Best Sleeping Positions For Sciatica Relief

Sciatica is among the most difficult conditions to live with. This is a condition that gives you a hard time adjusting to your sleeping schedule; the culprit being the longest nerve that’s subjected to inflammation or compression. Most often than not, you’ll experience a throbbing and burning sensation that makes sleeping quite difficult.

There are many medications you can use to deal with sciatica. But that won’t work well in case you don’t improve your sleeping habits. So that begs the question - what are the best sleeping positions for sciatica relief?

Below we look at the two main sleep positions that will guarantee you a good night’s sleep. But before that, there’s one thing worth pointing out. You should first take into consideration the firmness of the mattress on which you sleep on.

For those suffering from sciatica, it’s recommended that they sleep on a harder mattress with some extra pillows to provide support for the head, shoulders, and knees. The main goal here is to keep the neck and the spine in proper alignment for greater pain relief.

Side Sleeping 

Side sleeping is recommended for those that suffer from severe sciatica or lower back pain. This position works to shift pressure away from the spine. Ensure to always maintain a fetal position, which in many aspects, is more healthy.

Even though rolling of legs might seem quite tempting, try to avoid it. Any roll creates a twisting pressure felt on the lower back; something that might irritate the sciatic nerve even further. The best alternative is to place some pillows beneath the top leg. This will help keep your leg and spine in a neutral position while easing the twisting pressure.

Back Sleeping 

In case side sleeping doesn’t go too well with you, sleeping on your side will be the only alternative you have. Though a recommended sleeping position, how you do it can either alleviate the pain or make it even worse.

To avoid that, you need to get yourself an adjustable bed. Such beds provide a sleeping surface that’s anatomically correct. Just like in side sleeping, you need to also add some supports in a back sleeping position. This will help keep the spine from twisting into a flexed position, hence less pain.

Adjustable beds provide the support you need in maintaining a natural spine alignment. This provides a total relief from both leg and back pain. In case you can’t afford an adjustable bed, then it’s time that you improvise using pillows. These are placed under the knees to keep them in an elevated position. Place a small rolled towel underneath your neck and you’ll be good to go.

Final Word 

These are the best sleeping positions if you want to relieve the leg and back pains caused by sciatica.

You’ll hear some people recommending that you sleep on your stomach. Well, there’s just nothing helpful sleeping in this position. It will only cause your spine to arch, hence contributing to further pain and injuries. Just stick to these two sleeping positions and you’ll surely get the relief you’re looking for.

Best Outdoor Activities For Kids This Summer

Summer has set in and the temperature is on the rise. At this time, the need to explore the outdoors is quite irresistible, especially for our little guys. As a parent, you’ve got the responsibility of figuring out the perfect outdoor activity that will keep your child occupied. But then, it needs to be a more beneficial activity that will have a positive impact on your child’s skills and character. There’s a whole lot of ideas when it comes to the best outdoor activities for kids. We’ve taken time to outline the most popular ones you might want your kid to engage in during this summer.

1. Stargazing 

Regardless of whether their hobby is astronomy or not, your child just can’t resist the idea of gazing at the shiny stars above.. To make it even more fun, you can choose to invest in a telescope. However, don’t go for the expensive ones that might drastically impact your budget. Instead select a simple and pocket-friendly telescope that will save you money and be much easier for your child to use. Your kid can use some company and therefore it’s better that you do it together. This will add more fun and help strengthen the bond between you and your child.

2. Biking

Biking provides a perfect way of exploring the outdoors while providing your child with some exercise. It’s a nice way of developing a child’s balancing and coordination skills. Care should be taken to ensure you get a bike that’s appropriate for your child’s age. Just like stargazing, biking needs some parental presence. Therefore take time to get on the wheels with your child. For younger kids, it’s safer that the biking activity be done within the compound. This makes it much easier to monitor them in case you’ve got other chores to attend to within the house. For pre-schoolers, it won’t be worrying to let them go for a ride around the neighborhood.

3. Camping

Camping isn’t just a thing for adults. Kids too can take part on it. Camping helps teach your kid some responsibilities. Such responsibilities might be quite useful when they become grownups. Camping teaches them how to take care of themselves in the absence of the parents. In short, it’s more than just a fun activity for kids. To make it more beneficial, ensure the camping trip comprises of at least two kids to eliminate boredom. And since they’re quite young, it’s best that the camping ground be close enough to the home for safety and security reasons.

4. Hiking

Hiking is a good way of exercising the lower body. And when talking about hiking, it’s not something that should only be done by adults. Take your child with you on a local hike. Such a scenic stroll helps them get their energy out and explore good old mother nature. What’s more, it’s the perfect opportunity to use in teaching them about plants and flowers.

5. Swimming

Considering the hot summer weather, it would be quite refreshing to take your child for a swim. It's best that you do it in a location far from your home, even when you've got a swimming pool. This will help eliminate that boredom associated with staying at home. Go for a public swimming pool or head to the beach.

Toys Ideas for 5 Year Old Boys

Let’s face it, children and toys are quite inseparable. However, you don’t want to get your kid something that might look odd for their age and gender. Talking about age and gender, we’ve got those little boys aged 5 years old. So what’s the ideal toys to get boys in this age group? Below are five recommendations for parents looking to purchase toys for their 5 year old boys.

1. Fire Kids Edition Tablet

You don’t want your kid to be left behind in the digital world. Therefore you need to cultivate it in him as early as possible. And there’s no better way to do it than getting him Fire Kids Edition Tablet. He will surely love the large display and endless digital content to choose from. From books, educational apps, games, movies and TV shows, your kid will get that unlimited and momentous entertainment experience. The beauty of it all - there are smart filters to ensure that he gets access to only age-appropriate content. This lets him enjoy without any supervision.

2. Remote Controlled Car

Boys have a love for cars and it might be the right time to give them a feel of it. That’s where toy cars come in handy. To create more fun, choose remote controlled cars that have some effects in them. This will help take their minds to the real world of automotive. Be sure to select one that has a good remote-control range to let your kid get the most out of it. You may decide to choose the larger remote-controlled toy cars that allow your kid to jump in and enjoy that real-life ride.

3. Balance Bike

Let your little boy enjoy a ride of his life by getting him a balance bike. Unlike training wheels, balance bikes have proven to be more versatile in teaching your kid balance skills. This bike gives them a chance to explore the outdoors. Apart from balancing skills, it develops that confidence in your kid. What’s more, a balance bike will give him some little exercise for improved overall health. In short, you get to give him one healthy hobby to venture in. Ensure to get a balance bike that has additional features, such as brakes.

4. Quadcopter

You can choose to take his fun above the ground by getting him a toy quadcopter. The mention of a quadcopter might sound like an expensive toy for a kid. On the contrary, quadcopters aren’t always that expensive, especially when you get one that’s got no camera in it. Some might set you back for as little as $20. And even if you get the expensive models, these little toy aircraft are worth it since they provide a fun air-cruising experience like no other.

5. Model Building Set

Give your kid the fun you get from setting up a building. This can be better achieved by getting him a model building set comprising of construction machines and the various building components. An example is KNEX 1241835 Model Building Set, which includes virtually anything you need to set up that perfect toy building. A building set will be a perfect choice for improving his love for home improvement projects.

Good Ideas for Long Distance Relationship Gifts

Is your partner thousands of miles away? Do you wish to make your long distance relationship work? Do you have the confidence and the desire to make it work? You can make it happen. You can make your long distance relationship work just like any couple can.

Don't believe in the negativity that people say. You can make it work. If you love your guy, then there's a reason why you need to put an extra effort to it. Don't expect that you'll be the only person to receive surprises and gifts. He deserves to be surprised too. There are various long distance relationship gifts that you can give to him. The little things that you give will make him feel special. Here are some long distance relationship gift ideas that can be useful to you. Remember; don't let the distance be the hindrance for your love for him.

Love Letters

Make it a point to send him a love letter once a month. It's handwritten and sent by mail. A hand-written love letter is incomparable to emails and text messages. You put a lot of effort to writing and heading to the post office to send your message. If you do not have any idea as to what to write, you can write a poem or tell him that you miss him. He will surely appreciate your hand-written love letter. It is so old-school and just like in the Medieval times.

IXP3 Internet Message Clock

Whoever thought of inventing this thing must be a genius. Also, he must be into the long distance relationship. This is a first perhaps to the traditional clock that most people have. What you get is a clock that is connected right to the Internet. You instantly get messages from anywhere in the world. You can get messages from your partner no matter where he is. You can look it up in the InnovaToys website. An awesome way to wake up in the morning. As your alarm clock rings, you get to see the message from your loved one. A digital love note from your loved one will make you start the day right.

Scrapbook

Print your photos. Choose the photos wherein fond memories were captured. Buy a collection and put all your pictures in it. Be creative and make it look appealing. You can write some love quotes to make it more romantic. Do you have a theme song? You can put the lyrics of your theme song into the scrapbook. Make it colorful. Once you are done with it, give it to your partner before he leaves.

Plane Ticket

No, this isn't a plane ticket heading to your place. Book a ticket for both of you. You might wonder where you'll go. Figure out what lies between your position and his place. Say for example he is up north and you are down south, meet halfway through. This is something different that probably most couples with long distance relationships haven't thought about doing

Swap Clothes

This doesn't mean that you all of a sudden begin cross dressing, but sometimes it is nice to have an article of clothing from your partner to sleep in. A man's t-shirt is an excellent idea, and it will remind her of him every time she turns in for the night.

Surprise Weekend

There is no better gift for a long distance relationship than the gift of being able to spend time together. Try planning a surprise visit to see your boyfriend or plan a weekend to another spot. You can also try sending your partner hints on what to pack so he can be totally surprised when he gets to your final destination.

Buy a Book

Long distance relationships can thrive when the two people are doing the same thing but in different cities. Try buying your partner a book he would love, and then the two of you read the same book at the same time. This will give you both something good to share, and you can also start an excellent library at the same time.

Leave Surprises

Being with your partner for a few days, don't leave without leaving behind a few surprises for him to find. You can tuck these in places like a wallet, car or even in the refrigerator. They will be a sweet reminder of your love, and he will find himself looking in anticipation for the next surprise.

Long distance relationship can be rough, but by taking the time to come up with some unique gifts for each other, you can make the time you spend separated go by quickly and easily.

Home Remedies to Get Rid Of Freckles

Freckles are common in many people, particularly those born with fair complexion. These spots are quite harmless and pose no health risk, unless they’re as a result of other diseases, such as neurofibromatosis and xeroderma pigmentosum. To some, freckles might be a thing of beauty. However, if you’re one of those people annoyed by these spots, then there’s a natural remedy out there. In this article I discuss the natural ways of getting rid of freckles in the comfort of your home.

Limit Sunlight Exposure

Freckles result from melanin build-up, a skin pigment that’s overproduced upon exposure to sunlight. Try staying away from the sun as much as possible. You can choose to wear wide-brimmed hats, preferably 6 inches wide or more. Apply sunscreens having a sun protection factor (SPF) of 50. You can choose to wear sun-protective clothing, such as long sleeves and long pants. Always try to avoid the peak sun hours, which is mainly from 10 a.m to around 4 p.m.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is an effective treatment for various skin conditions, and freckles are no exception. The juice works deep to lighten the spots. It’s applied by tapping with a finger on the affected areas. Application should be done at least twice a day extending to a couple of weeks for better results.

Fruit Masks

You can choose to use vegetable and fruit masks, a method that’s proven to lighten the freckles. Apart from being an effective natural remedy for freckles, fruit masks help keep your skin more fresh and softer.

Sour Milk

The working of sour milk is similar to that of lemon juice as both of them are sour. Application is done on the affected area and repeated on a daily basis. Results can be seen after a few weeks of application.

Baking Soda

Bleaching is a proven method of eliminating freckles. This can be induced with a mixture of baking soda and water. The mixture is massaged on the affected area and left for 3-5 weeks. Application is done for a week on a daily basis. With each application, the freckles become lighter until the spots disappear completely. Application should be ceased and other alternatives used in case you experience skin irritation.

Onion

The sulfur content in onion makes it a great exfoliator that removes freckles and brown spots. In application, the onion is sliced into small pieces and rubbed on the affected area. Repeat twice on a daily basis and continue until the freckles fade away.

Honey

Honey contains enzymes that work to lighten the skin pigmentation. Before application, it’s mixed with water and heated slightly in a microwave. The mixture is applied to the target area and left to sit for a few minutes prior to rinsing with warm water. Apart from getting rid of the spots, honey provides great moisturizing effect, thanks to the fact that it’s a natural humectant.

Natural Whitening Creams

When applied, natural whitening creams make the freckles unnoticeable. However, be sure to use a quality cream and remember to consult a skin expert before use.

Conclusion

These home remedies for freckles won’t cost you a penny and have been proven to work. They’re a great way of retaining your natural complexion without the fear of any side effects.

How To Prepare Your Garden For Spring

Late last summer, we moved into a new property. The bones in the gardens looked good, but I had no idea what spring would reveal.

Winter here was colder, wetter and much longer than usual, so the itch to get out there has been left unscratched for months. But late last week, the sun began to peak out from all the clouds, and the earth was warming up. I decided to get my hands dirty.

Not knowing what was below the ground and what surprises I might face, I gingerly began the process of cleaning up, and clearing out. Hundreds of bulbs had been planted here (at some point) but few of them were blooming. Nevertheless, some work was needed. So I set about it methodically and with great determination.

The end results have been hopeful, so I'd like to share some of the tips I used to make this job both fun and rewarding.

First, clear away all the loose debris. If you have a garden waste pick-up, find out when they come and how frequently and any restrictions on what can and cannot be included.

Second, gently rake away leaves and any small twigs that might have been dropped or blown into your garden by the wind. You need to be able to see what is at the surface of the garden. This will also give you a good view of the soil content. Mine has a lot of gravel in it, so it wasn't very pretty; as well, gravel is an indicator that your soil might lack nutrients.

So, third, get some really good fertilizer -- I prefer the all natural ones, that are made of compost, sea-soil, or sea kelp. Sprinkle it around according to the manufacturers' directions. If you are working with a clay soil, then dig or scratch the fertilizer in around the plants. And if you have roses, make sure the add a bit of epsom salts; that will provide magnesium for the roses and give them a good boost.

Next, speaking of roses, this is the time to give them their spring 'hair-cut'. Trim away all the three d's -- dead, diseased, decayed. Make sure you are using a really sharp pair of secateurs, and rinse them off with alcohol when you are done. As you are trimming, make sure that the bud just below your cut is facing outward, and not in toward the center. This will ensure that the roses have lots of room to breathe and will discourage mildews and black spot from becoming a problem. Your roses will thank you for this work by providing lots of blooms.

Fifth, clean out any garden props such as bird baths, bird feeders, or other ornaments. These can hold water which is a breeding ground for garden pests, so clean them out early. Use a mild solution of bleach and water to ensure that any disease spores are also eliminated.

Top dress your gardens with a good quality soil, and a fine mulch of shredded bark. I like to use at least 2 inches of each, producing a 4-inch barrier through which any weeds will have a hard time emerging. The mulch will also help retain moisture during the dryer summer season, and -- over time will bio-degrade to add much-needed humus to your garden soil. After about three years, you can dig it into your garden and then top-dress again.

And lastly, use a good pressure washer to clean your patios. You want the best unit for the job otherwise you will be wasting water and energy. Pressure washers will probably be your most environmentally friendly choice. There will be no local exhaust however you should know where your power is coming from.

10 Natural Easy Remedies That Improve Blood Circulation in Feet

If you want to enjoy overall good health, you must take care of your circulatory system. Your blood carries oxygen, minerals and nutrients throughout your body. Good circulation is key for excellent organ function and cell growth.

You are most likely to experience symptoms of poor circulation in the feet and hands (extremities) but it also takes a toll on your internal organs and your brain. In fact, it can be the basis of a number of serious health problems.

What Are The Symptoms Of Poor Circulation?

If your circulation is not up to snuff, you may notice: 

• Numbness and tingling sensations in your extremities
• Irregular heartbeat
• Cold feet and hands
• Excessive tiredness
• Muscle cramps
• Loss of hair
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Leg pain
• Dry skin
• Edema

If you notice these symptoms, be sure to see your doctor right away. They could be the harbingers of serious illness.

What Causes Poor Circulation?

Generally speaking, bad habits are the cause of insufficient blood circulation. If you spend a lot of time sitting, have a sedentary lifestyle, drink, smoke, consume excessive caffeine and/or eat an unhealthy diet you are likely to have poor circulation.

Sometimes medical conditions can cause the problems. For example, pregnant women may have circulatory problems. Also, if you have:

• A nerve disorder
• Arteriosclerosis
• High cholesterol
• Thyroid disease
• Food allergies
• Hypertension
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Anemia

...you may experience poor circulation. It is worth noting that a number of the medical conditions listed here are caused by the bad habits listed above. It is always a good idea to practice healthy lifestyle habits. If you do suffer from a circulatory disorder or other serious medical condition, you should work closely with your doctor to establish healthy habits.

Ten Great Home Remedies To Improve Your Circulation 

1. Partake of light-to-moderate, enjoyable exercise everyday. Select a form of exercise that is easy to do and that you enjoy so that you will be more likely to exercise consistently. Good choices include:

• Swimming
• Dancing
• Walking
• Cycling
• Hiking
• Yoga

Participate in more active exercise once or twice weekly. Playing active games with your family members and friends can be a great way to socialize and exercise.

2. Improve circulation to your hands and feet by circling them and flexing them for fifteen minutes morning and evening. It is easy to do this before you get out of bed and while you are watching telly in the evening.

3. Indulge yourself in a regular foot massage. It's excellent if you can get a professional massage once a week or so. If not, establish a time with your partner or on your own for stimulating massage with a natural oil. This will help you relax and dilates blood vessels to improve circulation. Always massage from your extremities toward your heart. Acupuncture and acupressure treatments are also good, relaxing and beneficial treatments

3. Reap the benefits of hydrotherapy. Take warm, soaking baths in an electric home foot spa. This is another great way to relax your entire body and dilate your blood vessels. If you have access to a steam bath and/or whirlpool, these choices also impart excellent benefits. Dry skin brushing before your bath is a great way to stimulate your circulation. 

4. Add turmeric to your diet. This tasty spice helps reduce inflammation throughout your body by improving the quality of your blood and your circulation. It helps reduce the buildup of arterial plaque and diminishes the chances of blood clot formation. There are many wonderful ways to add this spice to your diet. Use it in cooking, in smoothies and keep a shaker of it on your table.

If you don't like the taste of turmeric, it is also available in capsule form as a supplement. Consult with your doctor and follow package instructions.

5. Add cayenne pepper to your diet. This beneficial spice contains capsaicin, which stimulates excellent blood flow throughout your body. It works to strengthen your capillaries and arteries and reduces annoying poor circulation symptoms such as numbness and tingling, headaches and pain. 

Like turmeric, you can find many creative culinary uses for this spice, or you can simply purchase it as a supplement in capsules. 

6. Switch your cooking oils. Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides and healthy fats that help reduce arterial inflammation. Using coconut oil for all your hot cooking needs will help improve your circulation.
It can also be used as a tasty spread in the place of butter or margarine. Consume up to three tablespoons daily for best results. 

7. Make green tea your drink of choice. It is filled with antioxidants that help improve your circulation and relax your arteries thanks to its high nitric oxide content. This substance is a very effective natural vasodilator. You can enjoy two or three cups of green tea every day. If you don't like hot tea, try it iced with honey and/or lemon. 

8. Pure, dark chocolate has definite health benefits and is especially helpful for promoting good circulation. It does this by having a positive effect on the bio-chemicals that cause your arteries to widen. You can enjoy an ounce or so of pure, dark chocolate every day for the benefit of your arteries. Just make certain that it is a minimum of 70% cocoa. 

9. Enjoy ginger in your daily diet. This is another common spice that can provide wonderful health benefits. Ginger warms the body and improves blood circulation reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and heart disease. Enjoy it as tea and baked goods and as an addition to Asian cooking. As with the other spices, if you don't like the taste, capsule supplements are available.

10. Garlic is a fabulous dietary addition that prevents aggregation of blood platelets, reduces blood pressure and promotes excellent circulation. It also prevents buildup of arterial plaque and reduces your risk of developing atherosclerosis. Raw garlic is best, and you can simply munch on two or three fresh cloves daily if you like. If not, add it to all of your savory cooking and keep a shaker of garlic powder on your table to add to your dishes liberally. Supplements are also available. 

Develop These Healthy Habits 

• Stay hydrated by keeping a reusable, stainless steel or tempered glass container of pure filtered tap water by your side at all times.
• Consume caffeine with care and caution. Small amounts can be beneficial. Large amounts are detrimental. 
• Take a five minute break every twenty minutes when you must sit for extended periods.
• Talk with your doctor about adding an omega-3 supplement to your daily routine. 
• Eat lots of fresh fruit and veggies for the vitamin C and antioxidant content. 
• Put your feet up whenever you have a chance. 
• Reduce or eliminate alcohol from your diet.
• Reduce the amount of salt you consume. 
• Don't smoke or use tobacco products. 
• Avoid saturated fats.