Melody Jacob

Thursday, March 24, 2022

Happy Birthday to my niece, Crystal.

Yesterday, the 23rd of March 2022, was my little niece's birthday. I remember how many times she told me about her birthday. She told me what gifts she wanted for her birthday and what colour of cake she would love. She requested a pink cake, and I'm delighted I was able to fulfil her requests.

Her birthday fell on a school day, so she had to go to school, which is when I took advantage of the situation and decorated the living room so she could come home to a surprise. I am very pleased with how successfully I pulled it off. From colourful balloons to other birthday party decorations, she was overjoyed.

I was delighted to see her smile, and she seemed to like her gifts. My mother and two siblings joined us for the celebration. I pray that her smile never ends.

United States

BIRTHDAY

Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Yes, you can stick to an exercise regimen

Yes, it is possible to maintain an exercise plan!

Increase the impact of your intentions by implementing easy tactics that will help you stay on track.

The start of a new year inspires a new resolution. However, if this is the year you finally commit to starting and maintaining an exercise routine, you'll need strategies to support your good intentions. "Research indicates that humans have finite stores of willpower, which are strained by numerous facets of life, such as eating a balanced diet or performing domestic chores. If you deplete your willpower in one area, you will have less to expend in others," Rachel Wilson, a physical therapist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital, explains.

Discover an activity that you enjoy.

"If you don't enjoy your workout, you're going to struggle to stay motivated in the long run," Wilson says. Experiment with several forms of exercise until you find one that works for you. Inquire of pals what type of exercise they enjoy and whether you can tag along to give it a try. Wilson suggests starting with easy activities such as walking, biking, or enrolling in classes oriented at beginner exercisers. Bear in mind that "exercise" can entail everything from playing with grandchildren to briskly strolling without breaking a sweat.

Establish objectives

Taking it one workout at a time is less intimidating than committing to an impossible goal that will cause you to quit. "Make short-term fitness objectives that you can track for four to eight weeks, such as walking 1,000 additional steps each day or increasing your workout duration by a few minutes," Wilson advises. Once you've established a regular exercise routine, set long-term goals.

If you're returning to exercise after a lengthy period of inactivity or if you've never exercised before, consult your physician first. Then, employ several of the following tactics to maintain your commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Make time for exercising.

Establishing and adhering to a formal fitness program will hold you more accountable than simply thinking about exercising. Wilson recommends exercising early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Avoid leaving it till the end of the day, when you're out of time and steam.

Canada

HEALTH/FITNESS

Yes, you can stick to an exercise regimen

50 summer nail design ideas to try in Nigeria

The majority of clients prefer one of the five basic nail shapes: square, round, oval, squoval, or pointed. Though there are various mixed combinations of these shapes, these five are the most popular.

While having a beautiful manicure is a good idea all year, there's something about summer that makes you feel more daring. Now is the time to experiment with ultra-bright colours, novel textures, fashionable shapes, and bold patterns. Continue reading to find creative ways to refresh your distinctive look, as well as this season's most on-trend summer nail design ideas to elevate your manicure.

What will be the nail trend in 2022? Almond and ballerina shaped nails, as well as hues like creamy blue, soft red, dark turquoise, bright pink, grey, milk chocolate, and sand, are the big manicure trends for 2022. Holographic coatings, glitter, and ombre are also popular.

Nigeria

NAIL

Monday, March 21, 2022

How to Make a home gym work for you

You can turn your living room into an effective workout environment with the correct props and instructions.

Although exercising at home is more convenient and cost-effective than going to the gym, you must still generate the motivation to work out.

Thousands of individuals join fitness clubs each year, expecting that the bright lights, glittery machines, and upbeat instructors will motivate them to exercise. However, after a month or so, a large percentage of new members stop going to the gym, having shrunk their wallets but not their waistlines.

Because aerobic exercise is so critical for heart health, you'll need to find a different strategy to stay motivated to exercise on a regular basis. Setting up a home gym may be a more practical and cost-effective choice for certain people.

Make a schedule for yourself.

Dr. Elizabeth Frates, director of wellness programming at Harvard-affiliated Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, says, "An effective workout plan has to be pleasant as well as meet your basic fitness requirements." At least 150 minutes of aerobic activity each week, severe enough to speed up your rate and produce a light sweat, is required for maximum health. In addition, at least twice a week on nonconsecutive days, you should follow a strength-training regimen that works all of your major muscle groups. Finally, including stretching and balance exercises in your routine might help you keep flexible and avoid falling.

Choose your props.

While there's nothing like a brisk stroll in the fresh air to get your heart rate up and running, the weather doesn't always cooperate. Working your legs using a small pedalling machine that fits neatly beneath a table or desk might help you duplicate the feeling at home. Other entertaining activities to work up a sweat include skipping rope, jumping on a little trampoline, and spinning your hips with an old-fashioned hula hoop. While working at the computer or watching TV, bouncing on a stability ball might help you reduce inactive time and increase your heart rate.

If you have more space in your home and money to spend, a dedicated aerobics machine like a treadmill, stationary bike, or elliptical stepper can be a good option. Dr. Frates advises that you make sure you actually enjoy an activity like running or bicycling before investing in a significant piece of equipment because these devices are notorious for becoming dust collectors.

Begin with the basics.

When it comes to strength training, the same advice applies. Begin with simple, low-cost things like a couple of sets of small barbells in various weights. To strengthen your lower body, wear weighted ankle cuffs when doing leg lifts or step-ups. "Mastering appropriate form is the key to efficient strength training with weights," explains Dr. Frates. As a result, she strongly advises including a how-to video in your training gear. Many nice options can be found online at places like these:

•The American Council on Exercise is a non-profit organization that promotes physical activity (www.acefitness.org; click on "Exercise Library")

•The National Institute on Aging's Go4Life program (https://go4life.nia.nih.gov; click on "Get Free Stuff")

An elastic workout band, which uses your own body weight to improve muscle strength, is another useful piece of equipment for resistance training. These bands are usually sold in pairs of four or five and range in stiffness from very elastic to very stiff. A foam pad or yoga mat will help you feel more comfortable when doing floor exercises like push-ups or stretches.

If you're a seasoned weightlifter with extra cash and floor space, a so-called home gym unit might be the way to go. Using a system of cables and piled weights, these small devices provide a wide range of upper- and lower-body strengthening workouts. If you take it this way, hiring a personal trainer for a few sessions to help you create your exercise and learn good form and technique with each aspect of the machine may be useful.

Make a contribution.

"Before you begin setting up your home gym, you must first prepare your mentality," Dr. Frates advises. Knowing your specific objectives—whether it's to lower your cholesterol, spend more time with your grandchildren, or improve your golf game—is the first step toward a successful program. In the end, it'll be your commitment to improving your habit, not your flashy new workout equipment, that will keep you going. "Just because you acquire the most up-to-date fitness equipment doesn't mean you'll use it."

Nigeria

HEALTH/FITNESS

Two common shoulder injuries and how to avoid them

Two often occurring shoulder injuries and how to prevent them

These hardworking joints are more susceptible to damage than you may think. Now is the time to safeguard them in order to maintain their independence.

Once we reach our fifties, shoulder issues are common. By that time, the shoulder muscles and tendons have weakened, the cartilage has deteriorated, and the bones have begun to lose density. Two distinct types of shoulder injuries are prevalent in older people.

Injuries to the rotator cuff

The rotator cuff—a set of muscles and tendons that support the shoulder and assist in arm movement—is prone to inflammation and tear.

These injuries frequently occur while carrying a large object above your shoulders, such as when loading luggage into an airplane's overhead bin or reaching up to trim tree branches. You rely heavily on your rotator cuff for movement and strength, but those muscles are quite small and weak. They can tear if you apply too much power to them," Dr. Evan O'Donnell, a shoulder surgeon affiliated with Harvard Medical School, concurs.

Other possible causes of rotator cuff injuries include a hard accident or irregular bone growth that pinches tendons when the shoulder moves.

How can you know if you have a rotator cuff injury? "Your range of motion will stay the same, but you will feel pain on the outside of your upper arm, especially when you reach overhead," says Dr. O'Donnell.

He observes that rotator cuff discomfort is typically worse at night. This could be because your body releases inflammatory substances during sleep. Additionally, it could be that you're sleeping on your shoulder and having difficulty finding a comfortable position," Dr. O'Donnell provides clarification.

Corticosteroid injections into the shoulder, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the shoulder muscles and tendons are all used to treat rotator cuff tears. If such treatments are ineffective in relieving discomfort, we can replace the shoulder joint or even harvest tendons from your back to produce a new rotator cuff, Dr. O'Donnell explains.

Try this shoulder stretch

A young man stretching his shoulder.

Internal rotation stretch for the shoulders: Stand straight with your feet hip-width apart and your hands by your sides. At your waist, place the back of your right hand against the small of your back. Raise your index and middle fingers. Slide your right hand as far up your back as possible. Extend your limbs to the point of mild tension. Ten to twenty seconds later, repeat with the other hand.

Fractures

Shoulder bones (particularly the upper arm and collarbone) are two of the most commonly fractured (broken) bones during a fall. These fractures can result in discomfort, edema, and bruising, as well as a bump at the fracture site, trouble moving your arm, and grinding sounds when you move your arm.

Numerous shoulder fractures can be treated conservatively. "The arm is sling-mounted, and you'll need to undergo physical therapy to gently extend and strengthen the shoulder," Dr. O'Donnell explains. The prognosis is really good. Shoulder pain should subside and range of motion should improve over the next three to six months."

If you have a complicated fracture, which occurs when a bone is broken in multiple locations and the surrounding tissue is affected, you may require surgery to repair the fracture or replace the shoulder. "It is a substantial procedure that requires physical therapy afterwards." However, the outcomes are satisfactory to exceptional. According to Dr. O'Donnell, the majority of people regain their range of motion and are pain-free following surgery.

United States

HEALTH/FITNESS

Saturday, March 19, 2022

Southern side dishes for the month

Certain Southern meals, such as barbecued pork, fried chicken, and mashed potatoes, are not exactly healthful. Indeed, research has connected Southern-style meals strong in meat and fried foods to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

However, traditional Southern food includes a variety of side dishes made with nutritious components such as vegetables, beans, and whole grains. They can be combined to create a complete, meatless dinner that is both filling and enjoyable. Serve two or more of the following concurrently.

Greens. Collard greens are traditional, but you can substitute other robust greens such as kale, chard, or cabbage. Stir-fry in olive oil with garlic cloves. To enhance the flavour, add a splash of your favourite vinegar and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.

United Kingdom

Food

How to stay coordinated and strong as you age

So many physical attributes deteriorate with normal aging, including strength, swiftness, and stamina. In addition to these muscle-related reductions, there are additional alterations that occur in coordinating the motions of the body. As a result of these changes, you may find that you are unable to accomplish activities like dashing to catch a bus, walking around the garden, going grocery shopping and bringing them inside the house, maintaining your balance on a slippery surface, or playing catch with your grandchildren as well as you once could. However, must these activities deteriorate? Consider why these reductions occur—and what you might do to reclaim your strength and coordination.

Changes in your strength

Age-related declines in strength, speed, and stamina are all connected with decreased muscle mass. Although muscle mass does not diminish significantly between the ages of 20 and 40, after age 40, lean body mass and strength can decline by 1% to 2% per year.

Muscle mass loss is associated with both a decrease in the number of muscle fibers and a decrease in fiber size. They die if the fibers become too tiny. Fast-twitch muscle fibers contract and die at a faster rate than other muscle fibers, resulting in a loss of muscular speed. Additionally, the ability of muscles to repair themselves reduces with age. One element contributing to these changes is a decrease in muscle-building hormones and growth factors such as testosterone, estrogen, dehydroepiandrosterone (often referred to as DHEA), growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factors.

Coordination changes

Coordination changes are less a function of muscles and more a function of the brain and neurological system. Multiple brain centers must be linked in order for you to perform tasks ranging from golfing to holding a coffee cup steady as you walk across a room. This emphasizes the critical nature of the brain's wiring, the so-called white matter that connects the various brain regions.

Unfortunately, the majority of persons over the age of 60 who consume a western diet and do not exercise regularly have some small "ministrokes" (also known as microvascular or small vessel disease) in their white matter. Although the strokes are unnoticeable when they occur, they can damage connections between critical brain coordination centers such as the frontal lobe (which directs movement) and the cerebellum (which provides on-the-fly corrections to those movements as needed).

Additionally, as you age, you lose dopamine-producing cells, which can delay your movements and impair your coordination; thus, even if you do not get Parkinson's disease, many people develop some of the movement abnormalities associated with Parkinson's.

Finally, vision changes—the "eye" aspect of hand-eye coordination—are critical. Eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration are substantially more prevalent in older persons. Additionally, modest visual impairment might be the first indicator of aging-related cognitive problems, such as Lewy body disease and Alzheimer's disease.

United States

HEALTH/FITNESS