(NC)-Ask a typical Canadian mom if she works full-time and you know what she'll answer.
Moms have to be multi-taskers: they hold down demanding jobs, raise children, prepare meals, do the wash, manage the household budget, take care of the home and nurture relationships with their husband and extended family. Personal time is virtually non-existent; yet to keep up the pace, moms need a break more than ever before.
Studies show that working women are more likely to suffer from stress. According to Statistics Canada, in 1994/95, 27 per cent of all adult Canadian women were experiencing high life stress, compared with only 22 per cent of adult men.
Trying to maintain that balance of work, family and time pressures can take its toll on a woman. Often, they don't get enough sleep, which can interfere with the ability to function and retain information. And despite having a "full plate", many women fail to maintain a regular, nutritious diet. They're so busy feeding and looking after their families, they put their own nutritional needs on the back burner.
Proper eating habits determine energy levels and regulate the body's metabolism. That's why it's even more important for women to fuel up on healthy foods to keep them going through their long and busy days. For example, a diet rich in oranges, grapefruit or other citrus can help fight fatigue because Vitamin C aids with iron absorption. Citrus also supplies a wealth of carbohydrates, the major fuel source from the brain. And drinking plenty of water is extremely important for circulating nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Being dehydrated will make a person less energetic.
"Regular exercise, taking time to relax and making healthy food choices is the best way for a mom to keep her energy up and her stress levels down," says Dr. Liz Applegate, author, nutritionist and professor at the University of California at Davis. "And a daily dose of summer citrus such as Sunkist's oranges, grapefruits or lemons, will help mom take care of herself, so she can take good care of her family."
Since stress is a leading contributor to depression and anxiety, it is crucial for women to take time to rejuvenate.
Here are a few simple things mothers can do in the middle of a busy day to help them recharge:
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Head outdoors - reach for the runners instead of the remote
Get together with an old buddy
De-stress with a mini aromatherapy break: simply peel an orange or lemon to release a wonderful, uplifting scent
Pamper yourself by visiting a spa for a massage and beauty treatment
Hunker down with a good book
Turn up the music, sing and dance (like no one is watching)
Try out a new recipe
Dig in the garden
Take a luxurious bath with relaxing bath oil, scented candles and your favourite music
Laugh out loud! It's one of the best energizers around.
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Lingerie Makes Great Gift
for Him and Her
by: Jim Jin
It is cliché to say that lingerie is the gift that “gives to him and
her”, or is “the gift that gives back” because clearly the man does not
lose when he gives lingerie out as a present. The only time the plan
backfires is when he gets something in the wrong style—or much worse—the
wrong size. But when the man puts some time and consideration into the
purchase of some lingerie, he and the receiver are rewarded which is why
it makes a great gift.
Too often men find themselves tempted to buy whatever they happen to
find attractive or sexy. These same men are then surprised later on when
their girlfriend or wife is utterly repulsed by the lingerie and refuses
to wear the garment. It takes a special kind of woman to tolerate a thong
but men continue to thrust their desires into lingerie purchasing
decisions that utterly conflict with the desires and tastes of the
partner. Thong sales only account for 23% of all lingerie purchases which
is why odds are that a woman probably will not appreciate a thong as much
as the man giving it.
In order to make a lingerie gift successful, the man must do his
homework. What about her body is she most proud of? Whatever part of the
body this happens to be, make sure to buy lingerie that accentuates this.
For a woman who is particularly proud of her cleavage, a halter might be
the way to go but a chemise would probably be best for someone with nice
legs. No matter what part of the body she happens to be most comfortable
with, there is definitely a piece of lingerie out there made to complement
it.
The color of the lingerie is very important to consider as well. When
deciding upon color, you have to take into account the partner’s hair.
Blondes tend to do best with lighter colors or even pastels. Brunettes
need a color that accentuates their darker hues so purples or even dark
greens and reds work well for women with this color of hair. Redheads need
a dark color but it must be complementary which is why greens and blues
work best.
Now lingerie need not only look great—it must feel even better!
Basically, if you enjoy touching it, she should enjoy wearing it. Silks
and satins are always great choices as they are always smooth to the touch
and feel great on her as well. For men or women shopping online, only buy
fabrics that you are personally familiar with so you know what to expect.
The right style, color, and fabric will not make the slightest
difference in the world if you get the wrong size. Too many sad jokes are
made about men trying to size up their partner’s cup size by using their
hands to cup imaginary breasts. Anyone shopping (either online or at a
retailer) should know the sizes of the garments they are after before ever
looking at styles and colors. If it is possible, ask. If not, you will
have to play detective and sneak a peak at her unmentionables while she is
in the shower or something. No matter how you do it, just make sure you
get those sizes or it may come back to haunt you.
Lingerie can definitely be one of the most intimate and rewarding gifts
a person can give or receive. When the desires, size, body, and tastes of
the receiver are taken into consideration when making a purchase, lingerie
can be rewarding to the buyer in ways no other gift possibly can. But,
when a person buys something that they will like without being considerate
of the person they are expecting to wear the item, a lingerie purchase can
backfire. Lingerie should be a gift that a person remembers fondly so be
sure to think of how she would feel wearing the item before buying and you
are sure to have many happy returns!
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