As a woman, no matter what stage of life you’re in, you always want to look and feel your best, whether at work or for a night out on the town. Maybe you’re trying to spruce up your wardrobe, to have more energy to do what you love, or you’re striving to bring more joy to your life. Whatever you’re after, we have some tips just for you:
 
Wear Clothes That Flatter Your Body
 
Much of our physical characteristics are defined by our genetic makeup, so instead of wishing for a different body type than the one you inherited at birth to fit the clothes you like, choose clothes that fit well and flatter the body you have. You’ll feel much more comfortable in your own skin, and you’ll be able to highlight your most attractive features by selecting the right piece of clothing: sleeveless tops to accentuate your arms, wide-legged trousers to balance broader shoulders, or V-necks to elongate your torso. So pick up a few flattering pieces and go from day to night in style.
 
Add Accessories that Make You Sparkle
 
The right accessory can brighten up or update any outfit and make you feel like a million bucks. Adding a belt to your dress or suit can help define your waistline; a pretty scarf around your neck can bring a touch of whimsy to what you're wearing. And don’t forget to include jewelry to complete your look as you get ready for the day. Tiger’s eye jewelry is a timeless classic that can effortlessly bring an outfit together. Some believe that this golden to red-brown gemstone has healing properties for the body, the mind, and the soul, and that it can even eliminate negative energy; so wear it as a bracelet, a pendant, or earrings and experience its benefits for yourself.
 
Make Exercise a Part of Your Day
 
Whether you get up early in the morning and go for a jog around the neighborhood or you use part of your lunch hour to hit the gym and do some cardio, getting some exercise is not just good for your body, it’s also great for your mind. Studies have shown that moderate aerobic exercise for 30 minutes a day helps lower your blood pressure while improving your levels of good cholesterol. It can also prevent bone loss which leads to osteoporosis, and it’s great for relieving tension and stress. So don’t skip your workout routine, and keep your energy levels up throughout the day.
 
Keep Your Face Radiant
 
To keep your face looking young and healthy, use a facial cleanser morning and night to get rid of dirt, oil and impurities. As part of your morning routine, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen before getting out the door to prevent sun damage and skin cancer, even in the winter months. At night, try not to skip your regular skincare protocol, even if you’re tired. Take time to remove your makeup and cleanse your face as it’s been exposed to grime and outdoor pollutants during the day. Using an ultra-moisturizing night cream will nourish and brighten your skin as well as help reduce the appearance of wrinkles while you sleep. After a good night’s rest, you’ll be ready to face a new day with radiant skin.
 
Looking your best isn’t just for the people around you; it’s a great way to feel good about yourself and improve your self-esteem. So pick a wardrobe that flatters your body, add a few accessories to set you apart, and get ready to shine.
 
From pre-conceptual counseling to delivery, tetonobgyn.com is there for you every “baby” step of the way! Call our office at 208-523-2060 to schedule an appointment.
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Image via Pixabay
 
 Guest post by Elena Stewart

As we head toward winter (I’m pretty sure I blinked and missed fall), it seems like more and more people are fighting colds.  Whether you have a sick child, spouse or friend to blame, coughs and runny nose and fevers seem to become the norm this time of year, and for every cold you get, I’ll be you have a friend whose great grandmother always had just the cure for what was ailing you.  So, do any of those home remedies work?  Let’s see what science says.

1. Tea – studies have shown some benefit for sore throat and congestion from drinking horehound tea, thyme tea can help with cough, and blackberry tea can help with diarrhea.  Score one for Grandma!
2. Toddy – for those looking to add a “special” ingredient to their hot drink of choice, alcohol may help with vasodilation and improve congestion briefly.  Just remember, one is going to be more than enough when you’re not feeling well.
3. Eucalyptus Oil – when heated with water and the vapors inhaled, it too can help with loosening mucus, but please don’t get your face too close to the hot water!!
4. Vitamin C – this one’s kind of a wash.  While it doesn’t actually prevent a cold, supplementing with extra vitamin C when sick may shorten the duration of your cold.
5. Ginger – this natural ingredient may help with nausea.
6. Peppermint Oil – topical application (to skin of the forehead and temples, preferably with some olive oil to prevent irritation) can reduce some types of headache symptoms.
7. Feverfew – another option for headache symptoms that may be affective in some cases.
8. Kratom – a supposedly natural and safe pain reliever; unfortunately, it’s not.  It may be as addictive as opioids, and it has a high potential for addiction, with a number of deaths attributed to the supplement.  Not to mention, it’s been contaminated with opioids in some cases.
9. Neti Pots – another wash.  While irrigation of the nose may help free mucus and debris to help with congestion, be sure to clean the pots and use distilled water as bacterial infections have occurred following unsanitized uses.  For similar relief without the risk, over-the-counter saline nasal spray is a good option.
10. Probiotics – definitely beneficial, especially if you have to take antibiotics, but with a caveat:  these are best consumed from fermented foods as there have been no studies to assess either the safety or efficacy of probiotic supplements, despite the fact that probiotics are a multibillion dollar industry.
11. Zinc – 80-90mg per day of this supplement may help shorten the duration of your cold.  Just beware if having diarrhea as too much zinc can worsen symptoms.
12. Chicken Noodle Soup – what would a list like this be without chicken noodle soup?  It turns out, it can help provide nutrients when a sore throat makes swallowing difficult, it has mild anti-inflammatory properties, and the warmth can help with congestion.  (Besides, am I really going to argue with Grandma on this one?)

So, there you have it.  While these options may not get you right back on your feet when you’re not feeling well, some of these home remedies can help.  Maybe we shouldn’t doubt Grandma…sometimes she just knows best 😊

​**If your illness causes severe nausea/vomiting, high fever, intractable pain or any other concerning symptoms that seem beyond a simple cold, be sure to talk to your doctor. 

Dr. Nick