Where To Start...

You may be wondering, what elements of your hands should you be concerned with? When it comes to beauty tips, people often do not think about their hands, but if you have ever shaken the hand of someone who has bad skin or otherwise poor hands, you likely have remembered it.

Here are some tips to help you to improve the quality of your skin on your hands specifically.

• Wash hands properly and often. When it comes to keeping your hands healthy, one of the first steps is t keep them clean. Use a nail brush under your nails and on top of them. Use a quality, but not harsh soap when washing your hands.
• Limit the amount of alcohol used on your hands. There are a wide range of products that, with one squirt, are able to kill all the germs on your hands. Many are alcohol based and while a good choice, can dry out your hands. Use these limitedly.
• Do use lotions and moisturizer. The hands are continuously exposed and need a layer of moisturizer to protect the hands from the harsh elements it meets.
• Tackle skin problems. If you have any type of skin problem, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to get them taken care of by your doctor or dermatologist. Since the hands are so exposed, this is very important.

When it comes to your hands, do take care of them. This will make a considerable difference in the quality of your skin overall too and it can prevent you from illnesses since nail beds are one of the worst places for bacteria and pathogens to lurk.

Take time to consider your hands: they do matter in terms of what your first impression is with individuals you are just meeting.

If you suffer from joint pain you already know that doing the things you love is tough enough without adding exercise to the equation.

But, exercise is not the enemy; on contrary, it can actually be your friend. You see, regular exercise as part of an overall pain relief program can help increase circulation and the strength in painful joints for a stronger body. It's for this reason that I recommend to all my joint pain patients some form of light activity to be performed every day.

Here are some suggestions:

Aerobics - those who participate in impact sports can strengthen their bones.  This is good for women who are prone to osteoporosis.  Strong bones strengthen joints.  Play a game of basketball or take an aerobics class.  Work at your own pace and you will still see the benefit of your efforts.

Dancing - you don't have to be spinning and hopping all over the dance floor.  Dancing classes like salsa, ballroom dancing, foxtrot and others are less demanding than some of the dances people are doing these days.

Ride a bicycle - bicycling provides a relaxing way to exercise.  Your legs go through the full range of motion as you pedal.  Adjust your bike seat so that you aren't leaning over too much and hurting your back and also so your legs get a full stretch.

Weight training - this comes up often.  There are very few conditions that weight training won't help.  Increasing muscle mass and strength is good for maintaining health.  Muscles attach to bones and aid movement.

Walking - walking burns calories and stretches your body.  Some joint pain sufferers have weight issues and walking can get that weight off to lessen the pressure on the joints as you strengthen them.  Walk with comfortable shoes and on even terrain like the school track or on a treadmill.  Walking on rocky or uneven ground can do more harm than good because you can fall or twist an ankle.

Those who suffer from joint pain are suddenly limited in what they can do.  Fortunately, exercises can help.  Moving your body will increase flexibility, strength while reducing some of the weight bearing in your joints

Everyone knows when you're pregnant you eat for two but your diet isn't the only thing that affects your baby.  Paying special attention to your health will reduce the likelihood of problems for your child, and it will make you more comfortable during this physically taxing time.

Getting Proper Nutrition:

Pregnant women need about 300 more calories per day than they did before they were expecting.  These extra calories provide the fuel for your baby to grow.  If you don't eat enough, however, the baby will usually get what he needs anyway.  You will be the one who is left with less energy.

It is very important to get in enough nutrients for yourself and your baby.  Some of the most important are calcium, iron and folic acid.  These aid in the development of baby's bones, blood, and brain and spine, respectively.  Eating foods rich in these nutrients is the best way to get them, but it may be difficult to get as much of them as you need.  That's why it is important to take your prenatal vitamins.

Things to Avoid:

There are a number of things that we need to avoid during pregnancy.  Your doctor has probably told you to quit smoking and drinking alcohol if you do those things.  And drugs, of course, are strictly off limits.  But there are some other things that are bad for your baby that might surprise you.

Caffeine is one habit that many an expecting mother has trouble kicking.  But it can increase the risk of miscarriage, so it is wise to avoid it.  If you can't just drop your favorite caffeine-filled beverages, cut down significantly or switch to decaf.  Chocolate contains small amounts of caffeine, but you don't have to give it up completely.  Moderation is the key.

Pregnant women should avoid certain types of fish.  These include shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish.  These often contain high levels of mercury, which can cause brain damage in your baby.  Other foods that should not be included in your diet include unpasteurized cheese, milk, and juice, foods containing raw eggs, and undercooked meat.

It is important not to take any medications during pregnancy without first consulting with your doctor.  Even herbs and over-the-counter medicines can present a danger to your baby.  Ideally, the only medication a pregnant woman should take is a good prenatal vitamin.  But if you feel that you need treatment for pain or other conditions, talk to your doctor.  He may be able to recommend an alternative treatment or a safe medication.

Pregnant women should also avoid contact with cat feces.  If they don't, they put themselves at risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.  This usually causes no symptoms in the mother, but it can have devastating effects on her developing baby.  These may include prematurity, brain damage, and other problems.

Staying healthy should be a priority at all times, but it becomes much more important when you're pregnant.  Keeping yourself in good health and avoiding certain foods and substances will help your baby grow strong and healthy.