Relax with Grace & Stella Lavender Skin Care Products
Easy Ways To Take Care of Your Mental Well-Being
With the hustle and bustle of life, it's easy to put yourself and your needs on the backburner. However, when you ignore your needs, you'll find that you eventually burn out. When you face burnout, you might find that you are tired more than usual, have greater anxiety and are unmotivated to do even simple tasks.
When things get terrible, you might find that you have to see a doctor or use holistic learning materials to feel better. To avoid letting things get out of control, you need to take time for yourself. Here are some simple ways you can take care of yourself physically and emotionally.
Choose Good Foods
If you have a diet primarily made up of processed, fatty foods, you're probably not feeling the best. A poor diet harms how your body functions. You will likely find that you lack energy and have a hard time thinking clearly.
To avoid feeling crummy and not thinking clearly, you should eat whole foods. Your body needs the vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables, and whole grains. If you eat meat, choose lean, lower-fat options.
Work on a Hobby
When you do things you love, you will likely find that you're more relaxed and can think more clearly. Hobbies don't have to be anything overly expensive or creative. You could enjoy a nice warm bath and read a book. Work in the garden while listening to a podcast. If you love woodworking, then build some cabinets. You just want to make sure that you're doing something you enjoy. Your life shouldn't just be about other people and work. You matter, too.
Learn To Say No
Sometimes telling someone you don't want to do something can be challenging. You don't want to come off as rude and have them think poorly of you. However, your mental well-being should always be more important than someone's feelings about you. If you don't have the time to do something or it will be too much of a stretch to make it happen, just say no. Explain to the person that you wish you could help, but you just won't be able to work. Anyone who respects you and cares about you will understand.
Get Moving
Exercise is sometimes thought of as a wonder drug because even a little bit can make a huge difference. Find ways that you can move more each day. Perhaps go for walks in the evenings after dinner, or go to the gym before work. No matter what you do, you're going to see an improvement in your mood and thought processes.
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How a Simple Facial Benefits Your Skin
Keeping your skin healthy requires a bit of work. Of course, you should use a high-quality moisturizer each day and sunscreen of at least 15 SPF. You also need to cleanse your face daily. The things you do on a monthly basis matter, too. Once per month, you should visit a Spokane facial spa for a complete facial. This addition to your skincare routine provides deep cleaning and specialized skin treatments that improve the skin’s health.
The term facial refers to a skin treatment comprised of multiple steps and multiple skin treatments. It usually includes:
- steam to open pores,
- face masks to treat special problems such as acne or wrinkles,
- exfoliation to remove dead skin,
- cleansing to deeply clean the skin,
- facial massage to stimulate proper blood flow,
- application of creams, lotions, or serums to treat the skin’s special problems.
You could go in for a general facial, but your skin will benefit the most by choosing a special treatment that hones in on the special skin problem and provides it with a focused treatment. Some options include moisturizing facials, firming and restoration facials, and extraction facials. If you are interested in exploring the benefits of getting a facial and finding out what treatments might work for you, you should start by searching online for a reputable aesthetician in your area. For example, if you are based in Pennsylvania, you can search "facial near me in Harrisburg, PA" to find the best facial offerings in and around Harrisburg. You should always book a consultation before getting any full facial treatments.
A facial removes dirt, toxins, and oil buildup from your skin. It removes dead skin cells through deep exfoliation methods like microdermabrasion. By unclogging your skin’s pores, the facial products can better absorb into the skin to do their job. Undergoing an extraction facial removes blackheads and whiteheads plus treats pimples to quickly clean up breakout and prevent new ones. An anti-aging facial slows down the skin’s aging process and prevents wrinkles. This includes a facial massage that results in increased oxygen flow and blood circulation plus professional level anti-aging creams and serums to deeply penetrate the skin and result in a visible difference as well as enhancing elasticity and collagen production.
The best facials come from a trained aesthetician, a professional who undergoes training in how to apply facial products and treatments and how to best perform facial massage. An aesthetician can analyze your skin and recommend a daily skincare routine that also benefits your skin. During the process of these monthly treatments, the aesthetician examines your skin for suspicious spots and moles. They alert you to any problems found.
Facials help with more than common problems like acne and wrinkles. You can also get a facial that helps treat problems like sun spots, sun damage, rosacea, and eczema.
While a facial might sound like something only for the wealthy, it remains an affordable service at most spas and helps improve your skin’s look and health. That makes it more than simply an occasional treat, but an imperative part of a healthy skincare routine. Every four to six weeks, you should undergo a facial. While you can do a mini-facial at home in between visits, your aesthetician provides important advice, tips, and services that go beyond what you can do yourself. Their special training makes them especially adept at noticing skin changes that could point to a more serious issue such as skin cancer.
Healthy Ways Today’s Women Can Deal With Stress
Stress that comes as a result of a physical accident can be deeply compounding. For example, if you were to get into a car accident, the stress associated with the healing process and figuring out your financial situation can make the issue worse. According to the Barnes Firm, a team of California injury lawyers, taking action towards getting a fair treatment can help you deal with a stressful situation. It’s not uncommon to suffer from anxiety when you believe you’ve been wronged in an accident. But it works the other way around, too.
Many people fail to realize that stress manifests itself in the body to create physical pain. When you don’t know how to deal with that physical pain, it creates an even more stressful scenario.
Your body reacts to your emotions and too much stress and pressure creates a burden on your overall health. With that in mind, it’s important to start thinking about how you can deal with stress and live a happier and healthier lifestyle. Here are healthy ways that women can deal with stress.
Photo by Oluremi Adebayo from Pexels |
As previously mentioned, stress can quickly become pain in the body. Whether you’re an over-pressured athletic woman or a mother suffering from chronic back pain after birth, knowing how to address pain—regardless of the source—is crucial.
Stress is particularly linked to lower back pain, which many women suffer from. If you find yourself struggling with chronic pain, it’s important that you take a non-addictive approach to pain management. With America in the midst of an opioid crisis, the last thing you want is to rely on pain killers that mask root causes of stress and create a physiological dependence. Instead, focus on non-addictive technology like the Energy Cell and alternative options like the solutions listed below.
Meditation
Meditation is a commonly used practice for stress relief and relaxation. It broadens your conscious awareness and helps you to rid your mind of all the busy and hectic thoughts by encouraging inner peace through breathing and balance. With regular practice, you are essentially training your mind to react better to stressful situations, thereby controlling your body’s dreaded “fight or flight” reaction to anxiety.
Despite the fact that there are a myriad of clear benefits of meditation for women, many people struggle to get started. The concept of meditation can be overwhelming, and the desire to “get it right” can create even more stress as you embark on a new mission. However, with just a few minutes per day, you can successfully get better and better. Many mobile meditation apps are designed with beginners in mind. If you prefer in-person instruction, seek out local meditation centers and classes.
Women’s issues can directly correlate to mental health, especially when you consider the historical challenges that have plagued women. Adverse portrayer in the media and society, oppression, and even motherhood are all contributing factors that play a role in mental health. Studies have also shown that women are more likely to develop eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia.
Unfortunately, there is a major misconception regarding the benefits of therapy sessions and who therapy works best for. The fact is, almost everyone can benefit from therapy. However, because many people stigmatize therapy as a go-to treatment for those suffering from serious mental illness, it prevents individuals from getting the counseling they need. Although there are many types of therapy, what’s key is that each addresses proper coping mechanisms for handling stress.
For example, cognitive therapy addresses how negative thoughts infiltrate your mind throughout the day and further contribute to stress. It allows you to examine negative patterns of thought and helps you learn to condition your mind to think positively. And perhaps most importantly is that therapy can also help you unearth underlying causes of stress and anxiety that may be preventing you from moving forward in your life.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels |
Healthy exercise habits and mental health go hand in hand. Not only does exercise help boost your overall health, but it plays a critical role as a stress reliever. Your level of athletic experience and fitness doesn’t matter; anyone can do a little exercise (don’t overwork yourself and do what’s best for your individual body) and feel better.
It helps to join fitness classes dedicated exclusively to women, or even women-only gyms. These classes or facilities can decrease intimidation you might feel during exercise, and may offer equipment or facilities designed exclusively for the female body. Lastly, it’s a great way to network and meet new, like-minded friends.
What’s most important is consistency. It’s not uncommon to opt out of exercise when you’re stressed, simply because the idea of exercising seems stressful as well. But if you remind yourself that this is merely a preliminary barrier, you can work past this first hurdle with ease. Keep this in mind: you will almost never finish a productive run or workout session and return home regretting the work you put in. If you practice looking towards those feel good emotions you get when you’ve completed a routine, you’ll be able to better prepare yourself to take the first step time and time again.
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Maintaining a stress journal is a great way to learn to cope and self-analyze. Some studies suggest that routine journaling can strengthen immune cells called T-lymphocytes. As a stress management tool, it has the ability to wonders. When you express your thoughts coherently, you’re able to release pent up feelings and decipher your emotions in a productive way. As you record feelings of stress, you’ll start to notice patterns and consistencies from a high-level overview. You can opt for a traditional journal for logging your stressful moments, or use a stress diary template for guidance.
New Eyeglasses Update
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Since I had to get the new eyeglasses and sunglasses made anyway, I went ahead and took advantage of my 30-day exchange time and got better frames for both. You can find prescription glasses on Overnight Glasses. I am so thankful that I can see everything so crisp and clear. Colors are so much more vibrant, and it's nice to see all of the little details I apparently have been missing for a while! I feel so much better overall. If you haven't gotten an eye exam this year yet, this is your friendly reminder to go book that appointment now. Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by.
How to Take Care of Your Mental Health this Winter
Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash |
It is no secret that there has been a spiraling mental health epidemic in recent years. Unfortunately, in winter months people are more at risk of illnesses like Seasonal Affective Disorder, and the dark nights can feel a little more than scary for some people. It is easy to dread this season when you have had bad experiences in the past. However, there is nothing to say it can’t be different this time around. Luckily, lots more tips and tricks are making their way out into the open now that the stigma around mental health is being broken down. To ensure you have the right help, make sure you take note of a select few.
Photo by Trang Doan from Pexels |
When winter is just around the corner, it can be much easier to turn to comfort food as a way of helping you to feel comforted during dark nights. Although indulging in your favorite snack in moderation is a great addition to your diet, you should also make sure you are eating enough vitamins and nutrients. In fact, there are some foods that are both easy to put into every meal, but which are also full of the vitamins your brain needs to help fight depression. It should also be noted that there are also substances that should be avoided, such as excess amounts of caffeine, alcohol, and drugs. If you feel as though you have slipped into a drug dependency at this time, it’s best to see help from a trusted drug addiction center to get you back on track.
Keep your exercise routine
It is widely regarded that having a good exercise routine can do wonders for both your physical and mental well-being. Colder and shorter days can make it feel impossible to keep on top of your current exercise schedule. The gym may seem like a world away, and your regular morning runs will be less appealing when it’s still dark outside. This is where many people decide to make the most of home exercises, as it removes a lot of the stress involved with making it to the gym n harsh weather conditions. While it is recommended that you complete some higher intensity workouts using equipment such as dumbbells, there are some exercises which have been proven to work better for your mental health. For example, yoga has been linked to lowering rates of depression and anxiety, and is a great way to handle excess stress around the holiday season.
Photo by freestocks.org from Pexels |
In winter, the levels of natural light only take up a short space of the day. This is mainly which leads to problems like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Ideally, you should be outdoors as much as you can, so that you can soak up all the vitamin D your body needs. Taking long walks are a great way to do this. However, there will be days where being outside is not what you need. When this happens, you can maximize the natural light in your home, or you can invest in a special UV lamp so that your body can keep producing the vitamin D it needs to keep your mind healthy.
February Ipsy Bag Review
Here's what's inside the bag:
- PÃœR Mini Fully Charged Mascara
- Sand & Sky Brilliant Skin Pink Clay Mask
- Mellow Cosmetics Precision Liquid Pen Eyeliner in Black
- Beauty Basics Eyeshadow in Lavish
- Luxie Beauty Blending and Shading Eye Brush 249
The face mask was nice. I loved the scent and how my face looked. The downfall was that I felt it was a bit drying for my normal skin. If you tend to have oily skin, this would probably work well for you. I probably need to research and see if they carry a moisture-boosting version.
I am such a fan of makeup brushes so I was happy to add this blending and shading brush to my mini-collection. The eyeshadow is a pretty shade that has a shimmery finish. It lasts all day, so that's a plus for me.
I tell everyone that my month Ipsy Glam Bag is the BEST $10 I spend each month. It's so nice to feel like I am getting a treat that's just for me. What is amazing is that most months, I will get 1-3 full size products. It is such a good value.
If you are considering an Ipsy subscription, you meed to go for it! Also, you earn points towards more products when you do the online reviews (which takes very little time). I have 535 points that I am about to cash in for a freebie!
Thanks for stopping by. Have a great week!
Staying Healthy On A Diet
Lose Weight Slowly to Keep It Off
When you change your eating habits, you want to see immediate results. Be careful not to lose weight too quickly, though. Fad or crash diets that let you drop more than a few pounds a week are unhealthy and hard to maintain. Crash diets often cause water and lean muscle loss. Slow weight loss allows you to lose more fat and maintain muscle mass.Fast weight loss can also cause long-term health problems including liver damage and gallstones. Stick to a diet that will give you the number of calories you need each day for your height and goal weight.
Choose Low-Calorie Foods Packed with Nutrients
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Eat quality foods to get the nutrients your body needs every day without adding extra calories. Fill your plate with leafy greens to get your allowance of fiber, potassium, and folate. Fruits offer nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, and various B vitamins. Choose lean meats, beans, and legumes for your low-calorie protein sources.
Beware of Diet Foods, Artificial Sweeteners, and Natural Syrups
Foods touted as diet or low in fat are often heavily processed and may contain chemicals. While diet foods may lack sugar and fat, such foods can be far from healthy. Some low-fat foods are packed with sugar to replace the missing fat. Sugar-free foods often use artificial sweeteners. Sugar substitutes can leave you craving more sugar, and even raise blood sugar levels and cause diabetes.Eating natural foods is healthier than consuming processed foods. However, foods labeled natural and organic aren't always low in calories. Note that natural sugars still count as sugar in your diet. Agave syrup, coconut sugar, and honey are all sugars.
Stay Hydrated
Image via Flickr by Rubbermaid Products |
Remember to focus on proper nutrition when you cut calories. You can lose weight and stay healthy and vibrant when you choose quality low-calorie foods and drink plenty of water.
January Ipsy Glam Bag Review #IpsyGameFace
Inside the bag:
- NYX Professional Lip Lingerie in Beauty Mark- goes on creamy with a matte finish. I do love the color, but it has a slight sticky feel initially. Once it wears in, it feels a whole lot better.
- CIATÉ LONDO Fierce Flicks Liquid Eyeliner- I actually gave this to my younger daughter because I have tons of liquid liners already. This one is supposed to dry quickly and not smudge. Perfect for the cat eye look.
- BellaPierre Cosmetics StayPut Brow Gel in Licorice- I love the way it is packaged. The brush is on the top of handle and the product is in a jar on the bottom. I tried it and don't really care for it. The gel didn't apply as well as my normal brow makeup. I gave it to my older daughter and she seems to really like it.
- BeFine Skin Care Exfoliating Cleanser- made with all-natural ingredients brown sugar, almond, and oats. It leaves your skin crazy smooth, and soft. It also moisturizes. I will definitely be buying this in a full-size tube.
- BioRepublic Skincare Sheet Masks- I got two: Aloe Rescue & Pomegranate Crush. I haven't tried them yet, but the product description makes them sound promising. Here are the details: These eco-friendly masks are 100% biodegradable. Aloe Rescue has phytocollagen, aloe vera extract, and Vitamin E to soothe and moisturize dry skin. Pomegranate Crush is loaded with antioxidant-packed pomegranate extract and vitamin E to hydrate, brighten, and smooth *all* skin types.
How Being Middle-Aged Has Changed My Life
I have experienced some really great things this year. When I chose to stop focusing so hard on what I have lost, it opened my heart and mind to clearly see how much I have gained.
- Worrying- I had to put a stop to this. I became so immersed in worry/anxiety/panic that it started to affect my well-being. I had to pound into my head that I can't change or control everything. Obsessing over things that might go the wrong way, or maybe go the right way isn't living. I had to come to a point where I say to myself, "Whatever the outcome may be, I will deal with it". As small as that might seem, it has helped me a lot. Things are going to happen the way they are intended. I can't do a thing about anything that has happened in the past. I can only focus on what's to come.
- Putting myself first- Most women don't know what this even means or how you even do it. I have made my health and happiness a priority. That is not negotiable. I no longer feel guilty doing nice things for myself or even indulging in what I want. As long as I don't go above my means, I allow myself the pleasures of life. I don't skimp on things for myself any more.
- Eating and sleeping- It's so hard sometimes to eat properly when all you want is cheese fries and sushi. I still fight hard to maintain balance, but don't deny myself of what I really want on occasion. I do drink plenty of water daily, and know if I haven't had enough by the way I feel. I find myself taking naps as I need. I don't worry about the dishes in the sink because they will still be there when I get up. Some nights I go to bed before 10:00. A well-rested Shelly is a happy Shelly.
- Protecting my spirit- I have been staying away from watching the news. The negativity really gets to me, especially when it deals with sexual abuse. It has come to the point where I have to deactivate some of my social media accounts for short periods of time. If it's not positively feeding my spirit, I steer clear of it.
- Saying no- For most of my life, I have felt a deep obligation to doing things for people. I would feel so guilty to not help. It has come to a point that if my gut tells me to say no, I say just that. The best part is I offer little to no explanation. Now that's some real growth right there!
- Ditching the planner- I have spent way too many years planning every single moment of my life down to the minute. I dumped my planner somewhere in my office and life has gone smoothly since then. Sometimes my husband will ask me if I want to take a ride to the beach or up north on a whim. This normally would have freaked me out because it wasn't planned, but now I don't care. I grab my shoes and bag and GO!
- Getting in pictures- I learned some time last year that my husband has been sneaking photos of me every time we travel. He would take pictures while I was applying make-up or cooking. I saw some of the photos and was like, you better not let anyone see these awful pictures of me! He didn't see it that way at all. He explained that my true essence shined through as I did the things I would normally do. I was being ME. He simply wants our children to have photos to look back on of me doing things either for myself, with them, or with him. Memories is what it's about. I've stopped being so hard on myself and started hopping in front of the lens instead of behind it. All of my 'imperfections', belly pooch and all are perfectly me, and I have grown to accept them.
Although I have experienced significant growth over the last year, I know I still have more to go. I'm open to it and not letting fear get in my way. So what's next? I don't know, and I don't intend on planning for it. I will let things be. Thanks for stopping by today.
10 Ways To Keep You Strong For The Transitioning Season
- Exercise on a daily basis: The minimum should be a half hour of walking continuously so as to increase oxygenation to tissues as well as deliver vitamins minerals and hormones to these cells.
- Be sure to get good deep restorative sleep: This should be at least six hours every night. Sleep deprivation not only makes us tired, but decreases function in almost all organs.
- Keep chemicals and preservatives out of the diet: We should eat as organically as possible, with the diet comprised of a variety of vegetables, fruits and good protein sources.
- Test your blood for vitamins, minerals, and hormones: Thousands of studies over many years have described that vitamin deficiency is correlated with degenerate disease we can give me in response among many others. This test will guide you as to exactly what nutrients you're deficient in, and what you should take. “There is no better test than this,” says Dr. Calapai.
- Do not smoke cigarettes: This is a no brainer for most, as they contain thousands of dangerous chemicals, which can lead to a low immune system. But if you can't quit smoking completely, give one of these trendy vape devices a shot.
- Be careful with exposure to alcohol: This can have the variety of effects that are hurtful to the body if done in excess
- Maintain a clean home environment: In areas where you spend the most time, make sure that surfaces are cleaned with products that can kill germs or viruses. Use HEPA filtration systems to capture particulate matter including dust, allergens or organisms that can make you ill.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and a few times during the day and avoid other people that have chronic infection, flu or a virus.
- Try to minimize stress, anxiety and irritability: Taking a break for a few minutes during a stressful day can make the stress response much less progressive.
- Lastly, be sure to visit your doctor for routine testing and physical exam inform: This ensures you are constantly aware of what is going on with your body.