How to Flourish Despite Hot Flashes

People say that 40 is the new 30 and that 50 is the new 40, but having hot flashes can seriously cramp your style. They raise your temperature up, make you sweat buckets, and generally unfit for a public outing. Take your life back with these suggestions on coping with hot flashes:

Weight loss. If you are overweight, losing excess pounds can help relieve symptoms of hot flashes. But stick to 30 minutes of aerobic exercises daily - more than that and you are looking at another episode of hot flashes.

Relaxation techniques. Hot flashes often come when you are agitated or stress. Get zen with rhythmic breathing by taking deep and slow breaths until you ease the stress out of your system. Relaxing also helps stave further hot flash episodes. It is also best if you avoid highly charged and emotional situations.

Lifestyle changes. There are some habits that can trigger an episode of hot flashes if you do not take care. Smoking, eating spicy foods, drinking hot beverages, taking in caffeine, and consuming alcohol are just some of the most common triggers. Using diet pills and indulging in saunas and very hot showers can also contribute to hot flashes.

-Tin Gonzaga

Three Smells To Sniff For Better Health

If I tell you that smelling stuff can make you healthier, would you believe? I am talking about normal, everyday smells that you just ignore or dismiss as unimportant to your health. Sniff more of these smells for better health:

1. Green apples
If you find yourself craving for a particularly unhealthy food - such as chips or sweets - get a green apple and sniff it. Studies show that sniffing the scent of green apples reduces cravings or the urge to satisfy them. As a bonus, you can also eat the green apple as a snack after your cravings have abated. An oil or perfume scented with apples will work too. Just don't eat it.

2. Orange
Lavender is not the only scent that can calm frayed nerves. The scent of oranges can do it too. Researchers have found out that the scent of oranges can make people calmer and feel less anxious.


3. Rosemary
If you want help when studying or keeping your mind alert, take a sprig of rosemary. Studies have found out that the scent of rosemary can keep your mind alert and able to retain more information.

-Tin Gonzaga

How Healthy Is Your House?

People say that healthy living starts at home. And it's true. Healthy living is not just about eating the right kinds of food or exercising day in and day out. It's about having a healthy home - a place of rest where you can cast your worries aside and just enjoy your space. Healthy home is very important. Here are some tips on ensuring that your home stays as healthy as possible for you and your family:

1. Dust your place regularly. Dusting your home, by means of a dust rug or vacuum, helps get rid of allergens and possible irritants like dust, pollen, and pet dander. If you can, replace carpeting with wood floors for easier clean up and less dust.

2. Check your paint. Paint can contain lead - and when inhaled, lead particles can cause headaches and respiratory irritation. If possible, have your house repainted using lead-free paint for easier breathing.

3. Use natural household cleaners. Many household cleaners contain chemicals and substances that are possibly harmful to your health and that of the environment. To minimize risks, switch to natural cleaners like baking soda and lemon juice for a cleaner and healthier home.

-Tin Gonzaga

Healthy Switches to Make for Your Diet

Eating unhealthy food one moment then switching to greener choices the next can be daunting and often lead to setbacks. Instead of drastically changing your eating habits, gradually make room for a healthier and balanced diet.

Switching and introducing a healthier food item at a time into your diet will allow you to better appreciate their nutritional values and stick to the changes. Here are some switches to try:

1. Sweet potatoes in favor of white taters
Sweet potatoes can give you the same comfort of white spuds, but with more health benefits. Roast, bake, mash, or boil them for a flavorful and colorful side dish with a load of vitamins A and C.

2. Walnuts rather than croutons
If you like a bit of crunch in your salad, opt for walnuts instead of croutons. Walnuts are rich in good fat and are also a good source of protein. They are also crunchier and tastier.

.3. Dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate.
You don't have to give up your chocolate addiction. Just switch to dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. Dark chocolates have antioxidants called flavonoids as opposed to the added sugar milk chocolate had.

-Tin Gonzaga

Dealing With Teens Mood Swings

Some first time mom's and dads thought that perhaps the most crucial and difficult stage of parenting is when the children are just babies. Yes, this stage is indeed crucial for all parents, but think again. Babyhood is not the only time when your kids need a lot of attention and supervision. Once your kids reach the adolescent or teen stage, they surely need a lot of guidance and supervision from both parents.

There are a number of things that parents need to understand and deal with about their teenagers. One of these is none other than teens' mood swings. All teens tend to become so moody during their teenage years. Parents can go nuts trying to understand their teens' rocky mood swings. They may feel happy and active one day, the next day they feel lonely and upset.

The crazy and sometimes in explainable mood swings of your teens can definitely affect the rest of your family. What you should do is to come up with ways on how to best understand and deal with situations when your teenagers are in their usual moody fits.

Below are some tips that can help you in dealing with your teens' ever-changing moods:

1. Talk with them.

Communication is a must in all types of relationships, including parents to children bond. Hence, it is a must for you to regularly talk to your teens for this will help you find out about their feelings and how they are doing at school. By talking to your teenagers, they will see that you care and show interest in how they are. Always keep an open communication between you and your teens. In time, you'll see that they will open up with you more often.

2. Listen to them.

Of course when you talk to your teenagers, you also need to listen to them. It is not good when you only talk and not listen on what your teens have to say. By listening well to your teens while they are talking to you, you will get to understand what triggers their mood swings as well as help them deal with their changing moods. Hence, always and always lend an open ear to your teens whenever they want to talk to you.

3. Support them.

Generally, teens are moody whenever they feel like something is not working the way they planned or someone or something is going their way. In this situation, it is best to show your teenagers that you are always there to support them. Do not give them advise, only if they ask for it. When you are truly supportive of your children, this can surely lessen their mood swings.

4. Give them space.

Another helpful way to deal with your teens mood swings is to simply give them space. All teenagers need this, for this is their time alone to think about the things or events that triggered their sudden change in mood. Let them wok things out on their own. Also, if they prefer to talk to their friends rather than with you, do not get mad or frustrated. Just let your teens be.

Effects of Smoking During Pregnancy

In USA, American smokers has been decreasing through out the years. Although Women smokers is decreasing much slower compared to male counterparts. Based on the study, it shows that smoking produces adverse effects in the mother and the baby is continued throughout the term of the pregnancy. If your are pregnant and you didn't yet stop smoking, think it.

You have to stop smoking in order for you and your baby have a good health.

Read some information on how smoking can affect your pregnancy and the unborn baby.

There are some naughty, saying that there are some pregnant women who smoke but still have a healthy baby. This is a wrong thinking I think, Yes they are lucky their babies are made of stronger stuff. But actually, they are the exemption rather than the rule as studies show that there is a great chance that you may not be able to carry the baby to full-term.

Babies of smoking mothers often have breathing problems upon birth especially if they are born earlier than scheduled. Miscarriages are also common among smoking mothers. The stakes are high so why take the risk of losing your baby just for a chance to puff a cancer stick?

Some effects of smoking during pregnancy:

1. The babies of smokers often have low birth weight.
2. Under size babies tend to have underdeveloped bodies.
3. Smoking during pregnancy can have lifelong effects on your baby's brain.
4. A shortage of oxygen can have devastating effects on your baby's growth and development.