When you hear the word bacteria, you probably think of it as a negative thing. Bacteria is what causes a lot of common illness and disease, so surely you want to keep it as far away from our body as possible? Actually, it’s not quite that simple because there are bad bacteria that cause illnesses, but there are also good bacteria, which have an important role to play in managing your health.

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We are only now starting to understand the importance of maintaining the right balance of bacteria in the body. But what happens when your levels of good bacteria are too low?
 

Digestive Issues

Most of the important bacteria in the body is found in your gut. The microbiome inside the gut has a widespread impact on all areas of the body and if it is out of balance, you will notice all sorts of different symptoms. However, the most obvious issue you will experience is digestive problems. If you find that you suddenly feel nauseous or your bowel movements have changed a lot, this could be down to a lack of good bacteria in your gut and an influx of bad bacteria. There may be another underlying cause so it’s best to see a doctor, but you should also consider whether it could be down to the bacteria in your gut.
 

Vaginal Infections

Many women suffer from vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis, and these are caused by an imbalance of bacteria in the gut. Good bacteria maintain the right acidity but when that bacteria is not present, the acidity changes and that allows bad bacteria to grow, which leads to infections. If you think that you may have an infection, you need to find a suitable bacterial vaginosis treatment right away, but you should also think about prevention in the future. Make sure to avoid any heavily perfumed soaps and if you do need to use a treatment, use the full course. If the problem keeps recurring, you should seek advice from a doctor.
 

Mental Health Issues

There are a number of different things that can cause mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Stress is a big contributor, which is why it’s important to have a good self-care routine in place to help you relax and manage your stress and anxiety. Many people suffer from mental health problems due to past trauma and the only way to deal with this is to use talking therapies to unpack those problems and come to terms with them. However, a lot of people overlook the role that gut bacteria has to play in mental health.

Recent studies show that there is a strong link between gut bacteria and mental health and people with an imbalance are more likely to develop mental health problems. The link goes both ways and mental health issues can lead to a reduction in good bacteria, so this is a big problem.

Although some bacteria can cause disease, there are a lot of good bacteria that are vital to our health. These are just some of the problems that can occur when your body doesn’t have enough healthy bacteria.

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How To Get Your New Puppy Integrated into Your Home

 

As most of you know, we got our new puppy Daisy in October and it's been a wild ride....not really, but I was used to my senior chihuahuas so I almost forgot what it was like to have a puppy because it's been so long.  But I wanted to do a post to help other pet parents with their new puppies so I figured I'd post some of the things I did to help Daisy fit into our wolfpack. 

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Getting Compensation For Injury Can Be Vital

 

Mental and physical damage after an accident is terrifying and can leave you with long term repercussions. The first thing that can be done is to get compensation for the accident, especially if the accident was a car accident or a work accident. You do not want to be dealing with financial repercussions also. In this case, you should look at aggressive personal injury attorneys to assist you with your claim and offer valuable advice.

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Receiving compensation for post-trauma following an accident is important. The need to avoid anything related to an accident, so that you do not have crippling memories, becomes a tiring habit. You no longer have the strength to go to social gatherings because everything evokes in you those memories. You avoid leaving the house because you are afraid of getting hurt again. Sometimes you also have outbursts of rage or outbursts of crying and you do not understand where it is coming from. You really wish to get back to routine as soon as possible. However this isn’t always easy to maintain after such an accident. You may suffer with some type of long term condition that inhibits you from working and getting life back on track.
 

The process of receiving compensation following an accident

It is important to seek appropriate treatment for the mental condition as soon as possible, including contacting your family doctor who will document your complaints and refer you to a specialist who will diagnose whether it is PTSD following the accident (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or some type of anxiety disorder. It is important to know that only a doctor is qualified to diagnose your mental condition, and not yourself or a friend. Reliving the event to give evidence can be difficult for some. It can trigger many feelings of worry, fear and even cause panic attacks. When you speak to a professional about the case, you must get all the facts in order, if this is possible. In the case of the need to appeal the decision of the committee, a lawyer will help you to avoid wasting unnecessary and precious time.
 

Document things and move forwards

It is very important to document the injuries you have and what happened at the accident site. Identifying the injuries is the first step in treating them as well as any other information relating to the accident such as interviews from the other driver and any evidence relating to the case. In addition, professional care is necessary to gather the right information because without this, it may hinder your compensation case and cause delays in your payment. It is important to note that getting compensation is not a taboo subject and should not be seen as such. Following an accident, financial issues can halt and inder your life including paying bills, fixing your car; you may even have issues with your job. You must in this case, seek out justice, not only for your mental health, but also for the sake of yourself and your family.

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Helping Your Local Community To Thrive And Why It Is More Important Than Ever

 

Many of us are proud of where we live or where we come from, so much so that we would love to be able to do more to help the community thrive. The problem is that many parts of the country you live in may have more funding and help than others, so sometimes it is down to the locals to help make the area a brighter place to be. So you may be wondering what it is you can do? Here are some suggestions to help your local community thrive.

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Organize events to get everyone involved

When it comes to community one of the best ways that you can help people come together would be through an event. This is a great way to get local businesses involved as well as having an event that everyone can enjoy. It will be a chance for people to truly understand what they have in their local areas, such as providers of business, servicemen, and women they can rely on, and even the chance to meet new people from the local surroundings. It could be family orientated with food and entertainment and could become an event that happens more frequently and grows in success.

Help restore iconic buildings and improve parts of the area

Many areas have run-down parts where buildings are going to ruin or areas are just not as maintained as they should be, and this is what can bring the village or town down a little. First of all, you might want to think about how well your area operates. Enlisting the help of people like Randy Ryneski can help with substations and also ensuring other aspects are thriving like local wifi connection etc. You might also want to think about buildings and areas and helping them to be restored. This is when you could come together as a community and enlist the help of specialists to ensure that iconic buildings can be restored back to their former glory. It could become a pivotal point in the area, a place to congregate and meet.

Look after the local green areas

Most areas have parks and playgrounds, green belts or just open areas where people can sit and enjoy the space around them. However, when was yours last taken care of? This could be simple things such as weeding the flowerbeds and planting new flowers, it might be cutting the grass so it can be enjoyed by children, and maintain playgrounds so they are safe for the community. It is the small things, such as open spaces that are free to use, that can make a big difference to the community and the spirit.

Start a community magazine or online blog

Finally, it may be time to start thinking about a community magazine or an online blog where people can stay in touch with the latest news, changes, and even events that are up and coming. This is a chance for local businesses to advertise directly to the community, and also an opportunity for people to come together for organized events and news. Helping to build the community and local area back up to its best.

Let’s hope this has given you something to think about when it comes to the local area and community you live in.

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Where Is All Of Your Money Going?

 

Does it feel as though you get your paycheck and within five minutes you have no money? It happens to all of us at some point, but that doesn’t make it any easier to handle. We understand that everyone makes a different amount of money and has different bills to pay, but that doesn’t mean the money isn’t largely going in the same place. In this article, we are going to be taking a look at some of the places that your money could be going, and how you can get some of it back. Keep reading down below if you would like to find out more.

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Bills

The first place that all of your money could be going is your bills. If you want to reduce the amount you pay, then you simply need to reduce the amount you use. Of course, this isn’t going to help if you are on fixed rates for anything such as your cell phone, but your electricity and your water should be some of the areas where you can change the price. All you need to do is make some simple changes so that this becomes possible. For example, you should turn the light off when you exit a room seeing as there is nobody in there anymore.

As well as that, you have your basic things such as turning the tap off when you are brushing your teeth, don’t turn the light switch on and off repeatedly, and a number of other things. Just do what you can, and we’re sure your bills will drop, at least a little.

Debt

The next thing that you can do is look into the amount of debt you are in. We know a lot of people don’t like to think about this, but we bet that this is where most of your money is going. If you are paying off your debt, then it can be an expensive process, and you are doing the right thing by paying what you can, when you can. Climbing out of debt is not easy, but we are proud of you for doing it. If you ever feel as though you need advice pertaining to the situation of your debt, then you should look into someone like Canyon Legal Group as they may be able to help you.

Luxuries

Lastly, your spending on luxuries might be a bit of an issue. Just try to keep the spending to a minimum so that you have some extra cash at the end of each month. You probably don’t need the little luxuries that you are buying.

We hope that you have found this article helpful, and now see some of the places where your money could be going. Managing money isn’t always an easy thing to do, but you need to be aware of the cuts that you can make in life if you want to free up some of the funds that you’re currently missing. We wish you the best of luck.

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What To Expect When Getting A Tattoo

 

Getting a tattoo can be a big thing; it can mean a lot to you, to finally get something etched into your skin for the rest of your life, and to carry around a symbol of your love for something or someone in such a permanent manner. But before you go ahead, you need to do some research! Of course, you need to have a design ready to go, but there are a few more steps involved. With that in mind, here are the main points you need to know about the process of getting a tattoo.

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Choosing a Studio

You need to choose the studio you’re going to use just right, as you want to feel safe when getting your tattoo applied. Picking a studio usually means picking the artist you’d like to work with. Maybe you like their tattoo designs, maybe they were recommended by a friend. Either way, make sure you dig into the artist’s history, and see examples of their other work, and never ignore a bad review!

The Setup

Once you’re sure you’ve found a studio and the right artist to work with, make sure you know what to expect from here on out. Namely, what the setup for the tattoo is going to be like. First, the artist will make sure you have an ID to prove your age, if this is your first time at the studio, and they should be able to keep a copy on file if you come back. Then they’ll have you fill out and sign an agreement, and then print out your tattoo stencil for application.

Next, the artist will clean and potentially shave the area where you want the tattoo. Similarly, they’ll use something known as barrier gel to both further clean the application area, and help the tattoo stencil to stick to your skin. Once that has been fitted into place, and you’re happy to proceed, you’ll sit or lie in the chair in a comfortable position, and the artist will get to work. Don’t worry, they’ll ask if you’re OK before they get going, and you can take a break any time you need to!

Dealing with the Pain

And of course, we have to talk about the pain - even if you’re someone with a high pain threshold, it can be quite hard to sit still for an hour or two on end, being repeatedly jabbed with a needle.

But where are the most painful tattoo sites on the body? Everyone is different, but think of where your body is sensitive - armpits, inner elbow, behind the knee, inner thigh, anywhere on your foot, etc. Whilst these places may be good for small, 10 minute tattoos, these will be incredibly painful when sitting through a large or extensive tattoo.

When you realise you’re ready to get a tattoo, after wanting one for months or years on end, it’s a very good idea to do some research before you walk into a studio!

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How To Help A New Dog Adjust To Your Home

Getting a new dog is always going to be exciting, but whether you’ve owned dogs in the past or this is your first, there are some important things to take into consideration if you want your new pet to adjust to your home quickly and permanently. Read on for some great tips on how to get your dog acclimated to your home so they can truly become a part of your family forever.

 

Image from Pixabay

Give Them Their Own Space

Everyone enjoys having some privacy, and your dog is likely to be no different. Of course, they will all have their own personalities and their own likes and dislikes (which is why you need to treat each dog as an individual, even if you have had pets in the past), but giving them their own space is something that many will like, and it will help them to feel calm and comfortable.

This space doesn’t have to be a big one. The corner of a room is just fine as long as there is space for their bed and some toys. This is not somewhere they should be eating – that’s ideally done in the kitchen for easy clean up – but it’s somewhere they can go to feel safe and when they need a bit of alone time as we all do now and again. A comfortable bed is essential for this idea to work and is one of the tips for new dog owners that Katherine Marraccini suggests.

Develop Routines

Routines are so crucial to a dog; it’s something they can understand and, once they have learned them, they will want to keep up with them. So, once you’ve put a routine in place, try not to change it too much, or you might find your dog becomes anxious and may even misbehave.

Your routine should include playtime, exercise, meals at the same time each day, and even bedtime. Remember, the more often you are able to stick to your routine, the happier and more easily adjusted the dog will be, ensuring a peaceful and contented home life for everyone.

Make Adjustments

Ultimately, your dog is not the only one who is going to need to make adjustments when they come into your home; you’re going to have to change some of the things you do too. And you’ll need to allow for mistakes to happen at first. If your dog messes on the carpet, for example, don’t get angry; it’s a message to show you that you need to work harder on your training or that the area you’ve allocated to your dog’s toilet isn’t right.

Having a dog is hard work, and you’ll need to change a lot in your life to accommodate them. However, it will also be the best thing you can do for yourself and the dog in question, so don’t let this put you off; it won’t take long to adjust, and it will soon feel as though they have always been there, giving you unconditional love.

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How To Spruce Up Your Home Office

 

A home office can be a place of great inspiration and creativity if you have it decorated and arranged the right way for your needs.  I've noticed when I didn't put any thought or effort into my home office, it was hard to sit down and create great content and do a good job at work.  So here are a few ways to spruce up your home office.

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Prevent Cognitive Decline With Healthy Hearing Habits

 

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AVOID LOUD NOISES

If you have an issue with cognitive decline in later life you may start to lose your hearing as a result, conversely, losing your hearing prematurely can bring on cognitive decline through isolation and communication issues. You can improve your odds by protecting your hearing and keeping it healthy.

Often people's hearing is damaged from the outside. Loud noises such as traffic, fireworks, lawn mowers, hair dryers and drills are all responsible for damaging the inner ear and cause hearing loss. The best way to protect your hearing and your brain is to identify harmful noise in your life and protect against it.

USE EAR PROTECTION

Around 25% of people aged between 65 and 74 will experience hearing loss and cognitive decline. This will also impact their cognitive health as the brain requires sound stimulation to work optimally. Additionally a deterioration in hearing will make it more difficult to interact with others further impacting a person's overall cognitive health.

You can take measures at any stage of your life to prevent auditory and cognitive decline in your later years. Using ear protection is an easy and effective means of doing this. Any sound in your life that reaches 80 decibels or over should be protected against with ear defenders or earplugs. This might include heavy traffic, music, and fireworks.

LIMIT LOUD MUSIC

If you're in your thirties and forties, or somewhat older, your days of going to clubs, festivals, and loud rock concerts regularly are probably behind you, but your ears can still be damaged by loud music, especially if you listen to it through headphones or earphones. Loud music is one of the most common reasons for auditory and cognitive decline.

Luckily, this doesn't mean you have to give up your favourite music or your favourite habit of playing air guitar on the weekends. Monitor the decibel levels you list yo and make sure your volume is never above 60%. If possible, listen to your music through speaker rather than earpieces.

KNOW THE SIGNS

One of the best ways to protect your hearing in the short and long term is to know the signs of damage and decline, and to take effective measures. You will probably notice small signs of hearing decline, such as an inability to hear low frequency soft noises, or miss things when people talk.

You may also experience a low frequency buzzing in your ears which could be the symptoms of tinnitus. When you notice changes in your hearing you should see an audiologist as soon as possible for a check up. Protecting your ears early will prolong their effectiveness and your cognitive health.

EAR CARE

Ears are easy to overlook and we often take them for granted until our hearing declines and our lifestyle becomes impacted. But ears are the same as eyes and teeth, they require regular attention and care to remain healthy and functioning. Like your teeth and eyesight you should have your ears checked at least once a year by an audiologist.

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