You’re Back, Baby – 4 Tips to Getting Your Pre-Baby Body Back Post-Partum

May 15, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

You don’t have to resign yourself to gazing longingly at your pre-pregnancy jeans, remembering the good times when you could wear them comfortably—you can absolutely get that pre-baby body back! It may look and function a little differently this time around, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go after it. Give yourself room to be “new and improved,” and check out these 4 tips to help you on your way back to your pre-baby body.

1. Exercise

Exercise is key after having a baby (once approved by your doctor). It is essential as much for your mind as for your body. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which boost your mood and help to ward off post-partum depression while you get yourself back in shape. If you aren’t sure where to start with exercise, or what your body can handle, don’t be afraid to sign up for some personal training sessions with a professional who specializes in post-pregnancy training and can help you find the appropriate routine. You can also look for “Mommy and Me” fitness groups in your area that incorporate baby into your exercise routine.

2. Self-Care

Exercise forms part of the broader concept of self-care. It is easy to forget about yourself, and focus solely on the needs of your new baby and your family. If you want to return to that pre-baby body, you need to make sure that your mind is in the right place so that you can make good decisions about food, exercise, and sleep. If you didn’t practice self-care before, here are some ideas for how to do so now. Many gyms will help with your self- care by watching your child for 2 hours when they are as little as 3 months old.

3. Nutrition

Most pregnant women are aware of what foods are off-limits while they are pregnant, but few pay the same attention to their diet once the baby is born. The most important thing you can do to get your pre-baby body back is to pay attention to what you eat. Your nutritional intake can affect not only your body but also your mental health and your sleep. There is no doubt you will be pressed for time and distracted, so keep a few different healthy snacks on hand and in the diaper bag for those hungry moments when you don’t have time to make a meal. If you divide your snacks up into portions in advance, you won’t have to worry about overeating.

4. Sleep

There is no way around it, sleep is incredibly challenging during your baby’s first year. That being said, getting adequate sleep is a huge factor in weight loss. When you don’t sleep, your body craves sugar and carbohydrates and tells you it is too tired to exercise. Your metabolism also becomes groggy and does not process food the way it usually would, causing it to allow fat to hang around in your body longer than it normally would. Combat these adverse side effects by taking every opportunity to sleep. When baby naps, put aside that desire to do something “productive” and grab some precious shut-eye.

You do not need to initiate yourself into the world of motherhood by purchasing a new, larger wardrobe. You can get your pre-baby body back! Don’t be afraid to invest in the health of your own body through a little self-care and exercise. Set yourself up for nutritional success by keeping healthy snacks on hand, and take advantage of every opportunity you can to get some sleep.

Rapid Recovery – 5 Ways to Speed Up Your Recovery From Injury

May 15, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Injuries have a funny way of striking right when you’re in your prime. Your heart breaks, not so much from the pain but from the realization of what lies ahead: a long road to recovery along which much of the progress you’ve made towards your fitness goals will be lost.

While your body does need time to heal, it’s not all bad news. There are some key things you can do to get yourself back up and running in record time. Read on to discover the five essentials to rapid injury recovery:

1. Bring the Professionals to You

It’s not until you have an injury that you realize just how much strain everyday tasks can place on the affected joint, muscle or bone. Even the seemingly simple process of getting into your car or taking public transport can become a mission that puts you at risk of re-injuring yourself. The best way to save yourself this drama is to sign up for mobile physiotherapy. You’ll get a trained therapist delivered to your door along with all the necessary equipment to take care of your rehabilitation safely at home.

2. Get Plenty of Sleep

While physiotherapy is key to rapid recovery, if you’re not getting adequate rest, you’ll be hampering your progress. It can be hard to sleep when you’re going through the pain and discomfort of healing an injury. However, finding a way to do so is vital as it’s when your body is at rest that it does the bulk of its healing. Talk to your doctor and physiotherapist about pain management and bed set-up options that will optimize your chances of getting quality sleep consistently throughout your recovery period.

3. Stay off the Booze

It’s easy to get a bit down in the dumps when your life has been put on hold by an injury. However, the last thing you want to do is drown your sorrows in a beer (or seven). It may help your mood in the moment, but alcohol can be problematic during the healing phase in a number of different ways. Putting aside the potential for re-injuring yourself (or scoring a brand new injury) if you get legitimately drunk and your coordination goes out the window, there’s also the simple fact that alcohol increases inflammation in the body.

4. Cut Back on Sugar and Caffeine

While sugar and caffeine won’t have you stumbling around like alcohol will, they too are known to create inflammation in the body while interfering with sleep quality. In everyday life, most of us are pretty well equipped to deal with a few extra bursts of inflammation here and there. However, when you’re recovering from an injury, your body’s resources are already heavily taxed.Therefore, anything you can do to take the pressure off will allow for the full force of your natural healing capabilities to be directed towards your injury.

5. Stay active

The way you do this depends on the nature of your injury. However, it is vital for both your physical and mental health to stay as active as you safely can during recovery. If you create a workout plan with your physiotherapist and stick to it, you’ll keep your active habits and healthy mindset going throughout your recovery and will be ready to hit the ground running as soon as you are able.

Sustaining an injury can feel like a monumental setback. However, if you enlist the help of medical professionals, ensure you get plenty of rest, cut back on inflammatory substances and stay (safely) active, you’ll be back on track in no time.

Cozy Cooking – 5 Ingenious Ways to Save Space in a Small Kitchen

April 22, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Photo by Brooke Lark on Stocksnap

If you live in in a small home, a studio apartment, or a big city where space is at a premium, and you love to cook, you may feel frustrated some days by the minuscule size of your kitchen. There is hope! Instead of allowing the size to discourage you, you could flip your perspective and enjoy the creative challenge of a small kitchen. Below are five ingenious ways you can kill it in the kitchen when the space is tight.

Don’t be Afraid to Hang Things

Get out the hammer, nails, and ruler and prepare yourself to hang everything you can. Get your knives up off the counter onto magnetic strips, capture potholders on wall grids, and scoop up your measuring spoons into little containers that you can string off of racks with hooks. When shelf space is a struggle, don’t be afraid to hang your cookware from your ceiling above your stove. Another way to save space and make cooking more convenient is to attach your most commonly used utensils on the wall above your stove.

Get Vertical

What can’t fit in drawers could go up! Vertical shelving could be your ticket to additional storage on your counters, above your appliances or in any open space. If you remove the doors, you can add an artistic flair to your kitchen as you thoughtfully decorate with pieces like mixing bowls and mugs. If you do incorporate open shelving, consider investing in either matching or purposefully mismatching jars to store your various flours, grains, and spices—your kitchen will look attractive, clean and organized!

Roll Whatever You Can

Your small kitchen most likely does not include a kitchen island, so consider purchasing a rolling island to create some additional counter space anywhere in the kitchen. Another option on wheels is a tiered storage or bar cart that you can seasonally decorate and scoot from place to place easily if company arrives. Finally, if you are feeling crafty, you could consider making your very own rolling pantry.

Enlarge your Cutting Board

If you are struggling for space to chop your vegetables or roll out your pie dough, you may want to invest in a cutting board that fits over the top of an open drawer, your sink or the stove. You will immediately gain counter space instead of your cutting board monopolizing precious real estate.

Fold Up Your Kitchen Table

Don’t worry, this is not where you go back to your early twenties and eat off a folding card table—instead, it is where you might consider adding a table that can fold up into your wall, similar to the functionality of a murphy bed. Instead of a typical kitchen table chair, you could use a soft bench to create a seamless flow to the room when the table is folded up and make the absence of the table less obvious.

If you enjoy cooking you are going to spend a great deal of time in your kitchen, so why not create something that captures your style while strategically allowing you to save space? When shelving is tight, don’t be afraid to add more and go vertical. Maximize your counter space by hanging whatever you can, finding a cutting board that fits over your sink and adding a rolling island or bar cart. You can even throw tradition to the wind and put in a kitchen table that folds up into the wall. Allow your small kitchen to morph from your nemesis to your most significant accomplishment.

How To Calculate Your Due Date And How Many Weeks Pregnant You Are

April 16, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

In ancient Egypt, the Egyptians used a woman’s urine to establish if she was pregnant or not. They would urinate on certain grains and if the grains germinated, the woman knew she was pregnant. Imagine having to wait a few days for the result. Fortunately for us, times have changed, now we simply pee on a plastic stick and we have the results in a matter of minutes.

When you do find out that you’re pregnant, one of the greatest joys is knowing exactly when to expect your baby’s appearance into the world. This gives you a sense of control so that you can plan everything in advance and prepare yourself for your little one’s arrival.

Continue reading to find out how to calculate your due date so you can be prepared for your little one’s grand entrance into the world.

Using Dates

Most women are not 100% sure when they ovulated or when conception took place. To help in ascertaining the due date, science has made it quite easy. Your due date or EDD, Estimated Date of Delivery, is calculated by adding 280 days or 40 weeks to the first day of a woman’s last menstrual period. This might seem a bit odd because you were not pregnant on the first day of your period, but this helps the medical field to calculate your due date as precisely as they can. You can, therefore, take the date of your last period and use a diary and start adding 280 days to find your due date.

Ultrasound

Another way to calculate your EDD and therefore how many weeks pregnant you are is by asking your doctor to do an ultrasound. This is done in the first trimester, and the earlier the better. This is because the measurements provided in the first trimester are the most accurate estimation of your baby’s age because all fetuses tend to develop at the same rate.

The doctor will measure the baby from one end to the other, also known as the crown-rump length (CRL). Due to decades of research on many embryos and their crown-rump length measurements, the doctor will be able to give you a precise due date. Determining the EDD is generally not done this way in the second and third trimester because babies development rates are different in these gestation periods.

Due Date Calculator

But what if you can’t get to your doctor just yet and you really want to know your due date and how many weeks pregnant you are? Then, the due date calculator is the easiest way to calculate your due date. There are loads of apps and websites that you can use. All you have to do is enter the first day of your last period date and it automatically calculates your due date.

These handy tools use Naegele’s rule. This rule states that if you add one year from the date of your last menstrual period and subtract 3 months and add 7 days to that date, it will give an accurate due date. But instead of you having to figure it out, it does it for you automatically.

Accuracy

Very few babies are born on their projected due dates. They either make their appearance a few weeks before or a few weeks after the EDD. There are some other factors which may influence your due date, for example, if progesterone levels climbed more slowly in the first weeks of gestation, the baby can take longer to come. Also, the longer the embryo took to implant, the longer the gestation period.

Basically, the baby’s development rate causes late or early birth. In other words, the baby will come when he/she is good and ready. Think of it this way. Parenthood is a great way to work on the patience aspect of our personalities. Baby is just giving you a sneak peek of what’s coming.

It’s All Good

Whether your baby is early or late, try not to fixate on that date. Rather start daydreaming of the birthday parties, hugs, and kisses that you will share with your baby. And enjoy your pregnancy. It really is a miracle from heaven. You were chosen to be this baby’s mother and you are going to be a great one!

Looking Good – 5 Tips to Look and Feel Great in 2019

April 16, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Sometimes, you can get to a point in your life when you’re tired of the “same old” you. You don’t feel all that good about who you are, lack confidence, and you’re merely going through the motions of what feels like a drab and lackluster existence. Life is for living to the fullest, not for stagnating. If you want to start being at your best so you can feel better and have more confidence, then consider these five tips below.

Source: Mark_Mook_Fotografie/Pixabay

Look at Cosmetic Dentistry

Did you know that much of your confidence comes from your smile? If your teeth are yellowing or stained, then you are going to be more likely to remain tight-lipped. One way to feel far better about yourself is by taking care of that problem with teeth whitening. Within a few hours of sitting in a dentist’s chair, you can be grinning from ear to ear with confidence.

Get Fit

More than 35 percent of US citizens are obese, which means around that many are not getting enough exercise. If it has been a long time since you pounded the pavement, don’t you think it might be time to start? Choosing to get fit and healthy can be a monumental decision and one that helps you to feel better about yourself and look better too. What’s more, it’s something you can do with friends, expanding your social horizons. If motivation is a barrier, get yourself an exercise buddy, or hire a personal trainer to help keep you focused and accountable.

Passion for Nutrition

The average woman will work almost eight hours a day, with the average man around eight and a half. By the time you come home, do your chores, feed the pets, and help the kids with their homework, you’re slapping dinner together at the last minute – be it nutritional or not. Draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough.

If you want to feel and look good, you need to be more conscious of what you are putting in your mouth. Get that old cookware out of mothballs and start whipping up more fresh meals, rather than relying on processed food. A new diet coupled with exercise can transform both body and soul.

A New Wardrobe

When was the last time you went shopping and bought yourself a full new outfit? If you can’t remember, then it was too long ago. However, when you hit the mall, don’t stick with the same old garments you always buy. Become a new, confident version of you. Draw upon the experience of shop assistants so you can walk out with an outfit that enhances your figure and suits your personality.

New Year, New Hair

Whether you’re a man or a woman, there’s something cleansing and exciting about changing your hairstyle. However, men will only do it around four times in their peak adulthood, with women more likely to do it every 18 months. If you’re tired of looking in the mirror and seeing the same face and style, then take a trip to your local salon. Try something new, exciting, or even drastic that will see you looking and feeling great in the new year.

Not everyone is comfortable or confident with the skin they’re in. However, it can be hard to make a change. When you’re stuck in a rut, or you’re used to doing things a certain way, you can forget that another way exists. Make 2019 your year.

Look at cosmetic dentistry to grin with confidence, change up your hairstyle, invest in a new wardrobe, and get fit and healthy. You’ll then glide into 2020 looking every fit as fabulous as you feel.

An Overview Of Formula Milk And How It Can Benefit Your Family

February 19, 2019 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

It is an exciting time to be a new parent – exciting but also harrowing when it comes to deciding the best way to do just about everything. With regards to feeding your child and ensuring their growth and development, it can be difficult to get the best information. There are many conflicting opinions over concepts such as formula milk and it can be difficult to know what to do!

Naturally, there are a variety of opinions on this matter but it is always best to know the facts of the matter. Some people swear by the ‘breast is best’ rule when it comes to feeding their child but formula milk should not be overlooked as it has a lot of benefits to offer.

Let’s take a closer look at formula milk and how it can be of benefit for your family.

Formula Milk Helps Progressive Parenting

If you are looking to establish a more equal parenting regime in your household, formula feeding your child can help to ensure that no one parent is the primary caregiver. In our contemporary society, formula milk can provide a great option for progressive parents who want to ensure that each parent has equal responsibilities with the newborn. In the long run, this can also lead to more balanced family dynamics when your child is older.

Formula Milk Is Convenient For New Mothers

While it can sometimes be looked down upon by your breastfeeding friends, pay this no mind. Formula feeding can provide a higher degree of convenience and freedom for new mothers. After giving birth, new mothers should be able to take advantage of alternating breastfeeding with formula feeding to give themselves a break. It can be easier for both your bodily health but also on your mental health. You can also eat and drink whatever you would like, as it will not affect the newborn.

For working mothers, formula feeding can also provide a number of real benefits. While it is completely natural, contemporary breastfeeding usually requires mothers to carry a lot of equipment with them. By formula feeding, you can cut down on this hassle and settle into the convenience of simply using a bottle.

Formula milk also has the fantastic advantage of being easily quantifiable; that is, you can measure the amount of nutrition that your newborn is getting. On the other hand, breastfeeding can create some ambiguity in knowing if your baby is being adequately fed or not.

Formula Milk Makes For A Healthy Family

Thankfully, formula milk offers a nutritious alternative to natural milk. Better yet, it often contains vitamins and minerals that are absent from breastmilk. Substances such as vitamin D and the fatty acid DHA are essential for the healthy development of your child. Both are commonly found in formula milk.

It is important to read the labels on any formula products that your baby will be consuming to ensure that they are getting what they need. This can even promote a healthier environment for the rest of your family with regard to nutrition awareness. If you want to ensure that your whole family – especially your newborn – is healthy, then certainly consider formula milk as a viable option.

The Benefits Of Formula Milk Are Many

Choosing to use formula milk instead of breastfeeding carries with it a number of real benefits – for you, your newborn, and your family. While it is not always an easy choice to make, in light of polarizing cultural and even political views, no one should be shamed for choosing formula. Whatever you decide to do with your newborn, make sure that your entire household is on track to be healthy and happy.

Koh Samui Food Guide: What & Where to Eat in Koh Samui

November 27, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Located to the east coast of Thailand is one of the country’s largest islands – Koh Samui. Apart from being a fishing municipality, the area is a tourist destination known for its incredible cuisine. It’s also known as one of best beach brunches in Southeast Asia. Koh Samui is filled with restaurants that serve both local and international foods at affordable prices. There are also luxurious restaurants that serve those people interested in spending more. In addition, some eating establishments have in house entertainment for those people that cannot eat without some music.

Ideas about Where and What to Eat in Koh Samui

Breakfast

For breakfast, one should go to the Bophut beach area where there are several restaurants that serve both vegan and non-vegan diets. While there, one can also try the local breakfast which includes pad Thai, some green curries, and sticky rice. It can be quite a treat if one is not used to eating heavy meals for breakfast. Traditional English breakfast made up of eggs, sausage, tea, juice, and some bread is also available in some restaurants. For those that must have a fully vegan breakfast, they can go to the Chaweng or Lamai beach area where restaurants serve vegan breakfast buffets.

Brunch

Brunch in Koh Samui is a big deal, and many restaurants compete for customers. Sunday brunch at Sunday Sessions, Beach Republic is a popular place for this kind of meal. Beach republic offers a variety of brunch options for the diners; from waffles to indigenous Thailand fruits to lobsters and other types of fish. There is also a grill section for those that love barbecue. And to top it all off, there are a variety of drinks offered during and after meals.

Lunch

Being an island, it comes as no surprise that most of the restaurants in Koh Samui serve seafood. The restaurants serve some amazing lobsters, crabs, prawns, clams, and other types of fish. With most eateries located next to the beach, those who visit these restaurants have wonderful views of the ocean. Another place with amazing food and a magnificent view is Chaweng beach. This restaurants found in this area allow visitors to marvel at the captivating hill ranges overlooking the area as they have their meals. For those on a budget, they can try Koh Samui’s street food, which often includes fried chicken, corn on a cob, banana pancakes, and crunchy insects.

Dinner

For dinner, Chaweng beach is still the preferred destination because of the numerous restaurants that are lined up along the shores. The setting makes for a romantic candle lit dinner by the beach as one stares at the stars and the moon. Most eating joints also have live band performances to create the mood for the evening. Interestingly, despite being a fishing town, there are some restaurants that actually serve pasta and pizza. One can also eat burgers and fries if they are not for the local delicacies. However, even if one has their doubts about local food, they should try the famous Tom Yum or Pad Thai which have a unique taste due to the various indigenous spices and herbs used to make them. A quick word of advice, if someone wishes to try out the European cuisines, they have to book days in advance because the space in those restaurants is limited.

Nightlife

After a satisfying dinner, one can visit a number of beach clubs around Chaweng and Bophut beach area. The drinks are not expensive, and the music is good with most clubs playing popular western songs. Some entertainment spots hire international djs from Europe to make the party experience memorable for visitors. The bars also serve a number of cocktails for those eager to try out new drinks. The streets are well lit at night so that revelers can easily move from one club to another. Interestingly, most joints have an ‘open plan’ layout that makes the place seem bigger than it actually is.

Eating out in Koh Samui can be fun if one knows the right places. This article contains a list of worthy places to eat in Koh Samui. For the first time traveler, they will be amazed at how simple foods like coconut can be used to make a really tasty meal. For the return traveler, the food always tastes the same if not better.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Rid of Junk Cars for Cash

November 27, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

There comes a time in every car’s life when you’ll feel compelled to make a decision on what to do with it. Perhaps your vehicle is a fairly new one that’s suffered such damage in a collision that it’s a total write off. It could be an ancient relic that’s been gathering rust in a forgotten corner of your backyard. Either way it couldn’t be easier to get rid of junk car for cash. The guidelines below are showing you what to do and not to do when thinking about selling your broken car.

What to Do?

1. DO Research the Potential Value of your Junk Car

You can find out the prices of vehicles in a similar condition by looking through websites on the internet. Better still ask a properly qualified mechanic to make a detailed assessment.

2. DO Let Others Repair it

There are many enthusiasts who enjoy spending their leisure time restoring broken vehicles. It is a way of obtaining an expensive car at a bargain price. Some buyers are particularly interested in long forgotten vintage models that have been hidden away in farm buildings and garages. If you have any doubts about the value of an old car or truck it’s worth asking the opinion of an expert from a vintage automobile club.

3. DO Seek Good Services

A reliable auto wrecker who will be only too pleased to buy your junk old cars for cash. Potential buyers of spare parts rely on them for their extensive knowledge and can be confident that any components are of a good condition.

4. DO Research

Find out the condition of your old car before approaching a dealer. If you are aware of the damage to expensive parts such as the engine your bargaining power will be so much the greater. It’s also beneficial to obtain more than one quote.

5. DO Ask for Help with Advertising

A professional mechanic will provide you with detailed analysis of the car’s damage enabling you to be totally honest with potential buyers.

6. DO Look for Free Old Car Removal

You will be confident that the cash payment they offer is a true reflection of the car’s value as scrap metal.

7. DO Sell to a Trustworthy Car Wrecker

You will have the benefit of professional services that are fast and efficient.

What Not to Do?

1. DON’T Pay for Old Car Removal

It will reduce the price of the initial cash offer. Not all companies charge for this service.

2. DON’T Act in Haste

When you want to get rid of your old junk car don’t just give it away for nothing. Every broken car has a value even if it’s only as scrap metal. Remember it isn’t a case of if you get any money but how much.

3. DON’T Forget Repairs

Depending on the extent of the damage you might find it only needs a relatively small investment to make it road worthy again. Then you can use it yourself or make extra money selling it in a more marketable condition.

4. DON’T Dismantle

Selling individual components unless you have a thorough understanding of spare parts. You’ll find it difficult to give detailed descriptions and could miss out on earning extra cash if your buyer knows more than you.

5. DON’T Presume it Can’t be Traded-in

Dealers will always take a broken car as part of a trade-in on a vehicle you’ve chosen as a replacement. They will offset the reduction they offer by the sale of your old junk car as scrap or for recycling spare parts.

6. DON’T Tell Lies

Never overlook your broken car’s failings if you decide to sell it privately. Even if you incorrectly market it through inexperience or lack of knowledge you can still find yourself being prosecuted for false advertising. One thing you can be sure of is that any faults will become apparent sooner rather than later.

7. DON’T Sell To Just Anyone

Sell your broken car to a scrap dealer without checking on their reputation, the services they offer and how they dispose of your junk car.

Choosing a responsible car wrecker will ensure that your broken car is disposed of in a way that will be ecologically sound. Undamaged components will be recycled as spare parts and the scrap metal will be processed for the manufacture of other products. Hazardous substances such as battery acid and waste oil will be disposed of through eco-friendly methods. Check out these extra tips of where to sell your broken car and when you know it’s time to get rid of junk car for cash, by using a reputable car wrecking company you’ll not only earn yourself extra money but you’ll also be protecting the environment.

Sleep Soundly – How to Beat Insomnia

October 16, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes suffers to experience trouble when falling asleep, or staying asleep. According to the Sleep Health Foundation, one in three people suffer from this disorder in some degree. More commonly, insomnia is seen in elderly people, and is twice as likely to affect women than men. This may be due to increased rates of anxiety and depression in women, which can be associated with insomnia. Though the disorder affects sleep, the effects last throughout the day with suffers often unable to focus on tasks. It is important to recognise insomnia, and work towards overcoming it. Here are three things that may assist with your sleep, and lead you to having a better night’s rest.

Get Comfortable.

The first and perhaps most important aspect of sleep is the environment around you. According to the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School, the bedroom environment can have significant effects on sleep quality and quantity. Assess your sleeping situation, and consider if it can be improved. Light has a large impact on sleep, so ensure that the room is sufficiently dark during times of rest. Temperature is also a huge factor, with the optimum level unique to each person.

Finally, your mattress and pillows will ultimately determine the position in which you sleep. Ensure that your pillows are supportive, and your mattress free of any lumps. You may have to purchase some upgrades, perhaps splurging on a memory foam mattress or some expensive pillows; since we spend one third of our lives asleep, it is a worthwhile purchase!

Stay Active.

While this point may scare some people away, it is no secret that staying active can significantly improve your ability to fall asleep at night. This has been scientifically proven, with many contributing factors discovered, including lowering of stress levels and regulation of body temperature. Taking care to participate in regular exercise, therefore, is a way to assist with any sleeping issues you may have. This exercise does not have to be in a sweaty gym, or running 10km a day (although if this is your thing, enjoy!), and can simply consist of a morning or afternoon walk.

Dancing, swimming or even rollerskating are all other options to consider, so don’t be afraid to get creative with staying active. Participating in a sport is a great way to stay consistent in your exercise routine. The Department of Health and Human Services has some great information about this, so check out their website if you’re interested.

Have a Routine.

This may not be possible for everyone, especially those who do shift work, but having a sleeping schedule can help program your body to know when it’s time to sleep. For one week, try going to bed at the same time every night, and wake up at the same time every morning. See how you feel, and if it has made an improvement then incorporate a sleep schedule into your everyday life. If you do not see any changes, consider adopting one of the other tips mentioned, or see a healthcare professional.

There we have it, three ways to get a better nights sleep! Try them all, or pick one or two and assess your progress. Remember, if you have suffered from insomnia and these tips have not shown any improvement, consult your doctor. Your sleep is very important, and any struggles should be recognised and addressed. Good Luck.

Keep Your Homework Organized with These 3 Fun Tools!

October 16, 2018 by Painter Mommy Leave a Comment

This is the time of year when the back to school frenzy starts to subside. Students and teachers alike are starting to ease into their school year routine. A daily dose of homework is the norm for many students when the school year is in full effect. It may come in the form of quick reading and math sheets for the little ones just starting out in elementary school.

But for everyone else, homework can be packed full of lessons and note taking. If this is the case for you or your student, make sure you’ve got the best tools to keep yourself or your children in maximum organization mode – and have a blast doing it too.

Here are three must-have tools from OOLY that will keep your homework on track and packed full of color that will stimulate the mind and keep the learning process fun!

Multi-Colored Gel Pens

One of the most creative ways to help words pop off a page is by using gel pens. If you’re spending considerable time outlining a chapter or organizing research for an essay, multicolored pens can help you organize your facts and your thoughts.

Use a different color for each category like dates, points you want to make, important people or periods to remember, etc.

OOLY has plenty of color packed gel pen sets to choose from. Gel pens glide on with smooth, rich strokes to leave your page in a rainbow of organization. Try the 6 Click Neon Multi-Color Gel Pen for bright eye-catching hues. Check out Mighty Mini Gel Pens for your notetaking needs in a neat, compact design. Or choose Petite Point Fine Tip Gel Pens for a nice variety of color in 12 elegant choices.

Highlighters

Whether you’re reviewing your notes or finding the important points of a reading assignment or research notes, highlighters always come in handy for helping you find the points worth remembering. The typical yellow highlighter seems to be the go-to choice for many dutiful students. But why not change it up a bit, and go for a fun highlighter option that will make your homework a wee bit more entertaining?

Take a look at OOLY’s Fresh Pick Scented Neon Gel Crayon Highlighters for a fun, friendly scented choice. These highlighters come in five fanciful colors that will keep your mind and your nose stimulated! Another option that gets an A+ for versatility is the Do-Overs Erasable Highlighters. Made a mistake? That’s okay! Just erase it and highlight again.

Sticky Notes

The perfect companion to multi-colored gel pens and helpful highlighters are sticky notes. Sticky notes are must-haves to keep you on point and efficient when studying or organizing notes. OOLY has a collection of whimsically entertaining, and totally effective sticky notes to keep you on track and have a little fun doing it.

Consider Note Pals Sticky Tabs for a quirky collection of colorfully cute critters to keep tabs on your pages. Or choose Notes On A Roll Decorative Sticky Tape to keep your homework happening with the happiest of vibes.