Hidden Health Hazards in Your Home That You Should Know About

While relaxing in a bathtub surrounded by a romantic arrangement of scented candles sounds just the thing you need after a hard and stressful day, it seems that the benefits of aromatic candles don’t always outweigh the risks. Burned indoors, scented candles can have negative effect on our health, says this report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), while incense smoke releases benzene and other toxic substances. The only solution to candle-lovers is to switch to all-natural vegetable wax candles which have no toxic side effects.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin22 October 2018mould, mold, health hazards, home hazards, clean house, house dustComment

6 Tips For Stress-Free Flying With Kids

The prospect of travelling abroad with your family is an exciting one unlike any other. What’s

not so exciting, however, is the dreaded flight. Flying can be monumentally stressful, even at

the best of times, but especially so when travelling with kids. You have a number of fears

and worries to contend with, it can be all too easy to land more exhausted than ready for fun.

Though hopefully, with these tips, the next trip with your kids will feel a little less turbulent.

1. Take advantage of early boarding

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin18 October 2018stress free travelling, flying with kids, flying with children, how to prepare for flying with children, stressful flying with kidsComment

The Importance of Retaining Skin Moisture

With our skin being our largest organ and our body being comprised of about 60% water, the importance of staying hydrated should be obvious. Plain, simple water is the essence of life, and one of the easiest ways to have a good complexion is to simply keep your skin well-moisturized and radiant. But in our chaotic, stressful world, it’s a little difficult to maintain its suppleness. Environmental pollution, anxiety, and even our own reluctance to spend much time on self-care, all leads to wrinkles and dryness, and most people need a bit of help to get their complexion back in order. If you’re in need of advice, we’ve got a list of suggestions that will bring back your glow and keep your skin moisturized.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin17 October 2018skin, skin care, skin moisture, skin regime, Natural Skincare, moistureComment

The Therapeutic Value of Art

The art world is one that is enjoyed by millions, whether it’s their favourite painting or chosen piece of music. However, the art world is one with several layers, and it’s not only art fanatics that can benefit from the art world.

When looking at psychology for the first time, it would be easy to assume that only clinical methods such as psychotherapy are used, when in fact the art world has a huge part to play.

The great thing about art is how much choice there is, meaning that finding a method that works shouldn’t be too difficult.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin15 October 2018art therapy, art, mindful artComment

5 Things that Make You Beautiful from the Inside Out

Even though it’s said that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, a lot of people these days struggle with their self-image, thinking that they aren’t worthy enough simply because they don’t fit in the current standards of beauty.

Since those standards aren’t realistic anyway, it’s time to find your own beauty and be authentic. Here are five things that can make you beautiful from the inside out, so check them out and enjoy!

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin12 October 2018self care, self love, beauty, beauty standards, beautiful withinComment

How to Engage Millennials in Workplace Wellness Programmes

What are workplace wellness programmes?

Workplace wellness programmes typically address key elements of employee health and wellbeing, such as nutrition, fitness and mental health. Organisations promote healthier employee behaviour by (a) changing workspaces and (b) engaging employees in health promotion activities.

Developed in the 1970s by US-based corporations such as Johnson & Johnson, the concept of employee wellness has taken the corporate world by storm. While many Irish companies were initially slow to introduce health promotion programmes, we are now seeing more organisations than ever taking an interest in the health and wellbeing of their staff.

Dolores Andrew-Gavin11 October 2018Comment

Using and Enhancing your Natural Intuition in Every Day Life with Working with the Runes - Spotlight on Laguz

We all have the capacity to use our innate power of intuition, or the ability to know some piece of information very rapidly, and seemingly without using logic or reason to get there. I’m sure many have heard of the Mother’s Intuition that is particular to the bond between mother and child. What if you want to improve your ability to use your own intuition and what kind of knowledge can you expect? Will you get the winner lottery numbers? Well, no. However, using the Norse runes, particularly the rune laguz, ᛚ, which means water, in a conscious way which I will describe, you can activate your inner knowing and learn to develop a relationship with it that eventually will feel effortless. Your intuition can provide insight and guidance with regard to your soul life as an aid to navigation that you can trust.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin4 October 2018runes, shamanic journey, soul work, norse runes, laguzComment

Biohacking the ageing code

Quality of life – we all want it but it’s affected as we age. With medical advances and improvements in the environment, we’re all living longer yet it’s also becoming clear that quality of life trumps quantity of life for many of us. Age brings physical changes and typically we all start to notice these from our thirties onwards when we don’t bounce back from a night out/a stressful week/ an intense gym session as quickly or as easily as we used to back in the day.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin3 October 2018nutrigenomics, biohacking the ageing code, biohackingComment

Indoor Air Quality and Your Health

Air pollution is not only a problem outside. The air inside your home may contain a dangerous amount of pollutants that can impact your health.

Here is some great information to help you ensure your air quality is better so you can breath easier.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin2 October 2018air quality, home cleaning, clean home, clean environmentComment

Why Is My Hair Falling out - Triggers of Female Hair Loss

Although it may sound like a big number, we normally lose anywhere between fifty to a hundred strands every day. This is considered normal, and the hair that you do shed every day will most typically be of the same length as the rest of your hair. However, if you find yourself losing significantly more than this, and you notice that few if any of them grow back, you need to look for the underlying issue and treat the cause, not just the consequence.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin1 October 2018hair, hair health, female hair loss, hair loss, beauty, skin careComment

Smarter Packing Tips for Your Next Holiday

When going on holidays, the temptation might be to pack for all eventualities and bring everything you think you may need. You could then be left with a heavy, bulky bag with numerous items that you won’t use and no room left over for souvenirs. Also, even when you touch down at the destination airport, you’ll still need to haul your luggage around some bit, especially if your initial transport plans go awry.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin19 September 2018holiday packing, holiday, smarter packing, vactationComment

How to Get Rid of Nits for Good! – A Pharmacist’s Top Tips

Going back to school can fill many parents with dread because of the usual risk of their child getting head lice for the umpteenth time. And if you have several children it’s even more work to try and get rid of them. However there are some really effective ways to treat this common problem – pharmacist and parent, Daniel Brash gives his tried and tested top tips.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin17 September 2018nits, health and wellness, natural solutions, schoolComment

The Diversity in Beauty Standards around the World

Yes, getting caught up in the latest beauty trends can be really fun and entertaining, but you know what? Trying to keep up with every single trend can be extremely challenging and nerve-racking as well, so don’t be one of those ladies who want to do that no matter what. Instead, check out our guide on the diversity in beauty standards around the world and learn about them today. Enjoy!

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin13 September 2018beauty standards, beauty, food for thought, exercise & fitnessComment

5 Ways to Maintain Wellness in Autumn

When autumn arrives, days get shorter, temperatures lower and there’s more rain and less sun, which can influence our mood and make us less inclined to work out or be active in any other way. However, the fact that the weather is changing doesn’t mean that we should just forget about our wellness and become too passive or careless when our health is concerned. Here are five ways to stay healthy and fit during autumn.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin11 September 2018wellness, health and wellness, autumn wellness, changing seasons, autumnComment

5 Ways To Take The Stress Out Of Travelling

Regardless of your reason for travel, whether it be for business purposes or for leisure, it certainly doesn’t come without its fair share of stresses. Even the most frequent travellers aren’t totally immune to the stresses that travelling can bring. To lend you a helping hand, we’re detailing some of the best ways to take the stress out of travelling, in the hopes of making your next travel experience a little less turbulent.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin3 September 2018guest blog, guest blogs, luggage, travel blog, stress free travellingComment

Dental Erosion Explained

Dental erosion is when dental hard tissue is lost from factors other than bacteria. Such erosion usually stems from the presence of acids, as well as from pressure, corrosion, and friction. Factors leading to corrosion may be intrinsic, such as acid reflux, or extrinsic, such as from diet. Saliva acts to naturally neutralize acids that may cause erosion. A recent European study found that roughly 34% of children showed signs of erosion and approximately 28% of those between 18 and 30 years of age. These findings show the importance of increasing awareness regarding erosion-related dental problems early in life to protect tooth enamel that is unreplaceable.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin27 August 2018guest blogs, guest blog, dentistry, dental erosionComment

Cocktail and Mocktails for your August bank Holiday Barbecue

Looking for some summer drink inspiration? The Ice Co has designed five delicious cocktails and mocktails for you to serve to your friends and family.

Watermelon Fruit Cooler

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin20 August 2018cocktails, mocktails, healthy treats for kids, healthy drinks, guest blogs, guest blogComment

My WHY I help couples with Fertility the Natural Way

I struggled repeatedly to build my family after the birth of my daughter 21 years ago.

I had no tools at my disposal to manage my emotions, heal my body or even settle my mind after the loss of my "angel babies". Even that expression didn't exist or if it did I was not aware of it .. it may have actually given me some comfort at the time to think of my lost babies as angels in heaven and could have diverted some of the grief.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin14 August 2018guest blogs, guest blog, fertility, pregnacy, healthy pregnancy, miscarriageComment

Four Ways to Help Aging Joints

It’s an inevitability of age; the older we get, the more susceptible we are to ailments. Step forward arthritis: easily one of the most common complaints of the more mature among us.
Causing inflammation and pain in the joints of the body, osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease stemming directly from general wear and tear. And affecting 350 million people worldwide, it is not one that should be taken lightly.

Guest BlogDolores Andrew-Gavin10 August 2018guest blogs, guest blog, knee pain, aging joints, ageing joints, keen braceComment

Young Parkinson's Ireland highlighted by new Irish film produced by The New Music

Young Parkinson's Ireland, which is part of Parkinson's Association of Ireland is a relatively new organisation set up in 2017 with the goal of being a source of friendship, partnership and information for young people with Parkinson's Disease.

Young Parkinson's Disease is a rare condition which effects those under fifty five years of age. It is thought that there may be as many as five hundred undiagnosed sufferers in Ireland .

Young Parkinson's Ireland have teamed up with The New Music, a new Irish film about a classical pianist with Young Onset Parkinson's Disease. The film aims to dispel any stigma that may be associated with the disease as the general perception can sometimes be that Parkinson's is just an “old person's” disease.

Dolores Andrew-Gavin6 August 2018Comment

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.