Transforming your perfect smile is something that you can do right from the comfort of home. The perfect smile helps to boost your confidence and makes you glow from the inside out. But as you might know, the quest for a Hollywood-style smile can be expensive. 

While visiting your dentist after lockdown is one route to improving your smile, there are ways you can improve your smile at home too. As a more affordable option, you could soon get the pearly whites you’ve always dreamed of!

Here are some tips for achieving your perfect smile from home.

Up your brushing game

Brushing your teeth regularly helps keep your teeth looking great. All the whitening and treatments in the world will be worthless if you don’t brush properly. If you haven’t already got one, why not buy an electric toothbrush? Today’s electric toothbrushes deliver amazing results. They also carry additional features such as tongue brushing and air flossing. Weigh up the benefits of an electric versus a manual toothbrush and consider investing to up your brushing game.

Try some at-home teeth whitening products

While you can get amazing teeth whitening results from your dentist, there are some incredible and affordable products that will help achieve whiter teeth at home. Buy from reputable sellers to avoid ending up with a product that lets you down. Check out some of the best at-home teeth whitening products and say hello to brighter teeth. 

As an extra tip to keep your teeth white, you need to make sure you avoid food and drink that will make them stain easily. Brushing regularly with a whitening toothpaste will help maintain your teeth whitening results. 

Get straighter teeth from the comfort of your own home

In the quest for straighter teeth, expensive orthodontics used to be your only option. Now you can get clear braces sent to you at home to help you get straighter teeth. These types of aligners are simple and convenient, with no trips to the dentist so that you can be in control. They’re affordable too, which makes them a great choice if you’re looking to transform your smile.

Take great care of your teeth and gums

Ultimately, the perfect smile begins with taking good care of your teeth. Make sure you brush twice a day, use floss, and gargle with a mouthwash. You can also help preserve your teeth by cutting down on the amount of sugar that you eat. Ditching sugary drinks is a great place to start. Switch to water or sugar-free varieties instead.

Taking steps to take better care of your teeth and improve their appearance will do wonders for your confidence. Many people strive for better teeth, without doing anything about it. The potential cost scares them. But thanks to a range of at-home treatments, you can achieve the smile you’ve always wanted without the hassle. Take steps to look after your teeth now, and enjoy some great results from the comfort of your own home. 

Has there ever been a time when taking care of our health issues has been more critical? Probably not. But the irony is that many people are letting common health issues slide. This is because of the restriction on social interaction during the pandemic. However, it is essential to remember something critical. Just because we are living in the new normal doesn’t mean we can’t seek treatment. It also doesn’t mean we can’t take other positive steps towards managing such conditions. Indeed, below you can find out what some of the most common health issues are. And then we offer ways on how to take care of them. 

Back pain

Back pain is one of the most common health issues affecting people. The major cause? The spine holds up the rest of the body. It’s an essential part of all the movement we make.

Of course, back pain can range in severity and, at its worst, can be unbearable. Back pain causes also vary and can include trapped nerves, comma degeneration of discs, and even arthritis or osteoporosis.

Indeed to correctly take care of back pain, you must first work with a medical professional to diagnose its cause. Then a suitable course of treatment can be prescribed. Depending on the underlying issue, these may include physical therapy, pain relief if or surgical procedure. The most important thing to remember here is that back pain will often worsen; when left untreated, it will end as soon as you seek treatment and diagnosis the better. 

Hearing loss 

Medical issues often need taking care of his hearing loss. Indeed with this condition, hearing loss can often occur gradually, making it harder for the person suffering from it to recognize the severity of the issue. 

To that end, you must visit a hearing specialist such as a doctor of audiology regularly for testing. The reason being that they will be able to compare your results to the standard average and two last visits to determine whether any treatment or action is necessary. 

Anxiety

Whether it’s that shaky feeling in your chest, churning in your stomach, or thumping headache, anxiety isn’t a fun experience. However, while anxiety feels awful in the moment, the sensations that it causes can’t cause us physical harm in the short term. For example, while a panic attack makes you feel as if you are about to die, you are, in fact, safe. 

However, anxiety can impact our lives in different ways. The first of these is that it can significantly reduce our quality of life and further negatively impact our mental health. Additionally, some research suggests that prolonged chronic anxiety can impact our physical well-being, weakening the immune system. 

To that end, grinning and bearing it is not the way to deal with anxiety. Instead, reaching out for help and learning better ways to cope is a much better option. In particular, look for CBT-based therapies that can help you reframe your thoughts and relate to anxiety’s physical sensations more constructively. 

We all need to take self-care seriously.  Healing mind, body and soul is an integral part of this process as is putting effort into me-time. Today’s world seems to revolve around mixing life and work to the point these lines can often become blurred. Below are some self-care tips which are backed by science.

Utilizing self-care helps us to recharge our mental and physical batteries. It helps us refocus our energy and manage stress levels. The issue is that we don’t devote enough time to self-care or don’t have any ideas of what to do and why we should do it. We all need to be reminded to take self-care seriously; a study in 2019 found that student nurses were neglecting their own self-care because they were looking after others. We all need to take care of ourselves, so we can then take care of others if that is our role.

Fresh air

While it may be cold outside, getting out in the fresh air is a great way of improving both your mental and physical health. It stimulates your brain, and walking in nature has a positive impact on your senses. You don’t need a green space close by either, just walking around your neighborhood is good enough.

Exercise

Research shows that exercise has a positive impact on your mental health and boosts self-esteem. It also helps you feel re-energized and benefits those who have been diagnosed with depression. You don’t need to visit a gym for exercise, and you can do this in the comfort of your own home! If you do suffer from an illness, it is best to get this checked out by a health professional, especially before embarking on any exercise program. Your doctor may prescribe medication, or they may subscribe something like medical cannabis. If you wish to find out more about this, see the guide at AmediCanna.

Paying it forward

Did you know that helping others boosts your mental health? Helping others is a way to help yourself and be kind to others by doing a good deed. Options include volunteering or helping a friend or neighbor. This is such an excellent way of spreading a little happiness and making yourself happy at the same time.

Aromatherapy

Research has proven time and time again that breathing certain aromas reduces stress and anxiety. The scents recommended are citrus and lavender. Lavender is especially helpful to aid sleep. The likes of rosemary can help boost memory. Find out what scent helps you best and use it.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is a great technique that you can do at any time of the day. It requires you to focus on the present without judging what is happening around you. It’s a great technique if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Meditation

Meditation has been around for thousands of years. It can help you focus and de-stress. Research has suggested that meditation can improve your quality of life. The simple act of being still and breathing can profoundly affect us.

These are just some of the self-care tips which you can practice that has been backed by research. What other ones can you think of?

Taking care of your skin this winter is simple when you have the right techniques. With the cold weather upon us, it’s time to get to work!

With the weather getting colder every day, it’s quickly becoming the time of year that has the biggest impact on skin health. When it comes to your skincare, it’s easy to make the mistake of forgetting to take the time that you need to give your skin the nourishment and TLC that it requires to stay looking healthy and happy. 

Cold, dry air can leave your skin feeling sore and chapped and looking red and flushed. The good news is that while the winter weather can have a negative impact on your skin’s health, there are plenty of ways that you can make managing your skincare a little easier. It’s just a case of taking steps to implement an effective skincare routine. 

Wondering what you should incorporate into your winter skincare routine? Below are a few tips and suggestions to help you master your winter skincare. 

Maximize hydration 

The colder winter weather can leave skin feeling dry and sore. You will find that during the winter months, this is when your skin tends to be more likely to become dry and overly sensitive, due to the harsh winter weather. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that you’re maximizing hydration wherever possible and moisturizing your skin regularly. Ideally, you want to apply moisturizer to your face twice a day, to your hands throughout the day, and to your body once a day. If possible, it’s best to opt for a rich, unscented moisturizer. 

Opt for showers over baths 

Baths might be a great way to relax, but the fact is that when it comes to your skin’s health, baths can wreak havoc on your skincare. The fact is that hot baths can actually draw moisture out of your skin – if you have too many baths that is. So, wherever possible aim to shower instead of taking a bath. And try and limit your baths to once or twice a week and have showers on a daily basis. 

Use gentle, natural products 

Did you know that certain products can have a seriously negative impact on your skin’s health? Products that are packed full of additives and chemicals can be detrimental to skin health. That’s is why it’s important that you consider using natural products wherever possible, such as this natural body wash, for instance. By opting to use natural products, you can protect your skin from the effects of harmful chemicals. 

Exfoliate regularly 

When your skin becomes dry, it’s usually because dead skin cells have built up on the skin’s surface and need removing. To remove these dead and damaged skin cells, it’s important to exfoliate your skin regularly using a gentle exfoliator. There are lots of options when it comes to exfoliating your skin, from simple coffee and salt scrubs to facial pumice stones and sonic facial exfoliators. Determining what works best for your skin is often a case of trial and error, so take your time working out what products and tools work best for your skin. 

There you have it, everything that you need to know about taking better care of your skin this winter. 

As the weather turns dark and cold, and life tosses us stressors, we’re likely not feeling confident about the brightness of life. Don’t despair. There’s hope, thanks to self-care. In fact, indulging in self-care and putting yourself first is the hottest new trend. Here are some tips to get you feeling more confident.

Offer Your Hair Some Love

Hair care doesn’t have to mean expensive keratin treatments. You don’t need to be a pro or have a multiple-step routine to have a healthy head of hair. Sometimes, a few simple ingredients can be the nourishment your hair needs.

Two top ingredients for happier, healthier hair is castor oil and argan oil. These natural ingredients stimulate hair growth and are generally safe for everyone to use (although a patch test is still a good idea). 

Doing these treatments two to three times a week will help to rejuvenate your hair, giving it a more glowing and healthy appearance. Simply apply it before using shampoo and let it sit for a few minutes. All you need to do is apply it at the roots of your hair, leave it on for a short while and voila. Both argan oil and castor oil are rich in fatty acids and nutrients. They will nourish your scalp and give you that sought-after shine. Indulging in hair care will help you to have that effortless glow even when you’re rocking the no-makeup look. 

Invest In Your Smile

Nothing will make you more confident than having the perfect smile. Smiling more is proven to increase happiness by releasing endorphins. With a great set of pearly whites, you won’t be able to help but smile more. We all know the importance of dental care, but sometimes you want to take it that step further. Using a Dental Implant Specialist, you can improve your smile in a way that looks both beautiful and natural. These types of implants not only substitute missing teeth but improve the overall appearance of your face by giving your jawbone more support. Other simple ways to enhance your smile are to use home whitening kits or consult with your dentist about a series of whitening treatments. Investing in your teeth will undoubtedly let the world see more of that smile, as your confidence will shine through.

Journal Your Way to A Brighter Day

This one is a trickier habit to get into but will change your life once you manage it. A helpful form of self-care is to write down at least one thing per day you love about yourself. Whether this is a physical attribute or an aspect of your personality, just one thing that you are content with. Writing this down each morning will help you to appreciate what’s unique about you and to feel more positive about who you are. As you progress with this, you may be able to describe things about yourself in a positive way that you previously wouldn’t have. Journaling for self-care is a long process, but one that will be extremely rewarding.

Indulge in Yoga

Exercise is a crucial step in the road towards higher levels of confidence. It will help to increase your energy levels and get endorphins pumping. It’s a great way to improve your physical and mental well-being. For some, the idea of exercise incites a feeling of dread. Hardcore gym workouts and long-distance running aren’t for all. Experimenting with yoga and Pilates is a relaxing but effective workout routine with proven links to increasing mental wellness.

Another great thing is – you can do it from the comfort of your own home. There are so many online tutorials to help you do yoga at your own pace and start at a suitable level for you. Yoga is a great de-stressor, reducing the production of cortisol – the dreaded stress hormone. Doing yoga on a regular basis will help you to feel calmer and at more at ease with yourself, offering a form of exercise that’s truly enjoyable. Another way that yoga increases confidence is by improving your concentration. An essential aspect of the practice is being present and focusing on breathing. This focus on mindfulness can help within all realms of your life, increasing productivity all round.

Set Clear Goals

Setting goals for yourself will help you to focus on what you can achieve. You know what you are truly capable of, so turning these into tangible goals will consistently remind you of your potential. Having a growth mindset will help you to imagine these goals with clarity. Once you have envisioned it, you are one step closer to achieving it. Believing in yourself will boost your confidence and help you to be continually moving forward and becoming your best self. A great way to set these goals might be to look at things you have achieved previously and think about how you did this. Then you might ask yourself, how can I build on this? If I did that, what other great things am I capable of?

Re-Assess Your Body Language

Just like smiling makes you happier, looking confident helps you to be more confident. Focusing on your physical stance will actually trick your brain into thinking it feels more empowered. Some attributes to focus on may include standing taller and more straight, holding your shoulders back, and making direct eye contact with people. This sense of boldness will make you appear more confident both to others and yourself.

It’s the journey that counts. 

Practicing self-care and being more confident isn’t something that happens overnight. One of the most important forms of self-care is being realistic and kind to yourself. Having bad days is normal, and help us to put everything into perspective and appreciate the positive. This applies to our self-perception; we may sometimes focus on what we dislike but then can learn to balance this with our positive attributes. Nobody’s perfect, and learning to accept ourselves is a balancing act of focusing on what we admire in ourselves and continually working to improve those aspects we wish to change.

Changing your career completely for new opportunities could be a scary move to make. But not so scary to pass up the change.

Let’s face it, a lot of people place a huge focus on their career, and rightly so. After all, we spend a large proportion of our time at work or doing a job, whatever that may be. Some people are content to stick with the same thing day in day out, and earn the standard paycheck each month. Whereas others strive for career progression and the next big step for them in the workplace. Whatever your choice may be, there will always be career opportunities that are too big to pass up. With that in mind, here are some of them.     

Changing your career entirely

Making a complete career shift is overwhelming. But, if you’re passionate about the new career, it’s worth the challenge to face that overwhelm. Too many of us will settle for a mundane job that we don’t love, purely to pay the bills. The luckiest people get to do what they love for a living. So whether you want to help people with their mental health and search for open psychology jobs or whether you need to think about retraining and getting new qualifications so you can finally do something you love, don’t disregard a career change. It could be just what is needed at this very moment in your life. 

Working from home

Working from home can provide you with an excellent opportunity for work and enables you to become much more flexible with your time. This option works fantastically well if you have a family. You’ll be around for the school drop offs and collections as well as being on call for those emergencies. It can be an ideal solution. However, it isn’t as easy as some people think. Working from home merges your work and home life. Often this can be hard to differentiate between the two. You might constantly feel on the job, or find you procrastinate because you see home jobs that need doing instead. This is when looking online for tips and tricks for working from home could prove useful. It will always be an amazing opportunity, and getting the balance right makes it all the more perfect. 

Becoming your own boss

Who doesn’t want to be their own boss? Not many would disagree that this can be an excellent career move for some. However, it can be a hard to overcome some of the initial hurdles of setting up on your own. Many start-up businesses fail in the first year, so it is important to do some groundwork before taking the plunge completely. Most people start their business in their spare time and build it up to a point where they can start to consider leaving their normal employment. It can provide a wonderful opportunity for your career filled with many different experiences. 

Working abroad

If you get the opportunity at some point in your life, working abroad could be an excellent thing to consider. There may be a different work culture to get used to, different benefits you are entitled to, and could even provide a better quality of life. It may seem daunting, but working abroad could be easier than you realize. There might be a lot of forms and paperwork to fill in, not to mention securing a job and somewhere to live. But it could certainly provide the adventure of a lifetime. 

Let’s hope this has inspired you to maybe consider alternative options for your career in the future.