4 Ways to Help Someone That Is Going Through a Tough Time

 When someone we know is going through a tough time, it can be hard to know what to do to help. It is important to remember that everyone deals with difficult times differently, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, here are four general tips that might help you support your loved one during their tough time.

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1) Just be there. 

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is simply be present and available to your loved one. Let them know that you are there for them and offer your support however they need it.

"Just being there" for someone can mean a lot of different things. You might offer to help with practical tasks, like running errands or cooking meals. Or you might just provide a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. It's important to let your loved one take the lead in terms of what kind of support they need from you.

If you live far away from a person who is going through a tough time, staying in touch via phone calls, texts, or video chats can still make a big difference.

2) Avoid giving unsolicited advice. 

Even if you think you know exactly what your loved one should do to feel better, it's essential to avoid giving unsolicited advice. This can come across as judgmental or condescending, and it might make your loved ones feel like they are not being heard or understood.

If your loved one does want your advice, try to offer it in a non-judgmental way. For example, you could say something like, "I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but I read an article that talked about XYZ."

It's also important to remember that sometimes people just need someone to vent to, and they don't necessarily want or need solutions. In these cases, just listening and offering empathy can be helpful.

3) Take them out into town.  

Sometimes, getting out of the house can be helpful for someone who is going through a tough time. If your loved one is feeling cooped up, try suggesting a morning breakfast at the Bubble Tea Club, a walk in the park, or even just a drive around town.

Fresh air and a change of scenery can do wonders for lifting someone's mood. Plus, being around other people can help your loved one feel less isolated and alone.

4) Encourage them to take care of themselves. 

When someone is going through a tough time, they must take care of themselves both physically and mentally. This might mean getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, exercising, or spending time outdoors.

You can help by supporting your loved one's efforts to take care of themselves. For example, you could offer to cook a healthy meal with them or go on a run together. Taking care of yourself is also important! If you're feeling burnt out, make sure to take some time for yourself as well.

It can be difficult watching someone we love struggle. However, there are ways we can support them and help them through their tough times. Just remember to be there for them, avoid giving unsolicited advice, take them out into town, and encourage them to take care of themselves. With your support, they will hopefully be able to get through this tough time.

Your Diet Might Be Helping You Drop A Dress Size, But What's It Doing To Your Gut Health?

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Restrictive diets are a 21st-century staple, with up to 50% of women, especially, reporting being on a diet the vast majority of the time. Weight loss is, quite obviously, the main goal of these pursuits but, given that most diets of this nature also cut out things like refined sugar and processed foods, most of us would assume that restrictive eating can also be beneficial for overall health. 

This can undeniably be true when diets are approached right, but it isn’t a given considering that, far from just cutting out known unhealthy sources, diets like keto eliminate entire food groups. As such, if we eat in these ways for extended periods, it’s not unusual for restrictions to take a negative toll, especially where healthy gut functioning is concerned. 

To prove that point, we’re going to look at three surprising ways that restrictive diets can prevent the growth and functioning of healthy gut bacteria, and what that means for everything from weight loss to immunity and beyond.

# 1 - Removing dietary variety

Healthy gut bacteria is incredibly varied, and it needs a variety of fuel to keep it satisfied. Even without restrictive eating, this variety has come under a great deal of fire over the past 50 years under the Western Diet. This is why so many of us buy supplements to keep gut health on track. Restrictive diets only add fuel to that fire, and before undertaking any eating plan like this, it’s essential to check that you’re either receiving the nutrients your gut needs or that you know which supplements you should take to keep gut health on an even keel regardless. 

# 2 - Reducing your energy levels

Calorie-based diets can have a detrimental impact on energy levels, making us far less likely to get moving. This is terrible news considering that exercise has been proven to facilitate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Inadvertently, then, restricting calories makes the growth of bad bacteria way more likely. With this in mind, avoiding diets that directly hinder calorie intake is always best, as is making sure to exercise alongside any dietary changes for positive gut health at all times. 

# 3 - Impacting your sleep

Your diet also has a direct impact on your quality of sleep. Again, this is bad news for gut health given that studies have shown how even two nights of sleep deprivation can cause notable changes to gut flora. Ironically, these changes most relate to an abundance of bacteria associated with weight gain, throwing gut health (and hopes for weight loss) altogether out of sync. As such, even those following restrictive diets should always aim for lasting fullness with the help of healthy options such as slow-release carbohydrates and other fuller-for-longer foods.

When we look at these facts together, it’s plain to see that restrictive diets and gut health don’t always get along. By recognising these risk factors, you’re in the best possible position to make positive changes that facilitate good gut bacteria and ensure maximum weight loss from your dietary efforts at the same time. 

 

Signs that your Diet just Isn’t Good (And What you Can Do About It)

If your diet is in dire need of an overhaul, then it’s not your waistline that will suffer, it’s your health in general. Weight gain can indicate that you need to rethink whatever you are putting into your body, but evidence has also shown that there are various other health problems that could stem from having a poor diet. Some of them may surprise you.

Your Hair is Dry
Your organs need to be given a high amount of nutrition in order for them to function properly. Healthy hair follicles really are no different. Starvation diets can lead to you experiencing malnutrition and this can make your hair feel very brittle. You may also find that you experience things such as hair loss as well. Studies show that diets which are very low in protein or nutrients, which can include iron, vitamin C and even zinc can all be associated with hair loss. You may also experience thinning hair and loss of pigmentation too. If you want to stop this from being the case then it is wise for you to try and eat lean sources of protein, such as grilled salmon, eggs, seeds and vegetables. Seeds and nuts can also be eaten if you want to have healthy hair.

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Your Skin is Ageing
Ageing is inevitable to say the least. Research is showing time and time again that a nutritious diet can easily promote good skin health and it can also delay an outward sign of ageing too. Systematic reviews have been done and they show that diets which are rich in various vitamins, including vitamin A, C, E and D all contain flavonoids and these have a beneficial effect on your skin. If you want to reap these benefits and if you want to have a much more youthful appearance, then it would be wise for you to consume five servings of fruit and vegetables every day. If you need some help, then Zo Skin Health have an array of skin enhancers.

Your Oral Health is Bad
Bleeding gums and inflamed cavities are all signs that you have a bad diet. If you have too much sugar then this could be one of the reasons why you have holes in your teeth, so consider how much sugary drinks you are ingesting. Swollen gums are also a sign that you are deficient in vitamin C, so try and make sure that you eat more foods that contain this and take supplements if you really need as well.

Your Brain is Drained
Are you having problems with your memory, concentration or even fatigue? Your brain depends on nutrition if it is to perform at its best, so you have to make sure that you have a good intake of Omega 3 if possible. This will play a huge part in your cognitive development and it will also help you to maintain a good level of concentration. If you can, you need to choose foods such as walnuts, flax seeds, fish oil or even salmon.