The Importance of Maintaining Good Vision & Eye Health

The Importance of Maintaining Good Vision & Eye Health

Maintaining proper vision and eye health is so important in our day to day activities. Without healthy vision, activities like reading and driving would be much more difficult. Additionally, maintaining healthy vision is vital for completing important tasks at home, at school and in the workplace safely.

Here are some tips on how to maintain good eye health in our daily lives:

·       Wear protective eyewear: If you work in an atmosphere where hazardous or airborne material is possible, wearing safety glasses is very important in protecting you from obtaining materials like dust or dirt in your eyes that could potentially impair your vision. If working in an outdoor environment, UV protection sunglasses are also important. Taking routine eye safety classes can also help in preventing an accident from happening in the workplace that could potentially be caused by impaired vision.

·       Eating healthy food that promotes good eye health: Green, leafy vegetables like spinach, collards and kale contain nutrients and vitamins that are essential in maintaining proper eye health. Salmon, tuna and other oily fish also help promote good eye health. Other foods that provide nutritional benefits for good eye health include citrus fruits, eggs, nuts and beans.

·       Eye exams: Getting a routine eye exam annually is important in determining the status of your eye health. Additionally, it may assist in determining other potential health issues. Many people first learn of serious health conditions such as cataracts, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, glaucoma and high cholesterol through taking a routine eye exam.

·       Eye breaks: Taking breaks from staring at a computer are important so you do not strain your eyes. Mayo Clinic suggests the “20-20-20” technique where every 20 minutes you avert your eyes away from the computer and stare at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. This eye exercise will help to prevent tired eyes by allowing them to refocus. Additionally, the American Optometric Association suggests taking a 15-minute break after 2 hours of continuous computer use. They also suggest blinking frequently when using a computer to prevent dry eyes.

Review: Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo

Review: Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Shampoo

I had tried this shampoo because I unfortunately was having trouble finding the brand of purple shampoo I have been normally using for years as a toner for my blonde hair. I had heard nothing but positive reviews about Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights so I thought it would work as well as the brand of purple shampoo I generally use, if not better. However, it unfortunately caused nothing but problems for my blonde hair. 

Upon using this shampoo, I thought it would tone my hair like the product is said to do. I did not put too much of it in my hair and I did not leave it on any longer than what they suggest. Despite using this product as the way it was recommended to be used, all it ended up doing was turn parts of my hair to a blue/purple-like color, which I almost got in trouble at my place of employment for when a supervisor confronted me regarding it. I explained to them the situation so thankfully, I did not get wrote up for something out of my control as I did not expect this shampoo to do this to my hair, having heard nothing but good reviews regarding it. Unfortunately, it took weeks for the blue/purple color to come out of the strands of my hair after I ceased using the shampoo.

Ultimately, I threw this shampoo away after further researching this product and finally coming across reviews that other people wrote online, stating that the shampoo also caused their hair color to change blue/ purple, among causing other problems for them such as causing their hair to feel dry or the liquid from the product causing their bathtub to stain. Therefore, while this product generally has positive reviews, it just did not work well for my hair for some reason so if you do choose to try this product out, I would advise having a different purple shampoo that you know works well for you as a backup to tone your blonde hair, just in case this product causes issues for you like it unfortunately did for me. The lesson I learned from this is just to stick with a product I know works for me, even if it means having no option but to purchase it online due to not being able to find it in beauty supply stores or due to the beauty supply store I had originally purchased it from being closed.

Stalkers: When Admiration For Wrestlers Turns Into A Dangerous Obsession

Stalkers: When Admiration For Wrestlers Turns Into A Dangerous Obsession

We all are fans of certain things such as a movie franchise, book series, television show or sports team. Often, people will show their support for these things by buying merchandise, attending public events promoting these things or showing our appreciation online to those who work hard to make these things we love possible. However, sometimes admiration can turn into something more dangerous when showing support for an athlete, author, supermodel, actor, musician etc. and that is when someone chooses to overstep personal boundaries and begin to stalk the public figure they admire, causing thar notable figure to begin fearing for their safety. Sadly, this type of behavior has affected the world of professional wrestling in the past and continues to do so in the present. Listed below are just a few of the countless examples of why this is a frightening matter to be concerned over.

While Former WWE NXT Women’s Champion, Sasha Banks and 2014 WWE Money In The Bank winner, Seth Rollins have been vocal about feeling uncomfortable with fans showing up to airports, gyms, restaurants and hotels to ask for pictures and autographs, one of the most scariest occurrences where a wrestler has been stalked involves former WWE Divas Champion, Maryse. The star of “Miz and Mrs” was a victim of stalking back in 2011 when a 61-year-old man by the name of Lee Sibler was sending Maryse numerous letters and voicemails on her personal phone. The letters and phone messages were said to be highly disturbing and that Sibler even discussed traveling to Los Angeles, California so that he could take Maryse “to Heaven with him.” Fearing for her life, Sibler’s actions prompted Maryse to file a restraining order against the obsessed man. Due to the situation, WWE also took action by increasing security measures at their events.

Another terrifying incident that occurred to a female wrestler happened in 2007 to Former WWE Divas Champion, Eve Torres. Shortly after signing a contract with WWE, she stopped at a gas station to fill up her vehicle with fuel and to purchase some water and snacks. She had no travel buddies with her at that stage in her career so she was traveling alone. Three men at the gas station noticed her and immediately began harassing her and trying to convince her to leave with them. Feeling worried, she put down the snacks she planned to purchase and immediately began to leave the gas station.

The three men followed her out of the gas station and continued to aggressively threaten her, call her inappropriate names and shout obscenities at her. She hurried to her vehicle, locked the car door and drove off. At one point, when she was in a safer area, she pulled over, so distraught by the incident that her body was shaking. This was the incident that prompted Eve Torres to learn self-defense. As a way of giving back and helping other women that have experienced similar situations, she now teaches Women’s Self-Defense at the Gracie Academy with her husband, Rener Gracie.

Former TNA Knockouts Champion, Angelina Love has also been a victim of stalking. Her incident occurred with a man from the United Kingdom who flew all the way from London, England to Las Vegas, Nevada to watch one of her fitness competitions. He found out what hotel she was staying at and where she would be at every moment. Some of the many encounters she had with this man involved him sitting at her table at breakfast, him recording her while she was on stage in a bikini, following her around the city, buying her diamond earrings that he left for her at the front desk of the hotel, getting on her Facebook page to ask her private details about her family and waiting by a slot machine at 4 a.m. when she was leaving the hotel to attempt to hug her multiple times.

Additionally, WWE Hall Of Famer, Lita and Former WWE Divas Champion, AJ Lee were victimized by the same stalker, Armando Montalvo, who has shown up at the WWE Performance Center in Florida several times, causing disturbances and making threats. He even was shot at by police in 2015 when trespassing at the WWE Performance Center. Despite a previous incarceration, a restraining order from WWE and banning from all WWE events, Montalvo recently showed up again at the WWE Performance Center, confronting WWE Superstars, Lacey Evans and Dana Brooke while they were there to film for WWE Programming.

While women in the wrestling business are probably more likely to deal with stalkers, that certainly does not exclude male wrestlers, who have also been victimized by stalking within the professional wrestling industry. One example includes a woman named Deeann Siden who stalked WWE Hall Of Famer, Ric Flair back in 1990. She followed him around for 8 years, getting kicked out of multiple venues throughout that time. At one point, she even threatened to kill him. In 1992, she gave birth to a daughter, claiming Flair as the biological father.

In 2001, Siden once again threatened to murder Flair as well as her own child if he did not agree to meet up with her. Siden also threatened Elizabeth, Flair’s wife at the time. Afterwards, Flair finally pressed criminal charges on Siden.

However, this did not stop Siden from stalking wrestlers as she also began stalking Olympic Gold Medalist, Kurt Angle in 2003. Siden would constantly follow Kurt Angle around while he was touring the country, would cancel his airline reservations and even called Kurt’s current wife at the time, Karen Angle, leaving her alarming voicemails where Siden threatened to harm Karen Angle as well as Kurt and Karen’s children. Siden was eventually arrested on stalking charges.  

AEW Superstar, Jon Moxley and his wife, WWE Superstar, Renee Young have also been victims of stalking. Moxley and Young have often received death threats due to their relationship with each other. While the couple has tried to keep their relationship as private as they can, they have received harassment from obsessed fans through phone calls as well as at their private residence and at hotels while touring for wrestling events. “Anti-Renee Young” pages were also made online, solely to bully and harass Renee Young for her relationship with Moxley. Additionally, WWE Superstars, Dana Brooke and Dolph Ziggler also faced similar treatment from obsessive fans during the time in which they dated each other.

Additionally, many professional wrestlers, both male and female, have been vocal on social media sites using the hashtag, #SpeakingOut, where they have discussed incidents of abuse, bullying and harassment in the professional wrestling industry. Some have even spoken out how they were stalked by other wrestlers in the industry that they have trained with or worked matches with inside the squared circle. Each of these personal stories that these strong, courageous individuals have opened up about should definitely be taken seriously and each of these wrestlers that chose to speak out about the abuse, harassment and bullying they have received in the industry deserve respect and much better treatment in the profession than they have received in the past.

This does not even begin to include the ones who still have stories to tell but are not ready to do so just yet. Stalking is a serious and dangerous matter and should not be taken lightly. It is not something to laugh or joke about as so many have been victims of this terrible offense. If you know someone who has been a victim of stalking, please be kind to them. It is not an easy thing to ordeal and the last thing they need is someone bullying them, blaming them or ridiculing them for it. Please respect their boundaries. They deserve their privacy just like everyone else.

Fans, it is ok to appreciate a wrestler for the hard work they have done and the accomplishments they have had in their career but it is never ok to invade their privacy by asking personal details about where they live or work at, asking them for their personal email or private phone number or somehow obtaining their personal phone number without their permission in order to excessively and inappropriately call or text them. It is also not ok to ask for personal and private information about their family, friends or significant other. It is never ok to follow them around wherever they go, whether that’s their place of employment outside of the squared circle, their home, their high school or university that they go to etc.

It is also never ok to harass a wrestler online whether that’s by sending them nudes or other unsolicited photos, touching them inappropriately at a wrestling event especially while they are working a match, asking or demanding them for nudes, sending them risqué text messages, demanding that they dump their significant other and date you instead, demanding them to chat with you constantly at all hours of the day or night regardless if they are busy or not, asking them to film a sex tape or other sort of pornography with you etc. If a wrestler blocked you because of any of these things, it is definitely not ok to show up at their autograph signings or wrestling events they are working to continue to obsessively stalk, bully and harass them all because they blocked you because you decided to behave irresponsibly and immaturely. A wrestler is at events to entertain the fans and should never be made to feel unsafe or uncomfortable doing something they love and also should never have to feel like they cannot promote any events they are a part of just because another person cannot accept or respect their personal boundaries. To conclude, please just be respectful, polite and kind.

The Importance Of Living A More Stress-Free Lifestyle

The Importance Of Living A More Stress-Free Lifestyle

Stress is an issue everyone faces in their lives and can come from a variety of sources including pressures at school or work, dealing with a divorce,  the loss of a loved one, struggling with financial debt, being the victim of a crime, experiencing a traumatic event such as a car accident etc. However, according to Heathline, not handling and managing stress levels properly can lead to larger issues that take a toll on our mental and physical health such as illnesses, fatigue and loss of appetite due to frequent stress decreasing the strength of our immune systems. However, learning to handle stress in a positive way can provide positive benefits as people who manage stress tend to live longer and healthier lives, according to Mayo Clinic. Listed below are some tips on how to help handle stress in positive ways.

·         Exercise: According to Healthline, those who exercise regularly are more likely to maintain a healthier outlook on stress, as exercise helps produce serotonin. Serotonin is a chemical in the brain that can ward off depression and anxiety and help create a more positive mood. Some simple ways to exercise daily include walking, jogging, zumba, swimming or riding a bicycle. 

·         Create a more calming environment at work and home: Creating a more relaxing environment can help to reduce stress. Ways to do so include cleaning out and reorganizing your work area or home and getting rid of unnecessary clutter. Creating more space in your home or work area can help to detox an environment and produce a simpler living or working environment.

·         Engaging in a relaxing activity: Every day, you should try to engage in a relaxing activity you enjoy. Partaking in an activity that you enjoy can help lower stress levels significantly and increase happiness. Some suggestions of simple activities you can do to take time for yourself include gardening, reading a favorite novel or magazine, playing chess, taking a warm bath, watching a favorite film or television series, fishing, writing a story etc.

·         Planning: When you begin to feel overwhelmed about all of the tasks and errands you need to complete, it can often increase your stress levels. Writing down a list of everything you need to accomplish for the day can help you organize everything by priority, putting your more important needs first. When you check off each task from your list, you will feel less stressed and more accomplished. However, if you cannot complete everything on your list in one day, don’t stress or feel guilty about it. Just do what you can every day and be proud of what you did accomplish, even if it was something as simple as getting your grocery shopping done, washing the dishes or getting gas for your car.

The Importance of Maintaining Good Mental Health During Difficult Times

The Importance of Maintaining Good Mental Health During Difficult Times

Throughout our lives, many people struggle with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, depression or other mental health concerns, especially during times of difficulty and distress. Unfortunately, mental health issues are not always taken as seriously as they should be and often are stereotyped due to misconceptions regarding mental health conditions. However, according to Mental Health America, 46 percent of Americans will meet the standards for a diagnosable mental health condition sometime within their life, and half of those Americans will develop conditions by the age of 14.

Additionally, Mental Health America notes that nearly 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year.  Knowing these facts, we can establish that mental health awareness is something that should be prioritized, and that mental health is important to manage in order to live our everyday lives more productively. Listed below are some tips on how to help manage mental health, particularly during times of stress and hardship.

Meditation & Breathing Exercises:  Meditation and deep breathing exercises are a great way to help stay calm and focused when dealing with anxiety and stress. Make sure to be in a comfortable position when doing breathing exercises. According to Healthline, it is also important to take slow, gentle and lengthy exhales out. Avoid breathing in and out too quickly as it could cause hyperventilation. Listening to guided meditation practices with relaxing sounds is also helpful with releasing anxiety, stress and tension from the body.

Aromatherapy: According to The Cleveland Clinic, aromatherapy is great for helping to reduce stress, lessen anxiety, improve your mood and create a calming environment. Aromatherapy can also help improve mindfulness, improve sleep and ease depression, according to WebMD. Aromatherapy can be used through scented lotions and bubble baths or by using scented oils and candles in your home. According to Healthline, some scents known to have a soothing effect include lavender, jasmine, chamomile, bergamot, rose and clary sage.

 Physical Exercise: Physical exercise is excellent for staying in good shape along with improving one’s mood. According to Mayo Clinic, exercising for 30 minutes or longer for three to five days a week helps to relive symptoms of depression and anxiety. Great examples of physical exercise you can do at home include tai chi, aerobics, yoga, dance or pilates.

Take Time For Yourself: Taking time to do something you enjoy is very important to maintaining a good mood. According to Healthline, taking ten minutes doing an enjoyable activity can help lift your spirits and leave you feeling more relaxed and happier. Make sure to take some time for you each day partaking in an activity you enjoy whether that’s spending time with a pet, reading a favorite book, listening to music, writing poetry etc.

Maintain Adequate Rest & Proper Nutrition: Proper rest and a nutritious diet is essential to maintaining good health, both physical and mental. Healthline suggests avoiding sugary foods and also notes that 7-9 hours of sleep is recommended for those whose ages range between 18-64 years old. The National Alliance On Mental Illness suggests maintaining a good sleep schedule by going to sleep at the same time every night. WebMD suggests eating meals regularly around the same time every day, limiting caffeine intake by avoiding caffeinated drinks that can make you jittery and avoiding spicy foods that may cause heartburn which could keep you awake at night. Mayo Clinic advises eating fresh fruit and vegetables that are packed with vitamins and nutrients and to drink more water to help boost your mood and stay hydrated.

Laugh Therapy: According to Mayo Clinic, laughing can reduce stress, lessen symptoms of anxiety and depression, ease muscle tension, relieve pain and boost the immune system. According to Health Central, laughter can also lower blood pressure. Take time to watch a funny television show or movie that makes you laugh. You can also try a technique known as laughter yoga, which combines yoga techniques and chants to help promote laughing.

The Importance of Self-Love

The Importance of Self-Love

                February is known as the month of love, especially with Valentine’s Day being such a special holiday for many. However, whether you have a significant other to show love to or not, it is also important to show yourself love by taking care of your mind and body properly. Here are a few ways you can show yourself some self-love, which enables you to be at your best and most productive health-wise, a factor that is extremely important for your everyday life.

                First, it’s important to take time for yourself doing something you enjoy or something to help you relax. This allows your body and mind to get the proper rest and relaxation it needs to function productively. Yoga, taking naps, getting massages, enjoying healthy comfort food and soaking in a bubble bath are good ways to help your body whereas reading an interesting book, listening to calming music, writing poetry, spending time with your pet or watching a funny movie or sitcom that makes you laugh can have positive effects on your mental health.

                It’s also important to keep your mindset positive. Ways to accomplish this include practicing daily affirmations to help boost your confidence, wearing an outfit you feel comfortable and attractive in and creating positive environments in both your workspace and home that include inspirational quotes and motivational pictures. According to the University of Southern Indiana, surrounding yourself with positive people is also important to maintaining healthy relationships and keeping yourself in an optimistic and encouraging environment.

                Using scented candles is another way to help relax yourself as certain scents can create mood-boosting and calming effects. It is known that various scents can trigger happy memories for people that remind them of their childhood or a positive life experience whether that’s the scent of chocolate, vanilla, coffee etc. Additionally, some scents are known to be very therapeutic and calming. Lavender, jasmine and peppermint are very popular candle scents as they help create a relaxing atmosphere. According to an article from Gardening Soul, the scent of rain is also said to refresh the mind and help reduce stress so feel free to open the window slightly for a bit of fresh air on a rainy day.

                Lastly, treating yourself to something nice is also a great way to add some positivity to your life whether that’s something as simple as your favorite dessert, a spa day, a night out at the movie theatre or a quiet walk in the park. Additionally, buying fresh flowers for your home or office is another special treat that helps reduce stress. According to an article from Harper’s Bazaar, researchers have discovered that being exposed to flowers helps reduce blood pressure and feelings of anxiety. The report also states that being exposed to flowers helps produce a more positive environment.

Tips for Staying Safe & Healthy During the Winter

Tips for Staying Safe & Healthy During the Winter:

                With colder temperatures and severe weather conditions, Winter can cause some unsafe situations if precautionary measures aren’t taken. Some of those unsafe situations include frostbite, illnesses such as colds and flus, and dangerous road conditions. Here are a few tips on how you can stay safe and healthy during the Winter season.

·         Dressing Warmly: Dressing appropriately for the weather is very important for preventing frostbite. You are more susceptible to frostbite when skin is exposed in colder temperatures. Scarves, hats, coats, earmuffs, gloves, mittens, knee high socks, legwarmers and long-sleeved clothing such as sweaters and sweatshirts are all good examples of clothes that should be worn in the Winter when temperatures are colder. Wool, fleece, flannel and thermal clothing are also beneficial to keeping you warm during the colder months of the year. According to The Washington Post, cotton clothing is not beneficial for colder weather as it absorbs moisture and traps it next to your skin.

·         Check Weather Reports: Make sure to frequently check the weather reports to know of any dangerous driving conditions that could affect your commute to work. If the weather report mentions anything regarding ice or snow, you can plan ahead by leaving your home a little earlier than usual when heading to work, in case of any traffic or accidents caused by poor weather conditions that could potentially result in you arriving to work later than usual. Additionally, it is important to check for any closings or delays that may also affect your work commute.

·         Staying Dry: It is very important to stay dry during the Winter. Wet clothes provide little protection to colder temperatures as they draw heat away from the body. According to The Oakland Press, if you do get wet, it is best advised to relocate to a warm location and remove any wet clothing immediately, replacing it with dry clothing.

·         Eating Right When Sick: It is important to make sure you are eating healthy, especially when battling a cold or flu. Orange juice is loaded with Vitamin C which is essential to helping your immune system recover from illness. Honey can also help soothe a sore throat and suppress coughing. Hot tea, chicken noodle soup and broths are good when battling colds and flus as they work as a decongestant. It is also important to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.

·         Proper Car Maintenance: It is important to make sure your vehicle is properly maintained to keep you safe during the Winter where driving conditions can worsen due to ice, snow and frigid temperatures.

·         Watch out for warning signs of frostbite: According to The Oakland Press, frostbite can be avoided by looking out for early warning signs. If you feel your toes, fingers, ears or other body parts start to feel frozen or numb or if your skin starts to look waxy or grayish, get indoors immediately. If blisters appear, do not open them. Seek medical assistance and do not expose yourself to cold temperatures again.

The Importance of Staying Safe in the Workplace

The Importance of Staying Safe in the Workplace

Maintaining proper safety etiquette is vital for a company’s production and success. According to the National Safety Council, a worker is injured at their place of employment every 7 seconds. However, with proper safety conduct being enforced, injuries can be prevented. The following tips can help protect you and your fellow employees from workplace injuries:

·         Wearing Protective Equipment: Wearing protective equipment such as safety glasses, safety uniforms and steel-toed shoes is very important for protecting employees from potential injuries.

·         Refraining From Horseplay and Physical Violence: Not only can a situation involving inappropriate physical conduct cause a workplace accident resulting in injury or death, it can also affect the employees involved in a serious matter that can affect their job status, such as a suspension or termination from the workplace. If you see employees in your workplace engaging in any horseplay or physical violence, report the incident to a supervisor immediately.

·         Ensure Workplace Equipment Is Functioning Properly: It is important that machinery used in a workplace is functioning properly. Using machinery that is broken or malfunctioning can put an employee at higher risk of a workplace accident resulting in injury or death. If a machine used in the workplace is not working properly, refrain from using it and inform a supervisor of the issue immediately.

·         Be Aware of Your Surroundings and Report Unsafe Working Conditions: If you see something unsafe in your work environment such as a spill on the floor, an emergency exit being blocked, a broken window, poor lighting, a fire hazard etc., report it to a supervisor immediately. An unreported condition can result in you or another employee potentially getting injured.

·         Stay Sober: Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous to both you and your fellow employees. Some signs that show suspicion of alcohol or drug-related influence include aggressive behavior from an employee, slurred speech, clumsiness, tardiness, twitching, paranoia, drowsiness, poor work performance and bloodshot eyes.  Additionally, if the employee is suspected of alcohol or marijuana use, you may smell the scent of alcohol or marijuana on them. If you suspect a fellow employee is working under the influence of drugs or alcohol, alert a supervisor immediately. 

The more priority we place on injury prevention in the workplace, the safer a company and its employees will be!

Protecting Your Skin In The Summer

Protecting your skin in the Summer

Summer will be here before you know it and that means warmer weather. While many vie for that perfect tan once the weather is warm, Summer days can get very hot and without the proper skin care can often leave someone susceptible to sunburns, skin peeling and sun poisoning.  Prolonged and unprotected exposure from the sun can also lead to skin aging, shown visibly through wrinkles, moles or freckles. 

Unprotected exposure to the sun has also been known to lead to more serious health issues including skin cancer. In fact, according to skincancer.com, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer. However, we can take preventative measures to protect our skin during the hot Summer days such as:

·         Applying Sunscreen: According to skincancer.com, those who use sunscreen that contains an SPF of 15 or higher every day show 24 percent less skin aging than those who do not use sunscreen regularly.

·         Limiting Time Outdoors: If possible, try to stay in shady, cooler areas away from the sunlight. According to Mayo Clinic, it is best to avoid being outdoors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where the risk of sunburn is increased due to the sun being at its most intense.

·         Wearing A Hat: According to Mayo Clinic, wearing a wide- brimmed hat helps to block the sun from exposure to your head, neck, ears and face.

·         Wearing Sunglasses: According to Mayo Clinic, wearing sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection helps to keep the sensitive skin around your eyes safe from sun exposure which will better protect your vision.

The more you practice proper skin protection, the healthier your skin will be!