Keep Healthy, Love Fitness

Power napping is undoubtedly a skill. Not all of us are able to drop off for 30 minutes in the middle of the day, even when we’re exhausted. But those of us who can nap reap considerable benefits to their health, productivity and brain power. And it turns out there’s actually a perfect time of day to grab some quick shut-eye: 3pm. The reason for this comes down to our circadian rhythm, which dips around 3pm. Many people also experience post-lunch sleepiness or a lack of alertness, making it the perfect time to nap. You should aim to nap for 20 to 30 minutes - any longer and you risk falling into a deep sleep which could actually leave you feeling groggy for an hour after waking up. This is known as sleep inertia. And although a nap can be particularly valuable if you didn’t get enough sleep the night before, napping for too long could make it harder to sleep that night. According to the latest report by the Sleep Council, almost three-quarters of Brits get less than seve...

We are obsessed with this product, and we think you will love it too. Just so you know, this post contains affiliate links, and if you make a purchase, we may get a cut of the sale (with no cost to you). You should know that I am always looking for an opportunity to tell my lady friends about menstrual cups. It's one of those things where the timing has to be right (you can't just spring a menstrual cup conversation on people out of the blue) and yet, I want every woman to know about it. Because, you guys, this really changed my life. Because of the menstrual cup, I actually don't dread periods anymore (except the cramps and the PMS - if you have a solution for those, let me know). So, are you ready for your life to change? What is a menstrual cup? First off, you need to know what a menstrual cup is. It's a bell-shaped silicone cup that you insert into your vagina to collect the menstrual fluid. It's not new. In fact, it was invented in the 1930's. Ho...

Diet drinks, diet foods and sugar free edibles are everywhere. Most people have probably consumed at least one of these at some time in their life. It's lower calorie and approved by the FDA, so it has to be good for you and safe, right? Well, maybe not. Artificial sweeteners, namely Saccharin, Aspartame, Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K), Sucralose, Neotame, Advantame, Steviol glycosides and Luo Han Guo fruit extracts, are non-nutritive sweeteners because they add few to zero calories to food. They are also much sweeter than sugar. Some studies indicate horrifying side effects to partaking of artificial sweeteners: Weight gain While many people use artificial sweetener for the benefit of lower caloric intake in hopes of maintaining or losing weight, the opposite may actually be true. One study collected data from women and men for seven to eight years, showing that obesity and weight gain were significantly higher in those who drank diet drinks than those who didn't dr...

First periods can be both an exciting and scary time for a young girl. I distinctly remember the day I got my first period. I was 11 years old and spending the night at a friend's house. We were playing with our dolls and pretending they got their first period. The next morning, I woke up with mine. I was beyond excited about it. I was becoming a woman and thought it was the coolest thing ever. My mom played a big role in making sure that my first experience was a positive one. She prepared me for its arrival by talking to me about menstruation and answering all my questions. I'm grateful that she took the time to explain to me what to expect and made me look forward to it. With my own two daughters, I'm following in my mom's footsteps by educating them and ensuring they are ready for its arrival. I have some tips to share with you about how to talk to your daughter about her first period. These tips are based on my own personal experience and what has worked for...

Whether you're trying to get pregnant or trying to avoid it, Knowing when you're most fertile is vital information. Here are six signs that you're in your most fertile period of the month: 1. Increased libido During this time, your progesterone (a hormone) levels increase. This causes your libido to spike more than normal. It's also common to feel more hungry because of the hormone. 2. Secretions When you start to notice vaginal discharge, this is a sign you're at your most fertile. During this time you start to produce more estrogen, which results in mucus-like vaginal discharge. 3. Increased body temperature When you have high levels of progesterone, your body temperature rises. To know when this is happening, take your temperature every day when you wake up in the morning. Keeping track will allow you to notice changes, even if they're minimal. 4. Pain Many women have stomach pain during certain times of the month, and this pain is typica...