Inspiration to your inbox

subscribe
Twt-img.png
Search
Close this search box.
burger-icon.svg
Main Menu

7 Home Remedies That Relieve Lower Back Pain Naturally

by

Lower Back: The Arch You Lean on
Lower back pain is an unfortunate reality for most people at some point in their lives. The lower back, also known as lumbar spine, is the arched column that supports the torso and upper body. It endures the greatest amount of stress from motion, rotation, bending, twisting and all the weight-lifting you do in a day. Lower back pain is the most frequently reported disability that causes absence from work, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

The lumbar spine has a complex network of muscles and ligaments that support it. The process of aging, as well as wear and tear from daily activities frequently causes muscle strain which triggers pain. Sedentary occupationswhich involve sitting all day can be equally damaging to the spine. Spinal discs perform the role of shock absorbers in the spine. They can rupture from excessive pressure or improper use causing them to bulge, commonly known as herniated discs.

7 Ways to Help Your Lower Back Pain Naturally

1) Improve your posture: Poor posture negatively impacts the arch of your backbone. Slouching, while seated or standing, is one of the most easily corrected, yet often the most neglected, posture problem. By reminding yourself not to slouch until it leads to consistently good posture, you will do your spine a favor.

2) Gentle exercises: Yoga is great for stretching and toning those tense muscles and ligaments, or get into the ritual of exercises recommended by physical therapists and medical experts to accomplish the same goals. Staying active and incorporating a form of light aerobic exercise, as much as the level of pain will allow, releases endorphins, a chemical produced in the brain which is the body’s own natural pain and stress fighter.

3) Heat/Cold Therapy: When pain is acute, use heating pads or ice packs to reduce inflammation where it hurts and provides lower back pain relief.

4) Massage: Many therapeutic massage therapists offer targeted therapy for lower back pain relief and they can be quite effective when combined with other treatments. Massage helps in two ways: it eases the taut, painful muscles and calms the mind, thereby alleviating anxiety. Pain causes anxiety, and anxiety can worsen pain, as many studieshave increasingly suggested.

lower back pain

5) Maintain a healthy weight: With all the weight bearing the lumbar spine has to do, it helps enormously to eat healthy and stay trim to the extent possible.

6) Regular sleep: Never underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep. Rest and good sleep promote healing, but it can be challenging to find a painless sleep position when you have lower back pain. Using a support pillow under your knees if you’re a back sleeper, or placing one between your knees if you sleep on your side can help decrease pain. Over-the-counter painkillers, if your doctor permits, reduce pain when it is severe and enable you to sleep.

7) Soak in the bathtub: Relaxing and invigorating, a good soak in warm water will loosen the muscles. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the water and the scent will relax your mind and body through aromatherapy.

Sometimes, medical or surgical intervention becomes necessary for lower back pain treatment. A good chiropractor performs spinal manipulations that help restore the normal alignment of the vertebral column. Severe pain going down the legs, and/or numbness and tingling in the feet could be an indication of a pinched sciatic nerve that a spine physician or a neurosurgeon can diagnose and treat.

True of almost everything, how you nurture and care for your spinal health throughout your life will determine the state of it when you are older. The healthier and fitter you are in your overall health, exercise regularly, listen to your body, practice relaxation in some form, the more successful your lower back pain treatment will be. Chronic lower back pain can often be prevented, or at least reduced, and can be managed at home using techniques that are quite simple once you get into the habit of paying attention to the very first symptoms of lower back pain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHeI3Y_CfMo

8 Easy Ways To Get Rid Of Acne Naturally

by

Acne. Pimples. Zits. No matter what you call them, the feelings that you experience when you have an outbreak are the same. Discomfort. Embarrassment. Frustration. But you’re not alone. Nearly 85% of people get acne at some point in their lives, usually their teen years, though it doesn’t always end there. As such, there seems to be a never-ending quest to find out how to get rid of acne.  Some even run to their doctor to get prescriptions for treatments like benzoyl peroxide, according to Dr. Josh Axe. Fortunately, many natural remedies exist that often work just as well.

If you want to learn how to get rid of acne the natural way, here’s a look at eight remedies that many turn to get rid of acne for good.

1. Change Your Diet

Fighting acne starts with changing your body’s internal environment. Oftentimes, the foods that we eat trigger acne for a variety of reasons. You can’t get rid of acne without addressing the nutritional aspect of it.

For one thing, many of the foods we eat, like processed foods and sugar, cause inflammation in the body. Many types of acne come from the body being in an inflamed state, according to the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology. Sticking to a more plant-based diet will reduce inflammation in the body.

The other reason is that some of the foods we eat inherently have extra hormones in them. For example, cow’s milk has a number of hormones in it because it naturally has the growth hormones baby cows need to grow. Those hormones can cause hormonal imbalances in the human system, leading to acne, according to Mind/ Body/ Green. As these two statistics demonstrate, it’s nearly impossible to learn how to get rid of acne, without acknowledging the food side of the issue.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

In order to rid yourself of your acne, you need to address the pH levels in your skin. Dr. Axe recommends using apple cider vinegar as your toner. It has a variety of helpful things in it, including enzymes, magnesium, and potassium. This combination kills the bacteria and fungi on the skin that can cause acne breakouts. Just dab a cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar on the affected areas.

3. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil contains some important properties that fight two of the types of bacteria that can cause acne, S. epidermidis and P. acnes. This natural remedy comes from the Outback, that is to say, Australia. Five percent tea tree oil applied to acne has been shown to be as effective at treating acne as the same amount of benzoyl peroxide.

To make an anti-acne potion, combine one part tea tree oil, with nine parts water. Apply to a cotton ball and dab on your zits. You can do this a couple of times a day.

4. Honey and Oatmeal

Don’t be fooled by honey’s sweetness. It has numerous antibiotic properties that fight conditions like acne. To make an acne-fighting paste for your skin, Reader’s Digest suggests making a mixture consisting of 1/2 cup of the sweet stuff, combined with 1 cup of plain oatmeal. Apply it for half an hour.

It’s also important to note that honey can get rid of acne scars, so if you’re particularly plagued with acne scars, definitely try honey.

5. Honey and Cinnamon Mask

This facial mask brings another potent acne-fighting ingredient into the mix, cinnamon. Honey and cinnamon together have some very strong antioxidants and antibacterials, as well as being anti-inflammatory. To make this mask, combine 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, with coconut oil and raw honey.

how to get rid of acne

Apply to the face for about 10 minutes. Wipe the mixture off with a damp washcloth, taking care to be gentle in the process. You don’t want to damage the skin further. Be aware as well that cinnamon can irritate the eyes, so be sure to keep this mask away from the eye area.

6. Green Tea Wash

Green tea’s antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds do more than keep your insides healthy. They help you get rid of acne. To make the most of this remedy, steep your green tea as usual and allow to cool. Once it is, use it as a face wash.

7. Aloe Vera

Don’t let aloe vera’s gentle healing properties fool you. Aloe can not only help you get rid of acne, it can get rid of acne scars, too. It’s so healing, you definitely don’t want to overlook it as a remedy as you learn how to get rid of acne. Just apply some of the plant’s gel directly on your face, either at the pimple site or as an overall moisturizer. And side note, aloe is also an excellent way to get rid of acne scars.

8. Take a Probiotic

Here’s the final recommendation in your quest to learn how to get rid of acne, and it’s from Dr. Axe again. Taking a probiotic supplement helps you to fight acne naturally by keeping your immune system and your digestion healthy. It also improves the skin from the inside out.

Final Thoughts on How to Get Rid of Acne

In this post, you’ve learned much about how to get rid of acne naturally. Natural remedies like tea tree oil have been proven to be just as effective as some prescription medications like benzoyl peroxide. Others, like honey and aloe, not only fight acne but do away with of acne scars as well. One thing is for certain, all the remedies on this list are effective natural treatments for your acne.

Learning how to get rid of acne naturally is a process, one that requires you to learn a bit about nutrition, as well as skin health. But when you do, you’ll see that fighting and beating acne is well within your grasp.

How to Use Essential Oils for Weight Loss

by

Today, processed and fast foods are available in every street corner making it difficult to resist. While these foods are convenient and even tasty, studies have shown that they increase the risk of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

In case you are struggling to lose weight, using essential oils is a great and sure way of winning the battle. Some of the essential oils for weight loss you should give a try include:

How to Use Essential Oils for Weight Loss

1. Lemon essential oil 

This is a multipurpose oil that can be used for not only your physical health but also your mental wellbeing. It contains limonene which absorbs fats present in the body aiding in weight loss.

It also helps in enhancing norepinephrine in the brain eliminating nervousness and tension and consequently boosting your mood. Drink 1-2 drops of this oil every day as it is easy and safe to ingest. You can also choose to inhale it directly from the bottle or blend it with carrier oils and massage it in the cellulite build-up areas to remove toxins in the fat cells.

2. Grapevine essential oil 

One of the most important essential oils for weight loss is the grapevine essential oil. This oil is extracted from the rind which is highly concentrated in nootkatone a component that aids metabolism making it easy for your body to get rid of excessive fats.

You may choose to drink 1-2 drops of it every morning to encourage fat loss, inhale it directly to reduce cravings, rub it topically on your temples, chest, the waist and under your nose to reduce your appetite or use a diffuser to diffuse it to curb cravings.

3. Ginger essential oil 

The gingerols present in this oil helps in reducing inflammation in your intestines consequently making digestion and absorption of nutrients easier.

By decreasing inflammation, this oil also reduces your vulnerability to diseases related to poor digestion as well as protects you from getting obese. Mix 1-2 drops of it with warm water, raw honey and fresh lemon juice and drink or inhale directly to reduce cravings and appetite.

4. Cinnamon essential oil 

Cinnamon essential oil helps the body in releasing insulin which is necessary for stabilizing your blood sugar levels. This aids in preventing chronic fatigue and moodiness as well as reducing sugar cravings and overeating.

This is one of those essential oils for weight loss that can be applied topically, inhaled directly or diffused to discourage overeating.

5. Bergamot essential oil 

When you are stressed, anxious or feeling low, it is easy to indulge in emotional eating. Overeating may be a short-term solution to your problems but it can lead to weight gain and low self-esteem.

You can inhale this oil or add a few drops to your shower on bad days to improve your mood and prevent you from overeating to reduce stress.

6. Peppermint essential oil 

If you have indigestion issues or if your stomach is bloating, peppermint essential oil is the oil to go for. This essential oil contains menthol which gives your stomach muscles a relaxing effect.

Menthol also curbs overeating and prevent cravings by changing your perception towards food through influencing your neurosensory perceptions. Drink 1-2 drops, diffuse it or inhale directly to aid digestion.

7. Lavender essential oil 

Like bergamot oil, lavender essential oil can be taken to prevent stress and reduce emotional eating aiding in weight loss. This is because it helps reduce anxiety, stress and other emotional eating triggers. It can also help your body release excess oil by lowering cortisol levels.You can inhale 2-3 drops of this oil directly to release tension or diffuse it to reduce food temptation and nervousness.

8. Fennel essential oil 

This is one of the best essential oils for weight loss when it comes to preventing weight gain. It has melatonin which helps reduce appetite thus preventing you from gaining extra calories.

Its seeds are also used to support digestion. You can mix funnel 1-2 drops of it with water and drink it before meal to prevent you from overeating and to aid digestion or apply it topically to curb cravings.

essential oils for weight loss

9. Orange essential oil 

Orange oil has a sharp scent that helps to enhance mood for those people suffering from stress and depression. It also helps in reducing appetite and preventing overindulgence in food. You can inhale it or drink 1-2 drops of it before meals to lower your appetite.

Although bad eating habits are major contributors to weight gain, other factors can lead to weight gain. You should, therefore, look into them even as you watch your diet.

If you are already struggling with weight gain issues, start watching your portions, eat a balanced diet and exercise. Also, depending on what is leading to your weight gain, choose the essential oils for weight loss that best fits your situation.

best foods for weight loss

Share this Image On Your Site

Science Explains 9 Things That Happen When You Don’t Get Enough Vitamin D

by

Have you been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency? You’re not alone. Vitamin D deficiency has almost become an epidemic, especially for those who live in the Northern Hemisphere. The sun is an important source of vitamin D. We absorb it through our skin.
People in the Far North live with less sunshine. Add in the fact that our lifestyles and technology keep us indoors, and the danger of low vitamin D increases dramatically. It’s no wonder that reportedly more than 40 percent of Americans have a vitamin D deficiency.

To complicate matters, many may not even know they have low vitamin D. Some may drink a couple of glasses of milk daily and think that’s enough to keep their bones healthy. Their fatigue and general aches and pains are often dismissed as something else. They don’t realize that vitamin D deficiency causes many other health problems. Read on to find out more about the danger of low vitamin D.

Muscle Weakness
Sometimes muscle weakness is has mistaken for simply being tired. If you’re experiencing general fatigue, muscle weakness may go undetected. Symptoms become stronger as the low vitamin D worsens. General aches turn into muscle and bone pain.

Bone Pain
Probably the most well-known danger of low vitamin D is problems with the bones. One study conducted in Minnesota of 150 patients with musculoskeletal pain found that 93 percent had a low level of vitamin D. Your bones stop growing in adulthood, but old bone tissue is constantly being replaced by newer tissue. Low vitamin D causes interference with the process and eventually leads to osteoporosis.

Chronic Respiratory Problems
Research has indicated that vitamin D may help prevent constant respiratory problems. For severe asthma increasing vitamin D intake is important. Symptoms range from becoming easily winded to feeling like you can’t breathe. This, in turn, can cause a panic attack.

Depression
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can occur when you have a prolonged lack of sunlight. This is best seen in people who relocate to a less sunny place. The Vitamin D Council says it’s because vitamin D helps your brain’s neurotransmitters produce serotonin to give you a happy feeling. Indeed, studies indicate episodes of depression as a danger of low vitamin D.

Chronic Infections
Since vitamin D affects over 2,000 of our genes, chronic infections can be a danger of low vitamin D. An adequate amount keeps the immune system strong and healthy. Without it, you’re more susceptible to infections and disease.

Cardiovascular Disease
Damaged blood vessels, blood clots, and other heart conditions can result from deficiencies in vitamin D according to the National Institutes of health. Low vitamin D can also be one of the causes of high blood pressure. Symptoms you may experience from cardiovascular disease include dizziness, breathing problems, swollen legs, and chest pain. Discuss these symptoms with your doctor right away.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis, that scaley itch on your scalp or elsewhere has not been directly linked to a lack of vitamin D. However, it is often used in treating the condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, low vitamin D makes it more difficult to ward off psoriasis.

Chronic Pain
Low levels of vitamin D may be responsible for chronic pain. The connection was discovered as recently as 2010 when researchers discovered a link between the two. Your doctor will tell you the best way to up your intake. No one wants to live in pain; adequate vitamin D could be a simple solution.

danger of low vitamin d

Fatigue

Your body needs energy to feel good, and vitamin D, along with other vitamins create energy. Being tired most of the day interferes with both work and play. You’re less likely to get out and be active in the sunlight. This compounds the problem resulting in even lower vitamin D.

As you’ve learned, low vitamin D can be the culprit for a myriad of health issues. More and more studies are being conducted that may link even more problems to a low level of vitamin D. Dementia, crankiness, reduced endurance, even a lower life expectancy may be attributed to low vitamin D.

If you live a lifestyle that doesn’t get you out into the sunshine very much, and if you aren’t taking supplements, now is the time to make those changes. Food is nutritious but it’s hard to get an adequate amount of vitamin D from it. If you experience any of the symptoms a low vitamin D deficiency causes, or even if you don’t you should have your vitamin D level checked. Your doctor can perform a simple blood test to find out. Don’t wait until your Medicare wellness exam to learn you are one of the four in 10 Americans with low vitamin D.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKB0jThAfnQ

15 Inspiring Before And After Weight Loss Photos of Couples Who Transformed Their Bodies

by

Losing weight is no easy feat, but getting in shape becomes a little easier if you have a partner by your side. You can look on Instagram and see fit couples everywhere, but not all of them show where they started before they got ripped. Some people lose hundreds of pounds together and take their health to a whole new level. Today, we want to showcase these stories and hopefully inspire you with these amazing before and after weight loss photos of couples.

Here are 15 before and after photos of couples who achieved weight loss together:

1. What a difference four years and 240 pounds can make!

A post shared by Heather (@heather_sleeved_3.30.15) on

2. Way to go guys! This weight loss couple is 220 pounds down, and it only took them three years.

3. As this now-fit couple can attest to, hard work definitely pays off!

4. Couples who get in shape together, stay together.

5. This lovely couple personally lost a ton of weight on the ketogenic diet. Awesome transformation!

A post shared by Andrew (@bigmike80_) on

6. He wanted to gain weight, but she wanted to slim down. Looks like they both reached their goals!

A post shared by Roxanne (@dudeitsroxy) on

7. Wow, we almost couldn’t tell these are the same people in both photos!

8. If you want to talk about a transformation, check this out! Together, this fitness couple lost 407 lbs in just two years!

A post shared by Lexiiii ? (@fatgirlfedup) on

9. As this couple says, “Same happy, different healthy!”

10. If you’re like me, you almost didn’t recognize these two in the after pic!

These next few are sure to inspire you …

11. It’s just amazing what two people can achieve together.

12. And here is another couple who lost over 400 lbs together!

A post shared by ? ???1??????? (@vibewithredd_) on

13. These two are beautiful in both pictures, but definitely look happier in the after photo.

14. As these two would attest, their weight loss journey brought them so much closer together.

A post shared by Aaj Tak (@aajtak) on

15. Almost a three-year difference and look where their fitness journey took them.

weight

Did any of these inspire you to hit the gym with your hubby? We sure hope so!

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

20 Illustrations That Reveal The Truth About Married Life

by

Everyone knows married life isn’t perfect; it comes with plenty of fights and makeups, laughs and breakdowns, and obstacles and breakthroughs. Marriage takes a lot of work, but two people who really love and care for one another can stand the test of time. Israeli comic artist Yehuda DeVir gets inspiration from his wife and creates funny, relatable marriage comics that reveal the truth about married life. Today, we bring you some of his marriage illustrations and hope that you enjoy them!

Here are 20 illustrations that show what marriage is really like:

1. “I woke up like this.”


2. Watching sports together always makes for a fun time!


3. “We” are on a diet.


4. Mini vacation.


5. Ladies (and long-haired guys), don’t forget to put up your hair when you cook!


6. Unhappy ending.


7. It’s alive!


8. That moment when your husband shaves his beard once winter is over.


9. Series killer.


10. Admit it, guys; we all know you’re guilty of this sometimes.


11. Love hurts.


12. Married couples always have each other’s backs.

married couples


13. Mission: grab all the groceries in one trip!


14. “Everything I can do, she can do better!”


15. Do they even make umbrellas big enough for two people?

16. Driving = the perfect time for some CARaoke!


17. One of the duties of marriage is pulling out each other’s gray hairs, right?


18. Everyone has that one thing they can’t stand about their other half …


19. To all the men out there: thanks for cleaning our hair out of drains and carpets. We truly appreciate it.


20. All work and no play = no fun!


Did you enjoy this marriage art? Which of these marriage comics was your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

(C)Power of Positivity, LLC. All rights reserved

The Community

Our Free Community of Positively Powerful SuperFans

Join our free community of superfans today and get access to courses, affirmations, accountability, and so much more… plus meet other like-minded positive people committed to living the power of positivity. Over the years, we’ve brought 50+ million people together through the Power of Positivity … this free community is an evolution of our journey so far, empowering you to take control, live your best life, and have fun while doing so.

Become a Member

Rise and Shine On!
Master Your Day with the Ultimate Positive Morning Guide + Checklist

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Stay Connected With

Us

33M Follow Us on facebook
38.2K Subscribe Us On YouTube
8.1M Follow Us on Instagram
357.2K Follow Us on pinterest
3,854 Follow Us on LinkedIn
1.1M Follow Us on Twitter
246.8K Follow Us on TikTok
footer-logo.svg

Every day is a day to shine. Shine on!

Search
Close this search box.
  • Copyright Power of Positivity 2024

Quote Remedy — Positive Energy+ — Faith Remedy

Like-img.png
Twt-img.png
Skip to content