Job Interview Tips and Tricks | GETTIK

Job Interview Tips and Tricks | GETTIK

by | Jun 30, 2020 | Hair, LIfestyle

How To Make a Good Impression in a Job Interview

When it comes to getting a job, interviewing may seem like a secondary concern compared to your skills and education. However, the impression you make during an interview is extremely important because recruiters often use that opportunity to assess who you are and how seriously you take the job opportunity. 

Employers often want to feel confident that you will be a reliable employee and a good fit for the company as much as they want to know your credentials. Fortunately, there are some basic steps you can take to significantly improve your interview game, whether the process comes naturally to you or not.

Come Prepared

The best way to appear well put together is to actually be well put together. Don’t wait until the last minute to prepare for the interview. It will likely not only result in some oversights on your part, but may also add to your stress as you try to rehearse key information and talking points. 

Complete tasks such as doing preemptive research and choosing your interview outfit well in advance. Then run through a quick review of important details shortly before the actual interview. This will help you more successfully retain important information, prevent last-minute mishaps, and boost your confidence.

Know What Position You’re Interviewing For

It is important to both have knowledge relevant to job performance in your desired position, and to understand what the position entails. Some simple ways you can convey this knowledge base to the recruiter include the following:

  • Provide concrete examples of relevant education and experience. Discuss any education or experience you have in your background that relates to the duties that you would be expected to perform in your desired role. For example, if you are applying for a marketing position, you could mention the outreach you worked on for a charity. 
  • Actively demonstrate your knowledge. Make it clear that you understand key concepts in the course of the conversation. For example, you may want to use terminology specific to the field.
  • Ask good questions. Ask questions that showcase your existing knowledge and show an interest in learning more. For example, you could mention you noticed that experience with a certain software was a desired quality for the position, and ask how that software would be utilized in your day-to-day work.

Research the Company You’re Interviewing With

You will also want to demonstrate knowledge about the company itself and its operations. This will further reinforce how serious you are about pursuing this position, and your interest in the company. Effective strategies for demonstrating this knowledge are similar to those described above: conversational evidence of your knowledge base and emphasis through calculated questions. The following are some examples of questions that could convey your knowledge and interest regarding company matters during an interview:

  • “I notice [the company] has expanded over the past few years. What new directions do you expect the business to take, if any?”
  • “You commonly collaborate with other companies. What sort of companies do you typically work with in terms of industry, size, etc.?”
  • “How does this company set itself apart from the rest of its industry?”

However, while such questions are usually appreciated, it is important to make it evident that they are coming from a place of interest and excitement. You do not want to seem as though you are grilling the interviewer.

Find the Interviewer on LinkedIn

It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the interviewer themselves if possible. A good resource for this is LinkedIn. Their LinkedIn profile (if they have one) can give you a good idea of their credentials and what to expect.

Look Good and Dress Appropriately

A neat appearance tells the interviewer that you are a person who knows how to present themselves in a professional environment. It also tells them that you are taking the interview seriously enough to put a lot of time and effort into your appearance. The following are some basic steps you can take to dress appropriately and otherwise prepare your appearance for your interview:

  • Practice basic hygiene (bathe, use deodorant, brush your teeth, etc.);
  • Consider a haircut;
  • Groom your hair;
  • Trim your nails;
  • Keep accessories, makeup, nail polish, etc. subtle;
  • Choose well-fitting clothing with no signs of wear;
  • Wash your clothing;
  • Iron your clothing;
  • Use a lint roller;
  • Take the time to dress neatly.

It is important to consider the position you are applying for when choosing your clothing, accessories, etc. for the interview. Just as it would be a mistake to wear sweatpants to almost any interview, it would also be a bit off-base to wear a 3-piece suit to interview for a position as a cashier at a grocery store. The idea is to look tidy and professional.

Furthermore, you should consider what the expectations for traditional professionalism are. Although some level of professionalism is expected for most jobs, some positions are more casual than others. For example, it would generally not be a good move to display extensive tattooing, use bold accessories, or wear any non-business attire to apply for a job at a legal firm, but those items may be fine for an interview at a comic shop.

While it is important to keep these notes in mind, don’t stress yourself out by over-thinking it. Just focus on keeping yourself clean and tidy. Keep in mind that some self-care issues may take more than the morning-of to address, such as recurring skincare problems (like breakouts) or a receding hairline. If items like these are a concern for you, there are some long-term steps you can take to prepare for future interviews, such as the regular use of a skincare routine, or the application of hair growth products.

Prepare for Common Interview Questions

There are certain questions that are commonly asked in interviews, and it will be helpful to prepare for some of these. These include:

  • “What are your strengths/weaknesses?”
  • “Where did you hear about our company/this position?”
  • “How did you solve an instance of conflict at your previous job?”

Practicing your responses to such questions can help you feel more confident during the interview. However, it should also be noted that the interviewer likely expects you to be nervous, and it is not the end of the world if you hesitate or misspeak occasionally. Your preparation should bolster your confidence, rather than undermine it.

Be Yourself

As much as there are some widely-accepted “rules” to follow during an interview, you also want to leave a strong impression and set yourself apart from other candidates. To this end, you should show some of your personality and unique perspectives. Furthermore, there is some contradictory advice out there on how to behave in an interview. So, when in doubt, follow your best judgment and do what feels right to you. 

Follow Up After the Interview

Following up after the interview can show the company how interested you are in the position, and prevent you from getting lost in the shuffle. However, you do not want to be too aggressive in your follow-up either. Calling or emailing every day, for example, may be too much. Once a week or so is a more appropriate time frame. Follow-up is also a great idea if the company has not contacted you by the time they said they would. 

How Does Weather Impact Our Lives and Health? | GETTIK

How Does Weather Impact Our Lives and Health? | GETTIK

by | Jun 25, 2020 | Hair, Health

How The Weather Can Affect Your Health

The weather may not only affect your daily life — it can also affect your health. From seasonal environmental changes to temperature shifts, the weather may play a role in health symptoms with direct or indirect physical, mental, and social effects.

Physical Effects

Environmental changes in weather and temperature may affect humans in many ways, this may include seasonal allergy triggers as the world around us begins to bloom, or temperature-triggered, cold-induced asthma. Other infections and their effects on the body may change, such as fortified flu viruses in cold weather that may become more easily transmittable.

Some are also affected when it is cold outside, noting that their joints hurt. Seasonal aches and pains in muscles and joints are theorized to be a response to changes in barometric pressure that may cause inflammation in tendons, muscles, and tissues. There are many ways that changes in the weather can affect the body, from biological changes in the body to changes in behaviors.

Colds and Flu

Though it is possible to get the common cold or the flu year-round, there is the well-known cold and flu season that strikes primarily in winter, but may also stretch late fall through early spring. Three notable theories on why the flu is more common in the winter include:

  • People spending more time in indoor, confined spaces with less air circulation, and with others who may have the virus.
  • Lowered levels of vitamin D and melatonin which may compromise immune systems and the ability to fight off the virus.
  • The virus itself may survive better and could be more easily transmitted in colder, drier climates.

Other common winter illnesses that may be triggered by cold, dry weather may include acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, and whooping cough. Preventative measures against winter illnesses may include washing hands thoroughly and regularly, avoiding crowds if possible, and staying home if you are ill to prevent the spread of illness to others.

Heart and Circulation

The chill of winter can challenge your heart and circulation. Cold weather can trigger a bodily response to keep as much warmth as possible close to vital organs, which can result in the restriction of tiny blood vessels in the limbs of the body. This restriction may increase strain on the heart as it works to circulate blood and overcome the resistance from restricted vessels. While these occurrences may not impede those with a healthy circulatory system, those with histories of heart disease may be at greater risk. 

Studies have shown that heat waves also create a challenge for the cardiovascular system to regulate body temperature. Drastic changes in weather like extremes in heat and cold may have health effects that impact the body’s ability to regulate itself, causing increased stress to cope with environmental factors and susceptibility to illness or exacerbated chronic disease issues. 

Reducing the risk of cardiovascular and circulation issues due to weather changes may include avoiding vigorous physical activity, staying hydrated, and wearing weather-appropriate clothing.

Skin and Hair

Skin and hair may also be subject to seasonal influence. Seasonal changes may bring increases or decreases in temperature and humidity that may affect the skin’s ability to regulate filaggrin proteins and corneocyte surface texture. Filaggrin are proteins that help maintain the skin’s barrier function. Filaggrin and corneocyte cells — the cells on the outermost part of the skin’s epidermis — are affected by climate and seasonal changes. This may increase the risk of eczema, psoriasis, and dry, irritated skin from low temperatures and low humidity, which may affect the skin cell’s ability to naturally moisturize. 

Seasonal changes may also affect hair growth, which can also result in seasonal shedding and complaints of hair loss. Hair loss can also be associated with wearing tight-fitting hats, as found in studies performed on nurse’s cap alopecia, which concluded that wearing tight-fitting hats may cause localized hair loss. Hats are often employed during summer months to protect from the sun, so ensuring that head-ware properly fits and doesn’t constrict blood flow or irritate hair follicles may help alleviate symptoms.

Other ways to mitigate skin and hair follicle irritation from changing environmental factors may include utilizing thickening agents or hair growth products such as vitamins or moisturizers. There are also a few options to help alleviate dry skin in winter or sunburned skin in summer. Utilizing sunscreen and wearing sun-protective clothing can protect the skin from sunburn. Moisturizing skin and using aloe vera lotion can help soothe burned skin. Moisturizing during winter, using a humidifier indoors, and using lukewarm water to bathe can help protect natural skin oils and keep skin moisturized.

Mental Effects

The influence of weather on mood variability is well recognized. Evidence shows that the weather, including daylight, has an effect on the normal range of daily mood fluctuations. Better moods are typically associated with less precipitation, absence of fog, and lower atmospheric pressure. There are also mental health benefits associated with natural environments, which can be more accessible with mild weather and climates.

Circadian Rhythm

Circadian rhythms are the natural internal processes that regulate a person’s sleep and wake cycle. Changes in daylight and season can alter sleep habits and activities, though it does not change the amount of sleep one needs. While less daylight in winter may affect circadian rhythms and sleep cycles, it is important to remember that excess sleep is not needed. Though the visual cues of light and darkness may encourage lethargy, sleepiness, or notable changes in mood, it is important to continue regulating a 24-hour cycle of rest and awakedness. To encourage regular sleep cycles in the winter, attempt to increase exposure to light, and maintain physical activity during the day.

General Mood

The influence of weather on subjective well-being can greatly impact mood. Weather patterns such as high and low temperatures, sun exposure, and rain can all impact the mood and feelings of happiness. Seasonal variations in physical activity can also have implications for human health. As weather patterns change seasonally, physical activity may also increase or decrease. Physical exercise can improve mental health by reducing anxiety, stress, depression and negative moods. Exercise can also increase self-esteem and cognitive function. It is important to maintain physical activity and other general lifestyle tips for better overall health throughout the year to reduce the physical and psychological impacts of stress. Adapt to temperature by wearing clothing suitable for the weather and outdoor activity. Utilize indoor and temperature-controlled gyms and pools to reap the health benefits of swimming and exercising.

SAD

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression or depressive episodes that correlate with the change of the seasons. More often it occurs in the late fall and winter, but some experience depressive episodes in the summer. Symptoms may include feelings of depression, low self-esteem, trouble sleeping, and may sometimes include frequent thoughts of death or suicide. SAD is often treated by a medical professional and may include the use of medication, light therapy, psychotherapy, and vitamin D. 

Social Effects

Climate change can have a variety of effects on mental health. Increased exposure to heat may increase aggressive behaviors. Heatwaves have been associated with increases in mental and behavioral disorders in addition to cardiovascular and renal illness, as well as feelings of psychological and physical exhaustion. The effects of changing weather on public health may also take a toll through environmental degradation, resource depletion, impacts on food production, an increase inf air pollution, as well as potential environmentally-induced migration or population dislocation. Reducing actions that contribute to climate change, as well as planning and preparing for changing weather patterns and changes to the environment, may help to alleviate social and economic stresses that impact human and public health.

Food Systems

Climate impact on agriculture and food supplies includes access to food as well as socio-economic impacts from disruption to the economy. Impacts on crops may include:

  • Elevated levels of Co2 in the atmosphere can increase plant growth, and/or disrupt and create nutrient deficiencies in crops, resulting in less nutrient-dense foods.
  • Extreme changes in temperature and precipitation can reduce yields or prevent crops from growing.
  • Potential drought conditions may challenge water availability for crops.

Impacts on livestock may include:

 

  • Heat waves that may cause heat stress and increase vulnerability to disease, reduced fertility, and reduced milk production.
  • Droughts may threaten pasture and feeding supplies for livestock.
  • Changing seasons may allow for some pathogens and parasites to survive more easily, increasing the risk of parasites and diseases that affect livestock.
  • Increased atmospheric Co2 can cause the nutrient density of crops to decrease, increasing the demand for feed to meet nutritional needs.

Water Access

Weather and climate extremes impact air and water quality, contribute to negative economic impacts, and ultimately are bad for human health. Heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, cold waves, snowfall, and flooding may all affect water and air quality. Flooding can also increase the opportunity for the overflow of contaminants from industrial, agricultural, and urban areas to other bodies of water, impacting access to clean water.

What Causes Hair Loss in Women? | GETTIK

What Causes Hair Loss in Women? | GETTIK

by | May 28, 2020 | Hair, Hair Loss In Women, Health, LIfestyle

Why Is My Hair Falling Out? 5 Causes of Hair Loss in Women

While going through your morning routine and brushing your hair, it’s possible you may notice more hair left in your brush than you’re used to. Some hair loss is normal, but if you begin to notice signs of balding — including overall thinning at the top of your head, notable bald spots, or clumps of hair falling out — it can leave you feeling alarmed and distressed. These feelings can seriously impact your self-image and confidence.

Hair loss can often be thought of as a strictly male condition, but a large percentage of those who experience it are women. In fact, as noted in research published in Clinical Interventions in Aging, just under half of all women go through life with a full head of hair. Nevertheless, the perception that hair loss only affects males can leave women impacted by it in a difficult situation.

There are many different causes of hair loss in women, and addressing the situation requires identifying which apply to you. This article will discuss five of the most common causes of hair loss, then provide advice on mitigating them. Read on to learn how you can take control of this condition.

Certain Hairstyles

Anyone who has worn a ponytail for a long period of time knows about the annoyance of “ponytail headaches.” However, it’s important to understand that the constant pulling associated with a hairstyle like this may lead to hair loss. This is because certain hairstyles can cause traction alopecia — a form of hair loss caused by pulling of the scalp, which weakens the hair root and follicle.

There are many signs that your hairstyle is causing too much stress on your hair. These include:

  • Hair loss, sometimes resulting in a receding hairline;
  • Signs of thin or broken hair in areas where your hair is tied;
  • Small pimples or ulcers on your scalp, often at the base of where your hair is tied;
  • Itching or redness on your scalp;
  • Scarred skin on your scalp (these areas may look “shiny”).

Avoid These Hairstyles to Prevent Hair Loss

 To avoid this type of hair loss, consider changing up your hairstyle and avoid putting undue stress on your hair follicles. Tight ponytails, braids, or buns can lead to traction alopecia. The excessive use of hair extensions, wefts, or clip-ins can also cause hair loss over time.

The way you take care of your hair can also impact your hair health. Brush rollers, when applied too tightly, can cause alopecia. Even regular brushing can cause hair loss if done too vigorously.

Instead of regularly doing the above, try to find alternative ways to style your hair. Women with straight hair can simply wear it behind or over their shoulders, and loose braids are still not out of the question. Those with curly hair might try wearing their hair naturally. These are only a few examples of your options going forward.

If you’ve experienced notable hair loss, you might find that your styling options are limited. In this case, it can be wise to invest in hair growth shampoo or hair thickening fibers. These can improve the appearance of your hair and widen your hairstyling options.

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Dietary Issues

A poor diet can lead to malnutrition. This refers to deficiencies in your vitamin and mineral intake that can lead to major side effects like weak muscles and bones, a compromised immune system, and hair loss.

Are you starting to experience hair loss? It may be time to assess your diet for any gaps in your caloric, protein, vitamin, and mineral intake. Nutrients that are associated with hair health include:

  • Protein;
  • Calories;
  • Antioxidants;
  • Biotin;
  • Selenium;
  • Vitamin A (though too much can cause hair loss);
  • Vitamin C;
  • Vitamin D.

Get All the Vitamins and Minerals You Need for Hair Health

In order to address this cause of hair loss, it can help to ensure you’re getting a well-rounded diet, complete with the nutrition you need to mitigate the effects of hair loss. This means a diet rich in natural foods — primarily high-fiber carbs, fruits, veggies, and lean meats. Ensure that you are getting enough food each day and that you’re limiting junk foods.

Seek to include foods with nutrients that you’ve neglected. For instance, androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium, two conditions commonly associated with female pattern baldness, may be mitigated with increased intake of vitamin D, according to research. Foods high in this vitamin, like dairy products, fatty fish, or eggs, are useful additions to your diet to address this issue. Most multivitamins include this as well.

Of course, it’s always wise to discuss any dietary changes with your doctor. It may be beneficial to consult with your physician or nutritionist to discuss appropriate diet changes or supplements to address this issue. They may be able to help you assess your diet, identify gaps in your vitamin/mineral intake, and determine which foods or supplements may be able to help you maintain optimal hair health.

Extreme Stress

It’s not uncommon for women to experience some degree of hair loss after stressful events. This is evident in women who have undergone traumatic events such as giving birth (though hormonal changes are also to blame for this) or experiencing abuse.

To glean why this occurs, it’s important to understand how hair grows. Human hair follicles undergo several phases throughout their lifecycle. It starts in its anagen phase — the longest phase at up to seven years and also the time during which your hair grows in length. This is followed by a transition phase and a resting phase. Finally, it sheds during its exogen phase, which occurs to roughly 100 hairs each day for the average human.

Stress disrupts this cycle. According to an article published in The Atlantic titled “Why Stress Makes Your Hair Fall Out:

“Stress is thought to disrupt this process, prematurely kicking hairs out of the growth period. Rather than leaving anagen at their own pace, they all go through the resting phase at the same time and fall out together in bigger numbers — up to 10 times more than usual … “

Stress can, as a result of this disruption, cause several different types of hair loss, including telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, and trichotillomania.

Follow These Stress-Management Tips

While some level of stress is inevitable in life, there are a few ways you can reduce stress during and after traumatic periods:

  • Exercise regularly: When we are stressed, our brains are telling our bodies that we need to act. This results in a prolonged fight-or-flight response with no method of release, which can dramatically worsen the symptoms of stress. Physical activity allows us to release this energy.
  • Practice gratitude: Feeling grateful can alleviate feelings of anxiety that accompany stress. Take some time each day to create a list of things you are grateful for, then reflect on it.
  • Improve your diet: In addition to handling any potential nutritional deficiencies — a potential cause of hair loss, as discussed above — a balanced diet can decrease feelings of nervousness and sadness.

These are just a few of the methods you can employ to manage stress and, hopefully, mitigate its potential impacts on your hair health.

Toxins or Medications

Certain toxins, medications, or medical procedures can also lead to hair loss. In certain circumstances, hair loss is an expected side effect, as is the case with many individuals who undergo chemotherapy.

There are many types of drugs that may cause hair loss, and WebMD has a comprehensive list of them. Among the items on this list, you’ll find:

There are many more examples, and each has been linked to hair loss in some instances, though further research is required to understand why this is the case.

Finding Alternative Medications

Hair loss can be an alarming symptom, but it is vital to discuss your symptoms with your physician before discontinuing the use of certain medications. Maintain an ongoing dialogue with your doctor about symptoms as they occur; keeping a log of your side effects is a useful practice for this purpose. Your doctor may also be able to help you determine whether your hair loss is indeed related to the medication in question. If it is, they should be able to work with you to discover an alternative medication that does not cause hair loss.

Heredity

If the cause of your hair loss is not associated with one of the above factors, it may be connected to your genetics. If your family has a history of hair loss, you may also be susceptible to it. This is a diagnosable condition, so it’s important to bring this up with your doctor.

One of the most common forms of hair loss is due to hereditary-pattern baldness. This is a natural condition caused by a combination of genetic, hormone, and age-related factors. This type of baldness starts with thinning hair, then progresses over time to complete hair loss. For women, the most common place for hair loss to occur on the top of the head, down the middle — it may appear that the part of your hair is widening.

How to Address Hair Loss Due to Your Genes

While this cause of hair loss if out of your control, you can still take action to mitigate its effects. Certain medications, such as minoxidil, can slow further hair loss. There are also many professional hair thickening products that can keep your hair looking and feeling healthy, even if your genetics are working against you.

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Unexpected Side Effects of Weight Loss | GETTIK

Unexpected Side Effects of Weight Loss | GETTIK

by | May 20, 2020 | Hair, Health, LIfestyle

4 Weight Loss Side Effects Most People Don’t Expect

Whether you’re starting a weight loss journey or you’re in the middle of one, you’re probably focussed on achieving an end goal — whether that be a number on the scale, the ability to run a marathon, or seeing certain health benefits. However, what you might not hear about as much is what happens to your body after weight loss. Once you’ve reached your goal, what can you expect? Below are four side effects of weight loss that may shape the end of your journey.

Loose Skin

Loose or excess skin can be a side effect of weight loss, especially for those who have gone through significant weight loss, either due to surgery or as a potential side effect of certain treatments like chemotherapy. Loose skin can be a serious side effect for those who struggle with body dysmorphia. If this is a concern or side effect that you’re experiencing, there are a few ways that you can tighten loose skin during and after weight loss:

Exercise

You can tailor your exercise to decrease the appearance of loose skin by focusing on building muscle mass, which can tighten the skin around areas of focus. Moderating your exercise and not pushing yourself too hard too quickly, allowing the skin time to shrink, can also help prevent loose skin during and after weight loss.

Diet

Increasing your intake of certain nutrients, like Vitamin C can help improve collagen production in the body, which can improve the skin’s elasticity during weight loss. Before you add multivitamins or supplements to your diet, do some research and talk to your health care professionals to make sure you’re doing right by your body.

Hydration

Dehydration can cause the skin to tighten and lose elasticity, making it stretch more. The average person should drink around eight glasses of water a day, but if you’re exercising more than usual or recovering from surgery, you could benefit from closer to 10 to 12 glasses a day to replenish lost electrolytes due to sweat or stress.

Cosmetic Surgery

Depending on the severity of your loose skin, getting cosmetic surgery to remove or reshape it could improve your quality of life. It’s important to note that this is an option with a price tag —  the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported in 2016 that surgeon fees for an abdominal tuck cost an average of $5,798. This number does not include hospital fees, anesthesia or prescription costs, or any post-care requirements. And like all surgery, there is the risk of complications such as infection and scarring. However, if this feels like the right option for you, consult with your doctor to explore any possible risks.

Hair Loss

While weight loss generally does not directly cause hair loss or alopecia, it can lead to telogen effluvium, which is a condition that can cause temporary thinning and shedding of hair. Increased stress, both emotional and physical, can also cause a thinning or shedding of hair. In most cases, hair loss associated with weight loss is temporary, but there are steps you can take to help treat it as it arises:

Natural Remedies

There are several ways to regrow your hair with natural remedies found both over-the-counter or right at home, including scalp massage, essential oils, and drinking more water.

Cosmetic Remedies

Remedies like hair growth shampoo and hair thickening fibers can help reduce the appearance of hair loss, and are semi-permanent, allowing you the flexibility to stop application whenever you’re happy with your results. You can also use wigs or hairpieces, which are entirely nonpermanent.

Feeling Unusually Cold

Weight loss can lead to a natural decrease in metabolic activity. Because your metabolism doesn’t have to burn as much energy to keep your body moving, you may feel a change in your core temperature. Changes in your metabolism can result in many effects, but a persistent feeling of being cold is common. To manage this, you can try some of the known ways to improve your metabolic health:

Food Tracking

Useful for more than just counting calories, tracking what you eat, how much, and when can help you get a big-picture view on your daily nutrition. Eating around the same time every day can help train your metabolism to be more consistent, along with supplementing your diet with plenty of B vitamins — found in bananas, baked potatoes, eggs, peas, lean meats, and whole grains.

High-Intensity Interval Training

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercises are categorized by shortened, intense periods of activity followed by short periods of rest. HIIT exercise can help train your metabolism to burn fat instead of carbs for energy, which can cut down on food cravings as well as improve your metabolism health.

Improve Your Sleep

Sleep deprivation can impair your ability to metabolize glucose, causing you to produce less insulin, and have less energy to fuel your cells. This can increase feelings of fatigue, lethargy, and can increase the hormone responsible for making you hungry (ghrelin) later in the day. You can improve your REM sleep — which is the deep sleep cycle that your body needs to restore itself — by limiting screen time before bed, refraining from eating after 10 p.m., and keeping a consistent nighttime routine.

Personal Relationship Change

One 2013 study conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University found “when one partner in a romantic relationship loses weight, it doesn’t always have a positive effect on the relationship.” The study goes on to state that in their survey of 21 couples where one partner had lost 30 pounds or more, the other partner reported feeling threatened or insecure as a result of their partner’s weight loss. This is why it’s important to communicate why your weight loss journey is significant to you, and how you and your inner circle can support each other during this time of change. Below are a few tips on how to build support in your relationships:

Re-establish Common Ground

Even if you’re personally experiencing changes, it’s important to take some time to revisit or re-establish the things that brought your relationship together in the first place. Whether there’s a certain type of movie you both enjoy or a place that is special to you, make time for those connections again. It’s important to note that these activities don’t have to be food or body-centric. The presence of effort and compromise on both sides can help preserve or strengthen a relationship.

Keep in Touch With “You”

While your relationships might be changing or experiencing stress, it’s important to keep yourself grounded. Remind yourself that your worth is not inherently connected to you acting, looking or feeling a certain way about yourself. Mindfulness and meditation can be helpful tools for building self-confidence and staying connected with yourself during times of change.

Focus on Sustainable Weight Loss — Not Rapid Weight Loss

These side effects, and others, are worse in those who focus on rapid weight loss — whether through dangerous fad diets, supplements that aren’t approved by the FDA or prescribed by a medical professional, or self-harm techniques like starving yourself or purging — rather than sustainable weight loss. The promises of rapid weight loss can be alluring, however rapid weight loss techniques can be dangerous to your physical and mental health.

You deserve to feel good about the way you look, and that shouldn’t have to come at the cost of your mental comfort, your relationships, or your budget. With these tips in mind, anyone can achieve sustainable weight loss and manage the less expected side effects in a healthy and fulfilling way.

Are Multivitamins Worth It? Benefits & Drawbacks | GETTIK

Are Multivitamins Worth It? Benefits & Drawbacks | GETTIK

by | May 11, 2020 | Hair, Health

Are Multivitamins Actually Good for You?

There are many reasons why you might take a multivitamin — whether to supplement your diet with key nutrients, help manage food cravings and support healthy weight loss, or encourage bone health and disease prevention. But have you ever wondered if multivitamins are actually effective? According to Science Daily, the most common vitamin supplements taken — vitamin D, vitamin C, and calcium — provide no chemical, health, or lifestyle benefits for frequent users. Below, we’re going to explore the pros and cons of taking multivitamins.

Do Multivitamins Work?

The answer to whether or not multivitamins work is a little more complicated than a simple “yes” or “no.” Evidence is mixed across the board depending on factors like age, lifestyle, and pre-existing health conditions. However, there seems to be a consensus among health researchers that there aren’t any preventative health benefits to taking a multivitamin. Because many common multivitamins (especially those in solid pill form) are water-soluble, they are filtered out of your system via your urine.

The Pros & Cons of Multivitamins

While evidence for the effectiveness of multivitamins among certain populations is mixed, there are still pros and cons to taking them, depending on your circumstance.

Pros

  • Accessibility: many multivitamins are available over-the-counter at many drug stores, making them a cheap and accessible option for the right population.
  • Symptom management: if you suffer from a vitamin deficiency like anemia, adding a supplement on top of a modified diet can help mitigate symptoms and improve your nutrition.
  • Prevention: in the case of people at high risk of certain conditions due to lifestyle, age, or health, the right multivitamin can prevent or slow the onset of certain conditions, including reducing hair loss and muscle deterioration.

Cons

  • Overdose: it can be easy to overdose on multivitamins, as measuring the exact vitamins and minerals you’re getting from your diet is hard without the help of a professional. Symptoms of vitamin overdose can include nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal distress, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and more.
  • Water- and fat-soluble: Many pill vitamin supplements are either water- or fat-soluble. This means that they are either filtered out through your urine, negating most of their effectiveness, or, in the case of fat-soluble vitamins, stored in your fat cells and unable to be processed.
  • Regulations: Vitamin supplements in the U.S. do not have to be approved by the FDA to be sold to consumers. This poses some serious questions to consumers about the regulation process, proven effectiveness, and ethical production.

Should You Take a Multivitamin?

The question of “should you take a multivitamin?” can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” either. The truth is that the effectiveness of multivitamins across the spectrum is entirely dependent on your lifestyle, age, and health risk factors. Below are listed some of the common motivations behind taking multivitamins. 

Maintaining a Well-Rounded Diet

Because our bodies are highly efficient at processing the foods we eat, food is usually the best and most effective way to get the nutrients you need. However, if you follow certain exclusionary diets, like vegetarianism or veganism, consult your doctor about the benefits of taking multivitamins with B12, which is found primarily in red meats, Omega-3s, found primarily in fish, and iron to combat malnutrition and deficiencies.

Promoting Weight Loss

There are certain supplements marketed toward weight loss and appetite suppression that may have the same shortcomings as multivitamins. Some dietary weight loss supplements can result in severe symptoms like dehydration. This is because the supplements are diuretics that can cause symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Similarly, drinks and supplements marketed as ‘detox’ are often water-soluble, meaning any vitamins contained therein will be filtered out in your urine almost immediately.

If you’re looking to lose weight in a healthy manner, contact your doctor before you take any supplements, decrease the amounts of saturated fats, sugars, and salts you eat, and increase your exercise regimen.

Managing Certain Health Issues

Depending on who you are, multivitamins can be effective in managing certain health risks and symptoms. The right vitamin can help you manage thinning hair, and multivitamins like folic acid or B vitamins can help prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke in the elderly. When looking to manage your health, make sure you consult your doctor before you start taking any additional supplements to make sure you’re doing what is right for your body.  

More tyoes o supplements here.

If you aren’t at an increased health risk, you don’t partake in an exclusionary diet, and you aren’t over the age of 50, chances are that you don’t need a multivitamin to support your health. If you are concerned about your health or do need a diet supplement, then talk to your doctor, and make sure you do your research to find the supplement that will do you the most good without wasting your money.

Chemotherapy Side Effect Remedies | GETTIK

Chemotherapy Side Effect Remedies | GETTIK

by | May 6, 2020 | Hair, Health, Science

Coping With Chemo: How to Fight Chemotherapy Side Effects

Cancer is a personal and potentially intimidating topic. According to Our World in Data’s 2019 statistics on cancer, every sixth death is caused by the disease, making it the second leading cause of death in the world. If you know someone who has been diagnosed with cancer or have been diagnosed yourself, you know that diagnosis and treatment isn’t the start of answers, but rather an introduction to a seemingly endless amount of questions.

What can happen to you while you undergo chemotherapy treatment? How can you manage chemotherapy symptoms? Below, you can find some commonly reported chemotherapy symptoms, and recommended ways to reduce their severity.

Constipation or Diarrhea

Constipation, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal problems like bloating, stomach cramps, and nausea can occur while on chemo. Your gut has a delicately balanced biome that medicines and treatments — especially those as extreme as chemotherapy — can disrupt, leading to discomfort. However, there are ways that you can help protect and supplement your gut health during treatment.

Stay Hydrated

Proper hydration is incredibly important if you’re experiencing constipation or diarrhea because these symptoms can make you even further dehydrated. Eight glasses of water a day is recommended for the average person, but people being treated with chemotherapy may want to drink closer to 10 or 12.

Manage Fiber Intake

University of California San Francisco’s health sector recommends 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day that does not come from supplements. Fiber supplements, probiotics, and multivitamins can be taken after you’ve reached this threshold to further combat intestinal symptoms, but reach for foods first. Some foods that are rich in fiber are:

 

  • Whole grains;
  • Brown rice;
  • Beans and legumes;
  • Fresh or dried fruit.

Avoid Fast Foods

Foods high in salt and fat can dehydrate you, which can exacerbate intestinal discomfort. Fast food and high-fat foods may also generally lack the nutrients your body needs when combatting a serious illness. Excess oil and carbohydrates can also contribute to or worsen intestinal distress.

Adjust Your Supplements and Vitamins

Chemo can take a hard toll on the body, and this could be reflected in development of certain vitamin deficiencies. Being low in vitamins like B12 and vitamin D can be linked to poor intestinal health and negative side effects. There are ups and downs to taking certain multivitamins and supplements over the counter, especially as your metabolism and tolerances change while undergoing chemo. However, for those who have consulted their doctor, the right supplements may make a difference in symptom management.

Fatigue & Weakness

Chemotherapy can be an exhaustive experience on both an emotional and physical level. You may notice increased fatigue or muscle weakness, causing you to tire faster when performing common actions like standing, walking, and doing household chores. Fatigue and muscle weakness can cause you to feel helpless or frustrated with your body’s inability to perform like it used to. The good news is that there are some ways to help combat fatigue during chemo.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration can increase fatigue and worsen other symptoms, so it’s important to stay hydrated. Since hydration key to managing many chemo symptoms, feel free to experiment with fruit-infused water, carbonated water, or different decaffeinated teas to add variety.

Maintain Your Bedtime Routine

Psychological factors, like a break in your routine, can increase fatigue. If you need to take naps throughout the day, especially after performing tasks, that is perfectly okay — but try to keep your bedtime and wake-up time around the same as you normally would. Maintaining your bedtime routine will help keep your circadian rhythm on track, which can lessen symptoms of general fatigue.

Preform mind and body exercises

Physical exercise is a great way to combat fatigue, but it may not be possible for everyone, depending on the severity of their symptoms. If you can’t engage in physical exercise, try activities that focus on the mind and body. Puzzles, card games, and memory games can help combat feelings of fogginess and fatigue. Taking up new hobbies like knitting, embroidery, or cross-words can help you keep your brain engaged, and make your time feel fuller.

Signs of fatigue can be similar to the signs of depression. If your fatigue becomes unbearable, or you’re experiencing a lack of motivation or desire, talk to your doctor or mental health provider.

Hair Loss

Hair loss generally happens over time, whether due to age, the maturation of the hairline, or male pattern baldness. Additionally, acute and rapid hair loss can be caused by chemotherapy. Alopecia can also cause hair loss all over the body, in both men and women, and can be a side effect of chemotherapy. Fortunately, there are options to help facilitate hair growth, both during and after chemo. A few examples are listed below.

Hair growth vitamins and supplements

Supplements that target and strengthen the natural proteins in hair, like keratin and collagen, can help prevent or reverse hair loss. Oftentimes these supplements are water-soluble and flavorless, which means you can take them mixed into a glass of water. This is not an instant solution, but is a good one for those interested in a more natural approach to hair regrowth.

Cosmetic implants

Cosmetic hair implants can take many forms. From non-permanent solutions like wigs or toupees to semi-permanent solutions like extensions, weaves, or hair-thickening fibers, to permanent solutions like implant surgeries. Each has its merits, depending on the stage of hair loss you are experiencing and the desired look outcome.

Cold Caps

Specifically designed for chemo patients, cold caps help fight hair loss during active chemo. They use various cooling methods depending on brand or type, like a frozen gel that needs to be refrozen after use, or a refrigeration system that circulates cold temperatures throughout the garment and that requires a plug-in. According to Breastcancer.org, as of March 2019, cold caps were 50% to 65% effective for chemo patients, especially those who received taxane chemotherapy. Cold caps can cause discomfort, but have no currently reported health risks.

High Risk of Infection

Since chemotherapy targets your own immune system while fighting cancer’s ability to multiply, it can drastically decrease your ability to fight infections and viruses. It’s important to know what strategies can help you mitigate this heightened risk during your cancer treatment. Listed below are only a few crucially important strategies to lower your risk of infection — for a detailed list refer to Cancer.org’s Watching For and Preventing Infections page.

Wash your hands and body frequently

Showering or bathing daily is recommended to kill bacteria in commonly sweaty areas, like your armpits, and high germ-traffic areas, like your feet. Similarly, being hypervigilant about handwashing can decrease your risk of infection on a daily basis. This is also a great tip for anyone you live with so that you can all interact together without anyone having to worry about being a heightened risk factor.

Stay away from standing water or public swimming areas

It’s recommended that cancer patients do not swim or wade in lakes, ponds, pools, hot tubs, water parks, or any other man-made or naturally occurring water. The germ-contact risk is incredibly high in these areas, especially if you have any minor cuts, scrapes, or an installed chemo port. The same is true of standing water, like vases with living flowers, birdbaths, and pet dishes, which can be common breeding grounds of all kinds of bacteria.

Carry an alcohol-based hand sanitizer

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is helpful for keeping your hands clean in public after touching common surfaces like ATMs, keypads, door handles, and other high-traffic objects. It is also helpful to carry around a small bottle of lotion, as alcohol-based sanitizers can dry out your skin and cause it to crack or bleed, which can then turn into risk areas for germs.

Nausea & Vomiting

Chemotherapy is an incredibly intense type of treatment. Your body’s defense mechanisms may perceive chemotherapy drugs as a threat and try to expel them, causing intense nausea and vomiting.

Chemo can also cause a change or decrease in appetite. It is very important to monitor this symptom, as excessive vomiting can cause severe dehydration, malnutrition, and weight loss with unexpected side effects. In some cases, prolonged vomiting has caused internal damage, which could be fatal due to increased infection risk. There are ways you can manage nausea and vomiting induced by chemo, but if you experience prolonged or intense symptoms, it’s important to contact your cancer care team.

Maintain a plain diet

While you are feeling nauseated, stick to foods that are easy to digest, such as crackers, rice, toast, apple sauce, yogurt, potatoes, and other foods without complex flavors. Eating something with a distinct smell or taste while nauseated may cause a lasting association with that food that may cause you to feel sick each time you encounter it.

Eat regularly

An empty stomach can sometimes worsen nausea, so try to eat something every two to three hours. This can help you fight nausea, maintain energy, and keep your body nourished and healthy.

Talk to your doctor about anti-nausea medications

Sometimes take a routine anti-nausea prescription can seriously curb nausea and vomiting — although watch out for worsening constipation or intestinal distress if you do. If you aren’t ready to go that serious yet, there are some solutions available over the counter, such as queasy drops, that can help by utilizing drug-free natural solutions, like ginger, honey, and peppermint.

Know When to Call a Doctor

This is the most important way to manage your symptoms and make sure that you are as safe and healthy as possible during chemo treatment. Chemo patients may be assigned a cancer care team by their hospital, and that team, along with your doctor, is there to answer your questions, help you lower your risks, and provide the best care possible. If you’re unsure about contacting your doctor, taking a genetic test may be able to help you. This can help you detect genetic mutations associated with diseases like breast cancer, or even help with anticipating the severity of some of your symptoms while being treated with chemo. It is important to note that a genetic test is not a replacement for the opinion of a medical professional, but rather a tool that can help you, and your doctor, manage your case more efficiently. 

 

The important thing to remember is that no cancer patient should feel like they have to navigate their experience alone. Staying in contact with your doctor, leaning on your loved ones, and caring for your body are some of the best ways to help combat the side effects of chemotherapy.

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