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Showing posts from February, 2024

Get Rid of Leg Cramps at Night

 Get Rid of Leg Cramps at Night This American Academy of Family Physicians article  states that up to 60 percent of adults and 7 percent of children experience leg cramps at night. If you count yourself among that percentage, then you know that leg cramps are definitely sleep disruptors. While there are many things you can do to get rid of leg cramps at night, you first want to rule out an  underlying medical condition  (Mayo Clinic).  ***This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions from clicks and qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support! Get Rid of Leg Cramps at Night Stretch your Calf Muscles Most of us use the calf muscles in our lower legs all day long. When you walk, run, drive, and go up and down steps; your calf muscles are shortening or contracting. Most of us skimp on stretching to counteract the contracting of our muscles all day long. On top of using our calves throughout the day, those muscles are natural...

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Suffering from dry skin?! 5 things to stop doing to relieve dry skin.

Suffering from dry skin?! 5 things to stop doing to relieve dry skin.  Let's talk dry skin. Your skin is your largest organ, your body's interface with and protection from the environment. Keep it moisturized and intact! I trained in a dermatology office as a physician assistant student. Dry skin was a common complaint. Many clients were shocked at the advice they were given: "I paid a specialist copay for this?!" was a common sentiment. Relieve dry skin by stopping these 5 things, and you may save yourself a trip to the doctor's office! 1. Bathing Frequently  Water exposure can be drying and irritating. Reevaluate how many times you are bathing, and for how long. Consider decreasing the overall amount of time you are immersed in water.   2. Bathing in hot water Hot water is especially drying. In addition to the amount of time you spend in water, consider lowering the temperature of the water. Check out this  article  that says ideal water temperature is be...

Why Can't I Sleep? 10 Steps for Good Sleep Hygiene

Why Can't I Sleep? 10 Steps for Good Sleep Hygiene Sleep is essential to function properly. Good sleep hygiene supports the ability to regulate emotions and hunger, manage stress, concentrate and complete tasks, learn, process and retain new information.  NOT getting enough sleep increases the risk of certain medical conditions  (nih.gov) . I’m sure you’ve heard or said the phrase, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” Or you’ve gotten the impression that the lack of sleep that accompanies parenthood is considered a badge of honor.  But there’s nothing admirable about sleep deprivation; in fact, it is  a torture method. Thankfully, our culture seems to be shifting its attitude towards rest. There’s no shame in resting; in fact, sleep should be a priority!   If you sleep well, then I don't care what you do (as long as it's safe)! But if sleep is a struggle, then you may benefit from implementing a good sleep hygiene routine.  Lifestyle changes should almost alway...

Don't diet: follow this healthy eating plan instead

Don't diet: follow this healthy eating plan instead. Let's talk healthy eating. I don't diet nor do I typically recommend any specific diets. This is true in my personal life as well as my professional career as a physician assistant. Diets often backfire and fail; they can be too restrictive in terms of limiting calories, certain foods or entire food groups. Diets can lead to disordered eating and malnutrition. Instead, I follow and recommend guidelines to promote a healthy eating plan. I compiled a list of the most common recommendations in over a decade of working in mostly primary care fields.  According to this  Forbes article , over 40% of Americans are obese. Obesity is a risk factor for many medical conditions, so losing weight  is a worthy pursuit. Developing healthy eating habits should be part of a holistic plan for longevity and wellness regardless of your current or goal weight. Practical guidelines can help you create lasting lifestyle changes. Let's dig i...