Why there should be a regular bedtime for children

21. Jul 202221. Jul 2022 Marii Saks1 Comment

Bedtime for children is handled differently in many families and there is no one specific time that works for everybody. One thing that is for sure, is that there should be certain regularity in it, to ensure enough sleep every day. Here we explain the importance of a regular sleep schedule and what happens when children lack sleep. Also, how to recognize when your child is too tired and should get some sleep. It is so important for everyone to get enough sleep so that our brain and body can function at their optimal level.

How many hours of sleep do children need?

The amount of sleep that a child needs depends on their age. When healthy adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep daily, then children need significantly more. Here is a quick overview of how many hours of sleep children of a certain age need:

Infants (4 to 12 months old)	12-16 hours
Toddlers (1 to 2 years old)	11-14 hours
Children (3 to 5 years old)	10-13 hours
Children (6-12 years)	9-12 hours
Teenagers (13-18 years old)	8-10 hours

So as you can see, children and even teenagers need significantly more sleep than adults. Insufficient sleep can lead to multiple problems like frequently having negative emotions, problems with learning, and delayed brain development. It can also lead to weight gain, as the body is trying to get the energy from somewhere else, like food, which can lead to overeating. Lack of sleep also compromises the immune system, which will lead to your child being sick more often. As you can see, children getting enough sleep is very important for their overall health and performance.

How to tell when your child is too tired?

Some parents tend to wait and see when their child is tired to put them to bed, but that is not how children work. When adults cannot wait to get to bed and get cozy, children see it as if they are missing out. They won’t let you know that they are tired because they think that they are going to miss all the fun stuff, while they are asleep. So how can you tell when your child is getting tired? Well, one pretty simple sign is yawning and rubbing their eyes, but by then it might be too late.

According to Juniapharma, there are five emotional and five physical signs, that are a dead giveaway, that your child is too tired. Some of them include irritability, clinginess, hyperactivity, and refusing food, which they usually love. Sleepsense also talks about “witching hour”, when a child starts acting ridiculously fussy and irrational, which usually happens between the hours of 4 and 6 PM. When you notice any of those signs on your child, it usually means, that they are not getting enough sleep, and it is time to put them down for a nap.

And when there are no signs visible, then congratulations! You are doing a great job with your child, and they are getting enough sleep.

How do regular bedtime and enough sleep affect their brain development and schoolwork?

As stated by Sleep Foundation, as many as 72% of high school students, 57% of middle school students, and 25% of younger children are believed to suffer from insufficient sleep. Research shows that most human brains reach their full development by the age of 25. These rates vary among individuals and between men and women, but that is the general age for the brain to reach its peak. From that, we can say, that sleep is very important also for teenagers, to whose sleep we usually don’t pay as much attention.

Not getting enough sleep can have a serious effect on schoolwork, as it reduces focus and attention. As it’s harder for a sleep-deprived brain to focus, it will also have a negative effect on memory. Lack of sleep can temporarily reduce a child’s ability to organize, solve problems and plan things. According to Studiosity, a healthy amount of sleep is vital for children and teens, as memory and learning are consolidated during sleep. For adolescents, this mostly happens during REM sleep, and it allows us to remember everything we’ve learned that day and recollect our experiences.

How do get them to sleep longer on weekends?

Sometimes you have a very busy week and you just cannot get the children to bed at the right time. Then the weekends should be the time to get some extra sleep to be well-rested for the upcoming week. Unfortunately, younger children still tend to wake up even earlier and be cranky before bedtime. Here are some tricks to try and get them to sleep a little bit extra on those Sunday mornings. Firstly, it really helps to have blackout curtains, so that your child won’t wake up with the sunrise. Secondly, you can try and cuddle your child so that the safety and warmth of a parent, will make them go back to sleep. Lastly, try a white noise machine or app to cancel out all the noises that might alert the child.

In conclusion, it really helps your child to have a regular sleeping schedule to follow every day. It should be followed seven days a week so that their rhythm doesn’t get disturbed. Getting enough sleep is mainly vital for your child’s mental health and brain development. It can be frustrating when children don’t want to go to sleep because they feel like they are missing out. As an informed parent, you know that you are doing this for their benefit. So don’t feel discouraged just because your child says that others can stay up late.

Importance of Breakfast

20. Jul 2022 Marii SaksLeave a comment

The importance of breakfast is more widely discussed since the 1960s. It was American nutritionist Adelle Davis, who declared then, that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Many people still live by that belief. Although, in the recent decade, there is a group of people, that say that it is healthier to skip breakfast as part of intermittent fasting. So to bring some clarity to the topic, we will review the benefits of both. Moreover, we will discuss the connections breakfast has with weight loss and mental health. One good discussion about breakfast will have to end with some great suggestions for a healthy breakfast. At the end of this article, you will find just that.

Benefits of Breakfast

Breakfast is the first meal of the day, typically eaten in the early morning hours. That means that your body has been without food already for about 8 to 10 hours, depending on your last meal and the hours you slept that night. Your body’s glucose levels are low and they need to be restored to give that morning kickstart of energy. Studies also suggest that breakfast is keeping our internal clock running on time. So what happens when the glucose levels are low until lunch? People who skip breakfast might experience brain fog, difficulty in concentration, and overall lower energy levels.

The benefits of eating breakfast include a lower risk of diseases like diabetes, better focus and memory, and lower levels of “bad” cholesterol. There was also an interesting study conducted, which said people who eat breakfast are more likely to get promoted. Although breakfast is said to be healthy, some people just might not get anything down in the early hours. The solution might be not to wait until lunch but to pack some breakfast to go and eat it whenever your body feels ready. For some people, it is hard to eat something, but they can drink liquids. For them, we recommend some healthy protein smoothies to get the nutrition to start the day.

Breakfast and weight loss

There has been a lot of discussion and research regarding whether to eat or skip breakfast if you want to lose weight. The verdict seems to be that it doesn’t make a difference. The people who fast and skip breakfast and the people who eat healthy breakfast seem to lose the same amount of weight. When eating a nutritious breakfast, helps to keep your glucose levels at their normal height, which reduces hunger and the urge to grab snacks during the day. On the other hand, people who fast and skip breakfast might have an overall lower calorie intake during the day. It does depend on the person

Intermittent fasting: Good or bad?

Unfortunately, there are very little scientific research done in this department and all data we can have is based on observations. Manpreet Mundi, M.D. says that some studies suggest, that intermittent fasting might reduce inflammation more than other diets and even has a part in improving diseases associated with inflammation, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Arthritis, Asthma, Multiple sclerosis, and Stroke. The New England Journal of Medicine published another research, saying that fasting can also contribute to a clearer and sharper mind, a more fit body, and an overall longer life.

Although it’s said, that it really doesn’t matter to your weight loss whether you fast or eat breakfast, an article in Harvard Health Publishing says, that it does contribute to fat loss. It might be because people are eating less overall when fasting, or because when the insulin levels go down, the fat cells release the stored sugar and use it as energy. All this sounds really good right? Before you start your fasting, be aware that it might have some unpleasant side effects, that can last up to a month. Side effects in question are hunger, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, and headaches.

Breakfast and Mental health

There are studies saying that skipping breakfast has a bad impact on your mental health. One study in Psychological Medicine found, that people who skip or have a late breakfast are more likely to develop mood disorders. Another study published in Psychiatry Research found that skipping breakfast frequently made depression far more likely. The third study in Public Health Nutrition associated a good-quality breakfast with better mental health in adolescence. So while physically there seem to be more benefits with fasting, there are definitely more benefits for mental health in having a healthy breakfast.

Good and “bad” breakfast

We cannot say that any breakfast is “bad”, but some are definitely healthier than others. Some of the bad choices include foods high in sugar and refined carbohydrates. These can be pancakes and waffles with syrup, doughnuts and pastries, and breakfast bars. Although they are named here as a poor choice, there are healthy alternatives for almost all of those. You can substitute your white flour with oat flour or whole grain flour and it gives so much more nutrition already.

A healthy breakfast includes protein, whole grains, healthy fat, and fruit or vegetables. Sounds like a bunch of big words people who diet use right? Protein comes from eggs, bacon, sausages, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and beans. Whole grains can be toast, muffins, or even pancakes and healthy cereal or porridge. So there are so many options to have a healthy breakfast. But does that mean that white flour pancakes and waffles are forever forbidden? Definitely not. It is completely okay to have some of the not-so-healthy breakfast options once in a while. Just not suggested before a big hike or running a marathon.

Conclusion

Eating breakfast is definitely healthy, but there are people for who it just does not work. Everybody should listen to their body when it comes to eating. One thing is for sure, forcing anybody to eat breakfast when they don’t feel like it, is not good. When you are not used to eating breakfast and you want to, then just eat it a bit later. When you want to fast and it is okay for your health, then do it. And finally, although we didn’t mention this before, it is definitely important for children to eat breakfast. Importance of breakfast for them is bigger, as their brain is still developing and needs more energy.

Breast implants – everything you need to know

5. Jul 20225. Jul 2022 Marii SaksLeave a comment

Breast augmentation surgery is by far the most performed cosmetic surgery in the world. It is making up 17.6% of all plastic surgery procedures. There are two main reasons for women to have this surgery – they either want bigger breasts or they need their breasts reconstructed after breast cancer or some other condition. Whatever the reason is, getting breast implants is a very personal decision and should be made by the woman alone. So let’s see all the aspects of the procedure.

Should I get breast implants?

As it was said before, the decision to get it should be the woman’s alone. Your boyfriend is saying you should get it, but you love your boobs the way they are? You should not get the surgery. He should respect your decision and love you for you. No amount of big boobs is going to make a man stay in a relationship, there will always be someone with bigger ones. If he says he will break up with you unless you get it, that is a major red flag and you should consider ending the relationship.

Getting on a more positive note, there is nothing wrong with getting a “boob-job” just because you want bigger breasts. There are so many women, who are genetically given small breasts or who are feeling that after breastfeeding, their boobs have lost their former shine. It is completely normal to want to have a beautiful bosom to feel feminine and beautiful again. Having a small bust can also mean, that you are having trouble finding clothes. Especially dresses because they are made for certain body types.

Whether we like it or not, having a beautiful bust, makes women feel more feminine and confident. We have talked to so many women, who are having insecurities about their breasts and that is normal. There are also many women who love their boobs just the way they are, and that is great too! Here we try and give you all the information, so you can make an informed decision for yourself.

I have decided – where to start?

Firstly, you should do your research about every aspect that comes with it. Talk to the people you know, that have done the same surgery, google experiences, and of course, get a consultation from a doctor or two. People who have done the surgery can talk you through it and give recommendations. Just don’t take only one person’s experience and opinions to be the full truth about everything. Google will give you a lot of useful information, but also have some common sense. There can be a lot of misleading information, especially in forums.

The best place to have the full information will be the consultation at a clinic. We recommend getting the consultation from two to three different clinics, to get a full picture and make an informed decision. Also, breast implants are not a place to play cheaply. Going to the cheapest clinic, or to some other country, can have very bad consequences. Make sure the clinic that you chose, is providing premium health care and is at the top of its field. Implants, the surgery scars, and the experience will be with you for the rest of your life, so choose wisely.

* Since we are not medical experts, we cannot give out medical advice on which implants to use, or how to position the implant. Also because we are an international online magazine, we cannot give out recommendations about local clinics to go to. READ MORE about Breast Augmentation from the page of the American society of plastic surgeons.

Recovery from the surgery

Recovery from the surgery is very individual. As it is a surgery and rather invasive, the first few days are quite hard. Everything will be swollen and painful, but that will pass soon, and in a few weeks, you might not even remember it. In the first 6 weeks, it is not recommended to lift anything heavy or exercise. It is important to give your body time to heal and take it easy, even if you feel fine. Taking your daily walks is still recommended, but listen to your body.

The second very important thing to do is wear your support bra for as long as the doctor said! Make sure that you set your new breasts evenly in the support bra every time. The surgeon can do so much, but when you don’t take the recovery and support bra seriously, your breasts or nipples can end up on uneven height.

The stitches will heal in about 2 weeks and if taken care of properly, will only leave a small scar. During those few weeks, you should not go to swimming, sauna, or in a bathtub, as the wounds might get infected. The final results of the surgery can be seen in about 6 months. That is when the tissue and muscle around the implant have had the time to get used to the new form.

Can breast implants cause breast cancer?

Breast cancer and its connection with implants have been studied very thoroughly by researchers and so far no direct connection has been found. There are several myths that believe that silicone in the breast prevents the harder lumps of breast cancer from being felt. However, since the breast prosthesis is deeper than the mammary glands and presses the mammary gland against the skin from the inside, even very small tumorous nodules are much more noticeable. At the same time, a woman does not feel very deep cancerous nodes with or without a prosthesis. The fact is that breast prostheses themselves certainly do not hide anything and do not cause breast cancer.

In recent years, however, there has been more talk about lymph tissue cancer – lymphoma – that can develop inside the breast prosthesis capsule. Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is rare and current scientific research is aimed at fully identifying the disease. The spread of lymphoma can also be caused by genetic factors. Studies have shown that some geographic areas have a higher incidence of BIA-ALCL. For example, until now Australia and New Zealand have seen more cases of lymphoma than other countries.

BII – Breast Implant Disease

Breast implant illness (BII) is a term that some women and doctors use to refer to a wide range of symptoms that can develop after undergoing reconstruction or cosmetic augmentation with breast implants. It is also sometimes referred to as autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA). BII can occur with any type of breast implant, including silicone gel-filled, saline-filled, smooth surface, textured surface, round, or teardrop-shaped. /Breastcancer.org/

The most common symptoms of BII are:

Chronic fatigue and headaches
Persistent joint and muscle pain
Unexplained respiratory difficulties
Hair loss and frequent skin rashes
Chronically dry mouth and eyes
Poor memory and concentration
Depression, anxiety, and insomnia

If you should experience any of those symptoms, before jumping to any conclusions, always consult your doctor. Awareness is being raised in this regard, but BII is not currently recognized as an official medical diagnosis and there is no diagnosis code for it. It is poorly understood and hasn’t been studied much as a unique condition. Much like with organ transplants, implants are a foreign object in the body and therefore, your body can reject them. Half of the body’s rejection is coming from the brain, so if you are not sure you want the implants, don’t get them until you are sure.

Every woman has the right to feel feminine and beautiful, whether it is with the help of breast implants or with what nature has given them. While some women have used huge implants for themselves, it might have painted a picture that this is what breast implants look like, which is not true. You can choose the size which satisfies you the most, whether it is a B-cup or a D-cup. As long as you feel complete and beautiful with yourself, that is all that matters.

3 books to read for the road to financial success

28. Jun 20225. Jul 2022 Marii Saks1 Comment

Who doesn’t want to be rich and successful? The short answer is everyone wants to be rich and successful. What varies is the definition of that – it means quite different things to people. The question remains the same – what can I do to become rich and successful? Firstly, you need to understand money and how it works. It means changing your mindset about wealth and learning more about how to earn money, keep it and grow it. We have chosen three books to read, to get started on your road to financial success.

#1 The Psychology of Money

The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness by Morgan Housel is a great piece of literature to read to start your financial mindset journey. In 19 short stories, the author describes, how different people think about money and teaches how to understand one of the most important topics of our lives. Wisdom of money has very little to do with how educated you are and very much to do with how you make your life decisions. Even highly educated people may not have the ability to make good financial decisions.

Independence is the best financial goal. Control your schedule, don’t have to play anyone else’s games.
Morgan Housel

Money―investing, personal finance, and business decisions―is typically taught as a math-based field, where data and formulas tell us exactly what to do. But in the real world, people don’t make financial decisions on a spreadsheet. They make them at the dinner table, or in a meeting room, where personal history, your own unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together.

The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness by Morgan Housel

The reason why we think that this book is so important to read is that it gives you a whole new perspective on money. It is fundamental to learn how to see money as wealthy people see it. Only by changing (or improving) your understanding of this important matter, will help you to become wealthy. Taking control over your finances is step one in becoming financially free. Can you become rich without learning about money? Not as far as we know. Learning about finances is a subject talked about in the next book in more detail.

#2 Rich Dad Poor Dad

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki is one of the most-read books about personal finances in the world. The author has challenged the way tens of millions of people think about money. His opinions contradict common wisdom and so he has become known as a straightforward, fearless, and courageous man. Robert Kiyosaki is considered a passionate promoter of financial education worldwide.

The main reason people struggle financially is because they have spent years in school but learned nothing about money. The result is that people learn to work for money…but never learn to have money work for them.
Robert. T. Kiyosaki

Rich Dad Poor Dad is Robert’s story of growing up with two dads — his real father and the father of his best friend, his rich dad — and the ways in which both men shaped his thoughts about money and investing. The book explodes the myth that you need to earn a high income to be rich and explains the difference between working for money and having your money work for you. In many ways, the messages of Rich Dad Poor Dad, messages that were criticized and challenged two decades ago, are more meaningful, relevant, and important today than they were 20 years ago.

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki

This book is worth reading because it really makes you understand your assets and your liabilities. It brakes apart the illusion, that in order to become rich, you must earn a high salary. How much did you really learn about money in school? We know that financial wisdom is not something that is taught in school and it is up to us to learn it. In the same way, it is up to us to teach this to our children. So if you want to have that knowledge, keep reading the books and learning, and definitely don’t miss this one.

#3 Secrets of the Millionaire Mind

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth by T. Harv Eker is a bit controversial book and opinions about it are divided. Some people find it offensive how the author has a very black and white view of rich and poor. You can find it offensive or you can focus on the fact that it can lead to major self-discovery. This book has an amazing analysis of how people think and how those thoughts can either help you or sabotage your goals. It also teaches you to change your thought patterns for success.

If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got.
T. Harv Eker

We all have a personal money blueprint ingrained in our subconscious minds, and it is this blueprint, more than anything, that will determine our financial lives. You can know everything about marketing, sales, negotiations, stocks, real estate, and the world of finance, but if your money blueprint is not set for a high level of success, you will never have a lot of money—and if somehow you do, you will most likely lose it! The good news is that now you can actually reset your money blueprint to create natural and automatic success.

Reading Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth, will help you closed to financial success

We believe, that this is the book that would most benefit the reader, when you already have some financial wisdom, or when you have read the previous two books. That is because when you have no knowledge of money in your head, it might seem too harsh. T. Harv Eker is definitely a very smart person who has so much to teach, but only if you are willing to keep an open mind. Some of the biggest differences between rich and poor are the way they approach life.

In conclusion…

…the road to financial success is rarely an easy one. We have all heard about Lottery winners that become millionaires overnight and in a few years they are in huge debt. That is one of the most brutal examples of lack of financial education. Therefore we want to emphasize to you the importance of understanding money. It is not about making everyone millionaires or big business owners. Above all, it is about people making smart decisions and not ending up in over their heads and in debt.

The Amazing City of Naples

20. Jun 20225. Jul 2022 Marii Saks1 Comment

When people talk about Italy, you often think about Rome, Milan, or Venice, but there are so many other places to see, that are unique and beautiful. Just a two-hour car ride from Rome is this amazing city – the birthplace of pizza – called Naples, which is definitely worth a visit! It was founded by Greeks and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited metropolitan areas in the world.

Since the end of the 20th century, Naples has had significant economic growth, becoming the third-largest urban economy in Italy. It has an advanced transportation network, which includes the Alta Velocità high-speed rail link to Rome and Salerno. The Port of Naples is one of the largest ports in Italy and the Mediterranean and one of the most important ones in Europe. For the visitors of the city, Naples offers lots of things to do, places to see and meals to experience.

Things to do in Naples

While visiting the city, there are so many interesting things to do! As it was said, Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so it would only make sense, to take a pizza-making class while visiting. To get the most out of the experience, we would recommend one, with a tasting of the typical Neapolitan products. But if you want to get even more mouthwatering experiences, you can also book Street food tours with local experts. It’s almost mandatory to eat and experience all types of food when in Italy.

Since there is only a certain amount of food a person can eat in a day, there is still a lot to do in between these delicious meals. Naples originally had 7 beautiful castles, of which six are still standing, and five you can visit. Most popular castles in Naples to visit are Castel Nuovo and Castel dell’Ovo. The last one offers beautiful views of Naples Bay and the sea. When you are looking for a nice place to take a walk, then Naples bay is perfect for it. There is a long pedestrian road running all bay long, surrounded by food trucks and offering stunning views.

When wanting some activities in the center of the city, you can start with Piazza del Plebiscito. A very cool thing about the old cities is the underground cities beneath them and Naples is no exception. The three best places to visit underground are Naples underground, The Bourbon Tunnel, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro. When you are a soccer fan, then the Murals of Maradona are something you should go and take a look at. Our recommendation is also to take a walk in via San Gregorio Armeno – there is no better place for amazing handicrafts and souvenirs.

Where and what to eat in Naples

As Naples is the birthplace of pizza, there should be no surprise that we would recommend eating that. Coming straight from the Italians themselves – we would recommend trying 50 kalò and Sorbillo. A very popular dish in Naples is also Pizza Fritte, which is offered in many restaurants. A tip to find the best places to eat is to see where all the locals are eating – Italian customer is the most demanding one in Italy.

When you get tired of all the pizza, there are some amazing pasta places to try out as well. For a quick takeaway lunch, we suggest finding a place that serves “Frittatina”, which is a kind of fried pasta. For seated dinner, you should go to Trattoria Da Nennella – we recommend trying “pasta e patate”. If you love seafood, there is this amazing little seafood restaurant called Il Miracolo dei Pesci. To assure seating, try to make a reservation before going, otherwise, you might be waiting for a while.

How to get around Naples

There are several ways to move around Naples depending on your financial status, physique, etc. For you to see and experience more of the city, I recommend walking. It is a great way to move around Naples. Near the bay, you can also find electric bicycles, that you can rent through the Lime app to get to your destination quicker. But be warned, no matter which transportation you use, be careful, as the traffic in Naples is one of the craziest in the world.

When you are staying in the city, for the most part, we don’t recommend renting a car, as parking is horrible, to say the least. It makes more sense to rent a car for the days you do wanna go exploring outside of the city. To get yourself from the airport to your hotel and back, we recommend ordering a transfer service, as it is not much more expensive than getting a taxi (or maybe the same price or even cheaper at times). For example, Booking.com offers that service with your hotel bookings.

When you do need to go to any further destinations and want to get a taxi, Taxi Napoli is the best option. You can use the app, order the taxi beforehand for a specific time through their website or call them. Since a lot of Italians speak less than perfect English, the app is a great way to get a taxi to your location. And of course, there is also the option of using public transportation.

Is Naples safe?

We have all heard about the mafia in Naples, but that does not make it unsafe for tourists. Organized crime has no business with tourists and it is not something people should be afraid of. The most common threat is petty theft in crowded areas or public transportation, which is so in most big cities. There are some areas to be careful when walking around after dark like: Spaccanapoli, the area of Museo, Garibaldi Square and Station. If you keep common sense and stay alert, you should be fine.

Where to stay in Naples?

When you are looking for a nice B&B to stay in Naples, we recommend B&B Maison Mari. The host Maria is very helpful and nice and it is right next to the Naples bay. When you are looking for a hotel near the city center, our top pick would be the hotel Transatlantico. It is right near the Castel dell’ Ovo and by the sea, with nice views and amazing personnel. And lastly, our third recommendation for people who would enjoy a private apartment is Ella’s Home. It comes highly recommended by many and has a great location.

Overall, the amazing city of Naples is a great place to visit, and there are so many exciting things to experience. Even just strolling through the lively city, is an experience itself. The main attraction to any Italian city should be its food and wine and the culture that goes with it. Italians greatly respect their food, which is a vital part of their everyday lives. But when you feel that you wanna see more than just Naples, there is so much around it, that you can go and explore.