Health Advantages of Playing Sports

While most people understand the importance of physical activity, the words "keeping fit" are usually

associated with exercise programs. Sport participation adds a new dimension to the physical activity spectrum. International organizations, such as the European Commission, the World Health Organization, the Americas Council of Sports and the Commonwealth Advisory Body on Sport have published papers citing the physical, psychological and social advantages of sport participation.

Burning Calories
Sport provides a means of constant physical activity, and physical activities burn calories. Even sports that are characterized by intermittent activity burn more calories than being sedentary. Winter sports, for example, inspire people to get outdoors when they would normally be staying at home. The Winter Feels Good website lists the caloric expenditure of various winter sports. Depending on your weight, age and the specific sport, you can burn between 213 and 1,208 calories per hour.

Coordination and Balance

Sport activity requires balance, coordination and proprioception, which is the body's awareness of its position in space. Aging often causes impaired balance and proprioception, which in turn leads to coordination issues. Sport participation can prevent age-related loss of these important aspects of fitness.

Enforces a Healthy Lifestyle

A study published in the "British Journal of Sports Medicine" titled "Personal Health Benefits of Masters Athletics Competition" explored the long-term health of older endurance athletes. The researchers studied 551 athletic men and 199 athletic women over a seven year period. Only 1.4 percent of the participants sustained a non-fatal heart attack and only 0.6 percent required bypass surgery over the seven year period. Most of the former smokers indicated that they stopped smoking before they began their training.

ncrease Bone Mass

Research published in the Nov./Dec. 2009 edition of "Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach" evaluated 560 athletes who were participants in the 2005 National Senior Games. The 298 women and 289 men were active in a variety of high-impact sports. Those who took the voluntary bone mineral density test exhibited healthy bone density. It is speculated that high impact sport participation can prevent osteoporosis.

Vitamin D and Sunshine

While there are some dangers associated with sun exposure, an article in the Sept. 29, 2009 edition of the Wellness section of the "New York Times" suggests that sunshine is still the best source of vitamin D. The article cites studies performed at the Atascadero State Hospital, which found that athletes exposed to vitamin D-producing ultraviolet light had enhanced levels of performance. Vitamin D also enhances bone health and increases the size of fast twitch muscle fibers.

Exercise Compliance

Training for an athletic event indirectly affects health by helping people stick to their fitness programs. Sports provide measurable, concrete goals, such as improving speed, strength balance and coordination. The person training for an event will be less likely to miss exercise sessions. She may also be more conscious about her nutrition and hydration needs.

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How to Find the Right Partner or Spouse

Finding the right partner or spouse is not like finding the right person to help you survive a lonely summer -- it

means finding a person that you can see yourself growing old with and loving thirty, forty, or fifty or more years down the line. Choosing the person you want to marry or commit to forever is serious business, and it demands a lot of forethought, responsibility, and honesty. But once you've found that special person, all of your hard work will be worth it and you can get ready for a lifetime of happiness. If you want to know how to find the right partner or spouse, just follow these steps.

1 Love yourself. Seriously -- loving yourself before you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with is the easiest way to ensure that you'll be committing yourself to that person for the right reasons. You don't have to be 100% satisfied with yourself, but if you're unhappy with who you are, you're at risk of getting together with someone just because he or she makes you feel better about yourself.

    In a sense, yes, the person you marry should "complete you," making you feel completely whole as a person -- but you should already love who you are and feel blessed that the person you want to be with makes you feel even better!
    You should be happy with who you are, what you do, and how you look -- this will not only make it easier for you to attract people with your confidence, but it will make you look for an equally amazing person who will only make your life better, not the person who can fill in all of the gaps in your unsatisfactory life.
2 Be (reasonably) happy being alone. Let's face it -- being single when all of your friends are happily dating or married is no picnic. You may want love more than anything in the world, and it's natural for you to feel lonely or sad if you can't find it. But part of loving yourself is loving spending time solo, and finding ways to stay interested and excited about life without a significant other. This will make you feel even better when that special person comes along!
    If you're miserable by yourself, then you will be too easily swayed by the first person who comes along and gives you something to do. Don't mistake companionship for love.

3 Get some experience. If you find your first love when you're sixteen, then you are a rare and lucky breed. However, most people do not in fact marry their first, or second, or even their fourth boyfriend or girlfriend. Dating more people lets you understand the endless ways that a relationship can work, and can make you see that there are so many forms and dynamics that a relationship can have.

    Though you shouldn't ditch the person you love just to play the field, if you think you're just "pretty happy" with the person you're with but have never dated anyone else, it's better to see what's out there than to settle.
    Dating a lot of people helps you learn to compromise, and will make you even more sure that what you feel for your future spouse is truly special.
    Getting some sexual experience never hurt anyone either. If you've had a few partners before you've met your special someone, you'll be even more sure that the

chemistry you share is truly special.
If you end up committing to the first person you've been with without being truly happy, you may spend the rest of your life wondering about what's out there.

4 Don't settle. Not settling is related to loving yourself, loving being alone, and having some experience. People settle all too often because they find someone who makes them feel less alone and loved, even if it's not in the right way. Another reason people settle is because they've been with the same person for five years and realize they "might as well" get married because that's what everyone else is doing or because they've been together for so long that it's the only logical step.

    You should only get married because that's what you want, not because it's what the other person wants, because it's what your family wants, or because you're too scared to say goodbye.

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The Top 5 Mistakes Divorced Parents Make

1. Don't make your child the messenger ...     

"Too many parents attempt to communicate through their children," Neuman says, "which causes undue emotional stress on them and forces them to negotiate a situation their own parents could not handle.  Email is an excellent tool nowadays to communicate with your ex-spouse. It allows you to specifically discuss the practicalities of raising your child without detouring into negative areas and opening old wounds. It also provides a recorded message, admissible into court, so parents tend to be more careful when using it.

"If you want or need to speak with your ex over the phone or in person, be focused and stay on task, and most important, don't swallow the bait if he or she descends into anger. Simply say, 'I appreciate your feelings, but I am here to discuss our child's school assignment.' Take the high road. Your child's emotional health depends on it."

2. ... or your therapist.     

"Teenagers like to feel in control, and divorce turns their world upside down," Neuman says. "Don't fall into the trap of sharing divorce details or your angry feelings about your ex with your older kids. Their own anxiety and need for control causes them to be 'understanding' of what you're going through, but you need to be the parent. Get outside help for yourself, get therapy if necessary, and maintain those boundaries. Making your child your cohort is wrong and does them damage."

3. Try to "get" your kid.

"Kids need to feel as if they are understood," Neuman says, and after a divorce their feelings may be in turmoil. "Listen to them. Don't tell them what to think. And it might be difficult, but never criticize your ex -- it's a criticism of your child, who, of course, is 50% of your ex-husband or wife. Respond specifically to what they are telling you. Say, 'It sounds like you are feeling sad/mad/upset about meeting your dad's new girlfriend, is that right?' As a parent, you don't have to have a solution. You just need to hear them.

"And don't editorialize. You can suggest your child write down his feelings and share them with your ex, but only if the child wants to do so. Stay trained on your child's feelings, not yours. Healing comes through a loving connection and from feeling understood."

4. Avoid the third degree.

"I tell parents to treat their child's weekend away with their ex-spouse as if the child has just visited an aunt or uncle," Neuman says. "Saying nothing will leave your child stressed, as if he must compartmentalize both worlds and tiptoe around this other experience. On the other hand, grilling the child puts him squarely in the middle, which is an impossible position emotionally. So ask your kid fun and general questions, which diffuses tension. And then let it go."

5. Repair the damage you've already done.

Many divorced parents reading these tips may recognize mistakes they've unintentionally made with their own kids. Is it ever too late to undo emotional fall-out from a nasty split? "No, children are remarkably forgiving," Neuman says, "at least until they reach their later teen years, when anger may be more cemented. If you've made mistakes, it's important to do the following:

    Apologize for them. Saying you're sorry goes a long way with your kids.
    Explain in detail exactly what you've done wrong, and then commit to changing your behavior from that moment on.
    Give your child a safe and specific signal -- for example, tell your child to raise his or her hand when you begin criticizing your ex -- which serves as a time-out for you, telling you in no uncertain terms you're doing it again and need to stop immediately."

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How to Feel Pretty

You are the only one who can decide you are truly pretty. All it takes is a change in your thinking and a boost in confidence and self-esteem. And yes, it is easier said than done.

 Being Pretty on the Inside 

1 Understand your own prettiness. This is the most important step for feeling pretty. You have to understand that your beauty comes from you, not from any outside source. But you have to practice feeling this way.

    Write a list of of all the good things about yourself. This includes things like helping someone carry their groceries, listening to a friend, or being the best at puns.

    Every morning, when you wake up, go to the bathroom mirror, smile at yourself and say aloud "I am awesome" and "I am happy." The more you say it the more you will convince your brain that it is true.

    Write a list of things you think are beautiful about yourself. Maybe you have big brown eyes, a cute nose, or full lips, or a great laugh. If you can't think of any, ask a trusted friend or family member.

    When you start having negative thoughts about yourself, remember your lists.

2 Stop negativity in its tracks. Negative thoughts cause our brain to believe the negativity. If we think we're

ugly, our brain will be convinced of that. You have to convince your brain that those thoughts aren't true.[1]

    When you start to have a negative thought, label it as such. Example: "My nose is hideous." Say to yourself: "I'm having a thought that my nose is hideous." It makes it so that thought isn't you.
    Let the negative thoughts go. You are not your thoughts, but they can be extremely harmful to your self esteem.
    Replace the negative thought with a positive thought. Even if you don't believe the positive thought, you can trick your brain into believing it.

3 Build your self confidence. Everyone has good qualities, both inside and outside, but it's important to

realize that people are more than their outer appearance. It's great to admire people (and yourself!) for their physical attractiveness, but it's even better to look at what's on the inside. There will always be someone prettier, more successful, with more romantic partners.

    Don't judge yourself so harshly. You are your own worst enemy. Give yourself the freedom to have days where you don't feel attractive. Confidence is about trusting in yourself even on days where you don't feel like it.
    Don't judge other people. What you think about other people says a lot about you. Try to think positive, kind thoughts towards others. It will affect your positivity towards yourself.
    Don't compare yourself to others. This will only cause you to lose confidence in yourself. Besides, that person with the perfect hair might be leading a very difficult life in other respects.
    Fake it until you make it. You can trick your brain into being confident if you fake confidence. Act like you already know you're pretty and you will start to believe it.
    Don't feel as though you have to have a romantic partner to be worthwhile. Your self-worth and your confidence rely on you and only you. If you place too much self-worth control in the hands of other people, you won't learn true confidence.
    Indulge yourself in a selfie. You control the picture and you can make it so it emphasizes your most attractive features. When you're feeling less confident, pull it out and remind yourself that you are pretty!

 

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How to Draw Attention to Yourself

Do you want to stand out in the crowd? Make a name for yourself? Get noticed? Let's face it, just about everybody loves attention, and getting noticed can have real benefits: getting that girl (or guy) you're interested in, getting a job, or even becoming a star, for example. Why, then, does "proper" society tend to frown on drawing attention to oneself? Put simply, not all attention is equal, and people who try to draw attention to themselves often do it in unpleasant ways--think of a screaming toddler, for instance. While certain showbiz types like to say that any publicity is good publicity, you'll generally only benefit from positive attention, and drawing that kind of attention to yourself requires a little patience, thought and tact.

Steps

1 Think of when they think of you, and it requires time and consistency to build a brand. Say you're at a new school and you want to make friends. Your brand then, should include characteristics like loyalty, friendliness, and fun. Do things that build this brand and make you a more appealing potential friend. Other examples of brands include the "bad-boy image." Be careful, though, or you'll look like you're trying too hard.

2 Be original. Looking at the stereotypical brands mentioned in the last step, you may think, none of those are really what I want. That's perfectly all right. You can brand yourself as pretty much anything, and whatever your brand, it should reflect your personality and original style. If you're the same as everyone else, you won't draw attention. Just remember, once again, that if you're obviously just trying to get attention, that will be your brand.

3 Be outstanding. When we think of the word "outstanding," we usually think of excellence, but being outstanding also means to "stand out." If you want to stand out, do your best to be the best at something. If you want to draw the attention of your spouse, for example, be the best husband or wife you can be. If you want to get a better job, be extraordinarily competent in your current job and seek to learn more to advance your career. You don't always have to be outstanding at something that's directly related to your goal. For example, you'll find that people who are very successful in whatever pursuit they choose in life often draw the attention of, or date, beautiful women or good-looking guys, even if their particular field of excellence has nothing to do with being a good mate. If you're outstanding at something, just about anything, you'll draw people's attention.

4 Be subtle. A patient, subtle approach is important in developing your image because if you look like you're trying too hard to draw attention, you'll simply end up branding yourself as someone who craves attention, which is generally not a desirable attribute. As an example, imagine you want to get attention in order to make friends. If you stand on your head and insult people, you'll likely get attention for a little while, but you probably won't make friends--everybody will know you're just desperate for attention. On the other hand, if you draw attention to yourself by wearing a smile, making a conversation with people, or joining a sports team, you'll build a more positive brand and get more attention in the long run. 

5 Be humble. Be outstanding, be confident, be assertive, but don't be arrogant. Even if you truly excel at just about everything, people will try to tune you out--or even resent you--if you are a jerk. Don't tell people how awesome you are, show them, and don't make a big deal out of it. Don't blow your own horn too much. 

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How to Buy a Well Fitting Bra

A bra is something that we often take for granted, but finding the right bra can do wonders for both your appearance and self esteem. It may take time to find the right bra for you, but remember: you’re worth it. Here’s a guide to finding the right bra for you.

Using the Proper Fitting Technique

1 Hook the bra at your waist, then pull up only in the front. Lift the front up as high as it will go, without sliding over the front of your breasts.

    This will make sure the back stays low, for proper support.
    This will make sure you get lift in front, where you want it.

2 Lean forward and smooth all the soft tissue forward. Start from just behind your armpits, and push as much as you can into the cup.

    Breast tissue is soft, and if your bra fits properly, should stay where you put it.
    Grasp the front of the bra and jiggle slightly to settle everything into place.
3 Know how high on your chest your breasts should end up. With a properly fitted bra, the apex of your breasts should be approximately halfway between your elbow and your shoulder. 

4 Don’t over tighten the closures or straps. Doing so can make the bra uncomfortable, and this can affect your mood and posture.

    Never tighten the straps so much that they put pressure on your shoulders. This will cause you to slouch forward.
    Never tighten the straps so they pull the bra up at the back. Keeping the back low is important for adequate support in front.
    When buying a bra, hook into the loops at the very end of the band. This gives you a way to tighten the bra as it stretches out over time.

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Home Remedies for Sore Throat

Sore throat is an inflammation of the pharynx, which is the tube that extends from the back of the mouth to the esophagus. Some of the major causes of sore throat are viral infection, bacterial infection, fungal infection, pollution, smoking, acid reflux, dry air, excessive shouting, some kind of allergic reaction and so on. Symptoms of sore throat are much like those of a viral infection and is often accompanied by headache, stomachache, common cold and swollen glands in the neck.
One of the best ways to get relief from sore throat is to gargle with salt water. Salt works like an antiseptic and helps to draw water out of mucous membranes in the throat. This cuts phlegm and reduces inflammation and gives you instant relief. Take half teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and then use this water to gargle. Do not swallow the water as you need to spit the water out after gargling. If you do not like the salty taste, add a small amount of honey to the solution. You must gargle with saltwater at least four times a day to improve the condition of your throat.
Honey is also one of the easily available ingredients that can be used to treat sore throat. Honey has antibacterial properties, which can fasten up the healing process. At the same time honey works like a hypertonic osmotic, this means that it helps to draw water out of inflamed tissue and thus reducing the swelling and inflammation. Add one to two tablespoon of honey to one cup of hot water and drink it several times a day. You can also add honey to your favorite cup of herbal tea. Before going to bed eat one teaspoon of honey as it will give you soothing relief and help you to enjoy sound sleep

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Home Remedies for Black Spots on Your Face

Many black spots or dark patches can be easily lightened or eliminated to restore a glowing facial complexion. Dark spots, patches and other marks on the face may be due to excess secretion of melanin on the skin. Some factors that can lead to this condition include over exposure to the sun, hormone imbalance, pregnancy, certain medications, vitamin deficiencies, lack of sleep and too much stress.

Spots and patches on the face can be embarrassing and even lead to low self-esteem. Luckily, there are many possible treatments, such as acid peels and laser surgeries. Simple, natural homemade remedies also may reduce the appearance of spots and other blemishes on your face.
A quick and easy solution can be found in your kitchen or your nearest grocery store — lemon juice. Lemons have vitamin C that can lighten dark spots on your face. It’s easy to apply.

    Put some fresh lemon juice on a cotton ball and rub it directly on the affected skin area.
    Allow it to dry and then wash it off with plain water.
    Continue applying this dark spot removal home remedy for at least two weeks to get the desired result.

If you have delicate or sensitive skin, you can dilute the lemon juice with plain water, rosewater, or honey. You can also use lime juice to get rid of black spots, applying it in the same manner as described above.

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The age of first baths

It has 6 months or more: You can take your child in a public pool. One condition: a vaccination record to date. But so young he will quickly cool, even if the water is heated to 30 ° C. Besides the flow of air between the exit of the bath and locker rooms. For conditions more suitable, consider rather to register for baby-swimmers.

Instead, wait its 2 years, then it will play 10 to 15 minutes without immediately goosebumps.

Around 5-6 years, it is dynamic in the pool, swimming can last half an hour.

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Communication Tips for Parents With Premature Babies

A premature baby looks so delicate that you may be hesitant to touch her out of fear that she may get hurt. Feeding and breathing tubes and intimidating machines in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may feel like obtrusive barriers between you and your newborn. Even so, you should softly talk to and sing to your little one. And while it may seem scary at first, your touch is critical to your baby. You should strive to physically communicate by touching, holding and cradling your baby once you have the staff's approval to do so.

Significance

A baby born prior to 37 weeks of gestation is considered premature and is generally called a preemie. A preemie’s lungs, immune system, digestive system and even his skin are underdeveloped, explains HealthyChildren.org, a website published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The NICU provides your tiny baby with round-the-clock care to ensure his survival. You should spend as much time as is permitted in the NICU and become as active as possible in caring for your preemie. You can bond with your newborn by gently touching his little fingers and cheeks while softly telling him in loving tones how much you love him and how you can't wait to hold him in your arms.

Reading and Feeding

Reading nursery rhymes or other baby books to your preemie can be comforting to both you and your baby. This time can also help your little become familiar with your voice. When your doctor says your baby is ready, hold her in your arms and tell her how happy you are that you are finally able to hold her. NICU nurses will offer guidance on the best way to breastfeed or bottle-feed your preemie. Breast milk contains antibodies, which improve immune response and in turn, help your baby fight infection, explains the AAP. Feedings are a great opportunity for physical and verbal communication.

Kangaroo Care

Talk to your preemie about how you can't wait to bring him home as you hold him under your robe or top as the two of you enjoy skin-to-skin contact. Commonly referred to as kangaroo care, many NICUs permit the practice as long as your preemie no longer needs significant machinery to support to his organ systems. Your baby's tiny head should be turned so that his ear sits above your heart. Continue to talk quietly as your preemie is soothed by the subtle beat of your heart.

Considerations

It's important for both mothers and fathers to communicate with their preemie as much as possible. Dads can feed a bottle-fed baby, change her diapers and bond with his newborn in every way a mother can -- breastfeeding being the obvious lone exception. If your preemie is up to it, dads can help give his baby her a bath with the help of an NICU nurse. A bath is a perfect opportunity to softly sing a lullaby -- perhaps, 'Rubber Ducky' -- to your little one.

Going Home

A preemie must be able to maintain body temperature in an regular crib -- as opposed to an incubator -- for at least 24 hours, no longer needs a feeding tube and is consistently gaining weight before she can go home, explains Cook Children's Health Care System. Most preemies meet NICU discharge requirements two to four weeks before their anticipated due date. As the parent of a preemie, you should plan to live quietly with your baby when she first comes home. Outside trips should be limited to doctor's visits during the first few weeks. Enjoy this tranquil period with plenty of skin-to-skin contact and loving chit chat with your preemie.

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When Can Premature Babies Eat Baby Food?

A baby is considered premature if he's born earlier than the 37th week of pregnancy. A preemie should be introduced to solid foods around four to six months after his expected due date -- rather than his actual date of birth, notes FamilyDoctor.org. Since a preemie lags behind a full-term newborn developmentally, it can take him longer to learn to swallow. Feeding solids to a premature 

 baby before his time increases the risk of choking

Significance

Subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from her anticipated date of birth correctly measures your preemie's real or adjusted age. If your little one was born eight weeks premature, at eight months she is six months old for all intents and purposes, and it may be time to think about adding baby food to her heretofore liquids-only diet.
Knowing when to add solids to your baby's diet isn't an exact science, but waiting too long -- just like starting too early -- carries its own risk. Delaying baby food until your infant reaches an adjusted age of seven months or longer can cause your baby to reject anything but milk or other liquids. In addition, a baby is born with iron reserves that last only six months, after which time he needs food to meet his iron needs, reports the Auckland District Health Board in New Zealand.

Readiness Signs

Your baby will offer many clues when he's ready to give solids a try. Head control is important when it comes to eating baby food. The ability to hold his head up in an infant seat or high chair and open his mouth when he sees the spoon heading his way are positive signs that solids are in order. Trying to grab your food when you're eating is also a sign that he craves more than milk.
Being able to move food from a spoon into his throat with ease is an important sign of readiness. If you attempt to feed your infant a spoon of cereal and it gushes out of his mouth and drips onto his chin, the messy moment is probably a clear sign that he's not yet able to move food to the back of his mouth, which allows him to swallow. Don't despair; it will take time for him to get the hang of consuming something other than liquids.

The First Solid Food

Serving your preemie a sampling of single-grain iron-fortified cereal like oatmeal, barley or rice mixed with infant formula or breast milk once daily is a good way to get her started on solids, notes March of Dimes. Stop feeding your baby solids if she seems disinterested in what you have to offer, turns her head in the opposite direction of the spoon or starts crying. Return to breast or bottle-feeding for awhile before attempting solids again; adjusting to solids takes time, and in the early months, most of your preemie's nutritional needs are being met from breast milk and/or formula.

Considerations

A variety of foods, including vegetables, fruits, meats and eggs, should be incorporated into your baby's diet over the next several months, advises HealthyChildren.org. Don't be surprised if your baby makes funny faces or shakes his head no when you try to serve him a new food that has an unfamiliar texture or taste. It may take a few tries before your baby willingly accepts a new food. Offer one new food at a time -- one or two per week is ideal -- to help identify foods that may cause an allergic reaction.

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Herbs That Cleanse the Liver

The liver provides priceless benefits to a human body, because it helps digest food, absorb nutrients and rid the body of toxins. That's why maintaining liver health is essential for preventing medical problems and keeping your body operating properly. Many herbs are available that aid liver detoxification and help cleanse the body of toxins

Boldo

Boldo is a shrubby evergreen that has long been used by the Chileans to help treat liver, bowel and gallbladder problems. The plant is considered one of the best natural remedies for liver detoxification and cleansing because of its ability to stimulate the production and secretion of bile, which speeds the digestive process and rids the body of intestinal gas and bloating. Boldo is available as an herbal supplement in tablet or capsule form. Its leaves can be used as an oral formula.

Artichoke

Artichoke, a member of the milk thistle family, has been used for hundreds of years as a liver treatment in Brazilian herbal medicine. The plant is known for supporting the liver, cleansing the blood, enhancing digestion and detoxifying the body. Both a common salad ingredient and healthy snack, artichokes can be found in most grocery stores and health food shops. Artichoke can also be taken as tablets or leaf infusions. The plant can also be used with milk thistle, which is also used for liver detoxification.

Dandelion Root

Unbeknown to many, dandelions are rich in nutrients and vitamins and have a host of medical benefits. Traditionally, the plant has been used for various illnesses such as eye problems, skin conditions, kidney disease and heartburn. Today, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center website, health care providers use dandelion root to promote liver detoxification and dandelion leaves to support kidney function. It's believed dandelions may also improve the immune system. Dandelion roots are available fresh or dried and can be taken in several forms, including liquid extracts, teas or capsules. The herb can be used alone or as an addition to other supplements.

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Early Signs of Liver Problems

The liver is a vital organ that is essential to human vitality and health. It helps to digest food, rid toxic substances and absorb vital nutrients that the body needs for survival. Some people are born with liver problems while others damage their liver by being exposed to harmful chemicals, alcoholism or the after effects of a virus. Early signs of liver problems should not be ignored and medical help should be sought to assure proper treatment.

Skin Changes

One of the earlier signs of possible liver problems include sudden skin changes. This could be a discoloring in the skin that holds a yellowish hue. This could also mean that the fingernails or the tips of the fingers could turn yellow. The reason for this is the liver is not releasing the toxins properly out of the body and bilirubin is beginning to accumulate under the skin.

Itchy or Oversensitive Skin

Early signs of liver problems may occur within the skin. This could mean an itchy skin area that progressively gets worse over time. Having skin that is sensitive to the touch or becomes inflamed easily after itching could also be a sign of liver problems. Keeping the skin moisturized will help alleviate any discomfort.

Urine and Stool Changes

Some people whose liver is not functioning properly may notice some changes when they go to the bathroom. This could be in their urine. In some cases, urine can become dark in color. Some people may associate this with dehydration but if they are drinking the proper amount of fluids, their urine should be mostly clear. Some patients with early liver problems report that changes in their stools that may be pale, bloody or tar colored.

Abdominal Changes

Changes in the abdominal area may provide early indication of liver trouble. This could start off as having a cramping or pain in the lower abdomen. It can quickly turn into a gassy sensation that accompanies pressure. As the liver problem gets worse, ascites can develop. This is a buildup of fluid within the abdominal wall. It can become so great that it can also apply pressure to the lungs making it difficult to breathe. A paracentesis may have to be preformed to remove the fluid from the abdomen.

Tiredness

If you experience changes, such as feelings of extreme weakness, tiredness or chronic fatigue, this could also be an early sign of a problem liver. The body is working harder at survival and one of the first responses is to get more rest. If weakness and overall tiredness occurs with other related symptoms, prompt medical attention is recommended.

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10 Weird Pregnancy Symptoms

Sure, some moms-to-be exude a certain pregnant loveliness... until they fart in an elevator or snore like a foghorn in the night. The fact is, a lot of nasty stuff happens to your body when you're pregnant -- weird pregnancy symptoms your friends may be embarrassed to tell you about, and your doctor may gloss over because they're not big health concerns, says Trish Booth, author of Pregnancy Q&A: Authoritative and Reassuring Answers to the Questions on Your Mind. "Pregnant women have questions about what's happening, yet they're just told, 'Oh, that's normal.' But when you've got excessive gas or find strange things on your skin, the last thing you feel is normal," adds Booth. Let us be the first to give you the straight dish.

"What just came out of me?!"

Symptoms: Sticky white or pale yellow discharge can be constant during pregnancy, leaving you feeling in frequent need of new undies. Talk to your doctor if it develops a foul odor, itches or burns, or becomes greenish-yellow or very thick or watery; you may have an infection.

Cause: Increased hormones and vaginal blood flow.

How to deal: Wear a lightweight sanitary pad, and use personal wipes for a quick cleansing. Don't douche or use vaginal deodorants; they can be irritating.

"I leak when I laugh"

Symptoms: You laugh, you sneeze...you leak.

Cause: Well, let's see. You're instructed to drink something like 64 ounces of liquid a day, and you've got an extra 10 or so pounds of baby and uterus sitting on your bladder. It seems pretty obvious.

How to deal: Give yourself permission to pee -- a lot. The more you hold in, the more there is to leak. Use mini-pads (or thin maxis), and keep a spare pair of underwear with you. Finally, try Super Kegels to improve muscle tone: Empty your bladder, then tighten your pelvic floor muscles and hold (like you're holding your pee). When the muscles begin to naturally release, squeeze and tighten again, until you feel a tingling sensation. Hold and count to 20. Do about five Super Kegels a day, but not all at once.

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Things You Can Say To STOP People From Meddling In Your Relationship

Relationships can be hard enough without your mother or friends struggling to ‘make your relationship stronger’ or, worse, trying to do away with your relationship! It’s not fun to have someone meddling in your relationship steadily.

I personally experienced a friend who would consistently counsel me about my brand new relationship (now my husband). She would explain to me what he really likes and how he really believed and she would tell me that getting to involved with him may not be a good idea.

Oh, I know what you might be thinking…’Well, she had your best interest at heart!’, but you are dead wrong!

I regularly questioned as though her nosiness was part of something bigger. And it turns out, as I down the line found out, she was interested in my boyfriend and wanted to get him away from me.

We are not friends anymore but I’m married to him.

It will not always be someone trying to break your relationship up though. There are going to be people who seriously think that they are helping your relationship. This is when you need to put a stop to it and tell them a few important things that they need to fully grasp.

Keep in mind, if you are in an abusive relationship or a really miserable relationship than your friend, loved one or whoever is probably making an attempt to help you see the light; or if you are heading for heartache in some way than you may want to listen to what they are trying to say.

On the other hand, if they are just meddling because they are nosy and opinionated then you should want them to stop meddling and leave you alone.

Here are 3 things to say to that meddling person.

1. YOU Are Not in This Relationship!

A sexual relationship has much more to it than what’s on the surface where others can see. Most of us reserve a special side of our lives for our intimate relationship that only our partner and ourselves experience.

There are personal moments of interactions and intimacy that creates a tight bond between two people that is critical for a strong.

The person who is prying does not share those moments you have had. And most importantly, they are not sharing the emotions and experiences you are experiencing in the relationship.

They are in no position to tell you what you should or shouldn’t do in your relationship given that they don’t actually know what your relationship as it really is at the core!

2. YOU Are Not Me!

Frequently a meddling individual will declare “If it was up to me, I would do it differently Of course, they most likely WOULD do it that way; because that’s the way THEY would do it! But they are not you. And YOU have a unique way of doing things.

Not only do you have a different way of going about things, but you also have a unique way of viewing things and you have unique beliefs, behaviors, and dreams in life and in your relationship than they would. Because of this you handle things differently than them – and they have to realize that.

3. I am Happy With My Relationship

Occasionally you you can’t convince them of anything and you just have to shine the happy aspects of your relationship.

As much as you would like to share the sadder moments or discuss relationship problems with them, they may not be able to handle hearing that kind of information without meddling in your relationship.

It’s not being fake, it’s not being untruthful, it’s just letting the prying person see a side of your relationship that they can deal with without interjecting their beliefs.

If they are always seeing love and happiness then there will be no reason to get involved.

Squash nosy people using the above 3 tips. Your relationship will thank you!

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Interesting Ways To Orgasm

When it comes to orgasms (pun intended), the majority of sexually-active people know about a handful of types of climaxes: vaginal, clitoral and oral.  But you might not know about some of the more weird ways to climax.

Here’s the list:

1. Exercise: Performing a few core moves can lead to you rocking your socks at the gym…or on the go.

2. Nipple play: For a few women, all it takes is a little stimulation of the nipples to release oxytocin, the chemical responsible for the vaginal contractions of orgasm, according to Dr. Christiane Northrup.

3. Mind: According to some experts, it’s possible to get yourself off just by thinking the right thoughts…or reading a sexy  novel…or watching a thought-inspiring sexy movie.

4. Yawning: This particular orgasm requires the antidepressant clomipramine. One of the side effects of the drug is the orgasmic yawn.

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Is Technology A Problem In Your Relationship?

Although technologies are supposed to make our lives easier, they often bring complications as well—especially in our romantic relationships.
One major issue for modern couples is something I call techno-incompatibility. When a couple is techno-incompatible, they have different values, perceptions, or behaviors about the appropriate use of communication technologies. For example, a couple may disagree on whether it is appropriate to call or text to discuss a relationship issue, or they may have different ideas about what is appropriate to share about the relationship on a social networking site like Facebook. Tension or conflict may arise because of these differences in use and expectations.
Why are modern technologies problematic?
As relationships develop, we share time in mutually enjoyable pursuits. Media use can be one of those shared hobbies. A stereotypical date consists of dinner and a movie. A common ritual for couples is to find televised programming that both enjoy watching. Other couples connect in virtual worlds, playing video games together. Mobile phones are typically individualized, however, with one phone number expected to reach one user. In comparison to traditional media, the experience of using one’s phone is more like reading—a solitary activity—than watching television, which can be a group activity.
Thus, using a mobile device in the presence of our partners is taking what may be shared activity time and diverting it, even in short spurts, to solitary activity. We are interrupting “our time” with “me time,” and for some, these interruptions are frequent and persistent. Based on the context of the relationship and the level of understanding in the relationship, these interruptions may be problematic.
Indeed, a common complaint for first dates is that the date used his or her phone throughout the date. Most people interpret it as a sign that their date is not interested or just plain rude because they are spending the shared time mentally, if not physically, elsewhere. Although checking your phone or sending a quick text might seem like a mindless activity and one that barely detracts from your conversation, you may be sending inadvertent nonverbal messages to your romantic partner: my time with you is not valuable/special/interesting enough for me to put “me time” on hold.
These problems aren’t just for the newly dating, however. Most couples do not have explicit conversations to establish relational rules about technology use. Partners may observe each other to test the boundaries of what is acceptable use. For example, let’s say Rob and Jenna go out for dinner at a restaurant. Rob notices that as they sit down, Jenna takes out her phone and leaves it on the table. Rob interprets this as a sign that texting, taking calls, or checking the internet in the middle of the meal is an acceptable behavior. He, too, places his phone out on the table. After they order, he gets a text from a friend and starts a text conversation. Rob then goes on Facebook to check out his friend’s recently uploaded pictures. In the meantime, Jenna sits alone, increasingly irritated that Rob is spending their night out talking to someone else. Unbeknownst to Rob, Jenna had only set her phone out in case there was an emergency at her workplace. Rob scrolls away, oblivious, until the food arrives. Jenna fumes for the remainder of the meal and gives Rob the silent treatment for the rest of the evening.
A simple conversation could have averted this dinner disaster.
Establishing Relational Rules
The most effective way to combat techno-incompatibility is to discuss the issue with your partner and establish mutually agreed-upon rules for using technologies. Whether you’re newly dating or securely entrenched in your relationship, here are some guidelines for helping to manage techno-incompatibility.
Discuss when it is acceptable to be on the phone in your partner’s presence. Make a list of your common shared activities: eating a meal at home, eating a meal out at a restaurant, in the car, watching TV on the couch, watching the kids, at an event, in bed in the morning and the evening. Do you find it acceptable to be on the phone at these times? Is it healthy or productive for your relationship if you are using the phone at that time? If you disagree, determine an acceptable compromise (e.g., if it’s work-related; if it’s a casual dinner but not a nice one; in bed in the morning but not before going to sleep).

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How Can I Get My Wife To Love Me Again?

If you’re in a situation where it looks like the luster has come off of your marriage, or it is beginning to look like your wife doesn’t love you anymore, it is sad. Still, though it is sad it is very common and fortunately, it is a correctable situation under many circumstances.

Yes, it is possible for love to dwindle away and when this happens there are times when it is just not worth it to pursue getting the bloom back on the rose, so to speak. If this is the case, making your wife fall in love with you once again will be difficult, at best. Then again, romances have been rekindled and relationships that looked like they have been given up on have become hot again.

One of the keys to becoming successful in getting your wife to love you again is to make up your mind you will work hard to regain her love by changing any bad habits or vices you may have developed since the first time she fell in love with you.

Physical attraction isn’t everything. However, if you have let yourself go this may have something to do with your wife losing interest in you. This isn’t so because of the pure romantic aspect of your relationship but because it shows a sloppiness or a willingness to accept low standards. Maybe, she does not share these standards.

If you have gained a lot of weight or have become out of shape or let yourself go in other ways, make up your mind you will make a concerted effort to correct these things. If you do, it won’t take very long before she will notice changes are taking place in your appearance and if the love is still there it will come out very evidently. Even if you’ve only been on a program to improve yourself for a little while it will show her you are making an effort and if there is anything still in her heart for you, this will make a world of difference!

Many times, there is no physical evidence that you have become complacent. In other words, you may still look just great. However, to her it might appear you haven’t been making a strong effort to keep the family finances afloat or you have squandered money on your hobbies and interests at the risk of personally bankrupting your family.
If this is the case, once again you must look to yourself for the reason she has fallen out of love with you. If she sees you are trying very hard to give up spending money on things that are for you and using these resources to balance the checkbook, you will start to look like an absolute prince to her. This can make a big difference in whether or not she loves you. Even if you are unsuccessful in your quest to balance the checkbook, if the effort is there, so will her love for you be there.

Finally, a woman will never be able to stay madly in love with someone who totally ignores her. The remedy for this is simple. Pay some attention to her. Make it a point to talk with her and by all means, listen to what it is she has to say!

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This Is How I Made My Husband Love Me Again

I’m sometimes contacted by wives and asked questions like: “My husband has made it very clear that he doesn’t love me anymore. He told me he is considering a divorce which I definitely don’t want. For the most part, we are compatible and don’t argue or fight. It’s not that we have huge issues to overcome. It’s just that he’s convinced himself that he no longer loves me. Is there any way that I can make him love me again? Because I feel sure that if he could get the feelings back then we could be very happy. But, for whatever reason, he now believes that he’s just not “in love” with me anymore. How can I change his mind?”

Of course, these are very loaded questions. The answers depend upon the people involved and the situation. However, there are very often common themes that come up time and time again in these situations. And many of these things can be worked out as long as one spouse is willing and able to make some very concentrated efforts to change and improve things. In the following article, I will discuss various ways that I’ve seen wives successfully make their husbands fall back in love with them. (It might be better to use the word encourage as the “make” sounds like you are forcing someone to do something.)

You Can Sometimes Make Your Husband Love You Again By Changing The Way That He Feels About Himself: I know that that phrase may sound a bit strange but please hear me out. Yes, when you are your husband met there was chemistry. Your personalities blended and there were things about you that he adored and vice verse. These things likely did not go away.

And consider this. When you first met and were “falling in love,” part of the reason that this happened was because you made each other feel special, loved, unique, and understood. In short, he made you feel as though you were a better person. He saw something special in you. The same is true for him. You made him feel desirable, heard, blessed, and adored. This can make you feel as though you on top of the world, which is why “falling in love” is absolute bliss.

That’s not to say that you don’t or didn’t have special qualities that matched up perfectly with his. You did. But a big part of what came out of this was the fact that the feelings between you made each person feel that much better about themselves. As a result, every one was on their best behavior because no one wanted to put a dent in what was happening. So, the good behavior, enhanced self esteem, and feeling special were all things that fed on themselves to continue the cycle.

But, after you have been married for a while, sometimes some part of life gets in the way of this cycle. And, as a result, the way that your husband feels about himself, his life, and the world around him might also change. As a result of all these things, he might perceive that his feelings about you have changed as well. But, what he hasn’t yet realized is that a huge part of this is that his feelings about himself have very drastically changed (which is often a big part of the problem.) He likely no longer feels as though he is on top of the world. He may no longer feel adored or special.

Many husbands tell me that they now feel like “providers” rather than “lovers.” They will often tell me things like: “I used to make my wife laugh like no one else. She used to listen to me for hours. Today, our conversations are about our house, our kids, and our jobs. Many of these things are related to chores and obligations, which doesn’t invoke nearly as much laughter. I miss it, but I’m afraid it’s gone for good.”

I believe that the real key in making him love you again is making your actions and your behaviors once again influence how he feels about himself. In this way, his feelings then transfer back to how he feels about you. So how do you do this? You change your focus and your priorities until you see some meaningful improvements. You return to that light hearted, flirty, funny, happy go lucky girl who always had time to listen to him, laugh with him, and to show him how much he meant to you. Wives often tell me that this is going to feel awkward and they think that it might be too late for this. But at least commit to giving this a try. What is the worst thing that can happen? What husband is not going to enjoy more attention and efforts?

With these things said though, you want to be able to act in a genuine way. Insincerity is insulting and will usually fall flat. If you get to a a point where you fear that you’re coming off as fake, back up just a little bit. This needs to be a gradual process anyway because you want for it to contribute to real and meaningful changes.

If You Don’t Love Yourself (And Conduct Yourself With Confidence And Respect,) Getting Your Husband To Love You Again May Be More Difficult: You know the old saying “you can’t give away what you don’t have?” Well, that saying is very relevant when you are trying to restore your husband’s love. The perceptions that you’re giving off right now are so important. If you even allude to the fact that you don’t think you’re lovable or good enough for him, then he is most certainly going to pick up on this.

You must portray quiet confidence that you are the right woman for him and that he will eventually come to know this, even if that means taking a break or backing off for a while. I know that it can be so tempting to repeatedly ask for reassurance or to ask what you might need to do get him to love you again, but all of these things can diminish your worth in his eyes and might only make the problem worse. Right now, you really need to take care of yourself and set it up so that you can in good faith put a smile on your face. If you have to fake this at first (until you gain more confidence) then consider doing so.

You need to portray the best, most confident and alluring version of yourself while you are focusing on the other part of the plan. Yes, I know that your circumstances have changed and that you don’t have the kind of free time that you used to have. But, I am fairly certain that your basic human needs have not changed. Always remember that husbands and wives really do want the same things. Everyone wants to feel loved. Everyone wants to feel heard and appreciated. And every one wants to feel special. If you can incorporate these basic needs into your actions, I strongly suspect you will see some drastic improvements.

The woman that he fell in love with hasn’t gone anywhere. She was probably staring back at you in the mirror this morning. She may be discouraged. She may be tired. She may be hurting. But, she’s still there. It’s just time to dust her off, pick her up, and reintroduce her to your husband.

It’s very easy to feel insecure, to worry, and to make finding a way to get him to love you again your sole purpose. But I strongly feel (from experience) that there’s a better way. It took me entirely too long too learn it, but I eventually did. And it helped me save my marriage. I was eventually able to restore my husband’s love and to not only save the marriage, but make it stronger

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Qualities and Characteristics of a Good Husband:

A good husband…

Knows you cannot lead others simply by good intentions
Knows, if he is followed, it is because of his character
Is purpose-driven    
Is accountable
Knows that a bad husband cannot be a good father
Is self-disciplined
Is a time-manager
Allows nothing to distract him from his goals
Organizes on his “knees”
Will organize so he doesn’t agonize
Works smart: not just hard
Prioritizes constantly
Perpetually self-evaluates
Is dependent on the Holy Spirit
Works from God’s agenda, not his own

A good husband…

Spends time alone with God
Is transparent
Can laugh at himself
Is predictable
Isn’t moody
Knows his leadership is ultimately measured by his wife
Has joy in the marital journey
Thinks more about his vocation than his vacation
Doesn’t just get older; he gets bolder
Accepts responsibility
Is clear on what is expected of him
Does work for his wife with excellence
Offers creative ideas for environmental improvement
Is consistent
Admits mistakes
Has both the ability and willingness to improve
Looks for what will bring the best results in his marriage

A good husband…

Knows that, as his responsibilities increase, his rights will decrease
Is willing to give up everything except responsibility for his actions
Realizes his integrity has dynamic, influential value
Desires godly integrity: not just an image
Knows that image is what others think he is and integrity is what God knows him to be
Knows he has to live in integrity before he can lead in integrity
Is a man of one primary book: the Bible
Applies the Word to the work
Knows he can trust the Bible for leadership principles
Is crystal clear about his own beliefs
Brings his family to church consistently
Is flexible
Has a team spirit
Welcomes positive change
Counts the cost of change
Doesn’t fear the unknown
Is willing to make a commitment and keep it
Is open to new ideas his wife and family may have
Knows that what he is isn’t defined by what he has accomplished

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