Posts in Guest Blog

Alcohol is among the most misunderstood substances. Here are 9 myths we seek to bust.

Alcohol is among the most misunderstood substances. Some people know it is extremely bad for your health, while others advocate moderate consumption of the substance.

Regardless of your goal - preventing hangovers, releasing all caution to the wind because of a wild night, or reducing the amounts of calories you take in, drinkers tend to follow certain rules that they have set for themselves whenever they go out to drink with their friends, mainly so that they do not have to endure certain unpleasant results from that night.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin27 June 2018guest blog, guest blogs, alcoholComment

How to Motivate Yourself to Work Out Regularly

We all know that staying physically active is important in order to lead a healthy lifestyle. For those who aren’t into any specific sport, this usually means working out every day. As beneficial as exercising is, sometimes, we would rather do anything but that. However, skipping one day will only make skipping another that much easier. So, here are a couple of tips for motivating yourself to work out regularly.

Exercise & Fitness, Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin4 June 2018working out, motivation, increase your workout, workoutComment

Healthy Eating Made Easy - 5 Superfoods You Need To Hear About

I first started feeling uncomfortable with my appearance right around the time when puberty hit. I was average looking, but at that time is when people start to develop the idea of self-consciousness.

The way people looked at me made me second guess my looks. That, or the clothes I was wearing and the way my hair was styled. Those thoughts eventually brought on anxiety issues. I dealt with those issues by trying to fit in. Enter drugs and alcohol.

The more I used substances and got drunk, the more I gained weight. In turn, those amplified my self-esteem issues. What started as a way to avoid my mental difficulties became the reason why I did them.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin28 May 2018guest blogs, superfoodsComment

Surf Your Way Into Shape This Summer

Ladies and gentlemen, do you want to have tons of fun this summer? Do you also want to trim your body while at it? It’s possible! Kate Hudson and Cameron Diaz are living proofs that surfing is not only super exciting but it also serves as an efficient cardio workout! But, before you start looking for surfboards and beaches, you need to know a few things. Let’s begin!

Exercise & Fitness, Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin16 May 2018guest blogs, guest blogComment

Common Workplace Illnesses & How to Minimise Their Risk

The risk of contracting illnesses and injuries in the workplace can be heightened by the nature of work that you’re performing – for example, people involved in manual labour could be prone to back problems and muscular injuries from the physical exertion that the job entails. Therefore, all reasonably foreseeable risks should be minimised by workplace management, while staff must act responsibly and not endanger the health and safety of colleagues at work. So long as the necessary safety precautions are taken, the instances of work-related illnesses and injuries should diminish notably, as will absenteeism.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin9 May 2018guest blogs, guest blog, workplace stress, workplace illnesses, workplace illness, back pain at workComment

Why Decluttering is Good For Your Home & You

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin7 May 2018guest blogs, guest blog, decluttering, feng shui, home cleaning, clean homeComment

How a Tinder Hack Led to Thousands of Women Becoming Friends Around the World

Ah, Tinder. We’ve all heard of it. Some love it. Some hate it. And some love to hate it. Many
see it as the beginning of the end of traditional romance, and a precursor to a dating-on-
demand culture. Others see an opportunity to turns the status quo on its head. One of those
who saw such a chance, was Elva Carri.

Bored at home one Friday night, Elva had an urge to leave the couch and go out dancing.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin30 April 2018guest blog, guest blogs, girl crew, meet up, lonliness, going outComment

Easy Tips To Enhance Home Air Quality For Better Health

In actuality, the air quality inside your home is seen to be much more polluted than the air that is outside your house. Pollutants and allergens are found to be three to five times more in comparison to the ones outside your house.

It is important for you to note that this pollution largely causes different health issues or concerns. Your family and loved ones may not be as safe as what you think especially during the winter season. This season is the time when all the windows and doors are shut down.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin23 April 2018guest blog, guest blogs, air quality, cleaning, housework, clean house, quick cleaning tipsComment

How can European countries improve vaccination in the wake of the measles outbreak?

With the dramatic increase in measles in Europe – a four-fold increase from 2016 to 2017, according to a recent report by the World Health Organization – and the urgent need for vaccines protecting against infections for which no vaccines currently exist, the European Commission has drafted a roadmap for ‘Strengthened cooperation against vaccine preventable diseases’ and aims to adopt a proposal by mid-2018 for a Council Recommendation on Strengthened Cooperation against Vaccine Preventable Diseases. In a new commentary on the roadmap, The European Academies’ Science Advisory Council (EASAC), and The Federation of European Academies of Medicine (FEAM) both believe that vaccination is an issue that must be addressed urgently and hence offer recommendations for improving the roadmap. The EASAC / FEAM commentary addresses vaccine coverage; vaccine hesitancy; vaccine availability; and new vaccine development.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin19 April 2018measles, guest blog, guest blogsComment

Improving Your Health Through Singing

In Ireland we have a lost tradition of singing for each other in our homes with family and friends. The decline began during the 1930’s, when radios became more popular, closely followed by Television in the 1950’s and 60’s. Nowadays, we can sit for hours watching a movie or listen to the radio in the car and though we may have gained a lot from all the advances in modern technology such as these, we may need to count what we have lost too.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin18 April 2018guest blog, music, confidence in music, singing, guest blogsComment

How to Prevent Hypothermia in Older People

The risk of hypothermia is at its highest at this time of year and that risk is even greater for elderly people, as their lower metabolic rate makes it harder for their bodies to retain an ideal temperature. Also, they might not detect extreme cold as readily as others and could have chronic medical conditions which would exacerbate the onset of hypothermia. If you see signs of hypothermia in an elderly relative, keep them warm as best as you can and, if the situation seems serious, call the emergency services immediately.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin10 April 2018guest blogs, hypothermia, eldery, stairlifts, healthcare for the elderlyComment

Benefits of Exercising during Pregnancy

Exercise is, in general, one of the best things you can do for your body. This remains true even in pregnancy, and ladies who are worried that it might negatively impact the baby should put their minds at ease – it can actually help your child. If there are no complications and your pregnancy so far has been comfortable, working out could help you feel better as long as health is your aim, rather than some extreme weight loss. Now is not the time for harsh diets and exhausting workouts, so approach this with the right mindset. Having said that, let’s talk a bit about what exercising during pregnancy can do for you.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin2 April 2018guest blogs, pregnancy tips, healthy pregnancyComment

A Practical Implementation GDPR Guide for Self-Employed Health & Wellness Practitioners and Coaches

This article is aimed at professionals working in health & wellness fields, such as fitness, acupuncture, massage and coaching, who are self-employed. As you collect sensitive personal data, it is important to protect yourself and your clients, and this article will guide you on how to prepare yourself.

We look at the steps involved in the implementation and the areas you need to consider, such as reviewing the information required on your intake assessment form, storing client notes, securing email and laptops, and we provide a sample data protection policy that you can use.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin30 March 2018guest blog, GDRPComment

10 science-backed up ways to be happier right now

Empowerment, Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin27 March 2018happy, happiness, joy, positive emotions, positive living

Using Spoon Theory to Explain Chronic Illness

For people living with a chronic illness like arthritis or fibromyalgia, every day is a struggle. Daily tasks like showering, getting dressed or preparing meals that come so easily to most people are genuinely strenuous for ‘spoonies’, the informal name given to chronic illness sufferers.

This moniker owes to a stroke of genius from lupus patient Christine Miserandino and a visit to a café 15 years ago.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin27 March 2018guest blog, spoon therapy, chronic illness, chronic painComment

6 Surprising Health Benefits of Keeping Your Home Clean

It is not good to have a cluttered and messy home, in fact it comes with lots of downsides, while keeping your home sparkling comes with so many upsides.

It is unhealthy to keep your home dirty. Here are few surprising health benefits of keeping your home clean:

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin22 March 2018cleaning, clean house, de-cluttering, guest blogsComment

Elevate Your Workout With Ginseng & Other Adaptogens

If you want a supplement that can increase your endurance and give you more energy for exercising, you should try adaptogens. What are adaptogens, you ask? They are herbs that assist your body in dealing with stress. When you are exercising, your body reacts as if it is under extreme stress: your blood pressure raises, your breath is constricted, and your adrenaline levels are raised. To protect your body and support faster reaction times, you can take adaptogens.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin5 March 2018guest blog, ginseng, adaptogens, guest blogsComment

The Importance of Magnesium for Muscle Recovery

Magnesium should be a part of every athlete’s recovery process. It’s an essential mineral that promotes good muscle volume and flexibility, but sadly it seems that it’s the most depleted electrolyte in people who exercise often. It also has some anti-inflammatory properties, so it can help prevent joint aches and even arthritis, and it makes it possible to exercise for longer and avoid muscle soreness. To find out more what magnesium can do for you and how you can make sure you are getting enough of it on a daily basis, read on for some tips and tricks.

Guest Blog, Exercise & FitnessDolores Andrew-Gavin25 February 2018guest blog, magnesium, health and wellness, fitness, guest blogsComment

How to Turn House Cleaning Into a Workout!

We so often come home from work tried that cleaning is the last thing we want to do. This
infographic from the team at HappyCleans looks at cleaning from the point of view of getting fit. The calories burned doing these menial tasks may surprise you and it can really help you to get fit.

Before you begin, get your favourite album on and put on some loose-fitting clothes as cleaning at this speed can make you sweat quite a lot!

One hour of just one household task burns some serious calories. For example, hoovering rids you of 153 calories an hour so if you spent an evening hoovering the whole house you’ve done a serious workout.

Dusting is another necessary evil and can burn up to 174 calories in an hour. You can make dusting extra intensive by adding light weights to your wrists. This will help to strengthen your arms significantly. Dusting is also a vital part of any cleaning routine an it can especially be a nightmare for people with allergies. Find out more in the infographic now!

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin13 February 2018guest blog, cleaning, workout, home cleaningComment

HSE - Help Me Please?

I’m not a proper grown-up- I don’t have things like a mortgage, maturity or health insurance.

I will trill out the party-line; “I am blessed to live in a country that has free healthcare.” Sure, aren’t there women in America giving birth on the doorsteps of hospitals for the want of health insurance? Feel free to continue adding to this sentiment for as long as you please.

I may not be a proper grown-up that has health insurance, but I am a proper grown-up that’s worked and paid taxes from the age of sixteen. Apparently, those taxes pay for things like state pensions, government chauffeurs and our public health care system. The Irish Health Service Executive has been met with less than stellar reviews during any time of my living memory, but in recent years it seems to have taken a massive hit. We have all heard about the colossal waiting times in A&E, that’s nothing new, but when patient care is suffering due to lack of attendance from staff, something is sorely wrong. True, staff are overworked and underpaid and are still only human after all, but is that really good enough when those under their care are largely at their mercy and not receiving even adequate treatment?

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin30 January 2018mental health, mental illness, guest blogs, guest blogComment

28 May 2020

How to maintain a healthy Intimate Relationship

Intimacy is a crucial component of any healthy relationship. Being able to show affection and share intimate moments with your significant other are signs that you and your partner are content with the way things are going and that you’re in a happy relationship. However, come stress, children, and pressures of daily life and many couples find themselves in unhappy relationships and marriages, and that’s when intimacy, as well as the relationship, are put on a back burner.

30 Apr 2020

This Is What Every New Mom Really Needs

After carrying your little bundle for nine months, and after giving birth and bringing your child into this world, so many moms hear their loved ones claim that the most challenging part is over. While on the contrary, a lifetime of raising your new family member and being a role model means you’re up for decades of ups and downs, sleepless nights, toothaches, headaches, and other love-inspired aches that every mom goes through. Now that’s a challenge, and a rewarding one, might we add.

21 Feb 2020

Strategies to Motivate Your Child to Learn

Children are naturally curious. However, sometimes this curiosity doesn’t extend to academic skills, which, although not essential, are still very important for the child’s development. With children, just like with adults, motivation is often the precondition to success. Luckily, there are ways to understand your child’s motivation better and help them develop the desire to learn – and here are a few strategies that should help you with that.

3 Sep 2019

Allergies and Cough: Everything You Need to Know

Rhinitis and Post-nasal Drip: The Missing Link

The most common signs of an allergic reaction related to the airways are sneezing and a runny nose, but it is important to note that coughing may also occur during an allergy attack. This is particularly true for people with chronic rhinitis.

People suffering from this condition often have post-nasal drip, a symptom involving the accumulation of mucus along the back of the throat and nose that causes mucus to drip in a downward direction. In some cases, there’s no actual mucus accumulation and the sensation is only simulated, which causes coughing all the same.

How to keep your home clean and healthy with pets

We pet owners know that no matter how adorable our furry little companions are, they can leave quite a mess behind them. Most furry pets shed spreading dander and pet hair everywhere. Pets that spend time out on the yard will drag sand and soil inside, not to mention accidents inside, spilled pet food or scattered cat litter.

Pets can be quite messy, which is why you need the right equipment and a cleaning routine to keep a pet home clean and smelling fresh.

If you want that sparkling pet home, this is what you need to do:

28 Aug 2019

Why nutrition is important for people with dementia

The type of food we consume is capable of affecting both our health and the quality of life we live. People who are poorly nourished are prone to get sick more often compared to individuals who consume a healthy diet on a daily basis. Poor nutrition has been identified as a major health issue among the elderly folk. People who suffer from dementia have a lot of challenges when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet. Some of the challenges they experience in terms of maintaining a healthy diet include but are not limited to:

They may experience a loss of appetite

26 Jun 2019

Exercise 101: The Beginners Guide to Exercise

Yes, everyone knows that exercising is extremely beneficial to your health and overall well-being, but if you need a few more reasons to start working out, you must know that it’ll help you get stronger in the first place. It’ll help you lose weight and gain muscle mass, too, which is why the majority of people decide to start working out. Of course, the struggle to get in shape is real, but once you get there, you’ll see that it was totally worth it. Regular exercise can also reduce your stress levels and relieve anxiety, build your confidence, help you have more energy and be more productive throughout the day, which are the benefits that mustn’t be overlooked. So, if you want to learn more about the two main types of workouts, their advantages, and other important things you should know about, just keep on reading and enjoy!

29 Apr 2019

Millennials vs. Generation Z: How Do They Achieve Success in the Workplace?

The workforce dynamics are changing along with the times. Today’s employees not only have job-specific competencies but they also have a natural ability to familiarize themselves with new technologies around them. They have no problems learning how a particular system works as long as they have the proper training on how to use such specialized tools. For them, technology is something that they need be more productive and efficient at work.

26 Apr 2019

The Importance of 4-7-8 Breathing

When you want to reduce your stress, just breathe. Taking deep, meditative breaths has been a timeless way to fill your body with energy or help you unwind after an eventful day. However, there are so many breathing techniques that you find yourself a bit intimidated, and some of them are complex. Here is one that is simple, powerful, and perfect for unwinding after a long day. Meet the 4-7-8 breathing technique.

What is the 4-7-8 Technique?

25 Apr 2019

7 Simple Ways to Stay Focused and Achieve Long-Term Goals

Everyone has a dream. For children, that might be becoming an astronaut or a fireman. For professionals, that dream might be getting the high paying leadership role in the company.

Maybe, you’re starting a business for the first time, and you envision thousands of customers buying your products. Perhaps, you dream of getting a third level qualification and becoming a certified professional. Maybe you want to shed a pound and achieve that attractive physique that you’ve always wanted.

But reaching those dreams does not happen overnight. It takes time, and it is a long process. It requires certain qualities such as patience, persistence, passion, positivity, and focus.