Easy Ways to Improve your Health & Beauty While Busy with Your Career

When you’re working long hours and you barely have the opportunity to enjoy eating, sleeping, or taking part in hobbies that you love, it’s easy to put your health and physical appearance on the backburner. Spending hours at a desk each day or being on your feet for long periods of time can easily take its toll. However, you can derive all kinds of benefits from incorporating small health and beauty routines into your day.

Most of these tips are simple enough that you can accomplish them on the go or slot them in as part of your pre-bedtime or early morning rituals. Before long, you will have formed some healthy habits, and you’ll be shocked by the impact that these new habits can have on your overall well-being.

1.Take care of your skin

Your skin takes a daily beating by acting as your body’s armor against the elements. One of the best ways to look young and feel young is to give your skin the care that it deserves. This can be accomplished with two simple beauty routines: a morning routine that consists of cleansing, toning, moisturizing, applying sunblock, and using a repair serum, and an evening routine that requires cleansing, toning, using retinol, and applying a night cream.

If this process sounds extensive, don’t worry: it should take you less than 10 minutes each morning and night. As a result, you’ll enjoy radiant, healthy skin with more elasticity, fewer blemishes and an even coloration. Wearing sunblock will help you avoid long-term damage that can lead to skin cancer and age spots.

2. Get the sleep you need

Sleep deprivation and stress go hand in hand. Adults generally need between seven and nine hours of sleep to function well throughout the day, but individual needs vary. Find an amount that works for you and use an alarm to stay consistent. When you’re busy it’s tempting to forego sleep to get more done, but your body needs sleep in order to recover, so don’t shortchange yourself on this critical requirement.

3.Eat healthy

Easier said than done, right? Getting caught up in the fast-food-and-microwave-meal lifestyle is common for people who work long hours and don’t have much time to cook. But, like sleep, food is fuel, and your mind and body will benefit from having the proper nutrients.

Many busy professionals use meal prepping as a way to eat well while saving time. Taking one day a week to cook and freeze meals will save you hours of work on your busiest days, and will provide you with healthy, home-cooked foods throughout the week.

4.Exercise

Strengthening your body is another way to improve your overall health. Even 30 minutes a day of a simple activity, like walking along the beach if you live in Florida, contributes to a healthier mind, body and heart. There are all kinds of ways that you can fulfill a daily need for exercise: walking, running, lifting weights, taking classes at the local gym or playing a team sport are just a handful of options for keeping active each day. If exercising all week long is an intimidating prospect, try working into a routine that fits your lifestyle. Even exercising 2-3 days a week can lead to improvements in your health.

5.Take your vitamins

Failing to eat properly can impact the amount of nutrients that your body gets each day. An easy way to ensure that you get the vitamins you need is by taking them separately. It’ll cost you less than a minute each day, and the benefits are incredible. Several kinds of B vitamins affect the way that your body releases energy, and vitamins like niacin and riboflavin impact your body’s ability to produce energy. Vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid aid in protein and cell development. And vitamin C, which helps produce collagen, is critical for helping your body heal wounds and for providing you with healthy teeth and bones. Additionally, almost all of these substances can have a positive impact on your hair, skin, nails and other physical features.

Most stores sell vitamins in packs so that you don’t have to worry about figuring out dosages or determining what you need to take each day. You just pop the pills and let them work their magic.

There are all kinds of tips and tricks out there to help busy professionals stay healthy while working long hours, but sticking with the basics--eating healthy, taking care of your skin, sleeping, and providing your body with nutrients--is a surefire way to improve your health and your appearance.

10 Supplements to Help You Jumpstart Your Health

With the vast number of health supplements available, it can be confusing to choose which supplements are best for you. While many available supplements are targeted toward specific health issues, the following 10 supplements can help anyone jumpstart their health and well-being.

1. Fish Oil

Fatty acids, which are abundantly found in some types of fish, can help to support cell membrane growth, a healthy metabolism, and general health. While those who eat a lot of fatty fish may have enough in their diet already, for most people, adding in a daily fish oil supplement is extremely helpful.

2. Probiotics

Probiotics benefits have been making the news for years, but many people are not entirely sure what they are. Probiotics are "good" gut bacteria in supplement form. Taking a probiotic daily can improve digestion and overall health.

3. Multivitamins

While those with excellent diets may not derive any additional benefit from taking a multivitamin, these inexpensive supplements can help you ensure that you aren't missing out on any key micronutrients.

4. Whey Protein

Whey protein is an irreplaceable supplement for bodybuilders and strength athletes, but it also can support general health. A good whey protein is also a source of branched-chain amino acids, or BCAAs, which can aid in fat loss and muscle repair.

5. Powdered Greens

While fresh fruits and vegetables are generally more appetizing, a good powdered greens supplement can be helpful if you suspect you aren't getting enough greens in your diet. While you can mix the powder and drink it plain, you also can base nutritious smoothies around it.

6. L-Carnitine

While often sold as a supplement for athletes, L-carnitine, a mitochondrial catalyst that improves athletic performance and fat metabolism, also can help boost brain health and general energy. It also may help protect heart health.

7. Vitamin D3

Most multivitamins contain D3, but for many, additional supplementation is needed for optimal health. This vitamins helps you to optimally absorb calcium, and it supports general bone and tooth health. Vitamin D3 also may help protect against certain cancers.

8. Magnesium

Roughly three-quarters of American adults are deficient in magnesium, so statistically, you'd benefit from a magnesium supplement. A deficiency in this mineral can lead to anxiety, fatigue, nausea, and weakness, and it can lead to many severe health conditions. It also is sometimes sold in a formulation with zinc, which is discussed below.

9. Calcium

Most people know that calcium supports bone health, but it also can aid in fat metabolism and heart and nerve function, and recent research suggests it may help protect against some cancers. Calcium is included in many multivitamins, but be sure to check the recommended daily allowance to ensure you're getting enough calcium per day. While it is possible to get adequate calcium from diet alone, many people find that taking a supplement makes reaching their daily calcium goal significantly easier.

10. Zinc

Zinc is easily lost in sweat, making it especially important for athletes and other active people to supplement with it. Zinc is especially helpful in wound healing and immune system function, and it is used to treat a wide variety of health conditions. For those who also have trouble sleeping well, a combined zinc and magnesium supplement called ZMA may help promote restful sleep while also providing you with your daily value of both of these important minerals.

In short, while the sheer number of available supplements can be daunting, choosing a few of them to support general health is important. If you seem generally healthy but want to feel even better, try adding the above supplements to your diet.

Green '17: 10 Easy Ways to Make Your Home Play Nice with the Earth

It is difficult not to notice the increasing amount of attention that the environment is receiving, and there are plenty of good reasons for this. When our planet is too polluted and resources are drained, it will become uninhabitable. Each person must take action to reduce pollution and unnecessary waste, and there are a few easy and affordable steps that everyone can take to improve their home environment. Going green may actually be easier than you think, and you may even be able to save money while learning how to make your room look bigger or to enjoy a more comfortable home as a result of some of your efforts.

1. Change Your Lightbulbs

The amount of energy used by standard or compact fluorescent lightbulbs is considerably higher than the amount of energy in LED lights. LED technology is high-efficiency lighting, and the bulbs also have a tremendously longer life span than their counterparts. This means that you will place less waste in the landfills over time. Remember to turn off all lights when they are not actively in use regardless of the type of lightbulbs that you have.

2. Program Your Thermostat

Your HVAC system uses a considerable amount of energy to maintain your home at a comfortable level. Adjust your settings so that the system turns on less frequently. You can always wear an extra layer of clothes in the winter or wear thinner clothes in the summer to moderate your personal comfort level. For even more energy-efficient results in this area, re-seal your doors and windows annually, and service your HVAC system regularly to ensure that it operates with peak energy efficiency.

3. Power Off Electronics

Many of your electronics and small appliances use energy when they are not actively being used. This includes the TV, DVD player, gaming consoles, coffee maker, microwave and more. These items should be powered off and completely unplugged when they are not in use. Doing so can save a tremendous amount of electricity, and you can enjoy financial savings on your energy bill as a result.

4. Maintain Your Appliances

It is easy to overlook an appliance in need of repair as long as it does its job. For example, the washing machine may make a funny sound when it operates, but it is still cleaning the clothes. Therefore, you may not schedule repair service. Broken appliances may use more energy or water, and they could emit additional pollution into the environment. Repair appliances as soon as possible to make them more environmentally-friendly.

5. Recycle and Compost Waste

An incredible amount of waste is created and tossed away in homes each day. Much of this waste could be re-used rather than tossed in a landfill. Recycle all of the trash that you can. In addition, start a compost pile for your unused food products. It can also be helpful to simply stop buying items that come in a lot of packaging and to buy less food so that you have less food waste.

6. Get a Water Filter

Using plastic water bottles is common, but these bottles unfortunately use natural resources in their production. They also take a long time to decompose naturally, and they are not always recycled properly. Use re-usable water bottles, and invest in a water filter at home to enjoy the fresh taste of pure, clean water from the tap.

7. Switch to Green Cleaning Products

Many household cleaning products unfortunately create air and water pollution. In some cases, it is unhealthy for you and your loved ones to inhale the fumes from these products. Green cleaning products use biodegradable ingredients, and they are safer for your family and for the environment. They also usually clean your home just as well as polluting or harmful cleaning products.

8. Upgrade to Low-Flow Water Features

Water waste is a major concern as stories of a limited fresh water supply become increasingly common. You can easily upgrade to low-flow toilets and faucets to decrease the amount of water you use without adjusting your lifestyle. In fact, you may be able to cut water consumption in half or more through this simple effort.

9. Use Cloths Rather Than Paper Products

Paper towels and napkins are commonly used in homes, but these paper products lead to deforestation and are rarely recycled as they could be. A smarter idea is to use cloth towels and napkins for all of your needs. These items can be cleaned and re-used hundreds of times or more before they are worn out and require replacement.

10. Spend Time Outside

One of the best things that you can do to have a green home is to simply spend more time in your yard. Turn off the TV or other electronics, and enjoy reading a book on the patio. Plant a garden, and grow some of your own food on-site to reduce consumer waste. Adjust the thermostat to a less energy-consumptive setting while you are outdoors.

There are other more significant steps you can take to make your home green as well. For example, you could upgrade to more energy efficient appliances. While this may be a long-term green goal, each of the tips listed here requires minimal funds and could be followed immediately. A smart starting point is to make your own to-do list using these ideas as a starting point. Then, work your way down the list, making your home greener with each step you take.

5 Summer Trends to Stay Ahead Of

The time is now for a summer ensemble that is sure to turn the heads of your friends and coworkers. The summer fashion trends that come out yearly typically do not bring about much attention. The reason is simple, there is rarely any dramatic changes.

Summer 2017 is another story. Industry insiders are pleasantly surprised by the variances demonstrated on the runways from years past.

The decisions for this summer's attire have long been decided and showcased on runways. Let's look at 5 of the trends so you can be on your "A Game" the next couple of months.

Shoulder Showoff

When we think of parts of our body to "show off", what comes to mind? The usual answers fall in line with legs, toes, arms, waist, breasts, and of course our hair and face. Our shoulders are not at the top of our list.

Our shoulders are beautiful, regardless of our age. This is one of the few parts of our body that holds its own through the years and decades in most circumstances. Why not show it off? The bottom line - a "cold-shoulder" looks great on all ages.

Semi-Opaque

First off, we are not talking about the "bare" look sometimes found with our friends in Hollywood. Good common sense always trumps irrational thinking when it comes to this type of style.

On the runways in London for summer 2017 fashion, semi-opaque ruled the day for some designers. It could be a dress or a sheer top to complement a pair of jeans. Obviously, this is not the recommended attire for a day in the office. However, for that night on the town or a weekend trip to Vegas, this look continues to be popular.

Flower Love

Certain trends have maintained their strength for decades, and such is the case for warm weather and flowers. The Kentucky Derby, run every year on the first Saturday in May, is an event that many "fashionistas" break out their best summer dress. Make no mistake, flowers are an integral part of many an attendees outfit.

From your toes to your shoulders, 60s and 70s inspired floral designs are in for the season. This design can be found in everything from dresses to pants, and they are bolder than recent memory.

A Shirt/Dress Combo in White

Let's talk about work attire. We understand the necessity, depending upon our workplace culture, of looking professional in the office. Finding comfort and style in a business appropriate outfit is every professional woman's challenge.

A white shirt dress should be a staple in your wardrobe, even more so now with the subtle changes that have been made to the waistlines and hemlines. A perfect complement to this versatile combo is a unique lipstick. A lipsense distributor can certainly provide you with that standout look.

Stripe It Up

Horizontal or vertical, it matters not, stripes are in. With red and blue continuing a strong hold on the stripes market, other colors have seen recent growth. A flashback to the 70s with a yellow mustard look and a pastel pink have been featured in numerous trade publications.

This trend goes for the men as well. So, we need not feel out of place as we dawn a striped dress or top for a day on the water or for that special date.

Wrapping It Up

Show some skin this summer, and that includes a shoulder! Who of us does not love getting outdoors when the days are long and the nights are warm. Find your sense of style in the trends, and turn some heads.