My Favorite Things

July 15th, 2018

There are some things in my day to day life that I find to be very helpful and keep me healthy.  Here are some of them and why they are favorite things, click on the hyperlinks for quick purchase through Amazon:

• Insoles for shoes.  We are on our feet all day, if your shoes are not adequately supporting your weight, your feet and knees can become overstressed leading to fatigue and pain.  Unfortunately, I have found that many shoe manufacturers have been skimping on quality of materials used in the soles.  Adding extra support with gel or foam insoles can greatly improve the comfort of your shoes.
• Antibacterial wipes.  I don’t travel anywhere without these.  Bacteria and viruses are spread easily when objects are touched by multiple people.  When do you think that airplane tray table, restaurant menu, or subway pole was last cleaned?  Likely not in the last few months.
• Large water bottle.  Hydration is so important.  When you have a large water bottle, you will likely drink more water.
• Facial wash.  During the day, our face can accumulate oils, dirt and pollen which can cause acne, eyelid swelling (stye),  and irritation.  Water alone rarely removes these adequately.  A facial wash keeps your skin fresh and clean.
• Aquaphor ointment.  For minor skin irritation, dryness and itching, Aquaphor is a must.  People suffering from eczema and psoriasis should always have this nearby as moisturizing can keep these conditions from getting worse.  I keep a tube in every drawer in every room so I can get immediate relief.
• Natural tears.  Most of us are suffering from dry eyes either from allergies or chronically looking at computer screens/tablets.  These individually packaged drops are close in chemical composition to our own tears and keep your eyes moist.  I use them every afternoon and right away I feel more energetic as if I had a cup of coffee!  When our eyes are dry, they tend to cause eye strain and fatigue.
• Bluetooth speakers.  Music can affect our moods and overall well being.  Some studies have shown that listening to classical music has a calming effect and can also boost cognitive functioning!  The theory is that the melody stimulates different parts of our brain.  Some busy train stations have even started playing classical music to calm busy commuters.
• Sunglasses with thick sides.  Excessive sun exposure can cause damage to the delicate structures of the eyes leading to chronic eye conditions such as cataracts and macular degeneration (which can cause serious vision issues later in life).  It is also important for allergy sufferers to choose sunglasses with thick sides, as pollen is very sticky and can fly into the eye with the slightest breeze causing eye irritation and watering.  Thick sides on sunglasses can prevent this from happening.  I often choose sunglasses that are worn by cyclists as they have this exact purpose in mind.