How to boost your immune system & prevent colds

Hello everyone,

We all know that getting a cold means having to stay in bed until you feel better, yet what if I told you that there are ways to boost your immune system and prevent this cold/flu from getting on to you? Today I'll be talking about several ways you can avoid getting a flu or a cold simply by using some of those natural home remedies.

What are the remedies?

1 - Onions

Place Onions around the house since onions take in the bacteria from the surrounding hence protecting and preventing you from getting sick. You can simply place onions as a designed bouquet anywhere around the house and let them do the job! If flu season is severe, simply slice the onion in half and this way it will have even a greater anti bacterial effect than before.

2 - Honey & Cinnamon

To boost your immune system you can also mix half a teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 tablespoon of honey strengthens the immune system and alleviates flu symptoms.





3 - Ginger

You can intake ginger as tea or as food, in both ways ginger boosts the immune and digestive system and at the very same time.





4 - Garlic

Garlic contains one of the most powerful antibacterial effects on the immune system; so when you feel a cold is coming or flu season is on its way, simply crush some garlic in your food or rub your mouth with garlic since it removes all the bacteria too and hence prevents any germs from entering your body.

5 - Echinacea

This is a very good herb known for its great infection fighting effects. The roots and the leaves of this herb can be used to create a tea. Drink this tea whenever you feel a cold is getting on to you and it will enhance your immune system robustly.






6 - Green & Black Tea

Both green and black tea have a high level of anti oxidants that boost the system properties hence preventing you from getting a flu.





7 - Carrots

Carrots contain carotene which also helps in protecting the immune system, especially enhancing the thymus gland. They also improve and strengthen white blood cell production so eating foods high in carotene help prevent and at the same time fight infection if you already get the cold.





8 - Yogurt

Yogurt strengthens white blood cells and lets the body build and produce anti bodies. Also, studies say that eating at least 6 - 7 ounces (170 grams of yogurt) a day helps prevent hay fever, diarrhoea, flu, and colds. Studies also show that yogurt also can support the fight against cancer!

9 - Lemon and Warm Water

Squeezing a lemon into warm water and drinking it every day in the morning not only helps in removing unwanted fat; but it also detoxifies the liver, boosts energy, and enhances the immune system. It relieves sore throats and helps loosen buildup.


10 - Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is one of the most famous cold-curing recipes. Due to the anti bacterial herbs, carrots, and many other ingredients in the chicken soup, it not only helps cure cold but is also super delicious! Chicken broth also contains nutrients like vitamin B, magnesium, zinc, and calcium which help your immune system in fighting colds and flu.




11 - Almonds

Almonds are high in Vitamin E, and studies say when a body has vitamin E deficiency it is more prone to colds and flu. Therefore eating a handful of almonds a day drastically help in improving the  and strengthening the immune system.

12 - Crab

For all the sea food lovers, crab helps in improving the immune system by killing and fighting bacteria trying to invade your body due to its high amount of zinc. When there's a zinc deficiency the body has a harder time fighting all the bacteria and therefore allows the germs to pass more easily to your system. 3 ounces a day of fresh crab should be enough to fulfil your daily zinc intake.
13 - Green/Red/Yellow Peppers

Peppers have more vitamin C than oranges and lemons, and since vitamin C helps in boosting the immune system, having a regular intake of peppers prevents colds and flu.



14 - Kale

Kale is high in Vitamin A is which is an antioxidant that helps in fighting cancer cells and is vital in forming white blood cells, hence responding well to fighting invaders.

 Other Health tips:

1 - Avoid eating a lot of sugar since sugar weakens the immune system and kills the essential contributors to health and immunity.

2 - Exercise regularly in order to help your body get in shape and balance the body systems which prevent you from getting colds or flu.

3 - Get enough sleep (Refer to my older article about sleep to know how many hours of sleep are required for what ages)

4 - Relax and don't stress yourself since stress could be also a vital cause for having a weak immune system.

5 - Drink plenty of water. Water is essential for every person and therefore enhances the whole body functions and organs.

So, I'm back at the end of my post! I truly hope that this article benefited you, and may all of you remain healthy and fit :)  Also, please comment and rate my article; I'd be very grateful for that!
-AdviceReflection

What to do against sunburns?

Hello everyone,

Summer in some regions might be really hot and you might be really looking forward on having a great tan at the beach; but you should always be careful since severe tanning might result in terrible and painful sunburns.

What to do when you get a sunburn?

1 - Wash your body with really cold water

Avoid using soaps, scrubs, or anything else other than pure cold water. Soaps and scrubs may irritate your skin and make everything worse.

2 - Use a pain reliever

If the burn is severe, use it, but if you think you could go on without taking it, it would be better.

3 - Take a really cold cloth dab it onto your skin

It reduces the inflammation and cools down the burn making it less painful.

4 - Put Aloe Vera on your burnt skin

Don't rub it into your skin like you'd do with lotion, in stead, leave a big amount on top of your skin. This prevents the skin from drying and irritation.

5 - Drink a lot of water

Since tanning removes the moisture of your skin it's best to drink a lot of water to regenerate the burnt and dead cells.

6 - Wear comfortable cotton clothing when you're sun burnt

7 - Don't pop your blisters unless they're really big

If you get small blisters then they'll pop by themselves by time; but if your blister is really big then it's best to pop with with a sterilised needle (clean it with rubbing alcohol and water) and pop the edge of the blister and let the water drain.

8 - Apply sunscreen whenever you go out

You don't want to risk your skin getting even more irritated.

9 - When your skin starts healing, use unscented moisturiser

10 - Know when blisters get infected

Blisters will become very inflamed and become very red and painful. you might as well get fever, and in this case it's best to visit your doctor to give you some antibiotics for your condition. Also if you feel any nausea, dizziness, shrunk eyes (and sensitive to light), or great thirst you should visit a doctor immediately.

 Using natural ingredients to treat sun burns:

1 - Using tomatoes

If your burn is recent, apply tomatoes on your skin since they reduce the redness and you don't feel any pain when you apply them.

2 - Using skimmed milk

Put some skimmed milk on a cloth and dab it on your skin. Milk helps ease any discomfort or pain your burnt skin might be causing.

3 - Using tea

Put 5 teabags in warm water and wait until the tea is really dark. Then take a cotton pad and start applying it on your skin. Don't wash it off; in stead, keep it on your skin overnight and the following day wash it off with cold water.

4 - Using Egg whites

Separate the egg yolk from the egg whites and whisk it until it stands. Then apply it on your skin. This should be an instant pain-relief method against sunburns.

 

5 - Using apricots

Mash some apricots and apply them on your burnt skin for about 15 minutes and then wash them off with cold water.

6 - Using Yogurt & Corn flour

Simply mix some yogurt and corn flour and apply in on your skin. It helps, cools down, and drastically reduces your sunburns.

So I'm back at the end of my article, please rate and comment, I'd be very grateful!

Your AdviceReflection

Nail Care

Hello everyone,

It's known that most teens take care of their looks. A big part of their beauty includes also hands and nails. What I will be mainly listing today will be all about nail care and how to exactly treat what condition you might have, including tips on how cut and treat them.

  
How to make your nails stronger?

Take a bowl and put some olive oil in there. Then dip your nails for about 10 minutes. This nourishes them and makes them stronger, therefore, less breakable. Repeat this process every other day and simply when needed.










  
How to cut hard nails?

If your nails seem hard to cut simply put them in warm water and add a little salt. Then keep them in there for about 10 - 15 minutes. This should make your nails softer and therefore easier to cut without damaging them.




Do you have yellow and dull nails? Want to get rid of that?

Yellow, dull nails can be caused by either vitamin deficiencies or constant use of dark nail polishes. There are 2 ways of getting rid of yellow nails.
1 - 1 tbsp of hydrogen peroxide
2 - 1 cup of warm water
Mix and put your nails in it for 10 - 15 minutes.
Another way includes rubbing your nails with white vinegar and then washing them with warm water and soap.


Do you bite your nails? You want to stop?

In this case you can simply go to the pharmacy and buy yourself the stop nail biting polishes. They taste awful and therefore make it much easier to stop your bad habit. Also you can try putting on artificial nails which you won't really want to bite - this is also one good way of stopping. Try one of those two and it should really help. Of course, along with those two techniques you should also be strongly determined to stop and really want to get rid of this bad habit.


What to do against peeling nails?

To avoid peeling nails, don't use cheap drugstore nail clippers which damage your nails even more; and make sure you file your nails at least 3 times a week starting from the middle and then going to the sides. Also peeling and splitting nails may be caused by low calcium, vitamin A, D, and B12 deficiency, so make sure you increase your intake of dairy products and foods that include the specified vitamins. Also don't expose your nails to any chemicals and wet conditions since this might be another reason why your nails are getting peeled.


What to do against white spots on your nails?

Those spots are caused due to nail dehydration and lack of keratin. Also nail trauma and pressure applied on nails can cause those white lines and spots and this is most likely the reason for that. The only cure for those is time (wait until you can cut them off which usually takes approx. 8 weeks) or simply cover them up with some nail polish. In addition to that, don't forget to drink a lot of water to nourish your body and nails.


What to do against cuticles?

Cuticles can be caused by dry skin around nails which causes them to crack and peel. In that case you shouldn't cut them with unsterilised scissors because that can cause redness, swelling, and even infections. When you get cuticles around and under your whole nails then you should make sure you moisturise them with moisturising cream and olive oil daily. then you should cut them with sterilised scissors but not too close to your skin. If you get cuticles immediately under your nail then it's best to push it back down using an orange stick and also moisturise every day with cream and olive oil.


What to do against nail ridges?

If you have nail ridges, it's most probably caused because of malnutrition or the lack of vitamin B. It's also best to include a healthier, more nutritious diet that would benefit your whole body in general.







What to do about hangnails?

Hangnails are caused due to vitamin C, protein, or follicle acid deficiency. To get rid of hangnails you should first dip them in warm water. then soften them by applying moisturiser and cut them using cuticle scissors. Repeat this cycle whenever new hangnails appear and don't forget to always keep your nails damp and moisturised. 

Nail Tips:

1 - Don't apply nail polish too often, let your nails breathe from time to time

2 - Use nail strengthening nail polishes if your nails are weak

3 - Remove nail polish with acetone when you want to apply new layers of nail polish

4 - Always file your nails after you cut them so that they don't peel and get damaged

5 - Don't leave your nails long when they're dry and brittle


I'm back at the end of my article and I truly hope it helps and benefits you. Please comment and rate this article, I'd be very thankful for that.
Your AdviceReflection

Do you get enough sleep?

Hello everyone,

Today I would like to address a topic that I personally find very interesting and helpful in means of concentration, memory improvement, and attentiveness. Today's discussion will be about sleep, its benefits, and how it can help you focus in you schoolwork and other daily jobs.
So, what benefits can you obtain from sleep?

Benefits of sleep:

1 - Sleep repairs your body


Sleep is known to help in many body factors. Teenagers who get more sleep are healthier and grow taller before reaching their young adult years. Sleep also strengthens your body and therefore it helps it fight infections; that's why it's recommended to stay in bed during any sorts of illness.

2 - Sleep helps in reducing stress


as we all know, after a very stressful and tiring day all we want to do is go to bed. Therefore if you do get the proper amount of sleep required, then you should be free of stress for good amount of time.









3 - Sleep improves you memory and concentration & increases creativity


Studying for a test? Deciding to pull an all-nighter? That's the last thing you should be doing. Sleep not only improves memory but it also helps in concentration! The best thing you can do is quickly revise everything before going to bed and in the most of the information should stick in your brain - your test results will prove that. Also, sleep greatly increases creativity by reorganising your brain and thinking more clearly.


4 - Sleep helps you lose weight


Since most of us teens care about our body weight, I can tell you that enough sleep helps you in staying in shape!!! Sleep regulates your hormones and therefore affects your appetite. If you don't sleep well, your hormones won't have time to organise themselves and your appetite for food will get higher. In this case you won't be craving for fruits and vegetables, but in stead you'll be craving for highly caloric foods that should be giving you energy during the day, while in stead all they do is add up the fats in your system.


5 - Sleep reduces grumpiness & lowers the risk of getting depression


As we all know, whenever we wake up from a bad night's sleep we turn out being very grumpy and moody. To prevent that from happening, all you have to do is go to bed earlier and sleep a good amount of time to wake up fresh and happy. In addition to all that, sleep lowers the risk of getting depression and thus contributes a happier life.








6 - You'll have a longer lifespan


When you sleep the required amount of times your immune system remains healthier and your mood gets better, hence increasing your lifespan.

Can't sleep? Here are some tips:

1 - Pour some milk in a cup. Add some honey and put it in the microwave until the milk is warm. Stir the honey and drink. Not only it makes you sleepy, but it's also delicious!


2 - Eat a banana. Bananas also help you in falling asleep faster.


3 - Don't let your worries get to you. Forget your problems and clear your head; then sleeping will be much easier.


4 - Make sure you're comfortable. If you're not comfortable, it's going to get harder for you to fall asleep.


5 - Don't drink coffee or any other caffeine before going to sleep. It's also best if you completely remove caffeine from your diet if you have problems sleeping.


6 - Avoid alcohol and nicotine


7 - Don't exercise at least 3 hours before going to bed since exercising awakes you.


8 - Don't take naps during the day.


9 - Take a warm bath before bed time. It relaxes you and makes you feel sleepy.


10 - Keep a bed time routine and make sure you follow it. Even though you might not feel sleepy it's best to go to bed when it's time to sleep.




I'm again at the end of my article so please rate and comment and thank you very much in advance for everything,
AdviceReflection

Getting rid of pimples using natural products

Hello everyone,

Today's topic will be about how to get rid of pimples using natural ingredients. Pimples can be a living nightmare for us teens and are formed due to our hormonal changes and puberty. To avoid infections and the spreading of bacteria on your face I will first add a few steps you should follow each time before you start applying the products that should remove your pimples over night.

Then I will state the recommended natural products, and at the very end I will mention tips on how to prevent an outbreak in the future.


Steps before applying any natural product:

1 - Wash your hands with soap

2 - Wash your face gently with warm water

3 - Exfoliate around the pimple to open its pores

4 - Wash your hands before moving on to another pimple


What you can use to treat pimples:

1 - Ice

Place the ice in a cloth and gently apply it over your pimple to reduce its redness and inflammation. Apply ice also when you feel a new pimple forming because that usually prevents the pimple from emerging and growing.





2 - Lemon

Lemons have a highly acidic PH level and therefore the acidity is best in treating pimples. Gently squeeze a lemon in a bowl and dip a cotton pad into it. Remember to use new cotton pads for each new pimple/area so that you avoid the spreading of bacteria. Keep the cotton pad with the lemon juice on the pimples for about a minute.



3 - Toothpaste

Toothpaste is also a very good remedy for your pimples. Take some toothpaste and dab a bit of it on each one of your pimples. leave it on your skin overnight and in the morning carefully peel it off. The mint in the toothpaste dries out the pimple and sucks out any puss; but be careful because if your skin is too sensitive the toothpaste may cause a mild burning sensation and redness. In that case, discontinue the usage
of toothpaste and follow another remedy that suits you more.



4 - Honey & Cinnamon face mask

Put some honey in a bowl and mix it with cinnamon powder. Add just a little bit of water to make it less viscous and then apply it as a face mask for about 2 - 4 hours. This should be repeated more than 3 times a week so that it would completely remove the pimples and reduce their formation.


5 - Aspirin

Crush 2 or 3 aspirin tablets and add a little bit of lukewarm water to make a paste. Take that paste and dab it on to your pimples and keep it overnight.







6 - Garlic

Garlic is known to be very good in removing the bacteria and acts and an antibiotic. Garlic also removes the pimples without leaving any scars and therefore is an ideal natural product for pimples. Gently rub it on your pimple and wait for a few hours. Then wash your face with cool water and dry your skin with a towel.

Tips on how to prevent pimple outbreak:

1 - Wash your face every day with warm water and apply moisturising cream afterwards

2 - Don't EVER sleep with your make up on and don't keep it on your face for long since foundation (whether liquid or powder) can create pimples and outbreaks

3 - Protect your skin from sunlight and use sun screen with at least 15 SPF

4 - Drink lots and lots of water (at least 8 large cups). Water's not only healthy but it moisturises the skin and prevents pimple outbreaks

5 - Do several face masks that nourish and soften your skin

6 - Exercise, have balanced healthy diet and avoid oily junk food

So I'm at the end of my article and I hope that those tips will help you with getting rid of any pimples or acne! I'd be very thankful if you comment and rate this article and tell me what topic you'd like to see tomorrow. Thanks in advance for everything,

AdviceReflection