Why are colds, flus, and other respiratory illnesses more common in colder months? People tend to stay indoors, which allows viruses to pass more easily from one person to another. The cold, dry air outside and warm indoor air with poor circulation may weaken the body’s resistance to these viruses.

You may strive to create a germ-free household, but this can prove difficult. That’s why health experts recommend that you set up a disinfecting routine. First, though, you have to understand the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines these terms as follows:

• Cleaning: A process that involves scrubbing a surface with water and soap, which helps remove most, not all, germs and grime from the surface. 
• Sanitizing: A process that uses a diluted bleach solution or sanitizing spray to remove germs from surfaces or objects. Always clean before you sanitize. 
• Disinfecting: A process that uses chemicals or a stronger bleach solution to clear the majority of germs from surfaces or objects. Again, always clean before you disinfect. 

Before you embark on your cleaning journey, identify the most high-touch surfaces in your home. Doorknobs, light switches, countertops, appliance handles, and faucets require frequent cleaning. It’s best to regularly wipe down countertops and other visibly dirty surfaces. 

Wash Linens And Bedding Regularly

Shedding skin cells and sweat is completely natural, whether you are walking around or sleeping. All that grime can build up on soft surfaces in your home, including your pillows, blankets, and bedsheets. Health experts encourage you to change and wash your sheets weekly to prevent bacterial build-up. When you launder your bedding and bed clothes, you can reduce the presence of dust mites or other allergens that can hide in bedding. Get a second or third set of sheets to swap them out more easily. 

Check And Change Your HVAC Filters

If you have a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system in your home, you have to change filters regularly to keep indoor air clean. Some smart thermostats will even remind you to change your filters, which is very helpful. Thicker air filters tend to last longer and trap more allergens or illness-causing particles. Regarding HVAC filters, most companies recommend the following:

• One-inch thick filters: change every 30-60 days. 
• Two-inch thick filters: change every three months.
• Four-inch thick filters: change every six months. 

Manage Humidity Levels

Humidity levels in the home can affect your risk of contracting a virus. According to a study from 2021, moderate humidity levels between 40-60% may reduce the risk of viral transmission. That helps make viruses less likely to survive in the air. Most home thermostats can detect or display indoor humidity levels. If the humidity level drops below 30%, you may want to invest in a humidifier, especially when cold and flu season is around the corner. Additionally, wash your hands and disinfect surfaces more frequently if humidity levels drop.

Declutter Every Night

Some people feel tremendous anxiety if they go to bed without cleaning up their mess. When you wake ups to a tidy room, bathroom, kitchen, and living room, some of that morning stress may not be there. You don’t have to deep clean your house every night, but a minimal cleaning session can go a long way in preparing your mind and body for bed. Put away loose items, wipe down countertops, do all the dishes (or put them in the dishwasher), and don’t leave cosmetics all over the bathroom counter. If all of that seems stressful, consider rounding everything up in a basket and placing that in one spot as a start. 

Revamp Your Entryway

If you walk into your house and don’t remove your shoes, you are tracking dirt and other germs inside. The entryway, be it grand or small, is a place to shed your outside self before fully entering the home. Maybe you toss your jacket somewhere, fling your shoes, and discard your bag aimlessly. A tidy entryway can minimize clutter and help prevent germs from entering the home. Below, you’ll find a few tips to help keep your entryway clean:

• Take off your shoes once you enter your home.
• Use a basket or other receptacle to collect things that don’t belong in the entryway. Empty it regularly.
• Create a designated spot for outdoor footwear, for example, a shoe rack.
• Organize your cleaning supplies, such as disinfectant spray and wipes, and keep them on a nearby shelf near the entryway.
• Install a light to ensure proper lighting in your entryway. This can make it easier to spot dirt or grime when cleaning.

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Hard calluses on your feet can be quite uncomfortable. If they bother you, what can you do to get rid of them? These thick layers of skin form because the skin aims to protect itself from friction or pressure. Calluses typically look like raised, hard bumps of skin that are flaky, dry, or even waxy. 

If you play instruments, you can easily develop calluses on your fingertips. You can develop calluses on your hands if you do a lot of manual labor or if you lift weights. Calluses on your feet, especially your heels, result from wearing tight shoes, avoiding socks, or walking barefoot. The hardened skin actually protects that area from further damage, friction, or pressure, according to foot and ankle surgeons. 

You may go your entire life without experiencing a painful callus. In fact, you should ignore them if they don’t bother you. If they start to hurt, or you simply don’t like how they make your feet look, the following tips can help you remove them. 

File Away With A Pumice Stone

The rough, abrasive texture of a pumice stone can help shave away hardened skin. Most people agree that it is the most effective at-home callus remover. There are electric callus removers that essentially shave off dead skin, but a pumice stone is incredibly effective. Continue reading for a guide on how to use a pumice stone:

• Soak the affected area in warm water for about 10 minutes to help soften the skin. This step will make the callus removal process much easier. 
• Using gentle, circular or sideways motions, rub the pumice stone on the callus until you remove the dead skin. Stop as soon as you reach a layer of skin that is soft and healthy. If you continue to file, you may end up irritating healthy skin.
• After filing away your callus, make sure to rinse and dry the area before applying a gentle moisturizer. This step will help keep your skin soft and supple. 

Use An Over-the-Counter Moisturizer Or Callus Dissolver

If you prefer a gentler approach to filing with a pumice stone, use daily moisturizers to help soften callused skin. This may take a lot longer, but applying a daily moisturizer with smoothing ingredients like salicylic acid, ammonium lactate, or urea can help remove a callus over time. Urea creams can be great because they usually contain exfoliating ingredients, in addition to other moisturizing ingredients that soften irritated skin. 

Should You See A Podiatrist?

A podiatrist, foot doctor, can use a scalpel or surgical blade to trim away the callus if you have difficulty removing the skin at home. This usually is not necessary, but this will depend on the severity and thickness of your callus. Have a podiatrist tend to your calluses if you have diabetes or another condition that causes poor blood flow. A minor cut can become infected very quickly! A doctor can remove the callus without damaging healthy skin, which ultimately helps you avoid other complications. If you notice that your callus is red, inflamed, or pus-filled, see a podiatrist immediately because your callus may be infected. 

If you want to prevent calluses on your feet, there are things you can do once you remove your callus. You can wear a protective covering if you have a spot on your foot that is prone to friction. Felt pads, non-medicated corn pads, or even bandages can protect the area. Keep your toenails trimmed because long nails can push your toes up against your shoe, creating a potential callus over time. Lastly, wear comfortable shoes with socks, and consider getting shoes with a wide toe box so you can comfortably wiggle your toes. You may need custom orthotics from your podiatrist if shoes are an issue in general.

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Keep your boots, purses, wallets, and car seats looking sharp and more water resistant with this all natural leather conditioner and boot wax. Not only is this two-ingredient wax affordable, but it is also free of chemicals and works on most types of leather. It’s great to conditioner your boots in late summer/early fall before the crisp, cold weather arrives. That helps preserve them during cold winter weather. We understand that it isn’t winter yet, but you can never prepare too early!

If you care for your leather boots, they’ll last you a long time. All-weather leather boots are great for walking around town or attending community events. Obviously, the higher quality the boot is, the better it will fare in the long run. Investing in quality boots, especially if you live in a place that endures harsh winter climate, will serve your feet better than cheap boots will. Real leather boots with quality lining and sturdy laces will transform your boot game for the better. And they’ll last longer if you regularly condition them. 

Why Condition Your Boots?

Beyond the scuffs, scrapes, or general wear and tear, leather boots are susceptible to drying out and cracking. In order to help your boots last longer and perform their best, you need to clean them and condition them regularly. You slap your shoes into water, dirt, grease, thousands of times as you wear them. The leather will remain water resistant if you keep it supple. If you spend the time to condition your boots a couple times a year, they will look as good in 15 years as they do now. 

What Does A Leather Conditioner Do?

Think of leather like your skin, in that it is fragile compared to tougher and rougher surfaces. That means that it requires protection and care. Unlike your skin, which receives nourishment from the body, leather on shoes does not receive nourishment, unless you provide it. A great leather conditioner is designed to be easily absorbed and helps to restore the flexibility of leather fibers. Leather is both flexible and durable, so long as you continue to condition it. Once leather loses the natural oils and moisture, the fibrous interweave starts to break down and crack. Once that happens, you will most likely have to replace your boots. 

DIY Boot Wax And Leather Conditioner

The two ingredients in the following recipe are coconut oil and beeswax. You don’t need anything else because leather can readily absorb these ingredients. Remember that you want to treat your boots with respect, especially if the leather is high quality. That means that you want to purchase organic coconut oil and organic beeswax pellets. With such clean ingredients, you can feel great about conditioning your leather boots. 

Ingredients:

• 4 ounces organic coconut oil
• 4 ounces organic beeswax pellets
• Silicone mold or metal tin
• Horsehair brush

Instructions:

• Add the coconut oil and beeswax to an Instant Pot and melt them using the “keep warm” feature. If you don’t want to use that method, you can add those two ingredients to a heat-safe glass bowl on top of a saucepan with an inch or two of simmering water.
• Once the ingredients are melted, pour the mixture into silicone molds or a metal tin. Let the mixture harden, which you can accelerate by placing in the freezer or fridge. 
• To use the wax, warm a wax disc or a little bit in your hands and spread generously over the boots. Use a horsehair brush to scrub and work the wax into the leather. Continue brushing the boots until the wax is worked into the leather.
• There’s no need to wait! Wear them right away!

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A lot of people wear the same pair of shoes for every workout, and they are either comfortable or not. Some workout shoes feel as if you are walking on clouds, providing excellent support that cushions not only your feet, but also your knee joints. Are you wearing the right shoes for your workout needs? Are you in need of a new pair of workout shoes? This article aims to detail three signs that you need to replace your workout shoes. 

The key is to pay close attention to the support of your shoes. Even if your shoes look new, the support can be worn out. When your support is minimal, the risk of injury is much higher. In fact, most podiatrists recommend that you replace your shoes every six months, especially if you wear them a lot. Broken down cushioning in your shoes is a major sign that you need a new pair. Keep an eye out for the other signs below. 

You Experience Aches And Pains

The more you wear your shoes, the more you notice discomfort in different parts of the body. For example, you may feel more pain in your knees after wearing the shoes for six months. You buy insoles that support your feet and reduce knee pain, but these don’t last long. Shoes can easily lose their shock absorption, and you can feel aches in your joints as a result. Pay attention to the following areas of discomfort, and get a new pair if you experience one or more of them frequently:

• Ankles
• Hips
• Knees
• Joints at the base of the toes (most commonly in the big toes)
• Frequent blisters

You’ve Worn Them For 300-500 Miles

The vice president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine stated that the average lifespan of a walking or running shoe is between 300-500 miles. For gym or sport sneakers (basketball shoes, pickleball shoes, or tennis shoes), the gauge is different. The general rule of thumb for those shoes is that you should replace them after 40-60 hours of playing the sport in those shoes. That means that you should replace your shoes around every nine to 12 months if you play a sport in them a couple times a month. If you only wear athletic shoes to the gym and engage in strength training, they may last longer. For runners, consider looking for a new running shoe at the 250-mile mark. Statistically, that is when shoes start to break down and lose support. You don’t want shoes to reach their limit before and then decide that you need a new pair.

Cosmetic Wear And Tear Have Taken Over

You may obsess over a great pair of workout shoes. The comfort, look, and more are all cause for obsession for several weeks, even if they start to look tired. Look at the tread on your shoes as they start to age because the last thing you want is for the tread to flatten. Your shoes are like tires: you don’t want them to bald and then get new ones. If your tread is getting flat, you need to go get a new pair of shoes. The midsole of the shoe tends to wear out first, and you can check it by squeezing the shoe to see if there are small cracks or indents along the midsole. You’ll see a lot of those lines if the shoe is worn, but you shouldn’t let your shoes get to that point. Depending on how you walk, you may also see wear on your inner or outer heel. 

General wear and tear is fine, but wearing the shoes that are compromised can increase the risk of injuries. This is especially true for runners or people who are highly active in those shoes. 

If you want to lengthen the life of your shoes, rotate through a few different pairs at once. It is very tempting to pick one comfortable shoe and stick to that. It’s actually better to lean into different styles for different workouts or sports. Just keep these things in mind when choosing your next pairs of shoes.

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The New Year is synonymous with weight loss, dieting, and new career goals. People often put so much emphasis on themselves that they don’t pay attention to their homes. Unlike the human body, the home is not something that can clean itself. You are responsible for limiting the build-up of grime and keeping it a space for wellness by maintaining awareness. 

There are many ways to establish a healthy home, but with the New Year approaching, one of the best ways to clean the slate is through a home detox. Over time, the home can easily accumulate dust, allergen, mold, and germs. Not only can these things cause allergic reactions, but they can also weigh down the energy in your home. If you are into the concept of Feng Shui, then you understand how simple detox tips can spruce up your indoor space. Below, we detail simple ways that you can detox your home for a fresh start in the New Year. 

Shoes Stay At The Door

When you walk in the front door of your home, remove your shoes, plain and simple. When you wear your shoes inside the house, you track pesticides, bacteria, and more via the soles of your shoes. Removing your shoes prior to entering your home also supports the idea that your home is a sacred space, separate from the outside world. Wear socks, go barefoot, or have slippers for chilly days. 

Use Green Plants As Natural Detox Agents

Certain houseplants have the ability to remove pollutants from the air, ultimately improving indoor air quality. Some studies found that houseplants can remove substances like benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene from the air. Breathing easier is much easier when the air in your home is cleaner. Click here for the best houseplants to clean your air. 

Open Your Windows When You Cook

Cooking over a gas flame can generate large amounts of nitrogen dioxide and other tiny particles that can irritate the nose and lungs. In addition to using the exhaust hood or range, open your windows to ventilate your space. This process helps remove particular gasses from your home, reducing the risk of future headaches or fatigue from inhaling those pollutants. 

Bye Bye Dryer Sheets

Not all dryer sheets are bad, but they aren’t necessarily eco-friendly. Instead of contributing to more waste, do your part to help the environment and opt for wool dryer balls. These dryer balls are chemical-free and help soften your laundry during the drying process. Wool dryer balls tend to last up to 1,000 loads, which is 1,000 less dryer sheets in landfills. They also reduce drying time, which can lower your energy usage. 

Use Simple DIY Cleaning Products

There are many non-toxic cleaning products that you can purchase in store, but a lot of them still contain synthetic fragrances, colors, and other preservatives. If you are trying to detox your home, you don’t want to continue polluting it. You can easily make your own cleaning products that are 100% non-toxic. We have a large catalog of these recipes on our website, but you can click here to view some great ones to have on hand. 

From Floor To Ceilings

When you vacuum, it’s best to use one that has a HEPA filter, as that not only helps decrease allergens in the home, but also creates a healthier, more breathable space. The HEPA filter in your vacuum traps bacteria, dust, pathogens, and particles. Additionally, it also reduces the levels of many chemicals in your home. Don’t just vacuum your carpets or rugs, though. Vacuum under your furniture, behind bookshelves, on the side of your washer, and the corners of your house. 

Ditch Synthetic Air Fresheners

We cannot stress the importance of this point! A lot of people love the scents of synthetic air freshener sprays or plug-ins, but these products are filled with irritants and chemicals. You can still create a pleasant smelling home without these chemicals. There are essential oil diffusers, bouquets of fresh flowers, potpourri, and more. You can also make all-natural air freshener sprays by clicking here. 

Even the simplest of home detox efforts can improve the entire energy of your home. Do whatever you feel is best and simplest on this list to begin your home detox. Relish in the results you feel when the new year arrives!

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What is the first thing you do after peeling a banana? You throw away the peel because you have no need for the yellow skin, or so you thought. Bananas provide you with potassium, magnesium, fiber, vitamin B6, manganese, and vitamin C, but as it turns out, the peels exhibit impressive health benefits. In fact, you can use the peels to help whiten teeth, clear up acne, boost hair health, and much more. Learn about the best banana peel uses in this article!

The banana peel is the outer shell of the banana fruit. Every banana peel has some nutritional value, but the nutritional profile may differ depending on the variety and maturity of the fruit. Generally speaking, the peel contains protein, fiber, amino acids, antioxidants, iron, and calcium. Additionally, the nutritional value and health benefits of the peel will vary depending on the fruit’s maturity. Peels also contain phytochemicals and antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity, which benefit the teeth, skin, hair, and more. Read on to see how banana peels can benefit your health.

Banana Peels May Whiten Your Teeth

A 2015 study found that banana peels demonstrated antibacterial activity against bacteria that cause periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis. The bacteria that banana peels were effective against were P. gingivalis  and A. actinomycetemcomitans. This study, and other studies for that matter, haven’t focused on directly applying banana peels to teeth. That said, practitioners of natural healing claim that rubbing the inside of a banana peel on your teeth is great for teeth and gum health. 

Banana Peels Soothe Your Skin

The anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties in banana peels may help soothe the skin. According to research, the banana peel may relieve symptoms of inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Banana peels may also relieve bug bites, skin irritations, and sunburns. Other studies indicate that the antimicrobial activity of banana peel may inhibit the growth of infection-causing bacteria. 

Banana Peels Polish Your Shoes

Forget about messy shoe polish that may stain your towels, clothes, and skin. Banana peels are the all-natural shoe polish to keep your leather or faux leather shoes shiny and looking good. All you have to do is rub the inside of the peel on the shoes and watch the scuffs disappear. Buff and wipe any banana peel residue off your shoes with a soft cloth and your shoes will be ready for date night!

Banana Peels Enhance Compost

If you are going to discard banana peels, don’t simply toss them in the trash. Adding them to a compost bin, or simply chopping them and burying them in the dirt, can help enhance your garden. If you don’t want to bury them in the dirt, you can soak the banana peel in water for a day, and then pour that water into the soil. The banana peel water almost acts as natural fertilizer because the nutrients infuse into the water. 

Banana Peels Reduce Under Eye Puffiness

A lot of beauty and skin care products contain banana or banana peel, or a tincture made from banana. The peels work to brighten and soften the skin because they contain vitamin E, which may help fade dark spots and scars. The potent antioxidants in the peels also work to protect against oxidative damage, which can accelerate aging. Cut the banana peels into smaller pieces and place them under your eyes for 15-30 minutes. Rinse with an everyday cleanser and you’ll notice the difference in your eye appearance. 

Banana Peels May Purify Water

This sounds crazy, but it may be useful if you are ever in a survival situation, have a banana peel, and need clean water. Researchers noted that minced banana peels were able to remove lead and copper from river water. For that reason, researchers deemed banana peels a low-cost tool for purification, but more research is necessary.

Banana Peels May Remove Warts

As mentioned earlier, banana peels may relieve inflammation and irritation from inflammatory skin issues. Some people claim that banana peels may help get rid of warts. The reason for this is because the peel’s enzymes penetrate the root of the wart, while the moisture from the peel softens the wart. Tape a small piece of banana peel inside-down over the wart and leave it on overnight. Continue to do this and the wart should be history in three weeks.

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Fret not if you develop a blood blister, as they are fairly harmless and go away after a while. You can easily identify them by the raised skin that has blood inside. They commonly occur on the feet and hands, or other areas of the body if you pinch the skin. After you develop one, however, proper care is necessary if you want to avoid problems during the healing process. The dos and don’ts in this article should help if you have a blood blister.

What Is A Blood Blister?

A blood blister is not too different from an ordinary blister or friction blister, which has clear fluid inside. Blood blisters contain blood mixed with clear fluid because pressure breaks blood vessels. They tend to appear purple, reddish, or black in color, with newer blood blisters appearing more red. Blood blisters can occur on any area of the body that is under pressure, for example, the feet, hands, joints, mouth, heels, toes, or balls of the feet. If you pinch your skin and it doesn’t break open, it’s common to develop a blood blister. 

Most blood blisters tend to heal on their own, with a healing period of about one to two weeks, depending on the severity. There is really no need to seek medical attention or take special action for treatment. The main objective is to keep the area clean and avoid causing further harm. Below, you’ll find some tips on what to do and what not to do if you get one. If you find that any of these tips assist your healing process, let us know in the comments below. 

Don’t Cut Or Pop The Blister

This is a rule that applies both to blood blisters and common blisters. Even though you may experience some pressure or irritation, the blister protects vulnerable skin underneath. When you break the skin you increase the risk of infection or scarring. Experts say that you should allow the blood blister time to dry and flatten on its own. If you develop a large blood blister that causes you significant pain, you may want to drain the fluid. If you go down that road, you have to be sure to use the right tools and procedures to keep the open wound clean.

Do Bandage The Blister

If you think that the blood blister will pop on its own, you should take action to protect it with a bandage. Bandage a larger, protruding blood blister that’s on the heel, arch of the foot, or another area that rubs against things. An adhesive bandage is acceptable for smaller blisters, but larger ones may require moleskin bandages. If the moleskin isn’t pre-cut for blisters, cut a hole and last that part right over the blister. That increases the padding around the blister to prevent more damage. 

Don’t Wear Shoes That Worsen The Blister

Don’t let your shoes win if you have a blood blister. They may be your favorite shoes ever, but if they rub the blood blister then your healing time will increase. Often times, footwear causes blood blisters, which is why podiatrists recommend wearing loose, breathable shoes to benefit your feet. Don’t crowd them; rather, allow enough room to wiggle the toes and move the foot around. 

Do Elevate And Ice Your Foot

Elevating a blood blister helps reduce swelling and minimize the size. This is especially important when you first develop or notice the blister. If the blood blister is the result of pinching the skin, or it simply causes you pain, apply an ice pack or other cold compress to the area. Make sure you wrap the cold pack in a towel or something to create a barrier between the skin and the cold. It’s not wise to apply a cold source directly on the skin.

Don’t Peel Away Skin From The Blister

The urge to lance, pick, or peel the blood blister can be strong, but it’s important not to rupture it. Don’t remove any of the skin, even if the blister is already broken. The protective layer still keeps the skin below healthy and clean. Peeling layers away can expose the fresh new skin to infection. Keep the skin in place until it naturally peels away. 

Do Clean A Broken Blister

If a blister bursts or you cut it, it’s your job to keep it as clean as possible. Make sure to drain the blister and then clean it with antiseptics. After washing and drying the blood blister, apply an antibacterial cream or ointment and then adhere a bandage. It is important to allow the wound to air out so that it can heal, but protect it when necessary so you can avoid complications. 

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Let’s bust a myth straight out of the gate: You don’t need to be an athlete to feel the incredible itch of athlete’s foot. It’s a common fungal infection that causes itchy, scaly, burning, stinging, or occasionally cracked skin. A person experiences athlete’s foot when there is a large presence of dermatophytes on the skin. This type of fungi grows in warm, humid conditions, for example, sweaty socks.

Athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch are three closely related fungal infections. More often than not, people treat them with anti-fungal medications, but it’s possible for infection to return. There are also natural remedies to help improve the condition, but some may not work for everyone. It’s time to consult a physician if the condition doesn’t improve within two weeks after beginning self-treatment with either natural remedies or an over-the-counter anti-fungal product. You may also want to consult your doctor if you have diabetes and suspect athlete’s foot. If the foot swells up and you notice redness then see your doctor as well. 

Natural remedies and over-the-counter anti-fungal products can alleviate symptoms. Some of these products may help avoid a recurring rash, while others will not work at all. And then there are products that work, but personal habits get in the way of the healing process. If you have athlete’s foot and are on the healing path, avoid these common mistakes that can worsen the condition. 

You Wear The Same Shoes Every Day

Everyone has a pair of shoes that they could wear every day, no matter what. One pair of shoes may be as comfortable as a fuzzy pair of house slippers, but those comfy kicks may prevent your athlete’s foot from healing properly. According to medical professionals, wearing the same shoes every day doesn’t allow the inside of the shoes to dry properly between wears. A moist, enclosed environment is not conducive to athlete’s foot, or any fungal condition. Keep the feet and the surfaces that the feet touch clean and dry. Alternate shoes every day, wash sneakers, insoles, and socks regularly, and choose breathable shoes if your feet are prone to sweating. 

You Walk Barefoot In Shared Spaces

Some people brave the public spaces with no fear of catching any sort of disease, bacteria, or fungus. Walking barefoot in airplanes, gyms, public pools, locker rooms, or hotel rooms can result in athlete’s foot. Fungus that fosters athlete’s foot may linger on the floor in these areas, according to dermatologists. If you have a break in the skin, walking around barefoot in shared spaces leaves you more susceptible to an infection. A skin break or wound is an invitation for opportunistic pathogens. If you already suffer from athlete’s foot, walking barefoot with broken skin not only spreads the fungus to the floor, but can also lead to secondary bacterial infection. Always wear shoes or flip-flops in shared spaces. 

You Moisturize Your Feet

People often mistake dry, cracked skin on the feet for athlete’s foot. It’s possible for athlete’s foot to look scaly on the bottoms of the feet, but it’s also possible to simply experience dry skin. One thing to remember is that fungus feeds off moist environments. If you have athlete’s foot, moisturizing will only worsen the condition and inhibit the healing process. The best thing you can do is ditch the lotion and consider an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream instead. If you can’t distinguish dry skin from athlete’s foot, consider seeing a podiatrist to properly assess the situation.

You Don’t Cut Toenails Often Enough

Believe it or not, this can slow the healing process if you suffer from athlete’s foot. Nailbeds can present the perfect environment for infection, especially if nails are too long. If you don’t cut your toenails, they can break and cause trauma to the nailbed. That can then lead to a deformed toenail, which has an increased risk of bacterial or fungal infection. Keep toenails short in order to prevent fungus from entering under the toenail or surrounding skin. Trim nails just above the white line using clippers. 

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Contrary to popular belief, the air in your home is not as clean as you think. Given that most people spend almost all of their time at home nowadays, it’s vital to keep indoor air free of harmful toxins. The air you breathe shouldn’t harm your lungs; rather, it should enhance your lungs and respiratory system. It should be a break from the many airborne toxins and pollutants that exist in outside air, but this isn’t always the case.

More often than not, indoor air contains a combination of carbon dioxide, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The air quality will depend on several factors, including the city or area in which you live. Humidity levels, living next to a freeway, or being in farming areas can decrease air quality in your home. Some buildings can even remain damp enough to cause mold and bacterial growth, which negatively affects asthma patients. 

People spend about 93% of their time inside now, so it’s integral to keep indoor air clean and fresh. Dust, mold, and pet dander are common things that exist in the house. So make sure to clean the house regularly to avoid dust mite accumulation or bacterial build-up. If you want to naturally purify the air in your home, use the following tips. 

Beeswax Candles

Do you enjoy dining or relaxing in a bath by candlelight? Start using beeswax candles instead of paraffin candles. Beeswax candles help to purify the air because they are made from natural compounds. Ready for some science? Beeswax burns and creates negative ions that bond to positively charged pollutants in the air. This results in cleaner air that smells delicious!

Himalayan Salt Lamps

Salt lamps have been known to reduce the presence of airborne pathogens, irritants, and allergens by extracting vapor out of the air. Himalayan pink salt can naturally pull toxins from the environment and neutralize them because that type of salt is a natural ionic air purifier. Add a Himalayan salt lamp to a room in your house and you’ll notice the difference. You can also leave it on at night without it disrupting sleep. The orange light it emits doesn’t disrupt sleep hormones. 

Indoor Plants

Invite greenery into your home! Indoor plants beautify the home, but they also help to filter the air. Certain indoor plants work to remove carbon dioxide, toluene, heptane, and other VOCs from the air. Some of the best plants to have in the home include the snake plant, aloe vera, spider plant, and the weeping fig. If you want to learn more about indoor plants improving air quality, click here. 

Cut Down On Cooking Pollution

Believe it or not, cooking can worsen the air quality in your home. Gas ovens emit about 130-546 ppb during the cooking process. This exceeds the World Health Organization’s recommendation for indoor exposure to nitrogen dioxide at 106 ppb. When you cook on a gas range, it emits about 82-300 ppb. Gas stoves also increase the presence of carbon monoxide in the home. The way you can cut this down is by replacing common oils that have a low cooking temperature with oils that have a higher cooking temperature, for example, coconut oil or sunflower oil. 

Use Natural Cleaners

Do you ever notice that it feels difficult to breathe after using chemical cleaning products? Well, the chemicals can linger in the home and worsen the air quality. That sounds counterintuitive, considering people use them to rid surfaces of bacteria and germs. They clean surfaces, not the air; just remember that. Great natural cleaning products that don’t reduce indoor air quality include hydrogen peroxide, distilled white vinegar, essential oils, baking soda, and isopropyl alcohol. 

Clean Your Carpets Regularly

If you want to thoroughly clean your carpet, the first step is to get a great vacuum. Carpet in your home is like a giant toxic sponge that absorbs dust, bacteria, pet dander, and more. It’s wise to not wear shoes in the house for this reason. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if you wipe your shoes at the door and don’t wear shoes in the house, you can reduce common toxins in your home by 60%. 

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What are some classic holiday gift ideas? Most people have exhausted socks or ties for dads, beard products for brothers, fuzzy scarves for mom, and makeup for sisters. It’s time to think outside the box and head in a healthier direction. Let’s forget about repeat gifts and attempt to give gifts that improve the lives of others. 

Often times, the best gift is something that the person will use, or something that will support a healthier lifestyle. Living as healthy as possible is more important than ever before, given the current coronavirus pandemic. Whether you decide on resistance bands for at-home workouts or homemade face scrubs to clear up skin, choose something that focuses on improving the person’s overall wellness. Our wellness team got together and assembled a list of eight healthy gift ideas to give this holiday season.

Homemade Or Customized Face Masks

Since face masks have become an essential accessory nowadays, why not get creative with them? There are many online tutorials that detail how to make simple masks. You can choose the fabric, paint or get creative with custom embroidery, or make fun patterns. Just make sure that the masks are two to three layers for optimum protection. Click here to view the best face mask materials. 

Portable Air Cleaner

This is an item that is also fitting with the times in which we’re living. A portable air cleaner helps remove pollutants and certain viruses from the air in your home, making the air you breathe better for you and others. This is a great gift for apartment dwellers, who may be worried about harmful aerosols. One will cost $100+ so it is an investment, but it’s worth it.

Protein Shaker Bottle

These are relatively affordable and extremely useful. Shaker bottles work for mixing protein powder in a liquid, electrolyte powder in a liquid, or a pre-workout supplement in a liquid. Essentially, these are great for any powder that mixes in with a liquid. The little metal ball breaks up the powder when you shake it to avoid clumping. You can even get a bottle that has a separate storage compartment for the powder, so you don’t have to mix it in the liquid right away.

DIY Skin Care Products

If you are trying to conserve money this holiday season, opt for homemade skin care products for the ones you love. You can whip up a DIY body butter, face mask, moisturizer, lip balm, or whatever you think people will like. Give the gift of non-toxic skin care products that actually improve the health of the skin instead of contaminating it with chemical store bought products.

Health Tracking Device

From the FitBit to the Whoop strap, there are endless devices that help people track their health. People can monitor heart rate, sleep patterns, recovery, steps, and calories burned with these devices. If the person plans to get started on a healthier path come the New Year, this is an excellent gift to help them on their wellness journey.

All-Weather Running Shoes

You have to really know the person before you splurge on a pair of all-weather athletic shoes. Do they run? Will they run if it rains? If the person is gung-ho about running no matter the weather, all-weather athletic shoes are great. They’ll keep feet dry n matter the forecast. Most of these shoes also have reflective materials, which are great for evening or nighttime runs.

Weighted Blanket

Do you want the person to feel like they’re being hugged at all times? Give them a weighted blanket. Everyone should get one of these. Several studies found that they help relieve stress, anxiety symptoms, and they work to improve sleep. Everyone could do with better sleep, right? Right. If you don’t think a weighted blanket is a good idea, try a furry blanket that is perfect for cozying up inside during the colder months. 

Manuka Honey

There isn’t a bad thing to say about Manuka honey, except for the price tag. On the other hand, you’re paying for a quality product that has numerous health benefits. According to scientific studies, Manuka honey can soothe sore throats, improve digestion, reduce acne or accelerate wound healing when applied to the skin, and promote oral health. The person you get this for will love you forever. 

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The post The Dherbs 2020 Holiday Gift Guide: 8 Healthy Gift Ideas appeared first on Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products.