Living healthy. Living Happy. Being Obsessed With Life.
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Saturday, January 23, 2016
How I Manage My Dry Eczema-prone Skin
There's dry skin.... then there's DRY skin!
I'm talking Sahara dry skin, Kalahari dry skin, should-I-just-try-calling-it-leather-now skin. When you have this kind of skin you know that all these little lotions and potions at the drug store are just not enough. If you haven't guessed by now... I have that kind of skin, and it can really suck (for lack of a better word).
Now, I know there are people with bigger problems than I do. In addition to my chronic dry skin I have mild eczema, and I have flare-ups now and then. I am not proposing that the products and tips I use will cure this condition ( I'm a scientist, there will be none of that non-sense here), but these are the tips I use to make my skin more manageable and to minimize the effects of my flare-ups.
The key to managing dry skin is to understand your body's largest organ as well as figure out what all of the various skin products do. Whatever your skin care routine is there are a few things you should do to optimize moisture retention:
1. Do not use harsh products to cleanse your face. This extends to both makeup removers and cleansers.
I am partial to the Cetaphil cleanser since it is the most gentle and inexpensive cleanser I know of. It is also easily accessible. A cleanser without harsh detergents is your best friend. Another product that you should be familiar with (if you wear makeup) is an oil cleanser. Makeup removing oils can be found everywhere now, but you don't even have to splurge on those because olive oil and coconut oil do a great job as well. The oil dissolves the makeup efficiently, and after rinsing it off and using your cleanser there will be no traces of makeup left. Not only will your face be clean, but it will still be soft and not dry and tight.
2. Balance the pH of your skin (slightly acidic) to return it to it's optimal condition.
Believe it or not, your skin's natural and optimal pH is slightly acidic. As seen in the chart below (from the lovely folks at Eucerin) the optimal pH for your skin is anywhere from 4.5 to 5.5. Think about that, the pH of water is 7. Which means that after cleansing your face hopefully not with harsh detergents because those are anywhere from pH 9-11) and rinsing with water, your skin is too basic. That is why toners exist, they are supposed to balance the pH of your skin back to acidic conditions.
Once again, these are products that you do not need to splurge on if you don't want to. Aloe vera juice is an easy fix. See the article linked below to read more about the importance of balancing your skin's pH.
3. Always, always, always moisturize your skin.
Moisturising your skin is important. I know too many people who walk around with dry skin and even complain about it, and then tell me they do not moisturize.... don't do it... don't be that person..... It doesn't have to be an expensive $500 moisturizer, some of the drugstore brand are doing great things with their skincare and offer great options. Choose one, choose your favorite one and use it every time. Please, your skin will thank you. Not just now but when you get old (and it will happen) you will be happy you did this.
4. Seal your skin with an oil or a product that will allow your skin to retain as much moisture as possible.
Oils are your friend. Don't fall into the trap that others do to believe that oil is bad and that oil causes acne. Also, not every oil is good for your skin some of them are actually irritants and should be avoided (even as ingredients in other products). A good sealing oil will form a barrier between your skin and the air that prevents water loss and provides a bit of protection against environmental damage. Remember that moisturizers are designed to seal moisture in, not provide it. Moisturizers (whether cream or oil) should be used on moist/ damp skin, that is when they are effective. Otherwise, you may receive only temporary relief from them.
5. Always use sun protection.
I mean real sun protection. I mean go to the store and buy the best sunscreen you can. Many people omit this step entirely and I can't figure out why. I'm from the beautiful island of St. Lucia so I love the sunshine but I know that even with my lovely brown skin, sun exposure is damaging. Direct sun light will cause the majority of the signs of aging that will develop on your skin over time and contributes majorly to your skin's dryness. Always use sun protection.
I mean REAL sun protection. In today's world of natural remedies, it is easy to get carried away and read some random magazine article that says that coconut oil is sun protection. Be aware that though these natural oils and juices may provide a tiny bit of sun protection, you still need significant protection to keep you skin performing optimally. See the linked recent study below for their findings on natural oils and fruit juices/extracts as uv protection.
I talk about these points more thoroughly in my latest video below so check it out!
Enjoy. Be Healthy. Be Happy
Monday, January 18, 2016
Minimalism: Does It Make Cleaning Easier?
Every now and then, I come across a new online community on YouTube that I didn't know existed. The beauty of the internet and social media, is that there is something for everyone. Recently I came across a community of people dedicated to cleaning. You read that correctly... CLEANING...
Though this was not as strange to me as when I discovered the ASMR community ( a story for another day), I was still baffled. Videos upon videos of people showing their cleaning routines; bathroom cleaning, kitchen cleaning, morning and night routines...
This got me thinking. Does cleaning really play such a large role in people's lives that they need to look to YouTube for inspiration and ideas? Then I started thinking about minimalism and cleaning. Does owning fewer things mean that you clean less? Let's analyze this.
Many of the videos I saw featured women showing how they wipe down surfaces and do laundry, but a large portion of their work consisted of picking up after their families and putting things away. I personally think that most people spend more time organizing than cleaning. Moving the clutter around until it looks acceptable and buying new organizing storage are normal behaviors when you have too many things. I know this because I used to do that too. Minimalism helps you with this, because if you own fewer things, then there are fewer things to organize. It is also harder for your home to look untidy with so few things. Reducing your clutter should directly reduce your time spent cleaning, and free you up for things you actually enjoy doing.
2. Consolidate, consolidate, CONSOLIDATE!
Now there are some tasks that can only be minimized up to a point. Laundry is the perfect example of this. The amount of laundry you have to do depends on your lifestyle. Do you workout daily? What kind of job do you hold? These things determine how much and how often you need to do your laundry. Also, now that you've decluttered your wardrobe you no longer have an infinite number of options and you can actually run out of clothes. For tasks like this, finding the most efficient means of going about it is key. Think about the number of loads you actually need and combine some of them. If you're not washing your clothing by hand, then there's no need to block off 'laundry time'. Do your laundry while you're accomplishing other tasks. I will start a load and head of to get my groceries, or put a load in the drier and head to bed. I also limit the number of things that I buy that are delicates, or need special care.
3. Meal prepping saves lives!
Meal prepping is one of the activities I swear by. Not only is it ridiculously convenient and ensures that you are eating regular healthy meals (and that you save money by not eating out as often), it also reduces the amount of dishes you have to deal with! Every time you cook, there are pots and pans, spoons and plates, and all kinds of dirty dishes that need to be cleaned after. Cooking once a week eliminates the majority of that dishwashing time. Yes you will still have daily dishes, but they will probably be limited to a glass, a mug, and a couple of meal prep containers.
4. Cleaning supplies and tools can be clutter!
Believe it or not, because something serves the purpose of cleaning doesn't mean that it is not clutter. The cleaning supplies for each different type of surface in your home, the broom, mop, Swiffer, vacuum cleaner etc can also clutter up your space. We as humans like to get comfortable with certain ideas and feel like we need certain things, and that we need to do certain tasks because we grew up seeing them done. You do not need wood polish for your one laminate dining table... You can reduce clutter by getting rid of the thousands of cleaning accessories and products, and really fine-tuning your supply cabinet to one that is specific to your space and only has the essentials.
5. Are you cleaning your clutter?
Now... This is a serious question that I don't think people give much thought to. I know I didn't. As you go through your home on cleaning day and you dust your furniture, clean your mirrors, and wipe down your many ornaments, do you realize what you're doing? How many of these ornaments serve any purpose other than to collect dust? What about all that furniture? Do you even need that table in the corner to hold that vase?.... Do you need that vase? If someone broke into your house and stole that little statue of a cat you have on your bookshelf, would you even notice? Some of the things we own are for aesthetic purposes and while that is fine, there is a point at which you have to realize that some of them are clutter. If these thins are lengthening the amount of time you spend cleaning, maybe it's time you let them go.
I hope you find all these points useful as you continue on your journey to simplify your life.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Minimalism: Comfort and Individuality
Minimalism....
It. Is. Not. A. Competition.
In today's world where there's so much information at our finger tips, it can be overwhelming to navigate a new lifestyle change. I just wanted to point out some points that I think are important to remember when simplifying your life and becoming a minimalist.
Never lose sight of who you are. Remember that the goal is to be happy and not burdened by possessions and debt. When 'minimalizing', you are trying to rid yourself of the stress and anxiety that accompany maintaining a life of excess. This is a personal journey. You should not concern yourself with other people and their journeys and you should not aim to please some invisible standard set by someone to determine if you are a good enough minimalist.
Minimalism like any other movement, brings a group of like-minded people together. So it's definitely no surprise that generally, these people would have other things in common as well. many minimalists are vegan, and many enjoy more simple forms of exercise like running, cycling, and yoga.Do not feel like you need to be part of 'the club'. If these are not things you enjoy, then don't do them. do not begin to clutter yourself with activities and habits that do not bring you joy (I see that as a huge step in the wrong direction). Instead do things you enjoy, maybe it's art or it's reading. whatever your passion is, you should follow it, because it is part of what makes you YOU.
I have noticed some common themes among minimalists who share advice on their various social media platforms. Many suggest that getting rid of collections is an important step. books, music, movies, and art all take a hit from minimalists all over. People suggest audiobooks or ebooks over their physical counterparts, and the same goes for music and video libraries. It is my personal belief that the value of an item cannot be determined outside of yourself, it is a personal decision.
I grew up surrounded by books and I love reading. I am the type of person who will reread the same book once a year, every year, and thoroughly enjoy it. Physical books to me are a wonderful thing; they are a source of adventure, relaxation, intrigue.... not anxiety, stress, or any of the negative feelings I associate with clutter. To me, books are NOT clutter, neither are your favorite paintings, television shows on DVD etc. Now that's just me, you may feel completely differently about these same items. that's where individuality comes in. When deciding what to keep and what to purge, it is important to think of it as your own tailor-made journey and not just strive to reach a certain number.
Speaking of numbers.....
This brings me to another are of minimalism that I simply must address, and that is the capsule wardrobe.
Don't get me wrong, I love the idea and have given it serious consideration. However, I've seen it done beautifully and also seen the exact opposite. The internet is overflowing with similar (practically identical) monochromatic capsule wardrobes that boast smaller and smaller collections. Like I mentioned, this can be done beautifully and is perfect for certain lifestyles. It is NOT a must have for every minimalist. If you are someone who enjoys pulling from their entire wardrobe every season, then maybe a capsule would be too restrictive and actually add stress to your life. Maybe you need some color, maybe you need a separate capsule for work and personal time, maybe you need a special events capsule. You know yourself, take the guidelines handed to you by your favorite blogger and adjust it to fit your life and your style.
Remember that it is always fine to see something, admire it, and respect it from a distance. To many minimalists, there is value in experiences and not possessions. I can respect that point of view, but maybe the most valuable experience to YOU is owning a nice home, the car you always wanted, and decorating it nicely. In this lifestyle you get rid of the excess things that are weighing you down, and you determine what is in excess.
I think that minimalism is less about the things you give up and more about the things you value and keep.
If you want to hear (and see) me talking about these points and more, click the video below.
Enjoy. Be Healthy. Be Happy
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