Ways Vanity Can Be Good For You

Everybody’s a little bit vain. Some people are just a little more open about it than others. You can’t help but inspect yourself in the mirror each morning; appearance is something that we give great important. Of course, none of that means anything if you only strive to “look” healthy and not actually “be” healthy. The greatest way to achieve the former is to strive for the latter. You can use vanity as the motivation to start looking after your body better, but the key here is that you should be doing things which are genuinely making you healthier and not just making you “look” healthier. Here are some ways in which vanity can be a good thing for you.

Getting into shape the right way.

Getting into shape is pretty much impossible when it feels like a chore, so you need to think about a way to approach exercise and healthy eating which suits your lifestyle. You could try small tricks such as switching your large dining plates for smaller ones so as to force yourself to prioritize healthier carbohydrates and nutrients in your meals rather than overloading on unnecessary extra food. Everything should be eaten in moderation (even healthy fruits and vegetables), so smaller dining plates could help with that. Making substitutions with empty carbs for nutritional carbs is also important.

 In terms of keeping your body active, don’t force the gym or cycling if neither of those activities are exciting to you. You want a form of exercise that you can stick to because it fits nicely in your routine. Perhaps walking or jogging are relaxing to you because you can enjoy the scenery of your local park as you do so. Perhaps you’ve always been keen on martial arts or swimming; there are so many different ways to get your body moving, so just find something that suits you. Maintaining muscle strength and cardiovascular health is important for your heart and your body as well as your appearance in the mirror.

The smart route to pearly whites.

Everybody wants white teeth, but not everybody cares about whether they’re healthy or not; you may have had them whitened, but does that say anything about plaque build-up or the healthiness of your gums? You should be flossing as well as brushing your teeth; avoiding plaque and tar build-up is the smartest way to avoid gum disease and other health problems with your teeth or mouth in general. You could always consider affordable dental care if you were put off visiting your last clinic regularly because of the expense, as your health shouldn’t be something that you have to put a price on; you should always prioritize it, and that goes without saying.

Sleeping well can improve your appearance.

Those bags under your eyes and your slouching posture are both things which diminish your appearance. Both could be improved by simply sleeping well because better energy levels mean better concentration and better posture in your office chair or at home (rather than slowly sinking into your seat as you begin to doze off). Of course, sleeping well is important for your body so many different ways. It’s not just about getting enough sleep but sleeping in a bed which supports your body and its posture. You don’t want to have aches and pains throughout the day; ensure your mattress is supportive. Ideally, you should change them every seven years.

Looking after your mind.

You might be wondering how your mental state could possibly affect your physical appearance, but there’s a clear link between the body and the mind. Your stress levels, for example, can have a huge effect on your facial appearance. Blemishes such as acne definitely flare up during periods of intense stress, so it’s important to work on taking better care of your mental health. Practice meditating to focus on centering yourself, and you might notice the physical benefits.


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The Top 10 Minerals And Vitamins We're Not Getting Enough Of

In a world where the focus on our health has dramatically shifted towards it, it’s hard to comprehend why we’re still not getting the vitamins and minerals that our body needs. Partly, we are not to blame; a change in how we grow our food, from the vegetables to the animals, has meant that some of the essentials are lost without us totally realizing it. Our need to eat foods which have been processed and our desire not to wait for meals (hello, drive thru!) has also lead towards a deficit.

So what are we actually missing out on - and how can we go about reversing this?

Magnesium

This inorganic mineral is responsible for a lot happening within your body. It helps conduct the structure of all of your bones, as well as being required for the synthesis of DNA. It can be found in green, leafy vegetables and legumes, so if you’re adding these to your diet then you should be getting your RDA in abundance. Some cereal brands have also started adding it to their product to ensure that you’re getting a healthy dose in the morning.

 

Sulfur

Once upon a time, when organic farmers were the norm and you would rely on your pet cow for both dairy products and the manure to spread on your crops, sulfur was a regular part of our diet. Nowadays, with the introduction of fast farming and a whole load of change to where our food is coming from, we aren’t getting as much as we need. Sulfur helps with disease resistance, increasing enzyme production within your body to fight off any unwanted illnesses. You can buy sulfur crystals to help your body get back right, or start tracing your food; knowing exactly where it comes from and the process used to create it is a good first step to take.

 

Fluoride

We are actually getting more access to fluoride than ever before, with certain water companies adding it to our regular flow so we don’t even notice that we’re getting it. However, a lot of people are purposely not ingesting it as it’s not an essential nutrient. It helps to protect against things like tooth decay, which can be a real concern later on in life. You don’t need a lot of it - too much fluoride is definitely a bad thing, but allowing a little into your water and toothpaste will really help with the condition of your teeth and bones.

Vitamin K

This is the vitamin that is most well-known for the effects that it has to the clotting of your blood. Our blood needs to be able to clot once we bleed, else we just won’t stop bleeding - it’s as simple as that. It works hand in hand with Vitamin D, and if you have been tested for deficiency in either Vitamin K or D, you will be deficient in the other one too. It is a fat-absorbed vitamin, so you need to be eating a good amount of fat in your diet to feel the benefits from it. If you have eradicated fat from your diet entirely, then there is a high chance that your body is operating on a deficit. Vitamin K is important for the prevention of such diseases as cancer and Alzheimer’s, as well as osteoporosis and diabetes. It is naturally occurring within green plants, so ensuring that your plate is full of them either at lunch or dinner time is a great way to go about getting more of this vital nutrient in your system.

 

Potassium

Potassium can be found in so many yummy foods that it’s actually harder to avoid it than it is to remind yourself to eat foods that contain it. If you have been experiencing things like dehydration, headaches and menstrual cramps that are hurting a bit more than they normally would, this can often be attributed to a lack of potassium within your diet. It is required to keep your vital organs functioning, so the more you can get, the better. It’s famously found in bananas, but the levels of potassium in this fruit compared to avocados, sweet potatoes and wild-caught salmon is considerably lower. That doesn’t mean that you should stop eating bananas, though - they’re a natural mood-booster as they help to release the dopamine hormone, giving you a buzz.

 

Sodium

More commonly known as salt, sodium is something that we need in our diet. However, too much of a good thing can turn into being bad for your body with this mineral. The more potassium that you take in, the more it will help with the breakup of sodium in your body. We do need a certain amount of salt to help our blood flow, as well as helping our nerves and muscles to work as they should. It can be easy to go overboard, as a lot of our food already contains the RDA for salt intake. If you know that you’re not getting as much as you need, the symptoms can be quite clear; you may just be having headaches, but more severe cases can see a drastic reduction in the stability of your mental health, as well as seizures.

Vitamin C

A lack of Vitamin C can cause a condition called scurvy to occur; typically associated with 18th century sailors which resulted in bleeding gums, intense bruising and blood spots appearing on the skin, it had appeared to have been completely eradicated … until cases were reported in Australia last year. Our diets are lacking in the fruits - such as oranges - which are big providers of this natural disease-fighter.  We definitely need to be trying to get it into our systems as much as we can.

 

Iron

Iron deficiency anemia is unfortunately on the rise currently due to poor diets. This means that your body isn’t producing as many blood cells as it should. The result of this is that those who are suffering from a lack of iron are more prone to become fatigued quickly, becoming pale in complexion and having an increase of headaches. The less common symptoms include a desire to eat non-food items such as paper or clay; this is due to your body reacting in a way to get you to ingest more iron from any means possible. There are certain tablets that you can take for it (especially within pregnancy, where you may be prescribed medication by your doctor), as well as drink supplements that contain a good amount to get you back to rights.

 

B Vitamins

There’s no such thing as Vitamin B - just a whole host of vitamins that fit under the umbrella! Each one plays a very important role, mainly centered around the nervous system and the functions of the skin. Folic acid counts as a B vitamin, which pregnant women are recommended to take to help with the development of their baby. These vitamins can be found in everyday foods like dairy and cereals.

 

Vitamin E

Not much is spoken about Vitamin E, but it’s still an essential for your body. You don’t need to eat it every day, as your body is clever enough to store it for the future on the days that you have ingested a lot. It can be found in foods such as seeds and nuts, so snacking on these throughout the day can really help to boost your Vit E levels. It helps to keep your eyes and skin healthy, as well as teaming up with the other vitamins to help fight against diseases - so what’s not to love?


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4 Tips To Keep Your Smile In Tip Top Shape

Keeping your teeth in a good condition is so important if you want to look fantastic. It can make your smile look bad if your teeth are not looking great. Here are some unmissable ways to get your teeth looking ideal.

Brush Them At Least Twice A Day

One simple way to get your teeth looking great is to ensure you are brushing them at least twice a day. So many people forget to do it first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. But it’s so important that you do brush them if you want to keep them looking good. By brushing them, it’s ensuring all food particles are washed away, and your teeth stay in a good condition. Make sure you are doing it for a good amount of time as well. So many people rush brushing their teeth, but it will mean you'll miss cleaning everyone. You can get many electric toothbrushes which have a timer which will go off when two minutes has passed. Also, don’t just go for the cheapest toothpaste; make sure you pick one which will keep them in a good condition!

 

Use Teeth Whitening Treatment

Another simple way to get your teeth looking great is by using a teeth whitening treatment. If you have been smoking or drinking alcohol, your teeth often can become discolored. It can also happen if you haven’t brushed your teeth correctly and bacteria is now growing. We talked previously about how to avoid getting yellow teeth. You can get many different toothpastes which will help to whiten your teeth. You can also get whitening strips that you can use at home. You can also go to the dentist and get a professional whitening treatment which will last for longer. It’s important to make sure your teeth are looking great if you want a beautiful smile.

Consider Getting Braces

You should also consider getting braces if you want to straighten your teeth so they look perfect. It can help you to build confidence and you will feel happier with a better smile. They do have to stay in a while, so you need to be sure about getting braces. Talk to your dentist about the pro’s and con’s of braces, so you can decide whether they are right for you.

 

Use Mouthwash And Floss Regularly

Another simple way to get your teeth looking great is by ensuring you are using mouthwash and floss. A lot of people think that brushing their teeth is enough, but you might end up leaving food in your mouth which could turn into bacteria. Mouthwash is also essential to help you to get fresh breath, while floss can ensure that your smile stays great during the day. Here is a guide to choosing the right floss and mouthwash for you to use every day.


Hopefully, you can keep your teeth looking great so you can have an award-winning smile!


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Overcome Your Fear Of The Dentist With These Simple Steps

If you want to keep your teeth healthy and looking good, then going to the dentist is a must. However, many people are afraid of the dentist. Maybe it’s the sterile environment, the pointy tools or just having somebody poking around in your mouth. Whatever it is, being scared of the dentist isn’t pleasant. The good news is, you can overcome your fear of the dentist.

Use this guide to help you!

 

Find an Understanding Dentist

There are many understanding dentists out there, you just need to find them. Some dentists even say that they specialize in anxious clients, so it could be worth looking for one of them if you’re particularly frightened of the dentist’s chair.

 

 

 

Visit the Environment Before Your Appointment

 

When you think you’ve found the right dentist for you, visit the office before your appointment. Getting an idea of the environment, the receptionist, and everything else to expect should help to put you at ease. Then on the day of your appointment, you’ll know exactly what to expect.

 

 

Have an Early Morning Appointment

 

If you book your appointment early in the morning, you’re going to have less time to dwell on it and think about what you have to do. You can get it over with, realize it’s really not that bad and get on with your day.

 

 

Start off Small

 

By starting off with smaller treatments and working your way up to having larger treatments, you’ll be able to build up a relationship with your dentist (if this route is an option for you). When you see just how understanding and helpful they are, you’ll feel more at ease sitting in their chair. Maybe go for a simple check up at first. Then you could have a scale and polish, and work your way up from there. This will help you, especially if you suspect you might need some real work done at some point. If you have no choice but to have same day crowns, then you should make sure you’re visiting a trustworthy, understanding dentist first.

 

 

Ask for Breaks if You Need Them

 

If you feel like you might need to take breaks, make sure you tell your dentist and set up a cue. They might even suggest this for you. For example, if you begin to panic and feel like you might need a break, your dentist might suggest that you should raise your left hand. Many understanding dentists will give you more control as they tell you you’re free to leave whenever you want. It’s highly unlikely you’ll actually leave the chair, but you have the option.


Only you can take the steps you need to overcome your fear of the dentist. Nobody can take your fear away. The key is first wanting to do it, then taking the steps to slowly feel better about visiting. If you want to keep your teeth in good condition, then you must make sure you visit the dentist once a year. Your teeth make a huge difference to your appearance, so don’t neglect them!


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