How To Cut Down On Screen Time When You're Stuck At Home

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Lots of people are stuck at home right now, and this may continue for a while. To relieve boredom, it’s easy to reach for your cell or tablet to start streaming videos or watching YouTube. While devices are excellent for passing the time, you will increase your screen time if you rely on them too much. As a result, it’s not uncommon to harm your eyesight or suffer from tiredness and fatigue.

Kids are often targeted as being exposed to devices, yet grown-ups aren’t exempt from the side-effects. Your health, both physical and mental, is likely to take a hit if you stare at screens all day. So, here are four tips to help you cut back and stay healthy.

Limit Home Workouts on Your Devices

Let’s start by noting that working out at home is essential at this point. Without exercise, your immune system, among other things, could fail and leave you susceptible to diseases. However, the majority of the home-based workouts are done by staring at a screen and repeating the activities. Thanks to this step-by-step guide to meditation, there’s no reason to use a screen whatsoever. You merely sit quietly for an hour or two and try to relax. Yoga, hiking and outdoor fitness activities are an excellent alternative, also.

Choose One Device

There are lots to choose from regarding portable devices; and, there’s a healthy chance that you have the full range at home, whether it’s a smartphone, laptop, or iPad. While you’re used to using whichever is nearby, the key to help you cut back on screen time is to pick one and stick with it. By doing this, you don’t spend inordinate amounts of hours glancing between devices. Some people champion blue light lenses, yet there is no research to suggest that they work effectively.

A tip: go with your cell phone. It’s always on your person, and it’s the hardware that you use most often.

Factor In Virtual Interactions

Relying on mobile devices is inevitable when you’re stuck at home as you can’t leave the house without a decent reason. That includes seeing family and friends. The result is that you’ll speak to them via your handsets. Whether it’s a virtual date for adults or a playdate for kids, it’s incredible how creative people are when the chips are down. Still, it’s not hard to forget that it classes as screen time. If you want to cut down, then, you’ll need to factor these events into your routine. It may mean turning off the TV early to catch up with Mom or Dad.

Get Out When Allowed

The best tactic is to leave the house. Depending on the state, you may be limited on the type of outdoor activities that are available to you as cases across the country continue to rise. However, depending on your choices, you can make it work. A man has completed a marathon by running around his garden, so there aren’t any excuses for failing to get some fresh air!

How will you cut down on screen time?

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Taking Care Of YOU (the easy way...)

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Sometimes even though we want to make changes and feel better, we don’t really know where to start. When it comes to taking care of yourself, you can do smaller things in the beginning and slowly over time build it up. 

It takes 12+ weeks to build or break a habit, and if you overload yourself with too many at once, it can begin to feel like a chore, not something that you want to do. So here are a few simple things that you can do to take better care of yourself, without the pressure or stress. 

Food

Have you took a look at what and how you are eating? Chances are there’s room for improvement. Don’t worry, though, you don’t have to make a lot of drastic changes all at once. Instead of thinking about a diet, think about a healthy eating plan instead. Find foods that you love to cook, try new fruits and vegetables, and try new recipes. If you find that you snack a lot, then try swapping out your usual snacks for a piece of fruit or some salad. Much about healthier eating has to do with preparation.

Supplements

Taking a supplement can change a lot. If your diet isn’t incredibly well balanced (and even when it is), there are some things that you are probably pretty lacking in, and everyone needs something different. This is where Hundred supplements are ideal. Instead of paying for a standard multivitamin, you can have something that is designed for you and your lifestyle. 

Tech-Free

We spend so much time on technology. Our mobile phones are in our hand almost all of the time. Between that and work laptops we are plugged in nearly all of the time. Using technology too much has been shown to have a negative impact on us. So making a conscious effort to turn off the laptop, leave the phone on the side and get some technology-free time. 

Start Working Out

You don’t need to head to the gym for long, intense workouts. You can do more gentle exercise at home. Starting with Yoga, or even the 30-day shred. A few times a week will improve your energy levels, and the other perk is that you will naturally be more thirsty. So you will be drinking more water - perfect! 

Rest

If you are busy most of the time, you might not notice your stress levels creeping up. Over time these can become dangerous and cause a range of other issues too. Learning to rest properly, or going to bed a little earlier can improve your mood, your energy levels and your productivity. 


If you struggle to sleep, then consider using an app like the Calm app or Headspace to help you drift off to sleep, or to learn other relaxation techniques. 

Work Free

If you run your own business, then this might be more difficult, but making sure that you have strict work-personal life hours will mean that you aren’t working when you should be relaxing. 


Smaller changes add up to a more significant difference over time, and they are more likely to be permanent changes too. 

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Cardio: Is It All That?

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Most of us spend more time looking after our internal issues, that we can let our physical health dip sometimes. When it comes to finding the best physical exercise, we need something quick, and we need something effective, right? Naturally, we all think about going running. But is cardiovascular exercise in that form really all that?

The True Definition Of Cardio

Cardiovascular exercises are about getting the heart pumping and the blood flowing, and this is the ultimate goal. But when it comes to cardio, we can be guided down the wrong avenues. Cardiovascular exercise isn't just running, it can be lifting weights, it can be brisk walking, there are so many different types. And it depends on what you are after. Low intensity, long duration cardio training is best for someone just starting out. But for someone that's looking for something that pushes them to their limits, you could go for high-intensity interval training or high-intensity short duration cardio training. Find the right one for you based on your fitness needs.

It's Not Just Running

Running is certainly a good place to begin, but if you do it wrong, or have poor form, you could end up doing more damage. You may end up having to get a knee replacement a few years down the line, or you may just twist your ankle really badly. Running is certainly a very sociable activity, but these days, there are as many people saying that running is bad for you. So what's the answer?

Finding Other Ways

As we've already said, it's about getting the heart going, and cardiovascular exercise isn't just about running; it could be weight lifting, which has been shown to be more effective than general cardio for fat loss. It does depend on your goal. If you're looking to lose weight, you need something that's going to hit all the major areas.

Cardio Is Not "Bad"

Cardio had a bad rap recently because it's not been shown as the most effective way to lose weight, but if you want to lose weight, there are plenty of effective methods out there. You just have to be willing to dig deeper to accomplish them. Tabata sprinting is one aspect of high-intensity interval training that can help with fat loss, but is an intense workout which is why many love running (or jugging) because you can go at your own. pace.

Cardio isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it depends on the type of cardio that you want. Remember, cardio is about getting the heart pumping and the blood flowing.

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Ready to Stop Yo-Yo Dieting? Keep Reading...

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Are you a yo-yo dieter? If you are, you are indeed not alone. The process of losing a significant amount of weight, before regaining all or most of it, and then repeating the process time and time again is a frustrating experience shared by people all over the world (trust me, I know firsthand!!)

Just as you feel like you are making progress and getting somewhere with your weight loss, you find yourself slipping back into bad habits, and before you know it, you are back where you started. In some cases, people end up even heavier than they were initially. Managing your weight in this way is neither healthy nor sustainable, and will not do your self-esteem much good either, as you may feel like you are continually failing yourself. If you are ready to break this cycle, here are a few tips to help you on your way.

Think about your attitude towards food, and any issues that you may have

When it comes to weight loss, this is one of the most important things that you can do. You will never be successful in losing weight if you haven’t considered your feelings and attitudes towards food and diets, and if you don’t deal with any underlying issues surrounding it, nothing will work in the longer term. It may be something simple, but more often than not, there are a variety of factors which, when combined, have made you gain the weight or stopped you from losing any. Perhaps you comfort eat, or eat out of boredom? Are you disorganized, so end up grabbing that calorific takeout on your way home from work? Maybe you are an inexperienced cook and don’t know how to prepare healthy meals. Working out the reasons behind the problem will help you to gain much more control over the situation. If you feel like you have some extreme emotions or issues when it comes to food, you may want to consider speaking to a counselor or therapist to help you regain control and deal with them.

Clean Out The Kitchen

It can be incredibly difficult to follow any healthy eating plan if your kitchen is full of unhealthy and high calorie/carb or nutritionally devoid snacks and food. If you have a family or roommates, get them on board too, so that you can’t use the excuse that they are available for them. Dispose of anything that isn’t providing your body with nutritional goodness - anything overly processed, salty and prepackaged, or full of added sugar or preservatives. Ready meals and jars of sauces may be convenient after a hard day at work, but they, as a whole, are relatively devoid of nutrition. Do a big grocery shop and fill your cabinets and refrigerator with fresh fruit and vegetables and healthier alternatives. Don’t completely deny yourself a treat - a piece of chocolate here or slice of cake there isn’t going to hurt, and in fact, can be a part of a balanced diet, but make sure it is an occasional treat.

Research Healthy Eating Plans

There are hundreds of thousands of eating plans out there, and it is essential to do your research and find one that is suitable for you - some will only make yo-yo dieting worse as they aren’t sustainable for more than a few weeks. Others can be implemented as a life long healthy eating plan rather than a short term diet. This noom review gives you an idea of one such plan you may want to take a look at. However, speaking with your doctor or a nutritionist that can tailor a plan specifically for you is always a good way to go!

Learn To Cook

For many people, especially these days where we rely heavily on convenience foods, an inability to cook is one of the main reasons why people struggle to maintain a healthy weight. Learning to prepare exciting, yet healthy meals, means you are less likely to pick up Chinese takeout or reach for the cookie jar just because you want something satisfying to eat. Invest in some herbs and spices and learn how to use them in your everyday meals and slowly build up your repertoire. Look for healthy swaps where possible - can you swap that heavy cream out for natural yogurt? If time is an issue, as it is for lots of us, could you invest in a slow cooker so that you can walk in after a day at work to a hearty and healthy home cooked meal? Experiment with flavors and recipes, and most importantly, have fun with them.

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Water Intake, Dehydration & You

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“If you want to live the healthiest life possible and boost your overall wellness, you should drink more water.”

It’s fair to assume that no one reading the above statement is surprised by the idea that drinking plenty of water is crucial to human health. The fact is repeated to the point of cliche, often suggested as a cure for all ills. We all know we should be drinking more water to stave off the damage chronic dehydration can cause, enjoy a clearer complexion, and simply feel better - but is the matter actually that simple? Below, we’ve dug into the facts to try and get to the bottom of this often basically-presented - but actually surprisingly complex - issue.

The “8x8 rule”

The general recommendation is that you should drink eight (8 oz) glasses of water per day - but, unfortunately, this has been disputed on numerous occasions. Some argue that the 8x8 “rule” is arbitrary, while others dismiss it as it doesn’t take into account various lifestyle factors - for example, someone who is exercising heavily should definitely drink more than 8x8 per day.

So, how much water should you drink? It’s really up to you. If you’re thirsty, then drink water. If you’re not thirsty, then you can go without if you prefer - though there are a few caveats to keep in mind.

The risk of diuretics

Diuretics are beverages that actually contribute to dehydration. The most common example is alcohol; if you’re thirsty and you drink a glass of wine, in terms of your body’s response, you’ll be more dehydrated as a result of doing so. The same applies to beverages that contain caffeine, such as coffee and green tea; the caffeine acts as a diuretic, which worsens dehydration.

Even worse, the problems diuretics can cause will be exacerbated if you are exercising regularly. It is also worth noting that the two diuretics above are not particularly beneficial beverages, either: alcohol is often misused, while the benefits of caffeine are minimal. As a result, it may be worth exploring the possibility of alternatives- such as learning how to stop drinking or maybe switching to decaf or limiting your caffeine usage. Ultimately, the benefits of cutting out alcohol and limiting your caffeine intake expand far beyond simply improving hydration levels, but can also undoubtedly be beneficial in this regard.

The importance of proper hydration during exercise

In discussing the above, we have noted the need for adequate hydration during exercise, and this is a point that is worth underlining. If you are working out, and particularly if you are sweating, then you will need to increase your water intake accordingly. It’s also worth noting that this is advisable even if you don’t particularly feel thirsty; if you’ve lost fluids due to exercise, then they need to be replenished regardless of how well-hydrated you feel.


In conclusion... Increasing your water intake is often suggested as an essential for all health-related issues but, as we have pointed out above, the matter is a little more complex than is often presented. So, while it is important to note the potential issues caused by diuretics and exercise, as a general rule: drink water when you’re thirsty, and you shouldn’t go far wrong.

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Make Health And Happiness Part Of Your Daily Life

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Like so many women, if you’re living a busy and stressful life, it could be taking a toll on your general health and well-being. It’s important nowadays to take the time to look after yourself and think about each lifestyle choice you make. By making positive changes to your everyday routine; you’ll become happier and healthier, which will help to lead you through a long a fulfilling life. The following are some areas to consider if you feel like life is weighing you down a little, so that you can begin to enjoy health and happiness each day.

Nourishing Yourself

Food is our body’s fuel, so filling yourself up with junk food all the time, will not have a positive effect on your health and how you feel. By no means do you have to give up your favorite treats completely, as a little of what you enjoy can do you good. However, candy, cakes, and fast food should be regarded as treats for special occasions or a reward for a heavy duty workout. By keeping your sugar intake down; you’ll have more energy and won’t have to face any crashes from the glucose leaving your system.

Cooking fresh meals is another smart idea, as it makes it simple to control what you’re eating. If you cook from scratch, then you can monitor the ingredients, including any fats and sugar, which goes into your delicious homemade meals. Cooking can also be therapeutic, as you can focus on the task at hand, and let your daily stresses float away. The more you get creative in your kitchen, the better you’ll get; so check out some recipes and tutorials online for some inspiration, and before you know it, you’ll be feeling beautiful from the inside out!

Seeking Help

It’s always a cathartic experience to talk to somebody else about your worries and problems; however, many people find it difficult and often shy away from opening up, especially when it comes to both their physical issues and mental health. Whether you have worries regarding your intimate area and want to look into the Geneveve procedure, you’re struggling with low mood and need counsel, or you’re impacted by anxiety surrounding an array of things; there’s no better time to get help, than right now.

Try and make time to call, or even email, a friend or family member to tell them what’s happening. By going through everything, you’ll be able to take the weight off your shoulders and are likely to gain some positive advice in the meantime. A simple catch up and chat with somebody can also highlight all the successes and good points in your life right now; this in itself will give you a boost and make you feel better about your situation.


If you’re uncomfortable sharing your thoughts with those that you know, or you feel your problem is too serious or complicated for them to help solve; there are plenty of resources available to you. Take a look online, and you’ll find an array of contact details to access expert help from people who have been professionally trained in dealing with your particular problem. You might just be feeling generally overwhelmed in life, and need some advice on how to ease the pressure and move forward; whatever it is, it’s not worth keeping everything to yourself.


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4 Ways To Rebuild Your Health After You've Quit Smoking

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So, you’ve quit smoking? Congratulations!

Quitting can be difficult because you’ve got to fight the cravings that come with it, as well as breaking a habit of a lifetime. No matter whether you smoked for a short while, or you’ve finally managed to kick the habit of over 20 years, there can be significant damage made because of this. After you’ve quit smoking, it’s important to rebuild your health, so here are some tips and tricks on what you can do.


Eat a healthier diet

Smoking can quickly deteriorate your health and more often than not, smokers tend to eat a more unhealthy diet because of the changes smoking causes to the tastebuds. Now that you’ve quit smoking, introducing a healthier diet will help your body rejuvenate. Not only that, many people find that when they quit smoking, they put on weight due to needing to keep their hands and mouths busy. Eat a healthier diet for the nutrients and to keep your waistline down!

Get yourself checked out

During the time that you were smoking it’s possible that it caused some sort of damage to your organs. Your heart and lungs are likely to be the main organs that have been affected, so it might be worth asking your GP for a heart and lung scan to check whether you’ve caused any long lasting problems. The sooner you find these problems, the more likely you are to be able to treat them.

Do a deep clean

If you smoked in your house or your car then it might be time to do a deep clean. Particles and chemicals from cigarettes can linger in soft furnishings such as sofas and rugs, and they can also linger in air conditioning filters. Doing a deep clean of your home and car will ensure that you’re not exposing yourself to any dangerous toxins, and also getting rid of any smoke smells which could tempt you back into that nasty habit.

Begin a new exercise regime

Finally, smoking deteriorates the organs and makes them weaker, so when you’ve quit smoking it’s important to put a solid exercise regime in place so that your organs can grow stronger and help prolong your life.



Quitting smoking is a fantastic achievement, so why not boost your quality of life by doing these four things so that you can rebuild your health!

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3 Ways To Improve Your Health

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Chances are, you are always on the lookout for ways to improve your health. Most people are, and the truth is that it can be notoriously hard to actually make sure you are making the right kinds of changes frequently if you are to try and live more healthily. However there are always simple changes you can make if you want to improve your health, and those are some of the things we are going to look at in this post. As long as you are making the kinds of changes we mention here, you will find that your health is vastly improving, and that you are able to make much more of your body and mind as a result. These are places to start, and you might find that they make all the difference in the world.

RELAX

One of the most essential parts of looking after your health is ensuring that you allow yourself plenty of chance to relax. Being able to fully relax is something that many people fail to do in their daily lives, and yet it is essential if you want to make sure that you are taking care of your health as best as you can. The art of relaxation is mostly all about ensuring that you can find the time to do so, so that you can sit, breathe, and just be. You should also consider using products from the likes of The Kratom Connection so that you can truly allow the body to relax as well. And let’s not forget what wonders a monthly massage can do!

EAT LESS

Chances are, you are sometimes prone to eating a little too much. The truth is that most people in our culture eat too much, and even if you think you eat a normal amount, you are probably technically overeating. The human body does not need all that much sustenance in order to survive, thrive and be well, so it’s a good idea to make sure that you are focusing on trying to reduce how much you eat in general. Of course, you shouldn't go too far with it, and if you have a history of eating disorders then be especially careful. But generally eating less will make the body less prone to diseases and illnesses. That means you can function much more easily on a daily basis as well.

VARY YOUR EXERCISE

We all know that exercise is important, but what is also important is making sure that you actually vary the kinds of exercise you get involved in. If you only ever jog, for instance, then you are not giving your body the fullest chance to be able to be fully healthy. If you are jogging, but also performing yoga and strength exercises, then you are improving your body in a number of ways, and you are bound to be much more in shape as a result. Remember that, and be sure to vary your exercise as much as you can so that you can really push your body to its limits.

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How To Beat A Hangover

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Drinking alcohol is like borrowing happiness from the next day – it’s fun there and then, but the next day you have to deal with the consequences, which often involves nausea and a killer headache. Some people are pretty much immune to hangovers, whilst other people can end up bedridden for the next day just by having a few drinks. If you suffer from the latter type of hangover, here are just a few ways in which you can beat the dreaded alcohol after-effects.

Eat before you drink

Lining your stomach is always a sensible option. Eating lots of carbs beforehand is especially worthwhile – the likes of brown rice, pasta and sweet potato will help you absorb alcohol more slowly. This can make the alcohol less of a payload for your body and more of a gradual hit that the body can prepare itself for.

Drink water

Alcohol may be a liquid, but it will actually dehydrate your body. After your night of drinking, try to drink a few glasses of water before you go to bed. The day after, you should then aim to drink 2 to 3 liters if possible. This will restore your body’s water levels and beat that headache.

Consider detox supplements

For those that want something more heavy duty, there are many types of medications aimed specifically at ridding hangovers. You can even try a 24 hour detox cleanse. You may be able to find such supplements in your local pharmacy or by searching online.

Load up on vitamins

In order for the liver to detox your body, it needs lots of vitamins. Foods such as spinach, avocado, banana and egg are some of the best choices the morning after as they are full of vitamins needed to help rid your body of the alcohol. You can also try taking vitamin supplements.

Exercise

A workout might be the last thing you want to do when you’re hanging, but physical activity could be just what your body needs to help cleanse yourself of the toxins. Exercise gets the blood flowing and the lymphatic system working, helping to get rid of toxins, whilst pumping the body with feelgood hormones that make it feel less drained.

Avoid caffeine

Caffeine is just another drug for your liver to try and process – a cup of coffee the next morning might seem like a good idea for making you more awake, but it could just make you feel worse. If you’re going to have a hot drink, try ginger tea which is caffeine-free and full of nutrients that can help fight nausea. Ideally, you should never mix caffeine and alcohol during a drinking session – Jager bombs and vodka and coke are certain to make things hard work for your liver and leave you feeling miserable the next day.

Don’t mix your drinks

Different drinks contain different types of alcohol and are processed in different ways. For this reason the body has a harder time getting rid of alcohol when you’ve mixed your drinks. Stick to one drink if you can – if you’re having wine stick to white or red.

Limit your alcohol

Of course, the most obvious way to prevent hangovers is to not drink as much. Many people forget that alcohol is effectively a poison. By sticking to a few drinks or going teetotal for the night, you won’t have to deal with the dreaded after effects - you don’t always need alcohol to have a good time.

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Health Hacks That Will Keep You Happy & Fulfilled

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You have to make sure you do as much as you can to improve your health on a daily basis. The fact of the matter is, you only get one life, and you need to make sure you are living it in the best way you possibly can. There are a lot of things that need to be done in order to help you keep your life as healthy and fulfilled as possible. There are plenty of things you can do to help you achieve this, and being happier with who you are is so important.

If you can live a healthier, happier life, this is going to improve things for you in the future. There is a lot you can do that will help you to improve and enhance your well-being, and focusing on boosting health and fitness is the best way of working toward a healthy and serene life. These are some of the best hacks you can use that are going to help you achieve this as much as possible.

Improve Your Mental Health

So many people overlook the need to improve and enhance their mental health, but these days that is something that matters more than ever. There are a lot of things you need to think about when it comes to improving your mental health, and you have so much you can do that will help you get the most out of life. Therapy is a great way to do this! Talking with a professional can help you face your mental health issues head-on, and defeat them.

Go Greener

You might not have given much thought to it, but you will actually find that going greener in your life can be one of the best ways of ensuring you are healthier and happier. Embracing eco-living provides a healthier home environment, cleaner air, and fresher food, and these are all things that can go a long way to improving your health and making you more fulfilled and satisfied.

Seek Treatment for Ailments

You have to make sure you seek treatment for any ailments you might have and get them sorted as soon as you can. There is a lot you need to consider here, and you need to make sure you are focused on improving and enhancing your well-being. There are a lot of issues that can make your life uncomfortable or difficult, and seeking treatment for conditions like tinnitus, acne, muscle sprains, and others can keep you much in a much positive mood.

Beat Your Addictions

So many people face addictions in their lives, and there are things that need to happen if you are going to battle and beat your addictions. Whether it’s smoking, drinking, drugs, or some other vice, these addictions can adversely affect your health, and making improvements in this area can be done with the help of a professional.

 

You can do a lot to become a more healthy and happy individual, and the way you approach life can have such a huge impact. Make sure you focus on doing what you can to improve and enhance your life. Being happy and healthy is the way to live the best life you possibly can.

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