Tag: Health & Fitness

How To Stop Those Bad Morning Headaches

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Lots of people wake up with a headache in the morning, and that can often ruin their day. Most folks have no idea why it happens, and so this article will try to shed some light on the matter. Today, readers are going to discover some of the leading causes of the discomfort they feel when sliding out of bed and getting ready for work. With a bit of luck, this information will help more people to deal with the issue and solve their ailment. Sure, people can go to their doctor and get some painkillers. However, that doesn’t address the underlying cause of the problem. So, read this information carefully!

What causes people to wake up with headaches?

Firstly, it’s important to note that people can get pain in their heads in the morning for more reasons than it’s possible to mention in this post. For that reason, the information will focus on the most common causes according to Medical Point and other expert resources. Just take a read through and try to apply the advice.

Lack of sleep

Many people feel unwell in the mornings because they fail to get enough sleep during the night. Doctors recommend that all humans should aim to sleep for around eight hours to recharge their bodies. People who never get enough shut-eye will eventually cause their bodies to feel tired and worn out. The first warning sign is often a morning headache.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that obstructs the airway when a person is asleep. In some instances, the individual can stop breathing a few times throughout the night. According to the Alaska Sleep Clinic, anyone who thinks they might suffer from that condition should get in touch with their doctor as soon as possible. Some medications and devices can help to combat the problem.

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High blood pressure

Lots of patients with high blood pressure will wake up with head pain in the mornings. However, experts suggest there are thousands of folks out there who don’t realize they have the condition. So, anyone who can’t find the cause of their headaches should ask a doctor to check for that issue.

Drug addictions

When most people think about drug addictions, they picture cocaine, heroin, and lots of other illegal substances. Still, more people are addicted to prescription medications than anything else. So, if the individual wakes up with a headache all the time, it might make sense to reduce their reliance on painkillers. Just ensure there are no medical reasons why that isn’t possible.

How can people stop waking up with headaches?

There are many different techniques people can try to stop morning headaches. The important thing to remember is that painkillers are not the answer. They will reduce the discomfort, but they won’t halt the pain from coming back every morning. People who want to get rid of their headaches could try the following steps.

Behavioral sleep therapy

Most doctors can give information about specialists who focus their efforts on sleep treatments. In some instances, booking an appointment to see someone with that expertise is a wise move. People in that field will often give their patients exercises to perform before climbing under the sheets. They tend to work well in around 40-50% of cases.

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Improved diet and physical exercise

Sometimes eating a healthy meal in the evenings and spending an hour at the gym can do sufferers a world of good. So, consider making a diet plan and sticking with it for at least a couple of weeks. If the individual notices a significant difference in the frequency of their headaches, it makes sense to keep to the program.

Anti-inflammatory medication

Many medical professionals prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to people who wake up with headaches. The drugs tend to work well with those who suffer migraines on a regular basis. So, it makes sense that they should stop other problems too. Just remember that medication only deals with the symptoms.

Now readers know a little more about the causes of their bad morning headaches, it should become easier to deal with the issue. When all’s said and done, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. People just have to try different methods until they find something that works for them. Success lies in avoiding drugs unless there is no alternative on the table. In many instances, it’s the medication people take that causes their discomfort in the first place. With that in mind, feel free to share this article with any friends who suffer from the condition. Headaches are not the best way to start any day. So, deal with them!

Building Muscle The Right Way

Whether you want to build up your muscles to become built up, or you’re just looking to improve your general health and wellbeing you should take a look at this article before planning out your workout routines. Today I’m going to be giving you some advice on how you can build up muscle more easily than you thought.

I’m not saying that it’s going to be a walk in the park, you will obviously have to put a lot of work into your body to get the results you desire. If it’s done correctly, it can save you time, energy and money.

The gym is an obvious road to go down because there is access to the latest equipment and you could even hire yourself a personal trainer. If you’re a newbie to the gym this is a good idea. You can tell your trainer what your ultimate goals are and then they can talk through with you what the plan of action is. If you’ve got some experience within the gym and you know how to use all of the equipment, then do some research on how to best achieve the results you want. You might be looking on improving your arm muscle definition and be happy with how your legs and torso look, so you’d want to look for exercises to build up your arms.

Most avid gym goers like to increase their performance by taking in the right nutrients and supplements that their bodies need to endure through the workout. Aretheyonsteroids.com blog has loads of information that you could apply to your routine to increase your workout results.

If the gym isn’t really your scene, or you’d rather do it alone without spending lots of money on a gym membership, then there are other alternative ways of working out. Doing this will also save you becoming bored of the same routine, especially if you change your activities up regularly.

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What you’re putting into your body is important too. You can’t expect to become ripped with a six pack if you’re still bingeing on greasy, calorific foods. Change your diet to one with plenty of protein, as this is good for building muscle. Eating smaller but more regular meals will keep your energy levels up and give your body a chance to burn off the energy between meals.

Ensuring that you’re getting plenty of water is important too. When you’re working out, you sweat out a lot of the moisture in your body and it’s easy to become dehydrated. Being dehydrated while you’re working out is dangerous and can lead to you becoming overly exhausted, passing out and many other terrible ailments, so make sure you’re getting enough water.

As you can see, building muscle isn’t all about the workout, it’s about what you’re putting into your body too. Remember to eat well, drink plenty of water and get enough rest and your workouts will be easier. You will soon start to see results and you can begin enjoying your new and improved body.

 

Not a Day Older: Taking Care of Your Body and Mind in Old Age

Growing old takes a toll on your body. Although most of us will change as we age, and looking in the mirror is more of a surprise than anything else, you need to take care of yourself more than ever when you’re getting older. If you think the amount you exercised back in the days is what you’re living off now, you’re quite right – but that doesn’t mean you should stop caring about your body and mental health quite yet.

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The truth is, your mind as well as your physical health will be declining when you’ve reached a ripe age and to keep yourself healthy, it’s important to look at health holistically. Here is a handful of the best preventative measures you can take for your health in old age so that you can enjoy a functioning body and a healthy mind for as long as possible.

The best exercise to stay young

The mitochondria in our bodies are considered the cell’s power generator; it produces energy and converts it into forms that are usable by our cells. As we age, our cells stop to regenerate as easily as it did before, and are simultaneously affected by the mitochondria diminishing in both number and vigor.

We’d like to keep it as a generator for as long as we can, and certain types of exercise have actually proven to undo some of what aging has done to our cell’s power producer. The type of exercise that produced the biggest change in people’s genes in a study from this year was intense exercise – or interval training. There are a lot of different ways to incorporate this into your regular routine, although it’s usually associated with running or jogging. How well your aging family member is able to cope with running, you know better than any, but consider similar options such as cycling if this is difficult due to painful knees or other immobilities.

While there’s no decent alternative to growing old, by taking care of yourself and your older family members, you’ll be able to enjoy active years as a senior citizen and leap from one Pilates class to the next one. It will keep you independent and happy for as long as possible so that you can get much more out of your Medicare Supplement plans – and enjoy your golden years for a long time still.

Aging and stress

Stress is bad company when you’re trying to look after your health, and little is able to have such an impact on your health as this one. While we may experience hard times at any age, you’re more likely to have gone through a traumatic emotional loss when you’re older and it becomes even more important to know how to deal with this.

To get in touch with your spirituality can take you a step away from stress and depression; while there are a lot of ways to do this, the most popular way is to try meditation or holistic exercises such as yoga.

The combination of a loss of a loved one, loneliness, and even financial concern can make the stress factor a lot worse when you age – and seniors are at an increased risk for depression. Take care of your mental health as soon as possible and reach out to a professional or your family members for a chat, and practice expressing your emotions.

Remember to laugh and surround yourself with positive people who enjoy life and have managed to stay active. They’ll keep us young for longer and make it easier to enjoy everything life has to offer.

 

4 Reasons You’re Always Hungry

No matter what you try and do in regards to managing your weight, there’s always an enemy that keeps confronting you: your appetite.

You can start the day with an absolute devotion to the idea of sticking to calorie control and resisting the urge for sweets and snacks. Then midday rolls around, your energy is crashing, and your stomach is roaring. Despite the fact you should be full from that nutritious breakfast you took the time to craft, you can’t help it – you’re hungry. In fact, you pretty much feel hungry all the time.

If this is the case, then getting to the bottom of your seemingly ceaseless pit of hunger is going to be key to maintaining your weight. So why are you always so hungry – and what can you do about it?

1) You’re Not Eating Enough Calories

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We know that science tells us we need to restrict calories in order to lose weight; that’s pretty much a given. However, it is possible to go a step too far in this regard. If you’re not eating enough calories to sustain your energy levels – and particularly if you’re exercising heavily – then hunger is going to be the result.

While you may like the idea of restricting your calories so you lose weight quicker, it’s actually more beneficial to gradually reduce the amount and always ensure you’re eating at least 1,600 calories per day.

2) You’re Thinking About Food Too Much

Research has found that people who are overweight tend to think about food more than their slender counterparts, which in turn makes them feel hungry. If there is something in your brain that is constantly reminding you of food, then you might want to try Lovidia to see if you can regulate your resultant desire for food. You might not be able to stop thinking about food, but methods such as this will at least help you stop feeling the need to act on those thoughts.

3) You Have A Health Condition

Some health issues can cause excessive hunger. Most noticeably, if you have an overactive thyroid, this can result in not only unexplained weight loss, but a relentless appetite. An overactive thyroid is easily diagnosed and relatively easy to treat, so if this is a relatively new issue for you, it might be worth getting checked over by a doctor.

4) You’re Not Eating Enough Protein

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Ideally, your first meal of the day should be full of protein. The slow-release energy in protein is far more likely to sustain you than carbohydrates; in some ways, it’s far better to have bacon and eggs for breakfast than that healthy, carbohydrate-laden cereal. Nuts have been shown to help suppress appetite throughout the day, so incorporate these into your diet from breakfast and you should be able to manage your hunger better.

Battling with your weight is tough enough in and of itself, but struggling with hunger at the same time makes life even more difficult. Fingers crossed one of the solutions to your issue can be found in the above.

Cycle Your Way To Better Health: Here’s Why You Need To Hop on Your Bike!

Whether you’re looking to get back into fitness or you’re already a gym buff, cycling is the perfect exercise to add to your routine. It’s an incredible workout which is safe for most people and has some amazing health benefits too. Here are some of the reasons!

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Readily Available and Suitable For Most People

It might be a touch more difficult than say, walking- but most people know how to ride a bike. It’s something you learn during childhood, and as they say, it’s a skill you never forget. The majority of people are able to hop on a bike and start riding to get fit. Plus, it’s fun too- mountain biking for example allows you to get across all kinds of terrain so you can head out for the day and see some sights while getting fit. Just make sure to find the right bike for you, it needs to be the right size and have an amount of gears you’re happy with. This roadmaster granite peak review states that this particular model has full gear range, along with twist shifters making changing gear easy while you’re out. When the weather is bad, every gym has a selection of bikes too, making cycling really simple to slot into your routine. Better still, you can choose from spin biking, upright biking or the recumbent bike (which has a much more comfortable seat!) Even if you’re incredibly unfit and not able to walk for more than a few minutes, cycling is a great place to start. As you’re seated, you can go a little longer than with other exercises, start with a low resistance and build your way up. Even if you’re already a gym bunny, you can crank up the resistance and pedal harder and still get a great workout in.

Builds Strong Muscles, Joints, and Bones

Building strong muscles, joints and bones in your body helps to keep you supple and sturdy. Since cycling uses the large muscles in the legs, these are especially benefitted, but biking can also help your core, shoulders, and arms too. Cycling strengthens the joints of the knees which is particularly beneficial as you get older since so many people suffer from knee issues. It also builds lean muscle in the legs, which not only allows your body to burn more calories at rest. Plus, strong legs will improve your performance in other areas too, whether it’s walking, running or cross training. Any exercise helps to contribute to strong bones, which is not only useful now but even more so as we age. Later in life, bone loss can lead to conditions like osteoporosis so working on building strong bones when we’re young can help tremendously.

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Great For Cardiovascular Health

As with any aerobic activity, biking is ideal for cardiovascular health. Keep upping the resistance and speed until you’re breathless enough to only be able to speak in short sentences. And from there, keep increasing it to boost your fitness. Better heart and lungs mean your body is more efficient, and you’ll find yourself feeling less tired and fatigued going about your daily tasks.

 

Bored Of The Gym? Alternative Ways To Have A Workout

Exercise is a great way to keep in shape. It isn’t specifically all to do with losing weight, although it can play a helping in hand in that. But exercising regularly can help in other areas such as boosting your mood, giving you more energy and feeling more positive. It can even improve the quality of sleep you get, which let’s face it, all of us would like a little more of. However, heading to the gym and using the same equipment day in day out can be very boring and repetitive. Which is why I thought I would suggest some alternative ways to have a decent workout.

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Working out at home

Working out at home can be a great alternative to heading to the gym. You may have some space available in your home to house a treadmill or cross trainer, but if you are wanting to shy away completely from the equipment, then YouTube has a fantastic array of workouts you can do from the comfort of your own living room. Perhaps you want to try out a workout that is quick and specific on cardio, or maybe you want to focus on a specific area of your body. Youtube will have a bank of workouts specific to your needs, requirements, and experience levels. You just have to take a look.

Try your hand at a HIIT workout

A specific workout that is taking the gym world by storm is HIIT. More specifically high-intensity interval training. Often these workouts can be smaller in length, but certainly, deliver in the action you take during those twenty or thirty-minute workouts. Again these sorts of workouts can be done in groups at organised sessions, or you can do them from home or by yourself. Whatever works for you.

Swimming

Swimming is definitely a workout that is completely underrated but enables you to work muscles in your body you never thought you had. It can also be exercise that doesn’t require too much commitment on the activewear. A costume or shorts and even a swim cap for your hair. Thankfully websites like swimcapz.com have a great selection to choose. Even if you have longer or shorter hair.

Heading out for a walk

Walking is a great form of exercise and something anyone of us can do at anytime we have free. You simply put on your trainers and clothes and head out of the door. While it may not be the most intensive way to exercise, regular walking will still increase your heartrate and help towards a more active lifestyle.

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Going out for a run

Many people swear by running and see it as a great alternative to heading to the gym. However, it isn’t just as simple as heading out the door and running. You still need to build up your stamina, so thinking about where you run might be a good starting point. But doing this sort of exercise regularly will help you to build up your fitness levels and ultimately ensure that you can run further and for longer. It is also a great way to help clear your mind after a stressful day in the office.

Yoga

Yoga is definitely a workout that is underrated and is something many of us should try to do a little more of. It can really help with postures and muscle tone, as well as encouraging you to clear your mind and focus on your breath. It might not be for everyone, but combining yoga with other forms of exercise throughout the week will give your body the all over workout it really needs. If you are hoping for some tips to get started with yoga, then websites like verywell.com could help.

Try an aerobics class

Finally, you may want to try alternative ways to exercise at the gym, and an aerobics class is an excellent place to start. It gives you a set workout that you do in the company of other individuals, as well as having an instructor on hand to help you out with moves, etc. Thankfully, many gyms offer an array of styles of classes ideal for all stages of your experience to help you get started. If you still don’t like the idea of going to the gym, then social media like Facebook.com could help find local classes. Giving you the chance to meet local people as well as workout.

I hope this has offered some alternative ideas to help you get a full workout.

Curing Back Pain The Natural Way

As we get older and age, back pain will seem to be an everyday occurrence. Sure, there are certain medications that can greatly ease the pain and, if the need be, your doctor might even refer you for surgery. However, some people try to stay away from these options as they prefer to take the more natural route. Not sure how you can heal your back pain naturally? Here are some great methods.

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See A Back Expert

It’s a good idea to get some medical attention if you do experience regular back pain. Don’t worry, though, they won’t insist that you take medication or have surgery. Find a chiropractor near you if you want to chat about your various options. Let them know that you would prefer some natural remedies. They will be able to incorporate this into their treatment method. If they are unable to, they will be able to refer you to a local acupuncture specialist or other holistic practitioners.

Take Yoga Or Pilates Classes

Lots of people swear by Yoga and Pilates when it comes to back pain. So, it’s worth looking for a local class to see if there are any classes at times that suit you. After a few weeks of practicing Yoga or Pilates, you will certainly find a big improvement in your back. If you don’t have time to go to a full hour class, you can check online guides such as this one for stretches you can do on your own at home and also do some dumbbell neck exercises

Work Your Core

One reason why some people suffer from constant back pain is that their core is quite weak. Thankfully, this is very easy to change as you just need to start doing some exercises and workouts that will help strengthen it. If you are going to Yoga or Pilates, this should help, but there are also some other workouts that are great for core strengthening. These include Metafit and Piloxing.

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Use Heat Therapy

If you need some instant relief from your back pain, you should consider heat therapy. This is very easy to apply yourself at home – you just need a hot water bottle or a bag of frozen peas! Place the bag of frozen peas on any area of pain if you also want to reduce any inflammation. The cold temperature will also shut down the nerves, so you shouldn’t feel quite as much pain. Applying heat also acts as a painkiller, and it also increases the blood flow which can help to bring more nutrients to the affected area.

Work Your Brain

Some back experts believe that you won’t feel quite as much pain if your brain is stimulated and busy. So, it’s worth trying to occupy yourself to see if you can distract your brain away from the pain. Why not give it a try next time your back hurts?!

So, as you can see, there are many alternatives to medicine and surgery when it comes to back pain. Hopefully, this blog post will help you manage any uncomfortable aches and pains!

Building A Ladder To Your Recovery

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Addiction can strike at any time. Life is hard, and we all struggle to cope sometimes. Many of us turn to addiction during those dark hours. But, while escape methods break the clouds for the short-term, they also stop the sun breaking through. And, if you start using on a regular basis, your drinking or drug use will become your biggest problem.

It’s a horrible situation that an estimated 23.5 million Americans have fallen into. But, despite its common nature, addiction is one of the loneliest human experiences. Addicts are cast to the outskirts, and often disowned by loved ones. In the depths of addiction, it can feel as though you’re at the bottom, with no way to climb out. Many addicts wait for someone to hand them a ladder, without realizing that only they can create their escape. But, how do you build a ladder with no tools? In short, the answer is one rung at a time. And, we’re going to look at each one in more depth here.

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The first rung is the hardest to build – admitting you have a problem. It may sound simple, but we often deny our addictions to ourselves. Admitting you’re struggling is never easy, particularly in something like this. But, until you accept the problem, you’ll have no desire to move on from it.

The second rung involves determining the cause. Most of the time, addiction has a start point. While that may have become irrelevant, it’s important to determine what it was. Addicts often use for escape. Until you face up to what you’re escaping, you’ll continue to medicate yourself.

The third rung won’t get built until you accept that you’re worth something. Addiction often leads to low self-esteem, not helped by the way society treats the issue. It’s important to regain your self-esteem. Otherwise, you’ll struggle to consider yourself worth helping. You need to believe you deserve to get better. The chances are that you’ll also have to do so alone. But, when it comes down to it, your belief in yourself is all that matters.

The fourth rung is when other people come into play. While this may sound like it’ll be a relief, this will be a hard one to build.This is the stage in your recovery when you need to turn to something like Lyric Recovery Services to see you through. Here, professionals will be able to help you through the rest of your recovery. While the support is essential, you’ll still need to rely on yourself during this step. The professionals can give you the building blocks, but the rung won’t be made unless you step up.

The sixth rung comes after the recovery itself and involves moving forward. If you live in the mistakes of your addiction, you’ll never forgive yourself. As such, you’re at risk of slipping into those old avoidance techniques. Put what happened behind you. Build bridges with loved ones where you can. Then, set about living the life you deserve.
 

Not a Day Older: The Best Exercise For Aging Muscles

Growing old takes a toll on your body. Although most of us will change as we age, and looking in the mirror is more of a surprise than anything else, nothing is as affected as much our muscles. If you’re thinking that the amount you exercised back in the days is what you’re living off now and that the muscles you built in your twenties have served you well, you’re quite right – but that doesn’t mean you should stop caring about your body.

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Those sweaty circles of Pilates for seniors can be a bit underwhelming, though, if this is the only exercise your older parents are doing. Use science instead, to find the best type of workout to slow down the aging process and see them enjoy many more years of activity and sports.

The mitochondria

The mitochondria in our bodies are considered the cell’s power generator; it produces energy and converts it into forms that are usable by our cells. As we age, our cells stops to regenerate as easily as it did before, and are simultaneously affected by the mitochondria diminishing in both number and vigor.

We’d like to keep it as a generator for as long as we can, and certain types of exercise have actually proven to undo some of what aging has done to our cell’s power producer.

We’ll lose muscles, in other words, and will struggle with keeping our bodies as light and energized as we used to. It will keep them independent and happy for as long as possible, and they can get much more out of their golden years – and a lot more out of their Medicare Supplement plans. While there’s no decent alternative to growing old, by taking care of yourself and your older family members, you’ll be able to enjoy active years as a senior citizen and leap from one Pilates class to the next one.

Interval Exercise

The type of exercise that produced the biggest change in people’s genes in a study from this year was intense exercise – or interval training. There are a lot of different ways to incorporate this into your regular routine, although it’s usually associated with running or jogging. How well your aging family member is able to cope with running, you know better than any, but consider similar options if this is difficult due to their knees or other immobilities.

Cycling, for example, is excellent interval exercise and can be done in nature as well as on a stationary bike at the gym. If you think the gym is a better option as they’ll have assistants around at all time, remember that time spent in nature is wonderful news for their health as well. Try to compensate by walking outside together and enjoying nature in other ways – with less speed, perhaps.

To get the kind of benefits that will reduce aging in their muscles, it needs to be intense – and to manage this on a bicycle, you’re going to need speed. The gym may be the best option, in other words, unless they’re still relatively young.

While any type of exercise is good for your body, you should treat your family to the best kind of exercise for their age – especially now that you know the science behind it all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ED ed – Dealing With Your Partner’s Erectile Dysfunction

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It’s one of those topics of conversation that men shy away from, especially if they suffer from it themselves, but erectile dysfunction can have a significant impact on a relationship. From the perspective of a partner, you will need to support and encourage them wherever possible as he is finding ways to manage the condition, but it’s also important that you do your bit too.

Do Research

The more you are able to dig deep into the issue the more you’ll be able to help your partner when it comes to finding methods to manage the conditions, such as lifestyle changes or sourcing the appropriate medical treatments. If you look at the Comprehensive Urology services website, there is a detailed list of what can cause erectile dysfunction. From diabetes or high cholesterol all the way through to an enlarged prostate, as well as lifestyle choices such as drinking too much alcohol and smoking too much. The more you know about the condition and its causes the better you are able to help your partner out.

Emotional Support For Your Partner

A lot of men will blatantly ignore the fact that it’s having an impact on their lives not just their sex life, so you as his partner needs to support him and reassure him. The vast majority of men may view this problem as a major impact on their masculinity. The pressure of performing in an intimate environment such as the bedroom can have a fundamental impact on their mental well-being, which can go on for a long time if left to fester. The issue with masculinity and erectile dysfunction means that if it is left to, in effect, rot, it can be a problem that is a lot more difficult to get out of in the future.

Making Adjustments In Your Sex Life

The pressure of performing is something that can build up in a man’s mind, so you need to find ways to take the pressure off and find other ways to satisfy each other. A man can feel as self-conscious in this department as much as their partner can feel self-conscious about their body, so you need to both find ways to not build it up as a stressful situation. You can make sure to focus on each other rather than “the problem.” This is a big topic to cover, but the one big take away from it is if you are left to focus on your own problems it will build up in the mind, regardless of who you are. So with something like erectile dysfunction which has a major impact on a man’s life, sex shouldn’t be the goal but rather the enjoyment of each other’s company needs to be a priority.

It’s widely accepted that a lot of men don’t talk about their feelings and will tend to avoid issues when it comes to intimacy. But, unfortunately, the best way to deal with it is to open up either to a medical professional to discuss suitable options to deal with it. And if it is a condition that will impact him for the rest of his life, this is the first step in approaching a way to live with the condition.