If the warm summer temperatures and high humidity have been messing with your sleep, you are not alone. Record temperatures continue to sweep various parts of the United States and Europe. In the words of Glenn Frey, “The heat is on.” The surge in temperatures and changes in sunrise and sunset can affect sleep quality and sleep duration. That’s why experts encourage people to employ certain strategies that make sleeping during warmer weather easier. 

Why Is It Difficult To Sleep In The Heat?

Sleep experts say that the ideal temperature for sleep is 65º F, give or take a couple degrees. It is completely normal for body temperature to drop a little during sleep, and a cool environment promotes a better night’s sleep. It is natural for the body to produce melatonin before you go to sleep. This process causes the body’s core temperature to drop in order to experience sound sleep. Hot weather can interrupt this process and make it more difficult to fall asleep and enter deep sleep, making it harder to stay asleep at night. This is why people have an easier time sleeping during winter than they do during summer. 

Maintaining a lower body temperature during sleep in the summer can prove challenging, but there are things you can do to help this process. Beat the heat, and the humidity, and incorporate one or more of the following tips into your nighttime routine to sleep better this summer.

Invite The Air Inside

Well, this tip really only applies if the air outside is fresh enough to invite inside your home. If the breeze is beautiful and cool, open up those windows! Opening up the windows will also depend on how safe you feel with the windows open while you sleep. Additionally, if it is very noisy outside, you may not want to have the windows open. Another option is to open the windows in your bedroom before you go to sleep and put a fan near them. When you’re ready for bed, close the window, or leave it slightly ajar, and keep the fan going. 

Shower Off Before Bedtime

Want to help cool your body down before bed? A systematic review of 5,322 studies in 2019 found that taking a lukewarm shower one to two hours before bed significantly improved sleep. The body feels colder after leaving the shower and it will accelerate the cool-down process that prepares it for sleep. You don’t need a steaming hot shower; rather, a warm shower between 104 and 109 degrees F is perfect. 

Sleep In The Nude

If the nights are warm where you live, wearing clothing to go to bed will only increase body temperature. Plus, the heat will only increase if you sleep under sheets and a comforter or blanket. There isn’t a lot of scientific evidence about the effects of sleeping naked, but anecdotal reports say that people sleep better in the nude. Without clothing, the body can maintain a lower core temperature more easily. If you don’t want to sleep in your birthday suit, try sleeping in pajamas made from fibers like light wool, silk, or cotton. A 2019 study found that people who slept in natural fibers instead of synthetic fibers were able to fall asleep faster. 

Lay Low

You don’t have to dodge the sleep police or anything like that. What we mean by “lay low” in regards to sleep is that you may want to sleep lower to the ground. The Japanese futon, for example, is a bed that traditionally goes directly on the floor. The ground is always cooler, especially if you have tile or cement floors. You don’t have to lay on the floor because there are many low-to-the-ground bed options these days. 

Use A Dehumidifier And A Fan

If you do not have air conditioning, or your AC unit isn’t powerful enough, try to place a bowl of cold water and ice in your bedroom. Position the fan behind the bowl and face it toward the bed to increase the fan’s cooling effects. Now, if you live in a very humid area, do your best to keep humidity levels at or below 50-60%. The National Asthma Council Australia stated that optimal indoor humidity levels are between 30-50%. A dehumidifier in the room can help with moisture control and may create a more pleasant sleeping environment. 

Invest In The Right Mattress And Pillow

You spend one-third of your life in bed, so it pays to invest in a quality mattress and pillow. How comfortable you feel in bed can dictate how you sleep, and how easily you fall asleep. Thick foam mattresses tend to absorb and trap body heat, which can overheat the sleeper. There are new mattresses that have cooling layers or ways to release heat that your body generates. The same can be said for pillows. Do your research and try to sleep on mattresses and pillows that help keep the body cool.

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Everyone experiences dry eyes every now and again. More often than not, dry eyes are an occasional annoyance, not a regular symptom of allergies or a more serious eye condition. Dry eye syndrome, or keratoconjunctivitis sicca, can cause daily discomfort. People with chronic dry eyes can experience blurry vision, daily discomfort, or the sensation of something being in the eye. 

Whether you have dry eye syndrome, allergies, or occasional dryness, there are various home remedies that may help soothe your symptoms. You can experiment with the remedies in this article (detailed below) to see which one offers the most relief. If things do not improve, you may need to consult a medical professional to address the root cause of your dry eyes. If you haven’t reached that point, consider the following home remedies. 

Apply A Warm Compress

According to a 2023 review, applying a warm compress to the eyes works to increase moisture and encourage tear production. In order to get the most out of your warm compress, follow these instructions:

• Moisten a washcloth or small hand towel with warm water that isn’t too hot to the touch. Wring out excess water and fold it in half, or fold it so that it will cover both eyes. 
• Sit back or lie down to help the washcloth stay in place. Close your eyes and apply the warm cloth over both eyes. 
• Let the warm cloth sit on your eyes for five to 10 minutes, or until it loses its warmth. 

Increase Your Fluid Intake

It stands to reason that if you are dehydrated, the body doesn’t have the available fluid to produce sufficient tears. Increase your water intake to help increase moisture in the eyes. A great rule of thumb for optimal hydration is to drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day. If you weigh 150 pounds and divide that by two to get 75, you should drink 75 ounces of water per day. You can also click here for tips to improve hydration habits. 

Focus On Sleep

Closing your eyes will not solve your dry eyes problem, but getting quality shut-eye just might. Sleep experts note that poor sleep can worsen dry eye symptoms because insufficient sleep lowers tear production. Healthy sleep hygiene may help fix the issue. Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night and do your best to go to bed and wake up at the same times daily. 

Focus On Potassium-Rich Foods

If you include more potassium in your diet, you may improve your dry eyes. According to health experts, potassium is one of the three components of the tear film. The tear film is a thin layer that protects eyes from damage. Because potassium plays an integral role in maintaining healthy tear film, adding more potassium-rich foods to your diet may help you avoid dry eyes. Sweet potatoes, bananas, beets, white beans, spinach, and avocados are great potassium-rich foods. 

Consume More Omega-3s

Omega-3 fatty acids may help improve the function of the oil glands in the eyelids. The meibomian glands, as they are known, in the eyelids produce an oily layer. By including more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, you may aid this oil production and avoid dry eyes. While omega-3s are readily available in tuna, mackerel, cod liver oil, sardines, salmon, and trout, you can also find them in vegetarian sources, such as broccoli, spinach, flaxseeds, chia seeds, kale, and cauliflower. 

Use A Humidifier

Both heating systems and air conditioning can cause eyes to dry out, which results in dry eye symptoms. In order to slow dehydration, try to use a humidifier to add moisture into the air. If you don’t have a humidifier, you can click here to learn how to naturally humidify a space. 

Take Eye Breaks

If you are engaged in a task that will take a long time to complete, make sure to take eye breaks, especially if you are looking at a computer screen. In fact, it can be beneficial to take a couple eye breaks per hour if you look at screens all day. To do an eye break, close your eyes for a couple minutes, or blink 10 times slowly. That can help you spread your tears more evenly across the eyes.

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Many people think of summer as break time. The kids are out of school, but that doesn’t mean your life is automatically on pause. In fact, summer presents numerous opportunities and is the perfect season for leisure, outdoor activities, and self-care. The longer sunny days and warmer weather allow for change, so you can switch up your daily routine. Enjoy what summer has to offer and simultaneously take care of your mental health.

According to a recent survey, roughly 81% of Americans plan to travel at least once this summer. This survey accounted for all forms of travel, both interstate, national, and international plans. Traveling is a great way to reduce stress and take a break from the constant go-go-go pace of life. You don’t necessarily have to vacation and put your life on pause in order to take care of your mental health, though. There are many self-care practices that help you break from everyday routines, and you can incorporate them into your life this summer. Experiment with the following summer-inspired self-care practices and see which one works best for you. 

Buy Summer Clothes That Fit

There are many people who struggle with body image issues, and the summer months can create more distress. A lot of people may not want to wear clothing that reveals more of their bodies, for example, shorts, swimwear, and more. If this describes you, show yourself some compassion and find comfortable clothing to start. Loose clothing that breathes is the best for summer! It’s perfectly okay if your body isn’t “summertime fine;” rather, many experts encourage working towards body neutrality, which you can learn more about by clicking here. Regardless of your appearance, find clothes that fit your body, as opposed to trying to fit into ones from past summers. 

Take Time To Breathe

This seems easier said than done, but breathing is a beneficial technique that may aid stress reduction. Deep breathing exercises, such as diaphragmatic breathing, can help you normalize pulse rate and even reduce blood pressure. According to research, diaphragmatic breathing can help to cleanse your blood of lactic acid, which can cause anxious feelings. It also assists with the release of serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitter, into the bloodstream. Finally, deep breathing can increase alpha brain waves, which deliver a sense of calm. 

Get Outside

Make the most of warm weather and go outside during the summer months. Try to avoid the hottest times of the day, instead choosing times of the day that provide sunshine but milder temperatures. Many therapists say that going for daily walks, especially in nature, is one of the best self-care practices. A 2018 review of analyzed data from existing studies confirmed that spending time outdoors immediately lowers stress levels. Outdoor walks in green spaces are very effective at calming the mind. Keep yourself accountable by logging your daily walks on a calendar. Seeing your streak will help you maintain the habit. 

Move…But In Ways That Are Fun

You don’t necessarily have to exercise day in and day out during the summer, but movement is a great way to care for yourself. Summer presents numerous opportunities to move, both indoors and outdoors. That means that you don’t have to force yourself to do something that makes you uncomfortable. If you don’t want to hit the gym, opt for an outdoor workout like swimming, hiking, or jogging. Consider an outdoor yoga class or a pickup game of basketball. Body confidence coaches suggest asking yourself: “What brought me joy as a child during the summer?” Most of the time, these are things that you can do as an adult, so do them!

Socialize In Real Life

Remember when people got together to catch up, converse, share laughs, cry, and more together? A great way to care for your mental health is to practice being in the moment. Instead of spending time on social media, socialize in real life with family members or friends. Plan some pool parties, barbecues, or time together at the beach or lake to encourage a social gathering. According to research, friendships have a positive association with overall satisfaction. Nurture those connections and you’ll see how much better you feel.

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Are you ready to indulge in a creamy, green tea-infused homemade matcha ice cream? Made with creamy, ripe bananas, matcha, and coconut milk, this vegan ice cream will level up your dessert game. The bananas offer natural sweetness and the touch of coconut milk contributes to a luxuriously creamy texture. It tastes a lot richer than it is, so much so that you may not even believe this decadent treat to be dairy-free.

After enjoying the first couple bites, you may feel as though you are at peace in a tranquil Japanese garden. The subtle bitterness of matcha powder is perfectly balanced by the natural sugars in the bananas. Just make sure that the bananas are relatively ripe. You don’t want green bananas giving your ice cream a bitter taste. The coconut milk adds a luxurious, creamy element, reminiscent of the tropics.

One thing that we want you to do is savor each bite. Notice how the flavors blend together harmoniously. The matcha exhibits bright, grassy notes that mingle with the subtle sweetness of the bananas, while the coconut milk provides a silky smoothness. The result is a unique and addictive dessert that may become a new favorite obsession.

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If you have type 2 diabetes, monitoring what you drink is just as important as what you eat. A single drink can affect your blood sugar more than you realize. For example, think of the sugar content in a can of cola or sweetened juice. Drinks with carbohydrates (sugar) affect blood sugar more than zero-carb, zero-sugar drinks. Ultimately, any liquid with carbohydrates will digest faster than something you have to chew. 

Having type 2 diabetes doesn’t mean that you have to avoid every single beverage. Taking sugary drinks, such as regular soda, sweet tea, and some juices, off the table and replacing them for low-sugar or sugar-free options is much better. That isn’t to say that you should replace those drinks with diet beverages, as those contain copious amounts of aspartame and other unhealthy artificial sweeteners that lead to other health complications. 

If you enjoy bottled drinks, how do you stay hydrated if you have to avoid so many beverages? Most people have an aversion to water, despite the fact that it is the most important liquid to consume. It keeps you alive and helps your body function optimally. Besides water, consider the following drinking dos and don’ts if you have diabetes. 

Don’t Drink Sugar-Sweetened Sodas Or Teas

They are very tempting to drink, but they wreck your body in so many ways. According to one study, middle-aged adults who drank more than three sugar-sweetened beverages per day had a 46% higher risk of developing prediabetes than people who did not drink those beverages. An earlier study found that people who consumed just two sugar-sweetened sodas or juices per week increased their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. That was even truer if they gained more than six pounds over a five-year period. Get in the habit of consuming water or unsweetened teas because a typical 12-ounce can of soda contains about 38.5 grams of sugar.

Drink Unsweetened Coffee And Tea (In Small Amounts)

Diabetics can enjoy tea or coffee (hot or iced) in moderation. It’s best to enjoy them unsweetened, although you may use monk fruit sweetener or stevia to aid the flavor. Just don’t go overboard with these natural low-calorie sweeteners. If you add milk, cream, or creamer to your coffee or tea, make sure to look at the ingredient label. Coffee creamers are very dangerous, especially because some people use more creamer than coffee! Adding organic cream isn’t the worst thing for you, but sugary hazelnut, vanilla, or caramel creamers won’t do you any good. If you want to drink iced tea, consider adding some freshly squeezed lemon juice to add more depth of flavor. Green tea, in particular, may help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, according to research. 

Don’t Drink Energy Drinks

Energy drinks, or other canned caffeinated beverages, typically contain an ungodly amount of sugar, which is where most of the energy comes from. All of that sugar, in addition to the caffeine, can disturb your heart rhythm, increase heart rate, and lead to high blood pressure. One 8.4-ounce Red Bull energy drink contains more than 26 grams of sugar and 75 milligrams of caffeine. Even the sugar-free version has the same amount of caffeine. Don’t rely on liquid energy to keep you going! Fight that fatigue in other ways, for example, by getting quality sleep every night or engaging in regular exercise. And if you need a little energy boost, consider healthy options like unsweetened tea or coffee. 

Drink Plain Water

We shouldn’t have to tell you to drink plain water, but so many people add powders or liquid flavors to water these days. Some people just don’t like the taste of water! Water is neutral, so it doesn’t raise or lower your blood sugar. Drinking water helps you stay hydrated and helps dilute your blood, which helps to regulate blood sugar levels. If you want to add a little more flavor and pizzazz to your water, consider adding fresh fruit and herbs to make detox waters. 

Don’t Drink Sports Drinks

A lot of people drink nuclear-colored sports drinks on the regular because they think they are healthy. That is 100% false, unless the person is a super endurance athlete and burns calories quicker than they can consume them. A eight-ounce serving of Powerade, for example, nets about 19 grams of carbs, which doesn’t account for the entire bottle. Dietitians only recommend these sports drinks to endurance athletes, who go through strenuous workouts and need the salt and nutrient replenishment. Water will keep you hydrated if you engage in moderate-intensity exercise, and it won’t spike your blood sugar either. 

Drink Tomato Juice Instead Of Sugary Fruit Juice

Do you enjoy drinking juice? Well, it’s best to avoid sugary fruit juices if you have diabetes and opt for smaller portions of vegetable juices instead. 100% tomato juice that doesn’t contain added salt or sugar can provide impressive health benefits. If you drink 1.5 cups of pure tomato juice daily for a month, you may reduce inflammatory markers. Tomato juice has about 10 grams of carbs per cup, so just keep that in mind. It’s better to eat whole fruits and vegetables because it takes quite a lot of them to make fresh juice. Eating a whole tomato per day may reduce blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease. 

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You cannot go through life without encountering difficult times. Whether those times are bad days or bad years is undetermined, but you have the power to control how you cope and recover. When you have specific self-care strategies in place to help you get through tough times, anything is possible. This article aims to provide you with those strategies, which work to help you relax, reduce stress, and feel better about yourself. 

Why Is Self-Care Important?

Self-care is not the same as being selfish. Ultimately, self-care is about being responsible for the choices you make about your life and health. Taking care of yourself can make you more conscious about small things that bring harmony and balance to your life. Self-care is not complex, so don’t over-complicate it. Use the following suggestions to move through life when things get tough, and you may feel more empowered and in control when you do so. 

Cue Some Inspiration

Laughter is often the best medicine if you start to feel your feelings. According to research, laughter can boost your mood, lessen physical pain, and protect you from the effects of stress. In fact, laughter can help bring you back to normal, balancing your mind and body. If you need a good chuckle, cue up a comedic podcast, audiobook, movie, or TV show that you know will elevate your spirits. Alternatively, you may benefit from positive affirmation, so consider a motivational, inspiring podcast, video, or even saved recording to reshape your mindset. 

Talk To A Friend

Talking to someone, especially a friend who understands you and your struggles, is the easiest thing to do. Reach out to someone, be it a close friend or family member you can trust, and open up to them. A great heart-to-heart conversation can make all the difference, especially if you know that someone cares about you. 

Take A Walk In Outside

If you are feeling down, a walk in a park, along the beach, or in the woods can help reset your mind. Studies have shown that being in nature can reduce stress and boost your mood. Not only does a walk in nature benefit your mental health, but it also boosts your physical activity. Walking, jogging, biking, or swimming in nature can help you clear your mind, de-stress, and rebalance your mind and body. 

Ground Yourself

In addition to spending time outdoors, it can be beneficial to connect your body to the earth via grounding. Also known as earthing, grounding is the act of putting your skin in direct contact with the earth’s surface. This allows you to absorb the earth’s electricity, which can charge you with positive energy. Some research indicates that grounding has profound anti-inflammatory and anti-stress properties. If you have the ability, go for a barefoot walk on the beach for 20-30 minutes, or walk barefoot in a local park. 

Feed Your Emotions

To be clear, this tip is not about supporting emotional eating, nor is it about letting your emotions get the better of you. On difficult days, head to your local farmer’s market or grocery store and get some fresh produce. Colorful fruits and vegetables carry beneficial nutrients that can help reduce inflammation, lower stress, and boost mental health. You can even go so far as to research a specific recipe before heading to buy food. That way, you can turn the produce you buy into a meal that comforts the soul. 

Treat Yourself To A Cafe Visit

A visit to a cafe for coffee or tea every day may not be financially responsible, especially if you are on a budget. If going to get a latte or a slice of cake with tea brings you joy, allow yourself that luxury if you need some self-love. For some people, the allure of a coffee shop is the smell of coffee brewing, the clicking of laptop keys, or the steam from a cappuccino maker. Maybe you enjoy a hipster coffee shop that plays smooth jazz. Whatever you like is what you like, and there is no sense in denying yourself that happiness if you encounter a difficult day.

Meditate

Whether you are frustrated, stuck, or just having a bad day, meditation can be highly beneficial. A lot of people find meditation to be the best course of action to overcome such circumstances. Find a comfortable place to sit or lay down and start your meditation session. You can follow your breath in silence, or you can practice guided meditation, which can help prevent your mind from wandering if that is something you struggle with. Meditation can help you regain perspective and put you in a better place to deal with your stressful day.

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If you’ve perused the skin care aisle at any drugstore, you’ve seen bottles of toner. Typically a lightly-tinted or clear liquid, toner is a curious skin care product for many people. There are quite a few misconceptions about its purpose as well. Your reason for using toner depends on the type of skin you have. We are big fans of toner and what it can do for your skin. In this article we will explain how a toner benefits the skin, in addition to providing simple recipes for every skin type. 

What Does A Face Toner Do?

Simply put, toner removes any traces of dirt, impurities, or grime that remain in your pores after cleansing. When you incorporate toner into your skin care routine and use it regularly, you can improve the tightness of pores and overall appearance of skin. Toner also works to restore the skin’s pH level and smooths it out by refining any rough patches. 

Ideally, you want the skin to be at its natural pH as much as possible. The skin has an acid mantle, which is a protective layer on the surface, and it should sit around 5.5 pH. That is slightly acidic, but that is where the skin can function its best and renew itself. That said, toner doesn’t just help to balance the skin’s pH; rather, it also aids with: 

• Hydrating the skin: Spritzing toner on the skin helps to replenish moisture, but make sure to use it before moisturizing the skin.
• Helping other skin care products sink in: Toners help prepare your skin to optimally absorb other products in your skin care routine.
• Removing leftover dirt: Toners act like second cleansers, removing the remains of makeup and general grime that don’t get picked up when you wash your face. 
• Making the skin appear smoother: Apply toner with a cotton round to remove the buildup of dead skin cells, which can make the skin appear smoother. 

How To Make Your Own Toner

It is very easy to make a simple DIY toner for every skin type. If you’ve been looking for a simple toner that doesn’t upset your skin type, consider the following two-ingredient recipes. Let us know if one works for you in the comments below. 

Toner For Sensitive Skin

One of the best ingredients for sensitive skin is rose water, which exhibits powerful antioxidant properties that balance the skin. Rose water also replenishes the skin with moisture and offers soothing properties, making it great for those with sensitive skin. Because of its gentle nature, rose water makes for a great DIY toner. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried rose buds
• Hot filtered water

Instructions:

• Pour the hot water over the rose buds (enough to submerge them) and allow them to sit for one to two hours. 
• Use a strainer to separate the rose buds from the rose water. Pour the strained rose watering a spray bottle and use when needed.
• Ideally, spritz your face with this rose water twice a day after cleansing. Just store it in the fridge and use it within seven to 10 days. 

Toner For Dry Skin

If you have dry or dull skin, toner can help provide hydration. In the case of this recipe, the rose water helps to soothe the skin and even out skin tone. 

Ingredients:

• Rose water (see above recipe)
• Geranium essential oil

Instructions:

• Use the above recipe to make the rose water. Add three to five drops of geranium essential oil to the rose water and shake to combine. 
• Make sure to shake the bottle before each use. Store in the refrigerator and use within seven to 10 days. 

Toner For Oily And Acne-Prone Skin

Green tea, just like rose water, is rich in powerful antioxidants. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce redness and acne. The apple cider vinegar works to restore your skin’s pH level back to normal. 

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup steeped green tea
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

• After you steep the green tea bag in hot water, allow the tea to come to room temperature before discarding the tea bag. Pro tip: place the tea bag on your eye if you need to reduce puffiness. 
• Pour the green tea and apple cider vinegar into a spray bottle, screw on the lid, and shake to combine. 
• To apply, you can either spritz the toner on your face or apply it to a cotton round and gently pat your face. Store it in the fridge and use it within 10 days.

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Fancy a tea or coffee that’s sweetened with homemade condensed oat milk? You are in luck because this recipe requires three ingredients and 15 minutes of your time. The condensed oat milk is sweet, thick, rich, and perfect for any tea, coffee, milkshake, or creamy beverage. You can also use it in myriad dairy-free or vegan baking applications. Drizzle it over scones, cakes, biscotti, and more!

There are not too many (if any) non-dairy condensed milk options available for purchase. Commercially available condensed oat milks are very rare, but you can sometimes have luck with condensed coconut milk. Because they are not easy to find, we wanted to provide you with an easy homemade option. All you need is the ingredients, a blender, a saucepan, and some of your precious, valuable time.

After you blend the ingredients, strain the blended mixture through a nut milk bag, cheesecloth, or fine mesh sieve. Pour that strained liquid into a saucepan and heat slowly while whisking frequently. This step is very important because you want the mixture to thicken evenly. The frequent whisking and heat will thicken the liquid, but be mindful that this can take three to five minutes. Just be patient and remove the saucepan from the stove once it reaches your desired consistency.

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How many products have you seen that are intended to get rid of bags under the eyes? So many creams and serums claim to de-puff and lighten the area under the eyes, but they don’t always work. That’s especially true if you genetically inherited dark circles or eye bags. It’s also true if you have sensitive skin and easily react to ingredients in skin care products. Common causes of bags under the eyes include:

• Chronic fatigue
• Pigmentation issues
• Aging
• Allergies
• Eczema
• Sun exposure

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can contribute to dark circles under the eyes. Since nearly half the world’s population doesn’t meet daily water intake recommendations, drinking water is a great place to start. How much water you need to properly hydrate the body will depend on weight and level of physical activity. Generally speaking, drink half your body weight in ounces of water per day to hydrate the body. If you weigh 150 pounds and divide that by two to get 75, you should be drinking 75 ounces of water per day. 

Apply Tea Bags

It’s lovely to sip a warm cup of tea, but what do you do with the tea bag once you finish your cup? You probably throw it away, which is a huge mistake. If you drink a cup of green tea, chamomile tea, or peppermint tea, save the tea bag and put it on your eyes to help fight dark circles. Caffeinated teas work best because they help increase blood flow to the skin. According to research, green tea exhibits anti-inflammatory properties that help decrease puffiness. 

Wear Sunscreen Daily

One of the main reasons to apply sunscreen every day is to reduce the risk of skin cancer, premature aging, and skin discoloration. The American Academy of Dermatology Association encourages all people to wear sunscreen. Broad spectrum sunscreens help protect against UVA and UVB rays. Ideally, choose a mineral sunscreen and it may help protect against darkness under the eyes. You can also protect your eyes even more by wearing sunglasses and hats.

Wash Your Face Before Bed

If you improve your nightly skin care routine, you may not notice dark circles or bags when you wake up. You should always cleanse your face and remove makeup before bed. Sleeping with makeup, especially makeup around the eyes, can cause general irritation, allergic reaction, or infection that causes puffiness, redness, or other symptoms. Forgetting to wash your face at night may also increase your risk of wrinkles or general skin damage. 

Use A Cold Compress

If you need relief from under-eye bags, a cold compress may help relieve the inflammation. Applying a cold compress to the eyes also works to constrict the blood vessels quickly, which provides temporary relief. If you don’t have a cold compress, try some chilled cucumbers, a cold teaspoon, a wet washcloth, or a bag of frozen vegetables. Before you apply your cold compress, wrap it in a soft cloth to protect your skin from getting too clothes. Allow the cold compress to sit on your skin for about five minutes. 

Eat More Collagen-Rich Foods

The muscles and tissues that support your eyelids weaken as you get older. That means that you can experience sagging or bags under the eyes. If you increase your intake of vitamin C, the body has an easier time absorbing more hyaluronic acid, which naturally exists in the body. The amount that’s stored in the body, however, decreases with age. Foods that are rich in vitamin C work to boost collagen production by increasing hyaluronic acid levels. Great sources of vitamin C include kiwis, oranges, bell peppers, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, kale, and broccoli.

Cut Back On Alcohol

Decreasing your intake of alcohol relates to the first tip we gave in this article. Alcohol contributes to dehydration, and dehydration can increase the risk of under-eye bags or darkness under the eyes. If you crave that special drink, consider swapping it for sparkling water or infusing regular water with fruits and herbs. 

Keep Your Head Elevated While You Sleep

If you can fall asleep while elevating your head higher, then experiment with this method. Add an extra pillow to prop your head up higher in order to prevent fluid from accumulating in your lower eyelids, which creates puffiness while you sleep. If that is not doable, causes pain, or makes it too difficult to fall asleep, try to elevate the top end of your mattress a couple inches. There are special bed risers that can make this process easier.

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It’s very easy to jump off the healthy wagon during the holidays. You somehow continue to indulge, even with the small voice in the back of your head that says, “Don’t eat all of that sugar.” It’s almost too difficult to resist all of the scrumptious foods that come with the holiday season. So what do you do? You promise yourself that you will detox after the holidays, and the goal is to honor that agreement. This article aims to give you five helpful tips that promote that detoxification process. 

The reason that you want to detox immediately after the holidays is so that you don’t continue indulging until January 1st. You are less likely to start the year on a healthier path if you go completely off the rails right up to the year’s end. Detoxing in the days leading up to the new year can propel you into better health; plus, it keeps you more accountable. 

We know that the word “detox” comes with a lot of baggage, and it is intimidating to most people. You don’t have to worry about a crash diet or water fast because the body is resilient and knows how to detox itself. Think of the following tips like little helpers that encourage the body’s natural detoxification processes.

Drink Warm Water With Lemon

Any time you go overboard with food, you should drink more water than usual, especially to start your day. Go one step further and add some fresh lemon juice to a glass of warm water and continue sipping it throughout the day. Lemons have their own health benefits, but combining them with warm water can help promote healthy digestion and hydration. Hydration is paramount after your big holiday meals because water helps your liver and kidneys filter out toxins. 

Tea Time

Sipping on a little tea before and after meals can help keep your metabolism and digestive system firing on all cylinders. There are certain teas, however, that may come to your aid after a day of heavy eating. Fennel tea, for example, works to relieve digestive troubles, including bloating, flatulence, indigestion, constipation, and heartburn. Fennel also works to stimulate digestion and even has carminative effects that prevent the formation of gas by soothing the digestive tract. Peppermint tea can also help soothe your stomach and help get rid of bloating. If you are a nursing mother, steer clear of peppermint tea because it is an anti-galactagogue and will decrease milk supply. 

Yoga

If you want to help bring more balance and energy to your entire body, yoga is the quickest way to do so. According to yogis, including a quick yoga sequence into your day can help ignite your digestive fire and get rid of bloating. In fact, you can click here to learn about the best yoga poses to help get rid of bloating. You’ll be feeling like you never overindulged in no time!

Skip The Coffee

We know…you need that coffee to face the world, but you really don’t. A jolt of java may help you get out of bed, but it also builds up a sugar and carbohydrate craving for the rest of the day. So what should you sip in place of coffee to help digestion and give you a little energy? Studies show that drinking a cup of green tea can help settle your stomach after a large meal. Green tea contains a potent plant compound known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which prevents cholesterol build-up in the arteries. One study found that EGCG can speed up weight loss by 77%, in addition to helping balance blood sugar levels to keep cravings at bay. 

Eat Raw Vegetables With Every Meal

In addition to eating cooked vegetables, try to include more raw vegetables with your post-holiday meals. Raw vegetables contain lots of fiber and they help to remove toxins from your body. By encouraging the elimination of waste, you reduce your risk of bloat or the build-up of gas. Fruits are also naturally rich in fiber, so consider starting your day with a fruit and vegetable smoothie. Spinach, bananas, apples, berries, and a little dairy-free milk make an excellent, nutrient-dense smoothie that can help regulate your system and fill you up.

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