Lifestyle

Ten years ago, a study said that one out of three women would not leave their houses without full makeup on. And when they say going out, that includes the quick trips to shop for groceries. Then, almost half the number of all women said that they favor wearing makeup over going barefaced.

Makeup had been a refuge for many, especially those who have dealt with different types of skin issues like acne, hyper-pigmentation, wrinkles, and more. But again, that was a decade ago.

The Booming Skincare Industry

In recent years, there had been a great shift in both men’s and women’s perspectives towards skincare. Skincare brands sprouting like mushrooms from all parts of the world. Innovative skincare ingredients and tools are being discovered, and beauty devices are being introduced to the skincare market so often. This is how fast the skincare industry is growing.

Many skincare brands have been around for more than a decade now, but why are people suddenly obsessed with them. All of a sudden, everybody wants to talk about their skincare routine, their eye creams, and holy grails they can not live without on social media. It’s suddenly so cool. Is skincare the new makeup?

What Is the Cause of this Sudden Change?

Both men and women are starting to realize that makeup does not solve skin issues by hiding it with 5 layers of foundation. Many have already turned away from makeup in favor of skin-care products. Modern beauty consumers becoming smarter with their beauty product choices now more than ever. The culprit? Social media.

More and more celebrities are embracing their no-makeup look, and this is a huge contribution to how people perceive skincare now. Before, celebrities can not be seen in public without makeup, even more so getting photographed by paparazzi. Now, they are even joining #wokeuplikethis and #nomakeup hashtag challenges on social media. They are so confident with their skin that they post their makeup-free selfies from the gym. Alicia Keys, Beyonce, and Cara Delevingne are just a few of the many celebrities who have embraced being makeup-free in public.

Yes, those celebrities might be in and out of their aesthetician’s clinics for a fancy botox injection or that Vampire and 24-karat Gold facial treatments, but maintaining radiant, youthful skin does not end there. Once they’re out of the clinic, these celebrities are on their own, and that’s what their skincare routine is for.

How to Go Barefaced and Beautiful?

Going barefaced need not be shattering. Looking beautiful is still attainable without wearing makeup. Aim for skin that boosts confidence enough to shine makeup-free.

Here is how to can start the journey towards barefaced and beautiful:

1. Enough sleep

Give the body enough time to repair the skin and rebuild its collagen.

2. Drink lots of water

Hydrated skin is healthy skin. Period.

3. Eat Healthily

Healthy skin will always start from the inside so eat veggies.

4. Find skincare products formulated for a specific skin type.

Tons of skincare products are out in the market today. There should not be an excuse not to find the ones suited for a specific skin type.

Basic Skincare Routine

With thousands of products available at the free market, it can be easy to get lost in the skincare world. It can be overwhelming, especially to those who are just starting. Here is a basic skincare routine:

For morning routine:

• Cleanser
• Moisturizer
• Sunscreen

For night routine:

• Cleanser
• Toner/serum
• Moisturizer

Again, this is a basic routine. More products can be incorporated into the routine depending on the demand of the skin.

When shopping for skincare products, keep in mind that they do not have to be a lot and expensive. Every skin is different, so a lengthy skincare routine can make one’s skin healthy and glowing but can give the opposite effect to another.

Finding the right products that are suitable for a specific skin type is vital. Make a habit of patch-testing new products before using them on the whole face. The best option is to always consult with a skin professional to prevent skin damage.

Gone are the days when women can not go out of the house barefaced. They used to put on makeup for all the wrong reasons. They can now wear them because they want to be creative and expressive, not because they need to hide something. Thanks to those individuals who broke the mold of always wearing makeup and made the rest embrace their real skin. Using makeup doesn’t have to be a defensive move anymore.

Sometimes, it may feel like there aren’t enough hours in a day. You have to do so many things and fulfill several responsibilities that you barely have time to rest. If you feel the same way, you are not alone. According to data from the CDC, a third of Americans don’t get enough sleep.

While it can be unavoidable to have late nights or all-nighters, it’s crucial to get as much sleep as you can. The right amount of shut-eye will ensure that you function properly during the day. Plus, it won’t just benefit your health, it will also help you look good. Here’s how:

It Can Help Prevent Sagging Breasts

When it comes to sleep, it’s not just about the number of hours you get. It’s also about how you sleep. The wrong position can cause your breasts to sag and skin to stretch. If this habit becomes too hard to break, breast lifts are your best bet to restore them to their initial form.

Start conditioning your body to sleep the right way. Avoid dozing off face down or on your side so there won’t be any unnecessary pressure. You can do so by placing pillows on both sides of your body, so you’ll be forced to sleep on your back.

It Can Improve Your Skin

No matter what your job is or how many kids you have, there’s one constant — you will get stressed sooner or later. Unfortunately, stress can cause people to resort to retail therapy, eat excessively, and lose sleep. According to dermatologist Dr. Ritu Gupta, sleep is crucial to a person’s skin because it’s the time when the body repairs itself. Even if you’re feeling the pressure from your responsibilities or personal matters, it’s important to carve time out for yourself.

If you have trouble falling asleep, check your surroundings. There may be an object in your bedroom that’s bothering you. Try to change your pillow into something more comfortable. It may be time to replace your sagging mattress. While you may have to spend some money, the feeling of being well-rested is worth it.

It Can Prevent Hair Loss

When a person is surrounded by darkness, the body responds by producing a hormone called melatonin. Studies have shown that it has a great number of benefits from potentially treating the Ebola virus to even preserving hair. A research study has found that the topical application of melatonin can be used to address alopecia, a condition that causes hair to fall out in patches. It can be inferred that not enough melatonin could cause hair fall.

To improve your quality of sleep, consider changing your nighttime routine. Instead of using your phone before dozing off, pick up a book or play relaxing music. The blue light from phone and TV screens has several side effects. Researchers from Harvard Health have found that it doesn’t only negatively affect a person’s sleep quality but it can also contribute to obesity, cancer, and heart disease.

It Can Affect the Appearance of Your Eyes

If there’s a body part (or two) that manifests the effects of sleep, it’s the eyes. Too little sleep can cause dark circles to appear under the eyes and for the sclera to look bloodshot. Even when everyone is wearing a face mask these days, the eyes are still visible.

For a better good night’s sleep, set a regular time to form a habit. It may be hard at first but eventually, your body will get used to falling asleep at the same time every day.

In some instances, sleeping way too late or too little can’t be helped. But its benefits show its importance to the body’s function, health, and appearance.

What is not to love about listening to how two people fell in love? You want romance, twists, and turns, and if you’re partial, a smattering of snow and some heavy-duty angst before everything works out for the best. But life is not a Hallmark Christmas movie and in many cases, most people’s love stories do not quite have the flair for dramatics that a good rom-com can give you.

We said not all. There is always a love story that catches you and gives you all the feels despite not knowing the couple in question. In real life, not just in made-for-TV movies that focus heavily on the schmaltz and ignore the substance that really gels a partnership between two people in love.

These days, there is a heavy emphasis on the swipe right culture, but in days past, people fell in love and met their spouses or long-term partners in many wonderful and quite frankly unique ways? Can you really find true love via a dating app in an online world where people are focusing on instant gratification rather than building long term foundations for a lifetime relationship?

Some people argue that, yes, true love can be found online and there are many success stories to prove love is literally all around us online and off too. In the past two decades, three in ten Americans have admitted to using online dating using dating apps with this method of meeting a new partner more common for those under 50 years of age.

But how are people meeting their spouses if not online you ask? Well, there is not a one size fits all category for meeting your future spouse. Nor will a good matchmaker checklist or demand for certain criteria guarantee you will meet your modern-day prince charming. Sometimes, it is not about what you are looking for but how fate is looking out for you. That is something none of us have control over.

What if you want to make your own fate, however? Will destiny have already decided your future or can you put a twist on a timeless classic and rewrite all the rules when it comes to playing matchmaker in your own dating life? Meeting new partners through friends is still one of the most popular ways to meet a new love or if that fails, workplaces are top of the list for romantic meetings.

Destiny is unpredictable and the ending in every love story may vary. We wouldn’t know whom we will end up with, but the journey to finding the right one makes the experience extraordinary. Life is a journey, and we have the power to choose our destination.

If you are looking to rewrite the stars and embark on your quest to find true love, then maybe you need a bit of inspiration and a nudge in the right direction to meet your future spouse! Or someone willing to push you in the right direction and set up the all-important meet-cute to give you the opening line to your original love story.

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the Mediterranean? Is it the gorgeous sunny sceneries? The Greco-Italic culture? Or the lovely and delicious food? Well, there’s definitely much that the Mediterranean has to offer, but they are definitely known for their lovely cuisine. Not only is Mediterranean food known for having a plethora of different flavors, but it’s also known for being the most “healthy.”

In the 1960s, studies and research have shown that most of the population living in countries situated close to the Mediterranean sea have lower death rates related to coronary heart disease. Much of the study shows that this is linked to the low death rate related to coronary heart disease to the diet of the individuals in the area.

As the decades pass, clinical studies have shown that this type of diet helps boost brain function and delay the deterioration of cognitive abilities, which is prevalent among older individuals.

But compared to other types of diets, how does the Mediterranean diet hold up? What are some benefits of it? Here’s what you’ll need to know.

What Composes the Mediterranean Diet?

There’s really no “official” list of ingredients defined by the Mediterranean diet since this “meal plan” usually refers to its cuisine. However, some of the most abundant food sources in the area are usually part of the diet, which include:

1. Fish and Seafood – Much fatty fish are rich in nutrients that help reduce the decline of brain function. It’s known that 40% of the brain is comprised of omega-3, which makes this fat vital for learning and development. Most experts would suggest salmon, herring, and tuna.
2. Olive Oil – This is quite iconic in Mediterranean cuisine and has numerous benefits to both the body and the mind. Being rich in anti-inflammatory properties can help enhance brain function. This is usually used in salads.
3. Legumes – Almonds and a variety of different nuts are also quite high with omega-3 fats, which can help with the onset of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. ;
4. Wine – Lastly, a little bit of wine can help with overall brain function. It’s also known for flushing out inflammation and cleaning toxins. Still, you’ll need to drink moderately.

It’s important to note that even though much of these types of food are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and protein, some seafood types are often rich in mercury. Most individuals should be careful when consuming foods high in mercury since long-term exposure could lead to disabilities. If you have had long-term exposure, which has lead to neurological disabilities or any disability at all, you might want to try Social Security disability.

However, the process of applying can time-consuming. Fortunately, some companies are well-versed in expediting Social Security disability applications. This will help frustrations that you might have when it comes to claiming benefits.

The Mediterranean Diet and Your Nervous System

We have to take a look at how the Mediterranean diet helps boost brain function among individuals. While most diets are focused on improving physical prowess and cutting down on weight, the Mediterranean diet not only helps with overall weight, but it’s also known to alleviate symptoms of deterioration related to age.

To make much of the long story short, around 447 participants were around 55 to 80 years of age and were divided into three groups. Each group followed a particular diet, with the Mediterranean diet being one of them. In the next few years, the overall cognitive ability of those that used the Mediterranean became stronger than the other groups.

Much would attribute this to the olive oil and legumes that are used as ingredients. Not only are these known for being antioxidants, but they can also help relieve inflammation, which is a contributing factor to cognitive decline.

The Mediterranean diet is definitely a great way of boosting brain function while still being a healthy substitute to high-calorie and fatty diets that might be detrimental to the body. There’s really no one way of doing this type of diet as it’s usually based on the cuisine that people eat in the Mediterranean. The bottom line? You have to relax, enjoy some good food, and drink some fine wine, just like most individuals living close to the Mediterranean sea.

When you lose a family member, the last thing you want to be doing is worrying about taxes. As sad as it seems, the loss of a family member will inevitably incur a great amount of paperwork and assessment of what has been left behind financially.

At a time of such high stress and emotion, your attention will turn to your family, and you may find it impossible to cope with sorting through possessions and bank accounts to determine what goes where. This is where a legal expert trained in probate can be your saving grace amongst the grief.

While you may not want to get any legal entities involved at such a hard time, hiring probate solicitors can allow you to focus on those all-important details of your loved one’s life, while they sort through the paperwork and tax forms. Trained in the complex area of probate law, these solicitors can help to assess everything from the legality of any wills that have been left behind or working with conveyancing solicitors to accurately assess the amount of any properties in your loved one’s name.

But what instances should lead you to hire probate solicitors from Portsmouth? Read on to find out.

Large inheritance

It is a common portrayal on television that a distant relative is left a fortune from an aunt they never knew they had, but in cases where your loved one has a large estate, you will need to hire probate solicitors. Even if you have been named as the sole beneficiary in such cases, a solicitor can help you to navigate the taxes that will be placed on the inheritance. Probate law is complicated at the best of times, so you don’t want to try and do this by yourself!

No will

This is a sad occurrence that is most commonly seen in younger people who pass away suddenly, which certainly warrants the hiring of a legal professional. In such instances, a solicitor will help to devise inheritance based on next of kin, which could be any children that they have had or their closest living relative.

Contesting a will

At such an emotive time, many people can feel that they have not received what they were promised and may contest a will that has been left. This can be heightened if the will which has been left appears to be fraudulent, which will need a legal professional to look it over to determine its validity. If the will is identified as being a forgery, legal recourse will be required in many cases.

Non-naming

If the now-deceased loved one has not named you in their will and you feel this is odd, seek the advice of a specialist solicitor. If you are a dependent, you may have legal access to the estate and should not assume that you have no right to your share of the assets; the last will is not always the ultimate basis of how assets should be divided.

At least thirty minutes of exercise a day keeps the doctor away, but that depends on where exactly you’re working out. The gym is the go-to place for people to work on their fitness, but it can also be a breeding ground for illness-causing germs and bacteria. Almost 63% of gym equipment has been found to be teeming with rhinoviruses, and researchers have found that the basic disinfection that gym employees do isn’t enough to kill off all these germs. Since gym equipment passes through the hands of hundreds of people in quick succession in a single day, people who work out at the gym are at high risk for contracting various illnesses and diseases.

To make matters worse, besides the flu and the common cold, working out at the gym also makes people more susceptible to skin infections due to the presence of Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on surfaces like showers, yoga mats, and shoulder press benches that have come in contact with people who have the bacteria on them. Furthermore, if one isn’t careful, they can easily over-exercise and suppress their immune system’s resilience instead, making them more vulnerable to illness.

Knowing all this might scare people away from the gym entirely, but it’s important to know that thousands of people visit public fitness centers every day and leave without coming down with anything. It’s all about taking extra precautions beforehand to stay safe and healthy. Here are the top ways to avoid getting sick from the gym.

Wipe down and sanitize gym equipment

Before and after using any equipment or touching any surface in the gym, it’s essential to wipe down everything with disinfectant at least twice. Antibacterial wipes, disinfecting spray, and even homemade antibacterial solution made out of white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and essential oils are all great options. The key is to be thorough and consistent when sanitizing machines and surfaces, and don’t be stingy when it comes to how much disinfectant is used.

Bring your own water bottle

Water fountains provide free water for gym-goers, but also they’re also a free-for-all for bacteria and viruses to spread. Instead of drinking directly from the water fountain or refilling a bottle with water from there, it’s better to bring an already filled-up water bottle or two. The bottle should be made out of stainless steel since this kind of material is anti-bacterial and is less likely to have germ-harboring cracks and crevices on its surface.

Carry multiple towels

Refrain from using the free towels offered at the gym, and instead bring multiple personal towels — one for wiping down surfaces and machines, one for cleaning with disinfectant solution, and one for sweat. It might look silly to carry so many towels, but it’s better than getting sick.

Take your own equipment with you

Bring as much personal equipment as possible. This includes boxing gloves, yoga mats, resistance bands, and boxing wraps — as well as personal hygiene tools such as razors, combs, towels, deodorant, and antibacterial soap. Never share belongings things with other gym-goers.

Cover up wounds and cuts

Keep skin infections at bay by thoroughly disinfecting and covering up any wounds and cuts with band-aids or a gauze pad fastened with paper tape. This will keep harmful bacteria from entering the body.

Exaggerate physical distancing

Keep an eye out for anyone who seems to be exhibiting any signs of illness, and stay away from them. Rather than just staying 6-feet away from other people, it’s safer to exaggerate the distance between other people instead. At least 10-feet away from other gym-goers is recommended, if possible.

Stay home if sick

Extend some courtesy and consideration to other gym-goers by not hitting up the gym when you’re sick. All the previous tips are just precautions in case someone isn’t exhibiting symptoms yet, but is already infected. If you already know you’re sick, stay home and avoid spreading illness to other gym-goers.

Never go barefoot

Avoid going barefoot even in areas where it’s generally accepted to do so, such as the bathroom and the swimming pool. Always bring a pair of flip-flops or slippers before and after visiting these areas. If there’s no choice but to go barefoot, then thoroughly wipe down feet with a disinfectant before and after entering these locations.

Strengthen the immune system

Ensure that your immune system is strong enough to protect you from the germs you’ll encounter at the gym. This means eating healthy, getting an adequate amount of sleep, avoiding over-exercising, staying hydrated, and consume supplements to boost the immune system’s defense mechanisms.

Visit during off-hours

Consider visiting the gym when it isn’t filled with other people, such as in the early morning or late evening. Visiting the gym early in the morning ensures that the facility has already been thoroughly sanitized for the night, and most equipment hasn’t come in contact with other people. This doesn’t mean you should hold off on wiping down and disinfecting surfaces. It just means there’s a lesser chance of contracting something during these hours.

These easy and practical tips will help you avoid getting sick at the gym. Getting fit and healthy at the gym doesn’t have to come at the cost of coming down with the flu.

Imagination and creativity may not seem much to a lot of people but if you really stop and think about it, it makes sense to conclude that nothing man-made would exist apart from our own imagination and creativity.

From the clothes we wear to the objects we use to the different dishes we prepare, nothing that we use or consume will be around if not for someone’s vision and imagination.

One of the most concerning things around us is how glued our children are to their digital screens. Most, if not all, children around the world spend an unhealthy amount of time in front of TVs, computer/laptop monitors, smartphones, and tablets. While there’s nothing wrong with using these things for learning and entertainment, it takes away opportunities for them to do something highly creative and imaginative. Instead of being an active participant in a creative process, they passively consume visual and auditory stimulation that doesn’t require much use of their motor skills.

The Value of Pretend Play in Inspiring Creativity

One of the ways parents and adults can cultivate creativity and imagination in this young generation is to involve them in pretend play which requires mental engagement and kinesthetic movement.

A child’s imagination is an awesome thing to marvel at. If you just give them what they need — in this case, time, space, and a lot of encouragement — they can go anywhere, do anything, and be anyone.

Remember when you were a child and how you used to play out different scenarios in your head and acted them out? Or how about the time you designed your own spaceship out of a cardboard box to pursue alien invaders and protect the galaxy? Or the time that you pretended to give your friends a haircut with high-quality hair stylist tools made of random household items?

Pretend play can unlock a child’s creativity and unleash artistic potential. It’s a great avenue for children to recreate the world as they see it, allowing you to see how they understand and process things that go around them. It’s also a good way to build conflict management/resolution skills especially when they’re playing with another kid who also wants to be a princess or Superman.

Here are a few ways that you can help ignite their creativity:

1. Give them time to play alone and with other kids.

When children play all by themselves, it gives them the chance to be more imaginative. When they play with others, it allows them to work on their social and emotional skills on top of their creativity, which are all important skills to learn in life.

2. Show them how.

Play with kids and show them some things you did growing up, like making all those weird but cool sound effects with cars and toy soldiers or how you tied a blanket around your neck and flew around the room in search of bad guys to fight and people to help. It’s okay to be a kid once in a while. ;

3. Let them call the shots.

Another way you can go about it is by letting them take the lead. Ask them what their ideas are and how they would want you to participate. You can make suggestions if they ask for it but generally, let them do all the thinking.

4. Encourage them to think out of the box.

Look for items around the house that are safe for play and ask them how they would use the said items. It’s fun to see their eyes light up at the thought of using an old shirt hanger as a laser rifle,, twigs as swords, or books as cake. No matter how outrageous or outlandish their ideas are, just roll with it.

Pretend play is lots of fun and very educational. We just need to help kids today to discover the wonders of playing pretend and how it is exponentially a lot better than spending the whole day glued to gadgets and handheld devices.

People desire to feel and look younger. This youthful glow not only increases confidence. It also makes a person happier and feels more content.

Are there secrets to the fountain of youth? The truth is there are none. A combination of practical techniques, though, will help you achieve a younger glow. Here are some of them.

Put Emphasis on Skin Care

Your skin is a dead give-away to your age. By neglecting it, you are giving in to aging without a fight. Science has lent a hand to help reverse this process. You can have Botox injections to help you soften those wrinkles.

Small everyday routines are a big help too. You can engage in facial exercises that strengthen your muscles and make them firmer. Using a sunscreen with the right SPF is a must. Skincare does not end with your face alone. Moisturize your hands well because it Is one part that ages fast.

Play with Your Eyes and Hair

Other features can also help or deter you from looking young. Emphasize your eyes. Frame them with well-maintained eyebrows and curlier lashes. You do not even have to use many products to do these things. But the effect that these two actions can do to your eyes makes a big difference. They both draw attention to your eyes and make them look fuller and more youthful.

Also, ditch the idea that as one ages, they have to sport short hair. Maintaining a medium length will give you a fresher vibe. Having asymmetrical lengths will also put some youthful spirit to your hair. Long hair does not work as one age because it feels like your hair drags you down.

Pop Some Personality with Your Outfit

Being older does not mean you settle with boring things. But it will be out of personality too if you insist on pieces of clothing fit for the younger ones. This does not mean that you cannot do anything about it. Learning how to accessorize and use a pop of colors will work to your advantage. Above classic outfits, you can try on some scarves or pieces of jewelry to bring more personality.

Also, find the cut that works best for your body. You do not have to flaunt anything. But a well-tailored article of clothing will make you look sharper and smarter.

Pack Your Body with Proper Nutrition

Picking the right kinds of food is an excellent way to maintain your youth. There are types of foods that help you look younger. Omega-3, beta-carotene, and vitamin C are some essentials that you need to load up. Staying hydrated with water is also a foolproof but straightforward way to help your systems going. Staying away from alcohol will reduce the aging process by big leaps.

Prevent Stress from Eating You Up

Your emotions and your mindset can speed up aging more than you realize. Thus, you can do yourself a favor and filter what you let inside your mind. Look for ways for your body to release feel-good hormones. Exercise, social connections, time management, and an attitude of gratefulness are some examples. By engaging in uplifting practices, you are helping your body slow down aging. Let go of the things you have no control of, Avoid people that are toxic for you.

You cannot expect yourself to look as youthful as you are before. But you can choose to age gracefully by being proactive with your lifestyle choices.

Just as millennials redefined the real estate industry and labor, they are also redefining health and wellness. Among other generations, millennials are notably the most health-conscious of all. Aside from caring about their carbon footprint, this generation abides by a holistic approach to wellness. While the general population exercise because they know staying physically active is right for them, millennials exercise with a purpose.

Amid surmounting student loans and credit card debts, millennials spend over 6 billion a year in gym memberships. More than the fear of having their headstones engraved early, this generation’s obsession with staying fit and healthy had something to do with the record level anxiety and high depression rates. To combat these mental health issues, the majority of millennials turn to workout routines and exercises.

All these things considered, how can you capitalize on these millennial facts? Below are seven features millennials are looking for in their fitness studios.

Mobile Fitness Journey

Millennials are always on the go. They demand a fitness experience that offers them seamless and flexible connectivity. It suits their lifestyle and allows them to workout wherever and whenever they want. Incorporate in their fitness journey digital solutions that enable them to join group workout sessions even when they are at home or traveling.

Intelligent Coaches

Millennials prefer substance over style. Accordingly, an intelligent coach is the most desired trait for a fitness instructor. Hire charismatic coaches who offer motivation if you want to attract and keep more millennials to your fitness studio.

Healthy Meal Plans

As previously said, millennials take on a holistic approach to wellness. Aside from providing trendy and unique workout routines, offer healthy meal plans to your millennial gym members. Over the past years, there has been an increasing rise of veganism, particularly among millennials. Include high protein, low-calorie, and sustainable foods on your meal plans.

Lifestyle Brand

Even the fashion industry is leaning towards fitness and activeness with the rise of athleisure. Your fitness studio may grab this opportunity to sell merchandise and accessories of your own. What your business offers is more than just activity, but also a lifestyle.

Sense of Community

The millennial generation values a communal environment. Going to the gym is more than just sweating off and shredding pounds. It is a place where millennials meet people and socialize with friends. Offer small group sessions like yoga and Zumba since this helps nurture this highly valued communal relationship.

Transparency Regarding Fees

Millennials do not like to be tied down. Although they are into fitness, the majority of millennials think gym memberships are too expensive. They prefer fitness studios that list their prices upfront without any membership requirement. Studios with mobile apps that give them convenient access to signing up or canceling classes are highly desired.

Photogenic Club Space

Millennials also love chic and modernly decorated fitness studios. With the majority of different social media platforms, investing in a beautiful studio is worth it since millennials will indeed be promoting your business on them.

Apart from these features, millennials are also into sessions that not only highlight physical training but mental training as well.

More people these days are seeking help for the pros and are now being treated for their depression. Some need to take medications like anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, and antipsychotics. Others are exploring alternative medicine therapy such as IV infusion therapy, wherein ketamine is administered for fast symptom relief.

Doctors also prescribe certain lifestyle modifications to fight depression. This is since, lifestyle can contribute to our mental health. The healthier your lifestyle is, the easier it will be for you to be more resilient to stress and depression. Here’s what you can start doing to help keep your depression at bay.

Keep Moving

Staying active keeps your body healthy, your mind engaged and your immune system strong. With regular exercise, you will have something to focus on instead of your sad thoughts. If you feel like your depression is kicking in, start moving and if you can, engage in exercise.

Walking your dog to the park, playing physical sports with your kids or jogging are great ways to keep your body moving. You can consider taking up a new hobby instead of spending your days lying around, watching TV shows, or playing on your phone. Just do any activity you enjoy that requires you to move and not sit around all day.

Eat Right and Sleep Better

A healthy diet and quality rest and sleep are essential for depression. One can’t function properly if you lack sleep and your body doesn’t have the energy to burn. Take note that some people eat too much when they are depressed, while others lose an unhealthy amount of weight. Some depressed people sleep too much while others can’t sleep at all. With a bit of diet and sleep hygiene modification, you can reduce your depression symptoms.

Aside from eating healthy, there are certain kinds of food you need to avoid and must consume to fight depression. Eat food rich in Vitamin D, Omega-3, good carbs, and selenium. Avoid food such as sweets, caffeine, alcohol, and illegal drugs. To improve your quality of sleep, keep a regular bedtime routine minus the distractions. Exercise regularly and go out more so you will feel tired at the end of the day.

Get Your Daily Dose of Sunshine

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that your body needs to keep your bones and teeth strong and healthy. It also helps boost your immune system. You can get vitamin D from different kinds of food, but the sun is your best source.

People feel generally gloomy and irritated during the cold season. During winter, days are shorter and we don’t get as much sunlight as we used to during summer. When we stay indoors for too long and we don’t get to enjoy much sunshine, it is easy to feel sad and tired. This only goes to show that a lack of sunshine can indeed affect our mood and can even make some people feel depressed.

If you spend most of your time cooped up indoors, then try to go out more and expose yourself to natural sunlight. Walk when running errands and spend some time in nature while there is still sunshine. You can let the sunshine in by opening your windows. During winter when there is less sunlight, you can consider light therapy as a substitute for natural sunlight.

Welcome Social Support and Interaction

It can be tricky to stay social now that there is a pandemic going on. Lucky for us, we now live in a modern world. Now, you can easily keep in touch with family and friends using your smartphone. Whenever you feel sad or lonely, ring a friend or video call a family member. If you are comfortable sharing your thoughts with them, then go ahead and do so. But if not, you can stick to any subject that can take away your thoughts from the things that make you sad.

You can join support groups and connect with people who understand what you’re going through. It can be daunting at first, but you will soon feel welcomed after you take the initial step. Many people are very much willing to help others who are depressed because they know just how it feels to be affected by depression.

You can also consider online forums where you can read about other people’s struggles for depression. Trained professionals can give you the kind of support you need during the dark times. You can even find a professional who can offer one-on-one counseling via online therapy.

Fighting depression can be difficult. But you can make it easier if you start making the necessary lifestyle changes. Eat better, get more quality sleep, and get enough exercise. Stop isolating yourself and welcome social interactions and support. Don’t forget to welcome more sunshine into your life and to seek professional help as needed.