A Handy Guide For Your Annual Checkups.

We all have those checkups our doctors recommend for us every year, but do you know when they are recommended? The article below offers a list of annual exams that occur throughout the year, when to get them done and what each one does. Most yearly checkups are at least partially covered by insurance for those who don't have a national health service in your country, so go ahead and take care of yourself in these critical times. Make sure to eat healthy, exercise, sleep well and manage your stress levels too.

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January

Wellness Checkup with your doctor or healthcare provider: Get checked up on any vaccinations you may need this coming year, blood pressure, cholesterol & glucose levels if you're diabetic (may require fasting beforehand), skin & body, plus any other general physicals.

February

Dental checkups are always a must and typically you should be seeing a dentist every six months for a thorough oral exam.

March

Checkup focusing on stress levels if needed: Your yearly checkup may cover some aspects of mental health and will include questions about how often and how much anxiety and depression are affecting you daily. We must take care of both our physical and psychological health, so pay attention if recommendations are made.

April

Regular self examination (monthly) is an act of importance for women to check their breasts and for men to check their testicles to provide knowledge of what these feel like to you. Any changes that do appear will hopefully be detected by you quicker so you can make an appointment to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.

May

Skin Cancer Visual Checkup: Now is the perfect timing of year to do a visual self-examination of your skin, getting checked up on every inch from head to toe, including behind the ears, inside the nose, underarms, groin area, back, between the toes and everywhere else that might require further attention. If you see anything strange or unfamiliar, then make sure to contact your physician as soon as possible to get it checked out.

June

Test for Hepatitis B & C, if applicable: This is a disease affecting the liver that can be transmitted through tainted blood. Usually, symptoms can go unnoticed without getting tested, but many treatments are available once diagnosed, so don't hesitate to ask about this testing.

July

Eye Examination/Contact Lens Checkup: Any changes to your eyes, prescriptions or contact lenses should be reported to your doctor so they can provide you with the best care possible.

October

Cholesterol & Blood Pressure Evaluation: If you have a family history of high cholesterol or high blood pressure, it may be necessary to get these checked up more often than annually.

November

Yearly Flu Shot: Depending on your age and any pre-existing conditions you may have, this shot could include the pneumonia vaccine as well.

December

Diabetes Screening: You will most likely be scheduled for this appointment if you are over the age of 45 or if there is a chance that you might already have diabetes because of your family history. This screening test evaluates how your body processes sugar & helps your doctor determine whether or not you need to take insulin shots or change up some diet habits to balance the sugar intake. 

These checkups don't need to be as tedious as some people think; you have to keep an open mind and be willing to ask questions. Keep the future of TRT in mind, there is no harm in asking your doctor what exercises might help with any muscle or bone problems. They may even recommend something like acupuncture if they notice it could help you relax & relieve stress better than medicine can. Remember: If you feel like something isn't right, then make sure to contact your physician immediately because it's always better safe than sorry!

What Stress Does to Your Body And Mind.

What Stress Does to Your Body And Mind.

photo by Francisco Moreno at Unsplash

Everyone knows how important it is to stay on top of your health. You can exercise and eat right, but other problems can persist if you are not careful. One of the biggest health issues of today is stress and anxiety. Whether you worry about your job or financial security, or even the future, your body and mind are experiencing problems, too, and here are some common issues to look out for. 

Insomnia and Exhaustion 

The endless cycle of not being able to sleep and being exhausted the next day is a common occurrence for those who suffer from extreme stress. You might be worried about your workload and important projects that could make or break the company, or you are concerned about finding established medical malpractice attorneys to help friends and family in need. Whatever the reason for your insomnia, you feel too tired to do anything throughout the day, and this can affect your physical health, which begins a slippery slope towards more severe issues. 

Performance Issues 

Stress can have a significant impact on performance issues at work, at the gym, and even in the bedroom. You find it impossible to take your mind off the stress and anxiety that has surrounded your life, and this means you are not able to perform the way you - and others - know you can. This could lead to damaged relationships, failed projects, and abandoning your previously successful fitness routine, all of which can be difficult to repair even after you have overcome stress. 

A Lack of Focus

These performance issues can also bleed into your ability to focus, and this is not merely something that will affect you at work. People suffering from chronic stress will find it impossible to pay attention to anything, whether at home watching TV or reading a book, or even sitting on the bus or - worryingly - while driving. In this instance, you are not only putting yourself at risk, but you’re putting others at risk, too, and this could cause significant problems, making you a danger to the public. 

Raised Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can happen due to a bad diet and a lack of exercise, but it will also happen if you feel overwhelmed with stress. Understanding the dangers of hypertension will make you realize why this is something you need to avoid. Cardiac arrests, strokes, and other severe medical problems can all strike when you least expect it, even if you think you are fit and healthy. If you have any habits that can contribute to this, such as smoking or drinking, it is time to cut down or kick them as soon as possible.

Healthy Body, Healthy Mind 

Finding ways to relieve stress will vastly increase your health. But it is not as simple as that. While you can push the stress down for a while, it will crop up again. Instead, you need to learn how to cope with stress and find the best techniques to overcome it so that you can stay healthy and happy in body and mind. 

National Council on Aging (NCOA) Guide

Mindful eating and exercise can help reduce high blood pressure, but do you know that getting less than 6 hours of sleep can actually make it worse? That’s why NCOA created a guide to Aging and Sleep to assist the 60% of older adults who have high blood pressure get the deep rest they need.

You’ll see this guide includes information on: 

• How sleep changes as we age
• How to identify sleep disturbance triggers
• How to maximize sleep quality
• Strategies for better sleep
• Sleep hygiene ideas

Plus, the NCOA provides an actionable PDF checklist that readers can use to track their sleep and take to their doctor. Check it out on the link above! x Neil.

Top Careers If You Are Interested In Fashion and Beauty.

Top Careers If You Are Interested In Fashion and Beauty.

Photo by Liza Summer from Pexels

Fashion and beauty are both great industries with a host of career prospects that you might not even realise. Many people would love a career within these fields, but don’t know exactly what it will entail, or even what choices are out there. Some places might require certain qualifications or training such as health and safety training or getting insurance. It is important to do your research and ensure that you know exactly what you are getting into when you look into a career. It could be that there are a number of requirements required, certain degrees or training that you might need or qualifications that will either enable you to do the job or help you to get ahead. Here i have put together a few top career ideas for if you are interested in fashion and beauty that are sure to get you feeling excited and inspired for the future. 

Fashion or beauty PR 

PR is a great industry if you are looking into a career within fashion and beauty. Within this, you will get the chance to work with a number of great brands, helping to promote them and to get publicity out about them. You will get to write press releases, work on social media and liaise with journalists. You will get the chance to try a number of different products, find out about new companies and to attend exciting things such as fashion week. It is a great career if you are a people person and love to work well as a team and if you love to write.

Opening (or working in) a beauty salon

If you like the more practical side of beauty, it can be a good idea to look into opening your own beauty salon. Within this, you can do things such as eyebrows, lashes and makeup. Or you could open a hair salon. This can be a more complex one that might need more overhead if you want to start your own company, but you can also work for someone else and make your way up the ranks.

Starting a blog in fashion or beauty 

If you love to write and take photos, then why not consider starting up a blog in fashion or beauty? With this, you will get the chance to write up about all the different elements of fashion and beauty that you are interested in. You can review different products, take fashion photos and find out about the newest and hottest products and clothes on the market. You will get to attend shows and events and have the chance to write about and immerse yourself in something that you are truly interested in.

These are just a few ideas that will make sure you can enjoy both fashion and beauty and also get paid for it by having it as your career. What are some top careers in these fields that you like to do? Let me know in the comments below - i would love to hear about it! x Neil.

Columbia Care Platinum CBD.

Columbia Care Platinum CBD. 

Discover Columbia Care Platinum who are a leading US medical science company that have launched their premium quality, high strength, broad spectrum CBD oil derived from US certified organic Hemp in the UK. Naturally sourced so it’s easy to take and gentle on your system, all the products are Science-driven and plant-based tested by independent laboratories to ensure their quality and safety. Columbia Care became a charter member of the Centre for Medicinal Cannabis (CMC), the UK’s first major cannabis industry group while in 2019, Columbia Care joined the Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI), the UK’s most influential CBD industry group. Disclaimer: The links used are not affiliated and are placed for you to discover the products. 

Columbia Care Platinum CBD is of premium quality, 10% high strength, broad spectrum CBD oil derived from US certified organic Hemp. Available in unflavoured or natural peppermint flavour across tincture (10ml & 30ml) and Soft Gel capsules (30mg’s) all of their CBD products are THC free, vegan, Kosher and GMO free and are supported by their extensive and comprehensive product testing by 3rd party laboratories. Extracted from organically grown hemp at or just below 40C so only the desired cannabinoids are extracted, this is why Platinum always looks golden or amber because it’s of the highest purity and it provides a unique "whole of plant" therapeutic experience.

PLATINUM 30mg CBD Soft-Gel Capsules - 30pcs

The PLATINUM 30mg CBD Soft-Gel Capsules are vegan friendly, non GMO, and THC free while being pretty easy to swallow. I take as directed the 1x30mg soft-gel capsule with water typically around lunchtime with a glass of water but you can experiment to suit what best works for you. Swallowing a capsule before bed and working your way up with the dosage to take 2x30mg capsules daily if you need to because everyone is different, but the main thing to remember is to be consistent. The capsules are ideal for those who don't like the taste of CBD oil (i don't mind the taste) and also ensuring accurate dosage while being easily digested and dissolved within minutes of reaching the stomach. Great for those who lead busy lifestyles and want to try CBD in a fast-acting soft gel capsule form.

PLATINUM 10% Broad Spectrum Peppermint CBD Oil

The PLATINUM 10% Broad Spectrum Peppermint CBD Oil is vegan, Kosher, non GMO & THC free and is amber-gold in appearance. The distillation process removes all the unwanted chlorophyll, plant waxes and lipids leaving only the cannabinoids, which are naturally present in the hemp plant while the other advantage is you wont experience that bitter or ‘earthy’ after-taste you may have experienced before. Shaking the bottle before using the pipette supplied, i dispense 2 drops under my tongue and then hold the oil for 30 seconds (it is rapidly absorbed directly into the bloodstream using this method) before swallowing. The peppermint flavouring is refreshing that leaves a cool taste in your mouth (an unflavoured version is available) while the recommended daily dosage is up to 8 drops but like with the capsules it is important to remember consistency is the key to gain the benefits CBD has to offer.

Encounter high quality CBD products that are not only easy to take and to fit into your daily lifestyle but also your soon realise Science-driven Columbia Care Platinum CBD will be contributing to supporting your general wellbeing effectively. Checkout the full range here: Columbia Care Platinum x Neil.

Creightons Noir Rose Limited Edition Eau De Toilette.

Creightons Noir Rose Limited Edition Eau De Toilette. 

Prepare yourself for the day ahead when spraying the delightful Creightons Noir Rose Limited Edition onto your pulse points and even your hair. The eau de toilette fragrance is a delightful day scent that combines the top notes of full rosy nuance geranium that has aromatic green undertones while aromatic clove offers a slight spicy warmness. The heart notes of romantic rose with sweet and cosy vanilla sit perfectly with the base notes of smoky oud and the woody and green notes of sandalwood.

Perfectly presented in outer packaging with roses adorned on the box, Noir Rose is presented in a glass bottle with a gold spray head and clear bottle cap. The term eau de toilette came from the French term “faire sa toilette” which means washing and getting ready while they typically contain 5% to 15% of aromatic compounds (a lot less then eau de parfum's) meaning they are much lighter and fresher with their scent profiles to gradually fade over several hours.

Targeting the pulse points of the wrists and also applying on the neck, Noir Rose performs exceptionally well throughout the day or night gently reminding you of its scent profile every now and then. The believable and realistic notes transport you to a rose garden that will uplift your wellbeing while reducing stress and relaxing you. Suitable for all ages and occasions, the Creightons Noir Rose Limited Edition Eau De Toilette is priced at £12.95 and available here: Noir Rose Limited Edition Eau De Toilette to add your scent collection x Neil.