A single cup of coffee or a beverage with caffeine may give someone more energy and stamina for sexual activity, which enhanced the performance. Based on studies, when athletes drink 3 or 4 cups of coffee about an hour before a competition, they can outlast caffeine free competitors by up to 20 minutes. This effect on athletic performance is real and in fact the International Olympic Committee has classified caffeine as a “restricted drug.” Competitors are allowed to use caffeine, as long as they don’t overdo it.

However, consuming too much caffeine on a regular basis leads to chronic over stimulation of the adrenal glands, flooding the body and brain with hormones normally produced in times of stress. These hormones are known to negatively impact libido and sexual performance. Coffee addicts probably have no idea how much caffeine they can consume on a daily basis.

Cup for cup, brewed coffee is the richest source of caffeine. One cup of brewed coffee has 80 to 180 milligrams of caffeine, depending on how strong it is made. Instant coffee provides about 60 to 100 mg of caffeine and tea has 25 to 75 mg per cup. The caffeine content of a 12 ounce soda ranges from 30 to 60 mg and even decaffeinated coffee isn’t totally caffeine free, most brands contain 1 to 5 mg of caffeine per cup. As with other drugs, too much caffeine can be dangerous. Did you know that 75 cups of coffee may sustain a lethal dose?

Caffeine is a mild stimulant which acts on the central nervous system and some other organs of the body. It temporarily improves concentration, alertness, reasoning, intellectual effort and vigilance. The stimulant effects of a small amount (say one cup of coffee) take effect after 15 to 45 minutes and last normally for about 4 hours.

It is readily absorbed into the bloodstream and does not accumulate in the body, being rapidly metabolized and excreted. It is interesting to know that the effects of caffeine do not last so long in smokers. While nicotine doubles the speed at which caffeine is broken down in the body. Alcohol also has a similar effect.

In summary, caffeine is a mild stimulant which may help with one’s sexual performance but it is highly advisable to not make love to a person who has had 7 or more cups of coffee.

On the flip side, caffeine can lower the sex drive, but it depends on how much have been ingested, how often and any underlying psychiatric issues. Caffeine, a stimulant, can aggravate underlying anxiety conditions, which can lessen desire for sex. Lots of alcohol is bad for libido, erectile function and orgasmic function. But in smaller amounts (especially for men who experience anxiety), alcohol might increase libido.

It’s natural to envy people with soft and supple skin. And that’s because it’s not easy to have the perfect skin especially considering all the factors that contribute to ruining your skin, such as exposure to cigarette smoke, pesticides on foods, and pollution which can cause your skin to disrupt collagen production and look old. Add to that other factors such as dry climate which depletes your skin’s moisture; dust which makes your skin dirty; and harmful chemicals and substances that get in contact with your skin such as cosmetics and beauty products.

But even with these contributors to dry and damaged skin, there are ways you can keep your skin soft and supple. Why not try the following?

Make Your Warm Bath Short

A long hot bath is definitely a relaxing way to end your day. But while it feels great, it’s not good for your skin. A hot long bath reduces the skin’s natural oils. A warm bath or shower for no more than 15 minutes should not do harm to your skin.

Healthy Diet

Food plays an important role in keeping a radiant, healthy and soft skin. Include fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins, minerals and other nutrients in your diet to keep your skin soft and supple. Choose foods that are rich in antioxidants since they fight the damaging free radicals. Your skin would prefer vitamin-C rich fruits like strawberries, grapefruit, kiwis and oranges over food-chain snacks like burgers and fries. Also good for your skin are olive oil and pumpkin. Put olive oil on salad and your skin will enjoy the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of the olive oil which will give you softer skin. On the other hand, pumpkin is rich in vitamins A, C and E which help keep the wrinkles off because of the carotenoids they contain.

To see more list of food that makes the skin glow, click here.

Moisturize

No doubt your skin can get dry easily especially if you’re exposed to the sun and dry climate. The best way to counter this is to lock in moisture by applying a moisturizing cream after you pat dry your skin. Choose a moisturizer that contains lactic acid or urea, lanolin, petrolatum, mineral oil or hyaluronic acid. If your skin is super dry, you can use oils. Be reminded that the best time to apply moisturizer is when your skin is still damp. Damp skin absorbs moisture faster.

Use DIY Mask

Exfoliating products claim to be doing good for your skin but they often exacerbate dry skin. It’s better to use a creamy facial cleanser or a DIY facial mask like a strawberry mask. You can make this by blending 1 cup of strawberries with a cup of vanilla or plain yogurt. Add 1 ½ tablespoons of honey. Apply the mask to your face and leave it for 20 minutes before rinsing it off. You can use pumpkin if you have allergic reaction to strawberry.

Hydrate Your Skin

You often hear doctors telling their patients to drink plenty of liquids. To have soft and supple skin, you should keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and using a humidifier if you use a heater.

Cosmetics With Natural Ingredients

Don’t be fooled by brand advertisements. You should know that cosmetics that contain less oil and less chemicals are good for your skin. And these are the cosmetics that use natural ingredients. While there are not many manufacturers of cosmetics using natural ingredients, it will help if you stay away from using cosmetics that don’t let you know what chemicals they use to make the product.

Milk Bath

Believe it or not, those who were able to maintain a supple and soft skin will tell you that their secret is having a milk bath. What makes skin firm yet soft are vitamins A and D which milk contain. Milk has natural ingredients such as beta hydroxyl acids which are helpful in removing dead skin cells.

              

Try these tips and worry no more about how to keep your skin soft and supple, and young-looking.

Travelling is a part of everyone’s lives. We travel every day to our work, to buy stuff, to pay bills, to pick up our kids, etc. We also travel whenever we want to see our friends or anyone important in our lives.

Travelling is also a reward for a hard day’s work; we plan to travel either locally or overseas, but 98% of the time, travelling is for the entire family or a group. Very seldom we travel alone for pleasure.

I am sure one way or the other, someone has read an article, a blog, a documentary or a video in YouTube of how awesome it is to travel alone, and how we wished we can do that.

Worry not, it is never too late, nothing is too late so long you have the drive and desire to do it. Preparation and Research is the key.

Below are the EXPERIENCES you will get when travelling alone as shared by lone backpackers who had travelled, and still are, the 4 corners of the Earth.

1. You will meet amazing people.

Travelling with friends or a significant other can be a lot of fun, but travelling alone for a certain amount of time can prove to be one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do because of the great people you’ll meet. When we travel with friends or a partner, we tend to stick to that little group of familiar faces and even though you’ll meet new people, the dynamics and interactions won’t be as deep and fulfilling. While you’re on your own on the road, you’re much more eager to meet travel buddies, team up with other travellers and generally reach out more in order to socialize.

2. The overwhelming sense of absolute freedom.

When you travel alone and starts meeting people and making friends, you’ll probably team up with travel buddies and end up expanding your travel plans. You’ll probably change your plans once you hear about those amazing waterfalls, that incredible desert beach, the opportunity to bungee jump from a high bridge, or taste a special delicacy you’ll only find off the beaten track. When you’re travelling, you’re open to changes and you’ll welcome it with open arms. The great thing is that you don’t have to fit into a group’s agenda, give explanations or disappoint anyone; you can follow your rhythm, desires and move freely like the wind.

3. Travelling alone challenges your fears and insecurities

This is a big one, especially if it’s your first solo experience. “What if something goes wrong?” “What if you get into trouble?” This is normal and perfectly human; fear exists for our own protection and boosts our awareness. But we shouldn’t let it control our lives. Safety can be a great comfort, but common sense is the key. Read and research a lot before you travel, check out hostel reviews, and research feedback from other travellers in forums and blogs. Respect the local culture and you’ll be fine.

4. You can take the time to nurture yourself.

If you have a stressful life back home, either studying hard or working too much, travelling on your own can be the time to take some time off and nurture yourself. Whether you’re a backpacker travelling cheap or if the sky is the limit as far as your budget goes, you can use this time to pamper yourself. Indulge in rich and delicious local meals which will boost your energy and health, take long walks on the beach by sunrise, or get a massage. Do some yoga and relax a lot. Enjoy all the wonderful things you deserve, and understand that happiness is a birthright, not a privilege.

5. You’ll have a chance to recreate yourself and be who you want to be.

While travelling solo, you can leave your grumpy, tired old self behind and start to be a new you. Explore parts of your personality you are not very comfortable or familiar with. When on the road, you might be challenged by unexpected factors and be positively surprised how well you respond to them. Empower yourself by unleashing the wonderful, irresistible and intelligent person you are, but whom you’ve neglected in your everyday routine.

6. You can finally take time to leave everything else behind.

Just disconnect from the world for a while. Turn off your mobile; “forget” to check your emails for a few days, don’t think about the bills, the responsibilities, the duties and problems. Leave them behind. Some of the most intense creative times or the ones where we find the solutions for all our problems are actually the moments when we disconnect and stop worrying. Have you ever tried to remember a name or a date and you just can’t spit it out, but after you quit trying it pops out? It’s the same for the rest of life. Sometimes our brains need to get rid of old thoughts in order to be able to create space for new ones, better ones. So just disconnect yourself from everything and you might be amazed by how fresh you’ll feel once you get back home.

Travelling alone is awesome in so many angles. A sense of freedom, spontaneity, responsibility and fulfillment is best felt when travelling alone.

Although, there are some who prefers to travel with a group or with someone out of fear, at least one point in time, everyone should experience travelling alone.

For ordinary and regular pains like headache, toothache, pain from injury or fall, some over-the-counter pain relievers may do the magic, but that will depend of course on the type of painkiller you take.

Over-the-counter pain killers or pain relievers are of two types:

Acetaminophen

For some reasons, a lot of people think that acetaminophen like Tylenol is a whole lot safer than aspirin. However, a recent study showed that even a low dose acetaminophen for long term can be more damaging to the body than a high single dose.

While these painkillers can bring about a positive outcome to someone’s pain, it is not to say that they don’t have any harmful side effects. Hence, it is really important and critical to take precaution before taking any over-the-counter pain reliever. Did you know that taking over-the-counter pain relievers may not just provide temporary relief from pain but also, increases the risks of having a heart attack especially for those who had previously suffered from heart attack or stroke.

NSAID

What is NSAID? It stands for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and these are widely used for a variety of pain. Millions of Americans rely on NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation, too. By blocking the chemical production in the body which contribute to inflammation and pain, NSAIDs are able to control the level of pain you feel. But like all medications, NSAIDs have some harmful side effects as well. The following are some of the red flags about over-the-counter pain relievers:

Understand and know the dangers of some of the commonly used over-the-counter pain relievers and prevent a potential disastrous medical situation. Before thinking of self-medicating, be aware of the dangers that self-medicating can bring to you. If you think that it will save you enormous amount of money by not consulting healthcare providers, think again because it actually pays to consult a doctor than incur disastrous medical condition because of improper drug use.

Have you been feeling especially anxious lately? It’s no surprise – whether is school, your job, family, bills, or other responsibilities, there is no shortage of things that can cause or add to your stress. Fortunately, we can enjoy one of the oldest and tastiest beverages while winding down at the end of the day.

As long as we drink it responsibly, a glass of red wine can be an excellent stress reducer. On top of that, a single glass of red wine has several additional health benefits – even more reason to enjoy that single glass. Here’s how a glass of red wine can help reduce stress:

Alcohol, generally speaking, has the power to calm our nerves because it is a central nervous system depressant. Accordingly (and unlike caffeine, which is a stimulant), alcohol has a naturally sedating effect on the body. This means that it relaxes you and can help you sleep.A glass of red wine has a number of other health benefits beyond stress reduction. Some of these benefits include improved cardiovascular health and immune system function and maintenance, and possible even cancer prevention! Red wine contains resveratrol, which is found in the skin of red grapes, and scientists are exploring whether it may halt the production of cancer cells in breast cancer patients. Visit flying Dutchman Liquor Store for best collection of local to imported wines and spirits in The Bahamas.

Yogurt has grown quite popular over the years.  Health experts have sworn by the numerous health benefits that a serving of this tasty dairy treat comes with, from the “good bacteria” that aids digestion to the various vitamins and minerals that keep diseases at bay. Yogurt has become the new best friend of people who want to turn nasty flab into abs of steel. Snacking on yogurt will satiate your hunger without the guilt. There’s just one problem though: how to choose the best yogurt.  When you go to the dairy section of a supermarket, you’ll see rows and rows of yogurt. It now comes in so many different varieties that choosing what to buy has become an overwhelming task. So how do we separate the good from the bad? First step: Read The Label. They’re there for a very good reason. And read them carefully. Then, check for the following:

Live and Active Culture Seal

Yogurt’s superfood status can be attributed to the probiotics it contains. Probiotics are the good bacteria present in the digestive tract that promote good digestion and boost the immune system. Some companies heat-treat yogurt after culturing to prolong its shelf-life and give it stability at room temperature. However, the process kills the bacteria, both the good and the bad ones. To enjoy all the health benefits that come with the healthy and friendly bacteria, choose the yogurt that bears the Live & Active Culture (LAC) seal, which ensures that it contains living and growing bacterial cultures.

Simple and Natural

Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus turns milk into yogurt through fermentation. A little sugar or some fruits can be added into yogurt for flavor. However, if you see a long list of ingredients on the label, with words such as “artificial” and other hard-to-pronounce ones in it, put that yogurt back on the shelf. That’s where it belongs, not in your body.  

Sugar  

Bear in mind that yogurt already has a fair amount of sugar in it in the form of lactose. A little added sugar to improve its flavor is not that bad, but plain yogurt is still the best choice. Don’t get fooled by the “diet”, “low-sugar”, “sugar-free”, and “no sugar added” labels, because most of them, if not all, are packed with artificial sweeteners. Avoid yogurts that list sugar as their first or second ingredient. They probably contain as much sugar as donuts have! If you want to add flavor to your plain yogurt, add fresh fruits such as blueberries instead. It’s healthier and yummier that way.

Fat

Yogurts vary according to their fat contents. One made from whole milk naturally has higher fat content than those made with low-fat and skim milk. Choose the right kind of yogurt for you based on your diet. If you normally eat a high-fat, high-calorie diet, low-fat or fat-free yogurt is the best one for you. However, “low-fat” “nonfat” is not necessarily mean low calorie. Most of them contain more sweeteners than the full-fat ones to improve the flavor, so make sure that you read the label.

Calcium and Vitamin

Aside from the good bacteria, the other two important nutrients found in yogurt are calcium and vitamin D which are needed by your body to have healthy bones. Yogurt as a dairy product already contains calcium. But unlike other dairy products, yogurt has vitamin D. It’s best to check the label on the amount of calcium and vitamin D the yogurt contains to make sure you have the right amount.

Yogurt is a healthier option for a snack as against a can of soda. But this is only true if the yogurt you choose has the right amount of sugar and not close to the sugar content of a can of soda.

This is precisely why it’s important to Read The Label and check the nutrition facts and ingredients of the yogurt you are buying.