women Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

How to Kick it Up Now – Easy Fall Style for Men

Paula — Mon, 10 Sep 2018 12:21:02 +0000

Fall style for men is something that gets neglected this time of year. With all the posts and advertisements out there about back to school I think men get forgotten. To be honest out of everyone in my family my husband is simply far less inclined to go shopping or revamp his wardrobe, even when it’s necessary. My husband spends the majority of his time in jeans, shorts, and workout gear, but when he has to get dressed up, he can be super picky. He’s actually quite fussy about the fit and cut of his clothing, so I know men do care about fashion. If other men are anything like my husband, that fashion sense gets pushed back by spending time on other things like sports, work, family, and whatever else is on their plate. That’s why, today, I’m talking about fall style for men and the great sweater I got my husband to get his look kickstarted this season. Fall Style for Men – Simplicity is Key My husband is a stickler for fit, but he’s also a stickler for the cut of clothes. He’s not into flashy, dramatic looks. Nor is he a person who cares to spend hours creating a look. Rather, he’s all about simple clothes that look good on him, and the more I think about it, the more I think this is true for many men. Simplicity can be the key to a great look that they can feel good about. Solids The foundation of fall style for men is solid colors. A lot of men gravitate towards solids because they’re easy to pair with other clothing items. I get it. In fact solids are also my favourite pieces because they are simple. Classic Prints Prints add a lot to a wardrobe, but again, remember simplicity. Find prints that are classic like herringbone or stripes. Absolutely stay away from color blocking. Denim is Always Great I know, I know. Now listen I’m not talking about the Canadian Tuxedo look here. But I am advocating for a few good clean pairs of classic denim jeans for casual day. Denim – used sparingly – is a great accent. A denim jacket or great pair of jeans can be key to fall style for men. Most offices do a clean casual day. Sweaters are Classic Two or more sweaters – depending on how often your partner, spouse or boyfriend wears them – are a great cornerstone for a fall look. Again, opt for classic, masculine prints or solid colors. This is where you can get creative with nice fabrics. I recently found a great resource online that I love, with high quality cashmere sweaters that are perfect for gifting! We started with this wonderful V neck cashmere sweater in gray from Cashmere Boutique. It has a beautiful line and cut, elegant style, and you just can’t beat cashmere. That’s especially true when you get it for over 50% off! This Cashmere Boutique sweater is super soft which makes me happy. And frankly I am a bit relieved to have another reliable look for my husband when we travel together or take another cruise. Every year we end up packing for a cruise and suddenly realize my husband has hardly any good stylish clothing. And we say well we’ll buy some when we get back, or on the cruise. Yet we never do. This year I think we are a bit better prepared for the last minute packing routine. Shop Cashmere Boutique to Build Your Fall Style for Men I love Cashmere Boutique. They have a wide variety of coats, sweaters, tees, shirts, scarves, and more, making them the perfect source for building my fall style for me. My husband loves his cashmere sweater, and I love the deal I got. In fact, I’m about to head back over to their site and start browsing some more. Do you have any tips about fall style for men and building great wardrobes? I’d love to hear them. I received product for consideration here. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

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Heavy Periods are More than Just Inconvenient

Paula — Fri, 22 Jun 2018 12:44:57 +0000

Disclosure: I have partnered with YMC and Hologic and have received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own. Heavy periods are more than just an inconvenience that some women suffer with. I had heavy periods for much of my life. My mom had them. And one of my daughters seems to be heading there as well. Of course, there are the concessions you learn to make when your period comes. You don’t wear white, you make peace with the fact that you might have to dash to the bathroom at any moment. You NEVER wear your favorite pants, skirts, or dresses if you suspect your period is about to start. That’s only part of it, though. Heavy periods are not only inconvenient, they are painful, and sometimes, debilitating. Heavy Periods are a Big Problem My periods started as usual in my teens and they were regular for a time, even light. But then my 20s and 30s hit and they became super heavy. I didn’t really know there was anything that unusual about heavy periods. My Mom had such heavy periods I recall them being a shocking thing for me as a kid. She spent more than her share of time racing to bathroom when her period began and clothing was often destroyed as a result. In my 20s and 30s I had the same experience. When I started my career in a newsroom my periods were crazy heavy and painful too. Socially that impacts you too. I could walk into a room and discount 4 out of the 5 seats available because of light fabric and concerns my pads or tampons might not be adequate. Sometimes you just avoid social situations as a result. Nobody really was talking about periods when I was in my 20s and 30s. In fact, it was still embarrassing to even mention to a doctor, at least until it was time to plan starting a family. Then it was somehow more acceptable to discuss reproductive health in the context of getting pregnant. I used to think heavy periods were common, or perhaps I just had not found the right feminine hygiene products. Little did I know that I didn’t need to be a martyr about it. In fact I am far from alone. One in five women experiences heavy blood loss, pain, and exhaustion every month due to their period. This can be uncomfortable and sometimes heavy periods and accompanying pain can also interfere with life. As common as these periods are, over half of the women suffering from these brutal periods don’t know that they are a treatable medical condition called menorrhagia, otherwise known as heavy menstrual bleeding. It can be caused by a few different things like hormonal imbalances, fibroids, polyps, infections, bleeding deviations, and more. What makes menorrhagia truly horrible is that it’s not just the physical pain that comes with it, it also impacts mental health. Almost 80 percent of women with heavy periods experience anxiety associated with the issue and over 65 percent say that it causes them to feel depressed. See Your Doctor If you have a heavy period that causes you intense pain and limits your life, talk with your doctor. You do not have to suffer alone. Doctors can walk you through several treatment options – both hormonal and non-hormonal – to help you find relief, and that relief could be life-changing. Tell Your Story Heavy periods don’t have to rule your life. More women need to know that their heavy periods aren’t something to suffer through alone. They’re a treatable medical condition. Whether you laugh about it or cry about it, tell it. Whether you have a story that’s painful, bloody, or just downright embarrassing, share it! With all women’s health care issues, we need to get better at sharing our stories. This is no different. Sharing your story is a powerful way to help others. When you share your story others feel less alone and maybe someone else is also able to find relief. What Can You Do? Visit HeavyPeriodTalk.ca and share your story. Let’s make sure one in five women know that they’re not alone in this and that there are ways to find relief from heavy periods. On its own, that does a world of good, but now it will do even more. For every story shared, $5 will be donated to the Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health to help support important research and women’s health education. So share your story. Don’t be held hostage at home. Let’s pull together and fight heavy periods. Read more about Hologic here. The Novasure story is something you should read too.

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What to Expect When You’re Turning 50

Paula — Thu, 11 Jan 2018 10:08:41 +0000

Turning 50 is a huge milestone birthday. These days it seems like a lot of my friends are turning 50, or getting close. I’m not far off from 50 myself, and this year I have started recognizing this means physical changes. Nothing surprised me so much as when my metabolism changed dramatically at 40. So, since I’m interested in what’s going to start happening to me and what I should do, I figure a lot of other soon-to-be-50 ladies will be interested, as well. What to Expect When You’re Expecting the Big 5-Oh As women age, we experience changes in our bodies. These changes can lead to everything from a more difficult time staying in shape to an increased risk of heart disease. It’s important to know what we’re in for, so we can address the new challenges we’ll face in this chapter of our lives and keep ourselves as healthy as possible. Women in our age range have either gone through menopause or are in the process of menopause. In either case, our bodies will continue to change over time to due to different hormone levels in our bodies that age brings. That’s because menopause, and the hormone changes that come with it affect almost every aspect of our bodies. Let’s take a look at some of the changes that come with turning 50. Heart Disease Women over 50 are more prone to heart disease. In fact, our average lifetime risk goes up to right around 40%. In addition, if we have two or more risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking, that risk rises to 50%. Declining Estrogen Levels In addition to the hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and other fun stuff that menopause brings due to declining estrogen levels, we also become more susceptible to osteoporosis as well as the heart disease I just mentioned. We are also at a great risk of cancers. Colorectal Cancer When we think of age-related cancers, we often think of breast cancer. However, colorectal cancer is the one that sees the biggest jump in risk after age 50. In fact, over 90% of colorectal cancer cases occur after age 50. Immune Function Decline As we age, our thymus gland shrinks. This gland is responsible for our immune function because it regulates T-cells, our bodies’ immune system warriors. So the older we get, the more susceptible we are to colds, flu, and the like. Memory Issues As we age, we see a decline in our episodic memory. This memory is the recall of events, times, and places. Basically, we have more episodes of brain dump. But there are ways to protect your memory, so read on. What to Expect When You’re Expecting to be Your Best Self Now that you know you’re staring down the barrel of some unpleasant things, let’s look at how we can help ensure that we are our best, healthiest selves at any age. Plenty of Sleep In age-related sleep studies, people who get 7 to 9 hours of sleep have been shown to live the longest. In addition, adequate, restful sleep can boost your memory, mode, and human growth hormone levels. HGH plays a key role in bone and muscle mass, so get those ZZZs. A Healthy Diet A health diet that includes dark leafy greens, veggies, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean proteins can drastically improve your health, mood, and well-being. When you eat well, you feel well. Your body functions better, and that leads to being better across the board. Don’t Neglect Sexual Health While menopause and changing hormones can lead to a decreased libido and vaginal dryness, it doesn’t have to mean the end of your sex life. You can restore your sex life without the risks of hormone therapy by using topical estrogen preparations to help keep sex doable and enjoyable. Don’t give up! As the old saying goes: use it or lose it. Exercise Regular exercise can keep you energized, healthy, and keep your immune system humming. And don’t neglect weight training. Resistance training drastically improves bone density. Brain Exercise Speaking of exercise, don’t forget to work out your mind. As we age, our brains lose some of their ability to function. It’s a natural part of aging, but it can be slowed. Don’t freak out. You won’t suddenly become incapable of regular activities. Rather, you’ll find that you search for names a bit more often or you forget that your glasses are on your head from time to time. Brain exercises can help keep your mind sharper for longer. Mammogram and Colonoscopy As we age, breast cancer and colorectal cancer become things we have to seriously consider. It’s important that we don’t forget to get regular preventative checkups, mammograms, and colonoscopies to ensure that we detect any issues as soon as possible. Turning 50? Time to Celebrate Although this post has been full of health issues and concerns for women who are approaching or have hit 50, it’s not all doom and gloom. So when you think of what to expect when you’re expecting to turn 50, expect to have an amazing life. All you need to do is know what to look for, take care of yourself, and embrace the next chapter of your life.

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Fall Fashion Revamp #ChurchandDwight #ad

Paula — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 12:44:15 +0000

This Fall Fashion post is sponsored by Church and Dwight. Fall’s arrival always makes me a bit sad. Summer is my favourite season, with winter following close behind. Ski season is worth celebrating. There are a few lovely things to look forward to during the Fall. Autumn fruits and vegetables are fabulous. And sometimes Fall Fashion is inspired. How does your Fall wardrobe look this year? Longing for a closet overhaul? Follow these easy style tips and tricks to add flare and keep your classics looking like new. My Fall Fashion Favourites: My favourite seasonal trend here is the use of winter whites. Whites are no longer just for summer! Layer soft creams, oyster or parchment tones to create a cozy look as you transition into fall fashion. Pro tip: Even winter whites can begin to look dreary after a while. To keep your favourite pieces looking like new, longer, try OxiClean White Revive Laundry Stain Remover. It whitens 40% better than chlorine bleach with powerful whitening and brightening agents that won’t damage colours. And that grenadine red!! YES please. Love me a hit of red. Nothing screams confidence like red accessories or statement pieces. Want some style inspiration? Check-out these fun, easy-to-wear fall fashion looks! I am a Church and Dwight ambassador and as such I am compensated. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful.

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MeditationRings – Beautiful Jewelry That’s Good for the Soul #spinandwish #Giveaways

Paula — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 14:38:38 +0000

MeditationRings brings fashion jewelry with a little something extra to Canada and now the United States, as well. That little something extra is good karma, spirituality and an outlet for positive mental health. Now, whether or not you’re into spirituality and Karma one thing IS for certain, MeditationRings offers some beautiful jewelry and their unique story adds a nice touch. Their rings are almost conversation pieces in addition to being just plain beautiful. The Story of MeditationRings This jewelry company based out of Toronto had humble beginnings as a mother-daughter family owned business. The concept was simple – make gorgeous jewelry that was good for the soul. Their pieces are based on Tibetan prayer wheels. Tibetans believe that turning prayer wheels helps the practitioner accumulate wisdom, increase good karma, and purify negative thoughts. MeditationRings are based on that practice. Their rings are designed after Tibetan prayer wheels, with one or more outer bands that can by physically spun around the central ring itself. They are said to bring good luck and fortune as well as peace and serenity to the wearer because they are essentially portable prayer wheels. They even have different names which hold different meanings and are supposed to provide different benefits. Very cool. My original thought in getting one of these rings was to gift it to my oldest daughter. Payton is 15 and she struggles sometimes with anxiety disorder. That’s where I thought these gorgeous pieces would come in handy. In fact that use I think is extremely valid and would be perfect for anyone with anxiety. But the one I received doesn’t fit her. My fault as she was at school and I probably should have measured her fingers not mine. So, right now, I am the one wearing the lovely Hailey ring and using it as intended. The Hailey spinner ring is really growing on me. And I love the hand carved brushed leaf pattern as well as the sterling silver. Something truly gorgeous about good quality sterling silver especially in the sunny summer months. MeditationRings – The Power of Beauty I think the idea of jewelry that bolsters the spirit is VERY cool. I’m not really a fidgety person, but I do twirl my rings sometimes. That’s a pretty common habit I think. And I love pretty jewelry, especially rings and earrings. Something like this is perfect for me because it gives me something innocuous to do while working or sitting or even walking. In addition to that, the idea of wearing a portable spiritual wellness item like the gorgeous jewelry at MeditationRings is very appealing to me, as well. MeditationRings has a wide variety of rings for men, women, and children. Each design is absolutely gorgeous, and all of them serve a different purpose, from improving focus to purifying energy and receiving anxiety. Whether you are very into spiritual matters or not these rings will appeal because they are also downright gorgeous. They are absolutely for any and everyone. So head over to MeditationRings and see what they have to offer you. I received product for purposes of this post. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. I am happy to be able to share one of these rings -PRANA – $50 ARV with a lucky reader too. Follow the instructions for a chance to win. Entry-Form

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Chamilia Introduces 3 New Stackable Rings

Paula — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 16:57:16 +0000

Chamilia just released three new stackable rings, and I couldn’t be more excited. For those of you who aren’t familiar with Chamilia, they’re a Swarovski Company that makes beautiful jewelry. The pieces offered by Chamilia range from charms bracelets to bangles to find jewelry and more. All of it is gorgeous, and all of it is of the finest quality. The sterling silver designs are pretty and affordable as well. These new stackable rings fit my lifestyle and my daily routine. Plus they look adorable and that brightens my day. Chamilia – Jewelry Designed for You Here’s the thing you don’t know about me. I love jewelry. When I was a teen and I landed my first job at Harvey’s I saved my money to buy clothing and jewelry. My first big purchase a gold ring with a ruby set in it. In fact I still have that somewhere. Wasn’t fancy at all really, but it was to me. Earrings, rings, bracelets and necklaces – I enjoy buying and wearing each of these. Chamilia wasn’t around when I was a teen and that’s probably a good thing. I feel like they get women. Of course, as a Swarovski Company, they carry high end fashion pieces, but they also carry pieces that are perfect for everyday wear and reflect our everyday style. They feature fun designs that are bold and beautiful without being over the top or too “in your face”. That’s important for me because I love jewelry, but although I have a few big statement pieces I prefer subtle accessories. Right now I adore the three new rings they’ve just released. The Stack ‘Em Up Collection This new collection features three rings that can be worn separately or stacked together to make a bold statement. All three are beautiful in their own right but put together, they make a gorgeous set that can be the focal piece of your wardrobe accessorizing for a night on the town or just a trip to the mall, and that’s the best kind of jewelry, really. Paisley Dangle Ring This beautiful ring features a bright polish and Chamilia’s new paisley motif lined in their signature millegrain detailing. Designed to be worn on the finger or hand from a traditional rope band, the ring makes a versatile piece for any collection. (MSRP $25 U.S.) Smooth Paisley Ring A brightly polished sterling silver ring featuring alternating paisley shapes that connect end-to-end along the band. (MSRP $45 U.S.) Loopy Accent Ring A brightly polished sterling silver ring featuring a band lined with signature Chamilia millegrain detailing with loopy flourishes lining one side of the band. (MSRP $35 U.S.) Make a Statement with Chamilia These new stackable rings from Chamilia are absolutely gorgeous. With a brightly polished finished, gorgeous detailing, and the ability to stack all three rings into one bold piece, Chamilia has outdone themselves this time. Head over to the Chamilia webpage to check out their new rings and all the other great jewelry they have to offer. You might remember this post about Chamilia bracelets and charms from last year. The leaf band ring is attractive too. I received product for consideration in this post. My opinion is all my own and it is always truthful. This post also contains affiliate links as a service to readers.

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Period Pain – Natural Ways to Tackle Menstrual Pain

Paula — Wed, 10 May 2017 10:34:32 +0000

Period pain can be barely noticeable for some and excruciating for others. There might not be a lot you can do about hormone induced moodiness related to monthly cycles, but there are steps to alleviate the pain that comes with your period. If you want to relieve period pain naturally, you’ve come to the right place. If you have teenage girls, you might them to get a handle on monthly pain management early. So, read on to find out how to help ease pain without medication. Period Pain Relief the Natural Way Many people take medication to help alleviate menstrual cramps. I used to have endometriosis, a disease where the lining grows outside the uterus and creates more pain and heavy cycles. Endometriosis can also lead to infertility issues and the pain can be brutal. There are many instances where medication is necessary and helpful. There are also many times people would rather try natural methods of pain relief. As a Mom of teen girls I am a fan of normalizing periods and opting for natural methods of relief. Improve Your Diet You may not know this, but a better diet can help with respect to cramps. Decrease your fat intake and increase your vegetable consumption. A low-fat diet has been shown to decrease whole-body inflammation, and since your uterus is part of your body, it will help with that inflammation, as well. More vegetables mean more fiber, which means better regularity. Although not directly tied to your period pain, nobody wants constipation complicating your cycle as well. Tea As you all know, I love tea. I love it for more than the taste, though. Certain teas can actually help relieve period pain. Willow bark tea and peppermint tea have both been shown to help alleviate cramping. This works best if you begin drinking the tea about a week before your period is expected. Fish Oil and Vitamin B1 Taking fish oil and vitamin B1 in conjunction with one another has been shown to help reduce period pain. Fish oil is packed with omega fatty acids, which help reduce whole body inflammation. It’s believed that the vitamin B1 helps increase the effect of the fish oil on uterus inflammation. Acupuncture Acupuncture has been shown to help relax the nervous system and increase blood flow to the internal organs. While you may think the last thing that your uterus needs during your period is increased blood flow, it’s actually quite helpful. Increased blood flow will help deliver more of the benefits of a healthier diet and fish oil and vitamin B1 supplementation to your uterus for more effective pain relief. Boost Endorphins Endorphins not only improve your mood, they also help reduce pain. Moderate aerobic exercise is a great way to help boost your endorphin levels. Notice I said moderate. It’s not advisable to do hardcore workouts when you have your period. Instead, do just enough exercise to get your heart rate up and get those endorphins pumping through you. Heat There’s a reason we all gravitate to a heating pad when our period comes around. The heat from the pad helps reduce period pain by increasing blood flow and helping to relieve swelling in the uterus. Curl up with a book and get that heating pad on your abdomen, or lower back, to help with the pain. Magic Bags work too. We have several. Increase Your Water Intake A properly hydrated body is a healthy body. Your body needs to be adequately hydrated in order to function at its best. That includes getting through your period with less pain. When you are fully hydrated, your blood is thinner, your body works at peak performance, and all of the other tips I’ve listed work better. I am a broken record with this one and my girls. Naturally Relieve Period Pain There are many times you might need pain relief for menstrual cramps. For the times when natural methods don’t work a product like Midol can help. If you’re going the holistic or just med-free route, there are many strategies to help relieve period pain. The methods I’ve listed above all help relieve period pain, and they help even more if you do them all in conjunction with each other. Periods should never be debilitating. If they are you need to consult a doctor to rule out other conditions.

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Frank Talk About Women’s Health Issues #NoShame #ad

Paula — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 08:15:20 +0000

This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label. If you ever visit this space then you know I am nothing if not frank and honest regarding women’s health issues. Whether it’s infertility or menopause, menstruation, or digestive issues, I have no qualms sharing personal stories. Sometimes telling your story helps someone else understand they are not alone. Many women’s health issues and symptoms are swept under the carpet, even still in 2017. Women and men can often be reluctant, even embarrassed, to discuss health issues, especially intimate health. Sometimes it’s those conversations you don’t want to have that are the most important ones. Don’t be afraid to share your stories about parenting, digestive issues and reproductive health. They can help someone else. I am a Mom of two teenage girls. I grew up trusting Midol and I now keep it around the house should my daughters need it. In our house we are familiar with symptoms of irregularity. In fact one of my girls has used Restoralax on and off for many years. Whether its period pain or constipation, every woman occasionally needs relief from pain or constipation. And in fact sometimes it’s that time of the month when bloating and constipation go hand in hand. NO FUN! You’ve heard that saying – no question is stupid. Well, that goes doubly for questions about women’s health. No question is stupid, and there’s no shame in asking when it comes to overall well-being. The Things That Help Around Here: Everyone has been constipated at one time or other. Being constipated is not pleasant. Not only does it cause abdominal pain or discomfort, but it can also affect how you feel about yourself, especially if it leaves you feeling bloated or sluggish too. RestoraLAX®, can effectively restore your body’s natural rhythm without the side effects like cramps, bloating or gas. We have used this for years and we take it with us when you travel too. There’s nothing worse than being far from home when digestive upset hits. We don’t want anything to ruin a vacation or a media trip, so it is one of those things that goes where we go. Every month, women all over the world go through the discomfort of cramps, bloating, and headaches with periods. With Midol®, you can help relieve these common symptoms. Topics that Shouldn’t be Taboo: Urinary incontinence is another subject that can be hard to discuss. According to CanadianContinence.ca, as many as 3.3 million Canadians (nearly 10% of the general population) experience some form of it, with 33% of women over the age of 40 experiencing symptoms. The Canadian Continence Foundation website has useful information from doctors and tips on how to manage it. When people think of vaginal issues, the first thought usually jumps to UTIs or yeast infections. The not-so-talked-about Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a very common occurring infection. BV can occur when the pH balance in the vagina is affected, as a high pH level allows growth of undesirable bacterial microorganisms. The main symptoms associated with BV are odour and abnormal discharge. The makers of Canesten have launched CanesBalance® to help you treat the symptoms of the infection by restoring the normal vaginal pH level and relieving abnormal vaginal discharge and odour. Menopause and aging are both natural processes. I wrote a series about that last year. It’s important to be able to talk frankly about menopause, so that women can find common solutions to alleviating symptoms of things like hot flashes. Menopause can be challenging, both physically and emotionally. Nonetheless there are many ways you can prepare for women’s health events, such as menopause. Maintain a nutritious diet, exercise and balance stress in your life. Talk to your doctor and family/friends who may have already gone through menopause. [tweetthis]A few common women’s health issues and what you can do about them. #ad[/tweetthis] Share the Word about Women’s Health Issues and Take Back Your Life: Whatever the case or issue, make a habit out of talking about it frankly and openly. Women should never feel ashamed about discussing any aspect of their health. I’d love to hear your thoughts on these common women’s health issues. What issue plagues you and do you talk about it? This post is sponsored by Bayer. To make sure these products are right for you, always read and follow the label.

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Your Period and How Travel Affects It #travel

Paula — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 10:09:57 +0000

Your period is a normal function of your body. How your reproductive system is functioning can be an indicator of a bigger health issue. So it’s natural to be concerned if your very regular cycle is sometimes thrown into chaotic late, or abnormal heavy or even extreme light flow. Of course the first thing you wonder if your cycle changes or a period ceases to happen, is whether you are pregnant. But you might also start wondering if you have an illness. The truth is that if your period is late or you missed it all together while traveling, it’s probably JUST the traveling. Your Period and Travel There are lots of different ways that travel can affect your menstrual cycle, but today let’s start off with the biggest of them all, your circadian rhythm. You’ve probably heard this term used before, and you may or may not know what it is. Simply put, your circadian rhythm is your body’s natural, inner time clock. It’s what tells you when to go to sleep, when to wake up, when certain hormones are released, and other important bodily functions. Jet Lag and Your Circadian Rhythm Jet lag and the resulting disruption to your body’s natural cycle can wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle. A jet covers a lot of distance in a short amount of time. Even traveling from coast to coast can throw your body clock off somewhat. But when you travel for extremely long distances across multiple time zones – like an overseas trip – your period goes nuts. You step off the plane, and your body says, “Hey, it’s way past your bed time. Get some sleep!” However, the new time zone says, “Hey, traveler’s body, it’s really mid-day. Not time for sleep yet.” Now your body is producing too much of one thing, not enough of something else, and it’s just a hormonal disaster. Depending how severe the jet lag, the length of the trip, and your normal body rhythm, you could be looking at a late period or no period altogether. In fact, flight attendants frequently have irregular cycles due to this disruption. A Cocktail of Travel Issues Affecting Your Period Along with the huge circadian rhythm disruption that comes from long flights, your period can also be affected by other factors. Although these factors aren’t usually enough to trigger an irregular period on their own, they can work in conjunction with one another to screw up your cycle. And generally speaking, many of these do occur at the same time. Stress Stress is a major cycle disruption if it ramps up high enough. While traveling is an adventure, like any adventure, it has its share of stressful situations. Diet I don’t know about you, but when I travel, my diet takes a hit. It’s really a combination of being too busy or distracted to eat when I should, followed by eating all sorts of new flavors form the area – and usually too much of them. This causes a wild roller coaster of calories, nutrients, and food varieties to flood the body. Exercise Too much or too little exercise can be a contributing factor to your period going wonky. If you take the couch potato route and move less than you normally do, you’ll decrease certain hormones and increase others. The same can be said if you decide to be Super Woman for the day and climb a mountain. Your Period Can Change When You Travel Generally speaking it’s not a huge cause for concern! Although your period may get a little wonky, it’ll work itself back out when you return to your normal routine. The disruption to your sleep cycle, changes in diet and exercise, and a possible increase in stress will all work themselves out eventually, and your period should return to the regular flow and timing.

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Worry Free Summer Road Trips with LBL #travel #ad

Paula — Wed, 11 May 2016 12:14:18 +0000

If you have any sort of digestive or bladder issue, from IBD, inflammatory bowel disease, to LBL, light bladder leakage, you know about worrying. You know about sitting vacations and family events out because you are worried your stomach, or your bladder will act up. You might even have given up on things like road trips. Some days everything feels like a battle. Whether you’re headed to work, or heading out on the road, LBL is always in the back of any woman’s mind who suffers from it. And it’s not just that. These types of issues can make travel difficult. But summer is right around the corner and road trips go together with long weekends like peanut butter and jelly. So what can you do about that and how can you enjoy a good summer road trip with friends or family when you have LBL? Did you know that 7 in 10 Canadian women have urinary incontinence? And just over half of these women report some anxiety as a result of their condition. 11% even avoid seeing family or friends due to UI. There’s no need to avoid travel and family visits. I’ve put together some tips that can help you get back on the road with less worry over UI. Tips for Worry Free Travel with LBL, Kidney, or Digestive Issues First things first. Don’t allow these issues to stop you from doing what you love. That’s a biggie. It’s important to remember that while these conditions may make travel a bit more thought intensive, they shouldn’t rule your life. Rather, it’s all about finding ways to live life to the fullest and reduce worry. Take Your Time If your travel partner is only intent on getting from point A to point B as quickly as possible, you need to let them know that doesn’t always work. First of all, let’s be honest…. most of my good friends and family members know I have Crohn’s Disease. While not the same as LBL at all, there are many similarities. When I need to stop, I can’t wait. We need to build that into our travel time. Sometimes that can be the same with LBL. But here are a couple of other thoughts about that. I travel a lot. I travel successfully because my husband and good friends know and support me. SO, don’t hide away. It is a really important thing to let a few people close to you know that you may need extra stops when road tripping. It’s okay to simply say to a friend – I have a medical condition, called LBL, and I want to let you know at the outset that there are times I need to be close to a bathroom. You might be surprised how many other friends might suddenly reveal that they have LBL too. To make your trip less stressful, take your time. I don’t mean drive like you’re on a Sunday afternoon adventure. I mean make as many stops as you deem fit to stay comfortable and less anxious. If you have to stop every hour, then do so. It’s all about making sure you feel as comfortable in your own skin as possible. [tweetthis]Take your time and avoid salt before road tripping with LBL. You can #travel with @AlwaysDiscreet support products.[/tweetthis] Don’t Get the Big Gulp When you stop to eat or to get something to drink on the road, opt for a smaller beverage size. I’m not saying to dehydrate yourself. I’m saying that a 60 ounce Big Gulp isn’t going to be the best decision for you on your road trip if you have LBL. And if you get regular pop, all of that sugar isn’t going to help any other health issues you may have. Instead, opt for a smaller size, and bring bottled water with you, so you can space out your fluid intake. I don’t go many places without a bottle of water. It helps me to stay hydrated especially on road trips. Plus when I have water with me then I am less likely to buy coffee or soda. Avoid Salt Excess salt is no friend of road tripping women with LBL. Salt promotes fluid retention, and at some point, that retained fluid has to be expelled. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of nowhere or 10 miles from the next off ramp when your body decides it’s time to dump all the fluid stored up from the deep dish pizza you had two days ago. If you have LBL, opt for lower salt foods a few days before and during your road trip. Avoid GI Triggers If you have GI issues, and you know that certain things trigger them, avoid them at all costs on a road trip. In addition, avoid anything that might be made with ingredients that trigger your issues. The name of the game on this one is being careful. Use a Great Bladder Control Pad If you have LBL, you want to be confident that if you can’t get to a restroom fast enough, you’re fully protected. Always opt for Always Discreet bladder control pads. These pads come in a variety of absorbency options to keep you as dry as possible, and they control odor as well. That means you can be confident on your trip instead of worrying about how your LBL is going to affect it. Always Discreet is thin and comfortable, soft and it feels like underwear. Nobody will know you are wearing Always Discreet because it is soft, quiet and invisible. Always Discreet can help protect you if you have LBL, and help you to continue travelling and having a life. Have Fun! Above all, have fun! LBL and GI problems are medical issues, not life sentences to solitary confinement. Rather than avoiding what you love, take control of your LBL with Always Discreet, avoid your GI triggers, and take back your life. [tweetthis]Don’t let medical issues control your life. Road tripping can be done with a little extra planning #LBL #ad[/tweetthis] Don’t Let Any Medical Issue Control Your Life If you have LBL you don’t have to give up what you love, and you don’t have to forego family trips. Instead, get a great bladder control pad like Always Discreet and do a little planning. You’ll be on the road – literally – to worry free traveling, even with LBL. [tweetthis]Don’t forget that you can try a free sample of @AlwaysDiscreet now. Visit the web site for more info. #ad #LBL[/tweetthis] Don’t forget that you can try a free sample of Always Discreet by visiting their website. I created this post as a paid ambassador with Always Discreet. All opinions and advice are my own and I only work with companies I genuinely love. Do you have LBL? If so, have you tried Always Discreet?

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