Author: queeenvk

Little, loud, left handed scientist.

Chicken Skin

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​Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a skin condition that is often referred to as chicken skin. I don’t like that term, because it’s difficult enough for me to look at my skin without feeling inadequate. 

It’s just a harmless collection of red bumps that I have on my upper arms, thighs and sometimes on my back. I say it’s harmless because it’s physically not harming me but the emotional impact is a whole other story.

When I was young, children would stare and make comments at the red spots. These are incidents that have stuck with me over the years, causing me to think that everyone is always staring at my skin in disgust whenever I’m not covered up. 

I’ve tried a lot of remedies to make the spots disappear but none have been successful. 

The best remedy that I have discovered is to improve my self esteem. I no longer focus on the spots which has led me to feel much more comfortable. Comfortable in my own skin. 

I like my water at 40°c

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I have a kettle that displays the temperature of the water inside and temperatures from 80 – 100 °c can be set.

Since I can see what temperature the water is currently at, I have discovered that water at about 40 degrees Celsius is my preferred temperature.

Cold water has never been a favourite of mine. I have sensitive teeth and I don’t like the feeling of cold water, either on my body or in it. 

I’m glad my family keeps our water jug on the bench rather than in the fridge. 

What temperature do you prefer? Warm or cold? Or really hot? 

My experience with… Delayed periods

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I’m one of those women who is fortunate enough to have always had a very regular menstrual cycle. It’s so regular that even being one or two days late feels very uncomfortable.

What do you do to jump start your period?

Warning: Don’t try these methods if you may be pregnant and don’t want to cause a miscarriage. These are also natural ways to miscarry.

The first thing I try is parsley tea. Dried leaves from the herb isle at the supermarket seem to be more effective than fresh parsley. But sometimes I pick fresh parsley from my garden too.

Brew the parsley leaves in boiling water, leaving to steep for about 10 – 20 minutes then drink it. You don’t need to drink the leaves too, I’m just unusual and like the taste! Drink up to 4 cups a day, no more than that.

Parsley is a natural way to increase your vitamin C levels, which is what will begin the period.

You can also take vitamin C at the recommended daily dose. Don’t try to take more than 3000 mg per day as this can cause liver damage.

Ginger tea can be brewed if you don’t like parsley tea. Fresh ginger may be best but I only have dried ginger at the moment so I’m currently trying that.

Ginger essential oil rubbed on the abdomen may also help. Other essential oils to try are clary sage, sweet fennel, peppermint and many others.

I also tried a warm bath with these oils. It was quite relaxing. Reducing stress can help as stress is often the cause of a delayed period.

Breathing techniques to reduce stress have helped me in the past.

If you have any other suggestions for how to naturally begin the menstruation cycle, feel free to leave a comment.

Why I’m anxious about catching the train alone at night

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So many times I’ve avoided events in the city after dark because I’m worried about how I’ll get home safely.

The following is just one example.

I encountered the absolute scummiest people on the train just now.

They were loud, obnoxious and played their music loudly for most of the train ride.

I ignored them for the entire trip then when I get up to leave one follows me to the door of the train and says (in the creepiest voice imaginable) “You’re pretty.”
*I shudder internally* “Thank you.”
“Can I have your number?”
*I throw up in my mouth* “Not this time, sorry”
“Do you have a boyfriend?”
“Yes, I do.” *I lie*
“Does he treat you right?”
“Yep, so far, do good” *I lie again*
“You’re pretty”
*omg train doors, open already*
“Thank you again, you’re too kind”
*RUN AWAY RUN AWAY*
*The doors finally open, I’m free, walks quickly off the train and out of sight*

Writing writing writing

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I’m currently procrastinating so hard. The thing I’m avoiding? My thesis.

Look at the title of this post. Have you ever looked at a word for so long that it loses all meaning? That is just looks like a string of letters? That’s how I feel about my entire thesis right now.

It’s all just letters in a row.

Falling from the pages.

Grief

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I’m not sure how much more grief I can stand but I guess we all eventually find out how much we can stand.

Sometimes a lot of sad things happen all in one go. All in the same month.

The pressure is weighing down on me. It’s all I can feel anymore. Some days it threatens to crush me or tear me into pieces.

Some days are harder than others.

Some days I don’t want to see the looks of pity on people’s faces. Other days I want comfort or distraction.

Most days I work towards improvement but not enough time has passed yet. But I know I’ll keep on going.

I won’t give up.

Reminder: Write it down

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Have you often thought “There’s no way I’ll forget that. It’s too important”, only to feel intense frustration at being unable to remember?

Worrying about trying to remember important tasks or events can add extra stress to your day.

Sometimes when I’m in the middle of something (like having a shower or walking to the train station) I’ll think of something I need to do later or I think up a really good (read: moderately amusing) tweet. Then I’ll inevitably forget it completely.

What do you do to remember important tasks or events?

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During my high school years I was often seen with writing all over my hands. Frantically trying to remember all the things. Yes, all of the things. Even though I also kept a diary to write these things down, sometimes I’d need to write a reminder on my hand to remind myself to check my diary.

In my room I had pieces of paper everywhere of reminders and lists. I was always worried I’d forget something.

Hint: Random paper around the room and covering your desk doesn’t look great.

I love writing lists such as to do lists and packing lists for trips or overnight stays. So to avoid having pieces of paper all over my desk and bedside table I use the memo app in my phone. Or the evernote app.

I use an Android phone but I’m sure most phones have a default memo or notepad app.

Tips for keeping reminders:

Keep and pen and paper next to your bed. This is helpful for when you have too much on your mind before bed and can’t sleep. Writing some of the thoughts down will allow you to more easily let them go. Looking at a bright screen while trying to sleep can be a hindrance so using paper is good here.

Use apps such as Evernote or the notepad app on your phone to jot down any thoughts, reminders, tweets or lists. Just remember to check the app later!

Use the calendar app in your phone if you need to remember to do things on a particular date or at a particular time. Some calendar apps allow you to set a reminder alarm hours or days before the event.

What do you use to remember important things?

Leave a comment with any tips, tricks or apps that you use.

My experience with… Anxiety

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Have you ever felt anxious?

Imagine that feeling before you stand in front of a crowd to give a presentation or a speech. Imagine feeling that for days on end with no relief in sight.

It’s very difficult for people who haven’t experienced anxiety to understand or relate to the symptoms of anxiety.

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The way I describe it:

It feels as though someone has a hold of your intestines and is squeezing as tight as possible, wringing out every drop.

I lose my appetite. I have my “gloomy specs” on so that everything is seen from a negative point of view. I jump to the worst possible conclusion of everything. Thoughts are quick, irrational and it’s like sinking, struggling to stay afloat to see past anything but the completely negative situation.

Anxiety clouds my mind. While trying to get through the day the fog in my head is sometimes too difficult to think through. It’s completely frustrating.

It’s so overwhelming that sometimes normal tasks like eating, sleeping and breathing are a struggle. I feel like I’m barely surviving through some days.

Yes, it’s frustrating for everyone around me. I’m aware. If I could fix the anxiety I would have already.

If someone you know has anxiety:

My opinion is that anxiety requires patient friends and family. Very patient.

Sometimes just a hug can relax the irrational thoughts for a moment so I can have a tiny bit of much needed clarity. That can help immensely.

What I have been doing to improve:

I have been increasing my use of meditation and practising mindfulness. Mindfulness is helping me become more aware of the present instead of being lost in my anxious thoughts of the future or mistakes of the past. I am beginning to notice when the thoughts are getting worse as it’s much easier to calm my mind before the anxiety takes complete hold.

Focusing on my breathing instead of the anxious thoughts brings me back to the present moment and helps me reduce some of the anxiety symptoms (fast breathing and heart rate).

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Before sleeping and upon waking is usually when I have my worst anxiety. Thinking of my to do list for my day ahead often whips me into a frenzy inside my mind. Just knowing that this is my weakness, I acknowledge it and breathe, remembering that I can’t do anything about the to do list until I arrive at work. So I am able to put it out of my mind until I’m ready to deal with each task.

I hope my experience can help you understand how someone you know is feeling. Or if you have ever experienced anxiety in this way I really hope this post has brought you new ideas to try so you can feel some relief.

Big comforting hugs from me to you.

Sleeping positions ruining my health

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Which sleeping position do you use most?

To fall asleep I often need to be lying on my stomach or side. However, these sleeping positions are hazardous to my health!
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Not exactly hazardous, but they are causing problems. Two specific problems that are currently bothering me. My teeth and my wrinkles.

Let’s start with my teeth.

Thanks to wearing a dental plate during my younger years I had wonderfully straight teeth. No braces required!

Then, within the past few years I’ve noticed a change. My front teeth are moving out of place. So during my (semi-regular) dentist appointment I asked about this movement.

One expensive wisdom tooth removal surgery later, my teeth are still moving.

Maybe it’s just my paranoia but I think they’re moving faster each day

The answer:

I finally realised that sleeping on my stomach pushes my teeth backwards each night. That’s a lot of hours of pushing!

Now on to the wrinkly bit

I am pretty careful with skin care and applying sunscreen regularly so I was surprised (read: mortified) to find I have a deep wrinkle on my body.

Right there on my chest. A big wrinkle.

Now, I know it’s all superficial appearance nonsense and I shouldn’t worry. I agree. I wish wrinkles didn’t bother any of us. However, it’s playing on my mind and affecting my self esteem.

The solution

I found my solution while reading a book called Amazing Face by Zoe Foster. Right there in the pages was my answer.

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The book clearly stated that to stop boob wrinkles I have to stop sleeping on my side.

The other problem

I can’t fall asleep on my back.

I just can’t.

How to fall asleep on your back

While trying out apps to combat insomnia I found out that:
1. Some really work to put me to sleep.

2. If I fall asleep on my back while listening to these apps I stay on my back until I wake.

Some nights I really can’t stand lying on my back so I give up. But otherwise I have discovered the best way for my body to sleep.

Have you found any issues with your sleeping positions? Please share in the comments section.