Nothing should be considered as precious or important as your senses. As you get older, you will inevitably notice they strain gets put on your senses in a way that never used to be they case. This is just part and parcel of ageing, but that doesn’t mean that you should just stop looking after them.

You can keep your senses healthy and functional for much longer if you care for them correctly. That might sound difficult and bothersome, but it’s more than worth your time and energy. Here are some of the things you can do to keep your senses healthier for longer.

Get Checked Out Regularly

The most important thing you need to do is get checked out on a regular basis. If you’re getting checked out, you can be sure that you don’t miss any serious problems or downturns in the effectiveness of your senses. That might not sound like all that much, but it really does matter to a lot of people. Checkups are always worth the expense, and try to get checked out by the same people each time. That way, you will be able to build up and idea of how your senses are holding up over a longer period of time, and that’s really key.

Take the Advice of the Professionals

Going for regular sensory checkups only really matters if you’re willing to take the recommended action after attending the checkups. You won’t get anywhere if you ignore advice to get hearing aids or something similar. If you aren’t going to trust these medical professionals and what they’re telling you to do, there is no point in seeing them in the first place. Leave your hesitancies at the door because your senses really do matter, and you need the right people to help you look after them.

Know What You Can’t Handle Anymore

As you get older, your body changes. And that means that there are going to be certain things that your body is not capable of handling as well as in the past. We all get older, so it’s up to you to determine the things that your body is simply not capable of anymore. You might not be able to attend loud music events or you might find dealing with harsh sunlight harder than ever before. It’s important to know your body’s limits so you can modify your behaviour appropriately. Those modifications might only be small, but they could make a big difference.

Wear Sun Protection Outdoors

If you’re someone who likes to spend a lot of time outdoor or you do so because of the job you do, you need to make sure that you stay protected from the sun. It can do your skin a great deal of damage if you’re not careful. This combined with the fact that your skin becomes weaker and less elasticated as you get older means that this something that really is worth thinking about. It might seem excessive to use it every time you’re spending a little time outside, but it’s worth the hassle.

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Eat Right

The way in which you eat will have a clear impact on your health and your senses. Eating vegetables, and especially once which contain antioxidants is one great way of ensuring your sensory health remains in peak condition. If you’re generally unhealthy, have a bad diet and don’t think about the effects these things have on your senses, you’re going to be in for a surprise. For example, eating foods high in sugar will cause your blood sugar levels to rise sharply. And this can eventually lead to damage to the blood vessels in the eye.

Quit Your Damaging Habits

There are some bad habits that you definitely need to give up if you want to protect your senses for longer. The biggest of them all is smoking. It’s the one thing that really damages your smell and taste. You don’t want your enjoyment of food or glowed is damaged and limited just because you can’t stop smoking the cigarettes that you know are hurting you. Drinking too much will also dull your senses, so you should try to keep on eye on exactly how much alcohol you’re consuming.

Make use of all the things you’ve learned above if you want to keep your senses in peak condition for a long time to come. That way, you’ll be able to get more out of life for much longer too. What’s not to like about that?

Taking care of our health as early on as possible is going to help us to avoid illness, disease, and other problems in the future. Failing to look after one’s health can mean a low quality of life in the future, not being able to walk unaided, needing help eating, dressing…the list goes on. If you want to make sure you live a better quality of life now and in the future, you need to know how women should be taking care of their health on 2017.

Read on for some tips that could change the way you feel, look, and live:

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Start Eating To Nourish And Energize Your Body

The food we eat literally becomes what we are made of. Think about that for a second. If you’re eating lots of fast food, junk food, and even microwave meals, you’re going to build your body out of these things. Not only will this affect your waistline, it’ll affect how healthy you are on the inside, and how you feel. You might think you don’t have time, but there are so many healthy meals that can be thrown together in a flash. You can even add ingredients to a slow cooker earlier on in the day so that your meal is ready when you get home from work.

Fill your body with fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and other natural foods. Although you don’t have to become vegan or even vegetarian, recent studies show that cutting down on your meat consumption could be a good idea. Why not cut out red meat, or simply go meatless on Mondays?

Get Some Exercise That You Enjoy

Exercise is important for the health of your heart, as well as great for your mental health! You should never solely exercise to ‘lose weight’. While getting to a healthy weight and shaping up can be good goals, you should also remember how important exercise is for your health in general, and the way you feel. You don’t need to aim to have 6 pack abs to be healthy or to exercise. Just do something you enjoy a minimum of 3 times a week. It could be a class, or a plan that you buy/download.

On top of your exercise, aim to get around 8,000-10,000 steps per day. Many people go to the gym and think that this is enough, however, they barely get any steps in. Aim to walk more, and get outside while you do it!

Avoid Bad Habits Like The Plague

We shouldn’t have to lecture you on how bad things like drinking, smoking, and drug taking are. Taking drugs will affect you psychologically in the long term, and can even cause short term psychosis. Drinking occasionally and in moderation is okay, but drinking regularly is a no-no. If you drink to help yourself sleep, you will actually cause insomnia over time. Smoking is terrible for all kinds of reasons, from your heart health to your eye health. The best thing you can do is put down the cigarettes right now. If you can’t go cold turkey, there are things like patches, gum, and even e-cigs to help you (although bear in mind that the e-cig industry is unregulated).

Make Sure You’re Getting Plenty Of Sleep

Everybody has a different sleeping pattern, and so we can’t really tell you that you must get 8 hours of sleep per night or else. You need to know what works for you. There are studies that suggest, however, less than 6 hours of sleep per night has been linked to many health problems. Some scientists say you may as well be getting none at all.

Have Regular Health Check Ups

Regular health check ups are imperative, especially as you get a little older. You should be doing your own breast exams, as well as going for professional health exams. Visiting fertility clinics to get a better picture of your fertility as well on tips on how to improve could be a good idea too. If you have any health concerns, don’t put them off. Get them checked over ASAP.

Find Ways To De-stress

Stress is invisible, but the damage it can do is terrifying. Identify causes of stress in your life and figure out ways you can minimize it. Take a mental health day if you feel that work is affecting your mental health. Over time, meditation can even help you to become more grounded and less stressful.

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Wear Sunscreen Every Day

Sunscreen is imperative for protecting the skin from the invisible nasties that can damage us even when the sun isn’t out. Buy products that contain an SPF to make this easier.

Cut Back On Screen Time

How long do you think you spend on the computer, your smartphone, your tablet, and watching the TV? This adds up to a lot of screen time that can mess up our circadian rhythms. Not only that, it’s a form of procrastination and self sabotage that means we actually get nothing worthwhile done. Don’t do these things mindlessly, and think of the things you could be doing instead. You could be spending time on a hobby (which is great for your mental health), or reading a great book.

Be More Social

Humans are social creatures, and as such it can actually be bad for our physical health if we become too isolated. Make sure you stay in touch with those you love. Call a friend for a catch up, or visit them for a quick coffee. Laugh more. You’ll feel so much better.

Be More Mindful

Aim to be more mindful throughout the day. Don’t worry about the future or stress over the past. Attempt to live in this moment, right now. Do you have anything at all to worry about right now?

Take more mindful breaths, and be more conscious of the things you say and do. Mindfulness is a wonderful tool for better health and a better life.

Will you use these tips to take care of your health? Leave your own thoughts below!

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It is a given in life, people need healthcare, which makes it a great way to earn a living as an entrepreneur. A lot of healthcare startups have soared in recent years, partially as a result of the digital era, but how can you grow your business in an organic and a, pardon the pun, healthy manner?

Keeping Ahead Of The Technical Curve

Any business requires up to date technology, from the computers themselves, to medical computing carts, to the medication dispenser machines, all the way through to the mobile applications. Now, in the digital era, this is a very good way to keep ahead of the curve when it comes to serving your patients, mobile applications are a fantastic way to cut down on common issues in medical services, such as waiting times. This means that your patients, as well as your staff, are happy.

Supporting Your Workers

As anybody will attest, stress is a major part of working for a medical organization, so you need to make sure that you provide the adequate support in how your workers can manage their stress. Maybe you need a stress counsellor on board, or you need to provide a sense of moral support within the framework, such as a helpline for medical workers. But also to improve your staff’s morale, you need to eradicate the one thing that is the main bugbear for any worker in any organization, the amount they get paid. You need to make sure that you pay them the equivalent of what their skills are. If not, they will not work as hard as you want them to, and you will lose them.

Coping With Regulation

Regulation is massive in the healthcare industry, and while it may feel like there are a lot of hoops to jump through, as an entrepreneur, the best way to gain perspective on the situation is to realize it is just another term for a process. If you are a skilled entrepreneur, no doubt you are very adept at processes. So by coping with regulations, and by having the adequate framework in place to deal with regulations as and when they change, you will be ready on all fronts.

The Battles Of The Medical Industry

In any business, you expect a long period before you start to break even, but this usually means a year or two. In the medical industry, it’s a little bit different, there are longer sales cycles. It can be between 5 and 10 years of doing business before you are bought out by one of the bigger companies. If this is your goal from the outset, you need to be prepared for the long game.

Yes, the healthcare industry is booming because of the need for high-quality healthcare, but as an entrepreneur, when you are running a business, there are those same transactions between customer and business. But in the healthcare industry, it is a little bit different in comparison to the typical sales channels, of course, your consumers are people that are unwell. Your goal is to make sure that they are well, your staff is as caring as possible, and so, by implementing a caring relationship as the heart of your business, this is what will help you succeed in the healthcare start-up industry.

Myths can be dangerous things– and no myth is quite so concerning as a myth about healthcare.

Through TV shows, movies, bad documentaries, and even advice from friends and family, there’s the potential that you have learned many things about health that are blatantly untrue. This happens to everyone; we pick up information that isn’t quite right, but we have no expertise to disagree with it, so it becomes truth to us. Misinformation can spread rapidly due to this issue, and with health at stake, that misinformation is incredibly dangerous.

Let’s discuss three health myths and misconceptions that have no basis in reality– so you and your family can live a better, happier life.

1) Dementia Is Inevitable

If you asked someone to conjure an image into their mind of the typical dementia sufferer, then they’d probably come up with an image like this:

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Dementia = “something that happens to old people” is an assumption we all make. Dementia is overwhelmingly more likely in those over the age of 65. As a result of this, it’s no surprise that society tends to view dementia as absolutely inevitable. Dementia is something that will happen when you get older; it will happen to your parents as they are– it’s just a part of aging, isn’t it? You reach a certain age, and then your mind will begin to falter, and you will find yourself having to investigate the likes of http://cooperativehomecare.com/dementia-care/ to ensure you can remain safe in your own home. That’s what aging is to most of us; losing our mobility, losing our memories.

The truth is that dementia is not inevitable. There are plenty of people in their 80s and 90s who are as sparky and intelligent as they ever were. Listen to the surviving Apollo astronauts speak, or documentarian David Attenborough. These people are proof positive that dementia is not, in any way, inevitable– so we all need to stop thinking of it as such. If you’re wondering how you might be able to keep your mind active with the hopes of preventing dementia, then there are some great tips at http://www.medicaldaily.com/9-ways-prevent-dementia.

2) Vaccines Are Dangerous

Let’s keep this simple: no, they’re not. Despite an incredibly prolific “antivax” movement, there is no evidence at all that vaccines are a danger to health, cause autism, or any other issue that is mentioned. While it is possible for a person to react badly to a specific vaccine, that’s true for literally everything on the planet, from medicine to food to body lotion.

For a thorough overview on the safety of vaccines, you’ll find a good primer at https://www.usatoday.com//vaccines-breaking-down-and-debunking-10-myths.

3) Gluten-Free Foods Are Healthier

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This is a very strange myth, but it’s one that has led to thousands of people turning their backs on bread and cakes.

Gluten-free foods are healthier for a select group of people: those who have Celiac Disease or a gluten intolerance. For everyone else, gluten-free is no healthier for you than any other kind of food; simply switching to gluten-free isn’t going to cure your health complaints or aid your weight loss efforts. People have attributed going gluten-free to curing all manner of health conditions, but there’s no evidence at all that gluten-free food is beneficial to anyone but the aforementioned groups.

With those myths busted, you can forge forward to a happier, healthier life without misinformation holding you back.

Have you ever been lazy with your oral hygiene? Don’t worry, everyone has experienced it at some point. Whether it’s forgetting to brush at night or snacking on too many sweets for one day, it’s surprisingly difficult to stick with a proper dental hygiene plan.

Sadly, your mouth is one of the most important parts of your body to clean. This is because your mouth harbours more bacteria than any other part of your body. When the bacteria has time to grow in your mouth, it can lead to nasty complications such as gum disease and inflammation that could lead to infections.

As a result, it’s important to focus on your oral hygiene as much as any other part of your body. Even if you think it’s expensive to take care of your oral hygiene, you can’t put a price on health. To give you a better idea of what could happen if you don’t take care of your teeth, here are some examples.

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Respiratory Infections

Research has shown that periodontal disease can cause respiratory infections. This informative article by colgate.com goes into great depth on how the buildup of bacteria on your gumline could have a long-term impact on your lungs. With so much bacteria lurking in your mouth, there’s always a risk that it could cause a respiratory issue such as inflammation, or worse, bronchitis. If you’re unlucky, the bacteria from your mouth could even travel to other parts of your body.

Cardiovascular Disease

Did you know that oral health and heart disease are connected? The germs that are present in your mouth can spread to other parts of your body through the bloodstream. If that bacteria reaches the heart, it could cause inflammation and cause complications such as an infection. Clogged arteries and strokes have also been linked to the inflammation that is caused by the oral bacteria. Chronic gum conditions such as gingivitis put your heart at risk of being infected by the bacteria present in your mouth, so make sure you visit a trusted dentist such as horizondentalboise.com to help you clean your mouth and teeth. It may take several visits to completely clear your mouth of bacteria, but it’s worth the effort to reduce the chance that you’ll suffer from a serious condition.

Warning Signs

Some of the common warning signs to look out for are as follows:

Red bleeding gums that hurt when touched
Bleeding gums whenever you brush or floss your teeth
Infections around the gums and teeth
Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth
Loose teeth

Depending on the severity of your condition, your local dentist can recommend oral and maxillofacial surgery, which treats disease and injuries of the areas adjacent to your mouth. In the past, a family doctor or dentists could direct you to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. However, today, you can effortlessly find an oral surgeon near you in just a few seconds.

If you have any of these warning signs, then it’s a good idea to pay a visit to your local dentist.

Preventing Health Complications

It’s important to maintain good oral health through the use of examinations and proper teeth cleaning techniques. It’s the best way to keep your teeth clean and it also drastically reduces the chances of you developing a gum disease. Brush twice a day, floss at night and choose the right toothpaste for your needs.

Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Have a varied workout routine with a mix of cardio and strength training. If you’re on a journey to better health, you already know how important those two cores of a strong body are. But there’s a lot more you can do. Here, we’re going to look at four habits you need to make your principles from now on.

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Tidying up

We’re not talking about the fact that cleaning is exercise and can burn some extra calories. We’re looking, instead, at the very real risk of contaminants in our environment. Dust particles in the home and even the cleaning products we use have been proven to increase the risk of diseases as serious as asthma and cancer. Take the air quality in the home very seriously and consider making the move to natural home cleaning products as suggested by wellnessmama.com.

Topping up

A balanced diet is a good start, but the truth is that if you’re controlling your calories that it can be very hard to get all the nutrition you need, not to mention the extra health benefits of certain materials. Just as natural whole foods are better than processed foods, then getting your extras from natural sources, as recommended by essentialoilhaven.com, can be much better for you in the long-term. Essential oils have genuine proven benefits, including improving the immune system, alleviating pain, easing the body and relaxing sore muscles, and more.

Tucking in

You likely already know that being tired isn’t fun. However, there are more reasons to tackle poor sleep quality than just not wanting to feel tired. Too little sleep makes you much more prone to heart disease and diabetes, as well as inducing stress. Creating a proper nighttime ritual, including using no artificial screens such as smartphones and TVs for half an hour before bed can immediately improve the quality of your sleep. The aforementioned essential oils, when used in aromatherapy, can also help you at night. So, too, can the next step

Tuning out

Stress is more than just a state of mind. It’s a physical reaction through the body most often related to the hormone cortisol. Beyond putting you in a bad mood, this can physically tense up your muscles which can lead to things like joint and back pain, as well as causing migraines. Tackling stress through methods such as journaling, meditation, and exercise will do more than put you in a good mood. It will improve your concentration, your decision-making abilities, your emotional resilience and, as mentioned, help you get a better night’s sleep.

There is always something more you can be doing to improve your health, of course. If you successfully incorporate the tips above, then you should very well keep looking for the next improvement to make. Not just because it’s going to help you live a longer and happier life, but because goal-setting is a great way to keep up your motivation and stick to a health kick.

With World Mental Health Day being just this past week, it can be a good idea to talk about it and how we can all take care of our own mental health. You don’t have to be taking medication for something like depression or bipolar disorder to need to think about your mental health. From anxiety to stress, there are everyday issues that can overwhelm us and really get us down. Making us feel down and affecting our overall health. So if you’re due for a bit of a mental health checkup, then here are some things that you can do for your mental health so that you can find the right balance in life.

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Love Yourself

This can be easier said than done. However, being kinder to yourself is one of the first ways to have better mental health. You can avoid criticizing yourself and look for positive things about yourself. Give yourself some time to do things that you enjoy, as well as taking care of yourself through living a healthy lifestyle. Start with you and do something each day that makes you happy.

Have Timeouts

From busy family life to work and career stress, it can be really beneficial to take a timeout from time to time. Having a day where you don’t have to stress about anything can be just what you need to improve your mental health and stop it from escalating. If you have a job that is pretty full on, like in the medical profession or as a carer, then make sure you use things like respite care to give you some time that you need. You’re not going to be a help to anyone if you can’t take care of yourself first.

Take Care of Yourself

When we eat the right foods and don’t exercise, then it can get us in a negative cycle. We can will feel lethargic, overweight, and unhealthy. It can get us down and depressed. But when you eat wholesome foods that are filling and have nutritional value, then it can make you feel full of energy and much more positive. Exercise is a good way to make yourself feel happier too. Your body gets pumped full of happy hormones, as well as exercise acting as a stress reliever. So it really is a win-win to eat well and exercise regularly.

Be With Good People

They say that we become like the five or six people that we spend most of our time with. So think about who you are around the most. Are they toxic people that leave you feeling down and unhappy? If so, then it could mean that it is time to make some changes. Surround yourself with positivity, and you’ll feel much happier.

Get Help When You Need It

At the end of the day, if you keep feeling low no matter what you do, then get the help that you need. It could be to speak to a counselor or to seek medical advice. Just remember that it is okay to not be okay. Don’t suffer in silence.