Shaving is a fact of life. Although more of a chore than a pleasantry it has to be done on a regular basis. Anyone who has been shaving for a while has probably experienced razor burn. That bleeding, painful sensation you get that leaves your skin red and burning sometimes for several days. Here are ten tips for preventing razor burn.

1. Never shave dry skin. 2. Use a lotion or shaving cream, usually after a shower or bath. 3. Make sure the razor you use has a sharp blade. 4. Use disposable razors. 5. Try not to shave the same spot over and over. 6. Shave in the direction of the hair growth for best results. 7. Use the razor lightly against the skin. 8. Apply moisturizer to your skin after shaving. 9. Use an electric razor for a smooth and even result. 10. Avoid using soap and water, as it will only dry your skin.

The skin irritation caused by razor burn is a direct result of peeling off part of the top layer of your skin. If you notice redness after shaving, don’t worry – it’s normal. However, we all know that razor burn is very hard to get rid of because every time you shave, you irritate your skin.

While some experts would tell you to stop shaving, it is certainly not an option many would consider. You can reduce the redness by applying hydrocortisone to the area after you shave. Hydrocortisone will temporarily relieve some of the pain and irritation, however, those in the know warn not to use it too often. They feel that over-use of hydrocortisone can cause a rebound effect where you may experience additional irritation and redness.

With so many products available today, there are safe and effective methods you can use to prevent razor burn. While some prefer shaving cream, others may use a different approach. Whatever method you choose in preventing razor burn, any one of the ten tips should help.

I know, in your busy stressful life full of deadlines and meetings, it’s hard to find time to get to the gym every day. Well, what if I told you that not only will daily exercise make you look better and even lose some weight; it can also make your life less stressful? Getting aerobic exercise can actually reduce anxiety by up to 50%. Imagine half the stress just because you took a morning run. While a workout can’t get rid of all the things you need to do during the day, it can help you cope with your stress better. Here are some of the many reasons exercise is great for lowering your stress and anxiety.

* Exercise improves your mood. Aerobic exercise produces chemicals that make you feel happier and more ready to face the day. It also increases blood flow to the brain; furthering this happy, energetic feeling. The better you feel about life, the less stress will weigh on you and get you down.

* Exercise gives you more energy. Stress makes you feel run down and tired during the day. If you exercise in the morning, you’ll get a great energy boost to keep you going in the late morning and afternoon. You may feel fatigued during the first few weeks of exercise. Be persistent and the energy will come.

* Exercise helps you sleep. There is nothing that reduces stress more than a good night’s sleep. Sleep not only recharges your tense, achy muscles; it also refreshes your mind and allows you to process information from the day. Getting more, higher quality sleep on a regular basis will help you cope with the stresses of everyday life. Just remember to do aerobic activity well before bedtime.

* Exercise gives you time to think. A lot of the stress we face is from our own mind. Instead of doing work and fixing problems, we’re worrying about doing work and fixing problems. Exercise gives you time alone to focus on your thoughts and clear your head without a bunch of distractions. That way, after your work out; you can get to work on fixing a problem instead of worrying about it.

If you can’t do an aerobic workout, or just don’t think it’s enough; try yoga or stretching. These exercises are great for soothing sore, tense muscles, clearing your mind, and relaxing you. Plus, if you have no free time in the morning, these exercises can be done at night without keeping you from your sleep (they’ll probably even help). Just find a book or take a class. You should be able to find poses and movements that relate specifically to stress reduction and relaxation.

So make a plan and start a regular workout routine. If you stick with it, you’ll start feeling less stressed, less anxious, and more relaxed in no time.

Remember to check out my exercise and fitness resources page for my currently recommended products and programs.

Ingredients:

2 cups skinless boneless chicken breast, cooked and cubed 1/2 cup light sour cream 1/2 cup chunky salsa 2 tablespoons light mayonnaise 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup shredded lettuce 4 cholesterol free flour tortillas about 10 inches in diameter

Instructions:

Combine salsa, mayonnaise, and the sour cream. Then mix in the cheddar cheese and chicken. Evenly scoop onto the tortillas and sprinkle with lettuce. Fold over the sides and serve.

There are thousands of products and treatments available to help improve the quality of your skin, but only a small percentage of these are natural. Most beauty products contain harsh, damaging chemicals. Treatments, like chemical peels and botox, can be scary. On top of it all, we really have no idea what most of these treatments and chemicals will do to our skin 20 years down the road. If you want to have great looking skin without dangerous chemicals or procedures, there is a way.

Here are some great tips to keep your skin looking fabulous the natural way:

* Drink more water. All cells need water to function properly. If your skin cells aren’t properly hydrated, waste products build up in your cells and keep them from working right and looking their best. Also, if you don’t drink enough water, your cells will retain as much as they can and you’ll end up looking puffy and bloated.

* Change your diet. You’ve probably heard the phrase “you are what you eat” a lot. If you think about it, this old saying is 100 percent true. Your body is made up of what you put into it. If you want it to work properly and look its best, you need to feed yourself the nutrients it needs and avoid foods that may damage it. For beautiful skin, you should try to get more fiber and “good fats” in your diet and avoid foods with a lot of sugar.

* Improve your circulation. To function properly, our cells need to get plenty of oxygen. If you spend your days sitting at a desk or remaining mostly immobile, your circulation probably isn’t as good as it could be. Increase your circulation by getting more exercise, stretching, or getting regular massages (they don’t need to be professional). You can also use a brush to exfoliate your skin which improves circulation while removing old, dead cells. Not only will this give your skin a better overall look, it can also reduce the appearance of unsightly cellulite.

* Avoid the sun. A little sun is good for you. It provides vitamin D and can help give you a sunny disposition, but too much sun can do terrible damage. Try to use hats, clothes, or sun block to protect yourself from damaging UV rays.

* Use certified natural skin products. Traditional beauty products contain all sorts of unnatural chemicals. Most are there as preservatives, or to give the product a certain scent, color or texture. These chemicals not only have no value to your skin, some may cause cancer and other dangerous problems. That’s why it’s beneficial to use natural products if you want to look your best and stay healthy. Just be sure to check labels, many products will claim they’re natural or organic and only contain one natural or organic ingredient. Be wary of ingredients you can’t pronounce and look for certification seals to be sure you’re getting what you pay for. Not only will these help normal skin, they’re also less likely to irritate sensitive skin.

With a little time, patience, and work, you can have fabulous looking skin in no time.

Practicing focused breathing exercises can help you relax and relieve the tension you’ve built up during the day. Our everyday lives tend to weigh on us, causing us to be in a constant state of anxiety, even if we have nothing to be excited about. This can cause emotional problems including irritability, anger, and depression along with physical things like headaches and stomachaches. Relaxation breathing can relieve these symptoms. These methods can also be used to calm yourself before you go to sleep. This way you get more better quality sleep that leaves you feeling rested and rejuvenated.

The first step is to find a good position to be in for your breathing exercise. Many techniques will suggest different positions including: the prone position (on your stomach), lying on your back, sitting cross legged, sitting on your feet with your knees facing forward, or standing. No matter what the method suggests, you need to be in a position that makes you comfortable. If you’re not comfortable, you’re not going to relax no matter how you breathe. So find something that works for you. You may also try periodically changing positions throughout your breathing exercises; in fact, some techniques recommend it.

The next step is to use proper breathing techniques. Naturally, we tend to take short shallow breaths. Breathing exercises involve taking longer, deeper, fuller breaths. This type of breathing changes the amount of carbon dioxide in our systems, putting us in a more relaxed state. To accomplish this type of breathing, you should be sure to breathe by pulling your stomach in and out (toward and away from your spine). You should also make sure your shoulders stay relaxed; if the shoulders are moving up and down, your breathing is too shallow. An appropriate deep breath should bring out the stomach, chest, and collar bone.

The appropriate deep breath is very slow. It’s best to allow about 5 to 6 seconds for each inhale and the same for each exhale; however, it’s more important for you to focus on your technique rather than your pace. Breathe in deeply through your nose, and exhale though your mouth. A common yoga technique is to tighten your throat when you exhale so it sounds as if you’re whispering.

Do your best to focus your attention on the breathing. The point of breathing exercises is to clear your mind of stress, not give you a better opportunity to focus on it. You’ll probably find your thoughts wandering; just try to bring your mind back to the breathing when you do. As you have more and more experience, you’ll begin to find it easier to focus on your breathing and relaxation rather than the hassles of everyday life.

You may also find it helpful to practice visualization exercises while you’re breathing deeply. Picture each muscle in your body and focus on it feeling relaxed. Once that part of your body is relaxed, you can move on to another part. You may also choose to focus on the stress physically pouring out of your body through your fingers and toes.

Whatever method you use, deep breathing is a great way to get to sleep or simply unwind at the end of a long day.