Secrets to a happy and healthy relationship

   

  A relationship is the coming together of two people who are in love with the aim of achieving future goals and dreams together. These two people are from two different family backgrounds, coupled with various economic conditions they are bound to be some little disagreements and conflicts most of the time. So what does it take for a couple to stay happy and still in love both in good and bad times? Here is how:

1)      Realize that the relationship won’t be as easy as when you first started dating. Get over the initial romantic phase of new love and build a deeper, richer relationship which still has romance and can last for a long time.

2)      Always communicate with your partner. If you have any issue as to how your partner acts or perform a certain task, talk it out with them. All good relationships die as a result of lack of communication.

3)      Spend time together. We are living in a world where both couples work so it gets a bit difficult to create time with our partners. A couple who want to stay happy should try to create the time. There is no substitute for shared quality time.

4)      Find time to resolve all problems and misunderstanding immediately. Leaving an issue unresolved for days may make your partner wonder if you care for them at all.

5)      Work on your relationship. Your relationship won’t be a happy one if you don’t put much effort into making it work.

6)       Be willing to change. If your partner mentions something you do that bothers them, change your behavior gladly.

7)      Keep in touch always if you live in different cities. When you don’t call or pick their call they begin to wonder what you are up to.

8)      Surprise your partner with gifts and kind gestures.

9)      Give each other space and time alone with themselves. Spending time apart is also an important component of a happy relationship. It is healthy to have some separate interests and activities and to come back to the relationship refreshed and ready to share your experiences. Help each other to be efficient.

10)  Be honest at all times. There won’t be a happy relationship if the partners don’t trust themselves.

11)   Be spontaneous. Learn to surprise your partner with gifts, or favorite meal or even plan a surprise trip.

Consequences of excess salt and sugar

    Salt and sugar are both used to add taste in our meals, without which our meals are tasteless. Salt and sugar also regulates various metabolic functions in the body such as our blood pressure, blood sugar levels etc. Like most foods and nutrients, they can be helpful in small amounts. However, if you consume too much salt and sugar, you may put yourself at risk for health complications like heart disease and diabetes.

EXCESS SALTS
    The human body only needs about 3.8 grams of salt per day, but most people consume closer to 7 grams daily. The sodium in salt influences the volume of liquids retained by the body outside the cells. This determines blood volume, which in turn regulates blood pressure. On the other hand the chlorine in salt becomes a part of the acid in our stomach with helps in digestion.

1)      Too much salt lead to high blood pressure

2)      Raises  your risk of heart problems

3)      Too much sodium, one of the components of salt, may cause hypertension

4)      It would gradually lead to a stroke

EXCESS SUGAR
     Sugars are simple carbohydrates like glucose, fructose and sucrose. Fruits are naturally high in sugars and not necessarily bad for your body.

1)      Causes tooth decay, by fuelling the bacteria that causes cavity

2)      It makes your immune system not to function properly. If you eat sugar at every meal, it means that your immune system will be functioning at half-capacity for most of the day.

3)      Leads to weight gain .Extra sugar your body does not immediately require for energy can easily be converted to triglycerides, a type of fat that can then be stored around your waist as well as in your hips and thighs.

4)      Eating too much sugar can also result in the increase of insulin levels. The more sugar you eat, the more insulin your pancreas produces.

5)      It raises the risk of type 2 diabetes .One of the damaging effects of a diet high in sugar and other refined carbohydrates is that it puts you at risk for developing type 2 diabetes

 

Fixes for Difficult In-Laws that won’t ruin your relationship

    When getting married, it’s a known fact that you are not just getting married to your partner but also to his or her family including extended family members. It gets difficult at times when you have annoying in-laws who find fault in everything you do. Having difficulties with your in-laws doesn’t mean you’re in an unhealthy relationship, what matters is how you handle these challenges.

1)      First you must realize that your in-laws are different people with their own unique culture which might be different from yours.

2)      Treat your in-laws with respect. Respect is not always about age; treat them the way you would want to be treated. If you treat them badly, be sure to get the same in return.

3)       Never put your spouse in a situation where he or she has to choose between you and a relative. If you do so, you're putting your spouse in a nearly impossible bind. Instead, try to understand the bond your spouse has with each member of his or her family.

4)      Figure out the boundaries that you’d like to set with your in-laws and set them e.g. you and your partner should be able to set boundaries as to how often a family member can visit and how long they can stay to avoid conflicts or limit your in-laws taking over your kitchen as if it’s theirs.

5)      Never go behind your spouse's back when you deal with in-laws. And don't tolerate it if your spouse does.

6)      Always communicate your thought to your partner either good or bad. It is best they know how you feel about a particular in-law.

7)      If your partner refuses to stand up for you and simply tells you to try to work it out, then stand up for yourself or limit contact with the in-law.

Your in-laws are important to your spouse, and they’re part of your life. It’s up to both of you to find a way to make time with extended family as enjoyable as possible.

Ladies: Want to wear that high heel? Know this first before you wear them.

    What is a woman without a little high heel shoe? Absolutely nothing! Women love to wear heels all the time, it makes them feel sexy, confident and gives them a kind of cat work runway gait as they work. Women do love their high heels, but if you wear them all the time, you might get foot pain and other problems can ensue such as corns.  High heels are not for everyone, some can wear heels for a long time and walk long hours with it while others can’t even stand properly in heels. But women are such a complex people who always want to be current with the latest fashion trend even to the detriment of their health.

   We all know heels hurt and they’re bad for us, causing corns and callouses, bunions and back pain but we wear them. And still, many women refuse to give up their high heels. So here are a few tips to a healthy foot if you must wear heels:

1)      Don’t wear tight heels no matter how fashionable they look. Anytime you wear shoes that are tight, it is bound to cause foot pain.

2)      Buy shoes with leather lining not plastic. They are softer and more supple and less likely to rub.

3)      Soak your feet in ice or very cold water if you have worn heels all day to reduce feet swelling.

4)      Apply foot cream on your feet before going to bed to prevent it from cracking and blistering.

 

Note: Don’t get caught up with all the craziness of trying to wear the latest fashion trends. If you can’t wear heels, simply wear a flat shoe.

 

Feel free to add your suggestions or experiences in the comment box.

 
Pictures from: theberry .com

Olives: Amazing benefits from a hundred years old tree.

    

 

 

      Thinking of olive the first thing that comes to mind is anointing oil right? Lol. The oil from the olive fruits are more than just anointing oils, although today olive oil is still used in many religious ceremonies, they are used in cooking as well. The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean region and Western Asia .Olive originated from Syria and was first cultivated there over 5,000 years ago before it spread to Israel, Greece and Egypt. The olive seed is either eaten as a fruit or extracted for its oil which is very medicinal. Olives are largely self-fruitful and the trees are tough, an amazing tree that typically lives for hundreds of years. However, they require some cold (below about 45 degrees F) for proper flower development. This fluctuates greatly with olive variety. Because of the cold temperature requirement, olives cannot be produce in tropical regions.

   The maturity of an olive at harvest can be anything from completely green to completely black. The greener fruit yields oil that is more bitter and pungent (peppery), while the completely ripe fruit produces oil that is mild and buttery. Olives are too bitter to be eaten right off the tree and must be cured to reduce their intrinsic bitterness. Here are some healthy benefits of eating olives either by eating the fruit or cooking with olive oils:

1) Olives are a great source of vitamin E.

2) They eliminate excess cholesterol in the blood.

3) It enhances fertility and reproductive system.

4) Olives help in maintaining blood pressure levels.

5) Although high in calories, olive oil has shown to help reduce obesity.

6) Olives are rich in mineral content such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus and iodine.

7) Olives provide essential vitamins and amino acids.

8) Olives can improve the appearance of wrinkles by 20% since they contain oleic acid, which keeps skin soft and healthy.

9) Olive oil diet reduces risk of type 2 Diabetes.

10) Olive tree leaves are used as incense in some Muslim Mediterranean countries and are substitutes for dates (if not available) during Ramadan fasting.

Source: SA Olive Industry Association press release

Social Media Impact In Modern Society

Image | HuffPost

  The society has progressed together with technology, while 60 years ago post was the main source of telecommunication, today post is barely used for communication and letters exchange. The modern ways of sharing information, communicating have been expanded into hundreds of social media programs.

As before a decade the mobile devices had barely support internet and it were used only to surf into some search engines, the modern mobiles are build more for internet featuring than for its main purpose of use, calling.

Social medias have changed not only communication and information shares but also have expanded new ways on commercial fields. Social medias and different social networking places are widely used by everyone that use Internet. Social media giants like Google, Facebook, Yahoo and Bing have changed the essence of information into something easy to be received and shared in real time in every place of the world.

Social networks are used by leaders of a country, even elections are followed by competition on social medias, which candid gets more "like" or "followers" is favored.

The social medias have revolutionized not only the Internet in general but also our daily life. Through Skype or Facebook as two major social medias people do not need to send telegraphs or letters through post, enough they go to their particular account and they can even see each another through camera.

Business had its impact of social media also, the best ever and most free self-promoting strategy is through different social networking accounts or pages. Through Facebook are promoted everyday millions of businesses and their products, an effective way to expand sales though.

If anyone have more valid information to share about this topic feel free to share it on comments below, enjoy chatting!

Causes of Infertility in both men and women

      Infertility is one issue that is gradually on the increase across the world today. It is the inability to conceive. Studies have indicated that slightly over half of all cases of infertility are a result of female conditions, while the rest are caused by either sperm disorders or other factors. It has been estimated that about one in six couples faces difficulties in conceiving. If you've been having regular unprotected sex for more than a year and are still not pregnant, you may begin to wonder if you have a fertility problem. Infertility is not always a woman's problem; both women and men do have problems that cause infertility.

Causes of infertility

1)      The consumption of alcohol in excess can lower fertility especially in men.

2)      Excess thyroid hormone can interrupt the menstrual cycle or cause infertility.

3)      Environmental toxins: Exposure to some chemicals including pesticides and lead can make you infertile.

4)      Sexually transmitted diseases if not treated on time can also lead to infertility.

5)      Ovulation disorders, which hinder or prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs.

6)      Treatment for cancer can cause infertility. Radiation and Chemotherapy treatment used for curing cancer can make you sterile.

7)      Abnormal sperm production or function due to various problems, such as undescended testicles, or genetic defects.

8)      Smoking of cigarettes causes infertility. Smoking significantly increases the risk of infertility in both men and women. Smoking may also undermine the effects of fertility treatment.

9)      Serious health conditions such as kidney diseases can result in infertility

10)  Obesity can make you infertile.

11)  Uterine or cervical abnormalities in women. Fibroids may distort the uterine cavity interfering with implantation of the fertilized egg.

12)  Stress : female ovulation and sperm production can be affected by stress

13)  Amenorrhea : the absence of menstruation

If you are having any infertility problem it is best to see your doctor or gynecologist.

11 reasons you should be smiling all the time

    Smiling is the second best thing you can do with your lips after eating. A genuine smile involves the lips and the eyes, while fake smiles involve just the lips. Endorphins are responsible for making us feel happy, and they are released when we smile or laugh, they also help lower stress levels. Faking a smile or laugh works as well as the real thing, the brain doesn’t differentiate between real or fake as it interprets the positioning of the facial muscles in the same way. Women generally smile more than men, although this still depends on the situation. Smiling improves your health, your stress level, and your attractiveness.

Benefits of smiling

1)      Smiling is one of the ways  to reduce distress caused by an upsetting situation.

2)      A smile helps us to hide what we really think about someone or a situation.

3)      Smiling makes you appear more approachable. Interaction with others is easier and more enjoyable.

4)      Smiling makes us attractive. We are naturally  drawn to people who smile.

5)      Smiling Is Contagious, a smiling person brings happiness with them , they lighten up the room and change the moods of others.

6)      Smiling makes us feel good which also increases our attentional flexibility and our ability to think holistically.

7)      Smiling makes a person look younger. The muscles we use to smile lift the face, making a person appear younger.

8)      Smiling slows the heart and relaxes the body. This lets the heart work without overworking. People who smile and laugh often are less likely to develop heart disease.

9)      Smiling helps to change our mood. your mood will change for the better when you start smiling.

10)  Smiling is just one fun way to live longer as it improves your stress level and health.

11)  Smiling helps in blood pressure reduction by calming our nerves down.

 

How to cope when your wife earns more

    The man is the head of the house and it just seems natural that he should be able to earn more than his wife. But in our society of today, where women are proving themselves in various fields, it is not uncommon to see a wife earning more than her husband. This shift in balance is making most men insecure. Our fathers then largely derived their sense of identity from their ability to provide and protect, and our mothers from their family and domestic lives and, the perception of those traditional roles still runs deeply throughout society.

    Many women are working simply because their families need their income, and increasing numbers are finding themselves accidental breadwinners. A recent study has shown that women are the leading breadwinners in over 30% of households worldwide.

Effect of Higher Earning wife on men

1)      It makes men feel inadequate and less masculine. Men haven’t come to terms with the fact that we’re facing a whole new social moment, in which women are doing better than men are.

2)      Men whose wives make more money and work more are less happy.

3)      Men who make significantly less money than their wives are more likely to cheat, and for those who are unemployed the chance of cheating goes up.

4)      Men who lose their role as primary wage earner often suffer from insomnia and anxiety.

   This is a global trend which might continue, as the percentage of women breadwinners are going up daily. Not all men have difficulty with the concept or reality of their wives making more money.

How to cope when your wife earns more

1)      The man must understand that marriage is a partnership and each person brings strengths to the union.

2)      Work together to figure out what needs to get done each week to keep the children safe and happy and the household orderly and running smoothly.

3)      Always communicate with your wife whenever you feel sidelined in a major decision concerning the family. These problems don’t get solved in a single conversation keep talking.

4)      If you find yourselves getting into repeated and heated arguments about money, decisions, and household tasks, don’t leap to the conclusion that the problem is your partner.

5)      Both Partners need to be friends who provide comfort and support as they both explore such deep and emotional territory.

Advice for higher earning wives

1)      Ask your husband for his advice before you make a financial decision. If he doesn’t give you the right answer, talk about it. He needs to feel heard.

2)      You must work harder at the relationship and pay much more attention to your husband’s self-image.

3)      Don’t forget to act like a lady. That you earn more doesn’t make you a man.

4)      It is very wrong to cut your spouse out of your family financial decision-making just because you earn more.

    Good relationships are certainly hard enough to find , don’t let money issues erode what is otherwise a good relationship.

 

 

How to work with a clueless boss

       Have you ever had the experience of working with a boss who knows nothing about the job? It is exactly like putting a square peg in a round hole, it would just never fit. Unemployment situations are on the rise lately and majority of the few who are in top executive positions, are not really qualified for it but got the job either through political appointments or familiarity with the head of the company. Remember, you’re not responsible for the behavior of others, but you are responsible for how you respond in the situation.

     Employees often agonize over whether they should tell their clueless boss or management what they really think for fear of being labeled a troublemaker or worse. So what do you do when you have to work with such an un-experienced boss? Here is how:

1)      Firstly you should always remember who the boss is and learn how to be calm and not over react because you are doing the job and your boss who don’t know jack is getting the credit for it. Calm down, humble yourself.

2)      Turn your boss’s cluelessness to your advantage. A clueless boss gives you a great chance to prove yourself. Understand what your company is looking for and help your dummy boss meet those expectations and indirectly enhance your own skills.

3)      Even if your boss leaves majority of the decisions to you, be careful to always inform him of decisions taken. Make sure you don’t go over the top and try to make every decision yourself.

4)      Make yourself indispensable to the clueless boss. Learn to blend your ideas with the boss’s language and agenda.

5)      Become an enhancement to the boss. Start by paying attention to what interests your boss and listen carefully when he/she talks.

6)      Be patient, but always know when you have had enough and try to move on by searching for another job. Start actively looking for the workplace where you will be appreciated, encouraged and acknowledged for your contribution.

Note: Efforts to handle a clueless boss is not butt kissing. The whole idea is to make working conditions more conducive to your own career growth.