We finally get to downward facing dog! Since we’re moving through a sun salutation, let’s talk about the transition from upward facing dog. With some practice, you can learn to roll over your toes to get there. Eventually, this seemingly painful maneuver may even start to feel good. If it doesn’t, another option is to flip the feet one at a time. When you’re coming from cobra…
Small penis syndrome, a psychological condition in which a man thinks his manhood is too small, affects many men. But is it something to actually worry about? British researchers found that 63 per cent of men complained about having a too-small penis, but that of all the men interviewed, none of them actually had a penis that was smaller than normal. A ‘normal’ penis measures in the region of 5.5 and 6.2 inches long, and 4.7 and 5.1 inches in girth. But even if your penis doesn’t fall into this category, the real question on a number of men’s minds is what a difference it makes to their sexual capabilities and their relationship.
Well, it seems to be good news on that front as well – 85 per cent of women reported that they were happy with their partner’s size. It’s not to say that women across the board don’t care about what men have ‘down there’, but it doesn’t seem to be the overriding feature of a great sex partner either. Sexual satisfaction appears to take a number of other factors into account before penis size is even mentioned. It’s a myth, possibly promoted through the porn industry, that women crave a large penis – large penises don’t instantly equate to an orgasm, and penis size can even skew a woman’s ability to achieve orgasm. In fact, for many women, having a large penis stops a lot of men from even trying in bed, assuming that getting an erection is the most they need to do to be a great lover. It doesn’t work this way though, and effort is always much more appreciated than assuming all you have to do is turn up to be great in the bedroom.
Usually when women complain about a man’s penis size, it’s that they’re also not having orgasms – because if they’re getting orgasms out of the sexual experience, they generally aren’t bothered about what size your penis is. But if you’re still worried about it, why not try mixing things up in the bedroom and aiming for positions which increase penetration and clitoral stimulation? try placing her legs on your shoulders when you’re in the missionary position, or enter her from behind when she’s on all fours. While length may not be an issue, it seems that girth is something women look for – the thicker the penis, the better, according to a number of women. This is because the greatest number of nerve endings are in the lowest part of the vagina, so when a thick penis pushes past the labia and into the lower vaginal walls, the sensation is more pleasurable. But that doesn’t mean that men with thinner penises are never going to satisfy a woman – penetrating whilst moving your hips in a circular position can increase this pleasurable sensation. Being thrusted by someone with a massive penis is actually painful for a lot of women, so it’s not on the wish list for most females. Men compare themselves to what they see in porn, but most women aren’t looking for that kind of physique. And another thing, men look at themselves from above, so their penis always looks smaller to them than it does to their partners.
Personality, as it always has been, is far more important to women than physical appearances – and that’s something to remember, regardless of what size you are.If you’re worried about your penis size, it may be worth looking into counselling to improve your confidence in the bedroom and to help you accept your body the way it is.
Small penis syndrome, a psychological condition in which a man thinks his manhood is too small, affects many men. But is it something to actually worry about? British researchers found that 63 per cent of men complained about having a too-small penis, but that of all the men interviewed, none of them actually had a penis that was smaller than normal. A ‘normal’ penis measures in the region of 5.5 and 6.2 inches long, and 4.7 and 5.1 inches in girth. But even if your penis doesn’t fall into this category, the real question on a number of men’s minds is what a difference it makes to their sexual capabilities and their relationship.
Well, it seems to be good news on that front as well – 85 per cent of women reported that they were happy with their partner’s size. It’s not to say that women across the board don’t care about what men have ‘down there’, but it doesn’t seem to be the overriding feature of a great sex partner either. Sexual satisfaction appears to take a number of other factors into account before penis size is even mentioned. It’s a myth, possibly promoted through the porn industry, that women crave a large penis – large penises don’t instantly equate to an orgasm, and penis size can even skew a woman’s ability to achieve orgasm. In fact, for many women, having a large penis stops a lot of men from even trying in bed, assuming that getting an erection is the most they need to do to be a great lover. It doesn’t work this way though, and effort is always much more appreciated than assuming all you have to do is turn up to be great in the bedroom.
Usually when women complain about a man’s penis size, it’s that they’re also not having orgasms – because if they’re getting orgasms out of the sexual experience, they generally aren’t bothered about what size your penis is. But if you’re still worried about it, why not try mixing things up in the bedroom and aiming for positions which increase penetration and clitoral stimulation? try placing her legs on your shoulders when you’re in the missionary position, or enter her from behind when she’s on all fours. While length may not be an issue, it seems that girth is something women look for – the thicker the penis, the better, according to a number of women. This is because the greatest number of nerve endings are in the lowest part of the vagina, so when a thick penis pushes past the labia and into the lower vaginal walls, the sensation is more pleasurable. But that doesn’t mean that men with thinner penises are never going to satisfy a woman – penetrating whilst moving your hips in a circular position can increase this pleasurable sensation. Being thrusted by someone with a massive penis is actually painful for a lot of women, so it’s not on the wish list for most females. Men compare themselves to what they see in porn, but most women aren’t looking for that kind of physique. And another thing, men look at themselves from above, so their penis always looks smaller to them than it does to their partners.
Personality, as it always has been, is far more important to women than physical appearances – and that’s something to remember, regardless of what size you are.If you’re worried about your penis size, it may be worth looking into counselling to improve your confidence in the bedroom and to help you accept your body the way it is.
Once you reach 50, you have to work harder to take care of your wellbeing and guard it against major health concerns. However, incorporating a few simple, wellness principles into your lifestyle can help you to eat healthily, stay fit and live well over 50:
1. Eat healthy fats: There’s no denying that saturated fats are bad for your arteries and heart health but, if that wasn’t enough to deter you from eating them, they can also damage your memory and concentration. This means that your heart AND brain are at risk unless you cut down on red meat, butter, and other foods high in saturated fats. That’s not to tar all fats with the same brush, however, as some fats can even have a positive effect on your heart and brain. Therefore, try to up your intake of fatty fish and fats from plants, like flaxseed and nuts.
2. Fill the empty nest: No one likes it when their kids leave home. Ok, you might like it a little bit at first, but then empty nest syndrome kicks in and you’re left knocking around a big, quiet house by yourself, or just you and your partner. However, if the quiet and space is troubling you, why not fill it again by adopting a pet? Not only does this do wonders for your mental and emotional health, but having a pet like a cat or a dog may in fact lower your cholesterol levels along with your risk of heart disease. Pet owners are also less likely to need to visit the doctors’. Wellness experts aren’t too sure as to why this is, but, at the very least, having a dog means you have to go for a walk everyday, which is always good for your health.
3. Protect your joints: You may be worried about how running may affect your bones and joints, but hitting the big 5-0 doesn’t mean you have to give up your morning run (my Dad’s just turned 51 and ran his 12th marathon on his birthday). In fact, a new study has even gone so far as to suggest that running may actually strengthen your knees, and research has shown that running doesn’t raise your risk of arthritis. However, if you do have arthritis or damaged joints already, running might be one speedy step too far. Still, low-impact exercise like walking or biking is vital for strengthening your muscles, supporting your joints and lessening your pain, no matter what conditions or injuries you might have, so talk to your doctor about a suitable exercise programme.
4. Rediscover your sex life: Your sex life changes as you get older, but that doesn’t mean a turn for the worse; being that little bit older and wiser means you’ve got more experience, you’re more confident, and you’re just so much better at it than you were when you were in your twenties. The fact that you’re in a different stage of life means you have fewer hang-ups and constraints to worry about, like the kids walking in on you, or even making new kids! However, because older people are starting to realise that they’re less tied to the worries of family planning, rates of STIs have skyrocketed in this age group so make sure you still wear protection if you’re having sex with someone new.
5. Don’t stop learning: Just because you’ve got more knowledge and experience under your belt doesn’t mean that you’ve seen and done it all – surprise yourself! Don’t stick with the familiar and the comfortable; go out and look for new places, friends and experiences. Always wanted to travel or play like Hendrix? Start learning a language or taking guitar lessons. Not only is this good for the soul, but new experiences will build new pathways in your brain, keeping your mind healthy as you age.
When you are trying to lose weight, one of the best things you can do is to concentrate on your health. Foods that are good for your wellness and wellbeing are undoubtedly the same foods that will help you to lose weight.
One area that you may not consider, however, is beverages. People often focus so much on eating healthy foods that they forget that they are also consuming fats and sugars in the drinks that they have every day.
Drinking is vitally important, of course. Our bodies are mostly made up of water, and so we need to keep topping up this water to make sure that our bodies function properly. The best way to do this, however, is with water – pure and simple. All too often, people look to quench their thirst by reaching for a soda, bottled fruit juice or even a coffee, as water just doesn’t seem all that appealing. The fact that there are so many different drinks so readily available doesn’t help matters, either, as it can be hard to make healthy choices when surrounded by so much temptation.
It’s worth reaching for the water, however, even when it doesn’t seem like the most tempting option. Nothing comes close to it in terms of boosting your weight loss and improving your health. All too often, other drinks are filled with sugar or corn syrup and these can have a negative effect on your health. Don’t be fooled by a drink that claims to be ‘sugar free’ either. Artificial sweeteners can be just as damaging as sugary drinks. Steer clear of caffeine, too, as it can have a really negative effect on your health.
Apart from the damage that sugar can do to your liver, when you reach for a sugary drink, you are basically adding massively to your daily calorie intake with no real purpose. These calories will not fill you up or offer you any nutritional value – so they just turn straight to fat and stick around for a long time instead!
You may think that sexual health and wellness concerns start once you begin having sex, but actually the issues start a lot earlier than that. As soon as a few people in your class begin to go through puberty, suddenly it seems like everyone is talking about sex; about who’s a virgin, who isn’t, and who might be. This pressure can intensely effect your wellbeing, whether you’re a guy or a girl, but that’s no reason to rush into what is one of the most important decision you’ll ever make. So, the question is, then, how do you know if it’s the right time for you to have sex?
When deciding whether or not to have sex, you need to use your own judgement and decide if it’s the right time, and the right person. Only you can make that decision, which means there are some very important factors you need to consider. You need to think about the physical concerns involved in sex, such as the possibility of becoming pregnant or getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are also emotional factors to consider, because even though your body may be ready for sex, losing your virginity also has very serious emotional consequences. Then, you have moral factors involved in having sex. Whether your religious beliefs, family values or personal attitude has impacted your opinion about sex, you may have an inner voice guiding you about getting sexually involved at the right time for you.
One key concern that revolves around sex is peer pressure. No one wants to be the odd one out, but that doesn’t mean you should lose your virginity just to keep up with your friends or be accepted. You may have friends who have already had sex, and play it down like it’s not a big deal – but sex is a big deal, both physically and emotionally. Everyone is different, which means you can’t rely on how your friends feel about sex as a means of testing if you’re ready. Sex might mean something different to you on an emotional level and you, your friends, and your potential partners, need to understand that. If they’re really you’re friends, they won’t care if you’re a virgin or not, and having sex to impress someone or to make your friends happy or feel like you have something in common with them won’t make you feel very good about yourself in the long run.
If your boyfriend or girlfriend is pressuring you to have sex, you’re not alone. Although some teens that are going out don’t pressure each other about sex, the truth is that in many relationships, one person wants to have sex although the other one doesn’t. Again, every couple is different, and so your partner may be putting pressure on you for different reasons. It may just be that he or she is more curious about sex, and has stronger sexual feelings than you. Or he or she might have differing religious beliefs, meaning that your attitudes to sex might be different.
Whatever the situation might be, when one of you wants to have sex and the other one doesn’t, this can put stress and strain on your relationship. In this circumstance, you have to do what is right for you and, if your partner is worth holding on to, they will respect your decision and not put pressure on you. Don’t give in to the pressure of “If you love me, you’ll do it,” as any person who says that clearly doesn’t love you, and is only looking to satisfy their own sexual urges. Sex should be an expression of love — not something that you feel like you must do.
When you’ve been together for a long time, your sexual health and wellness can get a little stale. Sure, you love each other and get more and more comfortable with each other every day – which is great – but the problem with knowing when your partner likes can mean that you never feel the need to try anything new or exciting in the bedroom (after all, if it ain’t broke…) However, not only does this put a bit of a dampener on your sex life, but it can have a negative impact on your sexual wellbeing, with both of you wanting something with a little more oomph, but neither of you saying anything. Here’s how to avoid getting in a rut with your partner:
1. Initiate sex more often: Even in this day and age, we can fall into the trap of thinking that good girls don’t initiate sex, and it’s really the man’s job – just like putting up shelves and taking the bins out. What a load of crap! You may not want to come across as too pushy or unladylike, or perhaps you worry about getting turned down, but women avoid initiating sex far too much. Men like to be pursued just as much as women do, so he’ll appreciate that you’re interested and your advances will make him feel desirable – and getting him into the sack (even if you’ve been happily married for years) will make you feel like a sexual goddess.
2. Stop worrying about what you look like: To paraphrase Julia Roberts in Eat Pray Love, have you ever undressed in front of a gentleman and he’s left? No – because he doesn’t care! He’s with a naked woman; he’s just won the lottery! Sure, your body might not be how it was when you met your partner, but neither is his and that doesn’t stop you. Worrying about how you look naked feeds into that vanilla, light’s off, under the covers sex that you’re getting so tired of so stop worrying about it because, trust me, he’s not. Even if complete, out-in-the-open nakedness feels like too much at first, try to relax about the bits your partner will see. If nothing else, men are notoriously unobservant. If he didn’t notice your new haircut, he’s not going to notice that your skin is not quite as tight as it was ten years ago.
3. Don’t think he’s always in the mood: Ok, this may sound a counterintuitive considering the first two tips, but bear with. Much like the daily pressures of every day life make you want to curl up in front of the TV and nothing more, the same goes for your partner. He’s not a teenager anymore, and sometimes will just want to go to bed without any monkey business. The important thing to remember is that his lack of desire isn’t a personal rejection, but rather just a normal fluctuation of libido. Snuggle up, go to sleep, and try again another night.
4. Give him guidance: You might not like to talk directly about sex, but unless your partner is a mind reader you’re never going to have a satisfying sexual relationship unless you communicate clearly. Take responsibility for your own pleasure and tell him what you do and don’t like – men like to please and may even interpret it as dirty talk, which is always a bonus. Just make sure you communicate in a way that doesn’t hurt his feelings, as “that thing” he does that you don’t like may be what he thinks is his “best move”.
You want to look and feel your best, but putting in the effort to get there doesn’t seem worth the misery of dieting. When you do attempt to cut carbs or take up triathlons, all it seems to do is drain your emotional wellness, which does no good for your relationships – how are you supposed to be a loving partner or parent when you haven’t had chocolate in 17 days?! Clearly, you need some stellar advice for losing weight while still maintaining a shred of wellbeing.
Sometimes, there is a very good reason to diet. According to Andreas von Bubnoff’s and Joanna Lloyd’s article “25 things you can do take off 10 years or more,” published in MSN Health and Fitness Anti-Ageing Guide, maintaining the weight you had before turning 25 takes years off the ageing process. Another decent reason to lose weight is that you’re actually a better parent to your children – in terms of taking care of them and being more affectionate – if you are at a low enough weight to move around with ease and comfort. Plus, maintaining a healthy weight helps you to control and prevent chronic illnesses, like diabetes, and chronic back pain. So, what can you do to reach your worthy goal, without undergoing the discomfort, pain and struggle of typical weight loss?
1. Eat less: Ah, shucks. Unfortunately, there’s no getting around the fact that you are what you eat, both in terms of quantity and quality. Giving up less-than-healthy foods altogether isn’t a sustainable way to maintain your weight, as you’ll only end up craving junk food more and falling off the wagon. Reduce your portion sizes and eat less of what adds weight.
2. Take care of your health: Wellness is such an overarching thing that you can take it for granted. You never notice how good it feels not to have a cold, for example, until you’ve just had one. Your health is sacrosanct so don’t do any damage to it. The best way to approach a health-centred lifestyle is to be reasonable and rational. Almost anything is permissible in moderation; just don’t push it to the extremes. I cannot stress this point enough in terms of anorexia. Don’t seek to look anorexic. On a superficial level, it just doesn’t look good, but the fact of the matter is that anorexia is a disorder, unhealthy and just illogical.
3. Go slow: You can be so eager to reach your weight loss goals that you try and hurry the process along, and get disappointed when you’re not Gwyneth Paltrow in a week. Don’t be in such a rush; take it slow. You need to take time to adjust to your new weights as and when you need to because your physiological mechanism – which, by the way, is outside the bounds of your control – can take several weeks to several months to become accustomed to a new weight. Be patient and loving with yourself – you’ll get there soon enough.
4. Tame your body and your hunger: If you eat meals and snacks at regular times, you can train your body to expect food at these points in the day, and at no other times. Predictability is the perfect, sneaky solution to tame the beast. When you’re planning your eating routine, make sure it doesn’t include eating after eight o’clock at night. Your physiological system needs some Empty time, some Processing time, some Quiet time, before bed. Instead of your go-to bedtime snack, try drinking a cup of organic herbal tea, which can also help relax and prepare you for a good night’s sleep.
Your diet and nutrition are key components to your ongoing wellness and wellbeing. Your daily diet should be nourishing and well balanced if you want to live a long and healthy life. After a while, however, it can become boring to eat salad, grilled chicken, steamed vegetables and all the other things in your ‘healthy’ list. Boredom is a really dangerous thing when it comes to healthy eating, because as soon as boredom sets in, the allure of takeaways, convenience foods and junk snacks starts to kick in. To avoid this, make sure that you stay away from bland food; healthy food doesn’t have to be boring and in fact can be exciting and packed full of flavour.
One of the best things to do is to experiment with using new and exotic fresh herbs and spices. Don’t use the same old familiar seasonings in everything you cook! Purchase some of the less-common spices and give them a try. You could roast your veggies with curry powder, for example, or add it to stews and soups. Herbs de Provence can be a great addition when rubbed onto meats and fish or used to flavour sauces or marinades. Star anise when combined with grated ginger and cinnamon can make a beautiful poached chicken.
Tofu is always worth trying, too. Although it has a bad reputation, tofu is a very lean form of protein. It doesn’t taste like much on its own but it takes on the flavour of anything you cook with. Use extra-firm and firm tofu to make stir fries, casseroles, soups etc.
You could also liven up your menu by whipping up some great new sauces, or using a low-fat bottled sauce that you haven’t tried before.
You can also jazz up salads with the addition of a homemade dressing.
Many people seek happiness but they don’t really know what to look for – after all, do you really know what would make you happy or are you simply waiting for happiness to find you? Despite what the media and films will have you believe, happiness doesn’t appear by magic. The majority of what people consider to make them happy is down to their personality and behaviour – the latter of these can be changed. You may have a thought about what you need in your life to be happy, such as wealth or a stress-free life. You may think that being better looking or thinner may help. However, studies show that people who are happy seem to build their lives on certain facets of their lives. These are devoting your time more to family and friends, appreciating what you have in life, maintaining an optimistic outlook, feeling a sense of purpose, and living in the moment. Your choices in life and the actions you make can lead to happiness, meaning you can completely influence how happy you are in life. It may not be as easy as flipping a switch but it does mean that happiness isn’t something reserved only for the lucky.
One concept that studies have shown to be effective is surrounding yourself with happy people – happiness and a positive outlook is infectious, and being around people who are content can lift your own mood. And it’s a cycle, as once you are happy as well, you’ll be giving that mood out to those around you as well. Rely more on friends and family, in helping you to celebrate life’s successes and being there to help you through the more difficult times. This doesn’t mean that you should take your loved ones for granted (these relationships still need nurturing to stay strong) but they are people who care about you, and as such are willing to be there for you as much as you are for them. Buoy your emotional account by giving out kind words and actions, and be careful with criticisms you give to ensure that you don’t hand them out unnecessarily. And let people know that you appreciate them and want them in your life – it’s easy to take people like family for granted because you assume they will always be there, but this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t let them know how much they mean to you. This may be in the form of gratitude, which is more than simply saying thank you for things. It’s a level of thankfulness, absolutely, but also it is a sense of appreciation for you life. It can sometimes take an accident or a serious illness to spark this in people, but we should be more aware of it in everyday life.
Finding your purpose in life can seem easier said than done, but it’s one of the best ways to ensure long-lasting happiness. You should also be more optimistic. It’s also helpful to be more optimistic. It’s not necessary to be constantly uplifted by life – everyone knows that bad things happen and your mood will react accordingly, but being more positive will encourage a better outlook on the good things in your life. Lastly, living in the moment will help you to appreciate the importance of life and how vital it is. This means taking opportunities when they arise, pushing yourself out of your comfort zones, and making choices that improve your lifestyle for the better.
If you have a child with special needs, you might find that people treat you differently. Many people admire parents of children with special needs, as though it takes an extra effort on their part to maintain family wellness. However, for Eliana Tardio, the proud mother of Emir and Ayelen, both with Down syndrome, having a child with special needs doesn’t make a parent any more special.
Eliana notes, ‘Usually people introduce me by saying things like: “she’s a very special mom,” or “this woman is outstanding for the work she’s doing with her kids and her community,” but honestly, I don’t deserve to be thought of as more special for loving my own kids, that’s what every good parent does!’ She explains that love doesn’t see differences; the challenge for parents with special needs children is to learn to see positive stuff where others would only see challenges.
‘Yes, we get challenged in many ways, and if you look at it from the outside, you may be deceived, seeing some sort of superhero fighting for the rights of their kids,’ she says. ‘In reality, the only thing happening, is a regular parent doing his best to learn and cope with a life that was never part of the plan.’ Eliana comments that parents of typical kids can be just as special, adding, ‘The diagnosis of a child doesn’t make anyone more special, but the individual determination to learn from any experience that we must face during our lives is what sets us apart.’
If you’re a parents of children with special needs, you have to spend more time specifically looking out for their wellbeing, as your kids will need extra care and services. When your children’s conditions are severe, you may even have to dedicate your life to them. Eliana notes, ‘It turns out though, it’s not so different when you have a typical child. You may decide on your own accord to give him more or less attention as he doesn’t need you as much as a child with special needs, but when you decide to give that child unconditional love and the best side of you every day, you are also a special parent.’
