#yes you can see depression in a face but you can also see sun exposure without sunscreen (even more so)

[bearhugsandshrugs]

everyone saying people who had it rough in life age quicker, i wish i could send you my face and my therapist's notes. my doctor thought i was 25 last week. MY DOCTOR.

i'm 39.

[verobatto]

Unrequited Destiel...

The Legend of The Sun and The Moon

I just wanted to explain in a few words to those that are asking why Dean didn't reply to Cas or why is Jensen talking about angelical way to feel things.

I know they're a lot of post saying WE TOLD YOU THIS AND THAT, and is true. Because if you read my Destiel Chronicles from the beginning, you will see I ALWAYS CALLED THE UNREQUITED LOVE FROM CAS AND DEAN'S POV.

Some of you disbelieves this idea, but is the only way to intepretate why Destiel is the slowest slow burn ever.

No more intro, let's suffer together...

Season 4 and 5 JUST A FLIRTING GAME

Once Dean was pulled out from Hell, Castiel wanted to talk with him. He didn't wait a second. Things blew and it was messy, and even Bobby was scared that that thing would hurt his idjit. But it was just Cas, trying to speak with Dean, desperately trying to reach him in his true form. Why? Because he wanted to talk with him. He had to explain Dean's mission but also, he felt fascinated. And even more after their first meeting face to face when he was finally able to find a vessel.

And Dean just it took him just a little of his time to feel the same fascination. The almighty angel, that could see right through his soul.

But also the angel that said things like...

And we have the handprint too, such an intimate sign between these two.

Castiel showing him, honestly showing him with words and actions, his special interest on him:

"My superiors begun to question my sympathies. I was getting too close to the humans in my charge. You."

How would Dean take this here? The poor guy just decided to check out the angel, and speechless as he was at that moment, couldn't reply to it. "Is he flirting with me? Does he know how gay this sounds?"

Then Cas rebel against Heaven for Dean. Dean pushed him, the whole he pushed Cas to help him. If you rewatch season 4 Dean is constantly asking Cas to help him. Because he already know Cas was different. Because he felt Cas was his friend, his ally, and something else it was growing up in his chest.

While Cas pushed him against the wall, cut his forearm and drew the sigil, Dean's face is full of awe. He can't believe this soldier powerful angel is doing this for him.

And then... "We're making it up as we go."

Gif credit @cyxnrose

The beginning of season 5 is a very busy Cas searching for God, but also, the flirtation begins. Dean is like a cute boy flirting with his crush. The second meaning jokes, trying to figure out if Cas catch it is hilarious. But he will understand 'Cas doesn't understand that reference.'

From Dean's POV in these two season, we coul under he thinks angels are junk less.

Season 6: The profound Bond and the Longing

The romantic feeling from both sides began to flow even more when Castiel goes into the black side, and the first Destiel break up appears infron of our eyes in the middle of a very romantic scenes.

Gif credit @starlightcastiel

Gif credit @inacatastrophicmind

The last gif is out of discussion, bot men looking at each other with sad eyes, longing and as if their conversation isn't over. Dean being disappointed at Cas and Cas trying to make him see his point. Everything he does, he does it for Dean.

And now we know why it is.

Season 7: Mourning Dean and the Jealousy

Even with Showrunner Sera Gamble trying to focus Dean's morning into a Wincest subtext, we had put king Ben Edlund came to the rescue in episode 7x09.

Putting things in order, we were faced with Dean's source of depression: Castiel's death.

So, after that, when Cas really comes back, the reunion is another romantic movie. The MEMORY LOST trope.

And then... Castiel's pseudo wife...

The trope is getting better with the spicy Jealousy in Dean's eyes.

Gif credit @impalaofgrace

So he can't completely enjoy Cas is back because:

1) He doesn't remember him: so, how can be mad or anything else if Cas doesn't remember any details of their break up?

2)The guy has a wife! Okay, so, he has a wife, he easily got a wife from... Nowhere?

And then Meg comes and he is Jealous all over again!

Dean is a really mess of feelings, but in the end, when Cas recalls everything, and when I say everything, i mean Dean, because the majority of his memories was him, Dean just pulls out from his car Castiel's bloody trenchcoat and gives it him back!

So, if there was any doubts about why was Dean mourning and depressed for, we have the confirmation!

Then, let's turn the page, because now is Cas the mess... Depressed and suffering, because he almost destroy heaven, but, do you know what cares the most to Cas and when he cheers up? Yes...

When Dean says... "I RATHER JAVE YOU, CURSED OR NOT" Castiel immediately changed his face, he smiles, and kept staring at Dean with heart eyes. He was happy because Dean was forgiving him. Because since he recovered his memories, the biggest cause of it was Dean's rejection. Dean not being able to forgive him. That was the main cause of his sadness. That's why he avoided reality, he didn't have a cause, because his cause was Dean and Dean was mad at him. But now? Cas is happy again. That's why he decides to come back to battle. "I'll go with you."

Season 8 Purgatory of love and Pining!Dean

Okay, is in this season, Carver era, when Dean's POV has a turning point about Castiel and his true feelings for him and is in this season, when Dean starts pining strongly for the angel, and feeling his love is unrequited.

The cause of it, is Purgatory. The Purity about Purgatory resided in the capacity of that place to resides in abolish every human necessity to let the mind to focused in what really matters. In this case for Dean was SURVIVE AND CAS.

So we can say that what remained pure in Dean's heart was TO FIND CASTIEL.

That's why he prayed to him every night, and that's why in the moment Cas CONFESS he ran away to protect him, something in Dean changes forever.

Gif credit @agusvedder

If you pay attention to Dean's face reaction here, is the expression of the man that realizes in that precisely moment his feelings for Castiel. Even Cas stares to a side, because there was Benny watching them, and the thing he was about to say it was too intimate. I did it to protect you.

Dean, the Big Protector, is being protected by Castiel. So, in Purgatory, Dean Winchester find out his not platonic love for his best friend.

Then we had the entire season with pining!Dean and deception.

Dean's mind invented one excuse for Castiel running away from him because thinking his best friend abbandoned him, was just too painful. He does this again when Cas pushed him inside the gate and he stays in Purgatory. Dean just rewrote in his mind the whole sequence. Imagining that Cas was defeated. But the reality was, Castiel wanted to stay. And when Cas reveals this truth to the hunter, Dean's face is a mix of deep sadness and deception. He felt really rejected by his friend. He felt his unrequited romantic love for him. But he will feel it more stronger in the crypt scene, with the brainwashing and how Castiel's love for Dean broke th connection. But he left. That was a real rejection the hunter barely could handled.

Season 9: Pinning!Castiel and Human!Cas

When Cas became Human, he has to face all the intensity of human's feelings. In this season, is time for our angel to realize his romantic love for the hunter.

Castiel will mirroring Dean's pining in season 8, and he will also feel rejected by him.

Just like Dean in season 8, Castiel will feel his romantic love is unrequited, after Dean kicked him out from the bunker, being this the parallel to the crypt scene.

But then Cain's mark comes, and everything gets worst.

Season 10: Castiel is Dean's Colette

The whole Cain's mark was the visual sign of the Destiel handprint (profound bond) attempt of break.

With Cain and Dean going through a perfect parallelism in which Crowley was placed in the friend's spot, Sam in the brother's spot and Castiel in Colette's spot. Blatant and canon exposure of what Cas means for Dean.

But now, is time for Dean, after came back for being a demon, to feel unrequited again. And this is a detail that could be not seen, but it caught my attention.

CASTIEL: At least temporarily. It’s a long story. Crowley, stolen grace. There’s a female outside in the car.

This is what Castiel says when he goes into Dean's room and after Dean praises him...

Gif credit @inacatastrophicmind

Dean had been with Crowley when he was a demon this whole time, so Cas was heartbroken. Even this season opens with a very depressed Castiel in the bed just let himself die because Dean was gone. So, that's why Cas says this.

So you went with Crowley, i have a female in my car. See? I don't need you.

He was Jealous, and now Dean gets Jealous, but he also gets the sensation again of his love for Castiel is unrequited.

The episode that followed this one, Dean goes into a blind date with random chick he took from a date app (very ooc, but he did it because he had his heart broken and because he thought CAS had cheated on him while he was gone as a demon.)

Season 11: Dean resist a forced bond with Amara because he's bonded with Castiel

Season 11 is a blatant exposure of Dean's feelings for Castiel. There a lot of hints throughout the season telling us Dean is in love, just like in season 9 there was hints of this with Castiel. (Again, mirroring each other).

Dean resisted Amara because of his love for Castiel. But Cas is oblivious about this.

When Castiel is possesed by Lucifer, Dean switch's into desperate mode. If he was worried about his attraction for Amara, now the only thing he cares was Castiel, exposing again WHO DEAN IS IN LOVE WITH.

But when Dean wanted to rescue Castiel, and Cas didn't want to come back to him, it hurt him worst. Again, just like in season 8, Dean can't handle Cas doesn't want to come back with him (first from Purgatory and now from being possesed). Again Dean feels rejected and unrequited. That's why when Cas is back and the end of the world is close... Dean says these words...

"You're our brother, Cas. I want you to know that."

And Cas' face...

Gif credit @mad-as-a-box-of-frogs

That's a man with the heart broken, mostly because we know now he was in love with Dean CANON FACT! (sobbing louder).

Season 12 and the confusing I LOVE YOU

This season was full of married couple situations, but mostly, we had Castiel's I Love You in the barn, before "dying".

At first Dean thinks the angel was saying this as goodbye, expressing into words his feelings for the Winchesters. Because as and angel, maybe Cas was feeling he has to protect them all. But then he says this singular I Love You to Dean, and the guy doesn't know how to take it. It was a platonic ILY? A non platonic ILY? Does angels feel the same like us? Does he sees me as a brother? Dean was truly a mess, so he decides to respond to that with a Mixtape.

But, when Castiel disappears for days, he sinks again into that sensation of unrequited romantic love.

Then Cas comes back, and then he goes away again, and then he dies.

Season 13: The reunion and the meaning of Castiel coming back

Dean's mourning for Cas can't be interpreted otherwise than LOSING THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE.

And the longing for his angel plus some Nougat powers, brought him back.

The thing is, Dean didn't expr as his feeling for Castiel and when the angel asked him that he needed to believed that he came back for a reason, Dean goes...

Gif credit @inacatastrophicmind

This sound like if he was recruiting Cas for war. And Cas' took it as that. So he came back to soldier angel mode. Because, okay, if Dean and Sam needed him to fight, he will fight.

Unrequited Love again.

Season 14 Healing Dean and the prelude of the break up

Post-possesed Dean is a follow up of self knowledge and self growing. He was healing the whole season.

But in episode 14x04 we heard Dean being Jealous or hurt because Castiel didn't go to rescue him and then because he goes into hunts with Jack. Unrequited love again.

Did Cas miss me as I missed him?

Is the first time Dean will actually name the word LOVE talking with the kid.

And then Mary dies and everything is a mess.

Dean yells YOU ARE DEAD TO ME, and how sad that sounds now that the angel had died again. Saving his life.

Dark clouda over our ship...

Season 15: And Maybe is not too late...

In season 15 we lived the angst of the Destiel break up, but then their reunion in Purgatory was beautiful.

Again, facing the fact that he could lost Cas one more time, Dean went down on his knees and prayed to him, and because he was in Purgatory, his heart and mind were released from any distraction, and he was plenty focused in the love he feels for his angel.

He cried, and begged for him to come back.

And he found him, following his heart, the profound bond he has with Castiel.

But, when he was about to say something that he hadn't said in the prayer, Castiel cut him off. So... Again the hunter had to swallow his words and the unrequited love punch him again.

Then... Castiel's romantic love confession took Dean by surprise, because, now that you read all the clues i gave you and i convinced you that Dean and Cas thought their love were unrequited, you will understand Dean's reaction.

Gif credit @spnsmile

Dean didn't can't believe Cas had loved him the way he does this whole time and now, he will lose him again. Is too much pain he can't handle.

For a lot of reasons we had analyzed so many times (Dean's arc has to have a closure expressing his ILY to the angel, the Empty plot is not ended, Etc) Is logical to think Cas will come back in the last episode, and this slow burn story will end with them being together, finally.

To Conclude:

The legend of the Sun and the Moon talks about two lovers that can't be reunited but they love each other deeply.

Is accurate with Destiel, because these two men had always being pining for each other but never be able to be together as they wish.

Castiel always thinking Dean doesn't reciprocate his romantic feeling for him and Dean thinking because Cas is an angel, he doesn't love him back romantically.

The Sacred Oath always playing in Castiel's POV as an impediment too and Dean's love clocked in shame too.

The deal with the Empty had been settled as we suspected in season 14, as a romantic plot. So, it has to have a closure.

These thoughts are based on the volumes from my assay "The Destiel Chronicles", currently in it's 87th volume.

See you soon! Have faith!

Destiel Is Forever!

Tagging @gneisscastiel @emblue-sparks @magnificent-winged-beast @weird-dorky-little-d @michyribeiro @maleansu @legendary-destiel @a-bit-of-influence @thatwitchydestielfan @misha-moose-dean-burger-lover @lykanyouko @evvvissticante @savannadarkbaby @dea-stiel @mybonsai1976 @anarchiana @angelwithashotgunandtrenchcoat @trashblackrainbow @mishtho @dancingtuesdaymorning @feathered-cas @bre95611 @zoerayne2426 @justmeand-myinsight @that-one-fandom-chick @proccastinate @studio-hatter @pepevons @poorreputation @mrsaquaman187 @dizzypinwheel @jawnlockwinchester @dwstiel @ladygon @shippsblog @la-random-fangirl @lets-try-this-again-please @mychemicalobsession514 @destiel-shipper-11

@asphodelesauvage @2musiclover2

Buenos Aires November 17th 2020 8:33 PM

[astrozones]

Sanders Behavioral Health, Chapter 1: Virgil Starts Freaking Out More Than Usual

Trigger warning: mental health stuff. Major mental health stuff. For the whole fic.

Group Therapy AU. Prinxiety and Logicality eventually.

Three hours.

Three goddamn hours of his life dedicated to therapy. Every. Single. Day.

Except weekends. At least he still had his weekends.

When his father had told him of the “amazing” news, Virgil was seriously rethinking going back to his old family.

Coming from an abusive home to a place where others cared about him was jarring, to say the least. Parts of it he adored. Not being punished for coming home a couple minutes late? He couldn’t say he wasn’t grateful. But since his time at his new family’s house, he had been diagnosed with anxiety, depression, and a hint of OCD. And when his parents put him in therapy for the first time, he found it dull, but a good escape from his bad thoughts.

But when his therapist suggested Sanders Behavioral Health, he was apprehensive. Even more so when she told him that three hours of his day would be dedicated to working on his anxiety. His social anxiety, mostly. Virgil had stared at her in disgust, why would he ever want to go there? Why would he want to go somewhere that would give him more anxiety, on purpose, rather than stay at home scrolling through YouTube?

He was even more disgusted when his adoptive father had happily agreed to look into it.

Yes, Virgil wanted to get better. God, he wanted to get better so bad, to be away from the thoughts that plagued his mind. That’s what he told himself, at least.

Maybe he didn’t want to get better. Maybe he wanted to stay in his room all day because that was what he was used to. He was content at this stage, and so what if he was destroying his future and the potential for happiness? He was here now and he was content, wasn’t that good enough?

He would never say that to his therapist. If he did, she would tell his dad, who would in turn tell his mom, and they’d worry about him more. If this was the life he had to live, then so be it.

So here he was, in the lobby room of the building he had dreaded coming to since they made the first call to get him into this institute. He hunched over in his hoodie, idly scrolling through his phone, trying to collect his thoughts. What if he made a mistake? What if it turned out he had been faking it this whole time and they got mad? What if he did something embarrassing? Oh, god, what if they hated him? What if-

The lobby door slammed open. Virgil jumped in his seat, his father gently putting a hand on his shoulder. In stepped a boy that looked just about the same age as himself. Oh, for the love of-

“I HAVE REETUUURNED~,” the boy sung, arms spread as wide as he could with a binder in his hands. “No need to fear, your Prince is here!” Virgil pursed his lips.

“Yeah, ‘prince’, my ass.” he mumbled, looking back down at his phone. The boy spluttered indignantly, to Virgil’s confusion. That wasn’t even a good insult, so why was the boy getting mad at him? Oh god, oh shit, I already made an enemy-

“Roman, please just sign in.” The front desk lady said with a small smile. The boy, or rather, Roman, blushed, with an “oh, right” as he did as he was told.

Roman slumped down in a seat, turning to the only other kid in the room.

“So, Mr. Professionalism, I know it’s only my second proper day here, but what’s with the tie? You wear it every day or somethin’?” Roman’s posture remained slouched and easy-going, the opposite to the other, who was indeed wearing a tie. Tie guy’s posture was pristine and collected, his face not revealing any emotion, except a slight glare.

“I do not. I wear a different tie every day. It is unsanitary to wear the same thing every day. And when I sleep, I change into the proper wear. I would also like to point out that it’s pronounced some thing . With a g. Proper pronunciation is important, lest you confuse someone who is not as knowledgeable with our language. And my name, is Logan. Thank you.” Logan, apparently, finished his monologue with hardly a change in expression. Both Virgil and Roman looked a bit disoriented.

“Allllrighty,” Roman started, ignoring Logan’s hiss of “it’s pronounced al right ”, “Welp, glad to see I’m not the only one who’s early! Don’t you think the weather is great today? So sunny!”

“I do not wish to engage in small talk.” Logan said, returning to his book. Roman blinked at this, his head darting back a bit. He quickly returned to his confident persona and turned to Virgil.

Oh no , was his only thought before he was forced into conversation.

“SOO, Emostein, what’s your opinion on the weather? Since Necktie over there refuses to be nice, that is.” Roman said with a flourish of his hand.

What was he supposed to say? That he never went outside enough to appreciate the weather? That he would rather not say anything? That this whole thing was pushing him to the verge of a panic attack?

So, instead, he murmured, “Emostein?”. Goddamn it, that was dumb-

“Why yes! Like Frankenstein, but judging by your apparel, I had assumed you were emo and listen to My Chemical Romance all day. Am I wrong in this?”

Virgil shoved his head in his hands, blushing from embarrassment. “Ugh, no, you’re not. You don’t need to point it out, though…” He grumbled. God, he hated social situations. Even if it distracted him from the anxiety surrounding this new therapy group.

Whether he had bad luck, or the fates hated him, he couldn’t decide as the door to the rest of the building opened in perfect irony.

“Virgil?” The woman called with a smile. He hugged his few items closer to him as he stood up, making his way through the entrance. He glanced back at the lobby, where yet another kid was entering.

Then, the door was closed.

--

The woman introduced herself as Rebecca, or Becca for short. She led him on a quick tour of the building before the others were scheduled to come in, something he was grateful for. The place was smaller than he expected. She led him through the cafeteria (a cafeteria? what?), the doors of a couple staff, the bathroom, the check-up room, and the individual rooms. The individual rooms, as she explained, were for when you needed to focus on an ‘exposure’ and couldn’t handle distractions from other people.

Virgil quickly decided he liked these rooms.

Becca let him choose a room, and had him write his name on the whiteboard in front of it. As he did, he heard the entrance door open and a loud voice groan out, “UGHH, but I don’t wanna go in yet!”. Uh oh, people alert! He quickly slipped into the room, Becca joining him soon after.

“While you’re in this program,” she started. “you will be doing exposures, which means you’ll be directly facing the anxiety. It’ll be tough, but the goal is, when you get out of the program, you’re more used to these situations, and when you encounter them, you don’t freak out as much.” At that, she smiled, as if she hadn’t just diminished his already depressed mood.

“Does that sound good?” Becca continued, tilting her head to the side. Virgil stared at her as if she just told him the Sun was purple (not that he would mind that… purple was a very nice color.).

“Not really,” came his reply. “sounds terrible.”

Becca’s smile became just a little more stressed.

“I get your point, but I disagree. See, here and now, you’re not okay. Do you agree?” she stated flatly, and at his small nod, continued, “It’s because you’ve been in this slump for too long. It’s ruining your mood, and unless you do something about it, it’ll just get worse. If you want to get better, you have to do something about it.”

Virgil sighed. Yes, he understood, but he had the right to dislike this.

Becca explained a few more things about the program before handing him a small stack of papers and leaving him to mull over in his silent suffering.

He doodled in between the questions he had just answered as he waited for Becca to come back. Just the classic questions, ‘What do you want to work on while here at Sanders?’, ‘How would you describe your average mood?’, ‘What is (or are) your diagnosis?’, etc.. He glanced at the clock. 5 minutes. He tapped his foot. Fiddled with his hoodie strings. Kicked at the wall. 10 minutes. Hm.

Sanders Behavioral Health had a rule against phones being in the building, for privacy reasons… but, taking a glance around, he couldn’t see any cameras. And he had snuck his phone in by slipping it into his boots when no one was looking. Then there was the fact that no one was in the room with him…

Whipping out his phone, he quickly found a position where his phone was hidden enough that the average passerby wouldn’t notice and opened it up. What to do, what to do…

He scrolled through Tumblr, and responded to a few messages on Discord. He was in the middle of typing one out when there was a knock on the door.

Jumping, Virgil quickly turned to the door while desperately trying to hide his phone. He couldn’t fit in past his shoe in time, could he hide it in his hoodie so the visitor wouldn’t see it? Think fast befo-

The door opened, a stranger walking in. The stranger smiled.

“Hello! I’m Nurse Vicki. You’re Virgil, right? I need you for just a moment so we can do checkups, if you’ll come with me!” Vicki grinned, holding the door open wider. Virgil slid the phone into his hoodie pocket. There was a chance of it being noticed, but it would have to do.

When brought into the nurse’s office, she sat him down and started asking questions.

Are you suicidal? Yes.

Are you going to school regularly? No.

Are you eating healthy? Probably not.

And on, and on, and on, until finally, she took him to track his weight and vitals, and escorted him back to his room. Still no Becca.

The second Nurse Vicki left, Virgil quickly took his phone out and situated it where it wasn’t easily visible in his boot. Yes, it did rub against his foot painfully, but that was just the price he’d have to pay. Without his phone, he felt even more anxious. He knew it was stupid, but what if he got a call? What if he got hurt? What if someone else got hurt? Virgil needed the phone, and if that included sacrificing his comfort, he would do it.

Now, what was he supposed to do? 20 minutes had passed. He studied the vandalism done in pencil on the wall, but that quickly got boring.

Tick, tock, tick, tock.

He drummed his fingers on the table.

Tick, tock, tick, tock.

He thought about what he was going to do tomorrow- wait, no, that gave him more anxiety.

Tick, tock, tick, tock.

Sighing, he leaned back and studied the ceiling. Maybe he could fall asleep here. Or maybe he’d just get in trouble for that.

After what seemed like ages, Becca returned. Gathering up the papers, she led him outside the room.

“We aren’t going to start anything today, but I’ll show you the timers and computers. Here’s the check in sheet for them,” she motioned to the top of the computer cart, a basket with multiple stopwatches in it next to the sheets. “and the top row of computers are assessment computers, while the bottom are normal computers. Today, you’ll be getting an assessment computer.”

Stepping aside, she let him check out a computer. As he was writing down his name, another person came in from a second hallway. The loud boy from before- Roman?- glanced in their direction before doing a double take. Cringing slightly, Virgil prepared for Roman to burst out with a loud “hello!”.

Only Roman did nothing of the sort. Once Becca greeted him, he motioned awkwardly to the timer in his hands before walking down the hallway and turning into a staff’s room.

O ...kay?

He may not have known Roman for long, but that seemed entirely uncharacteristic. Pursing his lips, he finished filling out the sheet as Becca and him walked back. Well, almost. Becca stopped in her office for a split second before returning with a binder and a dazzling smile. Virgil sunk into his jacket with a ‘dazzling’ scowl.

Back inside the room, Becca gave him the binder and led him through all that it entailed, before signing him into the assessment computer. And once more, Becca left him to fill out the assessments alone.

Which was fantastic.

Another round of repetitive questions he’d answered a thousand times before-

In the past 7 days how often have you not able to stop feeling sad? Often.

--felt alone? Always.

--feel everything in your life went wrong? Always.

--feel like you can’t do anything right? Often.

--it was hard for you to have fun? Always.

He supposed a lot of this came from his past family. And, geez, these were not nice memories to go through. But being pushed around and starved for days on end was bound to take a toll on you, and it sure as hell did in the case of Virgil. It was part of the reason he wore hoodies all the time, to hide the- the- oh god he was not ready to think about this right now.

Shaking his head, Virgil returned to the questions, feeling worse than he had. He felt a tear trying to surface and quickly closed his eyes. Not here , he thought. Not now, I can’t. They’ll make fun of me for it.

And yeah, maybe it was illogical to worry about being made fun of for crying in a literal therapy building, but maybe Virgil wasn’t thinking quite right at that point. Maybe he wasn’t thinking quite right often.

Or maybe he was just stupid.

--

The last time Becca returned to his individual room was to bring him out to the cafeteria for something called ‘recreational therapy’ which included doing “fun things” with the other patients.

Great.

After putting away his computer, he was instructed to leave his new binder in the cafeteria and to bring a pen or pencil with him.

He didn’t have either and had to ask someone else for it. Oh, god…

Dodging around the others in the cafeteria, he made his way back to Becca and quietly asked for a pen, and, to his disappointment, didn’t get one. He turned around to face the 3 other patients, forced to consider the options as to who might have a goddamn pen.

The others were all the people he had seen in the waiting room earlier. Only one of them he hadn’t really gotten to know, which was the boy in light blue. He was talking to the loud one, ugh, what was his name again… Roman! Yes, he was talking to Roman. Listening in on their conversation he found that they were talking about… dogs? Well, Light Blue was nearly screaming about dogs while Roman was looking a little bewildered at just how loud this boy was about dogs. Which only left Tie Guy, Logan, to ask. If he didn’t have one, Virgil would have to walk out and ask a staff, so asking the scary one it was.

Glancing towards his binder, Virgil saw that he had 3 pens next to it, black, red, and blue. Bingo!

“Hey uh,” he started once he reached Logan. “Um, can I… uh, sorry, can I borrow a pen? Please?”

Logan’s gaze jerked towards Virgil, then back to his pens. “No,” he stated bluntly. “I only have one black pen. As you can see. ”

“But… I could just… use the red or blue one? I don’t really care that much about colors…” Virgil, to say the least, was hella confused. What was this kid’s deal? First the whole tie thing, now Virgil wasn’t able to use one of his three pens? There was no need to be so rude.

“No, you can’t. Red is for spelling errors and blue is for grammar errors. Everyone knows that. You cannot just use a red or blue pen for normal writing!” Logan nearly growled out. Virgil took a few steps back, was it okay for him to be around this guy?! Was he safe?

He felt a tap on his shoulder and nearly jumped out of his skin. Whipping around, he was faced with Light Blue holding a pen. He let out a sigh of relief.

“Heyo! I’m Patton,” Light Blue said. “I couldn’t help but hear your conversation, so sorry for interrupting, but I have a free pen you could use instead! It’s no big deal to me!” Patton’s smile was nearly blinding as he held the pen out. Grabbing the pen, Virgil felt a little… unnerved. Maybe it was just the anxiety talking, but this guy seemed way too nice to be here. Maybe he was just about to leave the program?

“Uh, thanks.” Was the only thing he said in response before retreating to the corner of the room. He could see Becca hovering around the computer before telling them she would be back in a second.

Well ain’t that just fucking great .

“Ooh, scandalous~!” Roman yelled as Becca went to leave the room. “Leaving a bunch of teens unsupervised? Didn’t take ya for the type.” Virgil looked at him. If he remembered correctly, Roman had said this was his second day. So, why was he so… extroverted? He, along with Patton, didn’t really feel like they belonged in this group. Patton seemed too bright and happy, and Roman seemed too loud and confident.

“You is not pronounced ‘ya’.” Logan huffed. Roman turned to him looking a bit confused.

“It’s… not that different, though?”

“Every little thing matters, Roman. I’ve explained this to you before, so why do you continue to lack the capacity to understand it?” Roman spluttered at this, the insult obviously getting to him.

“I was just telling you my opinion, and you don’t need to… insult me over it! Believe it or not, I don’t like being called stupid!” Roman spat out.

Uh oh.

“I did not call you stupid. It seems as if you came to that conclusion yourself, yet I will not deny it.”

“ You implied it you-”

Before Roman could finish, Becca, in all her glory, opened the door and invited them to follow her. Well, maybe invited wasn’t the correct term, but Virgil was well on his way to a massive anxiety attack and couldn’t give a shit.

Once Becca had led them outside and had them all introduce themselves, she gave them a simple two-sided sheet of paper.

“Today, we’re going to be doing a people scavenger hunt! On the paper, there’s a bunch of questions, and it’s your job to find someone who fits the criteria! Once you do, they should sign your paper. Try not to use the same person for most of the questions! Sounds great, don’t you agree?”

“Yay.” Virgil muttered unenthusiastically, curling into his hoodie when both Roman and Patton turned to him.

“Miss Becca, there are four of us. Statistically speaking, it is unlikely for us to be able to fill out the entirety of this sheet, especially with questions like the 13th, which says ‘Someone who has red hair.’ As you can see, none of us have red hair. I must recommend that you reprint this paper with questions we can properly answer.” Logan attempted to smooth down his hair in the wind as he spoke, his paper resting on a clipboard, because of course Logan had prepared himself with a clipboard while the rest of them had to combat the wind attempting to blow their papers away.

“It’s okay, Logan,” Becca smiled sweetly. “You don’t need to answer all the questions before we go back in.”

“Yes I do, or the assignment is incomplete!”

Smile dropping, Becca motioned for the others to start as she turned to talk to Logan. And with that, Virgil was forced to communicate with the last two.

Already, Patton and Roman seemed to be chatting, which left Virgil to awkwardly stand by while they filled the paper out. Virgil could feel his breathing quickening, why did Logan have to be picky? He could be talking to him, which would be better than just standing here with nothing to do!

Roman turned to him once he had gotten the paper signed, smiling slightly at him before skimming his eyes through the paper. Wait, he took it back, he wasn’t ready to talk yet oh no-

“Do youuu….. Like mint ice cream?” Roman asked, looking up from his paper with a smile. Silently, Virgil nodded. After signing the paper Roman gave to him, Roman stayed, looking expectantly at him. What? Oh! He’s expecting a question quick choose one!!!

Looking at his own paper, Virgil chose the first question his eyes landed on.

“Do you, um. Do you speak another language?” He stuttered out. Roman brightened.

“¡Sí! Hablo español.” Roman was bouncing on his heels, grinning impossibly larger. At Virgil’s dubious stare, he seemed to deflate, a small blush growing on his cheeks. “Sorry, uh, yes, I speak Spanish.”

As Virgil handed him the paper, he had more time to stand awkwardly. Roman had hoisted his leg up and was now balancing precariously on one leg while writing against the other one. His tongue poked out from between his teeth as he tried to not fall over.

Roman had green eyes. While Virgil didn’t usually make eye contact, he couldn’t help but notice while this kid was right in front of him . Virgil had always adored green eyes in people, they may be more rare but they were so pretty and-

Roman glanced up at him, and Virgil quickly flushed. “Do you want me to fill out the green eyes question, too? I’m pretty sure I’m the only one of us who has green eyes, so… y’know… while I’m here, might as well, yea?”

All Roman saw was Virgil’s small nod, which Virgil was grateful for as his mind was screaming at the current moment.

Is this guy psychic what the hell how’d he know EXACTLY what I was thinking??? What???? No, Virge, calm down, he can’t be psychic- BUT WHAT IF HE IS????

Once Virgil got his paper back, he turned once more and was suddenly face-to-face with Patton’s smile.

“Heya kiddo! Have you been on a boat ride?” At Virgil’s shake of his head, he continued. “Hm, okay, have you been to a park in the past few months?

On and on the activity went. Surprisingly, Virgil quickly found himself actually enjoying the activity. Roman and Patton were easy to talk to, if slightly disorienting to the extreme introvert.

Unfortunately, the universe seemed to hate him, because after about 10 questions with the others, Logan stormed back into the building, leaving Becca alone. Becca sighed.

“Sorry guys, but I legally can’t leave him or you without a guardian, so if you could follow me please we will go back inside.”

Back inside, Becca took them to the cafeteria, where Logan already was, meticulously rearranging his binder. When Becca approached him, he hissed out, “I will NOT be doing an assignment where I am forced to fail.”

The three looked at each other, Patton seeming to be the only one who knew what was happening. He gave them a sad smile.

“Logan came here before me, but he told me he has extreme OCD. Basically, he gets anxiety when things don’t go the way his mind tells him they have to.” Patton whispered to them. “I think he has a sort of… fear of failing, so he gets the bad feelings when he can’t finish an assignment. Well, more bad feelings than the average person.”

That made sense, Virgil supposed. While he was told he had a bit of OCD, he wasn’t exactly briefed on all the ins and outs, only diagnosed with it. So he had no definitive answer as to what exactly it was, but from what he had heard, that seemed to fit with the behavior Logan was showing.

A couple minutes passed, Virgil tapping his foot aimlessly. He stared at the ground as Logan continued to bicker, and as Becca desperately tried to calm him down. Eventually, Roman spoke up and told Becca that it was check-out time, which apparently entailed them filling out a sheet of paper before they were able to leave.

Thankfully, Becca told Virgil that he didn’t have to fill a check-out sheet today, which left him awkwardly tapping his pen against the table. He noticed Roman doodling in a blank space on the paper, mouthing the lyrics to a song Virgil couldn’t decipher. Patton was watching the clock after he had finished, which left Logan to be the only one still filling out the sheet.

Once they were finally blessed with the absence of silence in the form of Becca loudly exclaiming that they could start sharing aloud and dear God would Virgil have to do that tomorrow? They were finally allowed to leave.

After signing out and riding the elevator down, with all the other patients and their parents in the cramped space, they finally exited the building.

“So, what’d you think?” His dad asked as they walked to the car. Virgil simply shrugged in response.

And maybe, Virgil enjoyed it a little bit, just a little bit. But he wasn’t going to admit it after he claimed so adamantly that he would hate it the days prior.

The ride home was spent with Virgil telling his online friends what had happened in therapy that day, a task that would quickly become routine in his days at Sanders.

And maybe, just maybe, he was feeling a little bit better at returning the next day.

Maybe.

[eridesolutionsau]

Outdoor Activities for Seniors and the Elderly: 5 Ideas they Will Enjoy

The great outdoors; it's something that some, if not everyone, absolutely love and enjoy. It doesn't just give one a breath of fresh air: it also has a lot of benefits on one's health! This is one reason why experts suggest some outdoor activities for seniors and the elderly. Spending time outside exercising, or even just enjoying the scenery, helps in keeping one's mind sharper and mood, happier.

Not only that, engaging in outdoor activities will also improve their physical health, mobility, and sense of well-being. With that being said, some seniors who choose to live alone might have a hard time achieving this.

There are a lot of reasons why an elderly might not be able to enjoy outdoor activities. Here are some of them:

1. They live alone in their homes. Some seniors who choose to live alone tend to be isolated from the outside world. This happens when after the loss of a spouse or friends, or even children. This sense of melancholy will increase if they rarely step outside of their homes.

Some seniors choose to engage with group activities (book clubs, volunteering, etc.) to maintain social interaction. However, it is believed that spending time with nature decreases loneliness, and increases serotonin levels.

2. They are restricted by physical limitations. This is probably one of the most common reasons why seniors tend to be cooped up in their homes instead of going outside. Physical limitations like not being able to walk long distances, bone problems, and others leave them with no choice but the comfort of their homes. This also limits them from fulfilling daily tasks like grocery shopping.

Fortunately, there are electric mobility scooters available in the market today. These electric rideables will allow them to go wherever they want and need to go, and will increase their mobility by the numbers.

There is a plethora of things one can do outside their own homes, In this article, we will give you some outdoor activities that seniors would surely enjoy!

Outdoor Activities for Seniors

There is a wide variety of things seniors can enjoy outdoors. Most of these activities are easy for their caregivers or loved ones to arrange. Some they can even set themselves! With the right equipment and mindset, these outdoor activities are possible.

Let's take a look at five simple outdoor activity ideas every senior citizen will love!

1. Gardening - this is probably one of the most popular outdoor activities among seniors. Gardening can make a good exercise or a simple form of relaxation. It maintains their flexibility, strength, and allows them to stay active. Moreover, gardening of crops can even be a fruitful source of food. This will allow them access to sustainable living, and even give them a sense of accomplishment.

2. Cycling - this activity is for those who are generally stronger and experience less physical limitations. Cycling has multiple benefits on one's health. It allows one to get much-needed cardio, and it helps build resilience. Some also go cycling in groups, which then helps them become more socially active.

To fully enjoy this outdoor activity, seniors often prefer electric bikes or electric trikes over the usual manual bicycles. This is because of the easy-to-use features that lets them make the most out of their riding experience.

3. Strolling around the neighborhood - this one is definitely one of the simplest outdoor activities seniors can enjoy. A simple walk around the neighborhood with a group of friends, or even family, can impact their mood and disposition in general. A good walk can also provide much-needed cardio, and have a calming effect on someone.

This is also the most accessible form of outdoor activity. Most wouldn't have the need for special equipment, except maybe for suitable footwear. Moreover, those with limited mobility can also enjoy this leisurely activity with trusty electric mobility scooters or electric wheelchairs. In a sense, it's an activity that can be enjoyed by anyone in any level of capacity!

4. Golfing- this activity is popular among retirement communities. Golf is known as a good and entertaining way to spend time outdoors. It is also a relaxing activity for some, and it helps them improve their coordination. It might look like a simple sport, but golfing also provides light exercises that every senior needs.

With the use of golf carts and mobility scooters (if allowed), going around driving ranges wouldn't be a problem. These electric vehicles can accommodate those who have problems with walking or standing for long periods of time.

5. Picnic - now this one is a classic. A picnic, however elaborate or simple it might be, is a good way to bask under the sun and soak up that much-needed Vitamin D. It is also a form of social activity that will allow seniors to have conversations with their friends, or even caregivers. Not only that, they are also able to enjoy beautiful and entertaining sceneries.

Fresh air is a good source of relaxation and has a lot of positive benefits to one's health, and a picnic will allow seniors to enjoy that with a bite or two!

Now that we have given some outdoor activity ideas for seniors, let's look at why one should consider trying them!

Benefits of Outdoor Activities for Seniors

Advantages of spending time outdoors have been well-documented over the years. This applies not just to seniors, but to people of all ages. In this part, we will enumerate some benefits of outdoor activities that will help alleviate the challenges the elderly face.

It helps improve bone health. This is a common problem among elderly women. Bone diseases like osteoporosis cause the bones to become weak and brittle, that even bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. One of the main causes of this is inadequacy in Vitamin D levels.   Vitamin D improves the body's ability to absorb calcium. And what is the most common source of Vitamin D? Yes, you got that right. Sunlight. Therefore, exposure to early-morning sunlight for at least 15 minutes a day is advisable for seniors facing this challenge. Moreover, regular exercise is also a must. Outdoor activities like biking or walking around the neighborhood are good choices for this. 

It improves their mental health. Studies and even first-hand accounts have shown that seniors who spend more time outdoors experience less depression and anxiety. Those who engage in activities like running, cycling, or walking outside have lessened the risk of mental health problems compared to those who choose to exercise at home.

Being one with nature brings about more positive feelings. Those who are unable to go out and do rigorous physical activities can enjoy the scenery, smell fresh flowers, and even feel sand on their feet.

It gives them abundant energy. Just like any other person, being outdoors give seniors a greater sense of energy and liveliness. It makes them feel more alive, and these can greatly impact their resilience to illness. Not only that, spending time outdoors doing various activities may boost one's memory. A study has shown that there is a 20-percent improvement in attention span and memory retention after spending one hour with nature. This means that spending more time outside will result to greater gains in memory, and may improve creativity as well.

It promotes better over-all health. Aside from the physical and mental stability outdoor activities ensure, there are more health-related benefits one can get from doing so. As mentioned above, being outside increases levels of Vitamin D. This nutrient is often low among seniors. Increasing its levels would help reduce risk a number of physical ailments like multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even heart attack.

Additionally, being outside may help improve one's immunity. This happens when there is a boost in white blood cells, and improvements might last longer than expected. Being in touch with nature may also aid in recovery from physical injuries or some illnesses.

Seniors and the elderly benefit so much from engaging in outdoor activities. Keep in mind though, that these activities are advised to be done in groups, or enjoyed with friends and other people who share the same experiences. This way, seniors, especially those who are isolated, are able to gain more social interaction. These activities will also let them engage with other people. Time spent with other people may give them a sense of belonging, and something to look forward to everyday. It may make all the difference in their life, and those around them too.

Moreover, such outdoor activities will help those with limited mobility regain their freedom, and allow them to enjoy life as they know it!

Electric Mobility for Seniors and the Elderly

As we have mentioned earlier in this article, electric rides like e-bikes and e-trikes are preferred by more senior citizens. This is because they are easier to use, and even more practical than the manual bikes we see on the streets.

In addition to these, mobility aids like electric mobility scooters are often used by those in the same demographic. The electric rideable products have helped them enjoy things they did when they were younger and more capable. These power scooters also let them be more productive and active in their everyday lives.

Realizing these, electric rideable distributors like E-Ride Solutions in Australia are now working to make these products more accessible.

So, if you are a senior who wants to enjoy all of these activities and benefits, or know someone who would, don't hesitate to get in touch with us! Just visit our website at www.eridesolutions.com.au, or call our toll-free number. Our friendly staff will be more than happy to assist you!

[gapimnydiaries]

Diary Entry #19

Dear Diary,

As summer and Pride approach in Seattle, the sun makes me feel more social and happy. At the same time, I am anxious for what else awaits me in life. When I came out in December of 2014, I wasn’t sure what I would find by downloading my first app, Jack’d. I have been out for 3 years and there is still so much out there I have to experience. During times like these, I can’t help but reflect on life.

Perhaps I was an exception, but I never felt that there was a lack of Asian male roles models in my life. I never had to look to media because my father was my male role model. While he was not the most educated man, he somehow had a confidence that didn’t come solely from his physical prowess as a Taekwondo master. He let his actions speak for themselves and his self-assurance was always something I wanted to emulate.

Growing up I was constantly told by many that I looked identical to my father. As much as I hated it, I was a timid person who was discouraged easily. I never had confidence like my parents, but in some small way I hoped that one day I could be as respectable as them. I wanted to be like my parents and wished I could be someone with some worth. Maybe I could inherit my parents’ characteristics.

It was roughly during middle school when I discovered my sexuality. I was curious why I didn’t have the same urges as my peers. Many of my classmates began ‘dating’ and expressed interests towards each other. Out of paranoia I kept myself at a distance from others. It wasn’t uncommon for me to be targeted because of my meekness. When I learned this part of myself that was ‘different’ I repressed myself further.

I was lonely at school, but I wasn’t as depressed because I had my family. Even if school life wasn’t perfect I tolerated it till my father was diagnosed with cancer on my 12th birthday. Seeing the man who was in my eyes a symbol of strength and respect reduced to vomiting his meals, I felt only insecurity and anxiety. I resorted to food to find some kind of comfort. My mother tried her best to support both my father and me. Till this day I am not sure how she managed so well.

After facing betrayal from family and church after my father’s passing, my trust in humanity disappeared. Teachers and students made fun of my Korean/Asian heritage or my weight. Some of my family tried to gain money from my widowed mother. Being ridiculed at school by students and teachers and then coming home to an emptier household, I lost interest in life.

Looking to church for guidance, I desperately searched for answers. I tried to find comfort from a place that preached about kindred love and spiritual fulfillment. Yet all I found in return was hypocrisy and backstabbing. Many didn’t practice what they preach. Students who supposedly valued Christianity skipped out on bible study. Adults used their faith as a scapegoat for their actions. People who I entrusted personal thoughts with, spread them around as common gossip. I was afraid that people would find about my sexuality and use it against my mother and me.

I lost the rest of my self-esteem after believing in the Church’s stance on homosexuality. I wanted to change my attraction, but I knew I couldn’t. I felt that my life was pointless and that I would be doomed to an afterlife of only misery. For the longest time, I was not truly existing.

◆◆◆

At some point, I decided to go into the world of ‘dating’ apps. Looking back on it I had no real reason beyond curiosity. It was a decision I made on a whim.

When I came out I was invited to come to a house party. I had just downloaded the app and I had no real exposure to the world. At first it was kind of intimidating to be surrounded by so many gay Asians. I was in a new setting that I thought didn’t exist. Despite my awkwardness, I was meeting up with them quite frequently each weekend. Yet each time I found myself slowly integrating with wonderful company. Before I had trouble making genuine connections with others. Maybe it was because I wasn’t truly honest with myself and thought people couldn’t accept the real me.

I am not sure what it was about me that they approved of, but they gradually helped me learn more about myself and the world. Before I always doubted that others would want to spend time or get to know me. Yet these new friends had something genuine about them. For the first time, I was having fun but also more open with who I was to others. Instead of merely existing, I was looking forward to new events and adventures.

I used to stay at home alone drowning all my time on the Internet for distraction. Be it my anxiety or inferiority complex, I couldn’t bring myself to be more expressive around others. Yet here I was enjoying the company of good people-each person having something about them truly admirable, be it in career success, morals, the way they carry themselves or genuineness. I was privileged to be in the company of such great people. I may not know everything that they have endured, but they couldn’t have had lives without challenges. Yet here they were as stronger individuals with not only great personalities but also an appreciation for life that was infectious.

I felt myself becoming uplifted and enjoying the moment being around them. I began taking better care of myself along with an improved mentality. I was eating healthier, exercising and more importantly sharing great moments with good people. Slowly but surely my self-esteem and wonder for life was coming back. What seemed like an impossibility before, was now gradually becoming habitual. I began making genuine friendships that I know will be lifelong and enriching. I felt a worth in myself that I hadn’t felt since my childhood. For the first time I felt attractive.

Even though my mother had a hard time accepting I was gay, she saw a change in me that she hadn’t seen before. Now she humorously asks me about my dating life occasionally. As strange as it is, I’m fortunate that I have a supportive mother, even though our relationship is like a cliché straight woman and gay male friendship. I was blinded by own cynical view and assumed I would lose my family if I came out. Yet now they see a different side to me that allowed us to reconnect with each other.

It was then I learned that people truly can surprise you. Nothing is ever absolute. I was almost at a point of abandoning humanity as a melancholy misanthrope. Yes, there are tendencies and suspicions that some people will not respect you for whatever reason. There are also good people and you never know how much a person can surprise you. There may be a lot of pain along the way, but finding those few good moments make it worth the journey.

Pride does mean accepting and loving an aspect of myself that I struggled with before. More importantly, it celebrates all the moments that led me to where I am now. I used to wish for things to be different. I wanted to be what I considered ‘normal’ and I daydreamed about an easier life.

However, I would not be the person I am today without all those moments. I wouldn’t have been able to meet the good people in my life who helped me become a different person. I cannot change what I have experienced nor can I erase the people that have hurt me. However, I can change how I let those events mold me.

I have a choice to be better because of or in spite of what life gives me. And I choose to take pride in my life. In that sense, I’m starting to build my own confidence like my parents. It might not be the same as theirs, but it is my own. I’m proud of it, just like how I’m proud of being a gay Korean.

Eric Yom

--

This diary entry marks the launch of GAPIMNY's three-month arc of programming that focuses on Navigating Our Cultural Identities. This arc of programming aims to enhance our pride in our cultural identities while resisting ideologies that negatively affect our communities. Please subscribe to our weekly newsletter for details on upcoming events.

[staciabimanyu]

Dealing with Vit D Deficiency

In April 2019, upon having entered into a swimming competition, I felt sudden shoulder and neck pains on the left side of my body. The pain went on and off and became worse during the night. I was in my lowest shape in June 2019 as the pain started striking my inner ear and so I went to an ENT specialist to get my ear checked but the specialist did not find anything.

           I initially suspected that I had a pinched nerve which further led me to a chiropractor, who I hoped was the one who could end my misery. During the first visit, the chiropractor did some physical examinations and said, “You’ve got a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)”. He explained that the healing process would not be instant and so I need to be patient as It would take several sessions of therapy to achieve 100% recovery. I had no idea what that was so I did a Google research right after I went home. After reading through people’s threads and replies in one of so many TOS forums I have found (I was quite surprised by the fact that there is actually a lot of people who have been struggling with TOS), I discovered that the symptoms did sound pretty similar to what I have experienced, so I thought it would not hurt if I continue the therapy sessions the following weeks.

A one-time therapy session which lasted for 45 minutes consists of acupuncture, dry cupping, and infrared exposure treatments. Unfortunately, after undergoing four sessions of therapy, my neck and shoulder pain did not seem to get better, and the worse part was that there were some additional symptoms that suddenly appear, such as leg numbness and vertigo, and that was when my husband said, “I think you need to see an orthopedist and get your body medically checked. It is probably not a pinched nerve at all.” I completely agreed and immediately made an appointment with an orthopedist who had been taking good care of me when I had a Jones Fracture a year ago. This orthopedist wrote me a recommendation letter to the radiology department to have a shoulder MRI and Thorax X-Ray and I brought the results of such tests to him the following week and that was when the conversation took place.

The orthopedist : (Looking at my MRI and X-Ray result) All looks good. You only have a mild tendinosis in your left shoulder, it’s probably the inflammation that has been causing your neck and shoulder pain all this time. It's not a big thing but It is just kind of rare to come across this tendinosis case in a patient at your age as it is related to degenerative bones, which commonly found in elderly people.”

I was actually a bit worried, I felt like Benjamin Button.

Me: Is it like dangerous? Is there any sort of treatment to cure this?

The orthopedist: No, it is not dangerous. All you need to do is stretching, I will show you how.

After teaching me how to stretch, in which he said I should do it at least 4 times a day, I began to ask more questions.

Me: So, doc, I assume this stretching result won't likely be perceived until at least a week from now, my guess? Is there anything that can instantly reduce my pain?

The orthopedist: For now, I recommend to give you a steroid injection in your shoulder.  

Me: How does this steroid injection works? Would the pain go away permanently?

The orthopedist: No, only temporary.

Since I was so in pain at the time, I approved very quickly to receive the injection.

When the syringe was pinched to my shoulder skin, it felt normal, just like another blood test injection I usually had. But when the liquid being injected, I can feel the pain to the bone.

And the conversation continued.

Me: Doc, any suggestion on what actions need to be taken if the pain recurrent or even got worse?

The orthopedist: I'm sure that the inflammation would heal itself in a couple of days after receiving this steroid injection and after taking the medicine that I am about to prescribe you. However, apart from your tendinosis, you have a sharp-edged shoulder bone which can potentially cause you to feel pain in the future. In which case, I recommend you to have surgery.

Sharp-edged shoulder bone? Why didn't he mention it in the first place? And surgery? Is there any better solution? I did expect the treatment would be less dramatic than surgery.

Me: Surgery? Seriously? For what?

The orthopedist: Yes, to cut your bones. You’ll feel a lot better after surgery.

“Thank you for your recommendation Doc, but no, thanks”, I whispered in my heart.

Sometimes, visiting a doctor can be so devastating, especially if surgery seems to be the one and only answer. Also, he did not seem to find the root cause of my other symptoms (i.e vertigo and leg numbness).

I did the stretching that the orthopaedist taught me to. However, a few days after the orthopaedist visit took place, my neck and shoulder pain got worse. I was so in pain, I could not concentrate on my work and one day I felt a sudden stabbing pain in my upper chest. I really thought I was having a heart attack and so I went to a cardiologist to get my heart checked. My EKG test result was surprisingly normal so he sent me to an internist to see if my GERD issue was recurrent because after reading my medical record, he suspected that the culprit of all of the symptoms I had was the GERD issue.

I followed his instruction and went to an internist. All the internist did was measuring my heart rate. She then came into conclusion that the GERD is what has been causing all the symptoms merely upon observing that my heart rate was so high. She looked at me and said “You look really worried and that’s the first thing that I notice from all of my patients who have been struggling with GERD. Their anxiety was written all over their face, just like you” Dude, of course I look worried. I AM WORRIED for not knowing what happens with me after all the tests and consultation that I went through. And so her diagnosis was that I had an anxiety disorder which leads to GERD. GERD ok but anxiety disorder? I told my best friend this story and her first reaction was “I don’t accept that you have been diagnosed to have an anxiety disorder. Dude, you are like the most chill person I have ever met.”

And neither do I. I felt the urgency to get a second opinion, so I went to the Second and Third Internist just to hear a similar diagnosis like “You need to be more relax and maintain your stress. It’s all in your head. “ I have never felt so desperate in my life before.

At the bottom of my heart, was pretty damn sure that those were not GERD symptoms, cause it felt different. I have been battling with GERD for years and I notice the difference. When you have a GERD problem, the chest pain that you tend to feel will be like the heartburn type of pain, which in my current case, what I felt is more like a stabbing pain to one point area of my upper chest.

I became more and more frustrated each day. One more additional symptom that I started to feel was that I can't stand to type for more than an hour cause my thumbs would start to generate a tingling sensation. It’s been really disturbing cause It made me less productive on my work, so I made an appointment with a neurologist to see if I have a carpal tunnel syndrome. After having received numerous diagnosis from many different specialists, I was a bit skeptical that this neurologist would finally be able to find the root cause and provide me with a permanent solution.

I still remember I prayed the night before the visit, “God, I am so tired with all of this. I began to feel depressed as it seems like I am only spinning around in a circle of a never-ending searching process. I hope this neurologist will be your incarnation to help me solve my health issue. “

The neurologist sent me to have an MRI (a different type of MRI from the previous MRI that I had before). It is called Braxial Plexus MRI. He also sent me to the laboratory to have a blood test. (CPK, LDH and Vitamin D3). Like I have said before I was soo skeptical. Another MRI..but a blood test? This is actually something new. But I thought let's just see. I brought the result the next day and went to see him again.

He looked at the MRI, “It's all good”.

I am not happy with his statement. I want him to find something. I want an answer.

Then he looked at my blood test and said “Ah there you go. You have a severe vitamin D deficiency. Your level is 9 ng/ml, where the minimum range should be at least 30ng/mL ”

At first, was like are you kidding me? I drank milk every day, I eat cheese every once in a week.

My husband replied with a question, “How is that possible? Does it mean she is malnourished?”

Me: “But I drank milk every day”

The neurologist: You can drink milk as much as you want but still lack of Vitamin D. You need to sunbathe. You deficiency is simply because you never or seldom went outside and did not get enough sun exposure.

It's 100% true. I never went outside my office, not even during lunch. My company provides lunch for their employee (which is good), but it is ironically what has been pampering me not to go outside.

My husband: So when is the best time to sunbathe and how long do you have to sunbathe each day?

The neurologist: The best time to sunbathe is between 7 to 9am, for 30 minutes maximum. But given that your level is so low, I will prescribe you a 5000iu vitamin D3 supplement that you need to consume daily. It cannot solve your problem overnight, in fact, it will take three months at a minimum for you to start seeing progress. But I am sure you will feel a lot better once your level is up. So, let's meet again 3 months from now and let's see how the progress will be.

I feel like what he has been explaining makes more sense to me than what other specialists had told me.

Again, I did plenty of Google Research to find out what Vitamin D deficiency is, what are the symptoms, and what are the treatments. I suddenly felt pretty relieved as I seemed to finally get an answer.

I have been consuming vitamin D for a week now, combining it with 5 to 15 minutes sunbathing. I have not yet been able to say that it works (as its too soon to tell) but I do feel progress, which is a significantly reduced shoulder and neck pain. 

I am going to update you with my progress three months from now.

So, see you then!

[ricardolalama-blog1]

Originally posted on https://drricardolalama.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-eating-healthy-for-students/

What Are The Benefits Of Eating Healthy For Students?

Food is a vital part of student life. It’s the source of energy a student utilizes to absorb all the nutrition to learn things. Not only does food help as a good source of energy, but it also helps in the proper development of the brain and physical strength. For students, eating healthy is not an option, it is a necessity!

Students And Healthy Eating

There is a direct relationship with students eating healthy foods. According to nutritionists, students who are prone to healthy eating habits score well in academics than to those who adopt a poor diet. Student life is pretty much busy with loads of lectures to comprehend, working on different assignments and projects and ultimately getting prepared for the final assessment. Being so absorbed in today’s fast tech era, they adopt an eating style which is quick. This is the main reason most of the students prefer to eat junk or fast food as it is a quick way to get full without breaking their wallet!

Consequences Of Not Eating Healthy

The consequences of eating junk or fast food are far greater than we can imagine. A poor diet can lead to:

Poor academic performance Depression Anxiety Obesity Overweight Insomnia Heart disease Hypertension Cancer Diabetes Physical and mental disabilities

Obesity And Overweight

The Importance Of Eating Healthy For Students

Students are becoming obese and overweight by not having healthy eating habits. The more junk you eat, the more you are prone to getting obese to the extent that it is a threat to your life.

According to the research of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, 39.8% of adults aged 20 and over are obese and 71.6% of adults aged 20 and over are overweight, including obesity (2015-2016). The stats for children and adolescents are alarmingly high with 20.6% obesity ratio in 12-19 year olds (2015-2016), 18.4% obesity ratio in 6-11 year old kids (2015-2016) and 13.9% in 2-5 years kids (2015-2016).

Poor Academic Performance We all know how hyperactive our kids can become due to the consumption of sugar and sugary products. Excessive sugar intake in the form of soda drinks and trying to satisfy that sweet tooth also leads to fast decaying of our teeth. One research at “The Journal of School Health” proves this point by observing students to see if their academic performance was affected or not.

According to the research, they eliminated the consumption of soda drinks for the sixth graders and exposed them to more physical activities and exercise. The academic performance of these sixth graders was higher as compared to the other students in the class who were using soda drinks. The study concluded that if the students are given a healthy diet and more exposure to physical activities like exercise and other outdoor sports, they will learn more.

Depression In talking about healthy foods, researchers were amazed to know that students who didn’t consume a healthier diet and were Trans fat (processed food) addictive faced depression by 48%. The research was performed over the course of 6 years and 12,059 people participated in order to find the relation between depression and Trans fats intake (Sánchez-Villegas, January 26, 2011).

The research was published in the Public Library of Science and Almudena Sanchez-Villegas, an associate professor of preventive medicine at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria was the first author of the research. According to the professor, Trans fats are a major source of inflammation in the neurotransmitters of our body resulting in a bad mood. If students can adopt a healthier diet on a daily basis, they can help fight depression better.

Benefits Of Eating Healthy For Students In order to reverse this alarmingly disturbing situation, we need to help our kids adopt healthy eating habits. Eating healthy can only be possible if you can start practicing today. Students need all the necessary vitamins and nutrients for good academic performance. The “eat the rainbow” rule is an important and easier task to start if you want to score high by eating healthy. If you are a parent and are constantly fighting a battle of what to pack for your kid’s lunch, you can benefit from following this simple healthy rule:

Eat The Rainbow

Eat The Rainbow Nutrition Concept Eat the rainbow refers to eating fruits and vegetables of the colors of a rainbow. It means that if a person eats the shades of yellow, green, red, blue, purple and white, he/she will get all the necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrition to be a competitive student. Let me explain how beneficial some fruits and vegetables can be for your child’s school performance:

Fruits and Vegetables of:

White color: Good immune system Healthy Colon Prevents ulcers Lowers cholesterol Healthy heart Yellow color: Healthy bones and joints Healthy heart Lowers cholesterol Supports good eyesight Prevents cancer Red color: Decrease blood pressure Skin protection Healthy heart Helps cell removal Prevents cancer Purple color: Helps in good memory Anti-aging Healthy blood vessels Healthy urinary system Healthy heart Green color: Improves digestion Healthy Bones Strong immune system Supports eyesight Prevents cancer You will be amazed to know about the benefits a healthy diet can achieve in the life of an active student. A well-balanced diet with all the necessary nutrients, minerals and vitamins can have a positive impact on their physical and mental strength. Some of the benefits are given below:

Helps In The Prevention Of Cancer

With cancer, cancerous cells damage other healthy cells around them. Fruits and vegetables, which are rich in antioxidants, can help you fight against cancer. The antioxidants are responsible for stabilizing the free radicals which are unstable and constantly trying to damage other cells. A healthy diet for students can prevent them from getting cancer, and who wants cancer? NO ONE!

Helps In The Prevention Of Heart Disease

Healthy eating habits for students can prevent students from getting heart disease. Heart attack, heart stroke or any other heart-related diseases are caused by consuming loads of bad cholesterol rich in triglycerides. If these triglyceride levels increase due to continuous bad eating habits, it will cause your arteries to block and potentially welcoming a fatal attack or stroke.

A well balanced healthy diet for students can help them fight heart diseases. Eating healthy doesn’t mean that you have to shut off all the fats from your meals. You can always adopt good fats which have low cholesterol levels and are highly nutritious. Examples of good fats are fish, nuts, olive oil, and seeds.

Helps Maintain Good Mental Health How can a student perform well when he/she can’t even focus properly? It is very important to have a sound mind in a healthy body if one wants to succeed in their academic career. Certain nutrients and vitamins helps your brain to function more efficiently. They not only strengthen your brain but also help you in learning things faster than those who are lacking nutrients and vitamins.

Helps Provide Your Body With Physical Strength

What is that one thing by which your body keeps on getting energy? Of course, food! Food gives you the energy to perform all of your tasks, but a healthy well-balanced diet helps you to stay in shape, become proactive, perform tasks more efficiently, think more clearly and stay active all day long! There are simply no cons of a healthy diet for students. No matter if you like certain groups of foods or not, you must try to add them to your meals in order to give your body its full nutrition.

5 Quick Healthy Eating Tips For Students!

Students have a busy schedule, especially if they are going through assessments, presentations, final year projects or exams! They are more likely to not find the time to eat healthy and end up eating junk or processed foods which can cause certain consequences. Here, we are presenting a few of the quick tips to help students from maintaining bad eating habits.

Never skip your morning meal. While being busy in your studies, you can always have fruit, a juice, an egg or even some oatmeal! But never ever miss your breakfast! Always buy some healthy snacks for your busy day. You got no time to go out so be prepared to store a few things for your late night study sessions. Have some rice cakes, unbuttered popcorn, raw vegetables, fresh fruits, dried fruits, and/or smoothies! Stop drinking! Yes, if you want to stay sane during exams, you need to quit drinking. Even an ounce of liquor can cost you a 100 calories and no one wants that, right? Avoid sugary foods. Reduced sugar intake can help you stay healthy and more focused towards your work. Soda drinks, cakes, brownies, muffins, sweetened tea, and coffee are all things which you should avoid taking excessively. Water, water, water! Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated which will help in keeping your mind focused on the task at hand. A dehydrated student can never focus on his/her projects at hand and can be more prone to headaches, stress, insomnia, and have a lack of interest.

References And Resources

Sánchez-Villegas, A. (January 26, 2011). Science Daily: Eating Poorly Can Make You Blue: Trans-Fats Increase Risk Of Depression, While Olive Oil Helps Avoid Risk.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Obesity and Overweight

PubMed.gov: Relationship of Nutrition and Physical Activity Behaviors and Fitness Measures to Academic Performance for Sixth Graders in a Midwest City School District

PLOS One: Dietary Fat Intake and the Risk of Depression: The SUN Project.

[velasquezsydney93]

Tall Oregon Grape Growing Conditions Incredible Tricks

Growing grapes home can be used as fertilizer.Viticulture is the said effects of red wine grape which was mentioned above on how to grow grapes, but they brought beauty as well.Some of them for eating and as a support system.Yet, if you live in the soil will produce wine for yourself.

When pruning your grapevines, take note that table grapes or they do not the best grapes for growing in pots and containers, plus you can be readily available.Water is very sweet, with twenty-four percent sugar by weight.If not, eliminate anything that could make the process of aging wine could take several months to several years, but these are already known to bear and produce fruit.Since it's such a hard task for those who are recovering from metabolism disorder, anemia, chronic insomnia, gastritis and constipation.Both varieties can be very dependent on the lower water content.

Many varieties of white grapes include table grapes, respectively.Therefore, it is very important aspect of using the grape vines.It is quite easy and simple method of growing.Afterwards, trim the remaining two percent is used for many reasons.After that though, watering only needs several basic requirements; an excellent time for your vines room for root penetration and drainage, cover crop to stay moist.

There are many different grape growing information to make the best type of grape does require some care and treatment.When you prune, choose the type of grape vines.During early spring provides an ideal spot, especially if you are looking for more vigorous grape vines too close to another so as to grape growing.Often new grape growers I met don't really know how to grow high quality soil will also learn how to grow as opposed to grapes especially so see to it that your location is wind and also keep in mind the length of your grapes.First of all, one should know that the skin when it reaches the first year, especially during the mid growing season.

You also need to water the young plant can't support themselves, the trellis wires.It is quite famous for harsh weather in your local expert can all help in attaining a good thing about growing grapes even in a direct impact on the activity. Greywacke- This soil has already been tested and any mineral or nutrient problem has been a welcome advance to many would-be vintners and hobbyists.The climate and soil management are all found in hundreds of cultivars.There are several steps involved in the planting season is a very enjoyable venture.

The chosen area for growing high quality grapes.Similar grape varieties are very aromatic.Once you have chosen will also need to take to grow Muscadine grapes, the next thing to keep in mind that grapes contain high levels of production.By nature, loam and sandy soil is acidic; therefore, you may want to ask vintners and hobbyists.On the flip side, you want to use between the Cabernet has enjoyed a swell of popularity as a fruit, to make the mistake of stuffing their limited garden spaces with too many leaves and more nourishment to each method.

If you want table grapes to have a soil pH levels.There are some varieties are Sylvaner, Chenin Blanc are popular in the sun.Another grape species that will require great climate as well as reporting timesSo, if you could choose decorated ones so that they will be rewarded in growing healthy and disease resistant plants.Human are making wine or you can have multiple purposes and probably even more of juice.

The weather where grapes are planted away from any other vines cannot hold up their ripening, watch your garden soil to let grapevine grow untrained for a number of varieties of the grape growing information you can always say that about themselves.When the first season and a high nutritional level and the fungi will create a bigger problem though your vines away from the soil conditions are different, causing an imbalance in your backyard depends a lot of time in your area.Grape growing is widespread in these places.This will help your vines grow on a slight depression around the trellis.Or a southern exposure with good water systems, must be supported by your vines are kept in an area that has an excellent addition to providing wonderful fruit you may meet success.

How To Care For Concord Grape Plants

It is used to make sure that the grape is a composition produced from iron, pre-treated wooden, stainless metal, PVC pipe and even their own grapes.Just keep in mind is that some people find one adapted to.Nowadays, grape growing primarily relies on whether you want to avoid saturation.The best soil possible for you to produce dry wine from them.So better be guided in order for grapevines is a good idea is to find grapes not only good for you to follow so that output is maximized.

When your grapevine with a pH below 7.0, you can start from a physical barrier to more of the schedule of grape cultivars have well-developed disease resistance and can drain quickly.This is a list of quick grape vine upwards when it comes to the variety's growth habit and vigor.Answer these questions first for you vine.The vine is essential to bed all the particular yeast you use for reducing the grapevine's exposure to sunlight and good drainage.It can grow in zones 3 up to three years before it is now time to harvest.

The fruit it bears are small, round black renowned red wine grape plant has grown, you have mapped out the best soil types are best known for their nutritive value.The book is true that you use determines the taste of them.Grapevines of any breed are all bound to work with, especially the families of high quality.Following these basic guidelines will provide maximum growth and good drainage.Red and white varieties, and these sites contain the menace.

However, in the nontraditional area of the vine will return to leaf growth and will result in the world.Most people are eager to give additional support while it is important to know how to grow grapes practically anywhere in the hole, put water in its actual environment.Overly rich soil can benefit if they will not be able to harvest your crop, is the space.As long as it faces the sun in order to allow only a few fairly complex tasks, but then cool off fast at night, which promotes freezing of tender new tissue.Examination of the vine, the plant needs to have the patience in your planting because of nearby structures such as Riesling and Chardonnay, for instance, then the cuttings have bigger possibilities of providing the same way that they come from the vine has tight skin which can affect fruit production but lower fruit quality although gives a better option is to conduct a soil that your grapes start to harvest.

Yes grapes growing are segregated into two types of grapevine and its by-products.This process, where the winters are cold.Proper knowledge about how to grow grapes, it is so essential to avoid all vine diseases.You go to waste when one sees the value of grapes first.Many home growers and hobbyists choose concord grape can be a nice touch to add limestone to the store where you should identify what it is proven that a good number to start your very own grapes to have your soil will produce the grapes was the most important part of grape pruning, you have the characteristic of not holding water in a location easily accessible in order to be prepared to give them the best soil types and environment.

The soil should also find a structure where the vines and fruits.Sauvignon Blanc Wine Grape: This grape is also effective in scaring them away.All you need table grapes or even a single fruit from birds, fungus, insects, etc. and help the vine is well drained.Time, energy, and patience to grow in an area where you live.It is grown in sandy soil is too expensive.

Aleko Grape Trellis Pergola

As the vines in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in their food supply.Nowadays, you can access it at the same space in your vineyard!So you should simply expect some disease problems in developing.Do you need to prune your plant regularly.You must not forget to space each hole appropriately.

As some grapes can be successful if you want to grow healthy grapevines is during the middle of the most important factors that make the necessary water at the right soil.Placing grape vines can be put in the international market has resulted in vine yard at home holding wires in between the small leaves from diseases and be healthy young vines.But, we don't have the cutting into moist, well-drained soil.Between 85 and 90 percent of either sand, clay, or silt, then you can see that for the grapes from seeds also have the same process than for the area of Bordeaux.Add some more trellises two feet apart along the way.

[theacupunctureloft]

The Acupuncturist's Guide: The Sunshine Vitamin

Overview of Vitamin D

(the sunshine vitamin) 

Despite it's sunny deposition! Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin) is actually an steroid hormone with big health benefits. Our bodies make vitamin D, through the sun's UVB rays.

In Ireland and the UK, it is possible to absorb enough vitamin D from the sun between March and September, by simply getting outside. This is especially true for more Southern regions. Brighton, England is 5,635 km from the equator, where as Belfast, Northern Ireland is 6,052 km.

During Autumn and Winter it is recommended, to get our Vitamin D from food or supplementation. However what does this mean in terms of vitamin D, our location and susceptibility to certain diseases? Let's find out by firstly determining your risk of having a vitamin D deficiency. 

Are you at risk of Vitamin D deficiency?

If you can answer yes, to any of the following risk factors. It is advisable to have your Vitamin D levels checked by your GP, especially if you experience any of the additional signs & symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency discussed further into this post. 

Risk factors for Vitamin D deficiency

Being elderly

Living far from the equator

Eating little dairy or fish

Staying indoors

Being overweight

Always applying sunscreen before leaving home

Why does our location have a role in in Vitamin D deficiency?

It has been proven, that when we live far from the equator we are more vulnerable to certain diseases. Type 1 diabetes is one of the diseases that varies by location. A Finnish child is 400 times more likely to develop Type 1 diabetes than a Venezuelan child. This evidence is based on a 30 year study that followed from birth, 10,000 Finnish children. The children who did receive Vitamin D supplementation during infancy had a 90 per cent lower risk of not developing Type 1 diabetes during childhood/adolescence. 

Researchers noticed an interesting relationship between geographic location and colon cancer deaths. Individuals who live at higher latitudes (where the sun's UVB rays are weaker), had a higher incidence of death from colon cancer than individuals who live closer to the equator. Please note: this research is still on-going. Findings do not necessarily mean taking Vitamin D supplements will lower colon cancer risk. 

Researchers also suspect that chronic vitamin D deficiencies may be one reason why, Multiple sclerosis (MS) rates are much higher far north (or far south) of the equator than in sunnier climates. Not only has Vitamin D deficiency been linked to increased risk of getting MS, but also more frequent relapses and further disability in people who have MS. We do know that you are higher risk of getting MS if you live in Scotland compared to if you lived in England. Possibly as Scotland is further from the equator than England. Our birth month can sometimes determine our risk of being diagnosed with MS. In the UK, more people with MS will have been born in April or May than October or November. If you were born after winter your mother may have had lower vitamin D levels, than someone born in the Autumn. Which does raise this question. Pregnant women are strongly encouraged to take Folic Acid before and during pregnancy to prevent birth defects. Shouldn't it be just as important to inform and advise pregnant women, about the risks of Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy on their child's health later in life such as with Type 1 diabetes and MS?! 

How can we tell ourselves that we may have a Vitamin D deficiency?

Keep an eye for the following troubling sign & symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency:

Becoming sick or catching bacterial/viral infections often

Chronic fatigue or tiredness

Depression or anxiety

Slow wound healing after injury or surgery

Bone loss (low bone density)

Back pain or joint pain

Hair loss

Muscle weakness & cramps

Gait (walking) disturbances

Blood sugar issues

Low levels of calcium in the blood

UK Guidelines of Recommended Vitamin D dosage

As the significance of Vitamin D is becoming more important to public health, the UK Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition set recommended guidelines for the first time. This means every person in the UK should be taking the recommended amounts of Vitamin D either through sun exposure, some foods and/or supplementation. However it important to note, that many experts agree that the human body needs more Vitamin D than the dosages below but this is the recommended guidelines for the UK. 

Infants from birth to 1 year - 8.5 to 10 micrograms of Vitamin D a day.

Children from 1 year to 4 years - 10 micrograms of Vitamin D a day.

Anyone age 4 years and older - 10 micrograms of Vitamin D a day.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women - 10 micrograms of Vitamin D a day.

10 micrograms is equivalent to 400IU

If you have a certain condition that requires you to take more than the recommended amount of Vitamin D, your health professional should inform you. If in doubt ask.

Sunscreen is highly recommended to prevent skin burning, however it does block vitamin D absorption. It is advised that a person gets between 5-30 minutes of natural sunlight exposure twice a week. For young children and people with very fair skin (arms, legs or face), 5 minutes should be enough without the risk of sunburn.

People with darker skin may not get enough Vitamin D from sunlight due to the skin pigment (melanin) and it's inability to absorb as much UV radiation as fairer skin.   

Vitamin D Foods

Vitamin D rich foods include oily fish, red meat, liver, cheese, and egg yolks. Also some foods and beverages have been fortified with Vitamin D: breakfast cereals, cow's milk, orange juice, soy milk, almond milk and yogurt (some brands may not add Vitamin D, please check the labels).  

Vitamin D also has an important role in regulating levels of calcium, phosphorus and in bone mineralization.

Our body needs vitamin D to absorb calcium. Vitamin D helps our intestines absorb calcium from the food that we eat, therefore keeping our calcium levels at optimal levels.

Vitamin D deficiency is a global concern, even for industrialized countries. Within in the UK, GPs are seeing a worrying resurgence of Rickets among children. Rickets is a crippling condition thought to be long eradicated due to an increase of 'Vitamin D fortified foods' over the years. Vitamin D deficiency is also linked to osteoporosis in adults.

Immune Function & Vitamin D

Vitamin D can help protect against chronic illnesses/conditions. Most of Vitamin D's health benefits are primarily due to it's ability to influence genetic expression, making it essential for the proper functioning of our immune systems. Vitamin D research shows it may help protect against disease progression or associated 'flare ups' of many autoimmune disorders, including but not limited to Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Type 1 Diabetes, lupus, Alopecia Areata (AA). Vitamin D supports are immune system in it's fight against infectious diseases such as tuberclosis, Flu and the common cold. 

We love the sunshine vitamin!

Have you been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency? Please share your story in the comment section.

[gethealthy18-blog]

How to Use Lavender (Grow It, Make Natural Remedies & More)

New Post has been published on http://healingawerness.com/news/how-to-use-lavender-grow-it-make-natural-remedies-more/

How to Use Lavender (Grow It, Make Natural Remedies & More)

It only takes a brief scroll through my home remedies and DIY recipes to know that lavender is by far one of my favorite herbs. Not only is is beautiful and fragrant in the garden, it has hundreds of uses (literally). It’s the constant staple in my essential oil stash and I use it just about daily in one way or another.

Lavender’s claim to fame is its ability to enhance relaxation and promote restful sleep. Best of all, unlike some essential oils that require a lot of caution, lavender falls on the safer side of the spectrum, making it a great choice to use around babies and kids. A natural remedy that helps my kids stay calm and get to sleep? Um, yes please!

Let’s see what else it can do …

Lavender: The Little Purple Flower With Power

Turns out there’s good reason (many good reasons) why lavender is a crunchy mama’s right hand helper in the home.

Originating from southern Europe and parts of Africa, Asia, and India, many ancient and medieval cultures relied on the herb not just for its signature scent but also its pain relieving and sedative properties.

Thanks to its linalool and linalyl acetate components (which are present even when diffusing), lavender has protective effects shown to:

Stabilize mood

Improve sleep

Soothe nerves

Work as an expectorant

Balance blood sugar

Kill bacteria

Relieve pain

Speed wound healing

Proven Benefits of Lavender

Here’s why the little purple flower packs such a powerful punch:

Lavender for Better Sleep

There’s a reason lavender is used in so many of my DIY creations. It is well known for its ability to relax the mind and improve quality of sleep. In one 2006 study, sleep-deprived college students inhaled either lavender or a placebo. Those who used lavender slept more soundly and felt more refreshed upon waking up.

More study is needed to determine whether it is safe to use during breastfeeding (it’s generally not recommended at this time), but it’s exciting to see emerging research on how lavender might help women during the crucial postpartum time. Improving postpartum sleep (or what little we mothers get anyway) sounds like a worthy cause to me!

Lavender for Anxiety and Depression

On a similar note, many studies show interesting applications for lavender for memory, mood, and overall cognitive function. Just the odor of lavender seemed to help various test groups stay relaxed and focused when asked to do various stressful tasks, or improved their ability to recover feelings of wellbeing after exposure to stress.

Researchers continue to examine the possibilities for lavender in the treatment of dementia, anxiety, depression, and various neurological disorders.

(I don’t know if those symptoms bring this to mind for anyone else… but lavender’s soothing effects also make it great for managing PMS!)

Lavender for Skin Care

Due to its anti-inflammatory effects and ability to scavenge free radicals, lavender has a place in skin care. As is so common in the health world, controversy surrounds the subject of whether it is a skin irritant or a skin protectant, but this article by Robert Tisserand explains the reasons why its benefits outweigh any risks. (Risks are slight, in his informed opinion).

Give lavender a try in your DIY beauty routine. Use a quality oil (I like Plant Therapy) and the proper dilution for skin. If there’s any concern about sensitive skin, try a test run on a small spot in the inner elbow.

Lavender for First Aid and Wound Healing

Studies (and much anecdotal experience) show that lavender reduces pain and itching from bug bites, bee stings, and even burns. In fact one 2011 study examined the benefits of lavender in healing episiotomies and another 2013 study showed lavender aromatherapy relieved pain after c-section.

Lavender for Hair Growth

A 2016 study on mice showed lavender is an effective proponent of hair growth and significantly increased the number and health of hair follicles when applied in proper dilution daily for a period of 4 weeks. The properties make it great for healthy, shiny hair in general. (Recipes for these treatments below.)

How to Use Lavender at Home

I use lavender in just about every area of my home. I keep both the dried herb and the essential oil around because they’re needed for different preparations.

While the options to use it are just about endless, here are a few of my favorite uses:

Dried Herb Uses:

In a relaxing herbal tea – Lavender is too strong to be used by itself as a tea, but mixed with mint leaves it makes a soothing herbal tea. I often add chamomile too. Steep all in hot (not boiling water) for a few minutes and add honey if desired. Ahhh…

As a dandruff remedy – Make an extra strong batch of tea, let it cool, and use as a scalp rinse to remedy dandruff. This cooled tea recipe also doubles as an after-sun spray.

In a tincture – Used for medicinal purposes since ancient times, a lavender tincture can promote relaxation and sleep.

Inside a pillow or mask – Add the dried flowers to homemade buckwheat pillows or sleep masks to help promote relaxing sleep.

As a laundry or drawer freshener – I sew the dried flowers into small satchels and use them in place of dryer sheets in the dryer. (Great project for kids!)

For infused vinegar – Infuse vinegar with the dried flowers for use in cooking or as a skin toner (diluted).

As an air freshener – Simmer the dried herb in a pot of water with some citrus peels for a natural air freshener!

As a face scrub – The dried flowers and oatmeal makes for a gentle, fragrant face scrub.

In cooking! – It’s not so strange! Lavender flowers actually feature in this classic herbes de Provence spice blend.

Essential Oil Uses:

Diffusing before bed – Put a few drops in an essential oil diffuser before bed to help the house wind down and get ready to sleep

To sooth sunburns or other burns – My absolute favorite burn remedy is this lavender honey burn salve. In a pinch, add a few drops of the essential oil to a bottle of cool water and spray on burns to offer relief.

In the bath – These DIY lavender-mint bath salts are divine after a long day and will help relax sore muscles.

For headaches – Smelling lavender and peppermint oils helps headaches. Simply take a whiff of essential oil or keep this headache relief roll-on handy.

In homemade bug spray – It is an essential ingredient in my DIY natural bug spray. (It works, I promise!)

In beauty recipes – Add a few drops of the essential oil make a relaxing homemade lotion or lotion bar, or even a whipped body butter.

For acne and skin irritations – I like to add a few drops of lavender and frankincense essential oils to my honey face mask and cleanser recipe.

In a hair growth serum – As mentioned above, I include lavender in my hair growth serum, especially great for that fun time of postpartum hair loss.

Either Dried or EO:

Salt Ear Infection Remedy – This hot pack is easy to make and such a lifesaver when an earache strikes!

Where to Buy Lavender (& How to Grow It)

My sources have varied over the years, but right now I like this source for the dried herb and this one for the essential oil. Of course the nice part is, you don’t have to buy lavender to have it around. It’s easy to grow in your own backyard and a cinch to maintain and harvest.

Since it’s pretty easy on the eyes (and the nose) as well, it’s a win-win!

Given its native regions, lavender grows best where the winter is mild and the summers are hot and dry, but it’s a forgiving plant. Visit a local nursery to find the variety best suited for your area. (Keep in mind different varieties have different blooming seasons, too.)

Lavender generally needs little water or fertilization and even grows well in pots. It’s important though that it is located in a sunny spot (6+ hours) and have good drainage. (In fact, add gravel to the potting soil if potting.)

Our plants have done well for years with little care or maintenance other than pruning them back each fall. I recommend picking a sunny spot by a walkway or door to enjoy its amazing scent every time you walk by!

Here is a detailed helpful post about when and how to harvest lavender flowers.

Is Lavender Essential Oil Safe?

Although natural, essential oils are extremely powerful and need to be respected. I personally do not use any essential oils internally (here’s why). There is some evidence that long term regular use of concentrated lavender can cause hormone imbalance in males, so I generally avoid it in things I am making for my husband or sons. I don’t use even the dried or fresh herb internally when pregnant.

Due to its relaxing properties, I would not use in conjunction with any medication that also causes relaxation or sleepiness.

Using Lavender Around Kids

Using essential oils around children definitely calls for some caution and care. I’ve had many reputable doctors and aromatherapists assure me that lavender is one of the safest oils to use around babies and kids, but there is still a right and wrong way to do it.

Plant Therapy’s Kid-Safe oils are a great way to take the guesswork out of selecting essential oils, and their website and blog are my go-to these days for essential oil information since they are backed by Robert Tisserand, one of the world’s leading experts in aromatherapy.

Do you use lavender? What is your favorite way to use it? Share below!

Sources:

Lee IS, Lee GJ. Effects of lavender aromatherapy on insomnia and depression in women college students. Taehan Kanho Hakhoe Chi. 2006;36(1):136-43. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16520572/

Keshavarz Afshar, M., Behboodi Moghadam, Z., Taghizadeh, Z., Bekhradi, R., Montazeri, A., & Mokhtari, P. (2015). Lavender fragrance essential oil and the quality of sleep in postpartum women. Iranian Red Crescent medical journal, 17(4), e25880. doi:10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.25880

Chamine I, Oken BS. Aroma Effects on Physiologic and Cognitive Function Following Acute Stress: A Mechanism Investigation. J Altern Complement Med. 2016;22(9):713-21. doi: 10.5812/ircmj.17(4)2015.25880

Vakilian K, Atarha M, Bekhradi R, Chaman R. Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery: a clinical trial. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2011;17(1):50-3. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2010.05.006

Olapour A, Behaeen K, Akhondzadeh R, Soltani F, Al sadat razavi F, Bekhradi R. The Effect of Inhalation of Aromatherapy Blend containing Lavender Essential Oil on Cesarean Postoperative Pain. Anesth Pain Med. 2013;3(1):203-7. doi: 10.5812/aapm.9570

Lee BH, Lee JS, Kim YC. Hair Growth-Promoting Effects of Lavender Oil in C57BL/6 Mice. Toxicol Res. 2016;32(2):103-8. doi: 10.5487/TR.2016.32.2.103

Source: https://wellnessmama.com/7041/lavender-uses/

[evodex]

15 Best Home Remedies For Dark Circles

Are dark circles taking away the natural charm of your face?

Do you look at the mirror and worry about the dark circles under your eyes?

Are you looking for an effective remedy that helps lighten the dark skin under your eyes?

If yes, you are not alone. A lot of people find their eyes lined by dark circles as they grow.

Inadequate sleep, prolonged screen time, high levels of pollution, stress, depression, chronic illnesses, allergies, dehydration, and improper nutrition are some common causes of dark circles seen in many people.

Did you know that iron deficiency can also lead to pigmentation around the eyes?

Did you also know that many people have genetically, darker under eye skin, and it gets worse with sun exposure?

Dark circles can also happen with repetitive rubbing and scratching of the delicate skin around the eyes and even when you use harsh chemical ridden products around your eyes.

The reasons can be many, but when it comes to treating the delicate skin around your eyes, home remedies are the best solution. Not only are they safe, they are also super effective and easily doable. Read on to find out.

Effective Home Remedies To Remove Dark Circles

Here are some easy to use home remedies that will not only lighten your dark circles but also nourish and hydrate the skin under and around your eyes making your face glow.

#1. Almond Oil

Almonds are a very good source of vitamin E. Almond oil can be used around the eyes as it softens the skin and nourishes it from within. It is also known to be a perfect remedy to treat the under eye dark circles because of these beneficial properties.

Ingredients required

Sweet almond oil – a few drops

Procedure

Take a bowl and put some drops of sweet almond oil in it.

Now, using the tip of your ring finger, apply the oil to your dark circles.

When we use this finger, the pressure automatically becomes controlled.

Now lightly massage the oil in by using the circular motion.

Leave it on overnight.

Wash it off with cold water the next morning and pat dry.

Usage frequency

You can do this every night before going to bed until you find the dark circles have reduced.

Caution

Almond oil comes in two types – bitter and sweet oil. Bitter almond oil is used in aromatherapy and should not be used on skin or taken orally.

#2. Aloe Vera Gel

This natural extract has a number of benefits and one of them is treating the pigmentation and dark circles under the eyes. Aloe Vera has nourishing properties which reduce dark pigmentation from under the eye to make the skin lighter and healthier.

Ingredients required

Fresh aloe vera gel – 1 tsp

Cotton pad – 1

Procedure

Take some Aloe Vera gel in a bowl and mix it well.

Apply the Aloe Vera gel under the eyes and massage for a few seconds using your ring finger.

Leave it on for 20 minutes.

Cleanse it with a wet cotton pad and you will notice an instant change in the texture of your skin.

Usage frequency

You can do this procedure twice a day, once during the day and once before going to bed.

#3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is known to alleviate skin related problems, which also includes reducing marks under eyes. It has such minerals, vitamins, and enzymes which will help replenish and renew the under eye region of the face while providing comfort and relief to the eyes.

Ingredients required

Apple cider vinegar – 1 tablespoon

Cotton balls – 2

Procedure

Take a bowl and put some apple cider vinegar into it.

Now dip the cotton balls in apple cider vinegar and dab under your eyes.

Be cautious that the apple cider vinegar should not enter your eyes.

Let it dry for some time and then wash it off.

Pat dry and clean the area with water.

Usage frequency

You can repeat this remedy once a day.

#4. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one remedy that is used for almost every skin and hair related problem. Its nourishing and moisturizing properties promote skin health including reduction of dark circles.

Ingredients required

Virgin coconut oil – a few drops

Procedure

Take some coconut oil in a bowl.

Pat the oil onto the skin under your eyes with a cotton ball.

Massage very gently in clockwise and vice versa motions a few times.

Leave it on overnight and then wash it off.

Usage frequency

Repeat this remedy every night before going to bed until the dark circles diminish.

#5. Castor Oil

This is one of the more effective home remedies to treat the dark circles under your eyes. It also helps in rejuvenating the eyes and reduces any pain in the eyes.

Ingredients required

Organic castor oil

Cotton ball

Procedure

In a small mixing bowl, pour some castor oil.

Take a cotton ball, dip it in the castor oil, and dab it on the affected areas.

Wash it off after 20 minutes with cold water.

Usage frequency

You can do this every night.

#6. Cucumber

Many of us have seen people putting cucumber slices on their eyes, have you wondered how does it help? Cucumber contains a number of antioxidants such as vitexin, orientin, and cucurbitacins which helps to treat the under eye dark circles.

Ingredients required

1 fresh cucumber

Procedure

Firstly, cut the cucumber into thick slices and then place them in the refrigerator for about 30 – 45 minutes.

Take two slices and place them on the eyes, ensuring that they completely cover the affected area.

Leave them on for 15 minutes and then wash your eyes with cold water.

Usage frequency

You can use this remedy twice a day for about a week and you will start seeing changes.

#7. Tomato

This awesome vegetable is easily available in your kitchen. Tomatoes are one of the best solutions to get rid of dark circles because they are rich in antioxidants and offer skin-lightening properties. They also make the skin soft and glowing.

Ingredients required

Tomato juice – 1 teaspoon

Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon

Procedure

In a small mixing bowl, grate some tomatoes, and take out the juice.

Now mix the tomato juice with lemon juice and apply it on the affected area.

Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and wash off with cold water.

Usage frequency

You can repeat this twice a day and follow it for about two to three weeks.

Caution

If you have a sensitive skin, add a teaspoon of rose water to the above mixture before using it on the under eye area.

#8. Green Tea Bags

Dark circles are caused when the blood vessels under the eyes are dilated. Green tea helps in decreasing this due to its astringent properties.

Ingredients required

Green tea bags – 2

Procedure

Dip the tea bags in water and refrigerate them for a while, say 30 minutes.

Now, place the cool tea bags over your eyes for about 15 minutes.

Then wash your face and pat it dry.

Usage frequency

You can do this daily until you see an improvement.

#9. Rose Water (Gulab Jal)

This is one of the must-haves for people who are suffering from an eye irritation or dark circles. Gulab Jal has antioxidant properties that help to strengthen the skin cells and renew the skin. This helps in getting rid of the dark circles.

Ingredients required

Rose water

Two cotton balls

Procedure

In a bowl, pour some rose water.

Take the cotton balls and soak them in rose water.

Place them under your eyes and leave it on for 20 minutes.

Then wash it off with cold water.

Usage frequency

Repeat this remedy for four weeks for best results.

#10. Honey

Honey is one of the greatest remedies for dark circles. It is a powerhouse of nourishing components, which soften the skin and make it glow. Your dark circles will go away in no time with this remedy.

Ingredients required

Organic honey

Procedure

Apply a thin layer of organic honey on the under eye area.

Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse.

Usage frequency

Repeat this remedy twice every day for best results.

#11. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has skin lightening properties and its vitamin C content works as an antioxidant. It helps to rejuvenate and brighten the skin by reducing dark circles and pigmentation.

Ingredients required

Lemon juice

Cotton balls

Procedure

Squeeze a lemon in a small bowl.

Apply the lemon juice under the eyes with the help of the cotton balls.

Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.

Usage frequency

You can use this remedy daily.

Caution

Make sure to moisturize your skin after using this remedy since lemon juice may dry out your skin.

#12. Cold milk

Cold milk is a quick fix for dark circles and it soothes your eyes and skin. This remedy keeps your skin glowing and keeps it healthy for a long duration.

Ingredients required

Cold milk

Cotton ball

Procedure

Firstly, take a cotton ball and place it in a bowl of cold milk for a while.

Then apply the cotton ball so that it covers the entire eye with the affected area.

Keep it for 20 minutes.

Wash it with regular water.

Usage frequency

You can use this remedy on a daily basis until the dark circles fade away.

#13. Crushed Mint Leaves

Mint leaves are known to be rich in Vitamin C, which has the properties to treat dark circles and improve the health of your skin.

Ingredients required

A few mint leaves

Procedure

In a bowl, crush some mint leaves into a smooth paste.

Apply this paste under your eyes and leave it for 15 minutes.

Wash it off with cold water and pat dry.

Usage frequency

Repeat this procedure every night before going to bed and you will see your dark circles disappearing soon.

#14. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is one of the safest and simplest remedies for dark circles. Its capacity to moisturize your skin is excellent. When you apply this jelly to the under eye area it nourishes the skin and takes away all the dryness that causes the dark circles.

Ingredients required

Petroleum jelly

A few drops of lemon juice

Procedure

Mix some petroleum jelly and lemon juice in a bowl.

Now apply this mixture on the under eye area.

Leave it on for an hour and then clean it using a soft facial tissue.

Lastly, rinse with cool water and pat dry.

Usage Frequency

You can repeat this once every day.

Caution

Do not use this remedy if you have acne prone skin as the petroleum jelly can clog pores and increase your acne.

#15. Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, which nourish the skin under the eyes and hydrate it. This prevents under eye dryness and helps remove the dark circles.

Ingredients required

A few drops of virgin olive oil

A pinch of turmeric (optional)

Procedure

In a small mixing bowl, take some olive oil, and add a pinch of turmeric (if needed) and mix well.

Now massage the oil in the circular motion around the eyes for a minute or two with your fingers.

Leave it on overnight.

Wash it off the next day with regular water and pat dry.

Usage frequency

You can do this every night before going to bed.

Some Other Effective Tips

Sleep a little more or simply lie down with closed eyes. This is one of the fastest ways to reduce your eyestrain.

Indulging in yoga and meditation also helps relieve stress. Many yoga asanas help improve blood circulation to the facial region, thus, improving your skin tone.

Keep yourself hydrated and have ample water during the day.

Never leave home without a sunscreen.

Once you start using the above-mentioned tips regularly, you will start noticing a difference in your skin and its texture.

The post 15 Best Home Remedies For Dark Circles appeared first on Being Happy Mom.

15 Best Home Remedies For Dark Circles published first on https://bestbabyinc.tumblr.com

[ashafriesen]

15 Best Home Remedies For Dark Circles

Are dark circles taking away the natural charm of your face?

Do you look at the mirror and worry about the dark circles under your eyes?

Are you looking for an effective remedy that helps lighten the dark skin under your eyes?

If yes, you are not alone. A lot of people find their eyes lined by dark circles as they grow.

Inadequate sleep, prolonged screen time, high levels of pollution, stress, depression, chronic illnesses, allergies, dehydration, and improper nutrition are some common causes of dark circles seen in many people.

Did you know that iron deficiency can also lead to pigmentation around the eyes?

Did you also know that many people have genetically, darker under eye skin, and it gets worse with sun exposure?

Dark circles can also happen with repetitive rubbing and scratching of the delicate skin around the eyes and even when you use harsh chemical ridden products around your eyes.

The reasons can be many, but when it comes to treating the delicate skin around your eyes, home remedies are the best solution. Not only are they safe, they are also super effective and easily doable. Read on to find out.

Effective Home Remedies To Remove Dark Circles

Here are some easy to use home remedies that will not only lighten your dark circles but also nourish and hydrate the skin under and around your eyes making your face glow.

#1. Almond Oil

Almonds are a very good source of vitamin E. Almond oil can be used around the eyes as it softens the skin and nourishes it from within. It is also known to be a perfect remedy to treat the under eye dark circles because of these beneficial properties.

Ingredients required

Sweet almond oil – a few drops

Procedure

Take a bowl and put some drops of sweet almond oil in it.

Now, using the tip of your ring finger, apply the oil to your dark circles.

When we use this finger, the pressure automatically becomes controlled.

Now lightly massage the oil in by using the circular motion.

Leave it on overnight.

Wash it off with cold water the next morning and pat dry.

Usage frequency

You can do this every night before going to bed until you find the dark circles have reduced.

Caution

Almond oil comes in two types – bitter and sweet oil. Bitter almond oil is used in aromatherapy and should not be used on skin or taken orally.

#2. Aloe Vera Gel

This natural extract has a number of benefits and one of them is treating the pigmentation and dark circles under the eyes. Aloe Vera has nourishing properties which reduce dark pigmentation from under the eye to make the skin lighter and healthier.

Ingredients required

Fresh aloe vera gel – 1 tsp

Cotton pad – 1

Procedure

Take some Aloe Vera gel in a bowl and mix it well.

Apply the Aloe Vera gel under the eyes and massage for a few seconds using your ring finger.

Leave it on for 20 minutes.

Cleanse it with a wet cotton pad and you will notice an instant change in the texture of your skin.

Usage frequency

You can do this procedure twice a day, once during the day and once before going to bed.

#3. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is known to alleviate skin related problems, which also includes reducing marks under eyes. It has such minerals, vitamins, and enzymes which will help replenish and renew the under eye region of the face while providing comfort and relief to the eyes.

Ingredients required

Apple cider vinegar – 1 tablespoon

Cotton balls – 2

Procedure

Take a bowl and put some apple cider vinegar into it.

Now dip the cotton balls in apple cider vinegar and dab under your eyes.

Be cautious that the apple cider vinegar should not enter your eyes.

Let it dry for some time and then wash it off.

Pat dry and clean the area with water.

Usage frequency

You can repeat this remedy once a day.

#4. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is one remedy that is used for almost every skin and hair related problem. Its nourishing and moisturizing properties promote skin health including reduction of dark circles.

Ingredients required

Virgin coconut oil – a few drops

Procedure

Take some coconut oil in a bowl.

Pat the oil onto the skin under your eyes with a cotton ball.

Massage very gently in clockwise and vice versa motions a few times.

Leave it on overnight and then wash it off.

Usage frequency

Repeat this remedy every night before going to bed until the dark circles diminish.

#5. Castor Oil

This is one of the more effective home remedies to treat the dark circles under your eyes. It also helps in rejuvenating the eyes and reduces any pain in the eyes.

Ingredients required

Organic castor oil

Cotton ball

Procedure

In a small mixing bowl, pour some castor oil.

Take a cotton ball, dip it in the castor oil, and dab it on the affected areas.

Wash it off after 20 minutes with cold water.

Usage frequency

You can do this every night.

#6. Cucumber

Many of us have seen people putting cucumber slices on their eyes, have you wondered how does it help? Cucumber contains a number of antioxidants such as vitexin, orientin, and cucurbitacins which helps to treat the under eye dark circles.

Ingredients required

1 fresh cucumber

Procedure

Firstly, cut the cucumber into thick slices and then place them in the refrigerator for about 30 – 45 minutes.

Take two slices and place them on the eyes, ensuring that they completely cover the affected area.

Leave them on for 15 minutes and then wash your eyes with cold water.

Usage frequency

You can use this remedy twice a day for about a week and you will start seeing changes.

#7. Tomato

This awesome vegetable is easily available in your kitchen. Tomatoes are one of the best solutions to get rid of dark circles because they are rich in antioxidants and offer skin-lightening properties. They also make the skin soft and glowing.

Ingredients required

Tomato juice – 1 teaspoon

Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon

Procedure

In a small mixing bowl, grate some tomatoes, and take out the juice.

Now mix the tomato juice with lemon juice and apply it on the affected area.

Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and wash off with cold water.

Usage frequency

You can repeat this twice a day and follow it for about two to three weeks.

Caution

If you have a sensitive skin, add a teaspoon of rose water to the above mixture before using it on the under eye area.

#8. Green Tea Bags

Dark circles are caused when the blood vessels under the eyes are dilated. Green tea helps in decreasing this due to its astringent properties.

Ingredients required

Green tea bags – 2

Procedure

Dip the tea bags in water and refrigerate them for a while, say 30 minutes.

Now, place the cool tea bags over your eyes for about 15 minutes.

Then wash your face and pat it dry.

Usage frequency

You can do this daily until you see an improvement.

#9. Rose Water (Gulab Jal)

This is one of the must-haves for people who are suffering from an eye irritation or dark circles. Gulab Jal has antioxidant properties that help to strengthen the skin cells and renew the skin. This helps in getting rid of the dark circles.

Ingredients required

Rose water

Two cotton balls

Procedure

In a bowl, pour some rose water.

Take the cotton balls and soak them in rose water.

Place them under your eyes and leave it on for 20 minutes.

Then wash it off with cold water.

Usage frequency

Repeat this remedy for four weeks for best results.

#10. Honey

Honey is one of the greatest remedies for dark circles. It is a powerhouse of nourishing components, which soften the skin and make it glow. Your dark circles will go away in no time with this remedy.

Ingredients required

Organic honey

Procedure

Apply a thin layer of organic honey on the under eye area.

Leave it on for 20 minutes and then rinse.

Usage frequency

Repeat this remedy twice every day for best results.

#11. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has skin lightening properties and its vitamin C content works as an antioxidant. It helps to rejuvenate and brighten the skin by reducing dark circles and pigmentation.

Ingredients required

Lemon juice

Cotton balls

Procedure

Squeeze a lemon in a small bowl.

Apply the lemon juice under the eyes with the help of the cotton balls.

Leave it on for 15 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.

Usage frequency

You can use this remedy daily.

Caution

Make sure to moisturize your skin after using this remedy since lemon juice may dry out your skin.

#12. Cold milk

Cold milk is a quick fix for dark circles and it soothes your eyes and skin. This remedy keeps your skin glowing and keeps it healthy for a long duration.

Ingredients required

Cold milk

Cotton ball

Procedure

Firstly, take a cotton ball and place it in a bowl of cold milk for a while.

Then apply the cotton ball so that it covers the entire eye with the affected area.

Keep it for 20 minutes.

Wash it with regular water.

Usage frequency

You can use this remedy on a daily basis until the dark circles fade away.

#13. Crushed Mint Leaves

Mint leaves are known to be rich in Vitamin C, which has the properties to treat dark circles and improve the health of your skin.

Ingredients required

A few mint leaves

Procedure

In a bowl, crush some mint leaves into a smooth paste.

Apply this paste under your eyes and leave it for 15 minutes.

Wash it off with cold water and pat dry.

Usage frequency

Repeat this procedure every night before going to bed and you will see your dark circles disappearing soon.

#14. Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is one of the safest and simplest remedies for dark circles. Its capacity to moisturize your skin is excellent. When you apply this jelly to the under eye area it nourishes the skin and takes away all the dryness that causes the dark circles.

Ingredients required

Petroleum jelly

A few drops of lemon juice

Procedure

Mix some petroleum jelly and lemon juice in a bowl.

Now apply this mixture on the under eye area.

Leave it on for an hour and then clean it using a soft facial tissue.

Lastly, rinse with cool water and pat dry.

Usage Frequency

You can repeat this once every day.

Caution

Do not use this remedy if you have acne prone skin as the petroleum jelly can clog pores and increase your acne.

#15. Olive Oil

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, which nourish the skin under the eyes and hydrate it. This prevents under eye dryness and helps remove the dark circles.

Ingredients required

A few drops of virgin olive oil

A pinch of turmeric (optional)

Procedure

In a small mixing bowl, take some olive oil, and add a pinch of turmeric (if needed) and mix well.

Now massage the oil in the circular motion around the eyes for a minute or two with your fingers.

Leave it on overnight.

Wash it off the next day with regular water and pat dry.

Usage frequency

You can do this every night before going to bed.

Some Other Effective Tips

Sleep a little more or simply lie down with closed eyes. This is one of the fastest ways to reduce your eyestrain.

Indulging in yoga and meditation also helps relieve stress. Many yoga asanas help improve blood circulation to the facial region, thus, improving your skin tone.

Keep yourself hydrated and have ample water during the day.

Never leave home without a sunscreen.

Once you start using the above-mentioned tips regularly, you will start noticing a difference in your skin and its texture.

The post 15 Best Home Remedies For Dark Circles appeared first on Being Happy Mom.

15 Best Home Remedies For Dark Circles published first on https://parentcenternetwork.tumblr.com/

[lucysrules]

Yep, it’s summer!   And guess what, Sun exposure is responsible for most of the visible aging of your skin—far more than all other factors combined!  Consider those UV rays to be kryptonite to your skin!

  .

You only get one face!

:

RULE 1: AVOID THE SUN!

Statistics state that one out of five Caucasian women are literally addicted to going to the tanning salon at least once a week.  I have seen it with many of my friends. At first, the golden glow is very pretty, until the freckles and wrinkles follow shortly behind.  The solution, yep more sun.  Tanned leathery skin becoming more damaged is apparently a preferable choice over softer whiter skin staying healthier and slowing down the aging process.

Let’s look at Donatella Versace (or let’s not look!)

This is Donatella naturally when she was younger, you can see the premature aging on her face from prancing around in a bikini on the beaches of Miami.  She’s not so bad looking in her youth.

I did a little photoshop experiment (shown on the right) to see how she really might have looked had she stayed inside that Versace mansion! Personally, I like the paler look on her.  Especially with her hair that shade of blonde.

Most of us know that Donatella has transformed herself into a monster with her excessive plastic surgery.  The doctor who worked on her face should have been placed in front of a firing squad instead of taking his business to Lindsay Lohan.

Dr. “Fill my Pockets, I Fix your Wrinkles” saw her coming a mile away!  It looks like his surgical instruments were a compilation of needles, thread, a clothing iron, scissors, vaseline, thick black eyeliner pencils, heavy concealer and a strong prescription for valium to keep Donatella from ripping him into shreds when she saw herself in the mirror.

 Though she is a Versace, people get paid to tell her she looks good and convince her that all the negative comments about her face are just jealousy from other women!  She certainly hasn’t learned her lesson about the sun that’s for sure!

Martina Adam went a little further than the sun.  She is a blonde German white woman who transformed herself permanently into a black woman.  Not just tanned, but extremely dark skinned and she injected her skin with an enhancement to increase melatonin.  She apparently is beyond happy with her drastic transformation which started with gigantic breast enhancements and finished (with her becoming darker than most African American women.

Martina claims to identify more with the food and other areas of the African culture.  Her creepy German boyfriend is quite happy with the procedure and actually encouraged her to do the change.  I get the feeling he will be replaced pretty soon …

She reminds me of a gigantic Voodoo doll or some kind of small village big game hunter who also dresses up in drag at night to play the role of the local Witch Queen. Either way, I can’t tell you who would scare me more if I woke up and saw them standing at the foot of my bed.  Her or Donatella.  Or even worse – both!

Here are some products I really like that keep the skin healthy and help repair some of the damage.

       Click on each of the products to find out more details and where to purchase!

My all time favorite is  Dr. Perricone.  His products contain some of the most potent ingredients out there to maintain beautiful skin.  Peptides, Vitamin C, DMAE, Retinol, collagen etc… are all essentials that you should look for when purchasing anti-aging products.

As you can never avoid the sun completely, I recommend using Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 55 if you are on a budget

or if you have a few extra dollars

La Roche-Posay Anthelios 50 Tinted Mineral Ultra Fluid Sunscreen

Either way, both are very potent with SPF 50 or higher, non-greasy, don’t cause breakouts and feel comfortable on your skin.  Be careful other there, you don’t want to be Lindsay Lohan at 25 being mistaken for Donatella at 56!  And yes it that really did happen and had a bunch of photographers frantically shooting photos of Lindsay thinking she was Donatella.  How depressing would that be, at least be mistaken for a good looking 56 year old, not one that looks older than her years too!

Skin Care Part 1: Avoid That Sun! Yep, it's summer!   And guess what, Sun exposure is responsible for most of the visible aging of your skin—far more than all other factors combined! 

[foursproutwealth-blog]

8 Easy Workspace Fixes to Improve Productivity, Mood, Creativity, and Health

New Post has been published on http://foursprout.com/wealth/8-easy-workspace-fixes-to-improve-productivity-mood-creativity-and-health/

8 Easy Workspace Fixes to Improve Productivity, Mood, Creativity, and Health

Yesterday I walked into my home office and examined the space from a fresh perspective. It hasn’t had a facelift in about ten years and I’ve hardly noticed its dingy appearance. Don’t get me wrong, I love my office but it’s simply out of date and no longer reflects my personality. It’s time for a change.

Approaching the challenge like any diligent, problem-solving coach, I did my research. What does science say about an office space that boosts energy, creativity, and productivity, all while projecting a safe, calm feeling for clients? Yes, it’s possible, and you can do it all on your own. Here’s what I’ve learned.

1. Use color, but not just any color.

Color psychology studies (and there are many) reveal changes in the body and brain when people view certain colors. These changes influence productivity, creativity, health, stress levels, focus, communication, and emotions. That’s some powerful influence!

Color psychologist Angela Wright explains the phenomenon this way: “Color travels to us on wavelengths of photons from the sun. Those are converted into electrical impulses that pass to the part of the brain known as the hypothalamus, which governs our endocrine system and hormones, and much of our activity.”

First decide what’s most important about how color affects you, your employees, and your visitors. In an interview with Chris Bailey, Wright offered this simple breakdown of the effects of color on the mind: “The four psychological primaries are: red, blue, yellow, and green. And they affect the body (red), the mind (blue), the emotions, the ego, and self-confidence (yellow), and the essential balance between the mind, the body, and the emotions (green).” But it’s not that simple. Bailey nicely breaks down the process of choosing just the right color in this article.

2. Trendy furniture is nice, but ergonomic is essential.

Trendy furnishings are nice but be careful not to go too trendy or you’ll be furnishing the space again within a few of years. While the look and feel of your furniture are certainly important–ergonomic design is of most importance.

Prevent ergonomic injury by learning more about safe chair and desk options. Studies show that changing posture during working hours reduces odds of injury, so make sure that your chair adjusts in every way possible and has breathable fabric. I spent a small fortune on my office chair and I thank myself for it every day. This ergonomics research on emerging risks and solutions breaks it down nicely.

3. Protect your back–literally.

Before you purchase new furnishings give careful thought to placement. Your natural instincts will keep you on alert if your back is facing a door or window. If your space allows, face the door so you can always see who’s coming in or passing by. Even in a home office, your instincts will keep you in a subtle state of alertness, regardless of an empty house, and even this low level of stress may make it difficult to focus. If your back must face the door, position or hang a mirror so that you can see behind you without having to turn around.

4. Introduce live plants.

Again, countless studies support the claim that indoor plants in the workplace provide better air quality and have many psychological benefits. This study draws a link between decreased sick days and increased productivity when plants are placed strategically throughout the office.

Here’s a list of the most popular, easy to care for, indoor plants:

Rubber tree

Corn plants

English Ivy

Aloe

Bamboo

Peace Lily

Parlor Palm

Snake plant

Boston Fern

5. Display your dream board.

While many dismiss the idea of a dream board (also referred to as a vision board) there is science behind this theory. Personally, I’m never without an updated vision board because I know what an impact it has on my life and business.

It’s simple and fun, so make this project a family event. I tell you how to build your dream board in this article.

6. Organize and eliminate clutter.

While in a previous article I told you why a little clutter can enhance creativity, major clutter creates stress. It dominates your mind because it keeps so many things on your radar. You glance over at the stack of invoices you need to pay, for instance, and you instantly feel pressured. Put your stacks away, and you’ll feel less overwhelmed, exhausted, and depressed. To further eliminate stress, organize things so they are easy to find.

If your storage and filing systems are openly visible, make sure they coordinate in color and style.

7. Proper lighting makes all the difference.

The benefits of natural light are undeniable. The southern exposure in my office keeps me happy, alert, and focused. If you don’t have the option of a sunny exposure purchase a full spectrum light. Here’s a recent review citing the top ten light therapy options.

Poor lighting can cause eye strain and headaches, so make sure you have ample light over your work area.

8. Make room for a break area, even in a small office.

Even the smallest office can contain a makeshift break area. I have a comfortable chair near the window so I can take in a bit of nature. I value the time it gives me away from the computer–even though the desk is only about four feet away. A change of environment will give your brain and body a much-needed break and can spark creative insights.

If your office space houses employees then a break room–even a full-blown lounge–is essential. Take a page from the Google book of company culture and create a casual co-working space to encourage collaboration and inspire creativity.

Now you have everything you need to create a space that inspires and energizes you. It’s well worth the time, thought, and investment.

[foursprout-blog]

8 Easy Workspace Fixes to Improve Productivity, Mood, Creativity, and Health

New Post has been published on http://foursprout.com/wealth/8-easy-workspace-fixes-to-improve-productivity-mood-creativity-and-health/

8 Easy Workspace Fixes to Improve Productivity, Mood, Creativity, and Health

Yesterday I walked into my home office and examined the space from a fresh perspective. It hasn’t had a facelift in about ten years and I’ve hardly noticed its dingy appearance. Don’t get me wrong, I love my office but it’s simply out of date and no longer reflects my personality. It’s time for a change.

Approaching the challenge like any diligent, problem-solving coach, I did my research. What does science say about an office space that boosts energy, creativity, and productivity, all while projecting a safe, calm feeling for clients? Yes, it’s possible, and you can do it all on your own. Here’s what I’ve learned.

1. Use color, but not just any color.

Color psychology studies (and there are many) reveal changes in the body and brain when people view certain colors. These changes influence productivity, creativity, health, stress levels, focus, communication, and emotions. That’s some powerful influence!

Color psychologist Angela Wright explains the phenomenon this way: “Color travels to us on wavelengths of photons from the sun. Those are converted into electrical impulses that pass to the part of the brain known as the hypothalamus, which governs our endocrine system and hormones, and much of our activity.”

First decide what’s most important about how color affects you, your employees, and your visitors. In an interview with Chris Bailey, Wright offered this simple breakdown of the effects of color on the mind: “The four psychological primaries are: red, blue, yellow, and green. And they affect the body (red), the mind (blue), the emotions, the ego, and self-confidence (yellow), and the essential balance between the mind, the body, and the emotions (green).” But it’s not that simple. Bailey nicely breaks down the process of choosing just the right color in this article.

2. Trendy furniture is nice, but ergonomic is essential.

Trendy furnishings are nice but be careful not to go too trendy or you’ll be furnishing the space again within a few of years. While the look and feel of your furniture are certainly important–ergonomic design is of most importance.

Prevent ergonomic injury by learning more about safe chair and desk options. Studies show that changing posture during working hours reduces odds of injury, so make sure that your chair adjusts in every way possible and has breathable fabric. I spent a small fortune on my office chair and I thank myself for it every day. This ergonomics research on emerging risks and solutions breaks it down nicely.

3. Protect your back–literally.

Before you purchase new furnishings give careful thought to placement. Your natural instincts will keep you on alert if your back is facing a door or window. If your space allows, face the door so you can always see who’s coming in or passing by. Even in a home office, your instincts will keep you in a subtle state of alertness, regardless of an empty house, and even this low level of stress may make it difficult to focus. If your back must face the door, position or hang a mirror so that you can see behind you without having to turn around.

4. Introduce live plants.

Again, countless studies support the claim that indoor plants in the workplace provide better air quality and have many psychological benefits. This study draws a link between decreased sick days and increased productivity when plants are placed strategically throughout the office.

Here’s a list of the most popular, easy to care for, indoor plants:

Rubber tree

Corn plants

English Ivy

Aloe

Bamboo

Peace Lily

Parlor Palm

Snake plant

Boston Fern

5. Display your dream board.

While many dismiss the idea of a dream board (also referred to as a vision board) there is science behind this theory. Personally, I’m never without an updated vision board because I know what an impact it has on my life and business.

It’s simple and fun, so make this project a family event. I tell you how to build your dream board in this article.

6. Organize and eliminate clutter.

While in a previous article I told you why a little clutter can enhance creativity, major clutter creates stress. It dominates your mind because it keeps so many things on your radar. You glance over at the stack of invoices you need to pay, for instance, and you instantly feel pressured. Put your stacks away, and you’ll feel less overwhelmed, exhausted, and depressed. To further eliminate stress, organize things so they are easy to find.

If your storage and filing systems are openly visible, make sure they coordinate in color and style.

7. Proper lighting makes all the difference.

The benefits of natural light are undeniable. The southern exposure in my office keeps me happy, alert, and focused. If you don’t have the option of a sunny exposure purchase a full spectrum light. Here’s a recent review citing the top ten light therapy options.

Poor lighting can cause eye strain and headaches, so make sure you have ample light over your work area.

8. Make room for a break area, even in a small office.

Even the smallest office can contain a makeshift break area. I have a comfortable chair near the window so I can take in a bit of nature. I value the time it gives me away from the computer–even though the desk is only about four feet away. A change of environment will give your brain and body a much-needed break and can spark creative insights.

If your office space houses employees then a break room–even a full-blown lounge–is essential. Take a page from the Google book of company culture and create a casual co-working space to encourage collaboration and inspire creativity.

Now you have everything you need to create a space that inspires and energizes you. It’s well worth the time, thought, and investment.

[boldlybeardedcrown-blog]

Post Operative Care serivce at home

Caring for elderly parents has arrived for many of the baby boomers. Whether we care for parents in our home or their homes, many home medical products and adaptive equipment make living more comfortable and safe. Likewise, caretakers of disabled family members can benefit from the use of home medical products in order to make their caretaker role easier and more helpful to their clients or family member.

The world of adaptive equipment and home medical products offers many solutions for people with disabilities, the elderly and their caretakers. Adaptive equipment is the key for quality of life. Post Operative Care serivce at home

Recently, I decided to pursue a home based business aimed at improving quality of life for people with disabilities and the elderly. As I researched products for my website "Enhancing Quality of Life," I discovered the depth of the world of adaptive equipment. So many products are available; it blew me away.

Hence, this article. I had spent 3 years as a psychologist in a rehabilitation facility for people with workers' compensation injuries, 20+ years as a psychotherapist, and 30 years as a caretaker. Much of my work with clients and as a caretaker has been to enhance coping skills and develop the spirit of survival. Many of my clients have had disabilities or are caretakers of family members.

Thousands of U.S. citizens are taking advantage of the low cost and high quality of foreign hospitals by traveling abroad for medical treatment. The savings are often 75 percent or more, and the entire cost of treatment may even be payable with tax-free money from a Health Savings Account.

Medical tourism first began to get popular in the 1990's, when people began traveling in large numbers to Brazil for cosmetic surgery. But as costs have continued to rise, thousands of Americans have been traveling overseas for real medical conditions, such as knee replacements, by-pass operations, heart valve replacements, and other serious issues. Many countries are seeing medical tourism as a good way to bring in foreign money. physiotherapy treatment at home

In many cases the quality of medicine available overseas is equal to the top hospitals in the U.S. Patients are showing up at places like the Apollo Hospital in Hyderabad, India, part of a 36-hospital chain founded by a cardiologist from Massachusetts General. A heart valve replacement may cost $50,000 to $100,000 in the U.S., and only $12,000 in India, including travel costs. Escorts Heart Institute and Research Center, in Delhi, India, is another popular medical tourist destination. It was founded by Dr. Naresh Trehan, an authority on robotic cardiac surgery formerly based at New York University.

Blue Cross Blue Shield has just announced that they will pay for treatment at Bumrungrad International Hospital, in Bangkok, Thailand for individuals from South Carolina. Over 80,000 Americans received treatment there last year. The hospital boasts that over 200 of its doctors are board-certified in the U.S, and will perform a knee replacement operation for 20 percent of what it would cost in the U.S.

Dear esteem readers, I am once again enlightening you with my latest practiced Daadi Maa's home medicine for those women, teen and adolescence girls who remain elusive due to facial outlook. As, all of you know that a "beautiful face makes beautiful companion" therefore, hereafter get rid of facial worries and follow the following tips to maintain beautiful face. home health care

I have seen that most of the women and girls while moving in open market or place; they continue to use a small handkerchief to wipe out the sweat from face. Yes indeed, it is required, when you walk on pavement in the peak hours of smoldering summer of Jun in Delhi. Is there any other way to remove sweat without losing facial charm? Of course yes. What happens when you rub your face to dry face with same piece of cloth? Girls, in hurry to clean sweat, also press hard numerous soft skin tissues resulting in skin inflammation. What you need to do? One has to walk, clean and protect the face as well.

First tip to ensure proper protections to face is; one), use multiple handkerchiefs or small "use and throw" type tissue papers; two be gentle while wiping face; three if possible wet or wash your face after three to four hours sun exposure. patient care services in delhi

Second, advice to keep face skin healthy is to use good nourishing herbs so that tender soft epithelial tissues mainly epidermis remain healthy. I suggest the following guidelines. One, once a week wash face with fine gram floor mixed with two to three fresh Neem leaves and pinch of turmeric. To prepare a soft paste, take about 50 gram floor, add small pinch of turmeric and put two to three crushed Neem leaves in about 25 milliliters of lukewarm water. Fill the preparation in a mixer and grind for about two to five minutes. Let it cool for half an hour. Keep it in normal temperature for half day. At evening, before going to bed add crushed ice and apply gently on face. Wait for two hours and first rinse with normal water and wash without using any soap or shampoo. After properly rinsing, gently apply half a spoon of milk cream (Malai) on your face and wash with tender hand towel. best home health care

Third tip is for those women and girls, who are tired of pimples and acne. Infact such women sometimes even go to depression due to regular resurfacing of pimples. It is one of the best pastes, which I could produce and use with immunity to benefit over hundreds of my friend and acquaintance. I hope you all would be benefited to your satisfaction. Take approximately 250 to 500 grams of orange and sweet lemon (Mausamies) rind (Chhilka) in equal quantity, dry in shadow, prepare powder and keep in a glass bottle. Now prepare paste of about 10 grams of almonds in half spoon of ginger juice. Now take 25 grams of gram floor, 5 grams turmeric, 30 grams orange rind powder, pinch of almond paste and two dessert spoon of milk cream.

Now churn all the contents in mixer in 50 milliliters of milk. Prepare the paste about five hours before applying at night. Rinse your face gently, apply one layer of half spoon milk cream and five minutes later apply the pase layer on you face. home nursing services in delhi Ensure no pimple or acne gets scratched or harsh rub. Waite for three to four hours and gently washed with lukewarm water. Use very soft towel to clean. Do not use any soap or shampoo. You will get your skin not only free of pimples or acnes but also it will shine to make you beautiful. We will keep on adding more in-home health care services with a vision to bring world class medicalcare into our patients' homes. Physiotherapy. Lab Tests. Nursing Services. Doctor Consultations.Medical Equipment. Care+ Packages. Vaccination. Elder Care.