Author: Maggie

The problem with idealizing love is that it causes us to develop unrealistic expectations about what love actually is and what it can do for us. These unrealistic expectations then sabotage the very relationships we hold dear in the first place. Allow me to illustrate: 1. Love does not equal compatibility. Just because you fall in love with someone doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a good partner for you to be with over the long term. Love is an emotional process; compatibility is a logical process. And the two don’t bleed into one another very well. It’s possible to fall in love with…

A male contraceptive capable of blocking sperm from leaving the penis during ejaculation is being developed by scientists, it has been reported. Hopes for a male contraceptive pill have increased after a trial showed a once-daily capsule appeared to work with no significant side-effects. The drug aims to suppress levels of hormones that drive the production of sperm and testosterone in the testes. In the month-long study, doctors found that levels of the hormones required for sperm production fell in men who took the daily capsule, suggesting their sperm counts had been markedly reduced. The next step will be to…

A relationship is much more than just physical attraction and similar or shared interests. Over time, we tend to forget the small things that are required to spice up the relationship and keep it strong and healthy. Small misunderstandings might go to the extent of breakups. Making slight adaptations may help relationships last long. Here are a few tips to help you spice up your relationship and make it last longer. Although love is the foundation of any happy romantic relationship, love is not enough. In order to have a healthy relationship, both parties have to be willing to work on…

Eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis) causes itchy, flaky skin and can be quite challenging to manage. Flare-ups can be instigated by everything from cosmetics, soaps, and wool to dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. Triggers are different for everyone, but identifying yours will help you keep your symptoms under control. For example, some foods may cause your eczema to flare, so avoiding them could be your best defense. There are also foods that have been shown to improve eczema symptoms, as well as other diet tips that can help. You Are What You Eat Because what you consume affects…

Eczema and exfoliation is a touchy subject. Because eczema is characterized by a dry, itchy rash that can blister and weep, many people think exfoliation will irritate this common condition. But others believe exfoliation is an essential part of eczema care. It turns out that both are valid points. The secret to exfoliating is using proper sensitive skin care so you remove dry skin in a gentle way. Exfoliation, when done the right way, can help get rid of dead skin that causes itchiness. Exfoliating also helps moisturizers and topical treatments penetrate the skin better. So skip scratching and start…

The real impact of menstruation on women and society is underestimated, researchers say, as a new study suggests period pain is linked to nearly nine days of lost productivity a year in workplaces and schools. Researchers surveyed 32,748 Dutch women between the ages of 15 and 45 to evaluate lost productivity associated with menstrual symptoms. They measured both times off from work or school, as well as working or studying while feeling ill — what the study termed “presenteeism.” The study found that around 1 in 7, just under 14%, had taken time off from work or school during their…

For thrill-seeking swimmers, the chance to take a death-defying dip might not be far away. Plans to build a rooftop infinity pool — with 360-degree views of the London skyline — are in motion. The designs for the 600,000-liter pool and 55-story building, named Infinity London, have been unveiled by Compass Pools. The designers claim the concept is a world-first, describing the structure as “the only building in the world to incorporate a 360-degree infinity pool.” The pool will be made from cast acrylic and will feature transparent sides and floors, so visitors below will be able to see swimmers…

Did you know that crawling has some fitness benefit? Well I didn’t. Yes, crawling, a seemingly childish and foolish “exercise,” could be the one thing that improves your health, your strength, your mobility, and your performance in any athletic area. It could even improve your ability to think, focus, and reason. Crawling is a developmental movement pattern that ties everything about you together. In developing children, crawling activates and integrates the different parts of the brain. Through crawling, neural connections and pathways are established in the brain that allows the brain to become more efficient at communication between the left and right hemispheres.…

The entrepreneur Derek Sivers once wrote a blog post where he said, “If I’m not saying ‘Hell Yeah!’ to something, then I say no.” It served him well in the business world and now I’d like to apply it to the dating world. The Law of “Fuck Yes or No” states that when you want to get involved with someone new, in whatever capacity, they must inspire you to say “Fuck Yes” in order for you to proceed with them. As you can see, The Law of “Fuck Yes or No” implies that both parties must be enthusiastic about the prospect of one another’s…

Happiness is the process of becoming your ideal self. Finding happiness totally doesn’t operate as you think. Completing a marathon makes us happier than eating a chocolate cake. Raising a child makes us happier than beating a video game. Starting a small business with friends and struggling to make money makes us happier than buying a new computer. And the funny thing is that all three of the activities above are exceedingly unpleasant and require setting high expectations and potentially failing to always meet them. Yet, they are some of the most meaningful moments and activities of our lives. They involve pain,…

When you meet the love of your life, it is often a thing between just you, your friends, your partner, her friends, and some other people. Making a good first impression is very important and cannot be overemphasized. Most times, neither your folks nor hers know about it till some time later. But when the time comes to be introduced to your partner’s parents and family, how can you leave a lasting positive impression on them? Dress for the occasion Nigerian parents are still generally impressed by moderate, modest dressing, so that should be where you start from. You want…

We’ve all been there. When you start enjoying your new workout routine and can’t get enough. Suddenly, your knee is killing you. Your body hurts in a way that just doesn’t feel right. Your guess is as good as mine; you’ve overworked yourself into an injury. Know when to rest. So what gives? First, it’s important to understand physiologically, what happens when we exercise. “When you exercise, you’re causing a bit of trauma to the body,” says Noam Tamir, Certified Strength, and Conditioning Specialist and owner of TS Fitness New York City. Essentially, when you exercise, you create micro-tears in…

Have you ever asked yourself why you wanted (or want) to have children? Those who wrestled with the decision or struggled to conceive a child have probably thought about it a good deal. And some have always known the answer, maybe since they were kids themselves. Parenting is figured is a touchy subject. People tend to be very defensive and aggressive when the issue comes up. No one wants to feel judged But for many parents and would-be parents, the question may seem odd or elementary, which makes it a great question to tackle. One answer is that we, as…

Being female and growing up in this society, if there’s one quality that girls should have more than any other thing, it is confidence. I’ve seen how important it is in life. Confident people, most of the time get what they want. They take risks. They are not afraid of failure. Confidence is definitely something I wish I had earlier. Not saying it’s too late now though. I imagine that my life would have gone very far if I was not too afraid to start things I really wanted to do. Journalist, author, and speaker Claire Shipman has some answers.…

If you’re serious about relationship self-help, think about improving your relationship with yourself. One of the best self-development techniques I know of is this – when something bugs you about someone else, see how that applies to you. Why? Because what bugs us in other people is usually what we need to pay attention to in ourselves. Otherwise, why would we be noticing? How about you? If it bugs you that someone isn’t being more considerate of you, is that because you need to be more considerate of you? If it bugs you that someone isn’t giving you enough attention,…

Have you ever left your house, but stopped the car and went back inside because you couldn’t remember if you turned off the stove? A natural reaction to a potentially dangerous situation, right? Sure – we’ve all done it. Ever obsessively thought about whether you turned the stove off for hours on end. Or engaged in the repetitive checking and re-checking that you turned it off? Do you have no control over stopping these obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors? Then, you might be suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This condition is chronic. If you are suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder, it…

Now more than ever, there’s increased participation worldwide in fitness. Losing weight is can be quite a herculean task particularly losing your love handles. Especially because you have to make major changes in your lifestyle. Women are more particular about shedding off some weight mostly because the social construct for a more feminine look is a leaner and curvier look. Love handles, in particular, has to be the worse! Love handles, the pinchable fat on both sides of your stomach that leads to a “muffin top” appearance, are especially stubborn. They do not respond as quickly to diet and exercise…

You already know there are many great reasons to exercise. From improving energy, mood, sleep, and health to reducing anxiety, stress, and depression. And detailed exercise instructions and workout plans are just a click away. But if knowing how and why to exercise was enough, we’d all be in shape. Making exercise a habit takes more—you need the right mindset and a smart approach. Whatever your age or fitness level—even if you’ve never exercised a day in your life —there are steps you can take to make exercise less intimidating and painful and more fun and instinctive. If you’re having…

People on social media are turning their profile pictures blue to stand in solidarity with Sudan and bring awareness to the uprising that is currently sweeping the north African country This began after Mohamed Hashim Mattar, 26, was allegedly shot dead by the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces during a crackdown on protesters in the country’s capital Khartoum, on the 3rd of June. Mattar’s favorite color, blue, was used on all his social profiles, and his friends and family put up this color on their profiles to honor his death. It soon spread among social media users who used the…

Grief is a natural yet painful response to loss. While you may associate grief with the death of a loved one, any loss can cause grief, including the loss of a relationship, your health, your job, or a cherished dream. There’s no wrong or right way to grieve, but there are healthy ways to cope with the pain that won’t lead to a long term problem later. Being bereaved is one thing, helping a bereaved is another thing. It’s like sitting at the other side of a fence. Death affects everyone, it’s part of life. I’ve had my own fair…

Your mental health influences how you think, feel and behave in daily life. It also affects your ability to cope with stress, overcome challenges, build relationships, and recover from life’s setbacks and hardships. Whether you’re looking to cope with a specific mental health problem, handle your emotions better, or simply to feel more positive and energetic, there are plenty of ways to take control of your mental health. Mental health refers to your overall psychological well-being. It encompasses the way you feel about yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your ability to manage your feelings and deal with difficulties.…