admin, Author at 3 Kids and Us

4 Reasons You Should Spend More Time Laughing

March 13, 2018 by admin

Most of us don’t readily associate laughter with doing something productive or constructive. To the contrary, many people justify their disregard of humor by convincing themselves that they “don’t have time for it.” After all, if you want to “go somewhere in life” you’ve got to be serious about things, right? Well, not all the time. Studies indicate that squeezing in a good laugh here and there is actually much more than fun and games, as it can actually have measurable beneficial effects on your health and wellbeing. With that said, here are four major reasons why everyone should try to spend more time laughing:

1. Reduces Stress

Research has indisputably proven that stress is linked to a heightened chance of developing a wide range of disorders, as people who lead stressful lives are more likely to suffer from chronic illnesses of all kinds. Science has proven that laughter directly reduces the level of “stress hormones” in the blood, thereby reducing the risk of developing new diseases while also improving the prognosis of existing conditions. In fact, surveys have shown that people who regularly browse humor sites like LOL Hit have better responses to stress than those who rarely enjoy comedy.

2. Enhances Mood and Memory

Did you know that even a fake smile or forced laugh has the ability to stimulate the feeling of happiness? Thus, just by making an effort to smile and laugh more you’re taking control over your moods in a positive manner. Furthermore, when you’re in a good mood you’re more likely to make healthy food choices versus when you’re in a depressed, junk food eating state of mind. In addition, learning new things while experiencing a strong emotion is the best way to retain information, so laughter has the ability to strengthen memories that are formed during or around the time of laughter.

3. Boosts Immunity and Fights Cancer

The stimulatory effect that laughing has on the respiratory, cardiac, and hormonal systems all combine to increase the development of T-cells and antibodies. By increasing the number of pathogen-fighting cells in the body, laughing provides a direct and immediate boost to the immune system. As if the benefits never end, you’d be surprised to learn that laughter also increases the level of interferon-gamma (IFN), which in turn stimulates NK cells, B-cells, and immunoglobulin – all of which play a crucial role in the body’s natural defenses against cancer and other degenerative diseases.

4. Enjoyable Exercise

Many people dread the idea of going to the gym or enduring a home fitness regimen, but laughing is so fun and easy that it doesn’t even feel like a workout, and yet it provides an excellent exercise for the diaphragm, abdominal muscles, back, shoulders, and even legs. If you’ve ever burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter, then you know just how physically demanding it can be when you’re struggling to pull yourself together.

Heightened Creativity and a Better Social Life

Aside from the measurable medical benefits of laughter, it goes without saying that sharing a good laugh is a great way to improve your social life and spur bouts of creativity. People with a strong sense of humor are not only more likely to have plenty of friends, they’re also typically more creative than people who don’t rate humor as one of their best attributes.

Handy hints for if your little one is sick

March 8, 2018 by admin

If you are a new parent, or perhaps you are mom or dad to an ever-growing family, then you will know that there is nothing worse than if your little one gets sick. If your child is still under the age of three, then you can expect a lot of tears and screams, as they may struggle to tell you what is wrong. It can be incredibly distressing for any parent, and you may even begin to feel upset and useless. Help is at hand, so you need not struggle along on your own. It is vital that if your little one is unwell, you seek medical advice and visit your local health practitioner or doctor to get them fully checked over.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

If your little ones attend daycare or spend time with a sitter, around other infants, then sadly there will be a time when they suffer from either vomiting or diarrhea bug. Changes in food, water, and the environment can affect sensitive tums, causing a change in digestion or even irritation if they are beginning to eat solid foods. It could also be worth getting your little one tested for food intolerances, in particular, if you notice that they are in pain or suffer a lot of wind after eating particular foods, such as dairy products. If your baby is a fussy eater and you find them spitting up a lot after eating, then baby acid reflux medicines can help to aid digestion. Remember that diarrhea and vomiting are common in extremely young babies and infants, but if you notice any blood in their stool or green discharge, then it is advisable to seek medical advice.

Flu

During the colder winter months, your little one is even more susceptible to coming down with the flu. If your little cherubs have the flu, then you can expect a grumpy, cranky and irritable infant that is restless and hard to settle down for a nap. If you think your child is at risk, then consult your local health practitioner about getting them vaccinated against the flu as this is highly contagious, especially amongst younger children. If they are already ill, you can expect the virus to last between three and seven days. However, if it is any longer than this, then you should book an appointment with your doctor.

Ear Infection

If you notice that your child is finding it hard to hear, and either rubbing or scratching their ear even more than usual, then they may be suffering from an ear infection. Although most infections will clear on their own during the course of a few days, it is worth seeing your medical practitioner if you notice any unpleasant smells, or colored discharge oozing from the ear. Ear infections are easy to treat with antibiotics but can be unpleasant for both infant and parents to deal with.

Remember to seek medical help if your little one is sick or unwell. It is important that you don’t feel isolated, and consult expert advice if you are unsure.

Five household expenses worth investing in

March 6, 2018 by admin

When it comes to the home, it can seem like your list of jobs to do, and projects to fund is never-ending. While there are a few ways you can cut corners during a house refurb or update, there are some expenses that you don’t want to skimp on as investing in these purchases now may save you money in the future, make your house safer or add to the value should you choose to sell. To skimp on them now would be doing yourself a disservice.

Here are five household expenses you’d do well to invest in.

Double glazed windows

Installing double glazing in your home comes with a heavy price tag, but it also brings a host of benefits.

For one, you’ll see your utility bills drop dramatically once you’ve put in the extra panes, as your house will be far more energy efficient. Secondly, your home will be more secure as your doors and windows will be harder to penetrate from the outside. It is especially important if you’ve got a property on the ground floor. Another reason to invest in double glazing is the noise control. If you live in a busy neighborhood or near the main road, you’ll find much more peace and quiet with double paned glass.

Pest control

Now it’s not glamorous, or is it enjoyable to think about, but ensuring you pest control your home can save you big dollars in the long run. If left undetected, or untreated, pests such as ants, termites, roaches, wasps, and rodents can cause huge damage to your property. They can nibble away your building’s foundations and infrastructure, as well as cause harm to your family members. It’s certainly not worth taking the risk; if you suspect an infestation, get in touch with a specialist, like Go-Forth Pest Control of Raleigh, and get the problem sorted asap.

Landscaping your backyard

When summer rolls around, there’s nothing nicer than having a beautiful yard space to enjoy in the sunshine – the kids playing on the grass, long balmy evenings barbecuing with friends. Bliss!

However, have you ever considered the financial payoff of investing in your backyard? Hiring a landscape professional to spruce up your outdoor space can add significant value to the resale price of your property. A tidy garden will benefit you now, as well as in the future.

The Internet of Things

Wireless in-home sound systems, laundry machines that you can switch on when you’re out the house, tiny robots that clean up while you’re at work; yes, the Internet of Things is all the rage right now.

Beyond looking snazzy and futuristic, the greater control you’ll have over appliances in the home can save you money and make your home a little safer; if nothing else you’ll have fewer wires to trip over!

Don’t skimp! Save for the future

These are just some of the ways you can future-proof your home, adding security and saving (and earning) you money in the years to come.

Five Tips for Looking After Your Family’s Dental Health

March 5, 2018 by admin

As a parent, you’ll want to always make sure that your family is as happy and healthy as possible. This also means making sure that everyone’s dental health is in top condition. Along with ensuring that everybody brushes at least twice daily, there are several things that you can do to keep your family’s smiles gleaming all the time. These include:

#1. Get a Good Dental Insurance Plan:

Dental insurance will give you peace of mind about financial cover if anything goes wrong. Dental insurance can cover everything from small fillings to root canals, orthodontic treatment, extractions and more depending on the type of cover that you sign your family up for. In the case of a dental emergency, having insurance cover will ensure that you or your family member is treated quickly and effectively with no issues. For more information on choosing the right dental insurance plan for you, see Fep Blue Dental reviews.

#2. Visit a Good Family Dentist Regularly:

Even if nobody is complaining of problems with their teeth, regularly visiting a reputable family dentist for a check-up at least twice per year will ensure that any potential issues are spotted and dealt with straight away. Dental issues such as decay and cavities might not be causing any noticeable issues in the early stages, which is why it’s always important to see your dentist, who can spot any warning signs and issue treatment straight away. Regular visits to your dentist will also ensure that you’re up to date with the latest advice for keeping everybody’s teeth healthy, strong, and clean.

#3. Upgrade to Electric Toothbrushes:

Electric toothbrushes for your whole family may seem like a big investment, but it’s certainly worth it when it comes to looking after your dental health. Not only are electric toothbrushes easier to use than their manual counterparts, they’re also designed to provide a better clean and will get to all the hard-to-reach areas in your mouth. You can even get fun design electric toothbrushes for kids featuring their favorite cartoon characters to make brushing their teeth even more fun.

#4. Choose Tooth-Friendly Foods:

What you eat and drink as a family can have a huge effect on your dental health. Try to limit foods and drinks that are high in sugar or acid, such as fruit juices, sodas, and sugary treats. When you do eat or drink anything with a high acid or sugar content, it’s best to wait at least half an hour before brushing your teeth to avoid any damage to the enamel.

#5. Floss Daily:

Lastly, getting the whole family into the habit of flossing their teeth daily is great for dental health and building healthy habits for life. Since it’s impossible to reach in between some teeth by brushing alone, dental floss helps you reach further areas where food particles can become lodged and cause decay and plaque. If you’re unsure how to floss your teeth correctly, ask your dentist or try an online tutorial.

If you found these tips helpful, we’d love to hear from you in the comments!

6 Ways To Stop Being A Stressed Out Parent

March 2, 2018 by admin

If you’re a parent, you are going to feel some form of stress. It may be a little, it may be a lot, but it will definitely be there. Even the most chilled out moms and dads will feel the pinch of a harsh word or a raised temper from time to time. It’s not pleasant, and the guilt that follows these exchanges is huge. Everyone feels bad. So it’s a good idea to reduce your stress levels as much as possible, thereby allowing everyone to have a lovely, happy life for as much as possible. You may not be able to rid your life entirely of stress (we actually need to be stressed at times; it’s a survival mechanism), but getting a handle on it is a great way to manage.

Know The Signs

In order to combat stress, it’s essential that you know the signs. When you have identified what stresses you the most, and how you react to that stress, you can take it in hand a lot more easily. So what are the signs to look out for? Raised blood pressure is one of the biggest ones. This can cause a spiked heart rate, and can even make you feel dizzy. You’ll also find that you’re talking much more loudly – you might even be yelling. You’ll feel impatient and irritable, and there will be lapses in judgment that means you jump to conclusions, blaming the kids for something when it wasn’t their doing at all, for example. When this happens, your children will be negatively affected. Therefore you need to be more in tune with your body and watch out for these warning signs.

Step Away

Stress can happen for a variety of reasons. You may have got a new job, and it’s harder work than before, or perhaps you have money worries. Maybe you’ve just moved home, and it’s hard to settle in (at least if you pick a good small moves company the move itself will be less stressful, though). Perhaps you’re just tired and need a break. Whatever the reasons behind the stress, it’s important to take some time out when you’re not feeling your best. Just a few minutes away from everyone and everything can give you the time you need to calm down and de-stress enough to go back with a fresh perspective on things. Go to your room and lie down to listen to some calming music while you decompress. Let your family know that you just need a little time to process things and that you will continue the conversation (in a better frame of mind) when you return. Perhaps everyone could do with taking a break so that the entire situation, whatever it may be, is much clearer too.

Find Solutions

There will be certain times of the day that are more stressful than others. In the morning when everyone is rushing around to get ready for work and school, it can be overwhelming, for example, and that sets the entire day off on the wrong foot. Work out what these ‘hot times’ are and find solutions so that they aren’t so stressful. If the morning time is the issue because the children can’t decide what to wear and breakfast takes forever, you could get them to choose their clothes the night before (or choose them for them) and prepare breakfast in advance. That way, everything will be much more organized, and the stress levels will be a lot lower. If your most stressful time comes at your kids’ bedtime, then find a routine or rewards system that works better than your current one; ask the children what they need to make their bedtimes easier.

Learn Meditation

Meditation techniques can work wonders at de-stressing you when you feel like you are overwhelmed and liable to explode at any moment. Meditation helps the mind and the body to relax, and what’s more, your entire family can meditate together if they want to, giving everyone more peace and relaxation. It can have a truly positive effect on everyone’s lives, so it is certainly something to consider. One quick and easy way to attempt meditation is called ‘elevator breathing.’ Close your eyes and imagine you’re in an elevator at the top of a very tall building. Breathe in and out three times, very slowly, then press the button for the first floor in your mind. As you descend, keep doing your breathing exercises. By the time you reach the bottom, your stress should have melted away. There are many different techniques, some taking longer than others, so work out which one is best for you and implement it in your life for some easy de-stressing.

Do Some Exercise

Exercise is a wonderful thing to do because it keeps us fit and healthy, of course. However, it does a lot more than that. When exercising, your body releases serotonin, which is the anti-stress hormone. It replaces cortisol (the stress hormone) and makes us feel happy and balanced. It’s why, once you get into the swing of your exercise class or workout, you’ll start to really enjoy it and feel good about what you’re doing. You’ll feel a lot less stressed. What works even better is finding an exercise you can do with the whole family. Not only will you be feeling good, but you’ll be feeling good together, creating lovely memories and enjoying one another’s company. You might go for a long walk, take a bike ride, go swimming, or even join a dance class.

Laugh

When was the last time you really laughed? Not just vaguely smiled, not just felt amused, but really laughed out loud? You need to be doing more of that. Stressed people have a lot of tension in their faces, making their jaws ache and creating headaches or even migraines. Having a proper old belly laugh can relieve that tension and wipe away the stress. So find some fun ways to bring laughter into your life for you and the children. It’s all about having fun in any way you can – that’s what life should be like.