Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Photo by Chad Madden on Unsplash According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults ages 18 and older, or over 18% of the population each year. And, according to …
Photo by Isaiah McClean on Unsplash When was the last time you thought about the toothpaste you use? You’ve probably been buying the same brand for years out of habit, but have never really noticed a difference in your teeth. Take a look at the …
Do you have trouble falling or staying asleep? Or do you find yourself not waking up feeling rested? You’re not alone! A third of US adults report that they usually get less than the seven hours that is recommended. According to the CDC, not getting enough sleep is linked with many chronic diseases and conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and depression. Ditch the caffeine! Here are three tips that might just help you what your body needs.
If you’re someone who has trouble sleeping but finds themselves sitting on their phone, scrolling through their news feed in the dark, stop! The number one most important thing you can do to improve how long and well you sleep is to put your phones, laptops and tablets down before you get into bed (yes that includes your TV, too!). Blue light is the artificial light that is provided by your digital devices. A study from the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston reports that blue light exerted by your phone and tablet may do more than take away from your precious hours in bed – it may increase your risk of harmful diseases and conditions. Try to put your devices away at least two hours before you head to bed – your mind and your eyes will thank you later!
Learn more about that sleep study by clicking here!
You know those days when you spend the entire day at the beach to come home feeling exhausted? Well, it turns out that exposure to natural light (especially in the morning), helps to set your circadian rhythm, also according to the Division of Sleep and Circadian Disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. Your circadian rhythm is simply your 24-hour internal clock that tells your body when it is time to go to sleep and time to wake up. This system works best when you have regular habits, like going to bed at the same time each night. This is also the system to blame when your patterns are thrown off due to jet lag or day light savings.
There is nothing better than getting into a bed with cool sheets on a warm night. And there’s a reason for this! Researchers believe if you sleep in a cooler environment, you can help your body fall into a restful sleep more easily. This includes your body temperature, as your circadian rhythm triggers your body’s temperature to drop when it’s time to sleep. Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine reported at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS) that keeping the brain cool may help people with insomnia to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
If those three tips do not work, supplementation may be beneficial.
Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the body’s circadian rhythms, your body’s 24-hour clock that regulate your sleep-wake cycle. As a supplement, it re-calibrates your 24-hour body clock for shift workers or those who work nights. Excellent for jet lag and traveling.†
Valerian root has been used as a sedative and anti- anxiety treatment for more than 2,000 years. Extracts of the roots of valerian (Valeriana officinalis) are widely used for inducing sleep and improving sleep quality.†
L-Theanine, an extract from green tea, is excellent for persistent thoughts. Day or night, take for anxiety, panic and to calm down worrisome thoughts by increasing blissful alpha-waves in the brain, before bed or in the middle of the night.†
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash Do you feel overwhelming stress at work? A new study published in the journal Lancet Psychiatry set out to research whether or not the intensity of a high-pressured work environment can lead to common mental health issues like anxiety …
Photo by Kim Carpenter on Unsplash If there is one thing that we face daily, it is stress. Whether it’s rushing to get the kids to school on time in the morning, rushing through traffic to make it to your morning meeting or cramming for …
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, and it’s not just a skin disorder that plagues teenagers. Breakouts can occur at any age. In a study published in the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, researchers found that, while reports of acne were significantly higher in women and men in their 20s (about 51% of women and 42% of men), during their 50s, 15% of women and 7% of men still reported experiencing acne.
Acne is a common skin disorder that includes several types of blemishes, like pimples, whiteheads and blackheads. It is caused by numerous factors, but some major contributors include –
You should always speak to your dermatologist about the type of skin you have and how you can treat it, but there are other options you can try before resorting to visiting a medical professional.
Stress increases the production of cortisol, which causes hormones to produce more oil on the skin. Stress also causes inflammation which can make breakouts worse. Limit your stress by changing up your routine! Have dinner with friends or watch a movie or take a bath to relax.
According to Tatiana Aynbinder, a Cosmetic Dermatologist, interviewed by Forbes Magazine, “Your body breaks down “simple carbohydrates” like refined sugars and white flour, rapidly converting them into glucose, which then floods the blood stream. When this occurs, your body reacts by producing insulin to counter the glucose insulin levels spike, leading to inflammation-producing enzymes which attach to your body’s collagen through an oxidative process known as glycation. This process breaks down collagen and elastin, contributing to aged, sagging or wrinkled looking skin. The more sugar in a person’s diet, the more likely it is that the body will eventually develop insulin resistance.”
When you don’t clean your face at least twice a day, you are allowing a build up of dead skin cells, oily skin and bacteria that can block your pores, causing breakouts. Powerful yet gentle cleansers are specifically designed to lift away impurities and maintain your skins delicate moisture balance. Use a cleanser that will provide your skin with antioxidants but will not over-dry. Look for ingredients like Green tea, Grape Seed extract, Witch Hazel and Algae for a superior product. Stay away from Parabens, Petroleum, Colorants, Fragrance, Sulfates, or Benzoic Acid.
A good moisturizer will be the difference between dry, rough skin and hydrated, healthy skin. You’ll want to look for a moisturizer that provides powerful external antioxidant protection and hydrates your skin. It should be capable of effectively softening the skin, reducing collagen breakdown, and visibly minimizing fine lines and wrinkles. A blend of ingredients like Grape Seed oil, Vitamin C, and Alpha-Lipoid Acid offers enriching protection for healthy, smooth, and even-toned skin. Again, stay away from Parabens, Petroleum, Colorants, Fragrance, Sulfates, or Benzoic Acid.