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How Do You Get Brighter, Whiter Teeth?

Coffee, tea, wine—when we really think about it, it’s a wonder our teeth aren’t more stained already. Even things like tomato sauce, blueberries and soy sauce can contribute to dimming your bright white smile.

Professional teeth whitening shows immediate results and lasts quite a long
time, but it also costs around $500 and isn’t usually covered by insurance. So where should someone on a budget look?

Home whitening kits

You may be able to get rid of superficial stains by yourself. Tooth-whitening products use a surface-type bleach to break the bonds between the stains on tooth enamel. Dentists use a highly concentrated amount to achieve more dramatic results, but the at-home kits, which use a smaller amount, can achieve results too.

Expect that any at-home products will require multiple applications over a week or two and have a gradual whitening effect. If you do opt for a professional whitening treatment, dentists often recommend using at-home products as a booster to keep your teeth whiter for longer.

Whitening toothpaste

Perhaps the simplest way to stay on top of your teeth whitening is to pick a whitening toothpaste to brush with every day. While whitening toothpastes don’t lead to dramatic changes in color, they usually contain a small concentration of hydrogen peroxide that will whiten your tooth enamel over time.

Ideally, you’re using a whitening toothpaste in addition to other whitening solutions, says New York cosmetic dentist Edward Alvarez. But this is a good place to start.

Electric toothbrush

Another simple trick to up your teeth game is to swap out your standard toothbrush
for an electric one. Electric toothbrushes

can remove up to 70 percent more plaque than manual brushes. They also remove more stains by vibrating or rotating more effectively.

Prevention is key

The best way to whiten teeth is to observe some preventative measures so they don’t
get too discolored in the first place. Good practices mean avoiding staining substances, the most egregious of which are red wine, coffee and tobacco residue. But other foods that contribute to stains are tea, tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar.

If the thought of avoiding any of those feels out of the question, try rising your mouth out with water after you eat. Brushing your teeth is even better. And of course, regular flossing and dental check-ups never hurt either.

Ladies, try this!

Wear a red lipstick with a blue undertone to give your teeth the illusion of being brighter than they actually are.

See Also:

Unleash Your Inner Genie Goddess

 

Mad About Maca: Health Benefits of Maca Powder

If you, like us, have most experimented with maca by ordering the occasional maca latte from your local independent coffee shop, then this article is for you.

Maca—different from the highly prized green tea matcha traditionally from Japan and China—is the powdered version of the maca root from the South America Andes. The superfood tastes earthy and (some say) like caramel.

Health benefits

Nutritionists say the maca provides major health benefits. “[Maca] may benefit our hormonal health by regulating the endocrine system—the collection of glands that produce hormones to regulate metabolism, growth, sexual function, reproduction, sleep and mood,” said performance dietitian Jessica Spendlove in HuffPost Australia.

A study published in the journal Pharmaceuticals tested the effects of daily maca consumption by 175 participations. At the end of the 12-week study, researchers concluded that maca positively affected the participants’ mood, energy and health status.

Now for the dubious claims

Maca is often credited with being a major libido-booster, but when you start to unravel that, there’s probably not a whole lot of truth to the claim.

Maca root’s ability to get you in the mood is more of a theory than something that has been confirmed through scientific research, said Dr. Keith-Thomas Ayoob, EdD, RD, FAND to Elite Daily.

So maybe don’t chug a maca latte before your next date.

How to incorporate it into your diet

Maca powder is incredibly versatile. Stir a serving into your morning coffee, add it to a smoothie, mix it into a stir fry or even put it in hot chocolate.

It can be frustrating to invest in a whole bag of a superfood without knowing if you’ll like the taste or if you’ll notice its health benefits. Some retailers sell individual packets of maca, which are smaller and less expensive. Not only will you be able to try out the ingredient for yourself without going home with a year’s worth of powder, but the single-serving pouches make this the perfect product to take on-the-go to work or the gym.

As with any dietary supplement, you might want to check in with your doctor before you commit to incorporating maca into your daily meals.

“If you take medications or have a medical condition, herbs are not something to just play with,” Dr. Ayoob said. “Some can have serious interactions with medication or in people with certain medical conditions.”

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Extracts from maca might act like estrogen.” As per the NIH, if you have any condition that could be made worse by extra estrogen exposure, you shouldn’t use maca without a doctor’s permission. People with hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids should be extra cautious.

See also: Expert Tips on How to Breakup with Your Phone

How Can College Students Benefit from HerpAlert?

We all know how ubiquitous STD’s are, especially if you’re a college student. Nobody wants to be distracted by an STD diagnosis in the midst of studying for finals or writing a term paper, but ultimately your health should always come first. As a student, you have access to your school’s health center, where a number of nurse practitioners are available to treat whatever comes your way. However, not everyone feels comfortable going to a nurse to see if a sore on your lip or a bump on your groin is something more. For a variety of reasons that differ from person to person, we shy away from exposing ourselves to a stranger. Luckily, you can get checked out and treated from the privacy of your dorm room. All you need is a smartphone.

The Most Common Types of Sexually Transmitted Infections

The most common sexually transmitted infection that students across the country contract on college campuses is Chlamydia, and the second is HSV1 (oral herpes) and HSV2 (genital herpes). Chlamydia is one of the most diagnosed STI’s and also one of the most easily curable. In contrast, herpes is a virus, which lives in your body forever. Its symptoms can be so mild that you barely notice them. There are easily accessible antiviral medications, such as Valtrex, that treat and prevent herpes breakouts.

If you get a cold sore (oral herpes) in college, you should seek out a medical professional, but keep in mind, it’s not a life-changing diagnosis. It’s more common than you think. Roughly one out of every six Americans between the ages of 14 and 49 have herpes simplex virus, and most aren’t even aware of it! The virus spreads easily, and because symptoms can be so minor, students don’t realize if, or when, they’re contagious. If you’re sexually active, the odds of coming into contact with HSV1 or HSV2 are fairly decent.

Forget The STD Stigma With Online Guidance

Now, if you suspect you have herpes, you don’t need to worry about expensive doctor visits or prescription medication. Skip the line at the health center and forget about rehearsing the right things to say to a nurse, who has an infinite supply of pamphlets detailing how to practice safe sex. This is not to be mistaken as shrugging off the importance of using condoms and being honest with your partner or partners, but there’s an easier way.

With the rise of telemedicine, you can avoid the stress associated with any social stigma surrounding STDs and still have access to healthcare. If you suspect you might have a herpes related sore, visit www.HerpAlert.com and begin the physician diagnosis questionnaire. Say goodbye to making appointments, waiting rooms, and hospital garments with the easiest and fastest route to medical help at the tip of your fingers. Due to the nature of oral and genital herpes, time is of the essence. In order to minimize the outbreak and speed up the healing process, treatment should be started within 12 to 24 hours at the onset of symptoms.

The website will prompt you to upload photos of the area, describe your symptoms, and ask for medical history which is then reviewed by top-tier board-certified physicians. All your information goes through the website’s encrypted web servers, which are dedicated to securing every patient’s data. A doctor will get back to you within one to two hours of your submission, and if you’re positive for HSV, a prescription is called into your desired pharmacy so you can start treatment that day!

 

Founded by a leading dermatologist, our team is made up of top-tier doctors, across the country, who have a depth of experience diagnoses and treating a sexually transmitted diseases. Our mission is to remove the stigma associated with herpes by reducing outbreaks and making them as painless as possible. The moment you submit your photos for diagnosis, we get back to you quickly and immediately send a prescription to your local pharmacy. So you can stop the progression and get on with your life, whether that means finding Mr. Right, or Mr. Right Now.

Find out more at https://herpalert.com/ 

Introducing Oui Juice and The Health Benefits of Juicing For Your Body

The chronicle of Oui Juice and Owner/Founder Hassan McCullough dates back to 1999, consequently, it is also the year he began training as a profession.

He is known to be a giver by nature. At this juncture in his life, he was attending nursing school in an effort to provide care for those, whom were unable to care for themselves. Amazingly, he found nursing to be a high stress occupation. As a result and to relieve stress, Hassan worked out daily at the gym after class. Ultimately, he learned what was needed comprised of a healthy balance of training the mind and the body alike. Noticeably, while working out, he witnessed many trainers with their clients in the gym. As a former division I football and track athlete, he understood himself to be in better shape than those doing the training. Why is that important, one may ask, well Hassan believed his most valued resource to be his body, which ultimately served as his temple as well as his best business card.

Securing Client Trust

In the meantime, he realized nursing was not his calling. Yet, he recognized his passion suggested he remain in an area inclined to help people. Then, he decided to partake in an activity he had participated and excelled in since age 5, he pursued a career in training. As with any true professional, Hassan achieved the necessary certifications needed to be the best trainer while providing the best service to his clients in an effort to help people so inclined to become the best version of themselves. Hassan garnered major experience afforded by Bally’s and followed by 24 Hour Fitness. In learning the interworking of “fit” life, Hassan came to understand the business aspect of what it takes to foster successful clients. He then knew it was time to go private!

In training people, Hassan learned, the relationships fostered grow to be intimate between client and trainer. As a collegiate athlete, Hassan believed that was the missing element. In conversing with his clients, he has come to know his clients trust his word. More importantly, he has conveyed with the proper intake of fruits and vegetables success will be paramount to sustaining a healthy lifestyle. Training without a proper diet is equivalent to “spinning ones wheels.” You go nowhere fast!

As a colligate athlete and now as a trainer, Hassan has observed many athletes and clients alike unaware of the correct food to stay healthy, strong, and provide right kind of energy necessary to maintain and elevate a healthy lifestyle. Seemingly, even when drinking a “healthy” smoothie, it’s usually more fruit-based and has a high concentration of processed sweeteners to make it palatable.

The Mission

For Hassan, a concept was born! He believed, he could enhance the physical lives of his clients while providing a holistic service for others in making healthy juices, full of fruits and vegetables that would also taste great. The mission and vision was set. He immersed himself in books regarding the basics of juicing. He studied and concocted different mixtures at home. In no time, he began noticing changes—his food tasted better, his skin looked healthier, and he had more energy. Finally, he knew he had a product he could share with others.

At the onset, he provided juices to his clients after training sessions to serve as a source of recovery. He would learn the juices were well received. Then his clients began referring the juices to their friends and family for purchase and consumption, it was then, he knew he had a good product. Oui Juice was born! For the past ten years, helping people get healthy and feel great while serving a real nutritional need coupled with a product the owner stands by has led to high praise and continue promise from the client base.

So, Why Juice?

Well, according the Centers for Disease Control, less than 10% of Americans eat enough fruits and vegetables each day (cdc.gov). More importantly, 90% of the remaining population is at greater risk for chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and obesity. Incorporating a juicing regiment helps to meet 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. In turn, greater energy, weight loss, pH balance, immunity to illness, healthy skin, and productive digestion will be achieved as well as aiding in detoxification, recovery, and hydration.

Hassan and his clients alike have come to know juicing is a delicious alternative to a healthy life and meal replacement. When Hassan started juicing, he noticed changes right away. He had the energy of a young man and it felt great. One of the many aspects of juicing allows the body to know it is getting the proper fuel needed without having to eat poultry. At 45 years of age, Hassan is in the best shape of his life—he runs daily, he lifts weights, he operate two successful businesses, he is never sick, and he looks and feels great! If you’re looking for results like these, Hassan has a great juicing program for you–from weight loss to detox, from energy boosting to immunity boosting—whatever you’re looking for, you will find it in Oui Juice.

 

Created by a certified sports and fitness trainer, Oui Juice is designed to enhance your diet and exercise program for superior results. Our mission is to provide a way to incorporate healthy choices into daily life in a way that is enjoyable, nutritious, and suited to each individual. 

Visit Ouijuice.com to start your health journey, now!

Ways to Implement CBD into Finals Season

Four Ways to Implement CBD into Finals Season

It’s exam season. In the library, students are squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder at communal desks, working profusely, noses buried in textbooks and fingers flying across keyboards to finish their term papers. Across the room, a group of students are huddled together, discussing their techniques for staying ahead of the stress. A conversation between two drifts into earshot: “I hear people are getting CBD manicures now,” a young woman says between gulps of coffee, “I’m not sure what it does, but I’m down to try it.”

CBD has become one of the defining wellness trends of recent years, and CBD infusions have crept into everyday culture. It has assimilated into the mainstream market and may be considered the next staple for daily wellness. Many people are jumping on board to help manage their day-to-day stress and busy lifestyles.

CBD’s growth in popularity is due to the fact that it is a versatile supplement with diverse uses. Whether in the form of a tincture, topical, or edible, there is undoubtedly room for exploration to find what works best in an everyday routine.

We’ve rounded up some fun and creative ways to implement CBD into your finals season.

Bath

Burn the midnight oil last night? Add a few drops of full-spectrum hemp CBD into your morning bath for an extra dimension of relaxation. If you feel like taking it to the next level, we also suggest trying your hand at making a homemade bath bomb and adding CBD, giving full control of your dosage and an opportunity to get creative! We suggest adding essential oils that are said to aid anxiety, such as lavender or eucalyptus oils.

Smoothies

If you jumpstart your energy in the morning with a smoothie, amplify it with a dosage of CBD. Populum’s Premium Full-Spectrum Hemp Oil is flavored with orange oil and stevia to curb the taste of cannabis and make taking it that much more enjoyable. The extra boost of sweetness will make your morning ritual more delicious, and it’ll give you that extra level of equilibrium to take on the day and keep cool, even if you haven’t studied.

Baking

Take your wellness with you by enhancing your favorite treats with CBD, adding a dosage to any oil-based ingredient when baking. If you’re looking for inspiration, we’re huge fans of this Chocolate Chunk Olive Oil Ricotta Cake recipe. We also suggest referencing this guide to baking with CBD to ensure you’re reaping all the benefits of hemp infusion and keeping the CBD active in your baked goods.

Muscle relief

Sometimes stress manifests in your body. If you’re looking to explore CBD usage outside of a typical tincture, hemp-infused lotion is another option intended for targeted muscle relief. Keep it in your backpack and you can massage it into your neck and shoulders between classes.

Populum’s Cold Therapy Hemp Rub includes other natural ingredients such as chamomile, arnica, and aloe vera to soothe and calm the skin while providing fast-acting cooling relief for sore muscles.

You can see Populum’s full line of products at populum.com.

The Future of Pain Relief Is Here

The Future of Pain Relief Is Here

It’s easy to ignore your own wellbeing in pursuit of other, lofty goals. That new internship, a few more hours of your part time job, the countless all-nighters pulled for an attempt at a better grade on the midterm. Your routine may be commonly filled with sugary energy drinks, coffee, instant ramen, and alcohol. You get headaches. Your neck gets sore from sitting at a desk for too long. Or maybe you treat your body like a temple because your scholarship demands that you be in your best physical shape all season long.

Physical problems can come from all kinds of sources. Here’s a few common types of problems that you might experience as a college student.

Overstudying

It might sound like a joke at first, but having your head pointed at a computer screen and sitting down for long hours can take a toll on your posture and cause inflammation, which can cause neck and back pain. You may find yourself taking pain killers so you can relieve the pain and focus on studying. But there’s a new solution. The LUMINAS Pain Relief Patch is a completely different approach to treating inflammation and pain. It has no odor, no active ingredients, and no known side effects. Simply stick it where it hurts and feel better every minute you have it on.

Sleep deprivation

Pulling all-nighters might pay off in the short term, but on nights when you can get eight hours of sleep, those eight hours will translate to the most efficient, most productive eight hours of your day. Without sleep, your body and your mind can’t function properly, and you’ll probably fail that midterm that you stayed up for. So when it counts, wear a LUMINAS Power Sleep Patch. So you can get your best, most optimal sleep when it matters the most. Wake up ready to tackle the day ahead of you, supercharged with amazing sleep.

Muscle fatigue & soreness

If you’re an athlete on a team, you often push your body to the limit for each game, practicing hard every day. Whether it’s football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, or any other sport, you know how important it is to stay on your A game throughout the season, on and off the court. All of that creates and worsens inflammation in the body, which is what causes muscle fatigue and soreness. The STAMINAPRO Active Recovery Patch is the first ever of its kind to reduce inflammation before, during, and after activity, which lets you train harder, recover faster, and perform better. They have a super sticky adhesive that’s waterproof, sweatproof, and designed to last through almost any activity.

The best part? There’s no added chemicals or active ingredients in the patch, so you can be sure that what’s relieving your pain is only here to help. The patches are famously used by pro athletes like Rich Froning (CrossFit), Justin Rose (PGA), Tony Finau (PGA), Erik Johnson (NHL), Dwight Freeney (NFL) and many others!

What is LUMINAS?

LUMINAS is a breakthrough company that creates products using Energy Medicine Technology. You might be wondering how those patches work when there’s nothing in them—energy! There’s loads and loads of energy in each of the patches that help with whatever they were designed to help with. LUMINAS offers the Pain Relief patch, the Power Sleep patch, and the STAMINAPRO patch—with more applications to come.

Using Energy Medicine Technology, each patch is charged with electrons taken from ingredients that are known to help with a specific ailment. For the Power Sleep patches, some of the ingredients that the energy is captured from are Magnesium, Melatonin, L-Theanine, and more. In the Pain Relief patches, some of the 200+ ingredients are Bioperine, Turmeric, Ginger, and more.

It’s time to rethink pain relief and how we think of energy. You don’t need to harm your body with a bunch of chemicals to get the results you need. LUMINAS is here. The future is now.

Visit: luminas.com/products

Make the Natural Choice Come Test Time

Make the Natural Choice Come Test Time

It’s test-taking season, and y’all aspiring grads know what that means: long days, longer nights, and a hefty addition to your caffeine consumption.

Relax, we’re not quite there yet—you’ve got several more days of procrastination ahead. With days of added stress and sleepless nights, it might feel like you’ve been on a semester-long bender. But alas, there’s a natural option that’s quickly grown from a knock-off hippie faux pas, to a legitimate alternative, to other crash-and-burn options.

We’re talking about CBD; otherwise known by the white coats as “cannabidiol.”

Before you pack your bowl and light your spliff, let’s get one thing straight: CBD is not pot!!! Hemp and marijuana both hail from the Cannabis sativa plant variety, but vary in composition.

Marijuana is bred to have a much higher THC:CBD ratio. Legal hemp will have higher CBD concentrations and lower THC content. Under the newly signed 2018 Farm Bill, hemp plants must contain less than 0.3 percent THC.

In layman’s terms, hemp packs the same potential health punch as Mary Jane, minus the Half-Baked high.

CBD and You: A Natural Match

CBD works naturally with your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). This system is responsible for a wide range of bodily functions: from memory and muscle movement, to maintaining homeostasis and improving overall immune functions.

CBD works synergistically with your ECS and cannabinoid receptors to closely emulate and intensify functions; this results in a range of natural benefits.

When it comes to test-taking time, these potential CBD benefits can be the difference between walking across the stage (diploma in hand) and watching from the crowd as you prepare for your Super Senior year.

Achieve A+ Results with CBD

When it comes to finals, any aid is warmly welcomed. If that aid could improve your memory, help you sleep, and promote healthy relaxation, you’d welcome it “With Arms Wide Open,” amirite? Say less Creed.

You don’t want to waltz into test day looking like a cracked-out Squidward dashing back to the Krusty Krab to catch the devious Spongebob inquiring, “Did you finish those errands?” Don’t let a mental fog, lack of sleep, or test anxiety be the reason you ride shotgun on the struggle bus to Failuretown. Instead, let CBD products be your lifeline to becoming the next episode of MTV’s True Life: I’m a College Graduate.

Pencils Down

Two words you’ll probably inevitably hear come test day. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be prepared for the day of reckoning. Now that you’ve done your studying, on both test matter and CBD, let cbdMD give you the natural boost you’ve been searching for. With a comprehensive line of products—topicals, tinctures, capsules, bath bombs, and much morecbdMD has high-quality CBD to help you feel relaxed, sharp, and ready to walk across that stage.

Don’t you dare forget that No. 2 pencil. Wait, do they even use paper anymore? Regardless, godspeed soon-to-be grads.

Click here for more information and use promo code: SCHOOLROCKS for 20 percent off the cbdMD website

Five Ways to Make a Difference on World AIDS Day

Five Ways to Make a Difference on World AIDS Day

December 1 marks the 30th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

Since 1988, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) have declared this date a chance to support those currently living with HIV, and to remember those killed by AIDS-related illnesses.

Only identified in 1984, the virus has killed more than 35 million people around the world. Sufferers continue to face stigma and ignorance while battling with one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

A recent survey shared on the World AIDS Day website showed than one in five people with HIV have experienced verbal harassment or threats; a third have had their HIV status disclosed without their consent by someone close to them; one in five were treated differently by their GP; and many reported pressure at work to disclose their status. 18 percent of the respondents also reported suicidal thoughts within the last 12 months, and 17 percent “often” skimped on food due to poverty.

This Saturday, awareness events, celebrations of life and fundraising campaigns will spread information across the globe. The White House will display their annual 28-foot red ribbon to reaffirm a commitment to eradicate AIDS—a goal the UN hopes to achieve by 2030.

Here’s how you can help.

Support a charity 

Whether it’s to support your local community or distribute contraception around the world—donating to a HIV charity, the (RED) Campaign or The Global Fund is the easiest way to help sufferers and foster research. Some great charities, include:

AIDS United—supports over 300 organizations with grants and advocates on behalf of people living with HIV on a local, state, and national level

AmfAR: The Foundation for AIDS Research—one of the world’s most important and ambitious funders of HIV research

Black AIDS Institute—committed to African American communities where the risk of HIV infection and stigmatization are high

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS—raises funds for medications, healthcare, nutritious meals, counseling and emergency financial assistance

Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation—the HIV charity that has made the greatest impact in prevention, treatment, and care of at-risk women and their children in the developed world

Elton John AIDS Foundation—funds programs that others don’t, such as groups fighting HIV criminal laws and activists demanding needle exchange programs in states that ban them

Rock a ribbon

In 1991, 12 artists met in New York at a time when HIV was highly stigmatized and suffering communities were largely hidden. The artists avoided traditional colours associated with the gay community to convey that HIV was relevant to everyone. They chose a red ribbon for boldness, passion, the heart and love.

Now, the red ribbon is a universal symbol of awareness and support for people living with HIV. Show that you refuse to allow stigma to distort disease by distributing or purchasing ribbons and displaying your support.

Raise awareness  

Raising awareness does not have to mean raising money—education is so important for eradicating ignorance, encouraging testing, knowing the symptoms of HIV, and supporting loved ones. Talk casually about HIV, be an active listener, download posters, repost World AIDS Day Twitter and Facebook prompts and share your story if HIV has affected you, or those close to you. The UN’s short documentary, ‘A New Picture of Health’ can also be used to spread awareness. Access it, here.

Raise funds

If you’re keen to raise funds to help sufferers and researchers—bake sales, raffles, car washes, quiz-nights and sponsored runs are all tried-and-tested, fun ways to make a difference. More specifically, organize to wear red at school or at work on World AIDS Day. You can collect donations from everyone who wears red, or get sponsored to sport an outlandish, red-themed outfit all day.

Know your status

According to the UN, 9.4 million people living with HIV don’t know their status. HIV can be transmitted at any time through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk, so regular checks are crucial for protecting and empowering yourself, as well as other people.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that anyone who has unsafe sex or shares drug needles should get tested at least once a year. What better time to begin than on World AIDS Day?

Visit AIDS Vu for geographically specific information and resources for testing.

Further reading: Eight Charities to Support on International Day of the Girl Child

How to Practice Gratitude This Thanksgiving

How to Practice Gratitude This Thanksgiving

It’s time to dig out that gratitude journal from under the bed—you know, the one with the shiny gold foiling that you swore was an investment?

We’ve all been enamored with the idea of being mindful, changing our lives for the better and becoming optimistic members of society. The truth is, this concept is considerably overwhelming—jotting down things you’re grateful for can feel insincere, awkward and like the last thing you’d want to do after a hard day.

If you stick with it though, practicing gratitude can help you to experience more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, be more compassionate and can strengthen the immune system.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, here’s how to be truly thankful for delicious turkey and much more.

Get real

 It takes 30 days to build a habit—so don’t worry if journaling feels alien at first. Set an initial goal to list five things that you’re grateful for every night, for one week. By acknowledging this target, you’re telling yourself that this is something you’re going to commit to.

At the same time, realizing that building a habit requires dedication will allow you to recognize that sometimes life gets in the way. For example, if you know you’ll be too exhausted to open your journal at night, allocate a few minutes during the day to practice being grateful. If you accidentally skip a day, be grateful that you’ll have even more to be thankful for the day after. 

Practice mindfulness

The physical act of journaling can be powerful, but it is the practice of reflecting on your day and sitting with a feeling of gratitude that will train your brain to feel happier. Being mindful simply means being conscious and aware of yourself and your environment, not that you have to sit in a lotus position with your eyes closed.

Notice when you feel joy during the day, or take a few breaths at your desk to reflect on your emotions. Tracking moments that make you feel grateful as they happen, so that you can write them down later, is a fun way to stay aware and feel better throughout the day. Make it a game to find new things to be thankful for each day, so that your brain is always occupied with finding the positives around you.

Pick up a pen

Did you know that writing things down has psychological benefits such as enabling you to think on a larger scale, learn more, and drastically improve your memory? Luckily, this doesn’t mean that you have to write an essay every night.

The physical act of journaling forces you to consciously think about the words that you’re writing, which helps your brain to recreate feelings of gratitude and happiness. It’s also rewarding to look back and see all the things you’ve had to be grateful for over a period of time.

Don’t try so hard 

Journaling is an indulgent hobby—it’s about communicating with yourself, and this is a good thing. Self-compassion often translates into treating others with kindness.

The actual things you write about aren’t actually too important. You’re the only person experiencing this gratitude (and likely the only person reading your journal, too). Of course, you’re probably extremely grateful for your family and for having a roof over your head, but you don’t have to write those words down every night. Instead, focus on specific incidents that may have provoked small feelings.

If you were grateful for a home-cooked meal, make a note of it. If you were thrilled that it didn’t rain all day, write it down. If your roommate made you a cup of tea because they could tell you were feeling low, try and scribble more than: “I’m grateful for my friends”. When you start searching for small things to be appreciative for in a particularly hard day, it enables you to see each day as a unique, positive experience.

Find gratitude in your mistakes

Difficult situations are often when we need gratitude the most. For example, being grateful that you learned from a situation can help you to forgive yourself. On the other hand, being aware of the power of gratitude can help you to make a conscious effort to resolve a conflict with a friend or to seek out more happiness in your life.

Further reading: Six of the Best Books to Read This Fall

Guide to Grooming

Your Lazy Guide to Grooming

Whether you’re male or female, finding the time and energy to make sure that your hair is lying flat before you leave the house can be a challenge. Unfortunately, pausing Netflix to have a shower every day is necessary for maintaining hygiene, relationships and a sense of self. For all the lazy people out there, this doesn’t mean that you have to spend four hours fussing over your face in the morning. Here’s your lazy guide to grooming.

Girls guide to grooming

  1. Body—Brush your hair before getting in the shower. Use a sulfate-free shampoo on your scalp and a silicone-free conditioner on the ends of your hair. Wash your body after your hair to prevent breakouts. If you have dry skin, use a soap-free cleanser. For oily skin, use a water-based wash that helps unclog pores.
  2. Shave—Shaving should be the last step in the shower. Apply a shaving gel and shave with the grain. Invest in a razor that is designed for pubic hair and for longer lasting hair removal, try cream, an epilator or wax strips.
  3. Face—Makeup wipes are a lazy girl’s best friend but always double cleanse with a simple cleanser. You can skip the toner but invest in a good, light moisturiser (even if your skin is oily) and exfoliate one to two times a week.
  4. Trim—Making the effort to get your eyebrows waxed or threaded will save you time in the mornings. Never pluck above the eyebrow but brush the hairs upwards and trim with scissors.
  5. Hair—Frizz-free beach waves that take five minutes: put slightly damp hair into two braids and blow-dry from above, moving down the braid. Undo and apply a little hair oil for added shine and smoothness.
  6. Smell—Leaving your perfume in the steamy bathroom can affect its smell and applying it to dry skin will diminish its scent faster.

Guys guide to grooming

  1. Body—If you have dry skin, use a soap-free cleanser. For oily skin, look for a water-based wash that helps unclog pores. Use shampoo but do not wash your hair every day, as this will dry it out. Wash your beard with water to soften it before shaving.
  2. Shave—Shaving in the shower is a good idea as the heat will soften your beard and provide a closer shave. Use a pre-shave oil and apply shaving soap with a brush to raise the hairs. Always follow the grain.
  3. Trim—Whatever experiment you’re trying on your beard, commit to keeping it groomed. Remember that there should be a gap between your eyebrows and keep an eye on your nails too. If you’re into it, manscaping is also a thing now.
  4. Face—Choose a simple cleanser and wash your face in the morning and at night. Also invest in a scrub (to exfoliate the hangover off of your face once a week). Never skip the moisturiser if you want to see noticeable improvement to your entire face.
  5. Hair—If your hair is in your eyes, go to the barbers. Style your hair before applying a small amount of product. If you have short or thin hair, use light sprays or a paste for separation. For thicker, longer hair, styling creams and waxes will weigh the hair down and add shine.
  6. Smell—Go easy on the aftershave. A couple of dabs or sprays on the neck or wrists is a good amount.

Further reading: The Fade Hairstyle with Men’s Health Fashion Editor Dan Michel