House plants that are good for you
Spider plants for moisture—Furnaces and air conditioners can sap humidity. A collection of spider plants can boost the relative humidity in a bedroom from 20 per cent to a comfortable 30 per cent.
Asparagus fern to purify air—Carpets, paint cleaners and print toner give off pollutants
called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These can irritate your eyes, skin and worsen asthma. Plants are good air-scrubbers soaking up VOCs.
Herbs for better digestion—Mint may help to tamp down bloating or gas. You can grow common varieties such as peppermint and spearmint (essential in mint juleps) in containers. Basil, another good cooking herb, can also help to calm your stomach. Try steeping the leaves in hot water.
Relax with lavender—This fragrant purple plant has been an important herbal medicine for centuries. Inhale lavender oil, massage it on your scalp for aromatherapy or boil the leaves for tea.
Aloe for first aid—Aloe can help to treat sunburns and other minor burns. It can also soothe psoriasis and other skin conditions. Juice from the aloe plant can even help you poop if you’re constipated!
Bamboo for sharper focus—Plants may help to make it easier to concentrate on your tasks and strengthen your memory. Bring home a golden pothos or bamboo palm and you just might clear that to-do list.
Flowers for faster healing—A bouquet of flowers or a potted plant as a gift in hospital can be more than just thoughtful. Researchers have found that following surgery, people might actually recover quicker if they have plants in their room. They also tolerated pain better and needed fewer medications when surrounded by greenery.
Tips for non-verbal communication
- Be patient and calm.
- Keep your voice, face and body relaxed and positive.
- Be consistent.
- Make eye contact and respect your loved one’s personal space.
- Use gentle touch to reassure.
- Observe your loved one’s non-verbal reactions.
Things not to do before bed
- Eat chocolate—Chocolate, especially dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, is a sneaky source of caffeine. It also contains the stimulant theobromine, which has been shown to increase a person’s heart rate and sleeplessness.
- Skip your wind-down time—Take 30 minutes before you head into your bedroom to put away anything that’s too stimulating, thought-provoking or absorbing. Focus on activities that relax you and bring closure to your evening, such as making a to-do list and packing a bag for the next day.
- Eat spicy or fatty foods—Having a large meal too close to bedtime can make falling asleep uncomfortable, especially if you’re bloated or painfully full. Spicy and fatty foods can be particularly risky.
- Chug lots of water—The best strategy for staying hydrated is not to drink a huge glass of water at night or to sleep with water by your bed. Instead, drink plenty of water throughout the day—and be sure to use the bathroom before you head to bed, even if you don’t feel as if you have to.
- Turn up the heat—Turn the thermometer down slightly before bed for a better night’s sleep.
Having a bedtime routine signals to your brain that it’s time for bed!
FAMOUS QUOTES
“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”
—William Arthur Ward
Many thanks to Caregiver Solutions for sharing these articles with our community
Posted by Jordan Kalist
