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Welcome to Nollywood Times


Harmattan best skincare routines especially for dry skin

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 06:30 AM PST

People with dry skin always struggle to maintain skin hydration levels properly throughout the day, especially when the harmattan season is in full gear.

If you have dry, dehydrated skin, you already know that finding the perfect skincare routine can mean the difference between a flaky, eternally scaly skin and a comfortable, glowing complexion. To prevent your skin from feeling dry, flaky, and uncomfortable by the end of the day, you need a skincare routine that helps your skin hold onto moisture.

Irrespective of your skin type, everyone should have a proper daytime and night-time skincare routine. Since the harmattan has set in, we've successfully put together daily skincare routines for people with dry skin.

You're in for a glow like never before if you follow these daily skincare routines.

For the morning routine,

Following a morning skincare routine before stepping out of the house prepares your skin to fight pollution, UV rays from the sun, and dust.

Step 1- Cleanse your face by using a mild, gentle, and hydrating face wash.

Step 2- Since your skin will be exposed to sun and dust, the moment you step out, you need to apply a serum. Serums contain a high concentration of antioxidants that prevent damage caused by harmful free radicals.

Step 3- Moisturize your face. Immediately after washing your face, massage it with a moisturizer. This is the most crucial step in caring for dry skin. Always apply moisturizer within 3 minutes of washing your face and on damp skin. This helps your skin stay hydrated throughout the day. Pick a hydrating moisturizer that does not contain any irritants. It's advisable to use products that contains hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides, glycerine, and B vitamins.

Step 4- Apply sunscreen. Once you have moisturized your skin, it is time to layer it with sun protection. You must never miss this step. Sun protection is crucial for preventing UV damage and keeping your skin healthy. It's also advisable to pick a product contains at least SPF 30. Also, sun protection should never stop with just applying sunscreen. Try to avoid sun exposure and seek shade as much as possible.

For the night routine,

After the stress of the day and accumulating all the dust on your way home, you need to take care of your skin.

Step1- Remove your makeup. Taking off your makeup is essential before you start your night-time routine. You may use an oil-based cleanser or cleansing oil to remove your makeup. This step helps to dissolve the makeup thoroughly and also replenish your dry skin before you wash it.

Step 2- Once you remove your makeup, you need to wash your face. Use a gentle water-based cleanser to wash your face and remove all traces of dirt.

Step 3- Exfoliate your skin once or twice a week. Exfoliating or scrubbing help get rid of dead skin cells and makes your skin smooth and soft. Always use a moisturizing face scrub or exfoliator to clean your face.

Step 4- Apply your serum again. Serums contain a high concentration of active ingredients that replenish your skin and keep it healthy. If you have dry skin, you may try serums with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. They will refresh your skin and keep it soft.

Step 5- Since it gets colder and the more humid at night, you need to apply night cream on your face. A good-quality moisturizing night cream can help repair and help your skin recover while you sleep. You need to choose a night cream based on your preferences.

How Ovulation Calculators Can Help You Conceive A Boy

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 06:00 AM PST

This information and your partner's healthy sperm count are the two most important things where fertility is concerned. You probably know how to calculate your ovulation dates to get pregnant, but are you aware that you can select the gender you want to carry in pregnancy?


Here's everything you need about using an ovulation calculator to conceive a boy.

How to use an ovulation calculator to conceive a boy
 

Before we dive into the factors responsible for the gender you end up birthing and how to get the calculation right, it is important to know how ovulation works and what makes it happen in the first place. There are a few hormones involved in making ovulation happen. One such hormone is the luteinizing hormone, which begins to rise when your body is close to ovulation. Then another stimulating hormone makes the egg mature quickly so that the egg is ready for ovulation when it is finally released from the ovary.

As ovulation draws near, the luteinizing hormone works on the lining of your uterus, filling it up with nutrients so that it is ready when the egg arrives. Afterwards, another hormone in charge of making sure the sperm travels toward the egg does its job. This particular hormone begins to rise until it reaches a point that forces luteinizing hormone to rise too. As both those hormones rise, this forces the mature egg to move into the Fallopian tube in a process known as ovulation.

Factors that favour the conception of a boy or a girl
Now that we've established what ovulation is and how it works, here are the factors that are responsible for your child's gender. Understanding ovulation makes it easier to follow these factors. Usually, men produce two kinds of sperm, namely the X (female) and Y (male). The X-sperm is bigger and stronger, but slower than the Y-sperm, which are smaller and weaker but faster. To that effect, below are a few things you can do to help the conception of either a girl or a boy.

Timing
Having sex close to your ovulation gives you a better chance of birthing a boy. This is because the Y-sperms move faster and therefore reach the egg first. But if you have sex three days before your ovulation, chances are you'll conceive a girl because the Y-sperm dies quicker. So, if you want a boy, have sex between two days before ovulation and especially two days after.

The Vagina PH
A more acidic vagina PH will likely produce a girl because a high amount of X-sperm will be left to fertilise the egg. Meanwhile, a more alkaline surrounding helps conceive a boy. But, since some women have a naturally high level of acid, it will be harder to conceive a boy.

Sex position
It matters how deep a man penetrates the woman because a deeper penetration brings the sperm closer to the egg. This increases the Y-sperm's chances of fertilization. However, shallow penetrations work in favour of conceiving a girl.

Orgasm
When a woman has an orgasm during intercourse, her body releases a substance that makes her stomach surroundings more alkaline. So for this reason, stay away from orgasms if you're looking to have a girl.

Sperm count
A low sperm count affects your chances of conceiving both genders. So before trying for any gender, it is important to deal with the issue of low sperm count.

How do I use the ovulation calculator to have a boy?


To use the ovulation calculator, you have to know the first day of your last menstrual cycle and the average length of your complete cycle. For example, based on a 28-day cycle, a woman will ovulate after 14 days of her period. While a woman with a 30-day cycle will ovulate 16 days afterwards. Which means your fertile window starts 10 to the 16th day of your cycle. This can easily be mixed up, and that's why an ovulation calculator is very important. All you need to do with the calculator is to put in your information and it will show you when your ovulation starts. Ovulation calculators are available on many sites online. Try the procedures below when looking to have a boy.

Since you now have an idea on how the calculator works, when trying to have a boy make sure you have sex a day or two before ovulation, not three to four days before.
To have a boy, make sure your husband wears loose clothing, which means if he's used to wearing skin tights he should switch to boxers. This is because the sperm needs a cooler environment in order to survive, a method that will greatly help the Y-sperms. However, don't do the opposite when in search of a girl.
A nice cup of caffeinated coffee right before sex gives the Y-sperm a bump.

However, there is no comprehensive study that backs these procedures up. But it costs nothing, so there's no harm in trying.

Can squat make your butt bigger? Here's what actually happens

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 05:30 AM PST

Squats are considered the ultimate lower body exercise, which should always be a part of every woman's workout routine.

When you think of getting a bigger butt, squatting immediately comes to your mind. Does it increase your butt size?

It's super easy to perform, requires no equipment, and it can be done just about anywhere. However, many people are skeptical about the impact it has on butt size. Yes, squats are great if you're looking to increase your overall lower-body strength and size, but you're going to need to implement other exercises for a major booty transformation.

Squats help in strengthening the muscles as well as toning your glutes, hamstrings, and core. And just like any other workout, the more frequent you do squats, the better results you will see. If done correctly and targets the right muscle group, then all your squat exercise efforts should tighten, tone and lift those bums.


If you have a slim figure, developing your glutes with squats can help to enhance your butt and make it bigger.

This is the distance that should exist between you and your phone when you're about to sleep

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 05:00 AM PST

Sleeping next to your phone is a great way to be sure you'll never miss a call, text, or email; however, you want to keep it away because of the danger it poses.

Research has proven that keeping your phone close at night can be hazardous, but how far away should it be?

If your cell phone is near your head, under the pillow, or on the nightstand, you might want to find another place to keep it during the night. Why is this? The closer your phone is to you at night, the more effect it has on your health. You might be asking yourself how far should it be.

Your phone should be at least three feet away from your bed to limit exposure to radiofrequency energy. If you need to use your phone as an alarm, turn on airplane mode to prevent it from sending or receiving calls and text messages. During the day, carry your phone in a purse or bag, rather than in your pocket. This prevents you from being exposed to a higher level of radiation.

Why should you keep it way?

Cell phones emit radio frequency energy, which is a form of radiation when they communicate with network towers. The radiation is supposedly harmless; however, having a phone next to your head regularly may cause headaches and trouble sleeping. Exposure is far greater when the phone is next to your head than it is a few feet away. Even if it's just sitting there, not currently being used but connected to a network, it still emits a small amount of radiation.

If you sleep with your cell phone, it's possible to roll on top of it during the night. The device doesn't get enough airflow and quickly heats up, possibly causing damage to the battery. Having the phone under the pillow during the night can potentially lead to a fire.

Cell phones emit blue light, which tricks your brain into thinking that it's daytime. As you prepare for bed, the brain releases melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep cycles. Blue light affects these levels and throws off your sleeping pattern. This can lead to headaches, poor vision, and restless nights.

Instant Pot Makes a Blender and People Love It

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 04:30 AM PST

The Instant Po t has legions of fans because it makes cooking quick and easy. If you didn't know, the company even has a blender, that allows you to whip up meals right from the gadget instead of transferring food into a separate pot. Even better, it's marked down to $44.96 right now at Walmart.com.

Similarly to the Instant Pot , you can cook warm soup. This model has four hot blending programs: pure, soy milk, rice milk, and soup. Additionally, you can use it as a blender and make smoothies or even ice cream.

This machine is unlike any other, according to reviews. "A blender is a must-have in my home! But this is not just ANY blender, it blends, purees, cooks, freezes, etc! You can make your dinner in this! Being empty nesters, ice cream addicts and trying to eat healthier, this is the way to go! Make smoothies, ice cream, soup, baby food...... the list goes on and on, in this," one person wrote.

"We have so far made smoothies, two incredibly perfect creamy soups, all kinds of fresh non-dairy milks (almond milk, nut milk, rice milk), and we use the cleaning feature frequently all by just a touch of a button! Just like our Instant Pot Ultra cooker, this Ace-60 blender has opened new horizons for us with food and all the great things we can make that we never thought of before thanks to the incredible power and convenience," another reviewer wrote.

If you're looking for a blender that cooks, too, check out this option by Instant Pot.

Homemade remedies for longer lashes

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 04:00 AM PST

Apart from acting as a protective barrier to your eyes, they also give an instant lift to your eye makeup and enhances beauty.

We all want fuller lashes, the reason some women opt for falsies or invest in mascaras that promise a world of fuller lashes. But there are natural homemade remedies that can solve this problem easily and permanently.

It may take a few weeks to several months to get the desired result, and you may have to try more than one remedy to find one that works for you. Here are some homemade remedies for longer lashes.

1. Coconut oil
Virgin coconut oil is not only safe for your eyes, but it's also a great moisturizer and strengthener for your eyelashes. Studies prove that by applying coconut oil to your hair before and after washing it, you can prevent your hair from protein loss.

Use 1 teaspoon of cold-pressed coconut oil and a bunch of cotton swabs. Before applying the oil, cleanse your lashes with mild soap and water before patting them dry. Dip a cotton swab in coconut oil and apply it along your upper and lower lash lines. Avoid getting the oil into your eyes. Leave the oil on overnight. Rinse it off the following morning.

2. Castor oil
Ricinoleic acid is the major component of castor oil and makes up about 90% of it. This acid has shown potential in helping with hair loss. Thus, it may also be an alternative option for maintaining the thickness of your lashes.

3. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline)
Good old Vaseline has continually proved to be a lifesaver. Pure petroleum jelly is applied to your lashes regularly at night helps your lashes grow faster making them thicker and stronger. Dip a cotton bud in and then run it along with your lash line like an eyeliner. Put a bit of jelly on your fingers and gently run over your lashes. Do this before bed and wash your face by the morning. Repeat this at least 3 times a week.

4. Shea butter
Shea butter is used in Africa to improve hair texture and quality as it contains a good amount of vitamin A and vitamin E. It will nourish the hair and the hair follicles and enhance growth. Take a tiny amount of shea butter in between your fingertips and melt it by rubbing your fingers together. Apply this on your eyelashes. Keep it on over the night.

5. Lemon peels soaked in olive or castor oil
Castor and olive oil promotes hair growth and thickness when applied to the lashes. The lemon peels act as a hair growth-promoting agent as it contains vitamins A and C. Cut the lemon peel into small pieces and soak in the oil for 2-3 days. Now, apply this oil on the eyelashes before going to bed. Repeat this every night for longer, thicker eyelashes.

Mercy Eke showed us how to rock blue outfits like a fashion pro. and we'll like you to try it

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 03:30 AM PST

Pantone released blue as its colour for 2020 and there are people already rocking the classic blue outfits that got our attention.

This article will be showing us how we should rock blue outfits in 2020. Blue is one of the most beautiful colours that instill a sense of confidence and elegance in every woman's look. We spotted some amazing blue outfits on Mercy Eke's Instagram page and we think it would inspire your style.

With these outfits, it's safe to say that Mercy looks good in blue hues. Here are some outfits from Mercy's wardrobe that would make you fall in love with blue.

Spot the fascinator: Mercy served classy vibe with this amazing look and we all in for this lovely style.

1. Red carpet worthy: Make fashion statement at that event with this sexy outfit. Show off your lovely legs with this outfit.


2. TGI:! Get all the attention you deserve with this stylish outfit at your next party. Make a fabulous entry at that party.


3. The wrap Gown: put us in party mood as the lovely accentuates her body. The thigh slit made the outfit trendy and we think you can rock it this weekend.


4. Show off your skin in this bodycon outfit: We love the way flaunts her lovely body strusture without holding back. Want to bring some sass to that party? Rock this outfit.


How To Do Dumbbell Front Raises Correctly

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 03:00 AM PST

Looking to sculpt your shoulders with just a set of weights? The perfect move to help you do this is the front dumbbell raise.

It's an essential shoulder exercise that will build strength and stability in the tops of your arms. Similar to a lateral dumbbell raise , this move targets your deltoids (the triangular muscles on top of your shoulders) and will create major definition in your upper body.

But here's where I'm going to state the obvious: Doing a front raise incorrectly won't lead to any benefits at all. That's why as a certified personal trainer and VP of Talent at Flywheel sports , I'm going to teach you everything you need to know about dumbbell front raises, including technique, variations, and more.

How To Do A Front Raise
  • To start, stand with feet under hips, knees slightly bent, a dumbbell in each hand with arms by sides, palms facing body, and weights touching quads.
  • Without bending elbows, raise arms straight up in front of body until they're shoulder-level.
  • Lower the dumbbells back down to start. That's one rep.
Form tips: Draw navel toward spine and keep abs engages while completing each raise, don't let shoulders shrug up toward ears, and finally, do not swing the dumbbells. Your raise should be a steady and controlled movement.

Reps/sets for best results: I recommend using 5- to 8-pound weights for three sets of 8 to 12 reps. Take a 30- to 45-second rest in between sets.

Benefits Of A Front Raise
It's all about the shoulders because the dumbbell front raise is an exercise that isolates this joint and your deltoid muscles. Strengthening these two areas will tone your upper body in all the right places and can even protect you from future injuries when you're lifting by improving your mobility and range of motion too.

Variations For A Front Raise
  • Do them with your thumbs up : Standard form for a front raise is with your palms facing down (as demonstrated above). But if you're struggling with this form, try doing the move with your palms facing each other. With this modification, you'll find it's easier to keep your shoulders down and focus on stability.
  • Play with tempo: Add a three-second hold to your front raise before bringing your arms back down. This will amp up your resistance and strength.
  • Alternate arms: Instead of raising both arms up at the same time, lift one and then the other. This way, you can focus on the individual form for each arm.
How To Add A Front Raise To Your Workout
Add it to your shoulder circuit: Dumbbell front raises should be done after you've worked out the other parts of your upper body. This will ensure that your shoulder mobility is in tact and ready to be challenged while helping you avoid injury.

I usually put front raises about three quarters of the way into my shoulder circuit. And I recommend doing a front raise to lateral raise , which is incredibly similar except you'll be bringing your arms out to your sides, rather than in front of you. Transitioning between these two moves means even more toning and sculpting for your shoulders and tops of your arms.

Causes and treatment of childbirth tears

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 02:30 AM PST

Childbirth tears can occur inside the vagina or other parts of the vulva, including the labia during the delivery process. It is also common for your perineum, which is the area between your vaginal opening and back passage (anus), to tear to some extent during childbirth.

Most first-time mothers who have a vaginal birth will experience some sort of tear, graze or episiotomy. It is slightly less common for mothers who have had a vaginal birth before. For most women, these tears are minor and heal very quickly.

It's important to normalize the notion of childbirth tears and not to fear it, because it happens so often. Get the facts about down-there tears, so you know what to expect regarding your vagina before and after birth.

Why Do Childbirth Tears Occur?
During birth, the vagina has to stretch enough to allow a baby, whose head is the size of a cantaloupe, to come through it. Hopefully, the vagina will stretch just enough without tearing, but often a tear does happen. The tears are spontaneous, meaning a doctor didn't make a­ cut. Some of the reasons for the tear can be:

baby being overweight
having a fast birth, since the tissue has less time to adapt and stretch
the position of the baby
having a vacuum- or forceps-assisted delivery
an especially long labour that results in severe vaginal swelling
Types Of Childbirth Tears That Occur During Delivery
1st Degree Tear

First-degree tears are the least severe, involving only the perineal skin — the skin between the vaginal opening and the rectum and the tissue directly beneath the skin. You might experience some mild pain or stinging sensation during urination. These tears may or may not require stitches and typically heal within a few weeks.

2nd Degree Tear
Second-degree tears involve the skin and muscle of the perineum and might extend deep into the vagina. Second-degree tears typically require stitches and heal within a few weeks.

3rd Degree Tear
Third-degree tears extend into the muscle that surrounds the anus (anal sphincter). These tears sometimes require repair with anaesthesia in an operating room — rather than the delivery room — and might take longer than a few weeks to heal.

Complications such as stool leakage (faecal incontinence) and painful intercourse are possible. If these problems occur, talk to your health care provider.

4th Degree Tear
Fourth-degree vaginal tears are the most severe. They extend through the anal sphincter and into the mucous membrane that lines the rectum (rectal mucosa). Fourth-degree tears usually require repair with anaesthesia in an operating room — rather than the delivery room — and sometimes require more specialized repair. Healing also might take longer than a few weeks.

Complications such as faecal incontinence and painful intercourse are possible. If these problems occur, talk to your health care provider.

How To Ease Discomfort After A Vaginal Tear
After the birth of your baby, your healthcare professional will carefully examine your vagina, perineum and rectum to see if you have a tear, and if so, what type. They will then advise you if you need stitches.

If you have sustained a third- or fourth- degree tear, you will be transferred to the operating theatre where your muscles will be repaired. You will be given an epidural or spinal anaesthesia so that you have good pain relief.

Your health care provider will evaluate your recovery at your postpartum checkup, typically six weeks after delivery. If you've had a third-degree or fourth-degree vaginal tear, you might need to see your doctor more often to ensure early detection of any problems. Tell your health care provider if you're experiencing severe, persistent or increasing pain, which could be a sign of infection. If you experience complications from a vaginal tear, you might be referred to a urogynecologist, colorectal surgeon or other specialist.

To ease discomfort while you're recovering:
  • Sit on a pillow or padded ring.
  • Cool the wound with an ice pack, or place a chilled witch hazel pad between a sanitary napkin and the wound.
  • Use a squeeze bottle to pour warm water on your perineum as you're passing urine.
  • Sit in a warm bath just deep enough to cover your buttocks and hips (sitz bath) for five minutes. Use cold water if you find it more soothing.
  • Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Ask your health care provider about a numbing spray or cream, if needed.
  • Talk to your health care provider about using a stool softener or laxative to prevent constipation.
Decreasing the Severity of Vaginal Tearing

To decrease the severity of vaginal tearing, try to get into a labour position that puts less pressure on your perineum and vaginal floor, like upright squatting or side-lying, Page says. Hands-and-knees and other more forward-leaning positions can reduce perineal tears, too.

It also helps if you lead the pushing phase of labour. This means you're doing just enough pushing to feel your baby move. Doing this allows the vagina to stretch slowly, reducing the likelihood of tearing. On the flip side, when you're directed to push as hard as you can while someone counts; there's a lot of additional pressure on your perineum, which can increase chances of tearing.

In addition, you may reduce your odds of tearing by applying a warm compress to the perineum during the pushing phase of labour.

Finally, four to six weeks before your due date, practice a 10- to 15-minute perineal massage daily. Frequently massaging the base of the vagina with oil or a water-based lubricant is thought to soften the tissue, making it more supple and improving its flexibility.

Always consult your doctor before beginning the practice, especially if you have a history of herpes, as practising perineal massage with an active herpes outbreak increases the risk of the virus spreading throughout the genital tract.

Maintaining interpersonal relationships with family after marriage

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 02:00 AM PST

When you're newly married, it's easy to get your relationships mangled, because you're taking time to "focus on building your new family".

Interpersonal relationships comprise every relationship that fulfils a range of physical and emotional needs for you. These are the people who you're closest to in your life. And while your spouse is the eighth world wonder, you need these people too.

Romantic relationships are interpersonal, as well as those of family members and friends. There's also such a thing as secondary interpersonal relationships. These include acquaintances, neighbours, and others who you interact with on a regular basis.

In short, you have some kind of interpersonal relationship with everyone you know.

Whether you're married or single, relationships are important for our emotional and physical well-being. So it's necessary to learn how to develop and maintain them.


The importance of interpersonal relationships


Some reasons for these relationships are listed below:


  • Interpersonal relationships are important for your overall physical and emotional happiness. Relationships help fight loneliness while also giving you a sense of purpose in life.

  • The closeness you feel with family and friends is an essential part of your social support. 

  • Relationships in other aspects of your life outside of romance and family can also have a positive effect on you; such as getting together with acquaintances for a shared interest or hobby.

  • All interpersonal relationships are built on loyalty, support, and trust. Close relationships may also be built on love. Mutual respect and reciprocation of these qualities is important in maintaining all your relationships. Otherwise, the relationship can become one-sided.

Family, friends and intimate relationships are necessary for everyday life.

Interpersonal Relationships After Marriage

When you get married, especially in an African setting, your circle of family widens to include in-laws. We cannot fully discuss interpersonal relationships after marriage without considering your relationships with in-laws as well. The significance of these relationships will show in many facets of life, including the quality of your marriage.

Although your relationships with in-laws share some similarities with relationships with your parents, you form your in-law ties as an adult. So you don't necessarily share a long history with them.

Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships With Family After Marriage

Be Open

Any strong relationship needs to have the willingness to be open. This means the ability and desire to share what you're thinking and your feelings about different subjects. When you are open and willing to share, it shows the other person that you care about the relationship; that you want to create a close connection by being truthful and receptive to the other person's thoughts and feelings.

There's a limit to your openness in a marriage. You want to cultivate a beautiful relationship with your old and new family; but you want to protect your marriage too. And honestly, the latter is more important.

Show Empathy
Here's a saying you may have heard before:

Powerful stuff. One of the deepest human desires is to feel understood. When you show empathy towards someone else, you are showing that you care enough to understand how they feel. And that goes a really long way in maintaining strong relationships.

Remember to show empathy whenever the opportunity presents itself in your relationships. This helps all of us feel more supported, understood, and most importantly, connected. And this goes for your family members, your in-laws, and even your spouse. Let's also include your friends, your co-workers, and everybody you meet.

Be Respectful
It goes without saying that in order to help build and maintain strong relationships, you will need to be respectful — respectful of the other person's time, opinion, feelings, and so on. This is vitally important in one on one relationships such as a marriage or close friendship.

The same really holds true in close relationships that involve a group type dynamic.

Be Available
Giving your time is like giving a gift. Time is the one thing we all have the same amount of — same 24 hours in a day, same amount of days in a week, etc. How you choose to spend that time says a lot about you. And being available to someone shows that you value them enough to spend your time with them. That is absolutely huge. Family visits, picnics, and annual reunions will go a long way to strengthen your bond.

Being giving of your time shows the other person that you care enough about them and the relationship to share your most valuable commodity. Being available to someone will do wonders for maintaining strong personal relationships.

Establish Boundaries
Boundaries are critical for healthy relationships. A boundary is a belief, or way of life, or conviction that you have. It involves your beliefs, values, and limits. It's important to be clear to other people in your life, especially the strong interpersonal relationships, about what your boundaries are. It helps to create self-esteem and respect in the relationship. It's basically showing others what you stand for and what you will and won't allow in your life.

Be a Good Listener
Something most people tend to forget is that listening is half of all communication. And when we get really good at listening, it becomes more than half of our communication. That's because being a good listener will do wonders for your strong relationships.

Showing that you are actively listening will help boost the other person's self-esteem because it shows that you truly care about what they are saying. This makes them feel important and shows that you seek to understand. It also means that you care about how the other person feels.

Pregnancy Food: Is garlic safe to eat during pregnancy?

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 01:30 AM PST

While some foods may be good to eat generally, they may not be good for a pregnant woman for some reason or the other. Garlic is often referred to as a super spice, let's see what effect garlic has on pregnancy.

Is Garlic Safe for you and your baby during pregnancy?
For thousands of years, garlic has been known throughout the world for its many health benefits. It has a high concentration of organosulfur, a compound that is responsible for its flavour and aroma, as well as its potential health benefits. Those health benefits happen to extend to women who are pregnant, but the question remains whether it is completely safe. The answer to that question is not very clear for pregnant women.


Over the years, no studies have found the consumption of garlic completely unsafe for pregnant women, neither have any studies found it completely safe. Though some experts allow pregnant women to take garlic, but only during early pregnancy. This is because at such a time they can enjoy some health benefits of garlic since the pregnancy is still early and there's no risk to the baby. Even then, these women have to take it in small amounts. Then in their second and third trimester, they are discouraged from taking garlic because of some potential side effects. At this stage, the side effects of garlic include lower blood pressure and thinning of the blood. Overall, if you are interested in taking garlic during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor. He or she will advise you on whether to eat garlic or not, but if you have to he or she will recommend a safe dose.

Benefits of eating garlic when you are pregnant
Below are some of the health benefits of garlic during pregnancy.

Reduces the risk of high blood pressure
Garlic is famous for the treatment and prevention of heart problems. Pregnant women can also benefit from this since high blood pressure is a common problem during pregnancy. High blood pressure is one condition that affects nearly one in ten pregnant women. Essentially, garlic reduces the risk of a pregnant woman having high blood pressure.

Increases baby weight
Low birth weight is one of the complications of pregnancy and garlic can help deal with this. According to some studies, garlic boosts the birth weight of babies who stand the risk of being born with low birth weight. While reducing the chances of birth complications, garlic supplements enhance growth in the cells of your placenta.

Lowers cholesterol
Garlic is a rich source of allicin, which is effective in helping lower your cholesterol levels while keeping them regulated. Generally, garlic in its chopped form lowers the risks of any other complications that might arise as a result of heart problems.

Prevents cancer
Certain kinds of cancer can be prevented by eating garlic, especially colon cancer, though you'll have to eat garlic regularly, which may not be good for women who are pregnant. A study carried out in China supports the role of garlic in the prevention of cancer. According to the US National Cancer Institute (NCI), eating garlic with onions reduces the risk of stomach cancer.

Fights flu, cold, and infections
When a woman is pregnant, she must stay healthy to prevent having to take medication. This is because certain medications aren't good for her body and baby. Eating garlic helps fight flu, cold and other infections by keeping the immune system as healthy as possible.

Prevent skin infections
During pregnancy there's a lot of changes to a woman's skin and garlic can help prevent this. Garlic has properties that are important in the prevention of skin infections.

Potential side effects of eating garlic during pregnancy

For all its health benefits, garlic can sometimes have side effects, even for pregnant women. The following are some side effects of eating garlic during pregnancy.

Garlic can cause excessive bleeding during a surgical procedure because of its ability to thin your blood.
Excessive consumption of garlic can cause the blood pressure to drop to a very low level. This is good for pregnant women with high blood pressure, but only when the blood pressure doesn't drop too low. If this happens, the woman may go into shock and faint.
Garlic may reduce your ability to absorb iodine, which can lead to a condition in which the thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormones.
Garlic can react negatively with certain kinds of medication to lower your blood sugar levels.

Before taking garlic, whether raw or as a supplement, consult your doctor first. Garlic may not be harmful to pregnant women when taken in small amounts, but that shouldn't stop you from talking to your doctor about it. He or she will recommend a dose that is safe for you and your unborn child.

See what happens to your skin when you use baking soda to treat acne

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 01:00 AM PST

You might keep baking soda in your fridge to get rid of odors, bake with it for leavening purposes, or even use it as a home remedy for acid reflux.

Using baking soda to treat acne is a common practice but you need to be informed on the safety of this practice.


However, there is no scientific evidence that proves these benefits of baking soda, and it is not a recommended medical treatment for acne. Therefore, you need to be extremely careful when using baking soda for acne and pimples. According to research, dermatologists aren't exactly sold on the idea of putting baking soda on your face when you're trying to treat acne.

Studies prove that using baking soda as a skincare treatment regularly can throw off your skin's naturally acidic pH, disrupt its protective outer layer, and cause irritation. Although, it is claimed that baking soda has a drying effect on the skin, and this property helps shrink the acne and reduce inflammation.

People have been reaching for baking soda for years to treat acne because it does have powerful oil-absorbing and exfoliating properties (two things that are important when dealing with breakouts). The problem with using pure baking soda on your skin is that it can be a bit too harsh for your skin.

'Are You The One' Contestant Alexis Eddy, 23, Was Found Dead In West Virginia Home

Posted: 12 Jan 2020 12:30 AM PST


  • Alexis Eddy, 23, was found dead in her home in West Virginia after police responded to a call of a woman in cardiac arrest on Thursday morning.
  • Authorities do not suspect foul play, but are waiting on the toxicology report to determine a cause of death.
  • She was a contestant on the MTV reality dating show Are You The One? in 2017.

Former MTV's Are You The One? contestant Alexis Eddy was found dead in her home in West Virginia. She was 23.

Police responded to a call for a woman in cardiac arrest on Thursday. When they arrived, Alexis was pronounced dead on the scene, People reported. There is no foul play suspected, but Alexis's cause of death is still unknown. The authorities are waiting on results from the toxicology report.

Alexis competed on season six of Are You The One?, a reality dating competition show, in 2017. She was quite the dramatic contestant, too. The hard-partying West Virginia native didn't hold anything back. On air, she was open about her substance abuse issues and revealed her cousin was convicted of murder.

In 2019, Alexis revealed she was sober and shared her journey with the hashtag #recoveryrocks. Alexis wrote in a September Instagram post: "Heres the first picture of my father and me, both sober and healthy, weve ever been blessed enough to take. Overwhelmed with gratefulness today #RecoveryRocks."

Alexis continued posting regular updates to Twitter about her sober journey. She tweeted: "If I can be an example of getting sober... Then I can be an example of starting over #JustForToday."

If I can be an example of getting sober... Then I can be an example of starting over #JustForToday Alexis Eddy (@lexoquence)

She joked in another tweet: "Truly grateful I got sober before the whiteclaw epidemic."

Truly grateful I got sober before the whiteclaw epidemic Alexis Eddy (@lexoquence)

Alexis also got engaged in the fall and announced the news on Instagram: "Went to play in the woodsWalked out engaged," she captioned a slideshow of photos on Instagram. "love you @natelee4176." She later deleted the post and has since tweeted about dating.

Alexis' fans and friends have shared tributes in the comments on her latest Instagram photo. Commenters shared: "Omg RIP beautiful girl! ," "Omg," and "R.I.P Alexis so sad to hear the news."

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