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5 Promising Benefits of Saw Palmetto
If you haven’t noticed yet, one of our favorite ingredients to use in our products is saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is scientifically known as Serenoa repens, a type of palm native to southeastern United States. Ripe fruits of saw palmetto are used to make medicine and has been considered as a natural remedy for years. This herbal remedy is believed to help manage some aspects of male reproductive health, including prostate problems. We use saw palmetto in our haircare products and hair growth supplement to boost their formula. What are the benefits of this incredible ingredient? Find out from this article as we list down the top 5 promising benefits of saw palmetto. 1. Block DHT in the Hair Follicles Experts have found that saw palmetto can effectively inhibit 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into a powerful male hormone called DHT or dihydrotestosterone. DHT is responsible for the development of male characteristics such as facial hair and a deeper voice. Male hormones such as DHT are present in both men and women. The production of these hormones occurs in the testes (in males), ovaries (in females), and adrenal glands. They dictate the formation of the sex organs of babies in the womb and the secondary male characteristics during puberty. As men get older, DHT have other effects that can have negative impact on their appearance. DHT accumulate in the hair follicles. This blocks proper blood flow that delivers nutrients to the hair roots. Because of this, the follicles starve and shrink. If not managed, hair will start to fall out and may never regrow. Thus, men experience male pattern baldness which usually begins in their 30s, and can continue until they lose all their hair in their 50s or 60s. Saw palmetto is known to be a natural DHT-blocking ingredient. By slowing down 5-alpha reductase, saw palmetto could reduce the effects of DHT to the hair follicles. 2. Improve Prostate Health in Men Before saw palmetto was even considered as a DHT blocker, it first became a popular treatment for benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH—a condition that causes an enlargement of the prostate gland. The prostate is a small gland responsible for maintaining healthy sperm in men. Saw palmetto supports prostate health and can aid in preventing complications like BPH. Extracts of saw palmetto berry are also believed to help with prostate cancer. They are said to minimize the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells. BPH can be uncomfortable. Men that are suffering from BPH often experience difficulty in urination even when the need is urgent. They may also feel like their bladder isn’t completely empty and can cause leaking after urination. Saw palmetto is used as a treatment to improve these urinary tract symptoms associated with enlarged prostate. 3. Help Reduce Inflammation Since the prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the passageway that carries urine out of the body, this means that enlargement of prostate can lead to narrowing of the passage and cause the following symptoms: Slowness of incontinence and difficulty in urinating. Difficulty in starting to urinate. Frequent urination. Need to get up at night to urinate Pain after urination Saw palmetto naturally carries high levels of antioxidants. It has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties that help decrease inflammation, prevent damaged cells, and protect against some diseases. It is one of the best natural remedies used to decrease swelling of enlarged prostate glands. 4. Balance Hormone Levels Saw palmetto is often used by men who want to boost their testosterone level naturally. Because testosterone levels decline with age, it can affect several aspects of health and may contribute to conditions like heart problems. Saw palmetto works by preventing 5-alpha reductase from converting testosterone to DHT to preserve the amount of testosterone in the body. Regulating testosterone levels can improve sex drive or libido and help with erectile dysfunction. Since most studies on saw palmetto focus on male health, some people say that it does nothing for females. That is a myth! Saw palmetto is believed to help with PCOS or polycrystic ovary syndrome, a condition where females have higher levels of male hormones. This causes excess body hair, facial hair, acne and irregular or heavy menstrual periods. Saw palmetto works by regulating high levels of male hormones to prevent PCOS. 5. Prevent Hair Loss in Men and Women Hair loss is a condition that can be experienced by both men and women. It can be caused by various factors such as genetics, hormonal imbalance, severe stress or certain medications. Saw palmetto is often used as a natural way to balance hormone levels and fight hair loss. It is a known DHT-blocking ingredient that works by preventing the activity of 5-alpha reductase from converting testosterone into DHT, a hormone linked to hair loss. DHT causes hair loss by starting to bind in the hair follicles and then blocking the way of bloodstream from reaching the hair roots. The blood is supposed to carry the nutrients that enable the hair to grow healthy. Because of DHT hampering these nutrients from coming in, the hair strands gradually become thinner and hair follicles eventually die out and never regrow. How to Get Your Daily Dose of Saw Palmetto Saw palmetto is widely available in supplement form, making it easier to add to your daily routine. You can take supplements filled with saw palmetto berry powder and other DHT-blockers like the Shiny Leaf enHAIRgy Supplement. It comes in a small, vegetarian capsule that can be easily swallowed and digests fast in the stomach. Take it using the Wellness Tracker available on the Shiny Leaf App to help you remember when it’s time to pop the capsule. For better results, you can take hair supplements with shampoos and conditioners that also contain saw palmetto. Try our Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner, formulated with coconut fruit extract, biotin, argan oil, and saw palmetto extract for Advanced Formula for thinning hair.
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7 Daily Habits for Hair Growth and Preventing Hair Loss
When talking about hair loss prevention, the conversation will almost always follow with tips for hair growth. They are inseparable because most of the things you do to prevent hair loss will improve your hair growth too, and vice versa. These topics often pop out of your online searches once you start seeing signs of hair loss. Common signs of hair loss include frequent hair fall, hair shedding, receding hair line, and thinning crown. When these symptoms begin to affect your hair, you may feel that urgent need to do something to stop it. As the old saying goes, “prevention is better than cure.” You want to take action to prevent it from getting worse. While there are many reasons like genetics, poor diet, stress, bad styling routine, and other external factors that can affect the rate of your hair growth and why it’s thinning, there are also practical ways you can do to help reverse it. Here are 7 good daily habits you can incorporate in your routine starting right now! Reduce Stress It is true that stress affects a person in more ways than one, and it can even be the cause of hair loss for some. Sometimes, stress can trigger conditions like alopecia areata, which is an autoimmune disease of the hair and scalp that causes patchy hair loss. While stress is inevitable (we can’t completely eliminate stress in life), it can be minimized if you can identify your stressors and learn how to manage them. We know, it’s easier said than done. So here are a few tips to help you out. Tips on how to manage stress: Exercise regularly, get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day Relax your muscles by stretching or enjoying a body massage Deep breathing Take a hot bath or shower Set aside a few minutes a day to meditate, do yoga, or listen to your favorite music Make time for your hobbies like sports, reading, playing board games or doing art Hang out with friends and talk about your problems Always get restful sleep Live a More Active Lifestyle Having an active lifestyle improves your health and overall well-being. It reduces stress and puts you on a happier state of mind. Minimize the amount of time spent in prolonged sitting or just plain lack of movement. See everyday activities as opportunity to be active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical workout daily like simple walking, cycling or running. A regular, vigorous exercise gives you extra health and fitness benefits. Try sports, training at the gym, aerobic exercises, or swimming. Other health benefits of having an active lifestyle: Reduce risk of a heart attack Weight management Lower blood cholesterol level Lower risk of type 2 diabetes Strengthen bones, muscles, and joints Feel more energized and in a better mood Eat Healthy and Take Hair Supplements Bad eating habits make your body weak and affects how it normally functions. The hair growth process starts with proper nutrition that is delivered through the hair roots. The nutrients are absorbed by the hair follicles and this enable your hair to grow. Without proper nutrition, hair becomes weak and can lead to hair loss. Taking hair supplements enriched with vitamins are well-recommended to give you enough source of nutrients. The enHAIRgy Supplement is a great example. It supports healthy hair growth while blocking hair loss, with only 2 capsules taken daily. Each capsule contains essential ingredients like biotin, saw palmetto, pygeum bark, vitamin A, plus other natural DHT blockers that help nourish the hair. While taking your hair supplement, you must also stick to a healthy diet. Getting plenty of healthy fats like omega 3s can help with hair growth. Healthy fats are found in fish and nuts. They nourish hair follicles to give strands the strength and shine. It is important to avoid smoking too. Smoking increases your body’s production of free radicals. Free radicals damage your cells and can potentially damage your hair follicles and increase the risk of developing hair loss. Best food for healthy hair: Salmon Tuna Walnuts Eggs Berries Spinach Avocados Vegetable oils like soybean and canola oil Complete 8-Hour Sleep If you eat well, exercise regularly, and manage your stress but don’t get enough sleep every night, you may be undermining all of your other efforts. Everyone feels better after a good night’s sleep. But how much is enough? An adult needs an average of 8 hours of sleep to help you relax and recover. Lack of sleep may affect your mood and productivity for the day. Your energy may be down and you may show lack of enthusiasm because of excessive sleepiness. This also affects your mental condition. Thus, you may find it hard to think, remember, or process information. Chronic sleep deprivation is often associated with high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart problems. How Lack of Sleep Affects Hair Loss Sleep deprivation have shown significant negative effects on the body, which can directly or indirectly lead to conditions of hair loss and thinning hair. This is because lack of proper sleep can result to higher levels of stress, which is one of the major causes of hair loss. During sleep, the body undergoes numerous activities that help the body recover and develop, including generating new cells for hair growth. Prolonged stress can have a negative impact on your appearance especially the skin and hair. Limit Heat Styling Regular buns and ponytails can sometimes get a little boring. Surprisingly, a simple concept of heat styling is a pretty easy technique that works quite well on changing the hair’s structure temporarily. Heat styling tools like blow-dryers, curling irons, and flat irons are the basic go-to’s. You can transform the shape of your hair from being curly to straight, or vice versa with the help of these tools. Rocking different hairstyles is fun and creative. But, when using these hot tools, we put our hair under direct contact to high temperatures that range at around 200 to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. That is too hot to burn your skin! How Does Heat Styling Do Damage? High temperature from heat styling creates cracks in the cuticle, which is the protective layer of hair. This causes the scales of the cuticle to lift, making hair more vulnerable and easier for damaging chemicals and sunlight to penetrate. Over time, this makes the hair dry, dull, and weak. Hair easily breaks. Split ends and hair fall become more frequent. If you need to style your hair by heat styling, there are ways you can do to protect your hair from damage caused by heating tools. Below are 5 tips that may come in handy. Tips to protect hair from heat damage: Moisturize and deep condition your hair beforehand Apply heat protectant serum, spray or cream If using a straightening iron, blow dry your hair first Heat-style your hair less frequently Use heating tools with adjustable switches for better heat control Indulge in a Scalp Massage Just like good soil is essential to growing luscious plants, a healthy scalp is the key for growing thicker hair. A simple way to stimulate hair growth at home is to give yourself a scalp massage. This will increase blood flow to your scalp and help deliver nutrients to your hair follicles better. We discourage using bare fingers to massage your hair because it may do more damage than good. If you have long fingernails, it could scratch and hurt your scalp. Long nails with sharp edges can also cause the hair to uproot. Instead, use a gentle scalp brush that is intended for head massage. Look for a shampoo brush that is made with BPA free material and has soft bristles. You can massage your scalp when washing your hair with your favorite shampoo. If you prefer a scalp massage with dry hair, adding a nutrient-rich oil like the Shiny Leaf Organic Coconut Oil will double the benefits. Coconut oil is known to stimulate the follicles and promote hair growth while giving hair noticeable shine. Other Benefits of a Scalp Massage Brush: Relieves stress and anxiety Efficiently removes dead skin cells and product buildup Stimulates the scalp and promotes blood circulation Helps reduce flakiness of the scalp Use the Correct Hair Products The type of hair products you apply to your hair greatly affects more than just how it looks, but its ability to grow healthy as well. Every person has hair needs that require specific type of haircare products. That’s why companies have created various lines of products that are made with formulas that work for certain hair types, color, texture, or thickness. Haircare is not a one for all – all for one type of thing. That’s why specialized products are available for particular hair issues. Examples are dandruff shampoos intended to eliminate dandruff. Purple shampoos that brighten blonde hair may not have the same effect when used for brunette hair. There are also color-enhancing hair products for reds, blacks, and other hair colors. A deep conditioning treatment may not be necessary for oily hair as it is much needed to treat dry hair. When dealing with hair loss, you can easily find DHT-blocking products to help with that. DHT blockers help target the main cause of hair loss, which is the DHT or dihydrotestosterone. Three things to consider when choosing hair products: Your hair type Your hair issues Your hair goals Consistency is Key Have you heard of the 21/90 rule? This rule states that it takes 21 days to build a habit and 90 days to make it a permanent lifestyle change. Just like any habit, these 7 daily habits for hair growth and preventing hair loss takes discipline and one hundred percent full commitment. Consistency is of course the key to reaping good results. If you will look closely, these good hair habits are interrelated and therefore create a more meaningful effect when practiced altogether. For example, having a good night’s sleep, an active lifestyle, and a head massage all help with stress management. Try to incorporate them into your daily routine. The result will be a holistic healthy lifestyle that will benefit not only your hair but your life as a whole – in mind, body and soul.
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8 Ways to Pamper Yourself for the Perfect Valentine’s Date
Valentine’s day is just around the corner and the smell of roses and chocolates is unmistakable! This day’s a celebration of love and a date with your partner, friends, or family is the perfect way to spend it. Many are sure to be busy preparing for the perfect date - booking good spots at restaurants and buying Valentine's gifts. It might be a busy and stressful week for you. However, make sure that you’re still taking care of your skin so you can look your best for your loved ones. Looking tired and dull can ruin the perfect Valentine’s date. That’s why you need a pampering session to keep signs of aging away. Fine lines and wrinkles are not pretty accessories to wear for your date. No worries! You don’t have to spend much just to achieve glowing skin and shiny hair. This beauty routine is the perfect way to relax and get ready for your Valentine’s date. Here are 8 ways to pamper yourself so you can look your best! Soak in Scented Bath Planning dates and get-togethers can get very tiring. A good soak can help you relax so you feel energetic the next day. It helps keep your skin clear too! Stress and anxiety can be huge triggers of acne. They can stimulate hormones responsible for oil production, which leaves your skin prone to acne. A relaxing bath may not sound much, but it does wonders for your skin! Experience the luxury of a spa at your own home. You can easily recreate the relaxing atmosphere using scented candles. Draw a warm bath and mix some essential oils. Lavender oil and rose essential oil are great choices because of their soothing scent. They have benefits for your skin too. Cleanse Your Skin for A Fresh Complexion Cleanse your skin using a gentle wash. This helps remove excess oil and dirt so you can have a brighter and fresher complexion. Skin can have a dull complexion if not cleansed efficiently. It is easier to apply makeup on fresh skin too. However make sure that you don’t use harsh cleansers especially if you have dry skin. Harsh cleansers can strip moisture away from skin. This leaves your skin feeling rough and dry. Even if you have oily skin, avoid using drying cleansers. This can only cause excessive oil production. When your skin lacks moisture, it compensates by producing more oil. This leaves skin feeling oily. Excess oil can clog pores and cause acne as well. You don’t want to pop zits before your date, do you? Scrub the Dullness Away Washing your skin not be enough to achieve the glow that you want. That’s why you should find a gentle body scrub that can remove dead skin cells from the top of your skin. This can make your skin look radiant. A good scrub helps promote skin cell renewal as well. It leaves your skin looking fresh and youthful. Dead skin cells form a layer on top of your skin, making it look dull. Using scrubs can lift away dead skin cells and other stubborn impurities. Plus, your skin texture feels softer and smoother! Look for scrubs that contain moisture-rich ingredients to prevent damage and dryness. Soothe Skin with Face Masks Do you want your skin to feel really soft and supple? Use a sheet mask after you wash your face. It helps restore moisture to skin for a softer and smoother feel. Face masks improve the appearance of skin too. It soothes inflammation, which reduces the appearance of puffy eyes, fine lines, and wrinkles. You can include even include face masks in your skin care routine to improve the texture and firmness of skin. There are face masks that come in the form of clay, mud, and cream too. These face masks may help alleviate symptoms of skin conditions such as acne. They may contain soothing ingredients that can keep your skin bright and clear. Look Younger with Anti-Aging Serum Serums are truly magical skin care products. They absorb into skin fast, which gives you noticeable results. Shiny Leaf Face Serums are chock full of nourishing ingredients that help improve how skin feels and looks. They prevent signs of skin aging from forming too. Vitamin C serum and hyaluronic acid serum are great choices you should try using. Vitamin C serum has powerful antioxidant properties, which fight against free radicals. Using the serum keeps skin free of blemishes and wrinkles too. Hyaluronic acid serum, on the other hand, helps your skin stay supple. It hydrates the deeper layers of your skin, making it feel suppler and smoother. Hyaluronic acid serum works for all skin types. You can look years younger when you use this serum! Glow with Hydrated Skin Moisturizer is one of the most essential beauty products for your Valentines skin care routine. You can never use too much moisturizer. It helps your skin stay firm and supple. Moisturizers help prevent skin aging and damage. Your skin has a natural barrier that prevents damage. This barrier gets weaker as your skin becomes drier. Using moisturizer helps fortify the barrier to fully protect skin. Most moisturizers today contain nourishing ingredients that help improve skin tone and texture too. If you have puffy eyes or dark bags under the eyes, you can use creams. Eye cream contains active ingredients that help make your skin firmer. This reduces the puffy appearance of eyes. Creams have thicker texture so be cautious when you are using it, especially if you have oily skin. Go for Bold-Colored Nails It’s always a good idea to paint your nails on special occasions. It gives you character without making you look over accessorized. During Valentine’s, you want to look confident, but classy. Wearing diamond necklace and earring might sound like a good idea. Wanna know what’s a better idea? Red-painted nails! Red is the color of Valentine’s day. And it is a very attractive color that can make you feel more confident. Keep Hair and Scalp Smelling Fresh It’s not only your skin you should take care of. A glowing skin pairs perfectly well with shiny hair. These two are killer combinations that can make you look like you’re ready to walk on the red carpet. For your Valentine’s preparation, pay attention to your hair and scalp too. Keep them smelling fresh and fab with moisture-rich hair products. You can wash your hair the night before your date. The next day, all you have to do is apply conditioner. This helps prevent frizziness so your hair stays smooth and manageable all day long. You can apply light oils the night before too. They soften hair and make it shinier. Using nourishing hair products that can give you your dream hair. Make Valentine’s day your own and feel confident in your natural beauty. You don’t need diamonds when you look good and feel good about yourself. Valentine’s day is the day to celebrate all kinds of love - whether it’s with your partner, friends, family, or yourself.
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Vacations Can Be a Crazy Time for Happy Couples
Traveling is an inspiring and rewarding experience you can share with your partner. Going on vacation as a couple might challenge your relationship, but it can give you sweet memories to treasure too. Traveling literally takes you out of your comfort zone. Lots of things can happen when you are on vacation. You can have a wild ride or drive each other crazy. Learning how to handle travel challenges with your partner can strengthen your relationship. Both traveling and being in a relationship is good for your soul. They make you feel whole and fulfilled. But just like everything else in life, they are not always a walk in the park. Vacations with your partner can be a life-changing experience. You can enjoy each other’s company without interruption. You can both take a break from work and your daily routine. Most of all, you can fall in love all over again. Ready to go on an exciting adventure? Read on to find out what makes vacation a little crazy for happy couples. 1. Agreeing to disagree What is your idea of a relaxing trip? What is their idea of a great vacation? Consider these things when planning so you can make the best out of your vacation. Compare it to your partner’s preferences and start building your vacation plans from there. Planning your trip is a chance to learn more about your partner and their preferences. When planning your trip, make sure that both of you are clear on what you prefer to do. If you and your partner can’t agree on a particular matter, list your options, compromise, or just scratch it out. This prevents fights from breaking out. You'll find yourself loving your partner more when you see that he or she is willing to let go of the small things to make your vacation enjoyable. 2. Sharing the load of organizing your vacation Planning your vacation can be the most stressful part. You need to agree where you want to go, where to stay, and what you want to do. There are a lot of things to consider. Language barrier, currency, transportation, and food are basic things you need to know about when traveling. The most important thing when you plan your vacation is that both of you are happy with your decisions. You need to share the load between the two of you. Make sure your partner does their part when organizing the trip. Decide on who will buy plane tickets, book your accommodation, and create the itinerary. Sharing the responsibilities can help you understand the strength and weaknesses of your partner. It gives the two of you an insight on how you can support them and how they will support you in the future. When both partners invest time and effort to make the trip happen, it shows interest and enthusiasm for your upcoming vacation. 3. You can share expenses to save more It might feel good to splurge when you’re on vacation, but you’re most likely to regret it later. When planning a trip, make a breakdown of all the possible expenses (include souvenirs too!) and stick to your budget. It would be best to divide basic expenses between you two so you don’t have to worry on who paid for what. Plus, it’s a great way to be economical. After all, you can reduce expenses when you share everything. When on vacation, sticking to a budget makes traveling more comfortable. You don't have to worry about running out of money. It gives you fewer things to worry about. Agreeing with each other when it comes to financial matters is also a sign that you are ready for the next level of your relationship. 4. Relaxing during your vacation Couples go on vacations so they can relax and deepen their bond. Fighting and getting stressed should not be part of your plans. Relaxing and having fun is your priority. At the end of the day, when both of you are tired from wandering around, relax. Try these tips with your partner: A wonderful massage will relieve aching feet or body. Bring your favorite castor oil to soothe your muscles. You will feel tension and stress melting away, and wake up energized. Cap off the night with a bottle of wine or hot cocoa. Talk about the things you enjoyed or didn’t like. Share your thoughts and make sure your partner feels more appreciated and loved at the end of the day. Cuddling can relieve stress and anxiety, which helps if you are on vacation. It improves your mood so you can deal with stress better too. Have your alone time. Don’t spend the whole vacation clinging to each other. Instead, try to spend some time for yourselves. Go to places and do activities that your partner doesn’t like. 5. Trying new things together You will feel braver when you are with your partner. Brave enough to get lost and explore the nooks and crannies of an unfamiliar town. Brave enough to eat a local cuisine that looks super spicy. Brave enough to try something new you know you’d never do when alone. Knowing that you are with someone you trust will make you feel that you can take on any challenges. 6. Letting go and being spontaneous An itinerary is a must if you want to make the most out of your vacation. However, you can have awesome adventures when you are spontaneous too. If it suddenly rained on a supposedly sunny afternoon, change your plans. Take shelter on the little deli you’ve passed earlier. Go visit souvenir shops and wait for the rain to stop. You can also get cheesy – dance in the rain and share a sweet kiss. Let go and just enjoy the wild ride. Being spontaneous might just be the highlight of your trip. 8. You learn how to be more patient and understanding Is your partner acting a little annoying? Is the traffic delaying you further? Don’t let it get to you. Be a bit more understanding and patient when you are with your partner. Remember that you are on vacation to have fun and getting angry can spoil your precious time together. Practicing patience and understanding can help you grow both as individuals and as a couple. Focus on positive things instead of mulling over things that frustrate you. If you are stuck in traffic, you’ll never be bored. Talk to each other, play little games, or plan your next adventure. There is always a silver lining, all you have to do is look for it. 9. Seeing your partner’s weaknesses and strengths They say that traveling is the ultimate challenge for couples. It lets you see the best and worst parts of your partner. You can have crazy good times or drive each other crazy. However, it is definitely a learning experience for both of you. Use this time to find out how your partner handles situations and how they treat people. When you are both out of your comfort zone, you are exposed to a lot of stressors. This can bring out the worst in you or your partner and you must learn how to handle their flaws. If your partner points out something you did that annoyed them, accept it graciously and talk it over. Who knows, you might go home from this vacation feeling more in love with each other. 9. Handling emergencies and stressful situations A lot of unexpected things can happen when traveling like getting lost, getting sick, and having your flight delayed for a long time. What people need most during emergencies is a reliable companion that can help sort things out. Never lose your cool. If you are lost, remember that you are not alone and you can make the best of it by wandering around and discovering new things together. Being lost on a trip can be an exhilarating experience for both of you. Vacations are all about immersing yourself in the place, its culture, and people. There is no harm in being lost as long as you have your partner with you. Moreover, there are now several location apps to help you out. 10. You’ll see if you make a good team You are not alone when you go on this vacation. You’re stuck with your partner 24/7 and this means that you need to consider their needs and wants. There will always be a difference in opinion and preference and you need to talk them over. Being a good team means that you know when to back down or meet halfway. Relationships are all about give and take. There will always be trouble in paradise so learn to compromise. You can argue about every little thing but don’t fight over it. Show respect and appreciation by accepting that you have different likes and dislikes. Vacations are great ways to learn more about your partner and get closer to each other. Get lost together and find cozy cafes or hidden restaurants. Share a hearty breakfast in bed. Appreciate the small intimate moments with the person you love. Take this vacation as a chance to fall in love more with your beau. After all, it’s not every day that you can go wild exploring new things and places.
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7 Chill Ways To Spend Valentine's Day
Only a few more days until Valentine’s Day, and who wouldn’t be excited with all the discounted roses, balloons and chocolates? If you’re happy, independent, and rocking your age, Valentine’s is another day you can show your loved ones how much they matter. More than that, it’s time to celebrate yourself and have an awesome day. Make the most out of this day by pampering yourself. Soothe your worries away and end your day on a happy note. Here are seven chill ways to spend Valentine’s Day. 1. Take A Soothing Warm Bath Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday and this means staying at home. Nothing beats a warm bath after a hard day’s work. Instead of spending on a spa, you can unwind at home with the help of scented candles, bath bombs, and essential oils. Pick a good book, get a bottle of wine, and play your favorite music in the background. Draw warm water and add some lavender or rose essential oil to make it more relaxing. It will bring you the peace of mind that you need and makes your skin soft and smooth. Drown out the noise outside and indulge in your alone time. You can even finish a whole bottle of wine without sharing or order pizza and have it all for yourself. 2. Binge-Watch Your Favorite Series Go home early and set your bed to binge-watch your favorite series. It’s time to catch up to new seasons and episodes. Make your own Netflix-and-chill nest with some popcorn, pizza, or chocolates. Surround yourself with pillows, dim the lights, and turn up the volume. If you’re looking for something more exciting that will make your heart race, make you sweat, and scream – watch some horror movies! Rest easy, there will be no clown standing at the foot of your bed. Follow it up with a romantic comedy movie that can be as sappy as you want. 3. Cook A Special Meal (Or Try!) Instead of going out for dinner, try something you think you don’t have time for – cooking. Look for recipes you want to try. Make it a full-course meal if you want and prepare appetizers and dessert! Go to the grocery store after work and buy the ingredients you need. It could be a personal learning experience for you to know how to pick fresh ingredients. Don’t worry if you’re not good at cooking, fail as many times as you want. Just have fun and try not to burn down your kitchen. Invite some friends or family over to cook with or just try your cooking. At the end of the day, you’re going to know if you have a shot at pursuing a culinary career. 4. Take An Easy Hike Somewhere Quiet Take some time off to unwind and go hiking. There are a lot of trails for beginners near you. If you want to be adventurous, try rock climbing. There are only a few who will hike this time of the year. Take advantage of this and enjoy the peace and quiet. You can pack some lunch to enjoy during breaks. If you have a dog, this is a good exercise and bonding moment for the two of you. Wait for the sun to set and take in the breathtaking beauty of nature. Let the moment last and preserve it. Get the best angle and capture the view! 5. Spend Valentine’s Day with Friends You can plan a fancy night with your BFFs without stressing yourself. Did you know that you have more chances of reserving a table for four or more people in restaurants during Valentine’s Day? Check out the restaurant you’ve always wanted to try! Gather your closest friends and raid the best restaurant in your city, only within your budget of course. Leslie Knope introduced the concept of brunch for Galentine’s Day and it’s the perfect outing with your friends. You can also just stay at home to indulge in pampering sessions. Masks, essential oils, nail polish, and pajamas are staples of a good sleepover! Sneak in some snacks for a good movie or games. Prepare gifts for each other or assemble a goodie bag to take home. Fill it up with bath bombs, soothing essential oils, and bath products – gifts that women appreciate. 6. Try Something New and Rewarding You know how people are going to be filling up restaurants, malls, and cinemas on Valentine’s? This means that there are fewer visitors in places like museums, galleries, teashops, wine bars, libraries, and workshops. Visit these places without the crowd. You get to enjoy your time without rushing. Events are more likely to have fewer visitors too. If you are an animal lover, look for rescue events near you. Fall in love and adopt a pet if you can. It’s the perfect time to try a new project. Whether it’s journaling, something handcrafted, a homemade recipe, or building a bookshelf, you can take this time to finally get it started. 7. Shop and Score Fab Finds Take advantage of the discounts and do a shopping spree. You can even buy gifts for friends and family in advance. Many stores put their products on sale to attract couples to buy gifts for each other. They have clothes and home goods on sale. Score an affordable new wardrobe or a humidifier! Treat yourself to materialistic things if they can satisfy you. Valentine’s Day is all about spreading love and joy. There are all kinds of love and you can celebrate them all. It could be with a partner, a friend, family, and even your pets but make sure to celebrate this day. Go find the most fulfilling way you can spend this day. What matters is that you have appreciated and enjoyed yourself. Make this day your own!
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Keep It Stress-Free With A Personal Diffuser
Essential oils are very useful and handy. They have various benefits when used for aromatherapy. The scent of aromatherapy oils can energize a person, help them feel relaxed, while ut or improve their focus. There are various instruments used in using essential oils for aromatherapy. A diffuser makes it easy to evaporate the essential oils into the air. A personal diffuser is handy and perfect for traveling. It is specifically designed to diffuse oil and moisture into the air in small amounts. A personal diffuser is smaller than the normal diffuser. Its size makes it handy for you to bring it anywhere. Here are the benefits and advantages of using a personal diffuser. What is A Personal Diffuser Diffusers are perfect for home aromatherapy; they are efficient in diffusing the scent of essential oils. They are easy to use and they remove bad odor immediately. A few drops of essential oils or a blend of aromatherapy oils can envelop the room in its scent in a few minutes. A diffuser helps bring moisture to air as well, making it perfect during winter. The personal diffuser does not only help evaporate the scent of essential oils. It also acts as a humidifier that brings moisture to the air around you. Winter can be harsh on the skin. It robs moisture off of the skin and may even cause peeling or cracks. Bring a personal diffuser with you to keep skin moisturized and soft to the touch. The instrument works by heating the water infused with drops of essential oil. Some diffusers, however, do not require water; instead, they make fine particles out of the essential oil. The part of a diffuser that does this is called an atomizer. The device that uses an atomizer blows out a mist that has concentrated scent and particles of the oil. 5 Benefits of Using a Personal Diffuser If you need to lift your spirits in an instant or if you’re trying to relax while outside, a personal diffuser is the perfect device for you. It is easy to use and you can bring it everywhere you go. It comes in many shapes and sizes to fit your preferences and lifestyle. Here are just some of the wonderful benefits of using a personal diffuser. 1. Instant Relaxation Having a busy schedule and lifestyle can wear down anyone. Just commuting to work is a hassle that makes one feel tired and stressed. A personal diffuser can make you feel instantly relaxed. Just one press of a button and you can enjoy the effects it has on your mind and spirit. 2. Moisturizes Skin The moisture that the diffuser blows out prevents drying of skin. It keeps skin moisturized, radiant, and soft. Skin can get stressed as well especially when you’re outside of your home. It is exposed to pollution, dirt, and sunrays. These factors contribute to skin aging. By keeping the skin moisturized, you can prevent dryness and dullness of skin. 3. Alleviates Symptoms of Cough and Cold If you have a cough or cold, the throat may feel itchy. Your nasal passage may feel blocked as well. Essential oils that have minty or camphorous scents help alleviate these symptoms. The mist that the diffuser blows out helps moisturize the throat and nasal passage as well to prevent dryness and itchiness. This helps reduce chances of an allergic reaction too. 4. Deodorizes Surrounding Air The unappealing smell of the environment can trigger stress. Polluted air is bad for your health as well. Using a personal diffuser can deodorize air and make it more pleasant not only for your mood but for your lungs too. When essential oils with antibacterial properties are used in a diffuser with an atomizer, it can prevent bacteria from causing harm to your body and skin. 5. Eases Stress and Anxiety Anxiety can happen to you anywhere and when it happens, there are very few ways to ease its symptoms. One of the effective ways of easing anxiety is to use essential oils for aromatherapy. A personal diffuser fits anywhere in your bag, you can use it anytime. Aside from helping you overcome stress and anxiety, it helps chase away negative feelings and mood too. Why Use a Personal Diffuser A personal diffuser is convenient and easy to use. You can enjoy its moisturizing benefits for skin as well. There’s a wide range of advantage in using a personal diffuser instead of other devices and methods. Learn about them here. Affordable Compared to a normal diffuser that you have to leave at home, a personal diffuser is affordable. You can get it for less than $15. High-quality devices won’t cause you much. Essential oils can last you a long time as well. A few drops can work for up to a day. Affordable diffusers are also durable and have a long shelf life with proper care. Easy to Carry The size of a personal diffuser is not only for aesthetics. It makes it easy to carry around, which is the primary use of the device. You can get the benefits of a normal diffuser without the bulkiness that makes it hard to bring anywhere. Store it in your bag or carry smaller diffusers in your pocket. User-Friendly All of the benefits of a normal diffuser are accessible in just one click. You don’t need to learn complicated methods of turning it on. There is only one button to turn it on and off. You can replace its batteries once it dies. This personal diffuser is perfect for all ages. Some personal diffusers come in the form of accessories. They are not battery-powered. They can be necklaces with a cloth enclosed within. You apply a few drops of essential oils in the cloth and you wear it to get its benefits. You can also get it in bracelets. What makes a battery-powered diffuser better is that it evaporates the oil itself. It diffuses its scent in the air while moisturizing your skin to keep it soft. You can get these benefits with just a push of a button!
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7 Healthy Food for Strong & Beautiful Hair
Let your hair down and shine like a star. Soft and manageable hair is the envy of many women. Having silky smooth hair is not easy. Bad hair days happen and though it might seem random for other people, there are causes for having bad hair. Learn what makes hair healthy and how to keep it silky smooth. Understanding Hair Growth To know which food is good for hair, it is important to understand how it grows first. Your hair is made up of a protein called keratin. Biotin helps produce keratin for hair growth. It makes hair strong and resilient against damage as well. Omega fatty acids make the hair soft and shiny. They provide moisture and nourishment that protect hair from getting dry and dull. Hair concerns often start with the lack of moisture and nourishment. Common hair concerns include hair fall, split ends, and frizzy hair. Your hair gets brittle and rough when there is not enough moisture. You might experience hair fall when the follicles get weak. Temperature, humidity, and pollution are just some of the external factors affecting your hair. You should be aware of the products you use since they can be the cause of hair damage. Another factor that affects the health of your hair is your diet. Strengthening the hair requires an adequate amount of nutrients and minerals such as iron, zinc, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids. The body does not produce these substances. You get them from food that you ingest and from formulas you apply to hair and scalp. Make sure to eat healthily and include the right hair products in your routine for strong and silky hair. 7 Food for Healthy Hair The food that you eat provides the nourishment that the hair needs. Eat good food and keep your hair healthy. Don’t let the bounce and volume of the hair die out. Here is a list of good food for hair. 1. Nutritious Fish Mackerel, salmon, cod, tuna, and sardines are examples of nutritious fish. They contain omega fatty acids and proteins that are essential for hair growth. Omega-3 fatty acids are healthy fats abundant in fish and help improve the shine and texture of hair. You can also get an abundance of vitamins and minerals that make hair stronger and resilient against damage. Salmon is rich in biotin, which is important for growing silky hair. There’s also a healthy amount of vitamins in fish that help repair hair damage. 2. Legumes Legumes such as beans, peanuts, seeds, and almonds provide iron and zinc. Biotin, vitamin E, and amino acids are also found in legumes. They contain high levels of essential fatty acids as well. Eating legumes such as walnut and lentils help prevent deficiency in iron, zinc, and protein. Deficiencies from these nutrients lead to falling hair. They regulate the production of oil on scalp, making sure to provide moisture for hair. 3. Leafy Vegetables Aside from the water content found in these vegetables, leafy greens such as spinach, kales, and lettuce, are rich in nutrients necessary for hair growth. There are minerals, vitamins, and amino acids that condition and strengthen hair. Leafy greens improve your hair by making it thicker and shinier. You can prevent hair breakage and dullness. Leafy vegetables often contain antioxidants, which prevent hair damage. They stimulate blood flow in the scalp to promote healthy hair growth. Avoid thinning and falling hair by eating these vegetables. 4. Tropical Fruits Fruits growing in tropical countries are rich in vitamin C and E, which keeps hair strong and vibrant. Papaya, pineapple, avocado and citrus fruits are common tropical fruits you eat to get healthy hair. They protect hair from free radicals that can make it weak and brittle. Tropical fruits are great sources of vitamins and minerals that are important for hair health. They ensure that the hair and scalp receive moisture and nourishment to treat hair damage. 5. Lean Meat Lean meat provides proteins, fiber, and minerals that strengthen hair. Eat lean red meat or chicken to get high levels of iron that prevent hair loss. Iron deficiency is a common cause of falling hair as well. Lean meats are rich sources of magnesium too. Magnesium helps prevent dandruff. It helps the body absorb nutrients better including calcium. The excess calcium can create a layer of residues or deposits in the scalp, which develop into dandruff. 6. Orange Colored Vegetables Beta-carotene is found in vegetables with yellow or orange colors. Examples include pumpkin, carrots, and sweet potatoes. Beta-carotene is important in producing vitamin A, a nutrient needed by the hair. Vitamin A is necessary for making sebum or the body’s natural oil. This moisturizes skin and hair. Lack of sebum leads to dry and rough hair. It can also cause dandruff. Eat yellow or orange-colored vegetables to keep the scalp free from flakes. 7. Eggs Eggs are rich in protein and biotin. Include eggs in your daily diet to get the necessary amount of protein to grow healthy and strong hair. Eggs provide fiber, vitamins, and zinc too. These nutrients prevent hair concerns and improve the resilience of hair. Eating food rich in hair-nourishing substances helps treat and prevent hair concerns. You can improve your hair routine further by using products that provide moisture and nourishment to hair. These hair products help cleanse, moisturize, and nourish hair. Products that have essential oils such as Argan and castor oil are effective in keeping the hair healthy and strong. Eat healthily and know the best products to use for strong and shiny.
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8 Small Changes for A Healthier Lifestyle
Some resolutions fade away so quickly, you didn't even go halfway through it. As 2018 arrives, you’d want to make the best out of it. Resolutions give you motivation to look forward to a fruitful year. But having unrealistic goals would just be another way of setting yourself to fail. If you’re looking into achieving great lifestyle changes, always look at the big picture but start with small steps. Target goals that will have a much bigger impact on your health and life. Here are eight goals that are easy to achieve. These are small steps that can jumpstart your lifestyle change. They are just minor improvements that you can develop over time as a habit. Achieve the results you're gunning for this 2018. Know what these goals are and how they benefit you. 1. Clean Eating Having a balanced diet is not only about eating a variety of foods that have all kinds of nutrients. If you want to live healthy this year, start by eating clean. This means that you should look into the kind of foods you’ve been eating. Make sure that there are minimal chemicals used in these foods. Sugar, preservatives, excessive sodium, and processed foods are just some of the things to avoid. Organic foods are great for the body. They do not contain any chemicals and has retained all the nourishing substances. You should include whole foods that can provide more protein and essential fatty acids such as vegetables and fruits in your diet. You can improve your health by doing this. Even small changes such as avoiding sugar can help improve your energy level and your focus. Some foods that can help you eat clean for the year are unprocessed meat, food-grade essential oils, whole grains, and organic greens. Never skip meals and make sure to feel satisfied at the end of the day. 2. Knowing How to Prioritize Whether you’re a busy person or not, you should value your time greatly. There’s so much you can do with your time and sometimes it would seem lacking. Organizing your time helps you complete more tasks, feel satisfied, and avoid stress. When you can get jobs done, you feel a sense of fulfillment that you know you’ve been productive with your time. When you feel stressed, it’s important to wind down and refresh the mind. Ensure your mental and emotional health by knowing how to prioritize and organize your time. This is also another way to take some time for yourself. Indulge in your favorite activities! Go see the movies, read your favorite book, travel somewhere, or just enjoy a hot cup of coffee. Treat yourself to small things that can make you feel a bit happier or calmer. Remember that emotional and mental wellness are important aspects of your life. 3. Keeping Hydrated You might be used to drinking just a few glasses a day just to quench your thirst. This year, make it your goal to drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. It does not only keep you hydrated and feeling full, it will help with your metabolism as well. Your skin and hair can benefit from drinking lots of water too. The water that you drink affects your skin tone and its suppleness. It also improves the shine of your hair. Dehydration slows down functions of the skin and scalp, which can lead to dull and dry skin. By keeping yourself hydrated, you’re ensuring that the body is healthy and can function well. 4. Finding Time to Relax Being too stressed out can give you wrinkles! Seeing wrinkles on your will further stress you out. You can avoid this common sign of skin aging by finding time to relax. Stress can also trigger the overproduction of oils, which can cause breakouts. Stress hormones can also make the skin lose its volume and elasticity. Because the skin loses its firmness, you can form wrinkles. Avoid stress and develop a mental and emotional balance. By having a healthy mind and spirit, you can commit to your goals easier. Taking some time off from your busy schedule makes you happier and more attuned to the needs of your body, mind, and spirit. 5. Walking for 30 Minutes a Day If you’re not ready for a regular exercise, you can just do a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood. It’s best to do it in the mornings when the sun has just risen. If you have somewhere to go to and it’s just 2-3 kilometers away, walk instead of taking a cab. Every step counts in ensuring that your body is fit and healthy. You can break it down into two sessions a day or just do it all in one go. By going for a healthy walk, you’re helping the body pump the blood and therefore, improving the blood flow. It has a lot of benefits for the body. You can get an even and clear skin tone and it could improve your metabolism as well. Take your dog outside, or go to the nearest coffee shop by walking. It’s a simple change in your routine that can make your lifestyle healthier. 6. Consulting Experts Not all the things that you can find on google are true and accurate. If you have any health concerns, it’s best to consult a doctor. You should not consider your research on the internet as a professional opinion. You should get advice from experts to know about any improvement in skin or hair care, as well. Make sure to visit doctors from time to time. Remember that there could be developments in your body or health that could grow into worse conditions. By visiting the doctor or a professional, you can find out early if you need to change some things in your lifestyle or in your diet. This applies if you’re getting a haircut or if you want to try out a skin care product too. 7. Regulating Sleep Sleeping for 7-8 hours every night is important. The body enters a state of rest where its functions speed up double time. This is when the body heals and repairs itself. When you sleep, you wake up feeling refreshed. Sleep is important in order to ensure that the body is healthy and well. It affects the ability of your body to heal wounds. On top of those, it helps blood flow better, which gives you a fresh and clear complexion. Sleep helps ward off illnesses and conditions such as hypertension, insomnia, and heart disease. You can benefit from having enough sleep since it also keeps any mental and emotional stress at bay. To improve your sleep schedule, make sure to always follow a regular time for the body to sleep and wake up. A neat little trick to regulate your sleep is to go to bed only when you’re about to sleep. Get your body used to the idea that bed equals sleep. By doing this, you can avoid sleepless nights. 8. Unplugging from Social Media With technology taking so much of your time nowadays, having time off from your phone is healthy. Take this time to indulge in other activities or hobbies, or you could reach out to friends and family to have some real face-to-face interactions. To unplug means to put down your phone and get in touch with yourself or nature. Taking a break from social media is hard. However, there are things out there that are much more interesting. Use this time to write down your thoughts instead of typing them. You can even finish the book that you’ve been putting off for a long time. There are so many things to discover in the real world. Do it at least an hour a day. You can do it before bed, or after waking up, and even at the middle of the day. That hour is very precious for your self-being. You can develop a sense of calm and disassociation with your phone. Remember that these are resolutions. You can start with the easiest and smallest change in your habits but make sure to stick to them. Strive for a healthy lifestyle and look at the benefits you can get – whether it’s short-term or long-term. Get fit, end your year with a sound mind, or develop your sense of being. Accomplish all these and feel a sense of satisfaction. The important thing is to spend your 2018 feeling healthy and happy!
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Essential Oils for Every Season
Your everyday skin and hair care routine can be made even better when you include essential oils in the mix. These valuable plant extracts provide benefits that will help make hair become shiny, soft and smooth. Essential oils also work great with making skin look radiant and glowing. Best of all, there are many different essential oils you can use for different seasons! Let this infographic show you which oils work best for winter, spring, summer, and fall so you get all the wonderful benefits it provides all year round. There are so many incredible essential oils that you can utilize no matter what season and time of the year. These oils work great so long as they are stored in a cool and dry place and away from direct sunlight. Make it a habit to include essential oils in your hair and skin care regimen to look and feel beautiful every day.
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