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● Laura Thornberry ● Lifestyle Blogger ● London Based ●

GUEST POST| A healthcare system funded by the public has long been considered a backbone when it comes to providing community healthcare needs, especially in the UK, where the NHS is free at the point of use. However, there are also several private healthcare businesses that are an option for people who wish to take that route. Some people are willing to pay the additional cost of insurance or a premium price at the point of use to get the benefits of private healthcare. Despite being more expensive, there are some benefits of private healthcare that you may want to consider if you require a treatment or procedure.

healthcare

Quality Healthcare
Private healthcare will get you top-quality healthcare that is just as good as you can expect from the NHS. Many doctors, consultants, nurses, and other healthcare specialists work in both the public and the private sectors. However, what makes the difference between public and private healthcare is that you can often get premium service that is not available on the NHS, such as your own private room for treatment and recovery.

Reduced Waiting Time 
Another main benefit of using a private healthcare provider such as Circle Health Group is that there is a much shorter waiting time. When you are paying for your healthcare, you can be prioritised in a way that is simply not available when it comes to publicly funded treatments, which typically have long waiting lists that may even be detrimental to your health in the meantime. Circle Health Group offers a wide range of different healthcare treatments and procedures including general surgery, cancer treatments, knee and hip surgery, and more, with little to no waiting time for patients.

More Choice
Unlike publicly funded healthcare where patients are allocated healthcare providers on a first come, first served basis depending on the treatment that they require, private healthcare offers a larger choice of healthcare professionals to the patient. It may be possible to choose from a list of doctors or surgeons to carry out your treatment, for example.

More Personalised Care
You might have already experienced the common situation where you visit your local GP with a concern and are told to return if your situation doesn’t improve. When you go back, you might have to explain the situation all over again to a different GP. In the public healthcare system, the strain on GP's is huge, meaning that for many it’s impossible for them to get to know their patients or spend as much time with them as they would like. On the other hand, GP's and consultants at private hospitals spend as much time working but see fewer patients, giving them the opportunity to get to know you better and provide a more personalised, one-to-one level of care.

healthcare

Better Facilities
When you are paying for private healthcare, you will get luxurious and top-class facilities. Unlike the publicly funded healthcare system, private hospitals don’t have a stretched budget holding back comfort. Since they are funded by insurance companies and self-paying clients, they are better able to purchase the newest and best equipment, put money into creating a better and more luxurious environment for their patients, and invest more in employing leading consultants and other healthcare professionals.

Support the NHS
While it might sound counterproductive, getting private healthcare when and if you can, may actually help to support the NHS, which is currently overstretched and overburdened. With the number of patients that are awaiting NHS treatment only expected to grow even further over the next few months and years, if you have health insurance or can afford private healthcare, you can take some strain off the NHS and ensure that it is more available for those who do not have an alternative option.

Are There Any Disadvantages?
As with anything, there are some disadvantages to be aware of when it comes to getting private healthcare in the UK. This includes the cost of insurance or one-off payments. Some insurance plans may not always cover the cost of the treatment for some diseases, illnesses, or injuries, and you will only get what you pay for – the more insurance cover you want, the higher your monthly or annual premium is going to be. Because of this, it’s a good idea to shop around and make sure that you have done your homework when getting private medical insurance. The right medical insurance will cover all or some of your medical bills when you get private healthcare. You may wish to get it in order to use private healthcare for all your medical needs, or as a way to subsidise the care that you can get from the NHS. It is also worth bearing in mind that even if you have private health insurance, you will still be obliged to pay for the NHS out of your taxes.

If you want faster, more personalised healthcare with more luxurious facilities and a bigger choice, there are many benefits of private healthcare to consider. 
15:45 No comments
 GUEST POST | Have you ever felt gloomy, sad, and kind of depressed when the seasons change? Have you ever thought that there may be a reason for that?
 
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression related to changing the seasons. This occurs between the beginning of autumn and winter months for most people. If you've never experienced it, you probably know someone that has. It is one of the most common types of depression. But is it an actual thing, or are people using it as an excuse?

sad

Let's Talk About Being SAD
In most cases, people fall under SAD's umbrella from October to April, in other more minor cases from April to September. Though a rare occasion, some people even experience it all year long. So that brings up the question of authenticity to this so-called depression.
 
Before that, let's point out the symptoms, which in most cases are: 
— Feeling depressed for most of the day
— Losing interest in activities that were fun before that
— Bad sleep
— Less energy
— The overall feeling of lethargy 
 
It may seem that some of these are just excuses to procrastinate and blame the “winter blues” for not wanting to go out of bed. But a further insight on the topic sheds a different light. Let's just put it this way – In more severe cases, there are even worse symptoms, such as finding it hard to concentrate and having suicidal thoughts.
 
What Can Cause Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Although there is no medical or professional conclusion on the actual cause, there are different opinions. Your biological clock, or circadian rhythm, may be involved. For example, the reduced sunlight in the autumn-winter months may interfere with a person's biological clock. Lack of sunlight may also cause a drop in serotonin levels, leading to depression. The changing of the seasons could affect the melatonin levels in the body that play a significant role in sleep patterns and mood.

A Couple Of Unpopular Opinions 
One of the less popular opinions is that SAD may run in the family. Therefore, family members that have struggled with it could pass it on to the next generations, especially if the mother has struggled with SAD throughout pregnancy.
 
Having bipolar disease could play a significant role in the development of SAD. 
Professionals don't place their chips on this theory because bipolar disease is, by itself, a clinical type of depression disease. Last but not least, statistically, SAD occurs in people that live far from the equator. This may be because of the longer summer days and decreased sunlight during the winter. 

sad

How To Treat It
Regardless of how severe your specific case is, you should never treat seasonal depression lightly, and you are best off finding means of treating SADness.

Here are some of the best ways to do so: 
— Light therapy is the most famous treatment for SAD. It's a bright light that people get exposed to every day during the light-deprived months. A person sits in front of a big lit-up box that shines with 10,000 lux every day for 30–45 minutes early in the morning. 
 
— Psychotherapy, also known as Cognitive behavioural therapy or “talk therapy,” is a type of therapy that helps people cope with difficult situations. This type of therapy is considered to be more efficient for long-term effects. Its main objectives are to maintain a sane and safe environment for the recipient and get him out of the house.
 
— Medication is a commonly used practice when it comes to any depression. However, people are divided on whether pills are the way to go when struggling with any depressive ignited disease. And the most obvious way to go – is vitamin D. Nutritional supplements of the vitamins could help improve the symptoms. Although some specialists find it inefficient, especially compared to the other three options, it is still considered a way to go. 

To Wrap It Up
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD for short, is a depressive mood that coincides with every year. It's most common in people living above 30 degrees north and south (i.e., North America). The seasonal changes are the primary contributor to this phenomenon because with shorter days comes less sunlight, which can cause an imbalance in your brain chemicals like serotonin. But don't worry! You can do things to help alleviate these symptoms before they get worse. 

Some helpful strategies include taking vitamins D3 and B12 daily, drinking more water throughout the day, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. However, remember that the most powerful tool to deal with this is cognitive it! You can consciously DECIDE to be stronger than your environment, which happens once you realize that you don't HAVE TO follow the main sequence. Stay happy. Consciously.

Author Bio
Seriah Sargenton is a lifestyle and wellness blogger dedicated to helping people to learn how to live happier and healthier lives. She shares various self-care, self-love, wellness, mental health, and self-improvement tips and stories on her blog Riyah Speaks.
11:30 No comments
 AD| If you are unhappy or deeply concerned about a specific part of your body, your face, or even your hair, there is a possibility that considering cosmetic surgery can help you restore your happiness. 

Nowadays, cosmetic surgery is becoming quite the norm, and is something that is continuously growing in popularity, with both men and women opting for a variety of procedures and treatments that are currently available. Cosmetic surgery can now be performed on pretty much any part of the face or body, in order to typically improve a person's appearance. But, this is just one of the many benefits you can receive from cosmetic surgery. Listed below are a number of reasons why cosmetic surgery can help build your confidence, health, and self-esteem.

cosmetic surgery

Improves Mental Health
When a person doesn't particularly like a part of their appearance, it can heavily influence how they feel about themselves overall. For those who have suffered with mental health issues such as body dysmorphia, depression, low self-esteem and anxiety, cosmetic surgery can boost your mental health and help you view your body in a better way. Cosmetic surgery could hopefully improve your mental health by helping you feel more relaxed, more comfortable, and more confident in your own skin. 

Enhanced Appearance and Better Self-Confidence
Cosmetic surgery is simply done to change your overall appearance for whatever reason you have. There are such a variety of cosmetic surgery procedures that both men and women can choose these days, to help them feel more confident and comfortable with their appearance. Your appearance is the first thing that people notice about you, and if there are certain things you don't like about yourself, it can make you feel embarrassed, upset or anxious being around new people. Any improvement to your overall appearance, even if it's a small or big thing, will lead to greater self-confidence. 

Once you are happier with the way that you look and the way that you feel, your confidence levels will improve dramatically, and you'll enjoy having more social interaction. Over the last few years, Hair transplant surgery has become a very popular cosmetic procedure, especially for men. This type of surgery can help rebuild receding hairlines, prevent baldness and renew hair growth, as well as helping those suffering with alopecia.

Improves Physical Health
Another advantage of undergoing a cosmetic surgery procedure is that in some cases it can actually enhance your physical health. Examples of this include undergoing a rhinoplasty, more commonly known as a nose job, in order to breathe properly, or having liposuction/excess loose skin removed to help improve mobility and be more physically active in their everyday life. 

We are constantly bombarded with photos and videos via social media on a daily basis, sharing what is deemed to be the “perfect face or body” of celebrities and content creators, but this isn't a 100% realistic view of these people. Online content can be edited and altered to give the illusion of a perfect face or figure, and we shouldn't compare ourselves in this way. 

If you're considering surgery, then ultimately, make sure you are doing it for yourself and for no one else. Undergoing a cosmetic procedure should be researched and thought about realistically, carefully and properly – especially for factors such as the cost of the surgery and the recovery time following your procedure, as it's not something that should be decided upon overnight.

Would you consider having any cosmetic surgery procedures to improve your appearance or overall health?
13:00 No comments

AD – GIFTED| Are you looking at ways you can begin to have a more sustainable period? Did you even know there are more eco-friendly period products on offer?

The term 'sustainable periods' simply means you're actively changing the products you are using and making a conscious effort to reduce the amount of waste that your periods produce, especially plastics and single-use items. For those who menstruate, and deal with regular periods, the products we choose to use during this time is completely individual, and ultimately, what works for some people, might not work for others. Sanitary pads, followed closely by the use of tampons, are probably the most frequently chosen period products that are used by consumers, but did you know there are other options too? Listed below are 4 sustainable and eco-friendly period products worth trying now.


— Reusable Sanitary Pads —
Reusable sanitary pads are a great way to begin your switch over to having a more sustainable and eco-friendly period. There are a number of reasons to make the switch to reusable pads;
  • Reusable pads decrease the amount of plastic waste that is created.
  • Reusable pads are a much cheaper, and more long-lasting period product compared to regular disposable sanitary pads.
  • Reusable pads are typically much safer to use than regular sanitary pads, as regular pads can sometimes cause skin irritation and contain chemicals.
I was recently sent a box of the Trade To Aid Reusable Sanitary Pads to try out and see if they could help me change up the products I use and to have a more sustainable period. The pack of reusable sanitary pads include a variety of different sized pads, depending on your period flow and the absorbancy that you require. You receive 2 light flow, 2 medium flow and 2 heavy flow reusable pads along with 1 waterproof wet bag to store them in after use. These sanitary pads are suitable for both day and nighttime use, leak-proof and are super comfortable to wear. 

Trade To Aid Reusable Sanitary Pads

The 6 pack of reusable sanitary pads are retailing at £29.97 for 6 – this may seem like a lot of money, but by using them time and time again. These seem to be a more affordable option as you are not constantly buying disposable period pads. As a bonus, for every pack of reusable pads that are purchased from Trade To Aid, they then donate a pack to a refugee or those in desperate need of sanitary. This campaign is in place with the aim to end period poverty to eliminate the taboos surrounding periods.

 — Menstrual Cups —
In recent years, the menstrual cup has quickly become a popular sustainable period product to use as an alternative to regular tampons and sanitary pads. The majority of menstrual cups produced now are made from either silicone or rubber, making them reusable, durable and long-lasting. Menstrual cups typically give you longer lasting protection on your period's heavier days, and can usually hold 2-3 times more than a regular tampon or pad. Reusable menstrual cups are a great option for those looking for affordable, safe and effective period products, as they can typically last for between 6 months to a number of years with proper care and use.

— Washable and Reusable Period Pants —
Another sustainable option includes washable and reusable period pants. Over the last few years, many well-known menstrual care brands have been launching period-proof underwear for sale – including online brands like WUKA and Flux Undies, as well as high street brands, Primark and M&S. Most brands have incorporated a variety of styles of period underwear into their production line, including high-waisted briefs to boxer style shorts and even thongs. By having a range of different styles, this allows you to pick styles according to your preferences, and to test and try out multiple products, in order for you to find what is most comfortable and most effective for you. Typically, period pants are manufactured to be leak-proof – perfect for those suffering with heavy flows, as they are designed by using a super-absorbent fabric which is often odour-eliminating too.

— Reusable Tampon Applicators —
Reusable tampon applicators are something I only discovered towards the end of 2021. A reusable tampon applicator is a great alternative to single-use applicator tampons, and are perfect for those who are looking to reduce their use of plastics. Reusable tampon applications are extremely easy to clean and sterilize – you simply rinse with warm water and soap during your period, and sterilize them with boiling water for 5 minutes between your periods. They are also typically made from medical grade material, making them extremely durable and long-lasting, allowing them to be used again and again. They take a little while to get use to, but once you are confident with using them, it's incredible quick and easy.

reusable tampon applicator

Last year,  Lil-Lets made the decision to cease production of all their plastic applicator tampons – saving over 11 tonnes of period waste from landfill or the oceans each year. The new Lil-Lets reusable tampon applicator comes with a money-back guarantee – and will be sold at the introductory price of £12.99 until March 31st, 2022. From then on, they will retail at £17.99. So that's another good reason to make the sustainable switch for a more planet-friendly period.

What period products are you currently using? Would you begin to use a more sustainable option?

10:00 No comments
 GUEST POST| Never underestimate the power of a healthy smile. Research showed that almost half of adults in the UK did not visit an NHS dentist in the past 24 months. Avoiding the dentist can impact your dental, overall, and even mental health. Investing in your smile can have numerous benefits. As such, it is worth spending the time and money on ensuring that you have a healthy, gleaming smile. These are a few reasons why you should consider investing in your smile.

WOMAN SMILING

Creates A Strong First Impression
First impressions are crucial. It forms the foundation of a person’s opinion about another person. One of the first noticeable things a person’s eyes will be drawn to is your smile. Investing in your smile can help you showcase it instead of hiding it away. When you invest in your smile, you are also investing in your self-esteem, as you are not attempting to hide your teeth. You are no longer feeling conscious about the appearance of your teeth. You no longer worry about it during work meetings or when talking to someone new.

Helps To Boost Your Confidence
Aside from creating a solid first impression, investing in your smile can help to boost your confidence. It can help you feel more confident about showing your smile in front of others. Investing in your smile by having your teeth straightened or whitened can help you gain a higher confidence level.

Find a dentist that offers an extensive range of services. They could either be local to you or a little further afield. For instance, if you were to live in London, regardless of where in the capital you lived, you could visit a dentist in Fulham, such as fulhamroaddental.com. Selecting a dentist that offers an extensive list of services will allow you to receive all of your treatments in the same place. You will not have to search for another dentist to have specialist treatment or procedures to help you achieve a perfect, confidence-boosting smile.

Limits of Expensive Dental Chances
Recommendations suggest you should be visiting the dentist twice a year. Each visit is to have a routine check-up and professional cleaning. It helps to ensure that any signs of tooth damage or tooth decay are spotted and treated, and resolved, limiting the chances of a significant dental issue. A common dental concern is gum disease. The sooner it is treated, the better. Gum disease can lead to extensive treatment to restore your gums when left untreated. This procedure is more invasive than the standard preventative cleaning received when visiting the dentist regularly.

Investing In Your Health
A surprising fact is how oral health can be connected to your overall health. It surprises many people when they learn how much of their oral health affects the rest of the body. Studies are looking into the connections between overall health and oral health. Research is looking to see the link between inflammation of the gums and inflammation of blood vessels that can cause heart disease. When you invest in your teeth, you are also helping to maintain the overall health of your body.

Poor oral health can impact your life in multiple ways. Your smile will influence how others will perceive you. It impacts your confidence and self-esteem. Investing in your smile to create a healthier mouth can positively impact overall.

How do you look after your teeth and smile?
10:00 No comments
AD| In search of a New Year's resolution that you'll actually focus on and achieve? Look no further!

When it comes to New Year's resolutions, many people will struggle to keep up with their resolutions simply by being unrealistic or overambitious. In order to achieve your goals and targets for the year, you need to opt for changes that are manageable, maintainable and actually realistic, to help keep you on tack. Try to incorporate some of these simple New Year's resolution ideas into your daily routine for a healthier lifestyle in 2022.

healthy lifestyle

— Improve Your Diet for Weight Management -
 At the beginning of the New Year, many people look at ways in which they can improve their overall health by gaining, losing or maintaining their weight, whilst managing a better relationship with the food/drink that they consume. After indulging throughout the festive period and the New Year, health and fitness becomes many people's main focus for the year ahead.

To help you get started, there are a number of useful health and fitness conversion tools that can be found on the Culinary Schools website, e.g., calories calculator, body fat and weight loss. The weight loss calculator is an extremely useful tool to use in order for you to estimate how much you will need to change your diet and exercise routine in order to kickstart and reach your weight loss goals. The tool is super easy to use, you simply input all your personal data, e.g., height, weight, age, activity level etc, and all your results are laid out for you to clearly see, and to easily help you understand what steps you need to take for weight loss.

— Get Better Quality Sleep -
Sleep plays such a vital role in your overall health, it's essential for maintaining your physical and mental health, so it's important to make it a priority by getting at least 7 hours per night. In order to achieve better quality sleep, there are a number of changes you can make to your daily routine to make this happen. For example, follow a regular bedtime/wake time schedule, invest in new pillows, a new mattress and duvets for a more comfortable sleep, less screen time before bed, and try to avoid caffeine/alcohol late at night. Also, you could try using a sleep support patch. These are designed to help you fall asleep quickly and more comfortably, allowing you to achieve better quality sleep, and feeling refreshed upon waking up.

outdoor yoga

— Become More Active -
Using the New Year to become more active and find a physical activity/workout routine that you can actually enjoy is not only beneficial for your physical health, but it can also do wonders at improving your mental health. Not everyone will enjoy going on long-distance runs or bike rides, as this may be too strenuous and exhausting, but there are a few simple ways you can become more active in your everyday routine. By spending more time outdoors, getting some much-needed exercise, as well as some fresh air, is a good way to relieve stress and improve mental health. A few good examples include getting in 10,000 steps a day, yoga sessions, at-home workouts, weight-lifting, or even just going out for daily walks will all help to boost your fitness levels.

— Cook More and Less Takeaway Food -
Those of you who lead a busy lifestyle, you might find it easier to order a takeaway or pick up some fast food on your way home from work/school – but this could be stopping you from achieving an improved diet and healthy lifestyle. Research has shown that those who frequently cook their own meals at home will typically eat more healthily and consume fewer calories than those who regularly indulge in take-out foods – but eating these types of foods in moderation could be exactly what you need to balance in your diet. A takeaway once to twice a month isn't going to hurt…right?!

Cooking more at home doesn't have to be difficult, especially if you aren't so confident in the kitchen. You're simply not going to become a Michelin chef overnight, so practice makes perfect. If learning to cook is one of your New Year's resolutions, it's best to start off with a few basic recipes that you can practice time and time again to help improve your cooking confidence. I've previously featured a number of super simple recipes that you can include in your weekly meal ideas, these include Chicken and Broccoli Pesto Pasta, Beef Lasagne, Fiery Coconut Prawn Curry and a quick and easy Spiced Butternut Squash Soup.

self care

— Make Time for Self Care -
If you're not making enough time for daily/weekly self-care, you're more likely to feel overwhelmed, stressed and unhappy. Practising self-care will not only make you feel more confident and more happy on the outside, but also on the inside. To help create a self-care routine that you can squeeze into your everyday life, try incorporating a few things that you enjoy or make you happy. These don't have to be anything too extravagant – maybe a nice relaxing bubble bath, a face mask, book yourself in for a massage, go for a walk in the park, or even take some time out of your schedule to make time for a new hobby or something you're passionate about.

What are your New Year's resolutions? What resolutions, goals and targets do you want to achieve in 2022?
10:00 No comments
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