With the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we often forget to take care of our wellbeing. Self-care isn’t about being selfish – it’s allowing yourself to put your own needs first for the sake of your health and happiness.

Burning the candle at both ends, will ultimately lead to exhaustion, which can lead to an array of illnesses, as well as anxiety, stress, and depression. Many of us are guilty of not making changes until we reach our limit. Now is the time to step back and evaluate your emotional and physical needs.

In this guide, we’re going to look at some of the ways you can manage self-care.

Maintain a healthy work-life balance

It is commonly the case that people choose to work every hour under the sun for their own professional development, or in fear of falling behind on tasks, but maintaining a work-life balance is key to health and happiness.

Being overworked, can not only make you less motivated, but can lead to an string of health problems including stress, anxiety, and even a weakened immune system. Pledge to set boundaries and stick to them. Take breaks throughout the day and when your shift ends, turn your work phone off to give you the chance to unwind.

Get health check-ups

One of the main reasons people fail to book health-check appointments, is because they’re worried about wasting medical time. However, regular check-ups, mean your wellbeing is being monitored and you can be treated for illnesses as soon as they arise. The same goes for dental appointments. People often skip dental visits as they believe their teeth are in good shape, but later down the line, they can start to suffer from severe tooth and gum problems. With this in mind, you should book your dental appointments in good time with northwickmanordental.co.uk.

Learn to say No

It can be difficult to say ‘no’ when you’re put under pressure to do something, but it’s your right to refuse if you simply cannot commit yourself, or don’t feel well enough to do so. When you accept a proposition at the expense of your own health, you’re losing control of your independence. Remember that you’re only human and you can’t be in more than one place at a time. Next time you’re worried about saying no – just say it, and explain your reasoning. Bet you’ll be surprised that the reaction won’t be as bad as you think…

Take a digital detox

Are you guilty of spending hours scrolling through your phone? While there’s nothing wrong with staying connected with your friends and followers on social media, it may be time to take a break (otherwise known as a digital detox) if it is starting to impact your mental health. What’s more, being glued to a screen, means you’re missing out on the world around you – and that’s precious time you’ll never get back.

Self-care practices may take time to put into action, but by giving yourself the chance to put yourself first for a change, you should start to notice a huge improvement in both your mindset and your physical wellbeing.

 

 

Thrift shopping can be a great way to get the items you need without spending a lot of money. One possible reason for this is that the items are often in good condition and have been taken care of. Another is that thrift stores have frequent sales and discounts on certain products. And finally, many people donate their old yet quality clothes to thrift stores, which you can bag at discount price tags.

However, while you can use these items to save money, you’ll often come across dirty and grimy stuff as well because people have donated them without washing them first. But even if they are laundered, it’s still advised to take the time to clean these items if you get them from a thrift store. So, here are a few suggestions on how to care for items that you brought from a thrift store:

Furniture 

When you buy furniture from a thrift store, it’s usually in a good state but not necessarily in perfect condition. There are often a few stains, scratches, or tears that may need to be fixed or cleaned before using the piece for its intended purpose.

The first step to cleaning any item is assessing what needs to be done. For example, if the stains on your furniture can be removed with water and a cloth, this would be an easy fix.

However, if the stains cannot be removed in such a simple way, you may need to use other methods like rubbing alcohol or bleach. Depending on what type of furniture you get from a thrift store, you can always get cleaning products, such as a leather cleaner or sandpaper and varnish to shape and coat wooden furniture.

Clothes 

Thrift stores are great places to find gently used clothing items – but they can also be a challenge to clean. The clothes you get from these stores can be stained with dirt or cosmetic products, and it can be challenging to remove those stains without using harsh chemicals.

Fortunately, you can clean your new articles of clothing with water, vinegar, and baking soda. You should soak the item in the solution for about 20 minutes before washing. You can also use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the dirt and dust from your clothes. However, if you’re struggling to get rid of stains, you can also take your clothing to a professional cleaner similar to this Croydon Dry Cleaning service for a deep clean.

Wooden Items 

You can remove some stains from your wooden thrift store finds by using lemon juice and salt. Mix equal parts lemon juice and salt in a bowl, then dip your wood item in it for about 10 minutes before rinsing with water and drying off with paper towels or a regular towel. You could also try using a rag dipped in vinegar for this method.

Jewelry 

Finally, the most effective way to clean jewelry you get from a thrift store is by taking off any accessories that may have been added to the piece, such as necklaces, ribbons, and chains, and clean it with a mixture of baking soda and lemon juice.

You can also use dish soap and water in place of baking soda and lemon juice. If you don’t have any of these items, you can also use toothpaste, which has abrasive properties that will help remove stains.

 

There are different types of knives on the market and, for many, it is a real madness to face the shopping cart and decide which knife you should buy, which are the essential ones that should not be missing in your case, what each one is for or what you have? What to consider when buying them.

This post is intended as a quick guide to precisely explain the features and functions of the main kitchen knives.

Types of Knives in the Kitchen: Uses and Characteristics

AX

It is a knife with a large blade that, due to its dimensions, is not usually included in chefs’ knife cases. In professional kitchens there is usually a couple and this set of knife available on our knife stores. It is used to cut bones, fillet large pieces of meat or for butchering large animals.

Chef Or Onion Knife

This is one of the essentials for any cook. It is used to cut, clean and chop meat or vegetables. It is the most used together with the lace. The length of the blade must be chosen according to the use that we are going to give it. A versatile measure is 18 -20 cm.

Lace

The utility of this knife is to peel, turn and clean products. It is a small knife, less than 10 cm and easy to use. It is another of the essentials in the case. It is not necessary that the lace that we acquire is of excellent quality as in other knives. This will be our battle tool; we will be constantly sharpening it so better choose a basic range.

Pestle Knife

The blade of this knife is elastic and has a fine point to allow it to reach the bones and tendons. They usually have a slit to be able to scrape the meat from the bones and separate them.

Fish Fillet Knife

Its blade is uniform and pointed. This knife has the most flexible blade of all, designed to be able to access the skeleton of the fish. It is important to determine the size of the sheet. Always choose a blade long enough to avoid passing the blade of the knife several times through the same piece of fish and thus end up mistreating the product.

Bread Knife

It is a serrated knife that does not allow us to crush the piece of bread when cutting it.

Ham Knife

It is a long thin knife. It is specifically used for hand cutting cured ham. It is not usual but it can come in handy on occasions to cut dough and obtain clean cuts.

Chaira

It is an essential tool in any chef’s knife case and the best knife sets. It is used to seat the knife edge. It is important to clarify that it does not sharpen.

Increasingly, in professional kitchens we find more frequently different types of Japanese knives. Asian cuisine is one of the most chosen to fuse other cultures even to be the basis of certain restaurants and it is normal for Japanese tools to be used by chefs. Among the most common, we highlight two:

Santoku

Let’s say it is equivalent to a chef’s knife. It is the most versatile knife in Asian cuisine. It has a wide blade and has two bevels as in western cooking. One of its characteristics is that it has some slits so that the food, when cutting it, does not stick to the blade. It is very common in professional kitchens and its uses include cutting vegetables, meat and fish.

Sashimi Knife

The blade of the sashimi knife is of high hardness. It has an edge on only one side and therefore requires constant maintenance and grinding by the cook. They are not very flexible and quite long (about 30 cm approx.) Why do they have these characteristics? Well, because this type of Japanese knife is designed to be able to obtain impeccable pieces of fish made in a single cut.

I hope that we have solved several of your doubts and that you are very clear about what you need. In any case, if you have any questions, we will be here on the other side to answer you as soon as possible.

If you have never been for a massage before, you may be wondering if there are any major rules to follow, but fortunately it is very straightforward. Usually, people focus on worrying if they need to shave their legs, but smaller details like this are not an issue and your massage therapist will not judge the appearance of your body. There are a few things to be aware of, but they are related to health and wellbeing. To make the most out of the massage, consider these contributing factors.

Stay Hydrated

When getting a massage, your circulation is increased and so is your blood flow – this can be naturally dehydrating. You should drink a lot of water both before and after a massage to help flush out the toxins that are released during the massage. Avoid alcoholic beverages too close to your massage appointments for best results.

Suitable Clothing

To be prepared for a massage, you will want to find suitable clothing to wear. If you are getting a back, neck and shoulders massage, you will want to wear something that can reveal those areas. However, you do not need to reveal more than you are comfortable with and do not need to be fully nude for the massage (though you will always be covered with a towel).

Check Your Skin

If your skin is too sensitive and irritated, the massage therapist may refuse to begin the massage – in your best interest. It is best to postpone your sunbathing plans until after getting a massage. To save complications when you arrive, be sure to notify them in advance if you have any open wounds or even severe sunburn so that they can avoid the area.

Plan Your Route

The last thing you want to do is struggle to make it to your appointment and arrive feeling stressed. This can close you off from being able to unwind during the massage. Plan how you will get to and from your massage therapist and always make sure to schedule the appointment conveniently so that you are not in a rush.

Tip: Avoid booking a massage that will require a long commute – if you are in Oxford for instance, search for “massage Oxford” to be met with relevant results and avoid your appointment feeling like a chore rather than a treat.

Shower Early

Both showering and getting a massage will increase blood circulation, so you want to avoid a hot rinse too close to the time of your appointment. Instead, leave a gap of a few hours to avoid sweating through your massage.

Wait to Workout

Working out will not only increase your blood flow and heart rate, but also work your muscles. This can interfere with the massage and you might not see as many benefits. Skip the gym the day of your massage; your body will thank you.

Ask Your Massage Therapist

Finally, do not hesitate to reach out to your massage therapist to clarify anything that you are unsure on ahead of the massage. They are the experts and will be happy to advise you, based on their own process.

 

You work out to look good and feel good. But while working out can leave you looking sweaty, flushed, and out of breath, you still want to look your best while you’re doing it. Fortunately, the greater focus on athleisure and the innovation that has spurred a wide variety of new outfits, workout technology, and other accessories has made it so that you can do exactly that. If you want to look great when you leave the house to exercise, here are a few tips on how to step out for your morning jog in style.

Get yourself a great pair of shoes and inserts for comfort and aesthetic.

There are a ton of great workout items that look great and help you enhance safety and performance. Take, for example, shoes. The shoes that you choose play a critical role in how your outfit looks and how well your morning jog goes. There are a ton of stellar brands out there, and you might even be able to find a pair that you can sync to a mobile app on your phone for more effective run mapping. With that in mind, you should focus on comfort, too. Let’s imagine that you regularly struggle with foot pain, knee pain, or back pain. Rather than simply settling, you could invest in a nice pair of orthopedic arch support inserts that keep your bones aligned and prevent pain during exercises like running. These will keep you comfortable no matter which sneakers you decide to put on. With high-impact exercises like jogging and running, you need to focus on safety and style!

Create a wardrobe that’s comfortable and stunning.
Everyone has their preferences when it comes to workout clothing and how it works with their body shape. For example, if you’re more of a casual jogger who likes to walk more than run, you might be able to rock a pair of jeggings with a comfortable tee. There are a lot of great denim pull-on jeggings out there to choose from for your morning jog. Of course, those who have a more vigorous activity planned alongside their jog may prefer spandex with a training bra that offers more support. Take some time to consider what type of exercise you’re going to schedule in your week. Then, create a wardrobe that’s both stylish and best suited for your level of activity. This will guarantee that you’re not feeling discomfort when it comes time to exercise.

Look for accessories that enhance your morning jog.

There’s no shortage of accessories that are designed to support you throughout your workout without looking bad or pulling attention away from your outfit. Many of these items are functional and necessary for your exercise session. One excellent example is water bottles. There’s a massive selection of handheld water bottles for running that will make it easy to keep water on hand when you need to hydrate. Of course, there are other more obvious examples of things you’re going to need during your morning jog, like a pair of classy running headphones that will help you listen to your favorite jams and effortlessly answer calls via Bluetooth when you need to. No matter what it is that keeps your runs looking and feeling great, make sure you have these things with you.

There’s a lot more that goes into exercise than just the motion. If you want to make sure that you look great when you step out for your morning jog or other exercises, use the guide above to create a fun wardrobe so that you look and feel your best.