All posts by R.C. Liley

I'm an ex-mutual fund accountant who left the cubicle world to be a stay-at-home dad to my beautiful little girl, Avery, who entered our life on 11/15/13 and handsome little boy, Wes, who joined our family on 11/19/17. Also happily married to my wife, Kelley, as of 8/17/07. Sorry ladies... :) Fitness and nutrition is of the utmost importance in our family and we strive to reflect this in our daily life. I always prepare our meals at home and only go out if it's a special occasion, and even then I tend to not get much. Food should be fun and a joy to eat, not something quickly consumed from a fast food chain or scarf down before the next meeting. I have come from strictly logging high miles to train for the next marathon to keeping exercise varied and focusing more on strength. I still enjoy going for a run when I can, but nothing crazy, and I prefer hill sprints while pushing my daughter, Avery in the stroller. She loves it and I get a great workout! I want to show the world how to appreciate their body and feed it real, wholesome food while moving more throughout the day. In doing so, everyone would be healthier, happier, and we'd all live in a better place as a result. I blog mainly about my life as a stay-at-home dad and frequently include reviews, participate in campaigns, and share my thoughts on fitness and nutrition. If you ever have any questions or thoughts to share, please reach out as I'm always open to listening or helping others however possible. That is, when I have free time since Avery is and my wife are the number one priorities!
Health, Tips

Tips to Help Manage Anxiety-Driven Migraines

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The challenges are physical and mental for those who suffer from anxiety-driven migraines. These migraines can be brought on by stress, worry, and other forms of anxiety, making them difficult to manage and treat. If you’re struggling to find relief, consider these tips.

man massaging head from a migraine, headache, stress, anxiety

Via Pixabay

Identify Your Triggers

Everyone’s migraine triggers are different. For some, it may be specific foods or drinks, while for others, it may be changed in weather or barometric pressure. Keeping a migraine journal can help you pinpoint your triggers to avoid them in the future.

Reduce Your Stress Levels

Stress is a common trigger for migraines, so it’s essential to find ways to reduce your stress levels. This may involve things like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. It’s also necessary to ensure you’re getting enough sleep each night, as fatigue can lead to increased stress levels.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration is another common trigger for migraines, so drinking plenty of water throughout the day is essential. Aim for eight glasses a day and more if you’re active or live in a warm climate. Avoiding caffeinated beverages can also help, as they can contribute to dehydration. 

Eat Regularly and Healthy Meals 

Skipping meals or letting yourself get too hungry can trigger migraines, so it’s important to eat regular meals throughout the day. Make sure to include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet and whole grains and lean protein sources. Avoiding processed foods and artificial additives can also help reduce the frequency of migraines. 

Get Regular Exercise 

Exercise has been shown to help reduce stress levels and improve overall physical health, which can help reduce the frequency of migraines. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week. If you need to get used to exercising regularly, start slowly with just 10 minutes a day and increase your time each week until you reach your goal. 

Limit Your Alcohol Intake 

Alcohol is a common trigger for migraines, so you must limit your intake if you suffer from these headaches regularly. In addition, if you drink alcohol, avoid beverages that contain histamine or tyramine, as these substances have been known to trigger migraines in some people. 

Practice Relaxation Techniques 

Learning techniques like progressive muscle relaxation or guided imagery can help you reduce stress levels and prevent anxiety-related migraines. Take some time each day to practice these techniques to be prepared when a migraine strikes. 

Consider Herbal Supplements 

Herbal supplements like feverfew, butterbur, and ginger have been known to help reduce the frequency of migraines. Cannabis has also been effective in relieving migraine pain and duration. If you’re considering using cannabis as a treatment option for your anxiety-driven migraines, a Cannabis Clinic can provide further guidance.

In conclusion, managing anxiety-driven migraines can be challenging, but with the right tools and lifestyle changes, it is possible to reduce the frequency and severity of these headaches. By identifying your triggers, reducing stress levels, staying hydrated, eating healthy meals, exercising regularly, limiting your alcohol intake, practicing relaxation techniques, and considering herbal supplements, you can relieve these problematic headaches.

Lifestyle, Tips

5 Wise Financial Expenses For Your Future Well-being

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counting paper money, bills, cash, budget, expense, income

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

When it comes to your health, there are many things you can control. But, there are also several factors out of your hands. So, where do you begin? Well, one important place to start is with your finances. If you can control your finances, you can manage your stress levels, and if you spend money wisely on factors that impact your health, you can improve your health and well-being in the long run.  In this article, we will discuss six major financial decisions that are essential if you want to improve your health and longevity.

Contribute to your retirement

You should contribute to your retirement even if you have a low-paying job. Your employer may match your contributions, so you can accelerate your savings significantly.  There are many ways you can financially boost your retirement savings, and if you contribute to your retirement savings now, this will dramatically improve your future life.  You won’t have to worry about how to financially support yourself after leaving your job, and you will be able to spend time on the things that matter.  

Spend money on good food and fitness

This is an obvious one, but it’s an important one to keep in mind. Make sure you’re putting some money into your diet and fitness. This doesn’t have to be too expensive, but it does have to be consistent. Ensure you’re eating various healthy foods throughout the day and that you’re spending money on nutritious ingredients that you can use to make hearty meals. It’s essential to spend some money on your physical health in this way if it motivates you to take care of yourself.  For example, if you find it more motivating to go to the gym than to go for a walk, you should invest in a gym membership as this will push you to keep fit.

Spend money on things that alleviate stress

In today’s society, it’s prevalent to be stressed out, whether at work, in your studies, or in your social life. It’s essential to keep your stress levels low and to maintain a healthy balance in your life. While there are some free stress relief strategies you can try yourself to alleviate general stress, you can also spend money on things that will ease a specific cause of your stress.  For example, if you find it stressful to keep your house clean all the time, you could invest in a house cleaning service until you have enough time to manage it yourself.  

Invest in insurance

Insurance can be a lifesaver if something bad happens to you. There are several types of insurance, such as home and auto insurance, that you may not think about until something happens. This can give you peace of mind knowing that if something bad happens, you’re covered. While insurance isn’t an investment in the traditional sense, it can be an incredibly effective financial decision that protects your most important assets.

Take precautions in case of injury

If you’ve been injured in an accident or had surgery, you’ll want to ensure that your finances are protected and that you have money to fall back on in the first place. You can do this in a variety of ways. One essential method is to spend money on good health insurance that can cover you in case of an accident.  You may also look to invest in a good lawyer if the injury wasn’t your fault – for example, a car accident lawyer if you’ve been involved in a car accident caused by another driver.  This will improve your future well-being as you will have compensation that can go toward any injury you might have from the accident.

Summing up

Health is one of the most important things in life, and it is essential to live a long and happy life. One of the ways to boost your sense of well-being and improve your health is to make wise financial decisions.  The decisions outlined above are some of the critical financial decisions you should make to improve your physical and mental health, both now and in the future.

Going Healthy, Health, Lifestyle

The Benefits of Alcohol Treatment

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According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, nearly 17 million adults in the United States suffer from alcohol use disorder. This number represents 7% of all adults in the country. Alcohol use disorder is a chronic and relapsing brain disease characterized by a compulsion to drink alcohol despite negative consequences. If left untreated, alcohol use disorder can lead to serious health problems, including liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and stroke.

Fortunately, there are many effective treatments available for alcohol use disorder. These treatments can help patients abstain from drinking, manage their cravings, and cope with withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, hospitalization may be necessary to protect the patient from serious health complications.

Types of Alcohol Treatment

There are a variety of treatment options available for alcohol use disorder, including inpatient and outpatient care, 12-step programs, and medications. The best treatment plan for a patient will depend on the severity of their disorder and any underlying medical conditions.

Inpatient Care

Inpatient care is often necessary for patients with severe alcohol use disorder. Inpatient treatment usually lasts 30 days but can be extended if necessary. During inpatient treatment, patients live at the facility and receive around-the-clock care from medical professionals. This type of care is intensive and allows patients to focus on their recovery without distractions or triggers from their everyday lives.

Outpatient Care

Outpatient care is a good option for patients with less severe alcohol use disorder. Outpatient care usually involves meeting with a therapist or counselor weekly to discuss progress and goals. Patients may also attend group therapy sessions and participate in other activities designed to support sobriety. While outpatient care requires more self-discipline than inpatient care, it is often more affordable and less disruptive to patients’ lives. These treatments are usually more affordable and allow individuals to continue their daily routines, such as working or attending school, while still providing the necessary support and resources. An outpatient recovery program also aims to help individuals develop the tools and techniques needed to identify and manage relapse triggers, healthy coping skills, create healthy relationships with other people and family members, and build a strong foundation of recovery through lifestyle and diet changes.

12-Step Programs

12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are one type of treatment available for alcohol use disorder. These programs follow a set of guidelines that aim to help patients abstain from drinking and live sober lives. Participation in a 12-step program often requires attending meetings regularly, finding a sponsor, and working through the 12 steps with the help of other program members.

Medications

There are several types of medications that can be used to treat alcohol use disorder. Disulfiram is a medication that causes unpleasant side effects when alcohol is consumed, making it less likely that patients will drink while taking it. Naltrexone helps reduce cravings for alcohol by blocking the body’s reward response when alcohol is consumed. Acamprosate helps relieve symptoms of withdrawal and reduces the risk of relapse. Antabuse is another medication that causes unpleasant side effects when alcohol is consumed but must be taken under close medical supervision due to the risk of potentially life-threatening reactions.

If you or someone you know suffers from alcohol use disorder, there is hope. There are many different treatment options available that can help patients recover from this disease and live sober lives. Alcohol treatment should be tailored to the individual’s needs to maximize its effectiveness. If you think you or someone you know may benefit from alcohol treatment, talk to your doctor or another medical professional about your options today.