in at around $200 per session. Depending on where you live, however, this may not be so very much more than a physical therapy session, and it also includes a workout. Experts estimate that doing fizzy yoga burns between 300 and 600 calories in every session.

 

Former Sex in the City star, Kim Kattrall, is a huge fan of Fizzy Yoga, and credits the workout with helping her to get through very gruelling performance schedules for Sweet Bird of Paradise, her latest West End of London play.

Categories: fizzy, fizzy yoga, nbsp, physical, Physical Therapy, physio, session, trend sweeping, yoga

Tics and Tells: Four Physical Signs of Addiction

Addiction is an alarmingly common problem, affecting millions of people in the United States. To make matters worse, addiction doesn’t just cause harm to the addicted individuals themselves. Friends and family members also suffer. It could be your teenage son or daughter, your brother or sister, or even a parent who suffers from substance addiction. Nobody wants to watch someone they care for destroy their life and their self. If you suspect that someone you love has a problem with addiction and you want to help, here are four physical signs to look for:

 

Significant Weight Loss

Substance abuse often results in a diminished appetite, which can trigger dramatic weight loss over a short period of time. People with severe addictions may rapidly lose muscle mass and body fat, causing them to appear as though they’re wasting away. In extreme cases, they may develop a bony or skeletal appearance.

 

Scabs and Scars

Several commonly abused substances will cause crawling burning feelings in the skin or excessive itching upon withdrawal, which may cause the addicted person to scratch and pick at themselves until wounds develop. These injuries are typically located on the face and arms but may also be on hidden areas of the body. Restlessness due to over-stimulation may also trigger this behavior.

 

Another physical sign to look for is needle tracks, which appear as elongated, reddened marks on the inner forearm or other common injection sites. These occur from repeated use of injected substances and are the result of venous collapse, which renders those veins useless for injection. Eventually, this can drive addicts to inject in increasingly bizarre areas, like between the toes and in the neck. In some cases, these injuries may become infected, requiring immediate medical attention.

 

Withdrawal Symptoms

One of the most noticeable indicators of drug addiction is the presence of withdrawal symptoms. These are often obvious, even when no other signs are present. Someone who is addicted to a substance will be unable to go for long periods without another fix. When they don’t get another dose, any number of behavioral or mood changes will occur. The person may suffer from unexplained panic attacks or anxiety, which may make them try to avoid all interaction. They may also become uncharacteristically irritable or hostile, sometimes to the point of losing their temper or getting into legal trouble. In addition, you may notice profuse sweating, tremors, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, depression, and sometimes seizures.

 

Haggard Appearance

An individual with a severe addictions may exhibit a worsening of their appearance over time. Substance abuse is very harsh on the body and addicts are often lacking in healthy lifestyle habits. Someone with a drug problem may appear haggard and worn, often looking significantly older than they are.

 

Addiction is a difficult hurdle to overcome, but with your help and support, there is hope for your loved one. Sit down and have a talk with them, then suggest some reputable drug rehabs they could to to for professional treatment. Rehabilitation is made much easier when the addicted individual has the support of loved ones to bolster them through recovery.

Categories: addicted, addiction, nbsp, physical, physical signs, severe addictions, signs, substance, substance abuse, tells, tics, Weight Loss, withdrawal symptoms

How to Take Care of Yourself During the Grieving Process

While your wellbeing might be the furthest thing from your mind when you’re grieving, it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself during this time. Not only does bereavement do a number on your emotional health, but it can present you with physical problems, such as the physical implications of stress and a lack of energy. This is why looking after your physical and emotional needs will help you get through this difficult time, so how can you help yourself through it?

 

1. Don’t hide or suppress your feelings: Grief is a powerful experience; so powerful, in fact, that you can be terrified of letting it out, in case it overwhelms you. You can try to suppress your grief but, unfortunately, you can’t avoid it forever. In order to heal and move forward with your life, you have to face your feelings and acknowledge the pain. By trying to avoid the feelings of sadness and loss, you are really only prolonging the grieving process. Plus, if you let that grief go unresolved, you could be putting your wellness at risk of major complications such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and health problems.

 

2. Get creative and practical with your feelings: One way to prevent the suppression of your grief – but not let the emotions overpower you – is to express your feelings in a tangible or creative way. Some people find it helpful to write about their loss in a journal, as this enables you to clarify and get a grip on that myriad of feelings. If you’ve lost someone you love, you might feel the benefit of writing a letter to that person, so you can say the things you never got to say. You might like to make a scrapbook or photo album celebrating the person’s life or get involved in a cause or organisation that was important to them so you can carry on their legacy.

 

3. Take care of your physical wellbeing: There is a strong connection between the body and the mind, and so feeling good on a physical level will help you to feel better emotionally too. Using alcohol or drugs to numb the pain of grief and artificially lift your mood will only serve to make things worse. Instead, attaining enough sleep, eating a healthful diet and getting plenty of exercise will help you to combat stress and fatigue.

 

4. Don’t let anyone tell you how to feel – including yourself: Grief is not a cookie-cutter emotion that’s the same for everyone; your grief is your own, and no one else can tell you when it’s time to “move on” or “get over it” – the same goes for what you tell yourself. You need to come to terms with things in your own way, whether that involves being angry, yelling at the heavens, crying, not crying, laughing or whatever else you need to do. Let yourself feel whatever you feel without embarrassment or judgment and remember it’s ok to feel whatever it is that you’re feeling, and it’s ok to find moments of joy, and to let go when you’re ready.

 

5. Be prepared for your grief “triggers”: Lots of events in life can reawaken memories and feelings about your loss. When you have an anniversary, milestone or holiday season coming up, get ready for that inevitable emotional wallop, and know that it’s completely normal. If other relatives or friends will be around during that holiday or lifecycle event, talk to them ahead of time about their expectations and agree on ways in which you can honour the person you loved.

Categories: Creativity, feel, feelings, grief, Grieving Process, nbsp, physical, Triggers

Group Help: 5 Professionals That Assist with Physical Limitation

For those with physical limitations, it is not enough just to have a family physician. A team of medical professionals is required to maintain the best quality of life or to see improvements in these limitations. Whether the initial cause was a traumatic accident, a chronic or congenital condition, or another situation, they need a treatment team to manage the different facets of their condition.

 

 

Who makes up this group?

Many are therapists of various types. Others are from disparate backgrounds. All of them can be necessary, depending on a patient’s individual situation.

Physical Therapists

Physical therapists concentrate on physical well-being and health. They provide rehabilitation, composed primarily of guided exercises to strengthen limbs or prevent loss of muscle mass in those confined to wheelchairs. To become a physical therapist, a post-graduate degree is typically required, along with certification, usually at the state level.

 

Occupational Therapist

Similar to physical therapy, occupational therapy is more goal-oriented. The primary motivation is to give patients the ability to do things for themselves, including everyday activities that may be difficult for them. Becoming an occupational therapist requires a graduate degree, like those offered through the OTD graduate programs, found at RMUoHP.com, along with state-level certification.

 

Home Care Aides

For those who cannot do many common household tasks without assistance, home health care aides provide that assistance, along with monitoring medication or vital signs. Primarily, they assist with chores, like cleaning and cooking, along with helping with dressing or bathing, for those who can’t do it alone. They can also drive them to appointments. Home health cares aids typically do not require any special education; however, certification is sometimes required.

 

Medical Social Worker

These are specialized social workers who assist patients with managing their affairs, including help finding financial assistance, understanding benefits information, and helping maintain quality of life for those patients without family to assist them. Most social workers have a bachelor’s degree, but having a master’s degree can be helpful as well. Licensing varies by state.

 

Counseling Psychologist

For those who are emotionally affected by their condition, counseling psychologists can give them a person they can talk to about their feelings and explore how to adapt to their limitations and future prospects. Counseling psychologists typically have a graduate degree in their field and are licensed by the state where they practice.

 

It takes a lot of people to provide quality care to patients with physical limitations. This team can determine the quality of life for someone who depends on their advice, instruction, and therapeutic methods, and make a genuine difference in their potential recovery and future.

Categories: care aides, counseling psychologists, graduate degree, home health, limitation, occupational therapist, physical, physical limitations, physical therapists, Professionals

How to Create a Happy Office by Making Sure You’re Healthy

A corporate space is a difficult one in which to incorporate physical activity. Nevertheless, numerous studies have shown that employees who have better wellness and a strong sense of wellbeing perform better in the workplace when compared directly to employees with poor wellness or low morale.

 

In the past, employers have not been too concerned about the health or lifestyle of their employees, seeing it as ‘private business’, but there is becoming more and more awareness of the impact that wellness can have on the performance of employees and, therefore, a company.

 

Companies are now looking at wellness-related ways to get the most out of their employees, by keeping them healthy, making them feel confident and empowering them to take control of their own careers.

 

There are lots of different ways to go about this, from wellness programmes to individual mentoring, but one way that you may not have considered is hosting an outdoor team building exercise. This is especially useful in an office where the work is generally computer based or desk based, and employees spend long periods of time sitting down. The opportunity to get outdoors for a fun series of activities can improve their mood and physical wellness, and can also encourage them to adopt a healthier way of life. Those who participate in the physical activity and feel the rush of endorphins afterwards may feel themselves drawn to taking more physical activity in the future. All that fresh air could also trigger creative thinking, which could be of huge benefit when back in the office again.

 

Think, too, about changing the menu in your workplace canteen. A healthy menu offering employees the opportunity to consume good, nutritious food can make a great difference to employee wellness and wellbeing.

Categories: activity, employees, fitness, nbsp, performance, physical, physical activity, Wellness

Emotional, Social, Physical: The Parts of Teen Mental Health

There are so many wellness issues facing teenagers today I don’t know where to start; you’ve got sexting, body image disorders, cyberbullying – no wonder teen mental health is so under threat! If you’re concerned about your teenager’s wellbeing, perhaps it’s time to consider therapy.

 

According to marriage and family therapist Esther Boykin, LMFT, co-owner of Group Therapy Associates, ‘Therapy is an excellent resource to help address [teen] issues, develop effective coping skills, and improve family relations. While I am an advocate for therapy as a way to prevent major crises as well as a solution for dealing with them, I know that often parents and teens struggle to decide if their problem is “big” enough for therapy. While nearly every issue can be helped by having the support and guidance that therapy can provide; it is not always a feasible option.’

 

So how do you determine whether or not your teen needs therapy? Boykin notes, ‘I find that most of us, whether we admit it or not, think of mental health either being crazy or not. The truth is that mental health, just like physical health, is a complex set of many factors. These factors can roughly be divided into three categories- psychological (or emotional) factors, social (or relational) factors, and biological (or physical) factors. You may even hear therapists and other mental health professionals refer to it as your bio-psycho-social functioning.’ Let’s take a look at what each set of factors looks like, so that you can assess whether or not your teen needs help.

 

1. Psychological/Emotional: This is probably the area of mental health that you think of first; your mood and ability to manage your emotions. Boykin explains, ‘Managing your feelings is not the same as stuffing or hiding them. In fact a healthy emotional state is one in which you feel a wide range of emotions, including so-called negative emotions such as anger, sadness and worry. Healthy individuals are able to identify their emotions and act in socially appropriate ways in response to them.’ Therapy and medications become appropriate avenues to pursue when your teenager has detrimental thought patterns, as occurs with anxiety, body image and self-esteem issues. If your teenager’s way of thinking has an overwhelming effect on their mood and behaviour, it needs to be addressed.

 

2. Social/Relational: There’s no denying we’re social creature, so it’s not hard to see how the way we relate to one another is vital in keeping us mentally healthy. When it comes to teenagers, developing and maintaining relationships is an important part of development. ‘Sometimes the social part of mental health is specific to one relationship in your life, such as getting along with your parents,’ Boykin comments. ‘But at other times, teenagers can struggle to make new friends or have difficulty maintaining a healthy relationship with peers…learning to establish healthy boundaries, resolve conflict, and maintain your identity within close relationships is all part of keeping yourself mentally healthy.’ The time to seek help is when your teenager’s relational problems become so overwhelming that it interferes with the management of day-to-day life.

 

3. Biological/Physical: We can overlook this component of mental health, but biology plays a role in many mental health disorders, hence medications can help with things like depression and anxiety. Plus, physical health problems can lead into mental health issues. Boykin explains, ‘Physical conditions such as obesity or severe asthma can change how you live your life possibly limiting your physical activity or your ability to engage with peers. These changes impact your social and emotional experiences.’ According to numerous studies, the most effective treatment for many physical disorders is a combination of talk therapy and pharmacology.

Categories: Body image, factors, health, mental, Mental Health, mentally healthy, physical, physical health, teen mental, Teenagers, therapy

Improve Your Wellbeing in Five Easy Steps

We all have good intentions when it comes to taking care of ourselves, but it’s easier said than done. However, the downside is that neglecting our diet and physical activity week after week plays havoc with our health and well-being. Here are five ways to achieve an improved well-being and boost your health easily and efficiently.

Nurture your body

It’s easy to skip a beat when it comes to our health and then be out of tune with our physical health – though our bodies give us clues as to what it’s missing, we often overlook these and miss the signs. Our genetic code has been basically the same for more than 40,000 years though, which means what our bodies crave has remained the same. Experts advise that good health is based on the foundation of great sleep, a nutrient-rich diet and plenty of physical activity, with at least a small amount of time spent outdoors each day. One of the biggest challenges we face today is getting enough rest and sleep. Because of our busy work lives and active social lives, we often find that we don’t get nearly enough sleep.  It’s advised that you get at least 15 minutes rest at work, by taking a walk at lunch or simply reading a book on your lunch break, as well as getting at least eight hours sleep each night.

De-stress

Stress is a feature of everyday life that we never used to have to deal with. From headaches and fatigue, to backache and clenched jaws, the symptoms of stress can vary from person to person. Most people are stressed on some level, whether they realise it or not. Breathing techniques are best for combating stress – take a deep breath in, hold for the count of four, then breathe out to the count of seven. Repeat this five times to calm yourself down; yoga can also help.

Acceptance

Because of the preoccupation with image and size in today’s society, many people feel worried about their appearance and find it difficult to accept themselves. For women, this is a big problem. The quickest way to improve your well-being is to accept the way you look and stop beating yourself up for not being able to achieve unattainable goals for size and image. This will help you stave off depression and anxiety about this issue, and help you to lead a healthier and happier life.

Embrace your emotions

Experts agree that one of the most common causes of ill health is the lack of emotional awareness – in other words, not listening to your body, not dealing with your emotions and sedating them with alcohol or cigarettes. If you work with your emotions instead of against them, you will lower the risk of developing conditions such as chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome, which are emotionally induced. There is no shame in admitting when you’re upset, angry or hurt, but simply ignoring it or writing it off as nothing won’t help your health. Talk to a friend, your partner or a counselor to get on top of what’s troubling you and seek advice from an unbiased source.

Relationships

Lastly, the relationships we have are important for our mental and physical health. Close relationships help us to bond with other people and help enhance our lives – we need them  in order to boost our health and to feel settled emotionally. Having people around for support can help to alleviate some of the stress which can lead to mental health problems, such as depression or anxiety.

Categories: fitness, health, physical, physical activity, physical health, Stress, Wellness

How Yoga and Panchakarma Can Give You Inner-Peace

We have all heard of the idea of medical schools, but for a course based in California, something new has recently shifted its way into the scope of medicine. Established in 1995, The Ayuvedic Training School, known for its practice in massage and body therapy, is a training programme for students who are studying the arts of panchakarma, who want to delve a little deeper into the ways of bodily, mental and spiritual stimulation.

Panchakarma, also known as “five actions”, is a holistic cleansing and rejuvenating program that reverses the negative effects of daily life. Furthermore, it attempts to act as a mental and physical detox that leaks away potential causes of stress and chronic diseases later in life. Overall, it acts like a lubricant for bodily functionality. It is apparently one of the few treatments that cover the levels of mind, body and consciousness that approaches the individual in a unique method, of which is tailored specifically for their own, personal treatment.

Ayurveda takes this one step forward and partners itself alongside traditional methods such as Yoga. Yoga provides an equal balance of deep-mind relaxation whilst providing an excellent foundation for physical exercise. The hands-on lesson teaches and enhances the use of techniques such as abhyanga (Ayurvedic massage), shirodara, svedana (herbal steam treatment), basti (enema) and nasya treatments as well as discuss issues related to the daily practice of panchakarma.

Supposedly, this natural, safe technique is entirely under the patient’s control, whether it is a lifestyle adjustment, a type of healing process or a new method in Yoga.

It advertises a complete state of well-being, with vitality and mental clarity at your every whim. The advanced, 45-hour panchakarma program is a lasting experience, with the extra session behaving as a complimentary add-on in order to enhance the healing process to cope with the stresses and anxieties of daily life.

The only side-effects, they reassure, will be positive ones.

Categories: holistic, mental, physical, spiritual, yoga

Meditation Could Help You Become More Compassionate

Meditation has been used for centuries as a way of relaxing the body and mind, and relieving stress. It’s often associated with yoga, due to the peaceful effects on the body and the importance placed on unifying the mind with the physical relaxation of stretches and yoga poses. Recently, it’s been discovered that meditating every day can actually do wonders for other aspects of your mind, such as helping you to become more compassionate. Meditating can help with anxiety, pain and depression, as well as physical ailments, too. Studies have found that meditation can help to improve your emotional wellbeing, as well as your cognitive health, attention and cognitive control.

The study involved 39 participants who were analysed for an eight week period, during which they were randomly assigned meditation classes. Some of those groups were taught mindfulness meditation, whilst others were taught compassion meditation. Although meditation is used as an umbrella term, there are various techniques one can learn. After the study was complete, the participants were asked to complete a compassion test, which was a role play scenario in which the participant was unaware of. Researchers looked at how likely it was for the test subject to help the third person playing the ‘sufferer’, depending on whether they underwent taught meditation. They found that meditators were five times as likely to give up their seat for those they believed to be in need, compared to just 15 percent of those who didn’t engage in meditation.

Due to meditative techniques helping you to clear your mind, it makes sense that compassion will follow – when you are relaxed and stress-free, you’re more able to empathise with people and help others in need. Meditation can help you lead a calmer and more peaceful life, as well as aiding other elements of your lifestyle, such as helping to deal with anxiety, stress and physical complaints.

Meditation Could Help You Become More Compassionate

Categories: compassion, Helping, meditation, mind, physical, Stress

Painful Sex: Are You Sweeping Dyspareunia Under the Rug?

Pain during sex or dyspareunia is estimated to affect the wellbeing of one in five women at some point in their lives, and it can take its toll on your relationship wellness. More often than not, this sexual health issue goes undiscussed and swept under the rug, but there are things you can do to enjoy a healthy sex life again.

Dyspareunia is not a disease, but rather a symptom of a core physical or psychological condition. Age, childbirth or disuse may have caused your vaginal muscles to tighten, or if you’re not using enough lubrication during sex this may cause painful friction. It may be that the way you’re positioned is causing you pain, as your partner’s penis is pushing against certain nerves, or there may have been shift in your muscular or bone formation, which causes pain on contact. Stress or psychological factors could also be at play in your dyspareunia.

Symptoms of dyspareunia can include pain at entry, pain with any penetration (including a tampon), sudden pain after intercourse, deep pain during thrusting, burning pain and aching pain. The goal of treatment for this condition is to reduce these symptoms, which methods such as vaginal dilators, hormone therapy, topical creams or gels (to increase lubrication), Viagra, a vibrator or a suction/pump (to increase your blood flow), stretching exercises, physical therapy (to strengthen supporting muscles and alleviate muscle pressure) and exploring psychological factors that may be contributing.

If you have pain during sex, the first thing you need to do is talk to your partner. Otherwise, this can lead to problems outside of the bedroom, and it’s important for both of you to communicate; you need know that you’re not alone in this, and your partner needs to know that he’s not doing anything wrong. Next, you need to see a doctor in order to identify the source and location of the pain, so that you can get the right treatment. On the rare occasion your doctor isn’t able to help, there are medical practitioners who specialise in female sexual dysfunction. The important thing to remember is to talk about your problem, and never give up.

Painful Sex: Are You Sweeping Dyspareunia Under the Rug?

Categories: Causes, Dyspareunia, Pain, partner, physical, psychological, psychological factors, Symptoms