4 bathing and showering mistakes to avoid

4 bathing and showering mistakes to avoid

Bathing or showering is essential to personal hygiene and isn’t hard to do. One only needs water, soap, and a towel to clean the body. However, some people make mistakes in the process that compromise their skin and hair quality, increasing the risk of skin irritation, dryness, and other problems. So, it’s imperative to know these bathing and showering mistakes and avoid them as far as possible for the best results.

Spending a long time in the bath or shower
Taking long hot showers is one of the biggest mistakes compromising skin quality. When hot water runs over the body, it strips away all the natural oils from the skin, leaving it completely dry. Dry, cracked skin can increase the risk of bacteria entering the body. Hence, experts recommend a cold water shower that lasts for five minutes to keep the skin healthy and moisturized.

Washing the hair every day
The hair produces oils, which are needed to keep it from becoming dry and brittle. However, many complain that these oils make their hair look greasy and, hence, wash their hair every day, depriving it of the much-needed oils. Experts recommend keeping a gap of around two to three days between each hair wash, which can change depending on hair type and age. Furthermore, once a person develops a hair-washing schedule, it’s advisable to stick to it to ensure the scalp and hair remain healthy.

Using harsh towels
The skin remains sensitive for some time after getting out of the bath or shower. If harsh towels are used to dry the body during this time, it can get rid of the essential oils on the skin. So, it’s best to opt for soft towels with a high thread count. Such towels don’t remove the oils, keeping the skin supple and healthy. Moreover, they keep the skin from becoming dry and prove to be much gentler on the skin.

Not moisturizing right after a bath or shower
Lotions, moisturizers, and creams help keep the skin hydrated by trapping moisture and preventing it from evaporating quickly. But experts recommend applying these skincare products right after a bath or shower for the best results. This is because they’re the most effective when the skin is already hydrated to some extent. Besides moisturizing the body, one can apply tinted face moisturizers to keep facial skin glowing and healthy. Tinted face moisturizers possess sun protection factors (SPF), which means they also work as sunscreen.

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Coping with urges that can trigger a relapse post treatment

Addictions when left untreated can turn into crippling conditions. One can be addicted to smoking, binge drinking, or even shopping. Once addicted, one willfully submits to urges, despite having satisfied them before. However, addictions can be managed and to a great extent treated to full recovery. But, the post-recovery phase is crucial where both the mind and body are put to test and can trigger a relapse. Continue reading to know more about the most common triggers for addictions and how to deal with them.Stress Stress is commonly the root cause of many problems and addictions, both physical and psychological. One can become an addict as a way to manage the stress that may stem from strained relationships or priorities. The best way to avoid a relapse during recovery is to make lifestyle changes that don’t trigger a return to addictions amidst a stressful situation. One can practice mindfulness, engage in relaxation techniques, manage one’s time to avoid stressful situations, and imbibe healthy eating habits and exercise in their daily routine. EmotionsThere is an umpteen number of triggers that invoke a positive or negative emotional response. However, the stress associated with dealing with emotions daily can trigger urges without one even realizing. Often, one turns to a glass of alcohol or relies on prescription medications to put the mind at ease. It is not a permanent solution and prolonged use of these substances can cause more harm in the long run. One must learn and explore productive ways of controlling emotions better to avoid a relapse during recovery. For example, writing and maintaining a journal that contains one’s feelings and thoughts can act as a healthy outlet. Similarly, there are other healthy ways to channel one’s energy and manage emotional responses.Positive conditioningPeople who have addictions such as smoking or drinking may often find themselves in situations where a lit cigarette or a glass of wine can trigger a relapse. This is understandable considering these substances were the primary source of comfort and relaxation. However, with positive reinforcement and reconditioning one can train the mind and curb such urges. Relaxation doesn’t always mean techniques like yoga or meditation, it can also be pursuing your hobby. Counseling for group gatheringsBirthdays, parties, New Year’s events, and any celebration in general call for alcohol consumption and smoking. At times, these could be the very addictions one is recovering from, and in a social gathering, such temptations can be strong. However, a recovering addict should refrain from indulging in any of these as even a taste can turn into a relapse. For instance, a recovering alcoholic must avoid having a single drink as that could put him/her on a slippery slope to relapse. Here, one-on-one counseling can help prepare the mind to resist the urge. It is never healthy for a recovering addict to simply avoid socializing fearing a relapse.

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Common IUD side effects and how to tackle them

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a popular form of birth control. Shaped like a "T," they are inserted towards the top of a woman's uterus to prevent sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg. There are two forms of IUDs: hormonal and non-hormonal. Both have different side effects on different people, and users often experience them in the first few weeks of insertion. But the good news is that the side effects can be managed. What are the side effects of IUDs? The most common side effects are irregular bleeding for a few months, pain, cramping, dizziness, and lighter/shorter periods or no periods at all. Women may also experience premenstrual syndrome (PMS) with symptoms like headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, or skin blemishes. Other rarer side effects include cysts on the ovary and infections due to bacteria entering the cervix or uterus. Sometimes, IUDs can shift or get displaced in the uterus, increasing the risk of embedment (or when the device attaches to the wall of the uterus), perforation (when the IUD goes through the wall of the uterus), migration (when the IUD moves to a different location in the uterus), and expulsion (when the IUD moves out of the uterus). How to tackle the side effects? Here are some tips on what one can do before, during, and after IUD insertion to manage side effects better: Before the appointment Doctors may recommend pain-reducing treatments for those worried about the pain. This is in addition to a treatment to soften the cervix an hour before the procedure. Women heading to get an IUD are also suggested to wear comfortable clothes and carry essentials like a heating pad, a panty liner or sanitary napkin, and some juice to fight any dizziness. During the procedure It is recommended to stay as calm as possible during the procedure, so meditation and breathing exercises may help. If requested, some doctors administer laughing gas or another pain-reducing treatment during the procedure to minimize pain further. After insertion Many women experience bleeding after insertion, so the sanitary napkins or panty liners brought along come in handy. The type of IUD used also determines the side effects. For instance, hormonal IUDs can lighten periods over time and help reduce cramping. On the other hand, non-hormonal IUDs may cause heavier periods and increase cramping. Since heat helps relieve cramping, one may use a heating pad after the procedure. Drinking rosehip tea can also help. As with all menstruation-related symptoms, the IUD side effects differ from person to person. Those experiencing PMS symptoms should get sufficient rest and practice deep breathing exercises to relieve headaches and other discomforts. It may take six to eight months for the body to adjust to an IUD fully. Besides following these tips to tackle IUD side effects, one should consult a physician if they experience fever, severe pain or cramping, bleeding during or after intercourse, unusual vaginal discharge, pregnancy symptoms, or difficulty breathing. It is also advisable to contact a doctor if one can no longer feel the strings of their IUD to ensure it has not moved.

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