It often seems like fitness and gym memberships go hand in hand. This is so much the case that many of us are on the phone to the local gym the day that we decide to take control of our health. Gym memberships are just what health-conscious people do, right? 

 

Undeniably, the gym is the best thing for a lot of people. It provides the structure and monetary motivation many need to get fit. But, gym membership doesn’t work for everyone. Many find the high-pressure setting puts them off altogether. And, when there are no visible alternatives, that can put the nail in their fitness coffin before they get started.

 

In reality, though, there’s a whole load more to getting healthy than hitting the gym. In fact, stepping away from the structure of gym workouts could see your health efforts benefiting in the following ways.

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Informed exercise decisions

 

When we go to the gym, we have to tailor our exercise to someone else’s fitness ideas. We use the machines on offer because they’re there. We even limit our experiences to the exercises our gym caters for. The moment you shake those shackles, you can start to enjoy an altogether more tailored experience. For instance, you could buy a machine because it offers benefits which appeal to you, rather than because it’s the only option. Equally, you could research an exercise method rather than just going along with it. Instead of doing tai chi because there’s a class on offer, then, you could look into the history of qigong and other alternatives to find something which fits your needs. Either way; you’ll be free to tailor an exercise routine which benefits you rather than holding you back.

 

A select exercise group

 

Other people are often the worst part of the gym experience. This is especially the case if you’re new on your fitness journey. The imagined judgment of those experienced gym pros could stop you going altogether. When you step away from the gym structure, though, you’ll be in the position of selecting who you work out with. If you want to get fit alone, you can do it. Or, you could select a few friends who are at the same fitness level as you. You certainly wouldn’t need to worry about accusing eyes ruining your weight lifting efforts.

 

A chance to take fitness outside

 

Ditching the gym can also see you taking your fitness efforts outside. Given that fresh air and meditative nature bring significant benefits, that’s a definite plus point. Even something as simple as some outdoor jogging could see you feeling a whole lot fitter than you might after a session on your gym treadmill.

 

Just like gym membership itself, ditching the gym isn’t for everyone. If you get along with the structure and accessible equipment, then keep doing what you’re doing. If that standard approach to exercise doesn’t work for you, though, don’t be afraid to step away and carve your own path on this fitness journey. 

An accident not only has an impact on your physical health, but it can negatively affect your mental health as well. Many people bottle up the psychological trauma that they suffer after an accident, particularly if it was down to someone else.

 

It is totally understandable –  making a physical recovery from injuries can be long and difficult for many people, and combined with the stress and need for often arduous legal processes and discussions with a personal injury lawyer can make them feel like they just need to get on with it.  However, it is important not to ignore any emotional symptoms after an accident, and seek treatment when they begin to interfere with your day to day life and other aspects of your recovery. 

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Accident victims often struggle with anxiety and depression.

 

It is entirely reasonable to experience a whole roller-coaster of emotions after an accident. From relief that you are alive, to shock, fear, worry, disbelief, anger, and confusion, you can expect to feel very emotional for a while. These feelings usually subside after a while or become a lot easier to manage, but sometimes, they don’t.

 

When these feelings begin to have an impact on your daily life, it is essential to seek help in the way that you would with any physical injury. It may be that you are suffering from some form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Symptoms of this can be apparent almost immediately, in others, it can be weeks or even months after the initial trauma.

 

Anxiety and depression are common amongst people who have been injured in an accident. Many victims find that their lives are going to look and be very different due to the physical injuries they’ve suffered. They may have more limitations, or may not be able to work or care for their families in the way that they did before or participate in their favorite hobbies or activities. Some, especially if they have suffered a traumatic brain injury, may find their personality changes or that they can’t socialize or spend time with their loved ones in the same way. All of these can take a significant toll on someone’s mental health and puts them at a much higher risk of suffering from anxiety and depression.

 

When should you seek mental health help after an accident?

 

If you begin to experience any of the following symptoms in the aftermath of an accident, you should talk to a doctor as soon as possible, who will be able to signpost you to the right sort of help as quickly as possible.

 

• Irritability or excessive anger
• Persistent nightmares, flashbacks or bad dreams about the accident
• Inability to focus on tasks
• Increased anxiety or feelings of uneasiness
• Difficulty in sleeping or eating
• Relying on drugs or alcohol to get you through the day
• Thoughts of self-harm or ending your life

 

It’s important to recognize that psychological stress can also affect your physical recovery after an accident, making it even more important to seek treatment.

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If you’re suffering from an injury or illness, you need to take active steps towards helping your body recover as quickly and efficiently as possible. Here are a few steps that you can take to help yourself along the way!

 

Take Sufficient Time Off Work

 

It can be tempting to still head into work when you don’t feel too ill or injured, or when you’re at a stage where you feel almost better. But don’t return to work until your doctor says you’re fine to. Pushing your body too far before it’s recovered will only prolong your problems. If you are worried about losing money by taking time off work and the injury or illness wasn’t your fault, contact a personal injury lawyer. They may be able to seek compensation on your behalf, so you can rest easy while you recover.

 

Attend Appointments

 

If you have follow-up appointments, attend them. These will help medical professionals keep up to date with how your body is recovering. It can be inconvenient and you may not feel well enough to get out and about. But without these appointments, you’ll find it difficult to recover properly!

 

Take Medication as Prescribed

 

If your doctor or a hospital prescribes you medicine, it’s for a reason – you really need to take it. So, make sure to listen to their advice, read the information sheet inside the medicine and take it as prescribed. This can be difficult if you have multiple sets of tablets to take or if you have to take your tablets at set periods of time, or if you have to specifically take your medicine with or without food. But it’s possible as long as you stay organised. Use a note book to note down exactly when you’ve taken your medicine. You can then always refer back to this if you are unsure what you’ve had so far in the day and what you haven’t had. You can also get medicine organizers that sort your pills into days of the week. This helps you better track and monitor what’s going on.

 

Get Sufficient Sleep

 

Sleep is absolutely essential to a full recovery. So try not to underestimate the good that it can do for you! You should at least be getting your full recommended eight hours’ sleep a night. If you’re feeling worn out or tired, don’t hesitate to nap. Listen to your body! Sleep is when your body shuts down, repairs and recovers most fully. It also gives your mind a rest from constant thought!

 

Ask for Help

 

Never feel that you’re alone in this situation. Whether you’re experiencing physical or mental difficulties following any experience of illness or injury, know there are plenty of people out there to support you. It’s not unusual to struggle with these types of experiences – in fact, it’s expected. So if you’re not feeling great, in any way, shape or form, reach out for help. You can talk to friends and family, your employer, a therapist, or even specially trained individuals on call lines, support lines and helplines.

 

These are just a few different ways that you can help yourself recover from injuries or illnesses – all round – in the most effective ways possible.

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Many people take the fact they can hear for granted and therefore looking after your ears can be ignored and overlooked. Many people go through life thinking, paying very little attention to their ears, and hearing because it just works. However, the prospect of potential hearing loss is undoubtedly a concerning one, but there are some ways in which you can prevent it and look after your hearing health.

 

The preservation of your hearing is achieved by looking after your ears, for example, avoiding excessively loud noise, using earplugs when you attend concerts and using headphones instead of earbuds. If you do find your hearing deteriorating, you can learn more about how technology can help with this and take action now, but even if you have not noticed any issues yet, there are many natural therapies you could try for preventing hearing loss. 

 

The ear is made up of the outer, middle, and inner ear, and all of these three parts of the ear work together to move sound from the outer part through the middle and into the inner part of the ear and are important for detecting sound as well as maintaining balance.

 

Acetyl-L-Carnitine is an amino acid which helps to prevent damage to your hair cells in the middle ear. This can help to reduce the chances of suffering from hearing loss, which generally occurs when those hair cells get damaged or die. Acetyl-L-Carnitine can be found in meat and dairy products, and you can also take supplements just check with your pharmacist first, especially if you are currently taking other prescribed medication. 

 

Vitamin B12 

Vitamin B12 has an important role to play in maintaining optimal nerve health, which is particularly important if you want to protect your ears. If you suffer from a deficiency in B12, or you have noticed symptoms, then it is worth undergoing a blood test to check your levels as supplements are available over the counter, or injectables may be prescribed.

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids 

Omega-3 fatty acids are very important when it comes to our heart health, but did you know that your hearing can also benefit if you make sure you have a good intake of these essential nutrients? Omega-3 supplements are an option, but a diet rich in oily fish such as salmon, nuts, and vegetables (like Brussels sprouts) should be more than sufficient for most people.

 

Melatonin 

Melatonin is a hormone which is most often related to the regulation of a healthy sleeping pattern. However, studies have shown that it may also have a role to play in protecting against age-related hearing loss. Supplementing melatonin could be the right for you if you feel you need that extra boost, and there are plenty of over-the-counter options available. Of course, you should always check for with your doctor if you are taking prescribed medication or any other supplements.

For many people, the last time they had their hearing checked was in primary school, but according to healthcare professionals, we should get a “baseline” hearing test early in our adulthood aged 18 to 21 which will also measure your ability to understand speech, both at soft levels and when the volume is comfortable. Also, the audiologist will evaluate the overall health of the ear via a visual exam.

Being healthy is one of the most important things that we can work towards in life. Unfortunately, sometimes we are not always in control of this as we would like to be. In fact, many things we use in life to make us feel temporarily better can end up driving us, rather than it being the other way around. Luckily, you can find out more about a few of the most serious one below, and how to take control of your health back from the as well. Read on for more. 

Food 

For someone that reaches for a cookie when you’ve had a bad day, it can be effortless to slip into a pattern of using food as an emotional support. This behavior being something that can spiral into addiction very quickly. 

Of course, food is something of an insidious addiction because we all need a certain amount each day. Therefore seeing someone eat a bag of chips may not seem as bad as them drinking Vodka in the morning. 

 

However, unless they are eating in response to actual hunger. Then stopping when that hunger is satiated, it is likely to be a maladaptive coping mechanism. Something that can lead to psychological dependency as well as health problems associated with being overweight or obese. 

 

Luckily there are things you can do if you feel you are using food in an unhealthy way. One is to get help for BED or binge eating disorder, an issue that is becoming increasingly more recognized by the medical community. 

 

Alcohol 

Being addicted to alcohol tend to be much more noticeable than a food problem. The reason being that it is not acceptable to drink everywhere or at all times. Our behavior also changes when we consume alcohol, too, so that is harder to mask it from others around us. 

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Of course, just because it is easier to spot, doesn’t mean it’s easier to treat. In fact, alcohol addiction can be one of the hardest ones to break, because the body actually becomes dependent on the substance. 

To that end, it is always better to get professional help from places like Lake Wellness Center that specialize in such issues. The main benefit of such centers being you don’t have to stay there to access treatment. This then means you can continue to live in your own home and sleep in your own bed too. Something that can make the entire process a lot easier to embrace for many people. 

Exercise 

You will be used to hearing about exercise positively. However, too much exercise can be just as bad for the body and mind as too little. In fact, it can be habit-forming due to the endorphins and dopamine it releases, as well as play havoc with your joints, and cause unnecessary injuries.

 

 

Luckily, if you are struggling with overexercising, there are people out there than can help. In fact, it is often treated as part or subsection of eating disorders, as the two can go hand in hand. Something that means the first step is heading to your doctor so they can refer you to a specialist.

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Living a healthy lifestyle is about so much more than feeling good in the here and now, but futureproofing your body. All of us want to be around for as long as we can, we want to see our children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren grow up. Here are some of the ways you can keep your body fighting fit.

 

Live a healthy lifestyle

It goes without saying that living a healthy lifestyle will set you up for success. It doesn’t mean you need to be ‘perfect’ but eating a balanced diet, getting plenty of physical activity, sleeping enough each night and drinking enough water will all benefit your body. Things like bone health is important to build when you’re young, once you reach old age your bone cells can deteriorate quicker than they’re replaced leading to weak and brittle bones. Building up their strength throughout your life and increasing the density means you keep osteoporosis at bay for as long as possible. With a healthy lifestyle, you slash your risk of preventable illnesses. And since heart disease is the leading cause of death, this isn’t something to overlook. 

 

Attend all of your screenings

Living a healthy life is a good start, but attending all of the screenings you’re invited to (this will usually be based on your age and gender) ensures any medical issues are picked up at the earliest stage. This means conditions like certain cancers can be spotted and treated before they become dangerous. Since lots of illnesses don’t show symptoms until they’ve progressed, this is a great way to keep tabs on your health. As well as cancer screenings, eye tests can pick up problems like high blood pressure and diabetes, an audiologist can give you pointers on how to take care of your hearing health such as ways to prevent tinnitus. It’s a good idea to go to your GP once a year, have them check your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar and urine to assess your overall health. 

 

Keep stress down

Stress is a natural human response, it’s something that all of us will experience from time to time. Pressures from work or school, family, money or health can all elevate our stress levels. While many stresses will come and go and resolve themselves, if you’re experiencing long term stress it can wreak havoc on your body. It can prevent you from getting enough sleep, raise blood pressure, affect hunger hormones leading to obesity (and all of the related illnesses with that). Life is unpredictable, it’s impossible to alleviate all stresses within our lives as things just don’t work like that. But what you can do is make sure you’re responding to them in the healthiest possible way. Avoid alcohol, drugs, binge eating or smoking as a way to cope with stress. Take up a sport, practice meditation, take time out to put your feet up and relax. It’s not a luxury, it’s essential for wellbeing. 

 

Something we can all be sure of is that we age, and that hand-in-hand with the process of aging come all sorts of health problems too. Accepting this is great, and being prepared is even better, but in order to be able to do that you need to know what they actually are, and what kind of preparation you actually need to engage in in order to make sure you are doing whatever you can. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the most common age-related health issues which you might want to try and prepare for, so that you can much more readily ensure that you are doing so. That could mean a better quality of life on the whole, and at the very least it will mean that you are able to know how to look after your body a little better.

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Hearing Loss

 

Something that happens to some extent to almost everyone as they age is hearing loss. If you are past the age of forty, chances are you have already have some kind of hearing loss – although it might have been so gradual that you are not even aware of it. Nonetheless, if you have experienced it and you know you have, then you will probably want to do something about it before it gets worse. The most important thing is to avoid loud sounds as best as you can, and to make sure that you keep your ears clean without intruding on the ear canal. If you experience something like tinnitus, be sure to get tinnitus therapy before it gets worse, and make sure that you follow the doctor’s orders when they say that you might need a hearing aid and so on.

 

Worsening Eyesight

 

By the age of 30, most people have lost some degree of clarity that they used to have in their eyesight. If you have already noticed this, you might be keen to do something about it. As such, it is important to make sure that you don’t overlook this problem, and that you instead go and get your eyes checked professionally to see how bad it is. If you have a prescription, then you should make sure you get it as soon as you can – otherwise you could be allowing your eyesight to get even worse. Avoid straining your eyes wherever you can, and you should hold off vision loss much more effectively in the long run.

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Breathing Troubles

After a certain number of years, it is likely that your lungs will start to struggle ever so slightly more than they used to. Such breathing troubles can be tiresome, literally, and can cause you to feel as though you are indeed getting old. But you can help to stave this off for longer in one simple way: make sure that you carry out plenty of cardiovascular exercise while you are young. The more you do that, the healthier your lungs will stay. You should also, of course, avoid smoking wherever possible, as that is just about the worst thing for your lungs that you can do.

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Follow Your Gut Energy Balance #Ad #CountryLife, #GutConnection, #ItsAllConnected, #GutHealth.

Have you ever felt bloated, digestive discomfort, or irregular bowel movements? That could be caused by an unbalanced gut microbiome. Gut Connection from Country Life digestive balance is a great way to “get connected” and started improving your microbiome health. An unhealthy gut can affect things like an upset stomach, weight changes, skin irritations and so much more.  When it comes to your gut, you need to aim to improve your gut bacteria.

 

Gut Connection from country life is a scientifically formulated range of supplements that connects the gut to individual health issues that matter. Gut Connection from Country Life uses a unique formulation that balances your gut microbiome by boosting your existing probiotics with whole food fermentate. Your healthy stomach lining can then efficiently absorb the clinically studied ingredients in each Gut Connection, providing personalized solutions for your everyday issues.

I have been taking Gut Connection from Country Life Digestive Balance and eating healthier for about two weeks now and I feel better than ever. I feel like a new person with more energy and so much healthier, I no longer feel the discomfort of being bloated and miserable. I never realized how much my bloating, digestive discomfort and irregular bowel movements could affect my life until I was able to get relief with Digestive Balance.

 

Here are a few more products that Gut Connection from Country Life offers, Immune balance which helps with falling asleep, relaxing muscles, and during stressful times. Gut Connection from Country Life Energy Balance increases clean, clear energy and supports alertness (I think we could all use this one!) I will be trying these once I am done with the digestive balance.

 

Eating a nutritious and balanced diet in today’s society, in which you are surrounded by advertisements for processed junk and fast food restaurants galore, is admittedly a difficult task. Sticking to the healthiest foods can appear on the surface to take a lot more time, effort and money to prepare and consume, but this actually is not the case. Eating fresh, home cooked vitamin packed meals is as easy as can be, and once you understand the side effects of a bad diet you may never want to pick up the phone to order a fat filled takeaway again.

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Why It’s Important To Eat Well

 

The simple fact is, the food you eat provides you with the ingredients your body uses to survive and function each day. If your heart is running on deep fried foods with a high salt content, of course it will begin to suffer as a result. As the saying goes, ‘you are what you eat’. If reading that makes you feel a little nervous as you’re now picturing yourself as a huge slice of pizza, then this might be a sign that you need to make some changes. Food is fuel, and you need to fill your tank with the right foods containing all of the necessary vitamins and minerals so that your mind and body can operate to their full potential day in day out. Without consuming these nutrients, you will be much more susceptible to catching an infection, or developing a much more serious problem later in life. The risks associated with a bad diet are seemingly endless, but include heart disease, strokes, and diabetes to name just a few. If you’re a parent that eats terribly, your children will copy your eating habits even if you make a special effort to cook them something different and healthier compared to what you are eating. Ultimately it is your own responsibility to care for your health and set the right example for future generations, and ensure that you can lead a long and active life.

 

What To Eat For Ultimate Health

 

Deciding what to eat can be a struggle for many people, and there are massive outside influences that can impact upon your choice. Fast junk food should be removed from your diet completely, as it provides you with no health benefits whatsoever and will only contribute to increasing your waistband whilst potentially shortening your lifespan. Instead, look for healthier options that include lean protein sources like Peruvian chicken, and pair this with complex carbohydrates and vegetables for a complete dish. Each meal you eat should be a mix of these basic food groups, and there should be a real focus on consuming at least 5 portions of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Avoid high sugar foods like cakes and sweets as these can cause havoc with the stability of your mood and energy levels.

 

Hopefully now you can understand how to eat well, and why it’s so important for your health to do so.

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Our five senses literally help us to make sense of the world. As we get older, many of these senses naturally deteriorate, however certain lifestyle choices can speed up this deterioration process. Here are a few tips on how you can keep your senses sharp.

 

Sight

 

The biggest way to look after your eyesight is to avoid any activity that strains your eyes.

 

Using the right lighting when performing tasks such as reading or working on a computer is important. If the surrounding lighting is too dim or too intense, it could damage your eyesight.

 

Protecting your eyes from the sun is also important. Wearing sunglasses can stop harmful UV rays entering your eyes, preventing conditions such as photokeratitis and cataracts.

 

Your diet can also help you to maintain good eye health. Omega-3 fatty acids as found in fish and walnuts have been linked to a decrease in the risk of oracular degeneration, dry eyes and glaucoma. Meanwhile, foods that are rich in vitamins can also help to protect vision loss, often linked with a reduced risk of cataracts (this includes carrots, which may not help you see in the dark, but are good for your eyes due to their high vitamin A content).

 

Once you notice the first signs of vision loss, you should book an eye test immediately. Wearing glasses or contact lenses could help restore your vision and reduce eye strain, preventing further deterioration. Some companies such as Vision Express even offer free eye tests.

 

Unfortunately, vision loss can be hereditary for some people – myopia (or longsightedness) is a common example of this, although many of the above measures can prevent it from getting worse. Presbyopia (short-sightedness) meanwhile is a common symptom of aging and similarly may not be preventable.     

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Hearing

 

Hearing loss is most commonly caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise. Anything over 85 decibels can be harmful when listened to for sustained periods – this could include loud music or loud machinery. People that work jobs in noisy environments such as air traffic controllers, nightclub workers and builders are most at risk and should wear ear protection at all times.

 

Using cotton buds to clean your ears can also cause hearing loss. Cotton buds have a tendency to push wax further into the ear and can cause damage to the inner ear. You’re much better off cleaning your ears out with eardrops or using water. It’s possible to seek professional treatment to get your ears cleaned out if you have an unhealthy build-up of wax.

 

If you notice that you’re having trouble hearing people or having to turn the TV up very loud, it could be worth getting a hearing test. Companies such as ListenLively offer free hearing tests online. Getting a hearing aid could help you to restore your hearing back to normal.

Like vision loss, hearing loss can naturally occur with age. Infections may also lead to hearing loss – if you experience pain as well as hearing loss you should consult a doctor immediately.

 

Touch

 

Many factors can affect our sense of touch, causing unusual pain, tingling and sometimes numbness. Some drugs may cause numbness, whilst sitting or lying awkwardly could also restrict blood circulation and cause a temporary lack of feeling (also a big cause of pin and needles) – however these are generally forms of temporary lack of sensation. It’s when numbness is ongoing that you should worry as this could be a sign of nerve damage.

 

Handling hot foods without protective gloves is a common cause of nerve damage in the hands that many chefs can suffer from. By always taking care with hot objects, you can avoid this damage. Similarly, you should take care with tools like blades and sanding machines – injuries involving these tools often lead to nerve damage.

 

A number of medical conditions may also lead to nerve damage, causing unusual tingling and numbness in arms or legs. A few conditions that can cause this include diabetes, HIV, lupus, vasculitis, vitamin b12 deficiency and lyme disease.

 

Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome can also cause numbness by putting pressure on nerves, usually as the result of an RSI. Multiple sclerosis is another disease that leads to a gradual lack of feeling (the cause of this disease is largely unknown and thought to be genetic – although it has been linked with a lack of vitamin D, as well as habits like smoking).

 

In all cases where you may feel unusual prolonged numbness, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor. You may not be able to reverse numbness causes by nerve damage, however you may still be able to stop the condition developing.

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Smell

 

Many people experience a loss of smell when they have a cold or are bunged up from an allergy. However, there are causes for a lack of smell which can cause long-term damage.

Smoking is one bad habit that can permanently damage the sense of smell. By quitting smoking, you can protect nerve receptors in the nose.

 

You may also want to be careful when breathing in certain chemicals. If you work with pesticides or solvents, you could be at risk of animism – wearing a protective mask is advised.

 

If you think you’re losing your sense of smell you should always see a doctor. This is wise just to rule out conditions such as polyps.

 

Taste

 

The sense of taste and smell are strongly linked and as a result both are affected by similar factors.

 

Smoking is a major cause of lack of taste. This is because smoking kills of taste receptors (in serious cases it can lead to oral cancer). Fortunately, taste receptors can regenerate, so by giving up smoking you may regain your sense of taste.

 

Poor dental hygiene and use of certain medicine may also negatively affect your sense of taste. It could be worth seeing a doctor if you’re suffering a serious lack of taste (it’s worth noting that cold can sometimes cause temporary lack of taste).

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We all know that smoking is super bad for our health. Of course, that’s not the only reason why you might be thinking about giving up; there are a lot of other reasons why people are stubbing out their cigarettes for good now.

 

Do you think that it’s time for you to kick this bad habit? Don’t worry; quitting doesn’t have to be a struggle. Here are some great ways to make sure you stop smoking for good.

 

Make A Plan

 

First of all, you should come up with a plan. There are many different types of plans you could create, but most people like to think of a goal or a target and write it down. For instance, it might be something easy to start off with like go one day without smoking. Once you’ve achieved that goal, you could always set yourself something a bit harder, like go a whole week without any cigarettes. Many people find that following a plan like this with a set target gives them a lot more motivation to stop smoking.

 

Watch What You Eat And Drink

 

Some people find that certain foods and drinks can set off their cravings for cigarettes. In fact, this is backed up by science as some studies show that alcoholic and fizzy drinks are often what make people crave smoking the most. So, if you know this is a risk for you, then try to stay away from these drinks. It’s better to stick with water and fruit juices as they are a lot healthier than fizzy drinks and alcohol anyway.

Pixabay

 

Consider Vaping

 

Have you thought about weaning yourself off cigarettes by vaping? A lot of smokers find that vaping gives them the chance to slowly cut down before they stop smoking anything for good. If you take a look on blazedvapes.com, you will see that there are lots of different flavors for you to try. One of the positive things about vaping is that, even though there is still nicotine in the liquid, there isn’t all of the tar and other harmful chemicals that traditional cigarettes have.

 

Join A Support Group

 

There are a lot of support groups aimed at smokers up and down the country, like the ones on nysmokefree.com, so I’m sure that there will be one that is local to you. These groups give people who are trying to quit plenty of support and advice to help them hit their no-smoking goal. You’ll also find that they are very sociable as well, as you will meet a lot of other people who are in a similar situation to you.

 

Start To Exercise More

 

Some people find that the more they exercise, the weaker their cravings are. This is because the body creates anti-craving chemicals when it is being active. Not only that, though, but it will be keeping you occupied so your mind won’t be thinking about smoking.

 

These are just a few great tips that can help you stop smoking. If you search online, you are bound to find more.

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As we all get older, health problems can become more common. Many of these health problems can be reduced or cured by taking steps against them early. In order to take these steps, you need to catch the warning signs early. Here are just a few warning signs to be wary of.

 

Keep forgetting things?

 

Many of us get more forgetful as we get older, and this is usually nothing serious. However, if you find yourself continuously forgetting things, it could be an early sign of dementia. You should see your doctor the moment you notice this and get tests done to get an official diagnosis. Whilst there is no current cure for dementia, there are many medically approved ways to slow it down and stop it in its tracks.

 

Keep losing your balance?

 

A lot of people have more frequent falls as they get older. This could be due to naturally weaker muscles and joints, however, it could be a sign of other conditions too such as labyrinthitis or low blood pressure if accompanied by dizziness. It’s worth seeing a doctor get this diagnosed. Preventing falls could be particularly important if you have osteoporosis.

 

Straining to see things properly?

 

Loss of vision is also common as people get older. This could include struggling to read or struggling to see things far away, both of which can be easily corrected with prescription glasses. More serious visual symptoms to look out for include clouded vision or sensitivity to light which could be a sign of cataracts – this can be cured if caught early. Sudden blurry vision could also be a symptom of diabetes.

 

Having trouble hearing?

 

Hearing loss is also common with age – especially if you’ve had jobs in the past that were based in noisy environments. Hearing aids can usually help to restore hearing to full working order. You should see a doctor immediately if hearing loss is accompanied by pain in your ear or you’re suffering a loss of balance as well. Some people can also experience hearing loss accompanied by ringing in the ears, which can be a sign of tinnitus.

 

Not reaching the toilet on time?

 

A lot of older people can develop incontinence, which is an inability to control one’s bladder. If you notice that you’re unable to reach the toilet on time because you get a little warning, it could be worth seeing a doctor. Changing your diet and exercising your pelvic floor may be able to counter this issue. Whilst this condition can be embarrassing, it’s worth getting a diagnosis just to cancel out any serious digestive problems.

 

Getting regular chest pain?

Regular chest pain is one of the more serious symptoms to look out for on this list. It could be a sign of heart disease, which could be fatal if you don’t take steps to control it. Heart disease is the biggest killer in the world. That said, it can usually be kept at bay by making certain lifestyle changes and taking medication. A doctor will be able to diagnose this condition for you.

 

Not all of us are blessed with excellent hearing. Many people suffer from hearing loss from a very young age, and others see (or rather hear) a deterioration as they age. And chances are, you may struggle with hearing yourself.

 

If you do notice the signs of hearing loss, you should visit your doctor or audiologist for advice and support. They will guide you on the way forward. However, you can also take steps to protect your hearing, and this includes making an effort to avoid the following bad habits we will cover in this article.  

 

Bad Habit #1: Poking around in your ear

 

If you have a build up of wax in your ear, the tendency might be for you to stick your finger in there and have a dig around. Not a good idea, as the deeper you probe, the higher the chance of you perforating your eardrum. This can result in lasting damage to your hearing. And the same applies to cotton buds or Q-tips. While they can be used to clean the outer rim of your ear, you could cause damage if you push any further. Therefore, avoid sticking anything into your ears in the first place. Use ear drops to soften up the wax and/or visit your doctor for ear irrigation, which is a painless process of cleaning out your ear.

 

Bad Habit #2: Smoking

 

You know smoking is bad for you, but did you know it can affect your hearing? As is discussed in this article, research suggests smokers are 70% more likely than non-smokers to suffer from hearing loss. This is because the nicotine and carbon dioxide from cigarettes lower oxygen blood levels and limit the blood vessels that are needed for good ear health. If you ever needed another excuse to give up smoking then, let the state of the long-term health of your hearing make you think you think twice before having another cigarette.

 

Bad Habit #3: Playing music too loud

 

When listening to music through your headphones, you should set the volume so you can still hear what is going on around you. If you can’t hear anything other than your rocking tunes, then you have the volume turned up too loud. Prolonged exposure to loud noises will affect your hearing, and this extends to having the television turned up to the max, or listening to music at a concert without some form of ear protection to dampen the noise. You might find reading the information here will be useful to you, so check out the article, and then think twice before turning up the dial on your music in the future.

 

Bad Habit #4: Drinking alcohol

 

As with smoking, it will be of no surprise to you to know that drinking alcohol in excess is bad for your health. As well as damaging your liver and your nervous system, studies suggest excessive drinking can also lead to ototoxicity, a condition that creates a toxic environment in your bloodstream which can result in permanent hearing loss. If you don’t want to cut out alcohol from your life forever, the least you can do is moderate your drinking habit to alleviate the risk to your hearing.

 

Hear this!

 

Stop poking around in your ear, ditch the cigarettes, turn down your music, and cut back on the alcohol!  By taking steps to avoid any of these bad habits, you stand a better chance of good hearing in your life. Consider this today, and see your doctor if you need any further advice.

 

What’s the deal with fitness trackers these days? The market is saturated with fitness trackers, such as devices built specifically for purposes such as Garmin and Fitbit through to those which are more like smartwatches that have been adapted to meet the trend like the Apple Watches 4.

Behind the hype, attractive interfaces, and ever increasing functions, what are the real reasons for using them, and how can they help you to improve your health at fitness?

From fitness fanatics through to office workers, we are going to explore some of the main reasons both physically and psychologically why a fitness tracker has its place.

Keeping Track of Your Daily Exercise

If you work in an office, your day will most likely start with a commute, you end up at a desk and then finish work with a commute back home. If you don’t leave near to the station or your carpark then you are likely to get in a few steps walking during the commute, but once in the office, the most you will be walking is probably to the coffee machine and back.

A great reason for using a fitness tracker is to be able to keep track of how much exercise you are getting throughout the day. With 81% of office workers spending 4–9 hours sat down, it’s all too easy to finish the day feeling you have been productive, but missed the fact that you may have taken just 3,000–4,000 steps. That’s a fair mark off the recommended 10,000 steps a day.

Setting Realistic Goals

So often we will set a fitness goal and then give up. In fact, a study has shown that up to as many as 73% of people will give up on their New Year’s fitness Resolutions. A huge problem can be because we set the bar too high when we decide to get fit and give ourselves unachievable goals that end up demotivating us. Without being able to track our activity we can have distorted perceptions of not just how many steps we take a day but also how many calories we burn.

The fact that most fitness trackers will track not only your steps but also the calories that you burn both at rest and during exercise. This is a strong reason for using a fitness tracker. They enable you to have a clear idea of where you are starting from, a baseline based on facts and not assumptions, which will help you to set realistic goals and within realistic time frames.

Tracking Your Progress

Another main reason for using a fitness tracker is that it gives you the possibility of managing your progress. Whether that is in terms of steps taken per day, calories burnt or distance run. Fitness trackers will track your rate of recovery after exercise which you can compare over time and monitor as you get fitter.

Many of the fitness trackers also have corresponding applications or can be linked to third party applications, so you can download your data and then review it clearly over the following days, weeks, months and even years.

Motivation

Having a fitness tracker within eyesight on your wrist is a constant reminder of the reasons why you are wearing it – to keep fit. A bit like having Jiminy Cricket sat with you, gently nudging you in the right direction every time you are being to falter.

You can choose your home screen on the majority of fitness trackers as well – which when glancing at the data can stir that innate sense of rivalry inbuilt within us humans, not just with others but also with ourselves. Deciding to walk the long way home, jog for an extra 5 minutes or run up and down the stairs just to beat your total number of steps taken from the day before is great motivation.

And if just seeing the fitness tracker isn’t reminder enough – there are some brands like Fitbit that will actually vibrate if you have been sedentary for an extended period of time during the day. Enabling you not only to track your progress throughout the day but actively giving you the motivation to get up and move.

Earn Free Stuff

If you link up your fitness tracker to certain websites, apps, and even some health insurance companies, you will be able to earn points towards rewards based on your activity to spend on coffees, flights and other treats. The more steps you take, the food you track and data you feed them, the more points you earn. Some companies even offer cash rewards!

If there was ever a good reason aside from health to be using a fitness tracker – free stuff would be it!

Convenience for Runners

I don’t know if you remember the days when you used to painstakingly draw out your route on some running website, or even google maps if you were going on the road, to figure out how far you had run.

Now with fitness trackers such as Polar Vantage M or Garmin Forerunner 235 containing a built in GPS, this is a thing of the past.

Not only are you able to track distance but also speed, and with features such as lap-counters, lap splits, countdown timers and training logs, everything thing you need for a training session is literally on your wrist.

Aesthetics

Fitness trackers have been around on the commercial market since Fitbit launched its first wearable in 2009. Since then the number of companies offering fitness trackers has exponentially increased, so have their designs. From smaller more delicate wrist bands through to larger interfaces with the option to change the straps that make them appropriate for the corporate world and not just the gym. I have a Fitbit Versa with a number of custom Fitbit Versa bands so I can change up the appearance of my tracker whenever I want.

But the buck doesn’t just stop with watches, most recently Motiv have released a ring that can track sleep, heart rate, and activity, enabling your health to be quite literally at your fingertips. On top of this Google have long been talking about their research into contact lens technology. So if watches and rings aren’t for you – watch this space!

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored a few reasons for using a fitness tracker – from enabling you to understand your current fitness levels through to the ability to track progress and get motivated. You could actually end up financially better off too. Deals from websites, apps and health companies show how valuable your data is, not just to you, but also to others.

The future for fitness trackers looks bright – and over the next few years, we will certainly see a vast number of innovations not just in style but also increased functionalities.

I am so excited about this, did you hear? QuartzClinical is a cloud-based healthcare data analytics platform that uses artificial intelligence, machine learning, and big data to deliver meaningful results for hospitals.

The goal is to help hospitals provide better quality healthcare at a lower cost and also QuartzClinical is leading a seismic shift in how hospitals operate. They help identify opportunities for improvement through dynamic dashboards, detailed benchmarking, highly accurate predictive analytics, and prioritizing the opportunities that will lead to the greatest impact for a hospital system. Their sophisticated platform incorporates lean and six sigma tools and project management tools to help hospitals automate their performance improvement opportunities. Our product has achieved worldwide recognition for its highly accurate predictive analytics that leverages big data and advanced machine learning.

They can predict which patient is likely to be readmitted to the hospital with an accuracy of 80% – that’s unheard of in medicine and represents a real change to how hospitals function. QuartzClinical is affordable to even small hospitals since we use a reasonable sliding scale and do not have per-user charges. Our goal is to create a seismic transformation in healthcare so that the world can become a better place. They also partner with hospitals to help them deliver better healthcare at a lower cost.

People have long known about the benefits of working out in a group. Giving you the chance to make yourself accountable for more than your own body, this approach to getting fit can be a simple way to push yourself in the right direction. A lot of people struggle with this side of life, finding it hard to know where to direct their efforts. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring some of the important aspects which go into this, giving you the chance to start making your workouts into a social activity, rather than something done alone.

(Image Credit)

 

Finding The Right Gym

 

Gyms have become incredibly popular business ventures to run, over the last few years. With so many of these establishments popping up, newer examples are having to work hard to provide an experience which their customers won’t be able to get anywhere else. This has opened the doors to scheduled group events being schedules by companies like this. There are loads of different types of workout which are covered by this, ranging from cycling to swimming, and everything in between.

 

Finding an example which will work for you is crucial when you’re looking at an option like this. There won’t be much point in going to a spin class if you hate cycling, for instance. By browsing the web, you will be able to find loads of examples of gyms offering group Zumba classes, weight lifting sessions, and other workouts which tie you to a group of other people. Going down this route will make it far easier to keep up with your routine, especially if the groups are held nice and often. Most gyms will be happy to boast about these sorts of activities when they are on offer.

 

Downloading An App

 

Over the last decade or so, smartphones have just about taken over the computing space. As more and more people get their hands on devices like these, there are increasing numbers of apps which are designed to go with them, opening the doors to resources which never used to exist. A great example of this comes in the form of gym buddy tools. Taking your location, fitness preferences, and availability into account, tools like these can find strangers who have similar goals to you.

 

It’s important to make sure that you choose the right example when you’re using an app like this. While some may be able to find a partner for you nice and easy, they won’t always take security and safety into account, and this is crucial when you’re meeting up with someone you’ve met online. As a big part of this, it’s always worth looking for examples which use some sort of tracking and alert system to make sure that users are looked after. Along with this, you can always stick to meeting at local gyms to avoid being alone with your gym buddy, and this is a great way to keep things on the right level.

 

Picking A Sport

 

Throughout the course of history, people have long been working hard to create all sorts of different sports. Some involve balls, while others use pucks, but they all share something in common; they all work you out. Of course, you can find examples of this which are done on your own, like tennis, but these can be avoided when you’re choosing the options you like. For example, football is popular all over the world and involves loads of running, making it perfect for those who want to keep fit without having to think about it.

 

Finding activities like this is easier than you might think. With the popularity of certain sports, there are loads of private teams and clubs which have been formed over the years, providing you with the opportunity to get out and get active with a group of like-minded people. As the digital age as developed, a lot of groups like this have put together their own websites and social media pages. This makes it very easy to find ones which will be happy to welcome you, even if you’re completely new to the sport you’re looking to try.

 

Fitness As A Side Effect

 

When you’re looking for an activity which can keep you fit while also giving you some social time, you don’t always have to look for dedicated exercises. There are loads of different ways to spend your time which will be good for your body, and not all of them are considered exercises, making it possible to make improving your fitness into a side effect of the time you spend with your friends. The only important thing to consider is the fact that not everyone will enjoy the same things. This makes it crucial to look for a range of activities, rotating what you do and giving everyone the chance to have their voice heard.

 

To find activities like this, you may have to be a little creative. Hiring bikes to explore your city or local area can be a great idea, giving you the chance to do some sightseeing, while also improving your body in the process. Likewise, exploring the rural areas which you have nearby can also be satisfying, but you will have to do it on foot. Exercise can come from loads of places. To find more examples like this, it will be worth doing some research, spending the time to figure out exactly what you have on offer.

 

With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to start working harder on the time you put into getting fit. Making this part of life into a social activity holds loads of benefits, ranging from making it easier to keep yourself motivated to make the whole thing far more fun. Of course, though, this will only be successful if you put the time into it. Once you have people to work out with, you should be able to keep this going for many years, building positive habits along the way.