How to manage expectations in your relationship

Expecting too much from a partner and your relationship with them opens you to the possibility of bitter disappointments.

When people go into relationships, they do so with expectations; things they hope, thing they presume their partners would do and not do.

For example, it is a no-brainer that anyone who enters a relationship expects not to be cheated on; hopes for loyalty from his or her partner and expects that everything the partner has his or her best interests.

Now that’s to give a quick overview of the logical things people expect of relationships. It goes without saying that if there are logical expectations, there’ll be illogical expectations, too.

play

If your partner is already insecure about something, don't make it worse for them.

 (Big Stock)

Expectations which may be too much, too impossible to be met by your partner – or anyone for that matter.

For example, thinking that your partner is responsible for all the happiness you’ll ever experience in your life, or that your boyfriend needs to meet all your financial needs and demands, among others, may be a little too much.

There is such thing as expecting too much in a relationship. And that only leaves you open to the possibility of disappointment.

The question now is this: how does one manage expectations in a relationship?

Talk about it

No matter how clear, obvious or basic you think that expectation you have is, you really can’t blame your partner for not meeting it if you do ot tell them about it, if you do not communicate it in clear terms.

It may be a no-brainer but communicate it nonetheless. They may know about the general rule for example, but not to the extent you desire.

Take for example sex. Everyone knows that sexual satisfaction is expected by their partner, but how frequently do you like it to be?

playHaving an explanation that’s not clearly stated will likely always cause unwanted friction in the relationship. (Omaha)

Having an explanation that’s not clearly stated will likely always cause unwanted friction in the relationship.

Focus on yourself

One other way to manage expectations is to do stuff for one’s self, and not to get too deep into the relationship to the point where one’s individuality is lost.

Expect much of yourself and meet those expectations. Put yourself in charge of your happiness, satisfaction and all things that make you human.

All other stuff your partner brings to the table should be extras. And hey guess who says no to more of good stuff.

No one!

10 truths your boyfriend never wants to admit to you

10 instructive things you should know your boyfriend thinks, because he may never tell you himself!

If you are wondering what the things are that your babe will always try to hide from you [they're all cute stuff by the way!] you should check out our previous article here.

And if you are interested in knowing the things your boyfriend may never tell you, here are 10 of them below:

1. You look a little overweight

Women are fond of asking boyfriends for opinions about their looks. So it won’t be surprising that you would want his opinion on whether you whether you look a little plump around the waistline.

But If you are actually expecting him to say yes to that question, you may want to think again.

playIf his friends don't like you, he won't be so elated to come tell you (Essence)

2. His friends don’t like you

He won’t want to tell you this because, he loves you and that’s what really matters, yeah?

3. He’s not impressed by that 500k weave

But he won’t tell you this so as not to hurt your feelings and effort to ‘look good for him’

4. He doesn’t think much of your best dress

You know that cute dress you are always so hyped and amped-up to wear? Yeah that one you keep in a special place and only bring out when you want to be a total knockout and gorgeous slay queen.

Guess what, your boyfriend may not like it. But he won’t tell you because, why kill your vibe?

playThat nice dress, top that you like so much, he doesn't think it's that cool. (New Haven)

5. Your cooking is terrible

Especially if he isn’t a good cook himself or if he’s a lazy one who continually depends on you doing the cooking regularly. He’s not want to admit that the meal is really bad and he’s just chowing on the meals because he has no option.

6. The sex is boring

He won’t want to hurt your feelings by telling you that you suck at oral sex [no pun intended] or that you could do better with that reverse cowgirl.

But he actually should talk to you about the sex. Because if he doesn’t, your sex life will only get worse and you both don’t need that.

So, maybe it’s time to ask him for an honest assessment so as to see what he really thinks about your sex game.

playAlso if you talk too much, he may not want to hurt your feeling by pointing it out to you. (Madamenoire)

7. You talk too much

He’d want to keep this away from you more because he doesn’t want you to think he’s insulting you.

8 He doesn’t like your mum

If he doesn’t like your mum or dad, you really can’t expect him to give you this bit of information, do you?

Who does that, right?

playHe'll never say it, but he thinks your bestie is way finer than you. (Classic105)

9. He thinks your friend is finer than you

Just like the scenario above, who does that?

10. He’s not sure of marriage

But he won’t tell you because he does not even know how to go about giving you this information.

So he’ll stay and keep complicating things because in your own mind, you already see you married to him and carrying his two daughters and two sons.

5 reasons to reduce salt intake

Taking too much salt is bad for the overall health and apart from targeting organs to destroy in the body, it comes with a load of other risks.

Salt is notoriously known to make the body retain/store water which raises the blood pressure and eventually wears out the heart (after making it overwork!)

Too much salt is found in processed food so apart from consciously reducing salt added to food, look out for the sodium components in canned foods.

play

High salt intake is notoriously known to make the body retain water which raises the blood pressure 

(Medscape)

There are so many reasons to reduce salt intake, these ones are major reasons to:

1. Increases blood pressure

High salt intake is a common cause of high blood pressure due to high sodium level in the body which makes blood flow restricted as blood vessels are constricted in the process. This makes the organs involved in the blood circulation process work more than normal.

2. Damages the heart

High salt intake which in turn increases blood pressure eventually tells on the heart. Eating too much salt over the time damages the arteries that lead to the heart and in severe cases become clogged or burst! When this happens the heart is denied of oxygen and eventually the risk of getting a heart attack sets in.

3. It damages kidneys

High salt intake means excess production of sodium which is known to damage the kidneys.

Excess salt makes the body retain water which makes the the kidney overwork and reduce the ability to efficiently remove the water, this eventually affect renal function and in the end possible renal failure.

play

High salt intake means excess production of sodium which is known to damage the kidneys.

 (IOL)

4. Erodes the arteries

High salt intake strain the insides of the arteries in which cases they become clogged/blocked and in some cases they burst leading to deadly diseases.

5. It weakens bones

Excessive salt intake damages the bones! Taking too much salt reduces calcium needed for strong and healthy bones and when this happens, the bones become weak and can break easily.

High salt intake is also known to affect the brain, the neuro system, cause stomach cancer amongst other deadly health issues. It's best to reduce salt intake and especially via processed foods where they are normally in abundance!

5 natural face saving remedies

However, it is important to realize that the gifts of nature can do for our face what no cosmetic can dare.

Here are five natural face-saving remedies

1. Water

Research has it that a person needs to drink at least two liters of water a day to ensure their healthiness.

Surprisingly, enough water consumption is the best way to get a healthy and smooth skin, including facial skin.

Remember to drink a cup of warm water each morning.

Because water helps flush harmful toxins from the body and keep it hydrated as well. 

play

Beautiful face

 (Pinterest)

Try as much as you can to do away with beverages containing alcohol. Sugar should be restricted as much as possible.

Consume more vegetables. And always eat fruits that have a large amount of water. Cucumber is a good example.

And after a long day of makeup, fresh water should be used to bring the face back to natural

2. Steam

The importance of steaming cannot be overemphasized when it comes to facial treatment. As a matter of fact, steaming is arguably one of the best face-saving remedies.

It is capable of making the face glow with ease because it helps open up skin pores to remove impurities that are deep in the skin.

And by this way, the pores will be softened so that you can pop blackheads out of your skin easily.

In addition, steaming is also good for blood circulation that boosts the process reproducing healthy skin cells.

In order to get it right, you have to boil a pot of water and add some ingredient such as rose lemon slices or mint leaves for scented aroma

Cover your face from your back head with a towel to prevent your steam from escaping as you lower yours to the hot pot.

Be careful not to hurt yourself in the process.

play

Beautiful face

 (123rf)

3. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is very effective when it comes to clearing the skin. It also helps with removal of scars.

Lemon contains cleansing enzymes, which make dead skin cells remove and leave your skin smoother and fresher.

It is also considered to be a great natural remedy for eliminating excess oil.

How to make use of lemon for facial treatment

Squeeze a fresh small lemon and apply its juice on your face.

Keep your face for 10 minutes and let your face relax

Wash your face off with cold water.

This should be done for at least once a day, for effective result.

4. Honey

Honey is another remedy in the list of top natural face-saving remedies. It is not only sweetness when consume, but here it is revered for making the skin more beautiful.

play

Here is how to beautify your face with honey

Spread honey over your face and stay relax for about ten minutes and wash it off with cold water.  Do this daily to get the desired result.

Also, you can make a mixture of honey and one egg white and apply it on your face. Stay relax for about twenty minutes and wash face with mild soap to eliminate smell that could come from the egg.

5. Papaya

Papaya has a large amount of vitamin A, making it an ideal ingredient to make a natural mask for your facial skin.

All you need do is take some pieces of papaya then mash it. Apply it on your face and wait for about ten minutes. Wash your face with warm water after the stated time.

The health benefits of Tomatoes will surprise you

Tomatoes do not only improve the flavour of food, they are also a great health booster.

Known to mankind since ancient times as a great source of good health, recent studies have shown that tomatoes are very rich in antioxidants that are effective against many diseases, especially cancer.

They also contain an impressive amount of nutrients and vitamins, which include vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin K, as well as, significant amounts of vitamin B6, folate, and thiamine.

In addition, tomatoes are an excellent source of potassium, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper. They also have dietary fiber and protein.

However, with the health benefits of this red plant ranging from skin maintenance to the prevention of cancer, it is, therefore, important to emphasise here that the more the proportion of plant foods in the diet increases, the more the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes, cancer decreases and other life-threatening illness decreases.

play

5 surprising health benefits of tomatoes

 (Food network)

Here are some surprising health benefits of tomatoes

1. Tomatoes help in lowering hypertension

With an impressive level of potassium found in tomatoes, medical practitioners have advised that eating at least one tomato a day helps reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension.

This is because potassium as a vasodilator reduces the tension in blood vessels and arteries. And as a result, blood circulation is not only increased, hypertension is also eliminated by lowering the stress on the heart.

2. Tomatoes are great for the skin

Studies have shown that tomatoes contain a high-level lycopene. And lycopene is a bright red carotene and carotenoid pigment and phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables, such as red carrots, watermelons, gac, and papayas.

The substance has been found to be used in some of the most expensive face cleaner sold around the world.

However, according to skin experts, you’ll need about eight to twelve tomatoes if you intend to try tomatoes for skin care.

All you need do is peel the tomatoes and then place the skin on your face with the inside of the tomato touching your skin and leave them on your face for at least ten minutes before washing off.

play

5 surprising health benefits of tomatoes

 (Medical news today)

3. Tomatoes repair damages caused by smoking

Every Dick and Harry knows how harmful cigarette smoking is to the human body. Such is the danger it initiates that it cannot be overemphasized.

So, my advice is if you smoke cigarette, you should find a way to make tomatoes your favourite vegetable. In other words, it should be added to food on a daily basis.

Of course, eating tomatoes won’t help you quit smoking, instead, they help repair the damage caused by smoking, because they contain coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid that work to protect the body from carcinogens that are produced from cigarette smoke.

4. Tomatoes help to prevent urinary tract infection

Studies have shown that continuous intake of tomatoes helps to prevent urinary tract infection, as well as bladder cancer.

Tomatoes are diuretic in nature; they stimulate urination because they are high in water content. And owing to this, they help in facilitating the elimination of toxins from the body, as well as excess water, uric acid, salt, etc.

play

These are the best food for your skin

 (Diaco)

5. Tomatoes help to prevent cancer

The high levels of lycopene that is present on tomatoes do not only help in beautifying in the skin, numerous studies have shown that they also work to prevent prostate, colorectal and stomach cancer.

Naturally, lycopene is an antioxidant that works effectively to slow the growth of cancerous cells. And it is important to note that cooked tomatoes produce even more lycopene, but not overcooked.

Causes and natural remedies for anus infection

This itching which is usually accompanied by the desire to scratch, often suggests the possibility of inflammation in the anal area.

Medically known as pruritis ani, anal itching is an irritation of the skin at the opening of the anal canal through which stool exits the body.

In other words, anal itching can as well be described as itching around the anus

This itching which is usually accompanied by the desire to scratch, often suggests the possibility of inflammation in the anal area.

Causes of anal itching

Some of the causes of anal itching include:

1. Anal itching can be caused by irritating chemicals in the foods we eat, such as are found in spices, hot sauces, and peppers.
2. Anal itching also can be caused by the irritation of continuous moisture in the anus from frequent liquid stools, diarrhea, or escape of small amounts of stool (incontinence). Moisture increases the possibility of infections of the anus, especially yeast, particularly in patients with diabetes or HIV.
3. Treatment with antibiotics can lead to a yeast infection and irritation of the anus.
4. Psoriasis can irritate the anus.
5. Abnormal passageways (fistulas) from the small intestine or colon to the skin surrounding the anus can form as a result of disease (such as Crohn's disease), and these fistulas bring irritating fluids to the anal area.

Natural remedies for herbal infection

1. Garlic

play

Garlic

 (Wikipedia)

 

Garlic is one of the best kept medicinal treasures of the past era. It has been used as an antibiotic to treat bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections for the last 7,000 years.

How to use garlic for anal itching

Eat at least 3 cloves of raw garlic everyday on an empty stomach for a duration of one week.

However, if you cannot stand the pungent smell, you can boil a small quantity of blended garlic and add enough quantity of milk to the blended garlic.

2. Coconut oil

Classified as one of the few super-foods on our planet, with over one thousand five hundred studies to back the claim, coconut oil benefits and uses go beyond what most people realize.

It is packed with antioxidants, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties

How to use coconut oil for anal itching

play

Causes and natural remedies for anus infection

 (Authorityremedies)

Take a minimum of three tablespoons full of coconut oil daily, and you can use it for cooking, to attain maximum reaction.

You can also apply the coconut oil to the anus area so as to effectively relieve the itching and the burning sensation.

3. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is not only effective for anal infection, it has also been a good herb for treating any skin related infections.

In addition, it has been researched to have a powerful effect on relieving inflammation, itching, and soreness. If your infection is hemorrhoid, this herb can be used in treating it effectively. The irritation can be treated effectively.

How to use aloe vera for anal itching

The gel from the aloe vera would be extracted. You can use a knife to help remove the gel effectively.

Take the extracted gel and rub the anal area with it for five minutes. After five minutes of application. Wash off the surface with clean water.

4. Lemongrass

play

Lemongrass

 (University of illinois)

 

Popularly known as fever grass, lemongrass is not only effective for malaria and other feverish treatment, it is also very useful when it comes to getting rid of infection like anal itching

As a matter of fact, lemongrass has allergens and antioxidant that can effectively treat an underlying cause of skin infections.

How to use lemongrass for anal itching

Cut few leaves of the lemongrass in large quantity.

Boil them in a pot filled with water and bath with the hot water everyday to treat infection.

What you probably didn't know about sleeping positions

Although there are many factors that result in sleep difficulty, studies have shown that sleeping position is one of the major causes.

Apart from having difficulty with sleep, it has been estimated that eighty percent of the world's population will have back problems at some point in [their] lives because of the way they sleep.

However, studies have shown that sleeping on your back is the best sleeping position. And this is because it makes it easier for our head, neck, and spine to align and keep it in a neutral position.

Also, no extra pressure or curves are being added to the back: You are in the best position as your spine stays in natural alignment all night long.

Be that as it may, it is important to note that it is possible to get some exclusive insight into someones personality through their sleeping position.

Here are the most common sleeping positions and what they about your personality

1. Yearner  

play

Yearner

 (Ker wei kwee)

 

This is one of the most common sleeping positions among many people. And it entails a person sleeping on their side with their arms stretched out in front of them.

However, studies have shown that people who are comfortable in this sleeping position are complicated in nature.

They are usually open-minded and inviting, but can also be a little suspicious of people and are often very cynical.

And when it comes to making a decision, this group of people can be said to be very slow; but once their mind is made up about something, they are as fixed as being fixed can be.

2. The fatal position

play

Fatal sleeping position

 (Daily mail)

 

Observed as the sleeping position for most women, the fatal position is the position the sleeper takes by curling the knees towards the chest like s/he is tucked inside a safe haven.

And according to research, the number of women that sleeps in this position is over twice the number of men.

However, sleep scientists say that those who find comfort in this natural position can be described as having a hard shell: They are tough on the outside, but a huge softy on the inside.

They tend to be shy when you meet them for the first time, but will eventually open up as time goes on. 

3. The log

play

The log

 (Naukrinama)

 

There are people who prefer the log position when it comes to zooming off to dreamland. This position entails lying on their side with their arms by their side.

Of course, this position can be very boring as it is stiff. But it doesn't mean the sleeper is boring too. As a matter of fact, studies have shown that the reverse is usually the case.

Sleep scientists suggest that people who sleep like a log are social butterflies. Although they are friendly, carefree, and popular, these social, trusting people are known for being gullible.

4. Soldier

play

Soldier sleeping position

 (Health)

 

Just as the name implies, soldier sleepers are known to lie flat on their backs with their arms near their bodies and down to the side.

Although studies have shown that this sleeping position may lead to problems with snoring which can decrease the overall quality of sleep, it is also considered the best sleeping position for pain prevention.

However, the personality traits of people who find comfort in this position while sleeping include, quietness, reserved, and hold both themselves and other people to high standards and strict moral codes.

5. Stomach

play

Stomach sleeping position

 (Mother Nature network)

 

Also refer to as “free-fallers,” stomach sleepers tend to hold their pillow while sleeping, with arms to the side.

And according to sleep scientists, personality traits of people who sleep with their stomach include, outgoing personalities, brash, anxious and a feeling of not being caught up on a daily basis.

However, this position can increase back and neck pain. It is, therefore, advisable for people who sleep in this position to have full body support to minimize back pain.

6. Starfish

play

Starfish sleeping position

 (Long beds)

 

It is easier to picture this sleeping position with just the mention of the name. Starfish sleepers are known to sprawl out over the entire bed in a very comfortable and a carefree manner.

Sleep scientists claim that the personality traits of Starfish sleepers are friendly in nature. They are ever willing to lend an ear or give a helping hand to their friends in need.