Tag Archives: health

How Hearing Loss Can Affect Dads (And How To Nip It In The Bud)

06/19/2020 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

“I’m not that old”, you’re probably thinking “There’s no way I’m losing my hearing!”. But this denial is actually extremely common in those whose hearing has begun to deteriorate. All-too often, we’re the last people to learn that we’re losing our hearing. After all, rarely does it happen overnight. It takes place slowly and gradually over the course of years (and even decades). And while you may be a good few years away from collecting your pension, you may still be afflicted by hearing loss, even if it’s not age related. Genetic conditions such as Meniere’s disease, and even a stressful lifestyle (which leads to high blood pressure) can cause you to start losing your hearing early.

hearing, hearing loss, dad, fatherhood, health, family, aging, prevention — Image by Ddmitrova via Pixabay

Take the time to look for them, and you may find that the signs add up. Your kids or your partner rolling their eyes when they have to repeat themselves. Complaints that the TV is on too loud. Misunderstandings at work or at home. There comes a point where the facts cannot be denied. Check out this link to find out more about the signs of hearing loss. In this post, we’ll take a look at how hearing loss can affect your ability to be a great Dad, and how to nip it in the bud.

It can add to your stress

Being a Dad is stressful enough as it is. But hearing loss can actually exacerbate your stress. It can cause you (and those you’re trying to communicate with) great frustration, leading to frayed nerves all round.

Unfortunately, stress can, in turn, elevate your blood pressure and exacerbate issues with your hearing.

It can lead to mistakes and misunderstandings at work

As a Dad, you feel that it’s your responsibility to provide for your kids. And that means that you need to be firing on all cylinders at work. But if you don’t take steps to improve your hearing, it can result in misunderstandings and mistakes that may not get you fired, but could harm your chances of promotion or progression.

It can cause those you love to feel ignored

Hearing loss can result in heartbreaking consequences for the people you love the most in the whole world like your partner and your kids. Especially if it goes undiagnosed. If they don’t know that you’re having trouble hearing them, they may assume that you’re ignoring or dismissing them. Which can have terrible repercussions for their self-esteem, and cause them to feel unloved and undervalued.

It can cause your kids embarrassment

Okay, so outwardly our kids act as though we’re super embarrassing anyway. Still, when we keep asking people to repeat themselves in public and mishear them, your partner or (worse still) their friends, it can lead to embarrassment and resentment.

It’s time to take action!
The good news is that there’s always something you can do to mitigate hearing loss. The first thing you should do is find a local audiologist who can determine the cause and extent of your hearing loss and prescribe a solution. Whether it’s a thorough cleaning of your ears, a hearing aid or even referring you for surgery, you can enjoy better hearing and less stressful conversation. As the years advanced, there are now smaller hearing aid models that are comfortable to wear all day. They can also be paired with your smartphone using a Bluetooth connection to make phone calls and play music. You should also try and exercise regularly, even under lockdown. Not only will it help you to control your stress and blood pressure, it can help you lose weight and feel better about yourself.

Going Healthy, Health, Life

Mental Health 101: Helping Out A Friend

06/02/2020 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

Everyone suffers with their mental health at some point in their lives. For most people, this will hopefully be an acute bout of anxiety brought on by an upcoming job interview or a short term period of stress due to an important presentation coming up at work. Once the life events have passed, mental health returns to normal. However, for some individuals who suffer with mental health problems, their issues are more chronic, causing terrible anguish and suffering. If your friend is working through anxiety, depression, or PTSD, it can be difficult to know how to help. But don’t assume you can’t. You can. Take a look at how you can help out a friend who is struggling.

Anxiety

Extreme worry, panic, or intrusive thoughts can emanate from anxiety. Medication from a doctor can help, but there will always be times in your friend’s life that will spark an acute bout of extreme anxiety. To help your pal, be there. Let them know that you will be their sounding board and venting post. Get them to talk and open up. A problem shared, really is a problem halved. Anxiety can cause many irrational thoughts, so don’t laugh off or belittle their worries. Ensure that you signpost them to more concrete remedies for their anxious mind. Mindfulness and meditation can help your friend to focus on other things rather than their immediate worries. Go along to a mindfulness session with them, and show some support.

Depression

There is usually a root cause of depression, whether this is trauma, pain, or a long term issue from childhood. Try and aid your friend by helping them to address any problems they may be experiencing. If they suffer from chronic pain, depression can result. Help them to locate a decent glucosamine supplement to ease inflammation, encourage them to eat an antioxidant-rich diet to flush their system of toxins, and get them outside to get closer to nature.

Depression can cause feelings of isolation, so you need to break this cycle. Walk with them to the park, have a picnic, or have a kickabout with a ball. By channeling their thoughts to something else, however mundane, you are taking their mind off their mental health for a short while.

PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder can be difficult for an individual to manage. Flashbacks, panic attacks, and feelings of helplessness can cause erratic behavior. Ensure that your friend is talking through their trauma with a professional counselor. Be present when they need you. Don’t be afraid to ask how they are doing and always invite them to social gatherings even though they may decline. One day, they will come. PTSD sufferers need to know their support network is there for them should they need it. Be at the end of the phone and touch base regularly.

It can be challenging to know how to help a friend. However, follow this guide, and you can be part of the solution rather than the problem when it comes to mental health.

Going Healthy, Health, Life, Lifestyle

How to Look After Yourself When You Work in the Outdoors

05/29/2020 R.C. Liley Leave a comment

There are advantages to working in the outdoors. You’re not stuck behind a computer all day, you’re using your body, and you’re usually helping to provide a valuable service, such as constructing a building or tending to gardens. However, while there are plus points to this type of work, it’s not as if it’s always a walk in the park. Far from it, in fact. It can take a toll on your body if you’re not careful. In this blog, we’ll take a look at a few essential tips outdoor workers should incorporate into their schedule in order to ensure that they’re always as healthy as can be.

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Sun Protection

Most people look out of their office windows on a sunny day and wish that they were outside, doing anything! But this kind of inside work does have its benefits. For example, it helps to avoid overexposure to the sun, which can be a problem both in the short-term and the long-term (sunburn can hurt, long-term problems include a greatly increased risk of skin cancer and premature aging). When you’re working outside, you might find that you’re spending more time that is recommended in the sunshine. So be sure to take precautions. Always ensure that you have sufficient sunscreen coverage, and wear a hat and sunglasses whenever possible. You can buy high quality mens sunglasses at affordable prices online.

Durable Clothing

You’ll be exposed to plenty of small threats when you’re working outside. You’ll be more likely to have issues with small cuts, grazes, and so on. As such, it’s important that you have durable clothing, which will help to offer an additional level of protection. And they won’t just help to keep you protected, either: the stronger your items of clothing are, the longer they’ll last. Wrangler jeans are particularly popular with outdoor workers because of their durability and quality. As well as your clothing, you’ll also want to invest in high-quality footwear — this is important at all times, but especially when you’re standing up and working hard all day.

Protective Gear

You’ve got to feel sorry for people in the olden days, who would have to tackle their dangerous jobs with little thought for safety or equipment. That’s all different these days. No matter what your job is, if there’s any danger involved, then there’ll be safety measures and equipment that you can use to keep yourself protected. It’s all about reading up on best practices if you work by yourself, or having conversations with your employers if you’re a member of staff.

Winding Down After Work
If you’re going to take sufficient care of your body, then you’ll need to have a strong after-work regime that’ll restore your body back to its best. Working outside really does take a toll on your body! It’s all about self-care. For example, taking a warm bath after you’ve finished will help to soothe your muscles. You will also benefit from creating a relaxing, comfortable space where you’re able to relax comfortably for a few hours. Your body will be happier for it!