Posts in Guest Blog

What Are Adaptogens?

If you need help coping with things like stress, and normalizing your body processes, adaptogens may be just the supplement you need. Adaptogens, also called adaptogenic substances, are a type of herbal medicine, used to stabilize your body, and promote homeostasis.

This unique category of supplements can have several beneficial effects – from reducing stress to promoting healthier sleep, and much more. Read on, and learn more about what adaptogens do, how they work, and some of the most common adaptogen supplements.

What Do Adaptogens Do?

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin8 March 2019adaptogens, Ashwagandha, Ginseng, Maca, Rhodiola roseaComment

The Health Benefits of Cuddling

Whilst hugs are obviously great for feeling closer to a loved one, did you know that cuddling actually has a range of surprising positive effects that span both physical and mental health? So a little Valentine’s romance could actually help more than just your relationship.

Mattress Online scoured the web for the most common cuddling positions for couples and compiled a top 10 list for our survey respondents to choose from. We found that Brits love getting cosy on the sofa, with the ‘seated snuggle’ being voted as the UK’s favourite cuddle. While men agree with the overall winner, women prefer ‘the chest rest’ – an intimate bed-based hug. Less intimate hugs like ‘The Pretzel’ and ‘Back-to-Back’ ranked lower, showing that UK couples prefer closer contact both on the sofa and in bed.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin6 March 2019cuddling, hugs, benefits of hugs, health benefits of hugging, sleepComment

7 Ways to Reduce Stress at Home

After a long day of work, it can be hard to come home and get rid of the stress that’s been building throughout the day. Thoughts about unfinished work or your neverending to-do list can cause anxiety and stress to creep up when you’re least expecting it. Here are seven ways you can forget about these worries and reduce stress at home.

1. Prioritize your sleep

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin5 March 2019stress in the home, reduce stress in the home, how to reduce stressComment

You Don’t Have to be Doctor to Save Lives

One in four people will need a blood transfusion sometime in their lifetime. Read this infographic to find out why and how you should donate blood today.

Did you know that 3,000 blood donors are needed each week in Ireland, yet only 3% of the eligible Irish population give blood? In fact, between the years 2010 to 2015 there was a 21% decrease in the number of new blood donors.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin5 March 2019blood donation, blood, give blood, give blood irelandComment

New survey data has revealed that 54% of people feel worried or anxious on a daily basis

Just over half of the 2000 members of the public, who responded to a survey, admitted to feeling worried or anxious every day.

Dr Felix, a registered online doctor and pharmacy service, conducted a comprehensive survey, which asked how people spend their time each day and the different moods they experience. The company used the results to determine how frequently people feel different emotions and how they spend their time. The survey also asked what activities the respondents would prioritise if they only had one week left to live.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin1 March 2019anxiety, wellness, anxiousness, relief from stress, relief from anxious feelingsComment

The Secret to a Long and Happy Marriage

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin27 February 2019marriage, happy marriage, secret to a happy marriage, couples, honeymoon, blissful marriageComment

The Strangest UK Sleepwalking Stories Uncovered

While the majority of people will know someone that suffers from a sleep disorder, sleepwalking is the one that fascinates people the most due to it being a lot more dramatic than, say, chronic snoring.

Mattress Online asked the public to share their weirdest sleepwalking tales with us and also contacted a sleep expert to help further understand the triggers and answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Here are some standout sleepwalking stats:

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin18 February 2019sleepwalking, sleep, insomniaComment

Why You Should Start and Keep on Swimming

Physical activity is one of the most important columns of health, and if we’re being frank – most of us aren’t getting enough of it. We don’t like to get sweaty, we don’t have time and we would rather spend our free time catching up on our favorite TV show. Well, if you’ve been struggling at the gym, then perhaps there’s a more fluid solution for you – swimming! Here’s why you should opt for it and keep yourself motivated to stick with it even when summer ends.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin1 February 2019swimming, fitness, exercise, exercise & fitnessComment

7 Calisthenics Diet Tips to Get You the Body You Want

If you’re starting a calisthenics workout routine, it is recommended that you also support it with a healthy diet in order to achieve your fitness goals. Even if you perform your workout routines religiously, if you are not fueling your body the right way, then you are just wasting your efforts.

The great thing about bodyweight training is that you have a lot of flexibility when it comes to the exercises that you can incorporate in your workout routine. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced athlete, there are suitable exercises that will challenge you and excite you at the same time.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin30 January 2019calisthenics, calisthenic diet, trainingComment

Watching Cute Animal Videos Is Key To Relieve Stress

We’ve all been there. We’ve all innocently just scrolled through our social media feeds feeling a bit bored with everyone’s posts about how awesome their lives are. Then we come across a video of a cute duckling falling asleep in class. Or a cute puppy getting so excited about the food he’s eating, his cute little fluffy butt is all up in the air as he chows down on kibble. And before you know it, you’re on YouTube watching cute animal videos one after the other. There is just something about watching those cute animals that somehow makes us happy. Something about their faces, their exuberance, and their clumsiness that makes every worry you have just migrate to the back of your mind for a little while.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin28 January 2019relieve stress, cute animal videos, stressComment

How Videos Aid For Better Learning For Healthcare Providers

With a growing interest in technology sneaking into every area of our lives, it was only a matter of time before tech started showing up in our educational systems too. Today, schools everywhere are using technology to greatly enhance the learning experience and quality of their students and staff, and few fields might benefit from this practice more than the medical and healthcare providers segment.

As with any new concept, there is controversy surrounding the idea of bringing videos into the healthcare profession learning modules. On the one hand, many people see the inherent benefits of using videos to deliver more information faster and more clearly. On the other hand, videos come with their own issues including copyright infringement and technological obstacles and glitches.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin14 January 2019video for healthcare providers, video in healthcare, technology in healthcare, video for health careComment

Winter Travel Guide: Stay Safe and Stress-Free

The holiday season is the perfect period to take a little road trip. Gathering your friends or family around and driving off to a warm cabin where you can spend time bonding and relaxing from everyday stress is a magical experience, but you have to be ready for it. Ice, snow, and the general muck of winter weather can make car handling a true nightmare, and if you don’t have everything you need, you risk damaging your car and ruining your vacation. Fortunately, you can easily prepare even for harsh conditions and we’re here to tell you how. If you want to stay safe and truly enjoy your trip, here’s a handy guide that can help.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin11 January 2019winter travel, travel blog, stress free travelling, tips to travelling in winter, stress free travel, winter travel guideComment

Simple Tricks to Reduce The Risk Of Allergies

Allergies are one of the most common health issues that befall both adults and children. Most often, allergic reactions are caused by allergens in the air or food and the symptoms can range from mild unpleasantness to debilitating problems. Luckily, there are now numerous practical solutions for combating these difficulties. In order to help you prevent these symptoms from occurring, we have singled out simple tips and tricks that will help you reduce the risk of allergies.

Control the humidity in your home

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin9 January 2019humidity, allergens, allergies, reduce risk of allergiesComment

Living a Normal Life after Surviving a Stroke

A stroke is considered by many as a form of "brain attack". It starts with sudden dizziness, headaches, and numbness in the face, arm, and legs on one side of the body. A stroke is mostly caused by a blocked artery or a burst of a blood vessel that causes a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, thus brain cells are deprived of oxygen and eventually die. But stroke doesn't cause sudden damage. It can just happen to anybody at any time.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin7 January 2019stroke, surviving stroke, chronic illness, stroke help, stroke assistanceComment

Benefits of Turmeric

A bright yellow or gold-colored spice, turmeric is grown from a tall plant that thrives in Asia or Central America. Commonly found in curry, mustard, and other foods, turmeric can be found in almost any grocery store. In many different cultures, its bright color has inspired people to use it as a dye for fabrics.

Turmeric is also found in teas, powders, capsules, and extracts. While many people are aware of the taste of turmeric and its bright color, they may not be aware of the health benefits turmeric may possess.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin3 January 2019turmeric, health benefits of turmeric, health supplements, healthy supplements, spicesComment

Tips for a Healthy Spine

Millions of people are affected by back pain worldwide and it is, in fact, one of the leading causes of job-related disabilities. Apart from having to live with the pain, spine problems can reduce your quality of life, rendering you incapable of accomplishing even simple, routine activities. However, taking care of your spine now will help you lower the chances of developing back problems later in life.

Listed below are some preventive steps you can take in order to keep your spine healthy:

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin1 January 2019spinal health, back health, back pain, back pain at work, posture, healthy back, hydrationComment

6 Reasons to Start Consuming Seaweed

When you think of seaweed, you probably think of it tangling around your feet while you're swimming in the ocean. However, this plant is packed with vitamins and minerals that can help your health. Not to mention, it's low in calories, so it's an excellent addition to your diet.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin17 December 2018seaweed, seaweed for health, benefits of seaweed, healthy food, seaweed tipsComment

How to Incorporate Self Care into a Busy Lifestyle

Whether you’re faced with endless demands at work or the heavy responsibility of a family, factoring in time for yourself on a daily basis may seem impossible. However, self care is crucial for both the mind and body so making a little extra time each day to implement it into your hectic routine will benefit you hugely.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin10 December 2018self care, self love, mindfulness, gratitude, journalingComment

How to Encourage Your Child to Reach Their Full Potential

There’s no question that all parents want what is best for their children. Since before they are born, we imagine them as star athletes, doctors, scientists and people who will shape tomorrow. But just wishing that for your child isn’t enough, and neither is pushing them towards it. There is a lot that goes into how a child develops over time, and it’s important that you, as a parent, know how to allow them to reach their full potential from day one.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin4 December 2018emotional health, emot, emotional intelligence, childrens health, children, kids health, raising children, parentingComment

The Importance of Wearing Natural Fabrics

Clothes made from natural fabrics are gaining momentum these days, when more and more people want only the best for themselves. This is particularly true for ladies and gentlemen with an extremely sensitive skin, which can get easily irritated when wearing garments made from man-made fabrics like nylon and polyester. You’re definitely at the right place if you’re facing the same problems, so keep on reading and learn about the importance and benefits of wearing natural fabrics. Check them out and enjoy!

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin2 December 2018natural fibics, natural fibres, silk, bamboo clothing, eco living, eco friendly clothing, natural healthComment

28 May 2020

How to maintain a healthy Intimate Relationship

Intimacy is a crucial component of any healthy relationship. Being able to show affection and share intimate moments with your significant other are signs that you and your partner are content with the way things are going and that you’re in a happy relationship. However, come stress, children, and pressures of daily life and many couples find themselves in unhappy relationships and marriages, and that’s when intimacy, as well as the relationship, are put on a back burner.

30 Apr 2020

This Is What Every New Mom Really Needs

After carrying your little bundle for nine months, and after giving birth and bringing your child into this world, so many moms hear their loved ones claim that the most challenging part is over. While on the contrary, a lifetime of raising your new family member and being a role model means you’re up for decades of ups and downs, sleepless nights, toothaches, headaches, and other love-inspired aches that every mom goes through. Now that’s a challenge, and a rewarding one, might we add.

21 Feb 2020

Strategies to Motivate Your Child to Learn

Children are naturally curious. However, sometimes this curiosity doesn’t extend to academic skills, which, although not essential, are still very important for the child’s development. With children, just like with adults, motivation is often the precondition to success. Luckily, there are ways to understand your child’s motivation better and help them develop the desire to learn – and here are a few strategies that should help you with that.

3 Sept 2019

Allergies and Cough: Everything You Need to Know

Rhinitis and Post-nasal Drip: The Missing Link

The most common signs of an allergic reaction related to the airways are sneezing and a runny nose, but it is important to note that coughing may also occur during an allergy attack. This is particularly true for people with chronic rhinitis.

People suffering from this condition often have post-nasal drip, a symptom involving the accumulation of mucus along the back of the throat and nose that causes mucus to drip in a downward direction. In some cases, there’s no actual mucus accumulation and the sensation is only simulated, which causes coughing all the same.

How to keep your home clean and healthy with pets

We pet owners know that no matter how adorable our furry little companions are, they can leave quite a mess behind them. Most furry pets shed spreading dander and pet hair everywhere. Pets that spend time out on the yard will drag sand and soil inside, not to mention accidents inside, spilled pet food or scattered cat litter.

Pets can be quite messy, which is why you need the right equipment and a cleaning routine to keep a pet home clean and smelling fresh.

If you want that sparkling pet home, this is what you need to do:

28 Aug 2019

Why nutrition is important for people with dementia

The type of food we consume is capable of affecting both our health and the quality of life we live. People who are poorly nourished are prone to get sick more often compared to individuals who consume a healthy diet on a daily basis. Poor nutrition has been identified as a major health issue among the elderly folk. People who suffer from dementia have a lot of challenges when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet. Some of the challenges they experience in terms of maintaining a healthy diet include but are not limited to:

They may experience a loss of appetite

26 Jun 2019

Exercise 101: The Beginners Guide to Exercise

Yes, everyone knows that exercising is extremely beneficial to your health and overall well-being, but if you need a few more reasons to start working out, you must know that it’ll help you get stronger in the first place. It’ll help you lose weight and gain muscle mass, too, which is why the majority of people decide to start working out. Of course, the struggle to get in shape is real, but once you get there, you’ll see that it was totally worth it. Regular exercise can also reduce your stress levels and relieve anxiety, build your confidence, help you have more energy and be more productive throughout the day, which are the benefits that mustn’t be overlooked. So, if you want to learn more about the two main types of workouts, their advantages, and other important things you should know about, just keep on reading and enjoy!

29 Apr 2019

Millennials vs. Generation Z: How Do They Achieve Success in the Workplace?

The workforce dynamics are changing along with the times. Today’s employees not only have job-specific competencies but they also have a natural ability to familiarize themselves with new technologies around them. They have no problems learning how a particular system works as long as they have the proper training on how to use such specialized tools. For them, technology is something that they need be more productive and efficient at work.

26 Apr 2019

The Importance of 4-7-8 Breathing

When you want to reduce your stress, just breathe. Taking deep, meditative breaths has been a timeless way to fill your body with energy or help you unwind after an eventful day. However, there are so many breathing techniques that you find yourself a bit intimidated, and some of them are complex. Here is one that is simple, powerful, and perfect for unwinding after a long day. Meet the 4-7-8 breathing technique.

What is the 4-7-8 Technique?

25 Apr 2019

7 Simple Ways to Stay Focused and Achieve Long-Term Goals

Everyone has a dream. For children, that might be becoming an astronaut or a fireman. For professionals, that dream might be getting the high paying leadership role in the company.

Maybe, you’re starting a business for the first time, and you envision thousands of customers buying your products. Perhaps, you dream of getting a third level qualification and becoming a certified professional. Maybe you want to shed a pound and achieve that attractive physique that you’ve always wanted.

But reaching those dreams does not happen overnight. It takes time, and it is a long process. It requires certain qualities such as patience, persistence, passion, positivity, and focus.