3 Ways Your Self Confidence Can Be Affected

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If you could rate your confidence on a scale of 1 to 10, where would you put yourself? In 2022 a poll of 2,000 people found 46 of those surveyed struggled with low self-confidence and self-esteem issues. If this is you, then you are not as alone as you think. Low self-confidence can have a massive impact on your mental and physical health and lead to you missing out on opportunities and experiences just because you might not feel good enough to do them or worthy of being able to participate.

Self-confidence can be affected by many different things, and knowing how to turn things around and give yourself a much-needed boost can be instrumental in turning things around and helping you work on becoming more confident day to day.

Poor Body Image

Pretty much every person has something they don't like about their body. These can vary in complexity and how much they affect their life. For example, if you hate the shape of your nose, this can affect how you interact with people and how social you are, as you might shy away from socialising. While Plastic Surgery can rectify any nasal shape issues, if you are unhappy with your body shape or weight, you can change your diet and start exercising to help you change your body to help you improve how you feel about yourself.

Negative Thinking

How you think about yourself and the words you use to describe yourself in your head and out loud will reinforce that image you have of yourself. It's all too easy to fall into the trap of putting yourself down and focusing on the parts of yourself you don't like or want to change. It's precisely the same as reading product reviews. There could be 99 glowing reviews, but you will seek out and focus on that one negative one. But you can change this. Whenever a negative thought pops into your head, replace it with a good one. Make a list of all of the things you like about yourself. It could be anything big or small. It can be something about your appearance, such as how you did your makeup that day or how you look in a particular outfit, or it can be about a positive experience you have or want to have that day. Whatever it is, store it in your memory, and when the negative thoughts creep in, replace them and push them out of your mind.

Comparing Yourself

Comparison is the thief of joy. And in an age where people are subjected to perfect images online, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others and their views. But remember, they will only show you what they want you to see. You won't always see the outtakes, the before shots or the messy house behind the immaculate kitchen. You are seeing a snapshot of someone's life, and you need to keep that in mind when comparing yourself to others. You are good enough; nothing on social media is always 100% real.

Confidence isn't something you can gain overnight. Taking small steps to change how you see yourself and think about yourself can make all the difference to your confidence to allow you to thrive as needed to be.

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The 5 best and natural ways to retain water in the body

Water retention in the body is still very common. It can be encountered in both women and men. However, due to hormonal fluctuations, it is more common in ladies. How can you deal with this problem? We have 5 tips for you.

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1. Increase your water intake - eliminate the cause

Is water retention dangerous? It is certainly a condition in which the balance in your body is disturbed. This means that not all your organs are working as you would like them to. As a result, there can be a lot of inconvenience associated with it. Sometimes this has certain health consequences.

Therefore, eliminate the main cause of water retention in your body. Increase your fluid intake throughout the day. If you are under-hydrated, the body tries to protect you from a life-threatening condition. Therefore, reach for water more often.

2. Excess water is accumulated by salt - limit it

Salt causes water retention in the body. This needs to be prevented, so try to limit its consumption. Remember to minimise its amount, not only in your kitchen. Fast food contains a lot of this spice, so avoid it.

3. Avoid water retention through physical activity

Always remember the golden rule regarding your health. It is much easier to prevent any illness than to treat it. A great way to do this is to introduce physical activity into your life. By doing so, you take care of many aspects related to your body.

Not only do you maintain a healthy weight, but you also look after your heart and the balance of your body. We are also talking about the correct level of water in the body. Remember that just a few minutes of exercise a day is enough to prevent many diseases.

4. Reach for nutritional supplements

Already have a problem with excess body water? Wondering how to combat it? Then look for nutritional supplements. Be sure to choose only tried and tested products with a good composition. One company that offers suitable kits is Your Secret Is. They also deal with the phenomenon of excess water accumulation in the body.

If this problem concerns you, consult your doctor or nutritionist. This way, you will gain confirmation that dietary supplements are a very good solution. They will help you to get rid of your problems. Of course, these products cannot replace a proper diet, water and exercise. However, they will serve as an excellent support in the fight against swelling and other symptoms.

5. Increase your magnesium intake

Magnesium is responsible for stabilising the hormonal balance in women. During menstruation, its absorption can be impaired. As a consequence, a deficiency can occur, which contributes to the accumulation of water in your body.

Therefore, as a preventative measure against fluid retention in the body, reach for magnesium supplements. In this way, you can holistically benefit all the systems in your body.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

The Body Shop Boost Uplifting Hair & Body Wash

On the very rare occasion I get to a Body Shop store, as I did a few weeks ago for my 29463903th bottle of my beloved Ginger Shampoo and Conditioner, I love a good mooch about to see what is new and on this occasion I was immediately drawn to the selection of products hidden away in a corner under a banner called 'Boost'.

As part of the new wellness range, which is made up of three collections - Boost, Sleep and Breathe, each one has a whole plethora of products under its banner and whilst I am waiting for an order to come for the products I couldn't get in store, I am glad I picked up the Boost Uplifting Hair & Body Wash.

Energise your mind and get ready to take on the world with The Body Shop’s Boost range. This blend brings some flavour to life thanks to this sunny and citrusy scent, rounded off with a cheerful, floral note. Known for their potent properties to help re-energise the body, mandarin & bergamot scent are mostly found on the shores of Calabria, crafted by traditional Italian producers who never let a drop go to waste.

Perfect for all skin types, this Boost Uplifting Hair & Body Wash is perfect for using on those mornings when you feel totally sluggish and like your eyelids are Velcro, then this bottle of energy is exactly what you need. Inside the recyclable aluminium bottle has an upliftingly warm, zesty, awakening and citrusy scent, which if you are familiar with products from The Body Shop is not only Vegan, but is made with 95% ingredients of natural origin, including 100% natural and biodegradable mandarin and bergamot essential oils as well as Community Fair Trade organic olive oil from Italy. 

In the shower, or the bath, you simply apply directly to your body and massage it into the skin, taking the time to breathe in and enjoy those citrus scents.  If you prefer to use a pump dispenser, you can get a reusable one from The Body Shop for free by showing your order receipt.

So what do these ingredients do?

• Community Fair Trade Organic Olive Oil - Often referred to as ‘liquid gold’ it helps to keep your skin soft and moisturised. 
• Bergamot Essential Oil - It is known for its zesty and uplifting qualities.
• Mandarin Essential Oil- Used for its uplifting scent which helps the body and mind feel energised.

This is an incredible find as far as I am concerned, it was an accidental purchase as I had wanted the Melting Breathe Balm which was out of stock, so I took a chance on this and am glad I did.  The Boost range is made up of 6 other products which includes - a Whipped Body Creme, Shine On Hair and Body Oil, an Essential Oil Blend, Hand Cream, Hand Wash and a Sugar Body Polish.  All of which I have no doubt I will try!

Priced at just £12 for 200ml, it is worth every penny.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page. 

Tea & Tonic Luxury Skincare & Wellness

Simplify. Stress Less. Live Well. Those five words are something we should all have as part of our everyday life and from Tea & Tonic, a luxury Skincare and Wellness Brand, they very much are.  From a converted Barn in Loseley House, within the Surrey Hills it is here that Tea & Tonic is created, developed and blended.

With an incredible catalogue of products which features everything from skincare and body care, the products are broken down into sections to allow you to shop by mood, which I think is brilliant.  So if you want some Inner Calm then there is an incredible sounding Cleansing Balm and Oil blend that has been recommended. Failing that, there is an Apothecary Bar which can recommend products based on your needs.

I was kindly sent two products that I have absolutely loved using and they're quite different to anything else that I have used.  Firstly there is the High Spirits Bath & Shower Oil and with it the Muscle Relief Balm.

Starting with the High Spirits Bath & Shower Oil which is described as being an aromatherapy bathing tonic to uplift & energise with plant oils to nourish, soften & smooth skin.

This isn't an oil that you need to splash about in any old fashion, it is purposely packaged in a bottle with a dropper dispenser and whilst at first I envisaged the whole experience to be a bit of a faff, it was far from that.   Depending on whether you use it in the bath or shower, there are different ways to use it.  In the bath you simply add a few drops to running water which then allows the oils to work their magic.  If using it in the shower, then my preference is to apply a few drops to the palms of my hands before massaging them onto dry skin, all of course done before stepping foot into the shower.

You might have guessed that this is now a product you wash yourself in, its purpose is, as the name suggests, to raise those spirits and it does just that. High Spirits contains a concentrated blend of pure essential oils infused into nutrient-rich plant oils, so you will find Eucalyptus Oil, Lemon Peel Oil, Lavender Oil, Black Pepper Oil, Rosemary Oil and Frankincense Oil to name a few and when they come together, they nourish the skin as well as your uplift and energise your mood.  This is where adaptogens come in - think Ginseng and Tumeric and they are said to be beneficial for helping your body respond to stress, anxiety, fatigue and overall wellbeing.

Priced at £40 you can find the High Spirits Bath and Shower Oil here.

The Second product is the Muscle Relief Balm and it is described as being just the tonic for alleviating sore, tired & achy muscles whilst relieving & soothing skin.

Given that I am unable to use the likes of Deep Heat, Ralgex and other associated muscle relief products, this has been an absolute blessing to use.

With its orange tint, the balm comes to life as soon as the lid is removed from the jar, those scent notes of both Lavender and Mint, though they are not overpowering in any way.  Ingredients such as St John's Wort which not only helps to improve the mood but also helps to reduce swelling as well as to heal sprains, bruising, minor wounds and it works alongside Elder Leaf which treats muscular aches and pains, is great for pain relief and has anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and immune stimulating properties.

The balm itself, begins to melt as it comes into contact with the skin and it leaves behind no trace of being there, so there is no oily or sticky residue left on the skin.  I have used this balm around my injured ankle which aches owing to a damaged ligament as well as my shoulders where stress is carried. The massaging action really helps to loosen stiff muscles and relieve those aches and pains, not to mention how wonderfully relaxing the scent of this balm is.

Priced at £35 from Tea & Tonic, this Muscle Relief Balm has been one of my favourite discoveries so far.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

How To Make Sure Your Child Stays Healthy In The Classroom

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Classrooms can seem like a petri dish of germs just waiting to infect your children. From the common cold to the flu, illnesses pass from child to child throughout the school year. 

Start this school year right with the products and practices you need to keep your child healthy in the classroom. 

Practicing Good Hygiene

The first step to staying healthy is making sure your child knows good hygiene practices for school. Practicing these skills at home and reminding your kids to use them every day in the classroom can help you have a healthy school year.

Washing Their Hands

The easiest way to transfer germs is with your hands. Frequent hand washing is the best way for your child to avoid catching a cold, as well as the best way to prevent giving one to other kids. Remind them to wash their hands every time they use the restroom, as well as before they eat. Singing through the Happy Birthday song twice while lathering up helps ensure an effective wash.

Cover Their Cough

Remind your kids to cough or sneeze into their elbows. This stops germs from spreading around the room and keeps hands clean and germ-free. If you hear them coughing at home, protect their health with the best immune booster for kids so they can fight off whatever is going around.

What To Send Your Kid To School With So They Stay Healthy

Make sure your kids have what they need to stay healthy. Including these items in their lunch boxes and backpacks can support their well-being and make staying healthy easy.

A Healthy Breakfast

Before they even walk out the door, be sure your kids are off to a good start with a healthful breakfast that includes protein to give them the stamina they need to get through their busy days. Boost their energy by including a multivitamin or wellements iron drops along with their meal.

Hand Sanitizer

Sometimes children cannot leave the classroom to wash their hands as often as they would like. Including hand sanitizer in their backpack or lunchbox allows them to kill the germs that may be lurking on their hands before they use them to eat their lunch.

Refillable Water Bottle

Staying hydrated is a great way to keep your body healthy. Make it easy for your kids to sip their water by including a cute refillable water bottle that they look forward to keeping at their desks and using throughout the day. Practice opening the lid at home so they are ready to refill it at school.

Tissues

If your child ends up with the sniffles after all, include a pack of tissues in their backpack so they always have a way to take care of their nose without using their sleeve. Keeping a stash of kids care products at home can make afterschool hours at home more comfortable as well.

All parents hope that their children will stay healthy throughout the school year. Following these tips can help you achieve that goal and have your healthiest school year yet.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.