6 Benefits of Switching to Organic Tampons

One of the most convenient feminine sanitary hygiene products are tampons that come in synthetic and natural forms. Women would want all tampon manufacturers to use natural cotton for making their products, but unfortunately, the companies do not listen. One of the reasons they use to make synthetic tampons is that they can offer better absorption. Still, we would recommend that women should switch to cotton for the benefits mentioned below.

Chemical-free

The non-organic tampons contain synthetic fibers that have a lot of chemicals in it, such as bleach, dioxins, dyes, etc. Some of the companies may also promote their product for having an organic cotton core, but the out layers of the tampon will still be synthetic. These chemicals are not good for your vaginal health and should be replaced with completely organic tampons.

Eco friendly

When you are done using a synthetic tampon, it becomes a toxic plastic waste that will take years to break down. It will cause pollution to the soil and water of the region where it is dumped and even infiltrate our food chains. On the other hand, natural tampons can decompose easily and can keep the wildlife and environment safe from pollution.

Prevents water pollution

Organic tampons use 100% organic cotton that does not contain any kind of pesticides like conventional cotton. The use of pesticide-free cotton helps in keeping the water clean for farming purposes and also does not affect the local water supplies. Organic cotton also does not require much water to grow, which helps in reducing the need for water and energy.

Biodegradable

Organic tampons are completely biodegradable. Since they do not contain any sort of plastic, they get decomposed completely without leaving any harmful chemicals or plastic on the ground or the ocean. You can throw it away without having to worry about polluting your surroundings.

Reduce health risks

The best organic tampons are made to take care of the health of women and prevent any reactions that can be caused due to the chemicals present in the synthetic tampons. The vagina is a highly absorbent membrane that can catch infections from the chemicals easily. Chemicals like dioxins also have a risk of causing cancer. The tampon manufacturers use these chemicals to make the tampons look clean.  Therefore it is necessary that you switch to a completely organic tampon. The 100% organic tampons are made of cotton, wood pulp, and compost friendly glue, which makes them completely safe.

Cost-effective

The organic cotton tampons have the same price range as the conventional products. They are often seen as overpriced products for an average person, but it is not the case when we consider the safety of the environment as well as our health. With only little extra money, you are not only protecting yourself from the harmful chemicals, but also the wildlife, soil, and water.

6 Healthy Habits Parents Should Teach Their Kids

Parents are the first teachers for toddlers who are responsible for creating the right learning environment for their kids. The responsibilities of teaching the right values begin at a very early age when the kids start picking up habits. Every now and then, your kids need the right advice from you so they can make better decisions for themselves. When you take time to sit with kids and teach them something, you not only make them a better person and also convey that you care about them. Here are some healthy habits that you can teach your kids.

Adding colours to the food

Teach your kids the benefits of eating different types of food. It is up to you how you make them like the foods that are beneficial for them. One easy way to do it is to add more colours to the food. You should make an effort to add more fruits and vegetables to the diet. The more colours the food will have, the better fun your kids will have while learning to eat healthily.

Never skip breakfast

Make a regular routine for the mealtimes from an early age so that they continue the habit of keeping themselves energized when they get older. Teach them the benefits of a healthy breakfast, which are – kick starts the brain and body, keeps us strong, and keeps the chronic diseases away.

Pick physical activities

Your kids may not be as interested in sports like others. If they do not like doing the gym exercises, divert their attention to something else that can give them a dose of physical activity while they and enjoy it. Introduce them to different sports such as swimming, cycling, rock climbing, etc., and find our what your kids truly love.

Reading habit

If you want to develop your kid’s interest in reading, you should start early. Pick the books that have the right kind of stories or information for your kids to understand. Developing reading skills will also help them perform well in school. You can start by reading stories to your kids, and then introduce them to books they can read themselves.

Drinking water

Teach your kids the habit of keeping themselves hydrated. Try to teach them that soda is unhealthy for them in a way that they will understand. Make them know that instead of soda that contains only sugar, they can choose so many fresh fruit drinks that are rich in nutrients.

Enjoy family time

Encourage your kids to appreciate the family time, where it is a festival or dinner time. Make them understand that soon they will be busy in their own lives and finding time to sit with the family will become more and more difficult as they grow up. Strengthen your bond over dinner, which will help your kids talk to you about everything without any hesitation.

7 Health Benefits of Avocado

Avocados are known for several health benefits such as improving digestion, decreasing the risk of depression, and even in protection against cancer. It is a stone fruit with a creamy texture on the inside, also known as alligator pear or butter fruit. Avocados is the only fruit that contains a substantial amount of healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and nearly 20 other vitamins and minerals. Adding avocados to your diet will provide the health benefits as mentioned below.

Rich in nutrients

According to the National Nutrient Database, one serving of avocado (40 grams) contains 64 calories, 6 grams of fat, 3.4 grams of carbohydrate, 3 grams of fibre, and less than three gram of sugar. Avocados are also a great food to source vitamins C, E,  K, and B-6. Even though avocados contain calories, they contain huge amounts of healthy fats.  

Healthy for the heart

Avocados also contain a natural plant sterol called beta-sitosterol, which has been found to be beneficial for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. Each avocado can contain 25 milligrams per ounce. Regular consumption of avocado is thus proven healthy for the heart.

Improves vision

Avocados are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. These two phytochemicals are helpful for the tissues in the eyes that help in preventing the damage due to strain from UV light. The monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados work to perform absorption of fat-soluble antioxidants such as beta-carotene, which will be beneficial for your eyes.

Osteoporosis prevention

Half of the avocado provides 25% of the daily recommended intake of vitamin K. This nutrient is often overlooked in diet plans but is helpful in improving bone health. Eating half an avocado on a regular basis can support bone health as it increases calcium absorption and reduces urinary excretion of calcium.

Cancer

Avocados are also known to contain folate which has shown promising benefits in protecting against colon, stomach, and pancreatic cancers. Another research also shows that the phytochemicals extracted from avocado can selectively prevent the growth of cancerous cells and encourage the proliferation of immune system cells called lymphocytes.

Healthy pregnancy

Folate is also necessary for a healthy pregnancy, and adequate intake can reduce the risk of neural tube defects and miscarriage.  Recent research in Mc Gill University showed that 30% of the birth defects in mice babies were caused due to folate deficiency in the sperm of mice compared to the mice with adequate folate levels.

Improves mental health

Avocados have also been said to reduce the risk of depression because of their high folate content. Folate helps in preventing the build-up of homocysteine which can impair circulation and delivery of nutrients to the brain. It can also prevent the growth of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which are known to regular good mood, sleep, and appetite.

How to Look After Your Mental Health

The more we try to ignore our mental health, the bigger effect it can have on your well-being in future. You care for your mental health while being physically fit as the mind and body need to coordinate properly for a healthy living. Making simple changes in your lifestyle can help in improving you overall well being. Here are the tips to take care of your mental health.

Stay active

The best way to improve your mental health is to keep your body active. Invest time in things that do not give you time to slack out. Implement an exercise routine so that you start your day fresh and active. Going for a walk is one good way to keep yourself active.

Eat well

Your body needs every nutrient that can keep your energy levels high. When you are not eating healthy, your body will feel weak, and you will lack the motivation for doing things. This results in more depression and laziness that is not good for your health. Add more fruits and veggies in your diet for a healthier flow of energy through your body which will, in turn, help your mental health.

Stay Hydrated

Your body needs more fluids to stay healthy and positive. Drink water on a regular basis and add more natural fruit juices in your meal plans. Staying hydrated provides better circulation in the body, which will help in improving your mood.

Keep in touch

Even when you do not feel like connecting with people directly, it is suggested that you stay in touch with people who make you feel good. Connecting with people over the social network will give you time to talk about things that will improve your creativity and offer more ideas. You can find people who like to discuss the same issues as you, so you do not have to keep quiet during a boring conversation.

Take a break

When you do not feel good and have too many thoughts in your head, take a break. Do something that gives you an escape from your daily routine. From taking a day off from the office to visit the nearby market or museum to taking a long holiday to visit an exotic destination, every big or small break will help in improving your mental health.

Develop a hobby

One of the signs of depression is the feeling of not doing anything. People often find themselves procrastinating when they are depressed, which only amplifies overthinking. Sitting idle is not the right way to deal with depression unless you are meditating. Find a hobby that can keep you busy during your free time. Sharpen a skill that you already have or learn something new and start from scratch. It will not only improve your skills but also give you a sense of achievement.

Surprising Health Benefits of Gardening

Gardening is a hobby which does not interest many, but it can benefit you in more ways than you think. Planing your own fruits and vegetables not only gives you’re the delicious fresh harvest every day for your dinner but grown on bigger scales can also make you run your own business. But here we will focus on the health benefits of gardening that you must know if you are planning to adopt a new hobby.

It is good for your heart

Gardening requires a lot of physical work that burns your calories and strengthens your heart. From digging to planting to weeding, everything will consume some amount of calories. The physical labour of gardening helps in improving your physical health and keeps you safe from heart diseases.

It reduces stress

Gardening is a recreational activity which allows you to focus on something and pur your mind to work. You will not be disturbed with anxiety or depression when you are focused on completing your gardening tasks. Also, when you grow a plant, you experience seeing life grow in front of your eyes which will reduce your stress levels and give you time to relax.

It builds self-esteem

Gardening is a project which requires time, planning, and dedication. While some plants grow early with ease, others require rigorous work which makes you feel proud when you are successful. You will also feel a level of accomplishment as you will be a person that can grow things and is connected better with nature.

It makes you happy

Gardening not only makes you mentally happy but working with dirt under your nails from the ground also has reasons to make you happy. The soil contains healthy bacteria that can increase the levels of serotonin in your body while reducing anxiety.

Gardening gives you extra vitamin D

When you are exposed to sunlight while gardening, you take more vitamin D from the sun. A healthy dose of vitamin D increases your calcium levels and strengthens your bones and immune system. Prevent the sunburn with the right sunscreen, and you are good to go outside for gardening.

You eat healthily

You can grow your own organic food in your garden to you do not have to worry about eating healthy. You can skip all the processed food and add more vegetables to your diet. When you eat what you grow, you are eliminating the risk of consuming pesticides on the vegetables you get in the market.

It improves your strength

Gardening requires more physical work than your regular exercise routine. The digging, planting and harvesting your farm gives more strength to your arms. You can feel the difference in your grip after you have spent a season in gardening.