Tag: health

Benefits of Using Weighted Blankets

Benefits of Using Weighted Blankets Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Weighted Blankets are becoming all the range. These trendy blankets recreate the sensation of a loved one hugging you during the night. This creates a warm calming effect and a feeling of being cradled in your mother’s arms again. Especially if you believe in Freudian theories. Regardless of whether you are someone who has trouble falling asleep or someone who sleeps alone, a weighted blanket may be the cure for your insomnia and restlessness.

What is the Science Behind Weighted Blankets?

The scientific studies are based on the science of grounding. Grounding is a practice that even ancient people believed in. Today, people are grounding themselves by getting closer to the earth. It is believed that the rubber soles on most shoes interrupt the flow of magnetic waves from the earth’s molten iron core. The benefits appear to be an improvement in mood, better sleep, and even reduced inflammation. 

Another popular trend is conductive mattresses that provide greater body heat conductivity. There are many styles. Some are infused with copper. Others boast of a gel coating that transfers body heat better. And yet others may conduct some of the natural magnetism from the earth’s core. These materials may even transfer the earth’s natural energy. This happens if connected to earthing rods or ports that ground them into the earth’s crust.

Anyone who camps out regularly and sleeps in a tent will tell you about how hard it is to sleep in an apartment or home where they can’t feel the natural magnetism and vibrations of the earth. This same principle is why many trust in weighted blankets to help them retain a sense of peace and calmness at night.

Purchasing a weighted blanket for adults may work as well as conductive mattress pads in helping to normalize cortisol rhythms in the body. Because grounding is a phenomenon that is difficult to measure in its continual subtle effect on the body, the true benefits are associated by way of other studies. 

Studies show that cortisol levels have a direct impact on the quality of sleep. This is because cortisol is the stress hormone and plays an important role in overall health. Research also proves that even connecting with the earth on nature walks can reduce stress, alleviate depression, and improve overall health.

Anecdotal Evidence

Anecdotal evidence may be a better gauge of how a novel understudied science works. The anecdotal evidence suggests that weighted blankets simply help to improve mood. It really doesn’t matter what scientific mechanisms are behind it. If other people are benefiting, it is likely that you will also benefit. 

And it is logical to believe that feeling the weight, as if a person were on top of you, would help to make you feel more relaxed and comfortable. People often sleep together in more intimate settings by relying on this exact mechanism. In bygone days, mothers would tuck their children in at night as a comfort. This same type of tension, feeling as snug as a bug in a rug, can help you to recapture the youthful nostalgia. 

Whether the earthing effect or nostalgic memories are playing a role is not really important if you sleep and feel better. It is recommended that people choose weighted blankets that are set to 10 percent of their body weight. Some blankets have double sides for a snuggly warming effect of fleece or a smooth cooling sensation from cotton. And some weighted blankets have washable covers to ensure that they are hypoallergenic and easy to clean.

The calming effects of these blankets are even beneficial to children who suffer from ADHD. It is possible that children may be wound up from stress and a lack of deep R.E.M. (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. If you can try an all-natural home remedy that works or assists in solving the problem, why not try it? You probably need some updated bedding materials anyhow.

Conclusion

Try using weighted blankets in your home if you are having any problems with sleep or simply like the idea of comfortable and cozy bedding materials. They come in a variety of weights, styles, and sizes to ensure the best feel and fit for everyone. They appear to have some basic scientific rationales for why they are so effective. And the anecdotal evidence of their effectiveness is what draws so much interest. Try one today to see how a weighted blanket can benefit you.

This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I may receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here. 

  • Benefits of Using Weighted Blankets
  • Benefits of Using Weighted Blankets
  • Benefits of Using Weighted Blankets

Build A Healthier Lifestyle With These Personal Development Tips

Build A Healthier Lifestyle With These Personal Development Tips

You must be aware of the age-old axiom, ‘health is wealth’. Well, that’s perfectly true and can be achieved with little yet significant changes in daily life. Here’s a quick run-through of personal development tips to build a healthier lifestyle.

Exercise Regularly

Being into any kind of physical exercise is the very first step towards a healthy lifestyle. It helps in attaining a healthy body devoid of any disease as well as makes you feel rejuvenated from inside.

You can surely give regular exercise a go. You can get into a gym, go to any sports academy, you can also join some dance, martial art classes, or simply go for a walk out on the street.

Physical exercises can help manage those stressful situations which we come across in our daily life. Exercise can also help in combating various kinds of diseases. Hence, make a 30-minutes exercise regime a part of your life. This quick practice can surely help you look forward to a healthier lifestyle.

Adequate Sleep

If you really want to be a potential performer in your life, whether you are at work or with your family, good mental health is the key to such performance, and that actually comes from a sound sleep of at least 6-7 hours a day.

If you don’t get a minimal sleep of 6-7 hours, it can actually leave you feeling tired and fatigued, and there will be a usual tendency to escape the work which you are doing. Inadequate sleep can actually weaken your work performance and make you feel less energetic as compared to others. So, make sure you sleep every day for at least 7 hours, otherwise, you are surely on the brink of attaining poor health, that will make you a poor performer at your office as well as in the family and you will certainly be termed as what is called being less progressive.

Assess Your Own Progress

It is said that ‘’if you can’t measure it, then don’t go for it.’ Difficult as it may sound, but the fact is, if you really want to move towards a healthier lifestyle, then whatsoever the kind of work is, you need to constantly assess the level of your progress of that work you are doing.

Moreover, the kind of work you are doing may not be of your interest all the time, nevertheless, you want to excel in it, and accordingly, want to attain expertise. So, the only way to that is to make a continuous assessment of your own, and look into the fact of how far you progress in your performance.

A Healthy Lifestyle Increases The Zeal To Perform

When someone is more into these healthy habits, they are likely to be more energetic at work. Hence, making them this person more focused on their assigned tasks and leading to more efficient performance.

Healthy habits can help you feel more deserving as far as the work that is done at your office. You will gradually become the central point of attraction in the eyes of your colleagues as well as your boss. Additionally, having a healthy lifestyle can help you stay more focused and motivated. Thus, helping you complete the tasks in a more efficient and manner. Becoming part of a healthy lifestyle can help us boost our confidence and energy level, and make us a better individual being in both our personal and professional life.

Quit the Habit of Smoking and Drinking

Being into smoking and drinking are some of the habits, people mostly resort to, for unwinding themselves, after a hectic session of work or some other stressful activity.

Well, these are certainly not effective ways to overcome stress, and when one becomes addicted to these harmful habits with the passage of time, quitting them becomes even tougher.

But, don’t get nervy with the fact that you won’t be able to do away with these unhealthy habits for the rest of your life. It is surely not an overnight process and takes time for you to quit. You can take the help of an efficient doctor, and ask for some of the most effective ways through which you can gradually come out from any of these harmful habits.

Take for instance smoking, if you are into the habit of smoking, then you need a way to gradually cut down on it and achieve long-lasting freedom from tobacco smoking. An e-cigarette where can help you to accomplish these goals.

Vapers can control nicotine intake right down to zero milligrams. With different flavors and varying levels of nicotine in vape juices, e-cigarettes can help in quitting their age-long habit of smoking.

Healthier Lifestyle Conclusion

The tips and strategies mentioned here will only come into effect if you are happy all the time. Being unhappy will only steal away your well-being, and the tips given to you will be of no use. So, be happy and content all the time as it is the key to leading a healthy life!

Build A Healthier Lifestyle With These Personal Development Tips

Meet the Author

Lynda Arbon is a passionate and enthusiastic health blogger. She likes keeping herself updated on health trends and blogs. Her favorite pastime is learning the history and solving crossword puzzles. Follow her on Twitter.

Natural Ways To Boost Your Cognition You Need To Know

Natural Ways to Boost Your Cognition You Probably Didn't Know

Many changes in physical and mental functions follow the aging process. One of those is the cognitive function which enables a person to perform different mental tasks and solve problems. Cognitive changes are normal changes. And as we grow older, changes in our cognition should be expected. Reasons behind these changes vary from genetic factors to bad habits when it comes to your health. Some of the symptoms are confusion, poor judgment, difficulty in the decision-making process or remembering faces as well as bad long- and short-term memory.

Sometimes this happens as a normal consequence of aging, and sometimes the problem is a deficiency of vitamins and minerals which are necessary for healthy mental function. However, we should pay attention as these could all be symptoms of dementia or even Alzheimer’s. If you start noticing some of the changes mentioned above happening to you or anyone you know, there are some things you can do to improve cognition, although you should see a doctor for further diagnosis.

Nutrition

Magnesium

Magnesium is one of the most essential minerals in your body. It helps maintain normal cardiac and pulmonary function, and of course, it’s crucial for maintaining bone density. Since it is present in most cells of our body, it’s also responsible for brain health as well as cognition. Magnesium acts by strengthening bonds between nerve cells and thus enables better long-term memory. It also strengthens the nerve endings responsible for information transfer, so the result is a good short-term memory. Research also shows that Mg helps in the learning process because of its function as a long-term memory booster.

The easiest way to make sure your intake of Mg is high enough is through food and supplements. Some of the foods rich in Mg are spinach, kale, peas, broccoli, different nuts and seeds, avocados, bananas, salmon, tuna and much more. You should include these groceries in your daily meals as the recommended daily intake of Mg is 310-420mg for adults. If, however, you don’t feel like cooking and you want an easier way, the best solution is to introduce supplements into your diet. It is a good idea to choose a magnesium supplement that’s easily absorbed in your body, like Mg-citrate, Mg-lactate, Mg-chloride or Mg-chelate. Make sure to get tested supplements or ask your pharmacist for advice.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B-12 is essential for DNA and red blood cells synthesis, as well as enabling nerve cells to send signals through the nervous system. Patients who take a higher amount of B12 have shown slower brain atrophy and nerve degeneration which leads us to the conclusion that this vitamin is also essential for preventing loss of cognitive functions. A B12 deficiency causes Anemia, Chron’s disease, Graves’ disease or different immune disorders. Whatever the reasons may be, there are again natural and supplemented ways to make sure you are getting enough of B12. The best natural way to get B12 is through animal meat such as beef, animal liver, clams, tuna, and salmon.

Meditation

Vitamins and minerals are just one aspect which can help you improve your mental health. We shouldn’t forget about the benefits meditation has on calmness, serenity and overall health. Many studies also suggest it as one of the best ways to boost your cognition. Meditation is something you can do at home, and it doesn’t have to take up much of your time. One of the most effective methods for concentration is Samatha meditation, in which you focus on a single mental object and/or sensation.

If you are new to meditation techniques, here are some tips to make it work. Choose a place that you feel relaxed in, and set the duration. At first, you should start with 15 minutes or so. Make sure you have the right posture that will make you breathe in and out easily. Just practice relaxing for a couple of minutes. Concentrate on your breath. You can do it either with open or closed eyes. Choose something that you would like to focus on, and try to keep your attention there.

Don’t worry if at the beginning you lose focus, because that is quite normal. Just direct your attention to the object again. You can choose to think about fire, air, the Earth, whatever makes you feel relaxed. You can develop your meditation technique by increasing the time from week to week. The benefits are numerous starting from increased concentration, reduced stress and overthinking, invoking positive thoughts and even boosting your immune system.

Sleep

Sleep is the time our bodies regenerate and rest. Life in the 21st century has become very stressful and sleep is almost the only time our bodies and minds can recuperate. Sleep duration has lessened significantly due to longer work hours, many activities during the day and fast-paced lives in general.

REM sleep is a phase where our brains are most awake. As we grow older, REM sleep shortens. As adults, we have a couple of REM phases during the night which can last from 10 minutes to an hour. Since this phase happens approximately 90 minutes after we go to sleep, it is essential to get the right amount of sleep to feel rested. eep in order to feel rested.

So, you should sleep 3 or 6 hours if you can’t sleep longer because otherwise, you would interrupt the REM phase. Interrupted sleep leads to building up of amyloid proteins. The build-up of amyloid proteins is linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Migraines, reduced coping skills, weight increase, and many more symptoms are also a consequence of interrupted REM sleep.

You can not escape the consequences of aging. However, that doesn’t mean you should give up. By following these tips, you can improve your health and prolong your life. After all, you know how people say “better safe than sorry.”

Author Bio

Lauren Laporte blogs at ripped.me, mostly about health and wellbeing. She’s passionate about nature, both its vastness and its healing potential, and believes the danger of losing oneself in the wilderness to be far less pressing than the danger of having no wilderness to get lost in. You can find her on Facebook or Twitter.

  • Natural Ways to Boost Your Cognition You Probably Didn't Know
  • Natural Ways to Boost Your Cognition You Probably Didn't Know

Simple Ways to Wake Up Happier | Do This Before Bed

Sleep, among other things, is so incredibly important. Here are some really simple habits you can use to sleep great and wake up happier.

Don’t get me wrong, I love going to bed, and there’s nothing that makes me happier than snuggling up under my duvet, flipping the pillow and drifting off at the end of a long day. However, this doesn’t help you throughout the stressful and commonly overwhelming daytime hours. This post will help you to wake up happier.

By putting yourself in the right frame of mind when you go to sleep, you can then rest easily. Th,en you can wake up in the best mindset, ready to face everything life has to throw at you the next day. With this in mind, here are some really simple habits to help you sleep great and wake up happier.

Avoid Stimulants and Depressants the Night Before

In the evenings, we get home after a long day, and all we want to do is put our feet up, and relax. Many of us will have our own different ways that we like to relax. You might want to sit and have a cup of coffee, nibble on your favourite candy, or have single glass of wine.

However, this may not always be best for you if you’re trying to get the best night’s sleep possible. In fact, these three elements have been known to disrupt your sleeping pattern. Additionally, they activate your intestinal functions that can keep you up at night.

Avoid Food

Hand in hand with the consideration above, it’s best to avoid food altogether. When it comes to bedtime and eating, your body will need to digest this food. Late night digestion can lead to stomach rumbles and digestive processes that can keep you up at night. Try and leave at least four hours between eating and going to bed.

Settling Arguments with Your Partner

If you’re going to bed next to your partner, but you’ve argued, it’s going to play on your mind. Further, it’s going to disrupt your sleep and therefore how effectively you rest, according to stydy by UC Berkely.

Margot Harper, a psychologist at Writinity and Lastminutewriting, explains, “If you’re sleeping in the same bed as your partner, it’s only natural that forcing yourself to sleep next to each other is only going to make things worse, so try settling the agreement and sorting it out, or sleeping elsewhere for a much more refreshing and less stressful sleep”.

Be Grateful

It’s surprising when you start becoming mindful of what kind of mood you’re in before you go to sleep. A lot of us find that we focus on the negative aspects of life, such as someone who annoyed us or a worry about paying our a bill.

Instead, try to sit on your bed as the last thing you do. You can close your eyes and think of three things you’re grateful for in that day. It could be the way that someone spoke to you, the way the birds were singing or anything else. No matter how big or small it may be, focusing on gratitude can make a huge difference.

According to study, gratitude helps you to sleep better and longer. This will help you to fall asleep with a positive attitude, a level of positivity that will reflect into your dreams and the next morning.

Cut Down on Digital Devices

All digital devices with a screen, such as our computers or smartphones, have a blue light that emits from the screen. This wavelength of blue light has been proven to stimulate our minds. Thus, making us believe that it’s daytime and therefore tricking our brains into making us not want to go to sleep.

Instead, try reducing the amount of time you spend on these devices. Try reducing technology use especially in the two hours before you try and sleep. This helps your eyes to get tired and want to sleep. Try doing something other than screens before bed. For example, reading or spending time with your loved ones.

Try Your Hand at Writing

Writing is renowned for its therapeutic properties, especially when it’s handwritten in the form of a journal or diary. While most people go to sleep with all the stresses and worries of their day in their heads, it’s far better to ‘vent’ and get it all down on paper, so you can clear your mind and your soul.

According to Robert McElveen, a Lifestyle blog editor at Draft Beyond and Researchpapersuk, “writing as the last thing you do at night, especially in a book, rather than a computer screen, is a great way to rewind, switch off and clear your mind of sleep-disrupting thoughts and feelings”.

Keep Your Window Open

According to study, even if your window is only open a little bit, this is far more beneficial than keeping it closed. When you breathe out, you’re expelling carbon dioxide into the air. While a breath of carbon dioxide, a gas known to be poisonous to human beings in large doses, doesn’t seem like a lot, if you’re sleeping for 8-hours a night, your room can fill up, and it can leave you feeling light-headed and achy, not the best start to your day.

Summary

As you can see, there are many things you can do when it comes to making sure your bedtime is actually bedtime, enabling you to enjoy some of the best night’s sleep you’ll have had in a long time, leading to a happier, healthier, most energetic you!

Cornelius J. Johnson is a regular contributor to Lucky Assignments and Gum Essays. As a specialist in Marketing, he loves to write about entrepreneurship and aspects of finance and marketing.

  • Simple Things You Should Do Before Bed to Wake Up Happier
  • Simple Things You Should Do Before Bed to Wake Up Happier

Improve Your Well-Being With These 4 Home Hacks

Our home is a place that is always there. We come back to it at the end of each day, and we spend years raising our children in it. But, it is quite often a place we take for granted, and we shouldn’t. You might not be aware of it, but your home can actually have a huge bearing on your health and well-being, and this is why it is so important to look after it and care for it.

In fact, the condition of your home can do a lot to impact on your physical and mental health, your confidence, and your drive and determination. There are so many things you need to consider at home, and self-care is one of the big ones. Turning your home into a place that promotes self-relaxation and self-improvement is so important. Check out these 4 hacks that will help you improve your well-being by enhancing your home.

4 Home Hacks to Improve Your Well-Being

Have a Mood Wall

A mood wall is a fairly uncommon concept for a lot of homes, but it’s one that can have a profound impact in yours. You’ve likely heard of mood boards, and this is a similar concept, except that you are choosing one entire wall in your home and making that the mood wall. You can do this with color, pictures, and writing, and it all combines to give you the best possible outcome. A striking mood wall can improve mental health, and make you feel more happy and confident.

4 Home Hacks to Improve Your Well-Being

Introduce Some Plants

One of the most important aspects of improving your well-being is to introduce some plants into the home. There are a lot of ways to make the home a better place, but plants are excellent because they breathe life into the place, and improve air quality as well. Plants can transform your property into a greener, healthier, happier place, and that is so important. Start shopping around for some great houseplants – they will make all the difference to the way you are feeling.



Make Sure You Sleep Better

Getting a good amount of uninterrupted sleep is so important for keeping your fresh and alert and making sure you are operating at the best possible level every day. There are so many things to keep in mind in this respect, and you need to look at getting the best pillow you possibly can so it feels like you’re sleeping on air. A mattress topper might also be a good idea in order to improve comfort and support in bed.

4 Home Hacks to Improve Your Well-Being

Get a Pet

It’s amazing what a profound impact a pet can have on the home. Even if you already have kids, introducing an animal into the mix can really make things much more impressive. There are so many ways in which you can benefit from a pet, and having that relationship will improve your sense of purpose and self-care. Definitely, think about getting a cat or a dog for the home right now. If you do not have the time or finances for these animals, a fish is a solid substitute! Elizabeth, the blog founder actually has a gecko and has had bearded dragons as her home pets!

These are some of the best things you can do to improve the home going forward and enhance your mental well-being as well. So many people overlook the correlation between the home and our personal health, but you need to do what you can to improve this as much as possible.

This post was written in collaboration. Collaborative writing means that while I have contributed to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation. Want to guest post for Jihi Elephant? Learn more here. 



  • 4 Home Hacks to Improve Your Well-Being
  • 4 Home Hacks to Improve Your Well-Being
  • 4 Home Hacks to Improve Your Well-Being

A People-Helping Career Can Improve Fulfillment

When it comes to your job, are you fulfilled? If you aren’t, a career helping others is sure to increase your fulfillment. Positions within the health and social care industry allow you to make a genuine difference in the lives of others. This is because you are helping them when they’re at their weakest and often lowest points. If you’re a compassionate person and want a fulfilling job that gives you purpose, here are some ideas to consider.

Medical

Working in the medical field allows you the chance to help people heal from illness and injury. Doctors and nurses are obvious choices, but there are a lot of careers in the field. Some examples are paramedics, air ambulance crew, physiotherapists, midwives, and so much more. The higher level careers take years of training. However, it’s not impossible to make the switch or to get started. To get started, you need to be focused, prepared to study hard, and start from the bottom.

The Most Fulfilling Work: A Career in the People-Helping Field

Mental Health Services

It’s not just our physical health that matters, but mental health too. And mental health services are an important element of healthcare. The higher regarded positions in the field like psychologists and psychiatrists take many years to study for and are good places to aim for.

Mental health nursing is also an excellent choice, it’s a well-paid job which you can work your way up in but only requires a three-year bachelor’s degree so ideal if you don’t want to study further afterward. Another great mental health area to go into is counseling. This positions require less schooling than a psychiatrist but offer direct interaction with helping people.

Care Work

Care work is often revolving around elderly people or those with disabilities. You could be working in a nursing home, group home, or one on one with a client in their own home. Many care jobs don’t require formal qualifications to get started, so you could get started right out of high school and work your way up. You will take courses as part of training and gain skills, qualifications, and experience as you go—which is useful if you need to work and earn money quickly.

The Most Fulfilling Work: A Career in the People-Helping Field

Social and Community Care Work

There are lots of roles within the community which can help others with their lives and health. Housing and homeless officers, social workers, postnatal health workers, and community nurses amongst many others fall into this category.

If you don’t want a regular office job and prefer to be out and about, working in the community, this could be a fantastic option. It ensures people are integrating well with society and have access to the help that they need. In the case of community nurses, it helps people who would struggle to get to a doctor or hospital on a regular basis.

A job within the health industry genuinely benefits the lives of others. You could be the difference between someone living or dying, someone giving up hope and going on to live a happy life. You might not be able to change the world, but you can change the world for some people in this kind of career, what can I say, it’s fulfilling.

This post was written in collaboration. This means that while I have added to this post and edited its content and formatting, I am not its original author. By posting this content on my blog, I receive financial compensation.



The Most Fulfilling Work: A Career in the People-Helping Field