Guide To Getting A Good Night's Sleep

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DISCLAIMER: As always, this post is only to provide general information. Please consult with your healthcare professional regarding treatment for your specific needs.

Sleep problems can be common with a lot of people. We have all been around friends or colleagues that have said they are exhausted or didn’t sleep well last night. The good news is that if you are intentional and committed to making some changes, you can get a much better night’s sleep, which can be a benefit to your life, as well as your health and wellness.

Below, I share a few suggestions that you can try in your nightly routine that may help you achieve a more effective sleep.

Avoiding Caffeine

It can be hard to cut caffeine completely from your body, but when you have caffeine close to bedtime, it can significantly disrupt your sleep. If you are someone that does have caffeine in their diet, then avoiding it closer to bedtime will be beneficial to you. The impact that caffeine has is also true as you get older, especially if you consume it multiple times throughout the day, so taking steps to get into healthier habits now, will augur well for your overall health.

Rest and Unwind

This might sound like an odd one, because surely going to bed itself is a way to rest and unwind? But in actuality, stress has a massive impact on how well you are able to sleep. So before you actually get into bed, you need to take time to rest and unwind. It could simply be meditating for a few minutes, lighting a candle or listening to calm music. It’s best if you can avoiding screens and computers before bed because they can overstimulate your brain. A good book or magazine is the perfect alternative, but either way make sure it is stress-free. If you’re quite easily involved in fiction, then a tense, scary, or emotional story is not great for bed-time. Keep it easy, breezy, and even uplifting.

Try Natural Remedies

They say that pillow sprays made from things like lavender can have an impact on your sleep, so that is a natural easy win that can help you to drift off. Diffusing essential oils can help, as well a CBD oils like those of Imbue Botanicals, for example. The reason being, if you suffer from anxiety at night, or are someone that suffers from insomnia or wakes up a lot, then this kind of oil might be a solution, as it relaxes the mind and body, reduces your heart rate, and helps you drift off to a restful night’s sleep.

A fragrant, warm bath filled with luxurious oils or bubbles is a great way to relax. We may not have the time to regularly indulge in baths during the week, but they are perfect before an early night. Breathe deeply, apply a face mask or other pampering treatment, and try to release all the tension from your muscles. When we fall asleep, our temperature drops slightly. This also happens when we get out of the bath, and mimicking a slight temperature drop can tell our brain that it is time to sleep.

Create a Conducive Environment for Sleep

Where you sleep plays a big part, because if you are not comfortable, then it will be hard to drift off to sleep. Making sure that you have a mattress with good support and some comfortable bedding is an easy win. Then make sure your room is just the right temperature for you, as too hot or too cold will impact how well you sleep. Don’t use your bed for things like studying or doing work as these can be things that stimulate the mind, and you will start to associate your bed with those things. Not good when you are already struggling to drift off.

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Understanding Causes & Cures of Headaches

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Although they are a common, everyday occurrence, most people don’t really understand headaches all that well. They are something that you might find cropping up in your life routinely, and yet you might not really know where they come from or the best ways to deal with them. That can clearly be a big problem, so you should make sure that you are doing whatever you can to try and get to the bottom of them a little more effectively. The more that you learn to understand headaches and how they function, the more chance you have of either getting rid of them or managing them more effectively. In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the things you might want to know about headaches.

Science Behind Headaches

The main cause of headaches is dehydration. In fact, we can say that the vast majority of headaches are caused by dehydration and nothing else. As such, avoiding headaches at all in the future will largely be a case of ensuring that you are drinking enough water. If you can manage to stay as hydrated as necessary, you will find that you are much more likely to avoid headaches, and that even when they do occur you should be able to get rid of them soon enough once they appear. Make sure that you carry a bottle of water with you everywhere you go, and make a point of drinking from it regularly. That will mean that you are much more hydrated, and that you will therefore be considerably more free of headaches in the future - something that most people would be glad for.

Dehydration

The main cause of headaches is dehydration. In fact, we can say that the vast majority of headaches are caused by dehydration and nothing else. As such, avoiding headaches at all in the future will largely be a case of ensuring that you are drinking enough water. If you can manage to stay as hydrated as necessary, you will find that you are much more likely to avoid headaches, and that even when they do occur you should be able to get rid of them soon enough once they appear. Make sure that you carry a bottle of water with you everywhere you go, and make a point of drinking from it regularly. That will mean that you are much more hydrated, and that you will therefore be considerably more free of headaches in the future - something that most people would be glad for.

Pain Relief

Sometimes, you just need to know how you can deal with the pain. This can be especially important if you have a headache which is lasting a long time, or you tend to get recurring headaches or migraines. If that is something you have to live with, then you should think about what you can do in the form of pain relief, so that you can know how to deal with it whenever it should occur in the future. Some methods like acupuncture will work well for this, so you might want to seek out an acupuncture office you can visit in your area. Alternatively, you might wish to try meditation or something similar to help relieve that pain when it arises.

Migraines

Migraines are a related concept to headaches, but are a little different, and anyone who has them regularly knows of them as a different thing altogether. While a headache is merely a pain in the head, a migraine is also likely to be accompanied by a sensitivity to bright lights, possibly some ringing sounds, and maybe even could be so painful that you can’t open your eyes. In such cases, you might find that medication is important, as that could be the only real way of getting rid of the pain effectively. If you get migraines frequently, you will need to think about visiting your doctor to see whether there is anything you can do to try and make them less frequent and less intense.

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Steps To Take When You Have An Injury Or Illness

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Experiencing illness or being involved in an accident can be extremely stressful. Most days, we go about our day to day lives problem free, so even the smallest of symptoms or incidents can throw us off guard and put a dent in our routines. While many of us want to get back into the swing of things as soon as possible and put the negative situation behind us, it’s of the utmost importance that you follow specific steps on your road to recovery. Staying on the straight and narrow will help to ensure that both your mind and body can recuperate to the best of their ability, minimizing your chances of associated repercussions down the line.

Here are just a few different things that you can do to achieve this!

Seek Medical Help Immediately

Of course, you don’t have to go to the doctors or call emergency help for every situation. A paper cut should heal quickly and independently as long as it’s kept clean. A common cold should fade within a week or two. However, if you have any sort of illness, injury, or symptoms out of the ordinary, you should seek medical help as soon as possible. Having a medical professional check you over will help to lead you to a proper diagnosis. They can then ensure that you receive the relevant treatment or medication to get you back to good health. Putting things off will only give your symptoms or condition time to worsen. So, why procrastinate?

Take Time Off Work

If your doctor recommends that you need to take time off work to recover, take time off work to recover. So many people try to rush back into their workplace for fear of losing out on money. This is understandable - after all, we all have bills to pay. But if the incident or illness caused wasn’t your own fault and was the result of the negligence or malpractice of others, you can seek legal advice that could result in compensation. This will provide you with sufficient money to replace any lost earnings and cover the cost of any treatment you require. You can find out more about this at www.braininjurylawofseattle.com/.

Complete Courses of Treatment or Medication

So many people make the mistake of quitting their treatment or medication as soon as they start to feel a little better. They assume that they don’t need it anymore. But at the end of the day, you’re feeling better for a reason and your treatment and medication tend to be that reason. Quitting them before recommended can see all of your progress slowly fade away and you can end up on a slippery slope back to discomfort, pain, and worsening conditions. So, make sure to stick to your doctor’s instructions and complete any courses you have been signed up to or prescribed.


These steps may sounds relatively simple. But it’s astounding just how many people neglect them! So, if you do experience illness or injury in the future, make sure to bear them in mind at all times.

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Thinking Of Quitting? Tips To Help Stop Smoking

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If you have decided that it is time to give up smoking, you have already taken one of the most difficult steps. Now, you need to make the journey ahead of you as easy as possible. Of course, saying goodbye to cigarettes isn’t going to be a walk in the park. However, here are some tips that might help make the transition for you smoother.

1.    Set a quit date – A lot of people decide they are going to quit smoking and then try and embark on the difficult task the following day. Instead, set yourself a quit date. This allows you to gradually decrease your intake and therefore quitting may seem a bit easier to you. It also enables you to move from cigarettes to eLiquid to being cigarette-free altogether, which will make it a lot easier overall. There is no reason to make quitting more difficult than it needs to be. You can ease yourself off cigarettes.  

2.    Write down your reasons for quitting – Grab a piece of paper and write down all of the reasons why you want to quit smoking. You can refer to this whenever you need motivation. Reminding yourself will make you less likely to light up a cigarette.

3.    Get rid of all your cigarettes – A lot of people keep an ‘emergency cigarette’. However, all this does is offer temptation. Instead, try getting rid of all your cigarettes.

4.    Find a distraction – Determine when you would typically have a cigarette and find a distraction instead. A lot of people tend to find that they have a cigarette when they are on the phone, for example.

5.    Tell your family and friends – Support is going to be essential. If you tell your friends and family you are going to quit they will know not to tempt you with a cigarette and they will provide you with advice whenever you need it. You never know, you may find someone who wants to quit and so you can try to do so together.

6.    Quit when in a good mood – This relates to the earlier part regarding a quitting date. It is vital to select a period whereby your stress levels are as low possible. If you know you are going to be busy at work, for example, pick another time to quit.  

7.    Change your routine – Usually, people smoke simply out of habit. If you break your typical daily routine you will reduce your cravings.

8.    Switch to decaf – Too much caffeine can cause jitters whilst giving up smoking. Therefore, it is recommended that you switch to decaf for at least two months.

9.    Carry healthy snacks with you – Last but not least, it is highly recommended that you carry healthy snacks with you. Whenever you are craving a cigarette you can snack on your food instead. Some snack suggestions are as follows; celery sticks, pistachio nuts, carrot, sugarless chewing gum, dried fruit, and sunflower seeds.


These are just a few tips that may give you a better chance of successfully quitting (or at least reducing your nicotine intake). It’s time to take a step towards a healthier and happier you, and if you happen to fall off the wagon and find yourself having a cigarette, this does not mean you have undone all of your hard work. Keep going and stick at it!


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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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Low On Energy? 3 Possible Causes To Explore

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Feeling low on energy is always difficult to cope with. You otherwise feel well and like yourself, but your energy reserves seem to be permanently depleted, making even mundane, simple tasks feel as if they require a Herculean effort. For most people, low energy is an acute issue that naturally resolves itself, but for some, the problem can become more long-term.

If you have been feeling low on energy and struggling to go through your normal daily routine for a while, there are three possible causes that you may want to investigate further, starting with…

Thyroid issues

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck and, in some people, it can cause issues. Some people experience an overactive thyroid while, for others, the issue is underactivity, with the latter more likely to cause symptoms of low energy.

Thankfully, if you do have an underactive or overactive thyroid, management is relatively simple. Both conditions are well understood, there is a range of medications that can produce favorable results, and specialists such as the likes of RedRiver Health and Wellness Center can ensure you’re feeling back to your best in no time.

If you believe thyroid issues are the cause of your low energy, speak with your primary care physician for further advice.


Vitamin deficiencies

While any vitamin deficiency can cause low energy, deficiencies in vitamin B12 and vitamin D are usually the prime suspects. With most vitamins, a balanced diet is usually sufficient to ensure that our levels are where they should be. However, some people cannot absorb B12 effectively due to a condition called pernicious anemia, and vitamin D is primarily obtained through sunlight exposure rather than diet - so even someone eating a perfect, nutritious diet could still find themselves experiencing deficiencies.

As you might expect, the treatment for these deficiencies is supplementation. Vitamin D deficiencies tend to respond well to oral supplementation, but B12 can be trickier, especially when pernicious anemia is present - so always speak to your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and obtain further advice if you suspect your low energy is caused by a vitamin deficiency.


Stress

Some people experience stress as a jolt of energy, feeling as if their mind and body are constantly whirring. However, stress can cause exactly the opposite issue; a complete lack of energy that no amount of sleep, exercise, or good nutrition seems to be able to cure.

Unfortunately, stress is a difficult condition to manage, and many people experience numerous flares over the course of their lives. You may find that taking some time off from work, indulging in self-care, and other simple remedies can help alleviate the condition. However, if simple at-home treatments do not appear to be making a significant difference, do take the time to speak to your doctor for further advice.


In conclusion…

It’s important to note that low energy is not just a fact of life. If you’ve found that your get up and go has got up and gone, it’s well worth considering the possibilities above when seeking a resolution to this all-too-common health issue.


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New Years Resolutions That Will Help Your Health

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People often joke about new years resolutions because everyone always says the same ‘new year, new me’ line. They’ve become something of a meme, but I believe resolutions still have a big place in your life. Think of them as a way of forcing you to get your head screwed on and make significant changes that will benefit your life.

That’s the key for me; make your resolutions bring something positive to your life. Which is why I prefer things that will have a direct impact on your health and wellness. Here are a few ideas to help you kickstart 2019 with a new mindset and improved health:


Drive less, walk more

I think this is one of my favorite ideas as it’s such an easy thing to stick to. The problem with a lot of health-related resolutions is that they’re tough to commit to for a long time. As such, gym memberships spike in January and go down in March/April. But, if you make a promise to drive less and walk more, then you’re doing wonders for your health. Driving burns no calories and can be very mentally draining as well. Walking is easy on your joints, burns calories, keeps you fit, and helps improve your mood as well. Plus, it’s basically effortless - just walk to work instead of driving, or park your car further away and walk the rest of the distance, simple!


Give up alcohol

Giving up alcohol is a classic new years resolution, but one that can benefit you massively. A lot of people drink too much alcohol - particularly over the holiday period - and they don’t do anything about it. If you carry on consuming so many units every week, it won’t be long before you end up in an alcohol inpatient treatment center getting help for addiction. Alcohol is a highly addictive substance that can ruin your physical and mental health. Make the commitment to giving it up next year - or at least cutting down substantially - and you’ll see improvements in your overall health and wellbeing.


Eat less meat

Now, before you scream at me that you don’t want to turn vegan; relax! I’m not even saying you should become vegetarian, I’m merely suggesting you reduce the amount of meat you eat. Eating it every day can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, and there’s even evidence to suggest it shortens your life. There’s an interesting book called How Not To Die that goes into detail about this, so it could be worth picking up. Even if you have one or two meat-free days per week, this goes a long way to improving your overall health and ensuring you have a more balanced diet. Who knows, you may like these days so much that you change to a meat-free life full time!

These new years resolutions should be reasonably easy to stick to as they don’t require drastic lifestyle changes. Well, apart from the alcohol one, but if you struggle to cut down on that/give it up, then that shows you have a problem. Make a few changes to your life, and you’ll be amazed at the benefits they bring to your health.

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Does Depression Have A Physical Cause?

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Depression is classed as a psychiatric illness, and rightly so. For the majority of sufferers, chronic depression is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in their brain. This causes a mood disorder, with the most common symptom being a persistently low mood and feelings of anhedonia.

While depression awareness has risen over the past few years, it’s still a relatively misunderstood and misused term. Perhaps the biggest misconception is that depression is only caused by a few wonky hormones and unbalanced brain chemistry - when it can actually have a very physical root.

Depression As A Physical Ailment

The reason that depression is so often treated as a purely mental thing is that its primary symptoms are mental. That’s what makes it a mental illness, after all. While there are occasionally physical symptoms of depression, these tend to be found in more advanced cases, and are often overridden by the impact the illness has on mood.

So it’s easy to see why the physical causes of depression are overlooked. If you were to immediately jump to looking for physical causes of depression, then it’s akin to hearing hoofbeats and immediately assuming it’s zebras rather than the far-more-likely horses.

But sometimes, it might just be zebras after all.

Depression As A Symptom

Depression is not always an illness that is self-contained and in and of itself; it can sometimes be a symptom of physical health conditions. Most commonly, depression is a symptom of deficiency.

This makes sense. If your system is deficient in something, then it’s not going to be able to run on full power. Something has to give; and it’s far easier for your body to prioritize physical health over mental health, so depression is the end result. 

There are a variety of different deficiencies that can lead to depression. Vitamin B12 deficiency is often associated with the condition; the same is true of Vitamin D. Then there are minerals such as calcium, with hypocalcemia listing depression as one of its most common symptoms. 

These deficiencies are relatively easy to treat when you know you have them. A calcium supplement can change your life for the better in a variety of ways with very little in exchange; AlgaeCal side effects are next to non-existent, and it’s a great boost of calcium. The same is true of B12 and D vitamin supplements; next to no side effects, but plenty to be gained from taking them. 

How Do You Find Out If You Have A Deficiency

If you suspect a physical cause for your depressive issues, then the only way to be sure if this is the case is through a blood test to ensure you’re getting what you need from your diet. Express your concern to your doctor and they should order one for you.

Depression is a terrible illness that can blight lives, which is why investigating potential physical causes should be part of the diagnostic process. However, it’s often overlooked, despite the fact the medical link is well known and established. There is no harm in having a blood test just to check and see if something is amiss, so press your doctor until you are furnished with the information you need.

Now that we have talked about some of the symptoms and onsets to depression, there are many ways for you to get started on the road to recovery. The first step would be speaking with a clinician who is a specialist in helping people suffering from the many symptoms depression can cause. You can learn more about depression at thrivetalk.com.

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Making The Positive Changes You Need

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Changing bad habits is a plan that is easier said than done, but thanks to new products, an understanding of mental health and changing attitudes to what makes us happy the opportunity to grow out of habits and into the person you want to be, are more attainable now than ever before.

In recent years there have been new trends that have encouraged the average person to start looking beyond their familiars and using advances in technology to help them become the person they want to be. Number one of addictions according to the Dawn Rehab is tobacco and for that habit, an alternative that provides fewer health risks than its counterpart has grown sharply in the past few years. Vaping continues to develop into a mainstream product offering vape deals demonstrate a demand for this product which could soon outgrow that of the cigarette or other traditional smoking methods.


But, healthier lifestyles are not just connected to what we put inside our bodies but also what we expect our minds to be able to do. Work-life balance is causing untold amounts of mental health problems connected to lack of sleep and unmanageable levels of stress. The response to studies that find that work is affecting health is often to suggest leaving your work at the office but that isn’t always the easiest thing to do and so comes the growth of alternative solutions which should help give you some respite from the daily grind.

Studies into the positive effects of physical exercise have become more and more publicized due to the demand for help from the stress of modern life. Alternatives to therapies that can be expensive are also sought with mindfulness and well-being experiencing high demand from all walks of life as society starts to look towards creating positive habits in an attempt to alleviate pressure and to extend our lives through healthy practices.

The never-before-seen access to information and knowledge that is provided by the internet has allowed society to start looking away from the advertising tropes that encouraged all sorts of bad habits in life. Your body isn’t just a temple, it’s the only one you will have. That isn’t to say you have to avoid the food you like or socializing in bars, but it does mean that there is a demand out there now to provide you with an alternative.

Your mental health is connected to so many other factors in life and thanks to new research and a willingness to listen to those studies, you are now being afforded the opportunity to tackle the difficult moments in life. So don’t be afraid of a little change in your life because you might just look back and wonder what stopped you from accepting that progress earlier.

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4 Tips To Boost Your GI Health

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When it comes to wellness, the gastrointestinal system is often overlooked. This is somewhat surprising, given that a functioning GI system is so essential to our ability to feel at our best.


Unfortunately, GI issues are all too common, with millions of people experiencing illnesses related to this delicately-balanced biological system. From illnesses such as IBS to issues with malabsorption, the problems the GI system can cause can be genuinely life-affecting. Taking steps to ensure all is well in this area is, therefore, hugely beneficial to your overall health. While you should always visit gastro doctors if you experience continual, persistent gastrointestinal issues, there are a few things you can do to give your system the best chance of enjoying good health.

Eat a high fiber diet

Fiber is essential for GI health, and can help in the management of a variety of GI health conditions as well as promoting overall good health and well-being. Thankfully, there are plenty of sources of fiber that are both beneficial to health and genuinely delicious, so try to include foods such as lentils, grains, eggs, and avocados in your diet to ensure you’re eating adequate fiber every day.

Use probiotics

Probiotics are not a particularly new innovation; these “friendly bacteria” have made their way into the diet of the average person due to the benefits they offer to GI health. However, it’s fair to say that probiotics are not all equal, and some are more beneficial than others. Make sure to research the different strains and study packaging labels to ensure maximum efficacy.

Give fermented foods and drinks a try

It’s fair to say that most people recoil from the idea of eating fermented foods, but these foods have been part of the human diet for centuries, and most specialists believe they are particularly beneficial for GI health. For a more palatable entry into the world of fermented foods, try making your own kombucha; this beverage is well-tolerated and has enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over recent years.

Ensure you stay hydrated

Most of us know the importance of drinking water for overall health, but it’s also important to stay hydrated to support your GI system. The amount of water you should drink per day depends on your activity levels; two liters is considered a decent baseline requirement, and you should drink more if you exercise. If you’re going to aim to drink two liters per day, it’s also helpful to add a pinch of salt to the water itself; this ensures your electrolytes will stay balanced throughout the day and will help you feel much better in general.




While implementing the tips above should be beneficial to your overall GI system, if you do experience any lingering issues in this area, then it is best to visit a medical professional in order to ascertain what might be happening. GI problems can be deeply uncomfortable, and impact your ability to enjoy life to its fullest, so don’t hesitate to seek further advice when required.


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