Healthcare

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Blackheads

Blackheads, also known as clogged pores are made up of dead skin cells and are caused due to excess oil present on the skin. They are unsightly and we are sure that you would prefer not to have them! Luckily these natural DIY blackhead removal ideas can help you prevent blackheads without harming your facial skin.

Consider the oil cleaning method as it is a great way to prevent blackheads. It keeps your skin moisturized throughout the day and doesn’t overcompensate with oil production.
Splash your face with cold water 5-6 times a day. This helps close the pores so that dirt is less likely to get in there and cause blackheads.
Use raw, filtered honey on the area that is affected by blackheads. Honey’s unique antiseptic properties can help remove dead skin cells on the face.
Beat or stir some egg white and apply it to your face. Soon after it feels tight and dry (about 10 minutes) gently rinse with warm water. It latches onto the dirt in the pores and pulls it out.

These natural blackhead removal ideas will rid your skin of blackheads and reduce the oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells that cause them.

Bonus: You will Look good, feel good!

https://crunchybetty.com/remove-blackheads/

What your mother really wants for Mother’s day

What are you getting your mom this Mother’s day? Jewelry? Flowers? Chocolate?

These are great go-to options, but how about we amp it up this year, and get our mothers something they really want and will cherish?

A Day Off –

There’s nothing your mother would like more than a day off from the usual ‘mom-routine’. Take over for the day, and make sure the house is clean & chores are taken care of. Cook your mom’s favourite meals, and let her take the day off to do some of her favourite things.

Alone Time –

Even though you might want to spend the day with your mom, let’s try not to focus on ourselves for once! Mom’s spend so much time in loud, noisy and crowded environments, that they might want a day to themselves to relax. Send your mom to a spa, and make sure she gets pampered. She deserves it!

Appreciation –

Mothers are incredibly selfless, and most of the time, they never expect anything in return. That’s why it is SO important to make sure your mother knows she is appreciated. Take the time to let your mother know how grateful you are for everything she does.

Quality family time –

Spend some REAL time with your family. Put your phones away, play a board game, and have amazing food. Quality time is all it takes to make some unforgettable memories.

So put a smile on your mother’s face this Mother’s Day with these simple gifts. After all, it’s the small stuff that counts!

6 Soft Foods to Eat After Having your Wisdom Tooth Removed

Having your wisdom teeth removed is a painful process. As if the surgery is not enough to deal with, you end up being deprived of your favorite foods as well! Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. Here’s a list of delicious foods that are comfortable enough to eat, and makes sure you get all the essential nutrients you need to make a quick recovery.

1.Fruit & Yogurt Smoothies

Fruits are an essential part of your diet. They give you the energy you need to start off your day. Add some yogurt for a dose of protein, and you’re set with a healthy and delicious breakfast item!

2.Creamy Vegetable Soup

Soup is the perfect comfort food. There’s nothing that a hot, buttery soup can’t fix. With options such as roasted carrot, butternut squash, and broccoli-cheese, you will get your requirement of vegetables for the day, and something to soothe your senses.

3.Idli & Chutney

An Indian staple, idlis are one of the healthiest foods found across the world. Steamed idlis are a soft option, and can be paired with an assortment of chutneys – coconut, coriander, onion, peanut… the list is endless!

Buttery Scrambled Eggs

Another breakfast favourite – scrambled eggs are a versatile dish. They can be cooked to a creamy, soft consistency, making them perfect for your post-surgery trauma. Add an extra dollop of butter for added happiness!

5.Khichdi

Another Indian speciality, Khichdi is a delicacy made with rice and lentils. Interestingly, it is known to be one of the first solid foods Indian parents give their babies, so you can be sure it will not cause you any discomfort during your recovery.

6.Rich Chocolate Mousse

Of course you need to treat yourself once in awhile – after all, you have been through so much! Chocolate mousse is a universal favourite, and an added bonus – no chewing involved!

So kick back and relax – you’ll be back in shape before you know it!

Sources:

https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/wisdom-teeth/what-to-eat-after-wisdom-teeth-removal-0416

https://www.buzzfeed.com/tashweenali/foods-to-eat-after-getting-your-wisdom-teeth-out?utm_term=.ixByNk9ye#.hyzDwB5Dg

What is ‘text neck’ and how can you avoid it?

Remember when you used to read about all the risks of sitting hunched over a desk all day? Today, our lifestyles are even riskier.

Even when we walk, we are continuously bending to look at smartphone screens. This causes ‘text neck’ a term coined by doctors to describe a bent neck, slouched shoulders, and a rounded upper back.

These techniques are designed to set things right.

Raise the phone

Try to hold your cell phone at the eye level as much as possible so make sure your head is on straight. The same must hold true for all screen devices—laptops and Ipads, should also be positioned such that screen is at eye level.

Take frequent breaks

It is recommended to take frequent breaks from your phone and laptop all through the day. For example, set a reminder or alarm that reminds you to rouse yourself and walk around every 30 to 40 minutes.

Stand up straight

Maintain a good posture, pull your shoulder back and arch the neck and upper back frequently to relieve your muscles.

Stay Fit

Did you know that you must have strong core muscles—the abdominal and lower back muscles—to look after your upper body, including your neck. It is advisable to learn certain neck exercises with the help of a health professional.

You likely to not even notice as to how often you’re looking down at your mobile phone to respond to an email, shoot out a text or checking directions each day. As overall guidance, engage in exercise regularly to save yourself from symptoms of a text neck.

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/4-neck-exercises-will-counteract-effects-texting-ncna840291

https://www.muirortho.com/prevent-text-neck/

How to avoid junk food at work?

We all know that at work, you’re faced with all sorts of temptation with vending machines in the hallway, candy jars and coworker birthday parties around every corner. Here are simple ways to cut your calories and avoid all the junk food at the office!

Pack Your Lunch

Pack a lunch! Establish a habit of bringing your food in, instead of telling yourself you’ll “figure it out” later in the day. By doing this you wont feel tempted by the steady stream of brownies and cookies.

Track What You Eat

There could be junk food floating around all the time and it can be hard to resist.The best thing to do is by tracking your calories.Keep a food diary or use a calorie counting app.

Be mindful of your habits

Do you eat if you are feeling bored? Or reach for samosas if you have skipped your meal? Take time to observe yourself and follow a routine

Keep Your Stress In Check

Stress can trigger unhealthy eating. Try to step away from stressful situations or you might just end up raiding the office pantry for cookies or donuts. If you feel like you need to expend stress, chew some sugar-free gum

Easy, isn’t it? As long as you keep your health goals on top of your mind, you can avoid indulging in junk food at the office!

https://www.ezcater.com/company/blog/avoid-junk-food-office/

https://www.allure.com/story/how-to-avoid-junk-food-at-work

https://vitals.lifehacker.com/how-do-you-deal-with-junk-food-at-work-1819648244

Bar Soap Vs. Liquid Soap – Which Is The Better Choice?

Some people prefer the one, while others prefer the other—where do you stand?

There’s been a lot of argument on both sides of the fence, so let’s take a look at the facts and put this argument to bed once and for all!

Suitability For Multiple Skin Types

For one, liquid soap is generally milder than its bar counterpart. Its usually milder surfactants do not irritate sensitive skin. There is good news for people with dry skin too—liquid soap does not disrupt protective layers, letting you retain 30% of the moisture.

Bar soaps, for the most part, do the opposite. Except for soaps with glycerin and added moisture content—those keep skin dehydrated even as they remove dirt off its surface.

The clear winner here is liquid soap.

Foamy Matters

When it comes to producing lather—the bubbly white stuff that cleanses dirt off the skin, liquid soap is rather faster.

However, both are equally effective at cleansing, which is the important part.

“How Convenient Is It?”

Given that liquid soap comes in a dispenser with a mess-free nozzle, it scores high on convenience. Bar soaps are often slippery. But you end up wasting more liquid soap.

Safety

Germs can’t make their way into your liquid soap dispenser, but are present in large numbers or every used bar of soap—however ‘clean’ it may look.

There’s a clear winner here, and it’s liquid soap.

The Question Of Price

Both types are quite inexpensive, but liquid soap is generally the costlier of the two.

You’ve got all the information you need to make a good choice now!

References:

http://www.beautifulwithbrains.com/liquid-soap-vs-bar-soap/

6 Things You Didn’t Know Honey Was Good For

Everybody knows that honey in warm water can help you lose weight and soothe a sore throat, but there’s much more this natural product can do. We’ve picked 6 that we think you might not know!

Use #1: Gives You An Energy Boost

Mix two teaspoons of honey in warm water. Stir and drink up for a blast of energy that’ll take you off your seat and keep you on your toes.

Use #2: Makes Hair Look Great

After a shower, coat the ends of your hair with some honey. Then wash it off—this will get rid of nasty frizz.

Another honey-based hair tip: massage a bit of warm water with honey into your hair, and let it dry off. This will give it a great-looking shine.

Use #3: Exfoliates Skin

Add a bit of honey to ground almonds and some lemon juice: this makes for a refreshing, rejuvenating facial scrub.

Use #4: Acts As An Antiseptic

Honey makes a good antiseptic for minor cuts, scrapes and bruises: its microbial properties can help treat these, as well as burns.

Use #5: Is A Moisturizer

Warm 250 ml of honey in a bowl till it becomes more liquid, and pour it over aromatic herbs like lavender. Close this, and after a week, mix with 250ml of unscented lotion. This gives you a homemade moisturizer!

Use #6: Honey Lip Balm!

If you can find some beeswax, then you can make your own lip balm—by adding some honey and almond oil! Your homemade lip balm will be pretty effective at battling moisture and keep keeping your lips looking glossy and beautiful.

Honey may be a super-healthy supplement, but it’s also more than that. Much more, as these uses prove!

Reference:

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/anna-brones/20-unusual-uses-for-honey_b_949475.html

4 Tips to reduce body odour

Have you ever had that moment where you wonder if you smell, well, not so great? Here are 4 tips to become more hygienic and make body odour go away.

1. Keep Yourself Squeaky Clean

Shower at least once a day and you’ll wash away all the sweat and keep your skin bacteria free.

2. Use Antibacterial Bathing Soap

You need to shower at least twice a day, preferably with antibacterial bathing soap to reduce the bacteria count, in turn reducing the odour.

3.Cut Out or Cut Down “Offensive” Foods or Drinks

What you eat could also have an impact on your body odour.

There are foods that make you sweat, such as hot peppers or other spicy foods. Drinks containing caffeine or alcohol may also cause you to sweat a lot.

4. Apply Deodorants or Antiperspirants

Once you are clean and dry, use an effective deodorant or antiperspirant on your body, especially your underarms. Apply the deodorant twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.

Now that you are aware of how to get rid of body odour, try these remedies and let us know how they worked for you!

http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/effective-home-remedies-for-reducing-body-odour/#gref

https://www.wikihow.com/Eliminate-Body-Odor

3 Surprising Uses For Aspirin

Everybody knows that aspirin is a great quick fix for a headache.

But did you know that there’s more to these pills than headache-relieving abilities? They can do a number of things, like even making your garden grow!

Use #1: Helps With Bug Bites

Specifically, aspirin can take care of the swelling caused by insect bites, given its anti-inflammatory properties. Simply crush a couple of pills with water to make a paste, then smear it on a stinging bite to take away the pain.

Use #2: Takes Care Of Dandruff

Salicylic acid, a common ingredient in face wash products, is also present in aspirin. When mixed with shampoo, an aspirin paste can reduce dandruff and exfoliate your skin.

Use #3: Removes Stains

The same salicylic acid can help fight sweat stains in your favorite T-shirt. Mix crushed aspirins with water in a bowl, and soak the stained portion of your T shirt in this bowl to remove stains.

Interesting, and quite handy too! Who knew aspirin could be so useful!

References:

https://www.everydayhealth.com/news/surprising-uses-for-aspirin/

4 Foods To Avoid When You’re Pregnant

Your body goes through a host of changes when you’re pregnant—there’s an entire other human being living inside you, for one! This does mean that you’ll have to adjust your diet accordingly. If you’re with child, you’re better off avoiding these 4 items in your daily diet.

Fish With High Mercury Content

A highly toxic element, mercury can be especially dangerous to a pregnant woman and her child. Not all fish have high mercury contents, though. Just some: shark, swordfish, tuna and mackerel.

Do eat low-mercury fish, though. This will give you a healthy supply of Omega-3 fatty acids, essential for your baby.

Raw Eggs

A major no-no. Give all these items a rest: lightly scrambled eggs, poached eggs, Hollandaise sauce, cake icing and salad dressing. Symptoms usually affect the mother alone, but salmonella in raw eggs can affect childbirth too.

Eat eggs that are thoroughly done, or check the labels of egg-containing products to ensure that Pasteurized eggs have been used.

Organ Meat

Here, it’s a question of quantity.

Organ meat in the right quantity is good, even recommended, for expecting mothers. Iron, vitamin B12, vitamin A and copper are all good for you and the baby.

Too much, though, can cause vitamin A and/or copper toxicity.

Caffeine

Every mother has probably heard that coffee is bad, but it’s not just your morning cup of steaming coffee you need to avoid. Caffeine is found in soft drinks, cocoa, and even tea. There isn’t a blanket ban on coffee, though—just limit your intake to less than 200mg per day.

If you’re pregnant, you’ll want to do your best to keep yourself and your baby healthy. For this reason alone, it’s important that you avoid these foods.

References:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/11-foods-to-avoid-during-pregnancy#section6

http://www.activebeat.com/sexual-health/10-dangerous-foods-all-pregnant-women-should-avoid/

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