Celeste Elle, Author at MoneyDigest.sg

Starting again: How to ease back into exercising post-pregnancy

You’ve finally done it!

You’ve given birth to the most beautiful baby in the world. But now the hard part begins: getting your body back into shape.

Below are a few tips on easing back into exercising post-pregnancy. Just take it one step at a time, and before you know it, you will be back to your old self slowly but surely.

Start slowly and stay safe

You’ve probably been told this a million times, but it’s worth repeating: take it slow when you start exercising again.

Muscles and joints that have been inactive for nine months don’t just snap back into shape overnight. In fact, you could do more harm than good if you try to do too much, too soon.

Incorporate core exercises

Incorporating some core exercises will help you regain your strength and stability, both of which are essential when it comes to working out.

You can do a variety of core exercises, including pilates and crunches. Just make sure you take things slowly at first and listen to your body. If something doesn’t feel right, stop immediately and talk to your doctor.

Don’t push yourself too hard, or too fast

Image Credits: parents.com

Yes, you’re probably eager to get back into your pre-pregnancy exercise routine, but don’t forget that your body has just gone through a lot. You need time to heal and adjust.

That’s why professionals recommend starting with low-impact exercises and gradually adding more strenuous activities as your body gets stronger. Swimming, walking, and biking are good for a start. As you get stronger, you can add in other activities.

And remember, this is a process. You’re not going to be able to do everything right away. Give yourself time to ease back in and don’t be too hard on yourself.

Follow an appropriate diet and exercise plan

Now, if you want to get your body back in shape, you need to make sure that you’re following an appropriate diet and exercise plan.

Balanced diets are key to getting all the vitamins that your body needs for recovery. Eating healthy, nutrient-packed meals will help fuel your workouts and build muscle mass.

When it comes to long-term exercise, set reasonable goals for yourself and focus on progress instead of perfection. It’s also important that you give your body time to rest and recover after each workout session.

Take advantage of this time by stretching, doing gentle yoga, or meditating—all great ways to lower cortisol levels in the body while promoting self-care and relaxation too!

Focus on strengthening your pelvic floor muscles

Strengthening your pelvic floor is essential for any postpartum exercise routine.

Because your pelvic floor is the support system for vital organs, make sure it has the strength and stability needed to support you in everyday life.

Pelvic floor exercises are relatively easy and can be done anytime, anywhere—no equipment necessary! They typically involve lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground, gently engaging your pelvic muscles as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine.

Strengthening those muscles through targeted exercises and general workouts can help restore a sense of control over your body after pregnancy and childbirth.

Facilitating yourself back into a workout routine post-pregnancy can be daunting, but it’s doable with the right approach. Remember to listen to your body, take things slow, and focus on rebuilding your strength and energy. And most particularly, don’t be too hard on yourself—consistency wins.

Ready, set, fly! How to prepare for your young child’s very first flight

You’ve booked your flight, packed your bags, and now all that’s left to do is get your little one ready for takeoff.

Traveling with children can be stressful for parents, but with a bit of preparation and forethought, you can make the experience a little smoother for everyone.

In this article, we will give you tips on how to prepare your young child for their first flight. From packing essentials to dealing with stress and anxiety, we’ve got you covered. So relax and sit back—we’re about to take off!

Tips for selecting the right seat

Which seat should you choose for your little one?

Ideally, you will want to sit them close to the aisle, so they can get up and move around more easily. You will also want to avoid seats near the lavatories, as they can be quite noisy.

Understanding the safety precautions

When you’re preparing your young one for their first flight, understand the safety precautions that will be in place. Each airline has its own set of rules and regulations, but there are some common themes that you can expect.

For starters, your child (at least two years old) will be given a seat and they will need to stay in it for the duration of the flight. That means no climbing on the seats or running up and down the aisles, especially during turbulence. In addition, there is a ban on most electronic devices during take-off and landing. This is for the safety of everyone.

If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to speak with a flight attendant before takeoff. They will be happy to answer any questions and help put your mind at ease.

Distractions to help the flight go smoothly

toddler with headphones holding a stuffed animal

Image Credits: healthline.com

There are a few distractions that can help your child stay occupied.

One is to bring along new toys or books to read. If your child is old enough, you can also bring along headphones so they can listen to music or watch cartoons.

Just after taking off and before landing, have them look out the window and spot all the things they can see. Let them take in the experience of flying and see it as an adventure. The more relaxed and comfortable they are, the smoother the flight will be for everyone.

Ideas for packing snacks and activities

Making sure your young child has enough snacks and activities while on their first flight is essential.

Young children don’t always have the patience expected of adults, which can make a flight long and uncomfortable. It’s important to keep your child occupied, but also remember that overly sugary snacks may make them antsy.

To ensure a good experience, here are some great ideas to consider packing in their carry-on:

Books, puzzles, or coloring pages
Healthy snacks such as nuts and cheese sticks
Comfortables like a blanket, stuffed animal, or small travel pillow
Electronic devices (like wireless headphones and tablets with pre-downloaded entertainment)

What to do if turbulence arises

Indeed, flights can sometimes be turbulent, so plan for what to do if your child gets scared or agitated.

For example, you can carry noise-canceling headphones or earplugs to help muffle the sound of the engines. Make sure the seatbelts are securely fastened and keep your child close by holding their hand or having them sit on your lap (if age appropriate).

Make sure they have something to grip onto (like a favorite stuffed animal) and encourage them to focus on activities like playing a game. Finally, talk through the turbulence and provide reassurance that it will soon pass.

No matter how you feel about flying with a young child, be prepared. With a little bit of planning, you can make the experience a lot less stressful for everyone involved. If possible, pick the right time to fly. If your child is under the age of three, you might want to consider flying during nap time or at night when they’re more likely to sleep. Make sure you have all the essentials packed in your carry-on, including snacks, drinks, toys, and a change of clothes. Finally, try to relax and enjoy the experience. Flying with a young child can be a fun adventure, and it’s a lovely way to start building lifelong memories.

Why your last impression is just as important as your first impression

You only get one chance to make a first impression.

We’ve all heard that saying before, and it’s true: the way you present yourself when meeting someone for the first time can either make or break a relationship.

But what about the last impression you make? Just as your first impression is important, so is your last impression. In fact, your last impression might even be more impactful than your first impression. Why? Let’s find out.

First impressions aren’t everything

When you meet someone for the first time, you’re sizing them up and trying to make a good first impression.

But what happens when you meet them for the second time? You’ve already formed an opinion of them, and you’re more likely to focus on their weaknesses than their strengths.

The same is true in business. Your clients will judge you not just on the products or services you offer, but on the first project experience, they have with you. Are you responsive to their needs? Do you go the extra mile? Are you easy to work with?

Why you should focus on your last impression

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You should focus on your last impression because, in the same way that your first impression can make or break a relationship, your last impression can do the same thing.

Think about it: You may have had a great first meeting with someone, but if your last meeting is a disaster, they’re going to remember you for the wrong reasons.

Conversely, you may have had a terrible first meeting with someone, but if your last meeting is good, they’re going to forget about the bad first impression and remember you for the right reasons.

It’s all about balance. You want to make sure that your first and last impressions are both good ones so that people remember you for all the right reasons.

The value of a lasting impression and how to make one

The first impression you make is only half the battle. To make a fantastic lasting impression, you need to focus on the latter half of the equation as well.

Here are a few tips on how to make a lasting impression that will stay after you’ve left the room:

Be considerate. This is something that should go without saying, but it’s all too easy to forget. Always be respectful of those around you, and be sure to thank people for their time (and coffee treat, if applicable).
Be genuine. Nobody wants to deal with a phony, so always be yourself. If you act like someone you’re not, it will show sooner or later—and that’s not a good thing. People respond better to genuine individuals than they do to those who put on airs.
Be a listener. We all know those people who never stop talking—and we can all agree that they’re pretty exhausting. While you can be eager to share quirky facts about yourself, tell stories that capture your audience’s attention, or simply showcase your positive side, learn to listen.

The bottom line is that your last impression is just as important as your first impression—if not more so. So, if you want to make sure you’re leaving a lasting impression, focus on your verbal and nonverbal cues, be genuine, and be yourself.

Prevent and soothe dry skin when traveling this winter season

The cold weather can be a nightmare for those who suffer from dry skin.

The low humidity and harsh winds can leave your skin feeling itchy, inflamed, and just generally uncomfortable. If you’re dreading the winter season because of your dry skin, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

In this article, we will discuss the best ways to prevent and soothe dry skin when traveling this winter season. We will also provide a few tips on how to keep your skin healthy and hydrated all season long. So read on, and enjoy your winter vacation without fussing over those dry patches!

Drink lots of water

One of the best things you can do to prevent dry skin while traveling this winter is to drink plenty of water.

When you’re dehydrated, your skin becomes dry and itchy. So make sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially water, to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.

Use a portable humidifier

Combat dry skin by using a portable humidifier.

A humidifier puts moisture back into the air, which helps to replenish the moisture that’s been lost due to the colder weather. This can not only help soothe dry skin but can also help relieve allergies and cold symptoms.

There are a variety of humidifiers on the market, so be sure to choose one that’s best suited for your needs. Some are small and compact enough to fit in your travel bag, while others can hold a significant volume of water. Whichever one you choose, make sure to use it regularly and overnight to keep your skin from drying out.

Wear comfortable clothing

Image Credits: escape.com.au

Try to wear comfortable clothes that won’t rub against your skin. Loose-fitting pants and long-sleeved tops are good options, as are natural fabrics like cotton and linen.

Apply a hydrating gel, cream, or lotion

Pack a small tube of hydrating gel, cream, or lotion in your carry-on bag. The low humidity in airplane cabins can wreak havoc on your skin, leaving it feeling dry and irritated.

To help combat this, lather on a hydrating cream before takeoff and apply it throughout the flight. This will help refresh dry skin and keep it hydrated. When you land, apply a hydrating moisturizer to help further lock in moisture.

Take shorter showers with lukewarm water

Take shorter showers with lukewarm water instead of hot water and moisturize your skin immediately after showering while your skin is still damp.

So, what are the most suitable ways to soothe dry skin when traveling this winter season? First, make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water. This will help to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Second, use a humidifier in your rental car and hotel room. This will add moisture to the air, which will in turn help to keep your skin hydrated. Third, wear comfortable clothes that won’t irritate the skin. Fourth, apply a creamy, hydrating moisturizer to your skin regularly. And lastly, shower with lukewarm water and avoid using harsh soaps or cleansers that can strip your skin of its natural oils. Have a wonderful winter holiday!

Why you should strive for consistency in life

You may have heard this before, but it’s worth repeating: consistency is key.

You’ve probably also heard that things like hard work and dedication pay off. But what about when you don’t feel motivated? What about when you don’t feel like working hard or dedicating yourself to anything?

Here’s the thing: you have to find a way to be consistent even when you don’t feel like it. And yes, that can be tough. But it’s worth it because consistency can take you far in life, especially if you’re consistent with the right things.

Let’s explore the idea of consistency and how it can help you achieve your goals. We will also give you some tips on how to be more consistent in your everyday life.

Defining consistency

Let’s start by saying that consistency is doing the same things day in and day out to achieve a specific result. Consistency is a habit that you develop over time, and it can help you achieve your goals.

The benefits of consistency

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Think about the last time you tried something new.

Maybe you started working out, or you decided to learn a new skill. How long did it take you to get good at it? How often did you have to practice to see results?

If you’re like most people, then you probably needed to practice fairly regularly to see any real progress. And if you didn’t stick with it, then you probably didn’t see the results you were hoping for. This is where consistency comes into play.

When you’re consistent, you’re able to achieve long-term results by consistently putting in the effort day after day, week after week, and month after month. This is what sets successful people apart from everyone else. They know that success doesn’t happen overnight, and they’re willing to put in the work over a long period to achieve their goals.

The role of consistency in success

When you’re consistent, people know what to expect from you.

They know that they can count on you to be there, to show up and do your thing. This is a valuable trait to have in both your personal and professional life.

Think about it: When you’re consistent, you set the bar high for yourself. You don’t cut corners, and you always put your best foot forward. This defines you as a person of integrity and builds trust with those around you. Consistency breeds reliability, and that’s something that everyone can appreciate.

How to make consistency a habit

assorted fruits and vegetables in a market

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Now that you know all of the benefits of being a consistent person, you might be wondering how you can make it a habit.

The first step is to identify the areas of your life where you want to be more consistent. For instance, do you want to be more consistent with your diet?

If you want to be more consistent with your diet, you might decide to grocery shop on Sundays so that you have healthy food options available during the week.

If you want to be more consistent with your workout routine, for example, you might decide to commit to working out three times per week for 30 minutes each session.

The key is to create a plan that is realistic and achievable. Once you have a detailed strategy in place, the next step is to put it into action and make consistency a habit. Keep at it!

The power of starting small

You might be wondering how starting small could have an impact. After all, if your goal is big, starting small seems like it would be pointless.

But here’s the thing—starting small allows you to build momentum and create a habit. And once you have a habit of being consistent, it becomes much easier to maintain that routine.

Here’s an example: Let’s say your goal is to write a book. You could start by writing 500 words a day. That might not seem like much, but it adds up to 3,500 words a week, which is more than enough to write a short book in a month. And once you’ve written one book, it becomes much easier to write another.

The bottom line is that consistency has a compound effect. The more consistent you are, the more momentum you build, and the easier it becomes to maintain that consistency. So don’t underestimate the power of starting small—it can take you far.

If you’re not used to being consistent, it can be tough to get started. But the benefits are worth it. When you’re consistent, you build confidence and give people the chance to trust you. You become more reliable, and people are more likely to want to work with you. So if you’re looking to make a change in your life, start small. It’s the small things that add up to big results. And who knows? Once you get used to be consistent, you might just find that it’s something you can’t live without.