5 easy ways to prevent yeast infections 

During the summer months, many women head to the OB-GYN office for uncomfortable yeast infections. The hot weather, sweaty clothes and wet swimsuits can make it quite easy for yeast infections to develop. But there are natural ways to prevent them so you can stay comfortable all summer long.

Cut back on sugar and processed carbohydrates

You might love sweet treats and processed carbs, but you’re not the only one. Yeast thrives in a sugary environment, and the more sugar and processed carbs you consume, the higher your yeast level will go, leading to an yeast infection. Apart from the obvious sugar-laden foods, avoid breads, pasts and alcohol.

Limit antibiotic use

When you think of good bacteria in the body, you probably think of the gut. But the truth is, there is a lot of healthy bacteria populating the vaginal area, too. When you take an antibiotic, it not only clears away the harmful bacteria, but it also wipes away the good bacteria, too. This can leave the vaginal area vulnerable to yeast overgrowth.

Don’t douch

Douching might feel refreshing, however it can alter the vaginal area’s natural pH levels. And if the douching process removes the old bacteria, yeast levels can rise.

Keep the vaginal area dry

Whether it’s your underwear, swimsuit or clothing, if it’s damp or wet, swap it out with something dry. This can prevent the vaginal area from becoming a perfect environment for infection. 

Include probiotics in your diet

Probiotics like Lactobacillus reuteri and rhamnosus are particularly good for the vaginal area. So, look for supplements which include these two strains. Garden of Life Women’s Probiotic is a high quality supplement to consider. 

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Additionally, you can include fermented foods in your diet, too, like plain yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut. 

Beauty products can be full of questionable and toxic ingredients. From the formaldehyde in hairspray, to traces of lead in lipstick, there’s a lot to look out for. And just when you think you cleaned up your beauty products, there’s another one you should reconsider. Nail polish might seem benign, but it’s also full of toxic ingredients you might not want to put on your nails anymore.

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5 tips to avoid conflict this Christmas

Oh, there’s no place like home for the holidays. It’s a lovely Christmas song, but for many of us it’s anything but true. Going home for the holidays can make your holiday stressful, tense, and uncomfortable moments – not exactly how you want to spend Christmas. So, check out these nine tips that help you avoid conflict even if you spend Christmas at home. 

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