health
11 ways to stop sleep anxiety and sleeping tips
Sleeping tips
Aww sleep I miss you, I’m sorry we broke up please come back…
I suffer from sleep anxiety and sleep issues so was surprised and happy when I came across this article. I have tried explaining it to doctors how I get anxiety at night when it is time for bed. I get asked what I am eating, watching, doing and thinking about. The problem with anxiety is, for me and many others, it comes when you are not doing or thinking about anything. When the crisis is over and everything is silent that is when a panic attack leading to anxiety can and does occur.
I have tried so many methods, holistic and medication nothing really seem to work. The doctors are shocked that the medication doesn’t knock me out and am told by others to just get past it, that I must be doing something wrong or not doing something.
Finally, only very recently I have found that what works for me, the number one thing is to accept.
Accept and relax. The more I wanted to sleep and worried and stressed and spun about sleeping the less I was able to sleep. So I am trying to ‘give in’. Meaning, not fight what is happening. Ok I’m awake, I wish I was asleep but I’m not. Accept, breath and than try different techniques but this time with the mindset of ‘lets see if this is what I need’ instead of ‘what is wrong with me’.
Hope the tips below help you and know your not alone in this.
The tips can be used for any sleeping issues.
Article: 11 tips for sleep anxiety
It’s been a long, tiring day and you’re feeling shattered. Finally you crawl into bed, physically exhausted and ready for a good night’s sleep… only to find your mind has other ideas. Instead of drifting off into weightless slumber, your brain fires up, your pulse quickens and your head becomes crowded with endless worries you thought had been parked for the day.
“Around 80% of people say their worries whirlwind out of control at night,'”says Nicky Lidbetter, chief executive of support group .
“With stress, we tend to worry about a specific, tangible problem. But with anxiety, we’re less aware of what we’re worrying about, so our reaction becomes the problem and we start feeling anxious about being anxious.”
And even if we do initially drop off, those worries can still crowd in if we wake up during the night. “The classic time to wake up seems to be between 2am and 4am,” adds Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, author of .
“Suddenly your brain starts to became very active and problems that may well be solvable during the day become huge worries at night – made worse by the fact you can’t sort them out there and then.”
Here’s what to do when your body says sleep but your mind’s not listening.
1. Sleep by the clock
When it comes to sleep, timing is everything, as Dr Michael Breus reveals in a new book. Our circadian rhythm – also known as the biological clock – affects every aspect of our life, including our ability to sleep well.
The more we understand circadian dyssynchrony – when the biological clock is out of kilter – the better we sleep, so his theory goes. In , Breus offers a programme for getting back in sync with our natural rhythm by making minor changes to our daily routine.
This initially involves taking a simple quiz to establish what kind of chronotype we are (Lion, Bear, Dolphin or Wolf). On the basis of which category you are, Breus then outlines how to schedule your day for peak productivity and wellbeing by timing when it’s best to do everything – from eating and sleeping to going for a run and even having sex.
Going to bed at the correct bio-time means you won’t lie awake feeling wired. Breus advises that lions (morning-orientated optimists with a medium sleep drive) should go to bed as close to 10pm as possible, bears (good sleepers who have a high sleep drive) at 11pm, dolphins (neurotic light sleepers with a low sleep drive) at 11.30pm and wolves (night-orientated extroverts with a medium sleep drive) at midnight.
2. Wind down, not up
Sleep is a natural physiological process – but you can help it along and avoid additional anxiety by having a set wind-down routine. The goal of this is to relax your body and prime it for sleep. So if you’re going to bed at 10-11pm, set aside 30 minutes to an hour for an identical nightly pre-sleep routine. This may involve things such as taking a shower, washing your face and brushing your teeth, moisturising your face, putting on your PJs and climbing into bed with a book.
Psychologist Susanna Halonen says: “The more identical you can make every evening, the more you train your body to prepare for sleep and the easier it will be to achieve.”
3. Keep a cork in it
“Alcohol is a stimulant as well as a sedative,” says Dr Guy Meadows of The Sleep School. “While many people use it to fall asleep, it is also metabolised so quickly that it can leave the body craving more.”
So when we drink alcohol close to bedtime, we are more likely to wake up in the early hours, leaving us primed for a night-time anxiety attack. As a rule of thumb, it takes an hour to process one unit of alcohol, so to be on the safe side, have a last glass of wine at 7pm if you intend to go to bed at 10pm.
4. Soak it up
Taking a relaxing bath can help declutter the mind. Try a few drops of – this contains lavender, which is a natural sleep aid. There’s an added benefit to bathtime, too: the fall in body temperature we experience when we get out of the bath is a signal for the brain to start producing sleep-inducing melatonin.
5. Breathe and let go
Practising deep breathing can distract your mind from worries, explains Dr Ramlakhan.
“Breathe in, hold for a few seconds and then breathe out – do this three times. Just follow the breathing as you do it.”
Breathing in this way instantly slows everything down, relaxes the mind and body, and helps channel your energy into the breathing action. The breathing will give way to the tiredness, which will overcome anxiety and help you fall asleep.
6. Junk the caffeine
Avoid caffeine after 2pm, suggests Will Williams.
“Caffeine is a powerful stimulant, and it takes six hours for our body to recover from a single cup of tea or coffee. If you feel you need a hit of caffeine to get you through the afternoon, then consider learning to meditate to give you more energy throughout the day.”
7. Make your worries real
Write down what’s on your mind at least an hour before bed. By committing thoughts to paper, you control them – they no longer control you and live on paper instead of in your head. Mentally, you can tick them off. Dr Meadows suggests giving each worry a nickname, too, such as The Nag.
“We can’t help these thoughts coming in, but they’re only a problem when they start to consume us,’ he says. ‘By giving them names, you speed up the process of defusion, so when unpleasant thoughts crop up, you can just acknowledge them – oh, there’s The Nag again – and go back to what you’re doing.”
8. Get moving earlier
Strenuous exercise in the evening may cause your nervous system to be too wired to sleep, says meditation teacher Will Williams. So either restructure your day to exercise in the morning, or use meditation after exercise to calm everything down and bring you back into balance.
9. Set clear goals
Have a clear plan for the next day, says psychologist Susanna Halonen.
“If you know what priority number one and two are, you’ll spend less time worrying because you know those are the first two things you’ll get done. The more you turn this into a habit, the more you realise that if you plan ahead and prioritise effectively, the more easily you can get the important things done. This will lower your anxiety and help you sleep better.”
10. Curb your cyberenthusiasm
If we’re going to feel worry-free at night, it’s crucially important to have a mental switch-off, says Neil Shah of The Stress Management Society.
“So have a digital blackout for an hour before bed, unplugging all devices that could stimulate the mind. ”
Boots pharmacist Tom Kallis adds that browsing the latest headlines online may feel like light relief, but it actually keeps your brain stimulated. He says:
“If checking your phone is part of your end-of-day routine, do this at least half an hour before you turn the lights out so you give your eyes and brain a break. Put any electronics out of reach or on airplane mode so you won’t be tempted to pick them up in the night – or if you can, turn them off completely.”
LCD screens emit blue light, which is the same sort as sunlight, so playing havoc with our sleep hormones.
“Checking Facebook last thing at night is like shining a miniature sun into your eyes,” says Dr Meadows. “Our body clock gets confused and starts thinking it’s daytime again, so it inhibits the sleep hormone melatonin and releases the waking hormone cortisol.”
11. Leave the room
If you simply can’t get back to sleep because your head is buzzing with worry, don’t look at the clock – you’ll fret even more.
“Just get out of bed and go into another room for 10 minutes,” says Dr Ramlakhan. “Leaving the environment you feel uncomfortable in breaks the association with worries. But don’t start checking your phone or scrolling through Facebook.”
Go into the living room and under a dim light read a few pages of a light-hearted book, or yesterday’s newspaper. When you feel calm, return to your bed and begin some deep breathing again. She adds: ‘Turn your pillow over when you get back into bed. It will feel cooler on your face and creates a separation from the last time you were lying there.’
From
This article was originally published in the December 2016 issue of Good Housekeeping.
Powerful message from an inspirational woman on body image and loving yourself as you are.
Mindful Moment
Shambhala Meditation
I have been interested and practising various forms of meditation over the year. From a quick body scan (Kabot Zinn), to guided, imagery, and mindfulness.
Recently I was invited to try Shambhala meditation. Meditation for me is not the wide spread view of ‘clearing your mind’ sitting in perfect silence. As one knows the more someone tells you to relax the less relax you become. It is less about ‘not thinking’ and more about returning to the breathe when your mind starts to wonder. Such as:
‘I’m breathing in, I know I’m breathing in. I am breathing out, I know I am breathing out when you are trying to settle yourself.
Counting 5 breaths in, hold for 4, 6 out and so forth.
These quick breathing techniques can help you to calm down in the moment and prepare t start meditation if you choose. From a quick 3 minute breathing space to muscle relaxation to a guided journey with music and than to just letting go to the rhythm of your breath and the peace it brings.
Meditation helps with anxiety, depression, PTSD, a stressful situation, falling asleep, relaxation, improves nervous system and so much more.
Look forward to trying out this new approach and see if it works for me. It is really important to discover a variety of meditation techniques as we go about out day and life challenges.
I will write about other forms of meditation, please ask any questions and share what your practise is.
Namaste
Read below a description from the Shambhala website…
What Is Shambhala?
“Shambhala” is the name of a mythical kingdom in Central Asia where the people enjoyed harmony, good health, and well-being. The basis for such an enlightened society is the people’s confidence and respect for inherent goodness, wisdom, and dignity—in themselves, in each other, and in society.
The Shambhala teachings are grounded in ancient wisdom and practical knowledge from many traditional cultures, especially teachings from ancient Tibet. These teachings begin with the understanding that all beings are basically good, and that life is worth living. We call this a path of spiritual warriorship, which here means living a life of fearlessness, gentleness, and intelligence. The Shambhala teachings emphasize being in the world, and bringing together everyday life, work, family, and social action with the path of meditation. The teachings focus on how to help this world. In essence, Shambhala is about living a full human life, right in the midst of challenges.
“The Shambhala teachings are founded on the premise that there is basic human wisdom that can help to solve the world’s problems. The wisdom does not belong to any one culture or religion, nor does it come from the West or the East. Rather, it is a tradition of human warriorship that has existed in many cultures at many times throughout history.”
— Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior
The Shambhala Path — Discovering one’s own innate goodness and the goodness in society
It is the Shambhala view that every human being has a fundamental nature of goodness, warmth, and intelligence. This nature can be cultivated through meditation, following ancient principles, and it can be further developed in daily life, so that it radiates out to family, friends, community, and society. In the course of our lives, this goodness, warmth, and intelligence can easily become covered over by doubt, fear, and egotism. The journey of becoming fully human means seeing through fear and egotism, and waking up to our natural intelligence. It takes kindness—to ourselves and others—and courage, to wake up in this world.
The journey of awakening is known as the path of the warrior because it requires the simple bravery to look directly at one’s own mind and heart. The essential tool for doing this is mindfulness meditation. As we continue on the Shambhala path, we learn many other practices to help us break through the ancient crust of ego and awaken to the joy of fully living in this world. Awakening and opening, we discover the world to be naturally sacred, pure and full of beauty. We begin to see clearly the goodness and wisdom of others, and to feel compassion to help them in myriad ways.
Shambhala vision is rooted in the contemplative teachings of Buddhism, yet is a fresh expression of the spiritual journey for our time; it is available to practitioners of any tradition. Our lineage draws on the wisdom of the Kagyu and Nyingma schools of Tibetan Buddhism, as inherited by founder of Shambhala, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and his son and spiritual heir, Sakyong Mipham. In the mid-1970s Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche began to introduce teachings on Shambhala vision, based on his encounter with the Western world, and on the specific wisdom imparted from the Buddha to King Dawa Sangpo, the first sovereign of the legendary kingdom of Shambhala. This tradition teaches how to live in the secular world with courage and compassion.
“In essence, the emphasis of the Buddhist path is to help us attain enlightenment, and the emphasis of the Shambhala path is help us create and maintain a good society. When we put these two together, we have the Shambhalian Buddhist view of enlightened society.”
—Sakyong Mipham
Super detox and hangover cure smoothie bowl — art of being fabulous
Super detox and hangover cure smoothie bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 banana
- 1/2 cup quinoa cooked
- 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
- 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- Optional: 1/4 cup of coffee, cooled
Suggested toppings
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/2 cup of coconut flakes
- 1/2 banana, chopped
- 1 kiwi, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sunflower seeds
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon flax seeds
Directions
Add all ingredients minus toppings into a blender and puree until smooth. Add toppings and serve.
To read more about this recipe visit the link below.
What detox/hangover cures work for you? Bloody Mary? Something greasy? Water, Tylenol and rest?
As much as we don’t want to admit it, some of us will need a type of “pick-me-up” on New Years. A few of the ultimate natural hangover cure foods are coconut (because coconut is amazing for everything!) and bananas for potassium to regulate your water levels, ginger, watermelon, coffee, and nuts. Some of the […]
via Super detox and hangover cure smoothie bowl — art of being fabulous
Achieving the goal of a clean and relaxing home-part 1
A clean home brings about peace and contentment. Yet with our busy lives often chores can be missed or put off till later.
The tips below are great and even the book ‘The art of Tidying Up’ gives great advice.
How to start though? It can all feel so overwhelming…
For me, as I look around sitting here in my pjs I have decided that with the holidays I am too stressed out and don’t need to add extra stress. So I am going to hire a professional cleaner to kick start my journey. They can clean the much needed areas and than I will have time t tackle to clutter (keep, throw out, donate).
Start with a plan, one goal, one room or even one area. Don’t just move things around but take time to sort them. I am sure you don’t need half of what you have and giving to other is always a great thing.
Be realistic and be proud of what you have done. Don’t think I have so much more to do I have barely done anything. Literally stop, look around at the area you tackled and give yourself a pat on the back. You did it! This will help to motivate and encourage you to keep going.
I’ll be working on my place as part of my new years clean up-body, mind and space.
Let me know how your goes and any tips for me such as cleaning products you use…
When you think about having a home that you’re proud of, you probably almost always will think about how it looks. And that’s okay because we all do. How our home looks is hugely important to us. It can often be the sole decider for how happy we are in it. But it doesn’t have […] […]
via A Clean Home Is A Healthy Home And Here’s How To Achieve It — lifewithlilred — Living Out Loud
20 Delicious High-Protein Foods to Eat — Our Better Health
Protein is not just needed when you are working out. You don’t have to go without protein if you are vegetarian or have allergies. There are many options. Our bodies need and deserve a healthy balanced intake of food.
Don’t eat meat? Try legumes. Allergic to nuts eat meat and drink milk. Can’t have dairy have some nuts.
Protein helps to build and maintain muscles mass and bone density. They say to drink milk after a workout to give you the protein your body wants for strength and stamina.
From Our Better Health
The recommended daily intake (RDI) is 46 grams for women, and 56 grams for men.
However, many health and fitness experts believe that we need much more than that.
Here is a list of 20 delicious foods that are high in protein.
1. Eggs
Whole eggs are among the healthiest and most nutritious foods on the planet.
They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, eye-protecting antioxidants and brain nutrients that most people don’t get enough of.
Whole eggs are high in protein, but egg whites are almost pure protein.
Protein content: 35% of calories in a whole egg. 1 large egg contains 6 grams of protein, with 78 calories.
2. Almonds
Almonds are a popular type of tree nut.
They are loaded with important nutrients, including fiber, vitamin E, manganese and magnesium.
Protein content: 13% of calories. 6 grams per 1 ounce (28 g) serving, with 161 calories.
Other High-Protein Nuts
Pistachios (13% of calories) and cashews (11% of calories).
3. Chicken Breast
Chicken breast is one of the most popular protein-rich foods.
If you eat it without the skin, the majority of the calories in it come from protein.
Chicken breast is also very easy to cook, and tastes delicious if you do it right.
Protein content: 80% of calories. 1 roasted chicken breast without skin contains 53 grams, with only 284 calories.
4. Oats
Oats are among the healthiest grains on the planet.
They are loaded with healthy fibers, magnesium, manganese, thiamin (vitamin B1) and several other nutrients.
Protein content: 15% of calories. Half a cup of raw oats contains 13 grams, with 303 calories.
5. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a type of cheese that tends to be very low in fat and calories.
It is loaded with calcium, phosphorus, selenium, vitamin B12, riboflavin (vitamin B2) and various other nutrients.
Protein content: 59% of calories. A cup (226 g) of cottage cheese with 2% fat contains 27 grams of protein, with 194 calories.
Other Types of Cheese That Are High in Protein
Parmesan cheese (38% of calories), swiss cheese (30%), mozzarella (29%) and cheddar (26%).
6. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt, also called strained yogurt, is a very thick type of yogurt.
It tastes delicious, has a creamy texture, and is high in many nutrients.
Protein content: Non-fat greek yogurt has protein at 48% of calories. One 170 gram (6 ounce) container has 17 grams of protein, with only 100 calories.
Just make sure to choose one without added sugar. Full-fat Greek yogurt is also very high in protein, but contains more calories.
Similar Options
Regular full-fat yogurt (24% of calories) and kefir (40%).
7. Milk
Milk is highly nutritious, but the problem is that a huge percentage of the world’s adults are intolerant to it.
However, if you tolerate milk and enjoy drinking it, then milk can be an excellent source of high-quality protein.
Milk contains a little bit of almost every single nutrient needed by the human body.
It is particularly high in calcium, phosphorus and riboflavin (vitamin B2).
Protein content: 21% of calories. 1 cup of whole milk contains 8 grams of protein, with 149 calories.
8. Broccoli
Broccoli is an incredibly healthy vegetable, loaded with vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber and potassium.
Broccoli is also loaded with various bioactive nutrients believed to help protect against cancer.
Calorie for calorie, it is high in protein compared to most vegetables.
Protein content: 20% of calories. 1 cup of chopped broccoli (96 grams) contains 3 grams of protein, with only 31 calories.
9. Lean Beef
Lean beef is very high in protein, and also tastes delicious.
It is loaded with highly bioavailable iron, vitamin B12 and numerous other nutrients.
Protein content: 53% of calories. One 3 ounce (85 g) serving of cooked beef with 10% fat contains 22 grams of protein, with 184 calories.
If you’re on a low-carb diet, feel free to eat fatty cuts of beef instead of lean beef.
10. Tuna
Tuna is a very popular type of fish.
It is low in both fat and calories, so what we’re left with is mostly just protein.
Like other fish, tuna is also very high in various nutrients and contains a decent amount of omega-3 fatty acids.
Protein content: 94% of calories, in tuna canned in water. A cup (154) contains 39 grams of protein, with only 179 calories.
11. Quinoa
Quinoa is a seed/grain that is currently among the world’s most popular superfoods.
It is high in many vitamins, minerals and fiber, and is loaded with antioxidants.
Quinoa has numerous health benefits.
Protein content: 15% of calories. One cup (185 g) of cooked quinoa contains 8 grams, with 222 calories.
12. Whey Protein Supplements
When you’re pressed for time and unable to cook, a whey protein supplement can come in handy.
Whey is a type of high-quality protein from dairy foods, shown to be very effective at building muscle mass, and may help with weight loss.
Protein content: Varies between brands, can go over 90% of calories, with 20-50 grams of protein per serving.
13. Lentils
Lentils are a type of legume.
They are high in fiber, magnesium, potassium, iron, folate, copper, manganese and various other nutrients.
Lentils are among the world’s best sources of plant-based protein, and are an excellent food for vegetarians.
Protein content: 27% of calories. 1 cup (198 g) of boiled lentils contains 18 grams, with 230 calories.
Other High-Protein Legumes
Soybeans (33% of calories), chickpeas (19%) and kidney beans (24%).
14. Ezekiel Bread
Ezekiel bread is different from most other breads.
It is made of organic and sprouted whole grains and legumes, including millet, barley, spelt, wheat, soybeans and lentils.
Compared to most breads, ezekiel bread is very high in protein, fiber and various nutrients.
Protein content: 20% of calories. 1 slice contains 4 grams, with 80 calories.
15. Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkins contain edible seeds called pumpkin seeds.
They are incredibly high in many nutrients, including iron, magnesium and zinc.
Protein content: 14% of calories. 1 ounce (28 g) contains 5 grams of protein, with 125 calories.
Other High-Protein Seeds
Flax seeds (12% of calories), sunflower seeds (12%) and chia seeds (11%).
16. Turkey Breast
Turkey breast is similar to chicken breast in many ways.
It consists mostly of protein, with very little fat and calories. It also tastes delicious.
Protein content: 70% of calories. One 3 ounce (85 g) serving contains 24 grams, with 146 calories.
17. Fish (All Types)
Fish is incredibly healthy, for various reasons.
It is loaded with various important nutrients, and tends to be very high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
Protein content: Highly variable. Salmon is 46% protein, with 19 grams per 3 ounce (85 g) serving, with 175 calories.
18. Shrimp
Shrimp is a type of seafood.
It is low in calories, but loaded with various nutrients, including selenium and vitamin B12.
Like fish, shrimp also contains plenty of omega-3 fatty acids.
Protein content: 90% of calories. A 3 ounce (85 g) serving contains 18 grams, with only 84 calories.
19. Brussels Sprouts
The Brussels sprout is another high-protein vegetable, related to broccoli.
It is very high in fiber, vitamin C and other nutrients.
Protein content: 17% of calories. Half a cup (78 g) contains 2 grams of protein, with 28 calories.
20. Peanuts
Peanuts are incredibly delicious.
They are high in protein, fiber, magnesium and many studies show that they can help you lose weight.
Peanut butter is also high in protein, just make sure not to eat too much as it is quite “more-ish.”
Protein content: 16% of calories. One ounce (28 g) contains 7 grams, with 159 calories.
Take Home Message
The importance of eating enough protein can not be overstated.
It is the simplest, easiest and most delicious way to lose weight and have a better looking body. Period.
By Kris Gunnars, BSc
source; authoritynutrition.com
via 20 Delicious High-Protein Foods to Eat — Our Better Health
Ten things you didn’t know baking soda could do
Baking soda—a.k.a. sodium bicarbonate—is cheap, readily available, and incredibly versatile. While you might already use the chemical compound to clean your kitchen or make cookies rise, there’s a lot more you can do with it. In honor of National Bicarbonate of Soda Day today (yes, it has a day!), take a look at these 10 things you didn’t know baking soda could do.
1. TENDERIZE MEAT.
Bakers often use baking soda as a leavening agent in breads and cookies, but some chefs also use it to tenderize meat. Many Chinese recipes call for marinating raw meat in a solution of baking soda and water, which alters the meat’s pH level and keeps the meat tender as it is cooked. Make sure you apply the baking soda directly to whatever meat you’re working with—rather than the meat’s skin or fat—and wash it off before cooking.
2. POLISH SILVER.
Silver jewelry and utensils can be difficult to clean, and you probably don’t want to spend time scrubbing your silver with toxic cleaning solutions. For a cheap, non-toxic cleaner, sprinkle a quarter cup of baking soda into an aluminum foil-lined basin filled with your dirty silver items. Pour boiling water onto the silver, and let it soak until your silverware is clean.
3. REMOVE SPLINTERS.
If you’re having trouble extracting a splinter that’s embedded deep in your skin, don’t fret. Apply a mixture of water and baking soda to the skin around the splinter, and cover it with an adhesive bandage. In a day or two, the baking soda will soften the skin around the splinter, making it easier for you to coax the splinter out with tweezers.
4. IRRIGATE YOUR SINUSES.
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends that people with chronic hay fever try a homemade saline sinus rinse to remove extra mucus and allergens. Mix three parts iodide-free salt with one part baking soda, and add distilled or boiled (and cooled) water. Put the solution into a bulb syringe, and with your head tilted, squeeze the solution into each nostril.
5. WHITEN YOUR TEETH.
Baking soda can remove plaque and stains from your teeth (you might recognize it as an ingredient on certain specialty flavors of toothpaste). To make your own version, combine two parts hydrogen peroxide with one part baking soda, and then gently brush it on your teeth. After a minute, rinse your mouth thoroughly. To avoid damaging your tooth enamel, brush lightly, don’t use the paste more than once a week, and ask your dentist for his or her guidance.
6. COMBAT BODY ODOR.
If you want to make your own non-toxic deodorant, grab some baking soda. Spread a paste of baking soda and water under your armpits, or make a natural deodorant stick with coconut oil, cornstarch, baking soda, and essential oil.
7. MAKE YOUR HOME SMELL BETTER.
You may already keep a box of baking soda in your refrigerator to neutralize bad smells, but don’t overlook the rest of your home. Create a homemade air freshener by putting half a cup of baking soda and a few drops of an essential oil into a small jar. Cover the jar with cloth, and put it in your bathroom or closet.
8. RELIEVE ITCHY BUG BITES.
For any irritable bug bites, you can use a baking soda paste to relieve the pain, swelling, and itchiness around the bite. Apply a mixture of three parts baking soda and one part water to the skin on and around the bite. This solution will relieve pain from insect bites, bee stings, and even poison ivy exposure.
9. KILL BUGS.
Insects, ants, and cockroaches who eat baking soda will die as the baking soda releases fatal carbon dioxide bubbles in their bodies. For more environmentally friendly pest control, sprinkle baking soda and vinegar on ant mounds, and pour baking soda on plants to kill any bugs that might try munching your veggies.
10. REDUCE DANDRUFF.
Rather than buy an anti-dandruff shampoo, try washing your hair with baking soda. When you’re in the shower, massage a paste of baking soda and water into your hair. After a few seconds, rinse it out. The baking soda can remove excess oil and flaky skin from your scalp.
All images via iStock.
Written by Mental Floss, originally posted on msn
Mindful Moment
Mindfulness Living 