7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

by: Jane Thurnell-Read

It is always important to take whatever steps you can to be healthy, but
while you are pregnant it is even more important: not only do you need
to take good care of yourself, you are also profoundly affecting the
life of another person – your baby. Here's 7 tips to help you along the
way.



1.If you smoke, one of the most important things you can do is to
stop smoking: babies born to mothers who smoke have a lower average
birth weight, are more likely to be born prematurely, and are at greater risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome than babies of non-smokers. Sometimes mothers feel having a low birth weight baby could be an advantage as it will make the baby easy to deliver. This is not necessarily the case, as it may lead to an emergency delivery,
which can result in all sorts of complications. Even if you are already pregnant, stopping smoking will benefit the baby for the rest of your pregnancy.
It is not only the baby who benefits. You are likely to
suffer from less morning sickness, experience fewer complications and have a more contented baby after the birth.



2. It is also important to pay attention to your diet. Many women
feel they should ‘eat for two’, but research has shown that women only
need an extra 200-300 calories a day while pregnant, and you may be
eating those extra calories anyway. What is important is to ensure that
you get the protein, vitamins and minerals necessary to build another
human being. Those extra 200-300 calories should not be squandered on
chocolate or crisps, but should be eaten as fruit, vegetables, etc. It
is also important to increase your water intake, which will help avoid
constipation.



3. It is generally a good idea to take a good quality multivitamin
and mineral supplement too. There are now ones specially formulated for
pregnant women. Ideally these should be started before you become
pregnant, so that you are in the best shape possible for the pregnancy,
and then continued throughout your pregnancy. An adequate supply of
vitamins and minerals is important right from conception. For example,
a deficiency of one of the B vitamins, folic acid, in the first month
of pregnancy may lead to the baby being born with a cleft lip,
congenital heart disease or spina bifida. Omega-3 fatty acids (obtained
by eating oily fish, flaxseed oil, walnuts, spinach and spirulina, or
taken as a supplement) are important for the development of the baby’s
eyes and brain. Omega-3 also reduces the risk of premature birth and
post-natal depression.



4. Nobody knows how much alcohol it is safe to consume during
pregnancy, so many health experts feel it is better to avoid alcohol
entirely for the sake of the baby. This can seem hard on the pregnant
woman when everyone else is drinking, but it is important to remember
that alcohol is a poison for the growing baby, and no caring mother
willingly gives her baby poison.



5. Pregnancy is not a time to sit still. Although adequate rest is
vitally important, most experts believe that healthy pregnant women
should be taking 30 minutes of moderate exercise every day.



6. It is also important to minimise exposure to toxic chemicals
while pregnant, so spending a lot of time painting the house and laying
new carpets is not a good idea, especially in the early stages of
pregnancy when the baby is particularly vulnerable.



7. Many women find pregnancy stressful, and this can be a
particularly good time to turn to safe, non-invasive options such as
Bach flower remedies, homeopathy, kinesiology and other therapies.



Making a new life is something miraculous. Doing the best you can
for that new life starts long before you have the baby in your arms for
the first time.



About the author:
Jane Thurnell-Read is an author
and researcher on health, allergies and stress. She has written two
books for the general public: "Allergy A to Z" and "Health
Kinesiology". She also maintains a web site http://www.healthandgoodness.comwith tips, inspiration and information for everyone who wants to live a happier, healthier life.





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Summer Hair Care Tips

Summer, your favorite time of year is finally here and with it come all sorts of fun outdoor things to do! But while summer brings glorious visions of natural highlights and long windblown hair, it is also that time when you come across the highest percentage of damaged hair.

Some of this may even be beyond repair. The fact is that the sun and humidity can damage your hair and result in dry, drab and split ends.

Consider some of these other tips for great summer hair care, so you and your hair can enjoy the summer without worry. It will also save you a lot of headache and money.

It is vital that you

• Moisturize your hair every day to bring back moisture balance
• Take preventive steps to avoid damaged, lifeless hair
• Take time to slot in a quality summer hair care regime


Here are some more summer hair care tips you are bound to find helpful:

1. Be careful of products that promise to control frizzy hair. Oftentimes, they have silicone that coats the hair after only a couple times use. In the long run, this tends to make things worse.
2. If you are used to a blow dryer, use a leave- in conditioner. It is designed to protect your hair when blow drying. It’s a good idea to give your hair a break during the summer months, if you normally blow dry and use hot curling tools every day. Either take time out from curling or consider letting your hair air dry. Alternately, you could leave your hair braided when wet. It will air dry into beautiful waves.
3. Should you suddenly visit the beach without a hat, use skin sunscreen lotion. When you get home just use a deep-cleansing shampoo. While it is not be the best solution, it will definitely save your hair from sun damage.
4. For hair that is exposed to the sun, ideally you should dab a good deep conditioner or good jojoba oil on the ends and frizziest parts of your hair at nights or over the weekend.
5. Sleep with your hair pinned up or wrapped it in plastic. This will help restore absent moisture that adds to the frizz. It also helps prevent heavy conditioners from overloading your hair as the conditioner will be localized only on the trouble spots.
6. Prevent static electricity in your hair when you shampoo by applying a rinse out conditioner that adds moisture and shine. Alternatively apply a "leave-in" conditioner after towel drying hair.
7. When the summer heat is hottest wear your hair up in a knot, bun or braids.
8. Hair products that promise to replenish are designed to add moisture. These are, ideally, designed to add body and shine to your hair. Then again, they might or might not add moisture. See that you read all ingredients on the hair product pack.


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Split Hair Ends Treatment

Split ends crop up when your hair strands "fracture" at the end.

The problem is usually the result of improper hair care, either by you or by an improperly trained stylist. Hence you should have your professional stylist trim your ends every 6 – 8 weeks and adopt a more beneficial hair care regime.

Too much dying or vigorous brushing often causes split ends. Once your hair cuticle is removed this way it is impossible to replace it. Your hair will split into two or three strands, for a length of two to three centimeters. Probably, the best way to be rid of split ends is to trim them.

Split ends have no other effective cure.

In the ‘70s women used to burn off their split ends. You don’t have to do this; all you need to do is trim them with a pair of scissors. You don’t have to go to a saloon to cut them off, wither. You can do it at home by yourself.

To dispose of split ends, take a small section of your hair and then carefully twist it in a gentle downward motion. The split ends will automatically stick out, when you do this. Snip into the twist with sharp scissors, carefully. Then get rid of the split ends.

It will give your hair a natural layered effect. Try cutting around the same amount of hair.

Treatment of split ends

1. The only cure for split ends is trimming your hair.
2. Do not be brush wet hair.
3. Do not brush too vigorously, because tension caused by brushing promotes splitting. Rather, brush hair gently from crown to ends using a soft-bristled brush.
4. Sleep with silk or satin pillowcases as the smooth surface on the pillow will diminish tangling that can lead to split ends.
5. Limit washing as shampooing also removes the hair's protective oils. Instead, wash with a mild shampoo twice a week and use products that contain moisturizing ingredients such as panthenol and ceramides. Follow with a shampoo that lists sunscreen as a major ingredient.
6. Best use a wide tooth comb if the hair is susceptible to splitting.
7. In winter, keep your air moist with a pot of warm water on the kitchen stove.


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How to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes

I Spy With My Puffy Eye…

The eyelids are very sensitive and can easily become irritated, red and puffy, but don’t despair; it is easier to get rid of puffy eyes than you may realize especially minor puffiness. Minor puffiness is the kind that you notice when you wake up, but is then reduced or eliminated by mid-morning as gravity drains the fluid that has accumulated throughout the night. Here you will find some simple techniques to relieve the swelling so you can get on with your life.

Symptoms of Puffy or Swollen Eyes:

• Puffiness or swelling of the upper and lower eyelids, usually in the morning.
• Occasionally accompanied by itching and/or redness.
• Not able to open or close the eyes.

1. Common Causes of Puffy Eyes:

• Dehydration. When the body gets dehydrated it begins storing up water, which can cause puffy eyes.
• Diet. Drinking alcohol or eating salty foods before going to sleep. Alcohol can cause puffy eyes because it lowers anti-diuretic hormones (ADH) in the body, but the levels will normalize and the puffiness will usually subside at about the same time your hangover subsides.
• Insufficient sleep.
• Allergies. If your puffy eyes are accompanied by redness and itching, the cause may be associated with an allergy. Possible contributing factors include feather pillows, linen fabric, face-creams, dust, pollen, or food.
• Aging. As you get older the skin begins to loose elasticity, causing swollen eyes.
• Hormonal changes. The days just before and during menstruation cause hormone levels to fluctuate, this can result in water retention around the eyelids.
• High blood pressure, which pushes fluids into the tissue around the eyes, can result in swelling.
• Eyelid dermatitis, a rash on the skin which just affects the eyelids, that is usually caused by an allergic reaction to make-up or skin-care products.
• Possible diseases.
• Blepharitis, or inflammation of the eyelid
• Orbital cellulitis, an infection of the orbital tissue
• Chalazions, small tumors on the eyelid that are benign
• Kidney infections
• Thyroid problems
• Drugs. Drugs such as lithium that cause the thyroid to become less productive can also result in swollen eyes.
• Heredity.

2. Preventing Puffy Eyes:

• Stay hydrated!!! If you are thirsty, you are dehydrated. When properly hydrated, your urine will be nearly clear. (Note that some drugs and foods can alter the color of your urine.)
• Lower your salt intake. The body can only store salt in fluid suspension - which will gather in the skin around your eyes. (Bonus: Lowering your salt consumption can improve your overall health.)
• Never sleep wearing eye make-up. Regardless of how tired you may be, always use an eye make-up remover and continue until the cotton ball or pad shows no signs of make-up. Use a cotton pad rather than a tissue because it is less irritating. Removing eye make-up will prevent it from entering the eyelid and causing irritation.
• Beware of bacteria. Speaking of eye make-up…Do not use mascara or any other eye product that is older than a few months. Bacteria that have grown in the make-up would love a new home in your eyes, and will cause your eyelids to swell. On this note it is probably a good idea not to share your eye products with anyone else either.
• Be sure you get enough quality, regular sleep.
• Sleep with your head elevated to allow better circulation and prevent fluid from collecting around your eyes.
• Sleep on your back so that gravity does not route fluid directly to your eyes.

3. How to Get Rid of Puffy Eyes:

There are many methods for preventing and eliminating swelling of the eyes. Some however, will require time and patience before you see results. Following are some natural remedies for puffy eyes.

Getting Rid of Puffy Eyes:

• Wear a mask that is filled with cold water or gel for a few minutes when you wake up in the morning.
• Wrap pieces of ice in paper towels and place them on your eyelids for a few minutes. The cold will reduce the swelling.
• Keep your eye creams in the refrigerator. The cool cream will help reduce your puffy eyes. When applying the cream, gently tap it onto your eyelid with your ring finger, so as to stimulate fluid drainage.
• Keep two teaspoons in the refrigerator and when you have an attack of the swollen eyelids; rest them on your eyelids for a minimum of one minute or until they warm up.
• Soak cotton-wool pads in a bowl of ice-cold milk and then squeeze most of the liquid out. Place the pads on your eyes and repeat as they warm up for about 15 minutes. This will also brighten the white in your eye.
• Dip cotton balls in ice water, and then squeeze the water out. Apply the cotton balls to your eyes for 5-10 minutes.
• Place black or chamomile teabags soaked in cold water on your eyelids for 15 minutes. The tannic acid in tea will constrict the blood vessels and reduce inflammation. To accelerate drainage, gently press from the inside corner to the outside corner of the swollen eye.
• Place slices of cucumber, potatoes, or apple over the puffy eyelids for 10-15 minutes. Potatoes will reduce dark circles under the eyes and apples have pectin which aids in anti-oxidation.
• Give your eyes a salt bath by soaking cotton pads in a saline solution or a solution of one teaspoon of salt in one pint of hot water. Place the pads on your puffy eyelids for a few minutes.
• Taking over the counter diuretics can help reduce fluid retention, especially if you experience bloating before your period. (Note: Diuretics also lower your blood pressure, so be sure to have yours checked before going this route.)
• Apply a hemorrhoid cream to the puffy area around the puffy eye, being EXTREMELY CAREFUL not to get any in your eye. Be sure to look for a cream that contains yeast and shark’s liver oil.

*Allergy related puffiness can become a permanent condition if not treated and eliminated. When the connective tissues in the eye become damaged from repeated swelling, the skin stretches and becomes looser. This can result in pouches under your eye, called blepharitis, because the fat around the eye has bulged. These pouches do not respond to home remedies like normal, occasional puffiness does. There is a minor surgery that can be performed called “blepharoplasty,” where the surgeon makes a very small incision under the lower eyelid to remove the excess skin, eliminating the pouches.

The Great Eye Gel Debate:

Many people question whether over the counter eye gels work. Some of these gels contain ingredients such as chamomile or witch hazel which have been known to reduce puffiness. The gels can be beneficial when worn under make-up because they act as a primer, making it easier for the make-up to glide on. The make-up will not flake off as easy and therefore will not irritate your eyes. These eye gels are water-based rather than oil-based which means that they will moisten the skin and hide lines, rather than make it greasy. If you keep your gel in the refrigerator the temperature alone will help soothe and refresh your eyes.

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