In order to ensure you get a good night’s sleep, it’s important to set a nighttime routine as that way you are giving your brain the signal that you are ready to go to bed. And one of the steps you can incorporate into your routine is taking a shower and wrapping yourself in an organic bamboo bathrobe while you proceed with your rituals.
Sunglasses are one of the most important accessories in fashion. But unlike most other accessories which we only wear to make us look great, they also serve an entirely different and much more important role – protecting your eyes and sight from the sun and the harmful ultraviolet rays. However, even though there are more affordable pairs of sunglasses that may do a great job at keeping UV rays away from your eyes, if you are someone who loves fashion, you probably don’t want to miss out on the opportunity and wear something unique and bold, like Tom Ford shades.
With so many people suffering from stress-related issues, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are so many products on the market for relieving it. The internet is flooded with different articles about fighting against anxiety, books are being written about it, whole businesses are developed around it, people are fighting with it so much that a lot of them decide to share their experiences to try and help others. And with so many options, how do we choose the best one for us?
Are you a frequent and loud snorer? Do you often experience morning headaches, difficulty in breathing at night, and daytime sleepiness? If all your answers are yes, chances are you suffer from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The most common treatment for this condition is therapy via a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, like ResMed.
Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition that causes pauses or interruptions in your breathing. The main cause for this is that your throat or airways briefly collapse or something temporarily blocks them. The purpose of the ResMed sleep apnea machine is to send a continuous flow of oxygen into your nostrils and mouth as you sleep to keep your airways open and help you breathe normally. With no complicated settings or menus to navigate, with a ResMed machine, all you have to do is press ‘start’ to use it.
Here are the features that make CPAP therapy with a ResMed sleep apnea machine easy and convenient.
The device comes with a quiet, easy-breathe motor that makes for a peaceful environment for you and your bed partner. It also comes with an ambient light sensor that adjusts the brightness of the screen based on the amount of light in the room. This means if you get up during the night and need to pause your therapy, the screen will stay dim so it doesn’t disrupt your partner.
Heated humidification helps you sleep better and longer, without discomfort or a dry mouth during CPAP therapy. This feature is built directly into the machine making it much smaller than other integrated humidifier options. It’s easily adjustable from the “My Options” screen on the device. You can turn humidity off completely or choose levels from 1 to 8, depending on your needs.
The EPR feature decreases the work of breathing during exhalation offering a gentler pressure that naturally adapts to your breathing cycle during the night. This feature can be turned off completely or you can choose levels from 1 to 3 according to your preferences.
This feature helps make the therapy more comfortable from the moment you turn on the device. It works by carrying low pressure to assist you to fall asleep with ease. Once it identifies you’re asleep, it comfortably increases the pressure to ensure your prescribed level is delivered the moment you need it.
With this function, you can start your sleep apnea therapy as soon as you breathe into your mask. Then, when you remove your mask, it stops automatically after a few seconds. It is as simple as that!
This is a smart system that adapts to changes in room temperature, pressure flow, and mouth leak, providing comfortable temperatures and humidity levels during sleep therapy. This means that the device will maintain a set temperature and relative humidity at the mask while you sleep as well as minimize condensation and rainout.
Knowing how to set up your equipment can make all the difference in the effectiveness of your treatment. To get started, place the machine on a flat, stable surface. Make sure the machine is close enough that you can reach the controls while you’re in the bed. Leave plenty of room around the machine, ensuring it’s not too close to a wall or a heater. Make sure there are no chances the machine will get covered in any way. Your doctor should show you how to connect your device and how to properly wear the mask. If you have any problems, check your product user guide, which has clear instructions on setting up.
When it comes to using and living with your CPAP equipment, it’s all about forming good habits, staying positive and practising. At first, you might be very aware of the feeling of air in your throat, but this is something you can get used to. Consider practising breathing with the machine during the day while you are relaxing or watching television. If after a period of using the machine you still find it difficult to use, talk to your doctor.
During the treatment, you’ll need to constantly maintain your machine to get the most hygienic and effective therapy. Each time you wear your mask, your skin will leave an oil residue around the seal. Over time, facial oil build-up can accelerate the wear and tear of your mask. That’s why you should clean your mask regularly to ensure optimum efficiency. In addition to your mask, the air tubing and humidifier tub will also need to be cleaned.
In a sink or a tub, rinse the mask, air tubing and humidifier tub with mild soap and warm water. Avoid using stronger cleaning products such as dish detergents as they may damage the parts or leave harmful residue. Rinse the parts again well with warm, drinking-quality water and place them on a flat surface, on top of a towel to dry. Avoid placing the unit in direct sunlight.
The way we hold our bodies while walking, sitting, standing, lying down etc. is what we call posture. When we are kids, most of us have good posture, or in other words, our body is aligned properly. However, you might have noticed that it’s rare seeing an adult with a good posture. What happens between childhood and adulthood is that, as time goes by, most of us develop bad habits that result in poor posture. We slouch over our desks, we don’t exercise enough, we spend too much time looking at our phones, etc.
Bad posture is often the result of more than one thing – what we work, how we sleep, how much time we spend sitting, how often we text, the way we walk, the way we sit, the way we stand… And all of this has many consequences, not the least of which is our physical appearance. People with good posture simply look more attractive, younger, thinner… Most importantly your posture affects your overall wellbeing. Not only can a bad posture cause aches, such as back pain, knee pain or headaches, but it can also impact digestion and even your mental health.
The good news though is that in most cases posture is something that can be improved, and it’s never too late. And there are many ways to achieve it: posture improving exercises or simply going for walks, posture improving aids, such as a shoulder brace or orthopaedic shoes…
If you are aware of your bad posture, then you’ve probably tried to stay conscious of it and make yourself correct your sitting or standing, which is generally when we are slouching the most. However, even when we know we are doing it and we try consciously to make ourselves sit straight, most of us find ourselves hunched over our desks again every single time. If you are trying to find a way to avoid this, you should buy shoulder brace to efficiently improve your posture, and combine it with other techniques or aids for posture improvement. One thing only can rarely give miraculous results. For best results you should combine more techniques for posture improvement, and exercising is the most important one.
Depending on what is the main cause of your bad posture, or what bothers you most, there are different things you can try to do. If you work on a computer and you spend a lot of time sitting on a desk, for instance, a standing desk can be a great help. Standing desks are very helpful for people who lead a sedentary life.
One of the biggest problems people encounter when they are trying to improve their posture is that even after finding ways to correct the behaviour that leads them to slouch, they keep finding their bodies in awkward positions. Furthermore, many people who suffer from a back pain decide to change their mattress, however, if the back pain is from a bad posture, a good mattress alone won’t do the trick, though of course, it will be a great help.
Bad posture can also be caused by your feet. If you are wearing shoes that don’t support your arch properly, or that are too uncomfortable, it can cause you to walk with a bad posture. Of course, this isn’t a problem if it’s only that one pair of shoes that you really love, but wear only now and then. However, if you often suffer from back, knee, neck or hip pain after walking, you might try to find more suitable shoes or even orthopaedic shoes.
In our everyday lives we tend to concentrate on the things we are doing, regardless whether it’s working, having fun, reading, or anything else, so much that we almost forget about our bodies and any discomforts they are in. This is why a shoulder brace may be a great solution for posture improvement – to help us remember to take care of our bodies.
A posture correcting brace like this works by holding our shoulders back, making it hard on our body to slouch. Of course, for some, this will be very hard at the beginning. If someone’s posture is really bad, what use to be their natural position can now cause them pain. But wearing a shoulder brace even in short intervals, can alleviate the muscles, and help the person get their back into its normal position.
If you decide to buy shoulder brace, you should incorporate it in your life gradually. This means that you should start wearing it for about 15-30 minutes, and gradually add more time. When you feel pain take it off. In time, your body will get used to its natural posture, and then your shoulder brace will be there to remind it to stay in it.
One of the best things about shoulder braces is that they can help you keep your beck straight in the situations when you maintain poor posture. Furthermore, there are minimal braces that you can wear under clothes, in case you want to go out with them. However, for best results, and more permanent posture correction – apart from wearing the brace while working on the computer, or while watching a film –, you should do exercises and stretches regularly.
Makeup is fun. You can wear it anytime you want, just because you feel like wearing it – even if you find yourself in quarantine, as we’ve learned these past few months. Perhaps like many of us, you too used the stay-at-home period to experiment with your makeup skills and finally try out all the products that were sitting in your drawer waiting to be used.
But like any artist will tell you, you need the right tools to perfect your art. So, if the various makeup products help you add some lovely colour to your face, the tools will help you do this in a way that looks flawless. And while of course, you can do without them, if you want to achieve that superb look, you’d certainly need to get some quality makeup tools. These are just a few of the things that can turn you into a makeup pro.
Most people start applying their makeup by first preparing their face. This isn’t a rule, of course, you can start with your eyes if you want. However, if the face is your first step, make sure it’s clean and dry. Before you apply the foundation, you should consider applying a primer (in case you want your pores to look smaller and keep the makeup impeccable for a longer time). If you’re one of those ladies who like to apply primer and makeup with their fingers, maybe it’s time to change that habit and choose something else that will deliver even better results.
No brush, fingertips, or any other makeup tool will help you apply the foundation like a blender sponge. This is one of those makeup tools that are a game-changer when it comes to looking flawless. However, you should know that a dry sponge isn’t good for this action, since it will only absorb the entire product and you’d end up having to waste large amounts of product.
The sponge should be damp (not wet so water drips from it) so you can apply the foundation easier. The best way to apply your foundation is to add a few drops of water on your hand (the warmth from your hand would help the foundation become easier for spreading) then dab your sponge over it and start tapping all over your face. The result is excellent – evenly applied foundation even to the most complex corners (such as around your nose).
You can have the best mascara in the world and your lashes still won’t look as good as when you curl them with a lash curler. This should be one of the staples in your makeup bag. Even if you’re in a hurry, and need to do something with your lashes, you can curl them and have your eyes pop and look bigger.
We all love those doll-like lashes that make our eyes bigger. If you love applying false eyelashes, then you know that it’s not quite the easiest thing (unless you have practised for a long time). However, even the steadiest hand needs a good tool such as the right applicator. Although you can do this with your hands only, the false lash applicator will hold the lash firmly when you apply it to your eyelid, speeding up the whole process and ensuring success.
Of course, the glue also plays a big role when applying falsies. The lashes should stay on your eyes for a long time and endure a whole night of partying. The glue should be able to resist sweat, lots of blinking, and even wind. Be sure to read the ingredients before you get it, and above all be sure to see how it is applied. It’s quite easier if you go for a glue that has a little brush so you can add an exact amount of it on your lashes. It will save you from many stressful moments, trust me.
Although this tool can easily be the culprit for ending up with horrible eyebrows, it’s also a very useful thing that every girl should have in her purse. Be careful when using it, and never pluck your eyebrows too much. Stick to your natural line and pluck only a few hairs that seem like an excess.
All those colours in shadow palettes are so inviting and appealing. We all love some colours on our eyelids. The shadows are meant to deepen your look and make your eyes stand out. It’s important to know that when you put focus on your eyes, your lips and the rest of the makeup should remain neutral.
Although some looks allow the use of fingers, it’s always best to have the right brushes. To blend two colours it’s best to use a blending brush. Apply lighter colours first (as a base) and then slowly build your way up. The outer edges of your eyes should be covered with darker eyeshadows (in a thicker layer; and it shouldn’t be blended). For this “wing” of eyeshadow use a thin and thick brush with sharp edges. The bone above your eyelid should be covered with light tones for better contrast.
Of course, you should also properly take care of your makeup and tools. Your brushes should be cleaned with a suitable airbrush cleanser. This way you’ll have clean brushes for the next time. Dirty makeup tools such as brushes and sponges are an ideal place for germs and bacteria to thrive which could lead to acne and face irritations.
Get one of those makeup sharpeners that have two holes for larger and smaller pencils as lip pencils are sometimes thicker than simple and regular eye pencils. Sharpening is a must if you want precise lines and clean and tidy pencils.
You have the eye shadow palette, your brushes and you’re half-way ready but that colour you want simply doesn’t exist. Well, who says you can’t create your own hue. All you need is a mixing knife to scrape a bit of several colours, mix them and create a whole new colour. You can use this knife to mix two lipsticks into one unique colour.
Carrier oils are used to dilute essential oils, so they could better penetrate the skin. And the reason why you can’t use essential oils on their own is that they are too strong. Essential oils are obtained from the aromatic leaves, roots and barks of plants, and if applied directly to the skin, they can cause severe skin reactions, even burns.
Generally speaking, carrier oils are vegetable oils that can be obtained from the plant’s seeds, kernels or from the nut of a plant. Now, in order to be used as carrier oils and in aromatherapy, carrier essential oils need to be cold-pressed, if not, some of the most important nutrients can be damaged if extracted with heat.
There are several types ranging in scent and the benefits they provide, but one thing is certain – they are a small, smart investment since most of them can also be consumed (like coconut oil), thus providing you with a bunch of health benefits.
One of the most common uses of coconut oil is as a moisturiser. This oil has been used since centuries, and thanks to its antimicrobial properties and fatty acid, this oil has proven to be quite beneficial for the health as well. The oil smells the same as the coconut nut and can be applied literally everywhere, on your body, hair and lips.
Coconut oil can be used for cooking as well, but also as a mouth wash. This method is known as oil pulling and is great for your dental health.
Jojoba oil is known for its hydrating and regenerative qualities. It is suitable for all skin types and is great in improving skin’s elasticity due to its similarities with the human sebum. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, jojoba oil can also be used as a treatment for mild acne. Unlike coconut oil which is transparent, jojoba oil is yellow and it has a distinct but quite pleasant smell.
This oil has been used for skincare for quite long. It has been used for treating lots of skin conditions especially eczema. It has a light and sweet smell, perfect when wanting to unwind with aromatherapy. The only ‘downside’ of this oil is its price, which is why aromatherapists tend to blend it with other carrier oils.
The sweet almond carrier oil is rich in vitamin E and is great for soothing a dry and irritated skin. Just like coconut oil, this oil can also be used as a moisturiser and can be applied to every part of the body and on the hair as well. It has been said that this oil is also great for preventing stretch marks, especially during pregnancy, and even celebrities like Hilary Duff use it.
Massage and body oils are usually made by combining several carrier oils with essential oils. However, once you get your carrier oils for skin, consider that the dilution ratio is different for different purposes and for different ages of life.
Except for the main essential oils like rosemary, wild carrot, clary sage, rose, sandalwood, geranium, pomegranate, Frankincense, and lavender essential oil, using a carrier oil for keeping ageing at bay is a must. While almond oil, coconut and jojoba oil are great carrier and moisturising oils, there are some other which can be used when it comes to fighting wrinkles and dull skin.
It goes without saying that vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant. This oil has been used for quite long for reducing cholesterol but also for fighting skin ageing. By using it regularly, this oil can certainly improve your skin tone but it can also fight free radicals that can lead to skin cancer.
Grapeseed oil has been used for medical purposes by the ancient Greeks. This oil is known for its antioxidant properties and is great for inflammation and wounds. Just like vitamin E oil, this one can also be used for skin rejuvenation and nourishment.
Apricot oil has high levels of vitamin E at its core as it’s made from apricot seeds and not from the fruit itself. Except for vitamin E, this oil also contains high levels of linoleic and oleic acids which are considered as essential for having a crystal clear skin. Since apricot oil absorbs quite well in the skin, it’s mainly beneficial for those of you who have wrinkles and extremely dry skin.
One of the proteins produced by the liver (known as clotting factors) is prothrombin. These help your blood maintain the right consistency. Prothrombin time test or protime (PT) is the specific blood test used to measure the time needed for blood to clot. The PT is reported as the International Normalised Ratio (INR). It is a calculation based on the results of a PT test and is used to monitor individuals who are being treated with blood-thinning medicines, also known as anticoagulants.
Losing weight can be a challenge. If you’re about to begin this process, you surely would want to see results as soon as possible. But the truth is, no diet can help you lose weight in 10 days (at least not healthily). Of course, the best way to drop those excess kilos is to limit your calorie intake and start consuming healthier foods. And this obviously takes great patience and determination.
Obesity is one of the major causes for a range of health issues including increased blood pressure and heart disease. With the number of obese people constantly being on the rise, there are also a lot of people who are trying to lead a healthier lifestyle. Some of the main changes that people make in hopes to improve their health is starting an exercise routine, sticking to a balanced diet and taking supplements. Out of all dietary supplements on the market, multivitamins are definitely the most popular option.
Before the tons of face masks available today, there were clay masks. But modern beauty lovers soon realized that these masks were too time-consuming for their busy lifestyle. With the arrival of light-sheet masks, clay masks slowly started to occupy the back corner of vanity tables everywhere. However, what many people don’t know is there is a great reason why this type is the ancestor of all facial masks. The clay powder face mask is unique the only type that can be beneficial for everyone – regardless of skin type, age, gender, or type of skin problems. That is because there isn’t simply one type of clay out there. Green clay, red clay, mud, ochre…there is a variety of clays to choose from according to your skin type.
They are a class of medications that are used for neutralizing the acid in the stomach. The scale of pH can range from 1 to 14 where 7 is neutral, above 7 is alkaline and below 7 is acidic. A normal gastric acid pH ranges from 1.5-3.5. These medicines are used to relieve symptoms of acid reflux, indigestion or heartburn.
Whether you have oily, dry, or sensitive skin, the proper daily skincare routine can help you maintain overall skin health and improve specific concerns like scarring, acne and dark spots. The best daily skincare routine involves three basic steps, which you can do once in the morning and once before bedtime.
The number of people who are dealing with some kind of foot problem is surprisingly high. Almost half of Australians, specifically 48% wake up with arch, foot or heel pain at least once a week and alarming 6% of them experience this condition on a daily basis. This means that a lot of people have difficulties walking, running or performing some other kind of physical activity. Luckily, not all is lost – many people can find relief in the various different models of women’s and men’s orthopedic shoes. Choosing the right orthopedic footwear for you can make a world of difference in your day-to-day life.
Although in the past I considered sleep as a nature’s way of going against my desire to squeeze as many activities as I can during the day, I’ve learned the hard way that my lack of sleep has costed me a lot (not being able to fully concentrate on work the next day and once I even napped while watching a theatre play). Maybe some people are able to function with just a few hours of sleep (apparently Marta Steward sleeps only 4 hours a night) but I’ve come to realize that a good night’s sleep is what I need to function properly the next day. But with all the distractions and thoughts in our minds, it can be hard to obtain a good amount of sleep. If this is your case, here are some things you can do to relax before going to bed.
Stevia is probably one of the most unique food ingredients of today as even though it is a sweetener (40 times sweeter than sugar), it doesn’t affect blood sugar levels and even appears to enhance glucose tolerance. Without causing any negative effects on the body, it is the perfect substitute for sugar which is especially recommended for diabetics. Unlike other sweeteners, stevia is derived from a green, leafy herbal plant, native to South America, whose extract has been used as a sweetener in a number of countries for many years now.
