Health & Beauty Tips

Move More

The sun is shining, you’ve no excuse, get up 15 minutes before you usually do and go for a quick, brisk walk, this wont only help you burn off the calories, it will shake off the morning grumps, well…. maybe it’s just me that’s a grump in the morning but trust me it works. Throughout the day, climb those dreaded stairs, dance to your favorite song and walk to the shop, every little bit helps, anything that moves your limbs is not only a fitness tool, it’s a stress buster. Finally, just when you thought you’ve done enough drag yourself away from the box and go for a walk and we won’t put a time limit on it because I can bet my bottom dollar the minute your shaggy runners hit that road you’ll walk for Ireland.

Quit Smoking 

From one smoker to another I know what you’re thinking, “but.. but ..how can life be the same, all the good ole social meetings of the smokers will be lost” whether you’re in the pub, work, college, wherever, you give each other the nod and off you all go for that all so important meeting outside the front door to discuss highly important topics such as who’s snogged who, who’s bought what or a detailed plan for the weekend ahead. Well I can tell you all this exists inside too, you just don’t realize it… I’ve now given up and after a three week chest infection, me and my wallet are feeling the benefits. I went cold turkey and I’m a firm believer that, in the right frame of mind, you can convince yourself you’re a non smoker. I know what you’re thinking, that’s nuts, but trust me you can convince yourself of anything…..

Keep a Positive Mental Outlook 

“For hope is but the dream of those that wake” Matthew Prior

Stay positive in life and remember you can have it all. If you feel you’ve had enough, smile even if at first you can’t think of anything to smile about, just smile and if there’s no one around, you don’t want to look a little crazy, laugh, this releases Endorphins into the brain that makes you feel good, then think about something that makes you happy and hold that thought for a few minutes. Now I know you’re smiling………
Be inspired, let the people around you inspire you, this will make you think about your own path in life and it will push you to follow your dreams, if they can do it…, so can I…..

Eat Healthy this Summer

Tomatoes offer summertime health benefits to us sunburn-prone Irish, not to bore you too much but Tomatoes derive their rich color from carotenoids beta-carotene, lutein, and especially lycopene. The last of these is an especially potent antioxidant, able to quench biologically damaging free radicals. These molecular fragments are spawned by natural processes, disease, and a number of environmental insults including overexposure to the sun. The trick is to eat them with oil, though eating them raw with the oil is beneficial they become most effective when they actually enter the oil, for instance, if tomatoes are cooked with oil to make a tomato sauce.

Eat high energy foods especially in the morning, Eggs are a great source of energy and cheap, I find that if I’ve had an egg for breakfast I don’t hover around the kitchen till lunchtime as opposed to the usual hour later, boil, scramble or  poach your egg, try to stay clear of frying, eggs can also make a healthy lunchtime snack, an omelet is like a blank canvas you can literally put anything in it, mushrooms onions, tomatoes, olives, peppers, ham, rashers, cooked pasta, potatoes…. need I say more….

Check yourself 

Women

It’s really easy to keep yourself breast aware, which just means getting to know how your breasts normally look and feel at different times of the month.  

What to look out for

A lump or thickening in an area of the breast

A change in the size or shape or feel of your breast

Dimpling of the skin

A change in the shape of your nipple, particularly if it turns in, sinks into the breast or becomes irregular in shape

A blood-stained discharge from the nipple

A rash on a nipple or surrounding area

A swelling or lump in your armpit

If you notice a change that isn’t normal for you, talk it over with your doctor.

Men

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer in men aged 15-35. Although it’s still rare, it’s really important to check yourself regularly so you know what is normal and can spot any changes.

What to look out for

A lump in one testicle, anything bigger than a pea

A pain, tenderness, or a heavy dragging feeling

An increase in size of either testicle

A build-up of fluid inside the scrotum

Protect yourself from the sun

We have been warned time and time again but now it’s time to listen, skin cancer cases are on the increase, new figures reveal a 36 per cent rise in the number of cases of skin cancer between 1997 and 2007.

I know, I know, you’re sick of your pasty skin and you feel thinner, sexier and healthier with a tan but get it from a bottle you’ll preserve your youthful looks and avoid that heart breaking news in the future. Wear a sun factor that suits your skin type and don’t forget to re-apply every few hours even if you’ve not gone for a dip to cool down.

Buy a good pair of sunglasses,they filter light and they protect your eyes from damaging ultra-violet (UV) rays. Mounting evidence shows that exposure to UV rays can damage your eyes. Long-term exposure to UV rays can lead to cataracts, macular degeneration, or skin cancer around the eyelids. 

I’m no doctor but  some stuff I do know and enjoy sharing, let us know your tips for staying healthy, who know’s, what you say today may make a hugh difference to someone tomorrow….. stay healthy this summer.