#that feeling of lactic acid in my body is addicting

[tinylittlecubby]

I hate when people say "If you feel upset or frustrated just go on a walk"

Listen man, I used to dance for like 3-4 hours a day and in that same day do martial arts for 2 hours and start my morning with 30 minutes of yoga.

I am like the energizer bunny once I start moving I won't stop.

I used to work 16 hours of general labour a day.

A little fuckin walk aint gone do shit.

A little snack and a podcast though? Okay now we are talking!

[ubtanindia]

UBTAN Coconourish Scrub- Minimal And Rejuvenating Skincare

Hello everyone and welcome back to my blog!

I am an avid believer in homemade beauty recipes. I have mentioned on my Know Me page, I share recipes on Instagram and lately I have again got addicted to them. Coincidentally, I am able and thankful to collaborate with many brands such as Ryaal Raw Rituals to name a few, that are inclined towards the holistic approach of Ayurveda. Not only have I been loving the different combinations and getting variety of benefits from each of them, but I have also found out about some new herbs and plant extracts. India is flourishing with culture and practices of age old Ayurveda despite the influence of modern world.

A little bit about the brand;

Rejuvenating U B T A N handpicks all the ingredients that goes in their formulations. These are of finest quality sustainably sourced to delivery products that are

P U R E

N A T U R A L

O R G A N I C

CH E M I C A L F R E E

The brand thrives to endure high-quality control practices and always have a place for improvements and newer innovative formulas. innovations to always have a place for improvement.

Their capsule collection includes;

S P I C E S A N D G R A I N S B O D Y a S C R U B

C O C O N O U R I S H S C R U B

O A T – A – F A I R S C R U B

D – T A N S C R U B

R O S E A N D S A N D A L W O O D F A C E P A C K

L U X U R I O U S L A V E N D E R P A C K

A C N E R E S I S T P A C K

D A Z Z L E D T A N P A C K

Rejuvenating UBTAN Coconurish Scrub

The brand describes this as a gentle scrub for dry skin that lifts away dullness, provides luminosity, helps calm down irritation and help lighten acne marks.

Price:

375INR/ for 100gms

Packaging:

Transparent plastic jar with gold metal lid

Texture:

Grainy yet soft

How to use;

My experience;

Before I reveal the results to you let me share some benefits of each ingredient in this product.

Coconut – Coconut milk is rich in vitamins and minerals that help with healing of skin and fatty acids like lauric acid that have intense skin softening properties. This composition makes it an excellent moisturiser for dry, sensitive and irritated skin.

Milk Extract – Indian women can never be tired of using milk on their skin. The high lactic acid content in it is what gives our skin the clarified and brightened appearance even in one use.

Red and Green Lentils – I have never used these form of lentils on my skin before but now I can confidently say they do the exact same thing as Chickpea flour. For my readers who are not aware of this kitchen staple, ask your friends or neighbours, or simply google it, Chickpea flour is still used as a natural cleanser, used in brightening masks, and also to clarify oily skin.

Green Cardamom – A spice predominantly used in North Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern cuisines is also used for other purposes like cooling the body temperature. I have not used it on the skin before but I am enjoying the wonderful scent.

”MY SKIN WASN’T LOOKING AS HEALTHY AS I EXPECT, BUT I AM SURPRISED HOW SUCH SIMPLE INGREDIENTS CAN DO SO MUCH…”

I m going to be very honest about my experience with this scrub and can’t help but admit that it is doing so much more than just giving me a temporary glow. My skin is intensely smooth after using it, it’s like it is lifting away all the dead skin lying on my skin and leaving it soft and glossy. Chickpea flour can have a drying effect on already drier skin and I expected to have similar experience from Red and Green Lentils. but the Milk and Coconut present in this scrub are balancing out the results. I got the same brightening and squeaky clean effect that Chickpea Flour gives minus the uncomfortable tight feeling. My skin is left deeply cleansed, pores look smoother(plump effect), skin’s moisture level is increased and I Am Glowing. You will agree with me once you use it too, just leave the scrub on for 10-15 minutes and remove with lukewarm water. The scrub will tighten and stick to the skin, don’t panic just wet your face and use your fingertips to massage and rinse with water. Do not use washcloth, it is will be an unnecessary friction.

Verdict:

I have been going through a phase where my skin is dry one day and oily the other day, so it wasn’t looking healthy as I expect it to, but I am surprised how such simple ingredients can do so much for your skin and at such an affordable price. And the best part is, the results stay for two days straight, something very rarely experienced when using masks or scrubs that too without the use of any intensive skin sensitising exfoliants or brightening ingredients.

Would I recommend it?

YES, everyone can use it as it is or customise as per requisites.

Discount Code:

Use code BLOG15 to receive 15% off on your orders over 799INR with Complimentary Shipping.

You can purchase from here

They also offer Cash on delivery services.*

Thank you so much for reading.

xoxo

[meditativeyoga]

Facing the Stress Epidemic: Powerful Yoga Practices for Mitigating Stress

According to the American Medical Organization, 80 to 85 percent of all human disease as well as condition can be associated partially to tension. Over two-thirds of all office brows through to physicians are for stress-related illness. Stress and anxiety is a major contributing element either straight or indirectly to the 6 leading causes of fatality in the USA. In a current study, 75 percent of yoga exercise students reported attending yoga classes for tension management.

Yet despite yoga's reputation for anxiety decrease, yoga courses routinely exhibit a lack of recognizing about the nature of stress and anxiety or how to properly resolve it. Typically, individuals speak regarding stress as though it were a lactic acid in their muscle mass that simply has to be extended out. Surely, among the fantastic benefits of an appropriate yoga exercise method is its capacity for minimizing some quantity of musculoskeletal tension. And also there is some interesting science being done on the launch of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA). However, this is merely scraping the surface area when it pertains to managing tension in the type of epidemic percentages that we currently face.

In this video clip blog I describe some defining attributes of the Yoga exercise I instruct and just how it serves to assist satisfy difficulties in life:

Stress can not be gauged on a scale, discovered in a blood test or viewed in a MRI test. Normally defined, stress is a feeling experienced when an individual views that demands exceed the personal as well as social resources the individual requires to manage them. As high as we might prefer to avoid it, if we are mosting likely to de-stress ourselves then we need to do more compared to just stretch our muscular tissues. We need to be willing to examine feelings and perceptions.

Another interesting and troubling element of stress is that it is addictive. For all the common expressions of being "stressed-out", the body's fight-or-flight reaction to tension could easily come to be like a medication. We end up being familiar with an overstated manufacturing of adrenaline as well as endorphins in our system. A lot so that, even when stress does abate, we automatically seek out even more to load the gap. Here, there is a woeful paradox to a whole lot of just what is occurring for yoga.

An instance is the emergence of the "reveal" yoga exercise class. Back when I initially began going to yoga classes, the criterion was a one hr and forty-five minute course that included a fifteen min last leisure duration. Throughout the years, mostly due to logistical and monetary factors, centers have embraced a ninety min format with a 5 to ten min last leisure. Nowadays, lots of centers drop the last leisure altogether as well as supply forty-five to sixty mins of action-packed stress decrease: "reveal."

Even in regular courses, the most "stressed-out" individuals will typically pull out of a last relaxation duration, thinking it a wild-goose chase. The paradox is that regardless of how skillfully someone could implement an extremely physical yoga course, up until somebody can easy lie on their back for a few mins, without doing anything, and really feel fairly at ease with themselves, there is long shot that they will ever really feel at simplicity when doing points and being with various other people.

In my own efforts to minimize tension and also be at convenience in myself and life, I have found the only thing that absolutely aids is to counter stress with a feeling of affection. As Mark Whitwell, author of The Promise places it: "We may have the fastest mobile phones, age-defying elegance therapies, or a plethora of pills to deal with the turmoil of our modern-day lives. We might follow a most sincere religious or spiritual path, or we may take an atheistic or agnostic position in life. In the middle of this active world, we have actually lost touch with the mild reality that what we really require is something much more powerful and direct: intimacy."

Learning to be intimate with my own breath and body is how I understand to be intimate with the important things as well as individuals in my life. When I feel intimate with exactly what is happening, be it my breath and also body, my children laugh, or the first early morning glory to blossom in our fledgling yard, then my mind is not consumed by resources of anxiety. As well as the small motions that I cherish as many purposeful ended up being enablers for my resolve.

Of training course, when it comes to sensations and understandings, there are no answers conserve for the ones we discover in ourselves. There is no glossing over tough realities. Times are hard. Terrible things happen. People behave poorly. Occasionally we could change circumstances of our independency as well as minimize the demands. Yet occasionally we could not. Despite the shitpile that life occasionally has an odor of, I say there is no lack of unabashed, congratulatory joy to be had.

Only with the fierce burning desire for and idea in all that is great will we ever cut via the clean of stress and anxieties and also disappointments. We need small stunning things. Lots of them. Numerous that darkness is delegated to the edges and also we can see life not just in its turmoil however in its splendor.

J. Brown is a yoga exercise instructor, author and owner of Abhyasa Yoga Center in Brooklyn, NY. His writing has been showcased in Yoga exercise Treatment Today, the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, and also throughout the yoga exercise blogosphere. See his internet site at yogijbrown.com

[sehun-smut-blog]

Deceitful - Chanyeol

Some people bring out the worst in you, others bring out the best. Then there are those remarkably rare, addictive ones who just bring out the most. They make you feel so alive that you’d follow them straight into hell, just to get your fix.

one | two | three | four | five | +

11.4 k

Two

“I hate this.” You panted, flopping onto your back, struggling to catch your breath.

Chanyeol rolled his eyes from behind his laptop screen, not even sparing you a glance. “I don’t care. Again.”

You bit down a complaint, furrowing your brow. By this point, you were covered in a thin sheen of sweat, hairs sticking to the nape of your neck, muscles burning from lactic acid. Your legs were littered with black and blue bruises, evidence of the training you had endured for the past few weeks refusing to fade. But still, you clambered back to your feet.

Lining up your feet the way that trainer - Yixing, you think was his name - had shown you, gaze narrowing at the beaten and dusty kickboxing bag hung from the ceiling, you geared yourself up for another series of attacks. “You know, when you said we would have more lessons, I was expecting something a lot more fun.” You grumbled, before beginning to kick the bag once again.

Your foot whacked the bag with a bang, dust careening off of it in a wide arc spinning through the air. Again, your fist came up in a right hook, other leg kneeing it in the opposite direction, landing another harsh punch with your other fist. Over and over, dizzyingly so, until you could swear your feet were nothing but blurs and your limbs had long since gone numb. That is, until you tried to roundhouse kick it, the way Yixing had shown you, resulting in a flare of pain through your hip, making you crumple to the floor, yet again. “Fuck!”

Chanyeol watched the ordeal, huffing a sigh when he watched you fall to a broken heap onto the dirty floor. Closing his laptop with a dull thud, he shuffled out of his chair, only to land a soft kick into your side. “Come on, we don’t have all day.” 

You opened your eyes to face him, eyeing you down with disdain from above, his foot poking you incessantly, until you finally rolled over with a grumble. He was relentless in his training, not satisfied with your shooting target practice until you could hit a coin he had taped to the wall from across a room. Even though the countless hours you had spent at the firing range were a pain in your ass, you had to admit; the feeling of watching sparks fly off of that damn quarter when you hit it was electrifying.

Plus, you officially were considered a sharpshooter now, warranting the purpose of that gun you bought. So eat shit, Chanyeol.

“You have to plant your foot better, your heel keeps moving.” Chanyeol said, turning to face the kickboxing bag himself. “Like this.”

You clambered to your feet, crossing your arms, and huffing a stray strand of hair out of your face roughly, brows furrowed.

Upon hearing your sigh, he spun to face you, cocking his head and raising his brows, lips pursed. “Done pouting, princess?”

You rolled your eyes with a slight sneer. “I wasn’t pouting, I had a hair in my face.”

Chanyeol shook his head, eyeing you with disdain. “Sure you did. Just be quiet and watch, for once.”

Ignoring your urge to quip something back, push his buttons, you instead shut your mouth, eyes trailing on his back foot. Hell, if you didn't learn this eventually, you might be in this room forever.

Chanyeol made it look easy, the way he spun backwards, left leg rising with the motion until it nailed the bag with a satisfying thump, at an impressive height. Should he do that move on anyone else, there was no doubt they would be knocked out cold. 

He grimaced at the feeling of whacking the heavy bag, rolling his ankle quickly while shooting you a look. “Were you watching?”

You nodded quickly, shooing him away with the back of your hand, the image of his rotation replaying in your mind. “Yeah, yeah, I got it.” You hummed, preparing to take the position yourself.

Chanyeol scoffed at you waving him off, but complied, moving aside so that you could step into his place, his eyes never straying from your form.

Ignoring his gaze, you stepped into position, huffing a deep breath, fists coming up to maintain your balance. You took a quick deep breath, rolling your neck for a second before you spun, leg lifting as you had watched, nailing the bag with a harsh slap echoing throughout the empty training room.

And you felt good about it... that is, until a bolt of pain shuddered through your hip, making your leg give out and your body slam to the floor once again.

“Shit!″ You swore, cursing to yourself in anger. Fuck! Why couldn’t you just keep your damn heel down?

Chanyeol just smirked down at you, cocking his head. “Feeling good, princess?”

You glared at him, gritting your teeth. “Fuck this! I can do everything else, who the fuck would do this shit anyway? It’s stupid, is what it is.” You grumbled, clambering to your feet and brushing the dust off your legs roughly. “I could do everything else and still beat the other guy.”

At that, Chanyeol barked out a laugh, his head tossing backwards at the hilarity of your statement. He shook his head at you slowly, his smirk deepening, eyes twinkling mischievously. “You really think you could beat another, bigger, stronger guy with anything other than a roundhouse kick?”

You rolled your eyes at him, scoffing. “I’m quick, and I have good flexibility. Yixing said -”

“Yixing is a trainer; he’s never been in an actual fight with a mob boss. He just teaches the skills you would need in any sort of hand-to-hand combat.” Chanyeol explained, as though you were five years old. It just made you even more annoyed. 

“Well I think I could at least land a good punch.” You grumbled, crossing your arms at Chanyeol. It was hard to look annoyed with him when he was so tall, gazing down at you with a shit-eating grin.

“Okay then. Think fast.” Chanyeol said, before lunging at you, his leg immediately going for the back of your knee, trying to knock you off kilter.

Your eyes widened, but you managed to dart out of his trap within enough time that his foot just whirred past you, the tip of his toes grazing your bare skin. 

“Yeol, what the fuck?” You exclaimed, ducking under the fist that came flying at your left.

“Don’t call me that.” Chanyeol grunted, backing off so he could tug his flame-red hair under his black cap, teeth showing from between his grin. He was excited, thrilled to have the chance to beat your ass, you could see it in his eyes.

But, as long as you landed a good kick, you would also consider it a success. The idea had your heart thundering in excitement - and so, you tightened your ponytail, raising your fists into defensive position. “Fine, go on then, you ass-”

Suddenly, he came at you with a kick to your arms, just hard enough to knock them away from your face, leaving you open, and off balance. You were quick to react however, turning away from his outstretched arms and instead grabbing his shoulder and pulling him forward harshly. To your dismay, he was heavier than you anticipated, only throwing him off balance slightly, but you hooked your foot around his knee to help your case, sending him to his knees with a harsh ‘oomph!’

Chanyeol was quick to catch himself however, instead stunning you with a quick shoulder roll forward. The weight you had displaced for him only acted as fuel to his maneuver, until he was somehow further away from you, and seemingly unscathed from your efforts.

He climbed to his feet quickly, turning to shoot you an evil grin from over his shoulder. “That was a great warm up.” He said mockingly, brushing off his black tee as he turned around. “Is that all you can manage for today?”

You shook your head at him, lips twisting into a aggravated frown. Were you out of breath form the short scrap? Maybe. But that was besides the point.

“Of course not.” 

“Great, I was out of practice anyway.” Chanyeol grinned, before he started towards you again, eyes glinting.

Quickly, he tried to deliver a kick to your shoulder, which you blocked with your forearm, instead grabbing him by the ankle and throwing it away from you, trying to catch him with a swift punch to the jaw, but he ducked out of the way before you could land it, making you grit your teeth. So close!

He reached to grab your wrists, but you snatched them out of his reach, instead stepping back and kicking his hands away like they were poison. 

“Perfect, see?” Chanyeol said quickly, making you screech to a halt, eyeing him with distrust.

“What?”

Chanyeol was frozen in position, looking up at you expectantly. He was hunched over, your kick having knocked him aside slightly that he was now at your height. “You just kicked me, so plant that foot,” He said, pointing at the very foot that you just used to whack his hands, “Spin and kick me in the head. Just like I just showed you.”

“You want me to kick your head?!” You asked ludicrously, glaring at him like he had three heads. Was he insane? Even if you fucked up your hip yet again, you would still land a solid thwonk onto his head, which would certainly hurt.

“Are you going to do it or not?” Chanyeol snipped back, edging you to just do it with the motion of his head.

Well, he does look uncomfortable hunched over like that. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to help him out.

Actually, it probably would.

You followed his direction, planting your foot onto the dirty cement, before turning around, raising your leg into a painful trajectory on Chanyeol’s forehead. The motion sent your ponytail flying around your head, breeze whipping at your loose tank top, so close to finishing the rotation until his hand caught your foot, sending you to a shuddering halt.

“Fuck, Chanyeol, I had it!” You shrieked, hands coming up in expiration and disappointment. Of course, the one time you managed to keep grounded, he just had to spoil your fun.

“Yeah, cause I taught you properly.” Chanyeol grunted, still keeping your foot in his tight grasp as he straightened. It wasn’t painful, just a nuisance as you struggled to keep your balance. “Should I be offended the only time you actually try is when the target is me?”

“You should be annoyed cause as soon as you let go, I’m going to do it again, you little -“ You began to hiss at him, hands coming up to whack off his grasp, until a voice interrupted you.

“Park, hands off, you know the rules.” A deep voice said sternly, making you immediately want to straighten, and obey. It was authoritative and monotone, aware of the influence it had over those it spoke to.

Even so, Chanyeol rolled his eyes with an annoyed sigh, but dropped your foot nonetheless, making you stumble slightly. He may have tried to hide it, but you heard him snort slightly as he watched it. Fucking prick.

Ignoring every will inside you begging to knee him in the groin, you turned to face whoever had entered, tucking a stray strand of hair behind your ears.

The man in front of you was no taller than you, but still made you shrink under his gaze. Dark, straight brows framed his deep-set eyes, full lips twisted into a slight scowl as he eyed Chanyeol with distaste. “She has a job to do.” He said, gesturing to you with his hand quickly.

Chanyeol smirked at him, raising his brows slightly. “A job to do? And what exactly would that be?”

The man just rolled his eyes, gesturing for you to follow him outside and into the hallway.

Chanyeol started after him, so you loped immediately behind, stomach starting to do flips, although you would never admit it. A job already? You were only a few weeks into training; what the hell were they expecting you to do?

Your mind going in circles, you decided to distract yourself, tapping on Chanyeol’s shoulder lightly.

“What?” He grunted, sparing you a glance over his shoulder.

“Who is he?” You mumbled quietly, just loud enough that Chanyeol could hear, but the man leading the two of you wouldn’t. Who knows, some people you had met so far were offended that you didn’t know who they were. That arms dealer at the firing range - Sehun, you think his name was - was definitely pissed that you hadn’t heard of him around the headquarters. This guy could be just the same.

Chanyeol glanced at him, grinning a little bit. “Oh, him?” He asked loudly, making you grimace. Of course he would use the opportunity to embarrass you. “It’s Kyungsoo. He’s an enforcer -“

“And Chanyeol’s immediate superior.”

“ - and my coworker.” Chanyeol said even louder, making Kyungsoo shake his head with a grimace. “He thinks he’s my boss, but the only person that’s the boss of me is God.”

Kyungsoo turned to glare at Chanyeol, who’s stupid smirk was still plastered onto his face. “Yeah, God, and Junmeyon, and me.”

“If that help you sleep at night, sure thing, Soo.” Chanyeol hummed affectionately, mocking him with his tone. Even so, you could tell Kyungsoo didn’t mind, the way he just rolled his eyes and ignored Chanyeol’s pestering. He didn’t push the matter further, prompting Chanyeol to continue pushing his buttons. Directed at you now, he grinned. “Don’t worry though, he’s all bark, and no bite.”

That made Kyungsoo scoff, turning to give Chanyeol a knowing smirk. “Yeah, tell that to the people I’ve put six feet under.”

That just made Chanyeol roll his eyes, scoffing at him, even though his tone told you it wasn’t an exaggeration in the slightest.

Finally, Kyungsoo lead you from out of the training wing, headed to the elevator. Each floor in the building served it’s purpose; first was the lobby, Junmeyon’s office, and surveillance. Second was offices, and that was no word of a lie. Having invested in multiple companies scattered throughout Seoul, it offered office space for those business’ (not to mention a decoy from law enforcement). Training was on the fifth floor, just far enough away from the offices to muffle the noises of your practicing from the secretaries and blue-collar stock brokers. The others you had yet to discover, although the towering building certainly served many purposes; as well as made profit, certainly into the multi-millions.

The three of you clambered inside, only to have Kyungsoo press the button to the basement. You tried not to gulp; wasn’t it in all the movies that the basement held the scary, dark secrets?

The elevator hummed to life, slowly beginning it’s descent to the floors below, into the depths of the building. As you went down, you managed to catch your breath from the training you had been working on, tugging your hair out of it’s ponytail and letting it fall down to you back softly, prompting Chanyeol to give you the side eye.

You rolled your eyes. he always had to pick a damn fight. “What now?” You asked, giving him a deadpan look.

He furrowed his brow at you, giving you a quick once over. “What’re you fixing your hair for, it’s not like you’ve gotta look nice for whatever you’re doing. It’s probably just more shooting.” He said, before rolling his eyes slightly with a scoff.

Kyungsoo, on the other hand, nodded at you quickly. “No, she’s right, you should try to tame it a little bit. We do have a different outfit for you, however, so don’t worry about that.”

At that, your heart began thudding in excitement and anxiety, while Chanyeol’s eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head. “Wait, what?! She’s been in training for a few weeks and you’re already going to send her into the damn field?”

“Relax.” Kyungsoo grumbled, glaring at Chanyeol as the doors slid open, revealing a jumble of dark grey walls and cold tile floor. He headed out, with Chanyeol growling into his ear the entire way. You just followed along silently, now tugging at your hair with more vigour than before.

“I didn’t do anything until two months after my training, and I caught on to everything way better than she has! What will she really manage to do at this point, stare them down until one of ‘em drops dead? I thought the point of getting trainees was to have good agents, not to get them killed right out the damn gate.” 

“Chanyeol.” Kyungsoo finally said, stopping his path through the twisting labyrinth of grey doors you seemed to be stuck in. At the sudden halt, Chanyeol thudded into his back with a soft oomph. “I didn’t bring her here to have you griping in my ear about what trainee’s should and shouldn’t do. I don’t know what the hell you think she is to you, acting like this, but she’s a trapper, the only female in our arsenal. Of course we’re going to need her in the field as early as possible. It’s an easy job, just testing on where she is - and should be - in the program.” He finally said, glaring Chanyeol in the eye. 

Even though he was a solid foot shorter than him, Chanyeol shied away from his venomous gaze, instead shaking his head with a grumble. His head quickly fell backwards towards the ceiling, rubbing his temples, as though the very idea of you doing something other than being pestered by him was exhausting. 

“Fine, but I’m observing.” He finally relented, making Kyungsoo give him a curt nod.

“Finally. Now shut up and let’s get inside.” He said, turning a few more paces before he reached another grey door, one of the hundreds surely lining the basement. How he knew where he was going, you had no damn idea. You still followed him inside however, swallowed by darkness, except from the glass windowpane to your left.

“Let me go!” The man - or boy, you couldn’t be sure - yelled from where he was, in the room only visible to you through the thin layer of glass. It was no use, however; the walls surrounding him were dark grey, ridged and appearing soft enough to absorb almost all sound. His voice was static-laden, fed through a small speaker on the far wall from the trio of you. “I’m not who you want, I swear!” “That,” Kyungsoo said, gesturing to the man currently trapped in the room, “Is a suspected member of Neoculture Technologies. They’re our rivals, as I’m sure you know.”

You just nodded silently, unable to tear your eyes off of the guy, his fists so tight they were white-knuckled on the table. His tawny blonde hair was falling into his eyes, which flickered wildly around the room, his jaw working tightly. He looked young - tiny! There was no way he could have worked for a mafia gang... right? Suddenly, his dark, doe eyes flickered over you, making you jump slightly.

“Relax, he can’t see you, dumbass.” Chanyeol said, rolling his eyes at you in an exaggerated manner. He adjusted his cap, giving Kyungsoo a stern glare.

“He’s not restrained.”

“He doesn’t need to be.” Kyungsoo said simply, offering a slight shrug. “One of our guys picked him up off the street. He was probably something low-time, a recruiter or something. He didn’t even put up a fight.”

“Doesn’t mean that he won’t now.” Chanyeol grumbled, before a loud bang interrupted him.

The man was now standing, having been pacing in front of the door, before he was now hammering on it, his fists making solid thumps echo through the speaker. “Please!” He shouted, his voice now hoarse and fading, shoulders wound. “I swear to God!”

“I hate these ones.” Kyungsoo said, rolling his eyes. “Such pansies.” 

Chanyeol scoffed at that, nodding along slightly, making your lips twist into a smirk slightly. 

As awful as it seemed, standing here and watching a member of your rival gang, you couldn’t help but feel like you were finally part of something. It was electrifying, knowing that these two guys were on your side, part of the multitude of people and gears that had alligned to make this guy fall into your hands. You actually belonged here.

“What do you want me to do?” You asked, turning to look at Kyungsoo expectantly, your lips twisted into a slight grin. 

“Eager.” He said, returning your smile, before turning to point to the door behind you slightly. “Right across the hall, there’s a bathroom. Should be a duffle bag in there, with some clothes in it. Put them on, and come back here, I’ll let you know what do do from there.”

Giving him a swift nod, you followed his instructions, shuffling out the door quickly, now a ball of excitement growing in your stomach. Hell, whatever you would be doing would be your first responsibility in the company, a giant leap in terms of your standing within it’s employees. It was a demonstration of their trust in you, making you giddy with delight.

Sure enough, a black duffle bag was sitting on the cool granite countertop the bathroom, next to a obnoxiously colourful flowerpot and immaculately white towels. Sometimes, the boujee-ness of this place still astounded you. Snatching the bag off the countertop, you turned to lock the door behind you, before beginning to shed your workout gear.

It was a relief to have the cold air conditioning sweep around your fatigued muscles, cooling your sweaty skin with each layer you removed. Goosebumps flashed across your skin, urging you to tug out the clothing had had been packed away for you - or rather, lack thereof. 

The simple attire certainly wasn’t what you had in mind, but it wasn’t a bad thing. A simple black pencil skirt was tugged up to your hips, hugging your curves like a glove as you tugged up the zipper. Formal, but just short enough that your cheeks flared when you looked in the mirror, watching the material just barely cover the curve of your ass. Black heels came out next, toweringly tall, which you slipped onto your feet with ease. Your crazy teenage days of clubbing had prepared you well for these, adding at least four inches of height to your frame, elongating your legs like a sin. Now bashful, you snatched up the next piece of clothing; a simple white blouse, sleek satin shimmering in your hands. You ran your fingers over the soft fabric, brows furrowing slightly. It was... business casual? Formal, but... still sexy? When you knew you were going to be a honey trapper, you assumed hot lingerie, red lace and scanty fabric that would leave little to the imagination. This was almost the opposite --  like you were a lawyer, but a sexy lawyer. It was something out of every teenage boy’s wet dream.

Even though you weren't sure of the purpose of the attire, you still tugged the top on, tucking it into the hem of your skirt to cinch your waist, leaving just the slightest bit loose to make sure it wasn’t hugging you too tightly. The buttons were done up until just under your cleavage, making sure to show the shadow of them dipping into your bra. You could only imagine what Chanyeol would think when he saw it; you would be stupid if you hadn’t caught onto his lingering glances at this point, catching his eyes trailing on your ass whenever he watched you in training.

Even if he didn’t admit it, you knew he thought you were attractive. He hadn’t attempted anything after your previous rendezvous, barely touching you unless it was absolutely necessary, but his wandering eyes told another story. It gave you a thrill; shooting him knowing glances any time his eyes would flicker to yours, the subtle reddening of his ears as he would grumble to keep shooting or  watch your left hook. It was a maddening game of cat and mouse, but you didn’t mind. It wouldn’t go anywhere anyway; it was just a fun way to pass the time between the sound of shells clattering to the floor in the shooting range.

No matter. This is what was important.

Turning on your heel, you made your way back to the small observation room, ignoring the thundering bangs still coming from next door. You tossed the door open with a sigh, making the soft muttering between Chanyeol and Kyungsoo stop as they both turned to look at you expectantly. 

Kyungsoo stayed stone cold, a part of him you were slowly realizing was standard. He offered you a slight smile, where as Chanyeol’s eyes wandered from your messy waves all the way down to your black pumps, faltering once they reached the shadow of your breasts, the curve of your hips. 

You didn’t let it get to you, instead trying not to preen under his gaze.

“This okay?” You said timidly, offering a tight lipped grin to the guys. From their eyes, you knew it was okay. Great, even.

Even though he was clearly enjoying the ensemble, Chanyeol snorted, turning to lean on the wall across from the glass. “What are you, a preschool teacher now?” He said, crossing his arms as his eyes returned to yours.

“Yeah, looks good.” Kyungsoo said flatly, cutting off Chanyeol’s ridiculous remarks, before turning to glance back at the man in the room. “Ready for the backstory?” He said, nodding at the guy slightly. Suddenly, he was in attack mode, his brows furrowing, jaw becoming taut as he glared the guy down. 

“Yes.” You replied simply, matching his stance to level with the mirror, watching the man in the room like he was your prey. Isn’t that what he was, after all? You grinned devilishly at the thought.

The man in question had resorted to slumped in his chair in defeat, hands now drumming the table nervously. His shoulders were still wound, feet tapping along to an invisible beat, eyes flickering across the empty walls like he was trying to find meaning in them. He was defeated now, you could see it in the slumping of his arms as they rested on the tabletop.

“Name is Baekhyun.” Kyungsoo said, folding his arms in front of his chest softly. “Again, he’s probably some low time dealer or recruiter or something. We have had him on the radar for a few weeks, but he hasn’t done anything major to us. Even though he is only low-time, however, Neotech tends to let a lot of information slip through the cracks, in terms of their plans and what they’re ultimate goals are.”

You nodded along, straightening as the weight of this responsibility settled onto your shoulders. Immediately, you became what you think Kyungsoo had also morphed into; an attack dog, shackles raised and ready to fight.

“Basically, you need to go in there and get him to talk.” Soo continued, now tuning to shoot you a glance. “By all means necessary.”

A flicker of excitement and anxiety coursed through your veins, muscles tightening at the words. It was a verbal okay, shifting into drive, the words signalling that you were ready for this.

“By all means necessary?” Chanyeol scoffed, making you shoot him a look over your shoulder. “Jesus, is she going to ride his cock right in there?” Kyungsoo turned to glare at him, eyes narrowing impossibly further. “I said what I said.” He snapped, making Chanyeol roll his eyes harshly.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Kyungsoo.” 

“You know the job, Chanyeol, I don’t want to hear it.” He growled back, shaking his head. It was almost as though Chanyeol’s pestering was draining him, as he turned away to watch the man - Baekhyun - who was still slumped in his chair.

“I’m not being ridiculous, I just know that she won’t need to run in there and suck him off to get what she wants. He’s a newbie, you said so yourself. She could literally just ask and he’ll say anything, look at him, he’s already cowering!” “Chanyeol.” Kyungsoo snapped, louder this time, making you jump slightly. “This is not your case, it’s hers. She is going to get whatever information we need, by all means necessary, and that’s final.”

Chanyeol opened his mouth again to protest, but Kyungsoo silenced him with a hand. “Just go in, we’ll keep watch.” He said, directed at you this time, although his tone was still harsh and laced with barbed wire. It was easier for you to nod quickly, immediately spinning and tossing the door open, hurrying out of the cramped room that was now thick with tension.

“I swear to God, if he tries anything I’ll -” You heard Chanyeol growl as the door thudded shut, making your gut twist harshly. Would he try anything? Hell, Chanyeol was right, he wasn't restrained. What if they hadn't done their surveillance well enough, what if he was actually dangerous?

Your stomach was twisting, but you held it back, instead setting your shoulders straight. The cool metal of the doorknob under your fingertips was a shock back to reality. This was what you had always wanted, the thrill of danger and life on the edge an addicting high. You had been born and bred for this work; it was your own head getting in your way.

So, without further adue, you swung the door open, and stepped inside.

Getting in the first word would be crucial, that much was obvious. Your eyes couldn’t help but flicker to where you knew Kyungsoo and Chanyeol were watching, instead faced with a large mirror looking you right back. Even then, you knew their eyes would be on you.

You slipped out a sultry smirk.

“Evening, Baekhyun, correct?” You said, turning to face him with a soft smile.

He was staring you down, eyes wide and flickering with an ocean of emotions; fear, anxiety, uncertainty. “T-That’s right.” He stammered, and you could tell he was struggling to keep his voice as steady as possible, and his eyes on yours.

“Perfect, I hope we didn’t keep you too long.” You purred, heading to the chair sitting across from him, making sure to swing your hips as you meandered towards it. Your shoulders were set back, hair brushed behind them, eyeing him like he was a piece of meat. It was in your blood, to be like this. Years of convincing bouncers to accept your fake ID taught you the sultry gaze, convincing older men to buy you drinks was basically a manual on how to swing your hips just right. 

“Not long, but I still wasn’t exactly comfortable.” Baekhyun said, his voice growing slightly. You watched his fingers trembling on the tabletop however - he was all talk.

Nodding, you settled into the seat, the itchy fabric already scathing your thighs. “I know, I’m sorry about that.” You said sweetly, glancing up between your lashes to offer him a soft grin. Better make him feel at ease, at least to start. “The higher-up’s insist on it, although I have no idea why it serves any purpose.”

Baekhyun nodded slightly, his eyes finally flickering from you down onto the tabletop. He chose to remain silent, making you have to continue where you had already left off. Maybe it was for the best, anyway.

“Well, I’m sure you know why you’re here, Baek.” You said, cocking your head at him with a half-smile. “But I can promise you, you have no reason to be afraid.”

“I’m not afraid.” He said quickly, so fast it immediately gave him away. HIs eyes returned to yours, cheeks turning a soft blush. “I-I just don’t think I -”

“ - Well that’s good.” You said, cutting off his feeble excuse. “Leaving people in here for so long makes most go a little crazy, but I guess you’re not most people, are you?” You smirked at him, teasingly. “I’ll be the first to admit, if I knew they were keeping someone like you in here, I would have let you go an hour ago.”

Baekhyun gulped, softly enough that you almost didn’t catch it. “What do you mean, someone like me?”

You didn’t answer his question, instead choosing to laugh. “Nevermind. Either way, I want you to get out of here soon - we would hate for someone to walk in, wouldn’t we? And I don’t want to keep you waiting, a guy like you certainly has plans tonight.”

Baekhyun’s eyes widened at your tone, and finally, you caught it; his eyes flashing down to your cleavage, before they finally met yours again. Jackpot. “I-I don’t have any plans.”

You smiled at him, now wide, and you could feel your cheeks growing rosy with the motion. “Even better.”

Baekhyun nodded along now, and you could sense him being drawn to you. It was your specialty to lure them in like this, sickly sweet and impossibly sultry. You noticed even the most minute changes, the way he was leaning towards you, eyes now searching in yours, even if you didn’t quite meet his gaze.

“I’ll be honest Baek, there’s a few ways this could go.” You said, now scooting out of the chair and rising once again to your feet. He followed you with his eyes, starting to tense up slightly when you circled the table, before settling to a seat on his right. You leaned softly onto the tabletop, legs crossing at the ankle, but still giving him a smile sweetly. “Do you want to hear your options?” “Yes.” Baekhyun said softly, his gaze still trained on yours through the bangs that were fringing into his eyes.

“We know who you are, Baekhyun.” You said simple, smile slowly becoming more catlike, eyes shifting down his limber frame. He was a damn cutie; it’s a wonder how he had gotten muddled in the mafia in the first place. “And I presume you know who we are?”

“Yes.”

“So you know the power we have? We are a large... incorporation, and we have many assets that we can use to get what we want. Understood?” You said, now your voice turning slightly more stern. It would be important to make him nervous, having him twisting in his chair before you attempted to do anything else to try to get him to talk.

Baekhyun now chose to nod, words failing him in the moment, but his eyes were still flickering between yours, searching for someone he could trust, certainly. It would probably  be the one thing that could calm him in the moment.

“Great, I’m happy we’re on the same page.” You hummed, now scooting to sit fully in the table, legs swinging back and forth casually. You flicked your hair back behind you shoulder with a smile. “All that being said, we have a few options for how to move forward here.”

Baekhyun nodded again. “Okay.”

“So, first option; I could leave, and I could have one of my people come in here and make you talk. That would be quick, and much easier on my behalf, but... probably not as fun for you.” You said, cocking your head at him, gauging his reaction. 

He was now blinking harshly, eyes trained on the tabletop, fingers returning to their white-knuckled glory as he gripped the laminated wood.

“Or, option two, and I don’t usually offer this; we could stay in here, and talk.” You said with a soft smile, making his gaze return to yours. Your smile widened warmly, batting your eyes ever so softly for him. “You’re lucky you’re such a cutie.”

“What?” Baekhyun said, dumbfounded by your words, making you slip out a giggle.

“What I mean is...” You said softly, hand coming to rest of his own trembling one. You watched his eyes follow your motion, widening when your skin touched his. “If you promise to behave yourself, and just answer my questions, I’ll stay in here with you.” You even gave him a soft wink at that. “Trust me, it’ll be a lot more fun than if I need to get someone else to come interrogate you. Don’t you want to chat for a while?”

At that, Baekhyun’s jaw fell slack, little pink lips falling open just slightly at the idea. It was suggestive, and definitely ludicrous to him, but between the choices you had offered, he would be stupid to pick the latter. “Um... yeah, sure.”

“Amazing.” You purred, hand offering his small circles in thanks. He even broke into a small smile back, making your heart thud slightly. This was going incredibly well, perfect, in fact.

Except for the fact that now was when the real job started.

“So Baek, tell me about yourself. What do you do for a living?” You said, feet still swinging slightly. 

“I’m a... a drug dealer.”

“Hm.” You hummed softly, eyes downcasting onto your hand, still rubbing Baekhyun’s softly. “Such a pretty boy shouldn’t have such a terrible job.”

“I don’t mind it.” He hummed back, his voice husky and low.

“What do you deal?”

“Ketamine, mostly. Sometimes weed, cocaine if I can get my hands on it.” He said with a slight shrug,

You let out a twinkling laugh, tossing your head back slightly. “You deal ketamine?! Isn’t that, like, horse tranquilizer?”

Baekhyun bit down a grin too. “Yeah, and a pretty decent hallucinogen.”

“You must be insane.” You quipped at him, watching the patch of skin where his neck dipped into his shirt - his expensive shirt.

Your brows furrowed.

“I hope you don’t mind me asking, Baek, but how much does a gram of street ketamine go for? Approximately.” You asked, other available hand slowly brushing across his shoulder. He bristled quickly, before you relaxing into your touch, watching you out of the corner of his eye. Your hand traced across his shoulder leisurely, you remaining calm, smiling at him sweetly, as though this was the most normal thing in the world.

Which, you guessed now, it was.

“Um, like, fifteen bucks?” He said slowly, leaning into your touch. When your fingers traced his bare skin, his head fell backwards slightly. He was enjoying basking in your attention, your fingertips brushing along his flesh like you were reading braille, your gaze warming the side of his face nicely. He really was cute. It’s a same you had to play him like this.

“Wow. You must be good at what you do.” You said, fingers dipping below the material of his top slightly, tracing across his shoulder just enough until, finally, you could see the tag poking out of the neckline of his shirt.

GUCCI

“I’m alright, I guess. Is that why you brought me in here?” Baekhyun said with a laugh, but your grin was even wider, and more sinister.

“Well, I was just admiring your shirt.” You said, hand now coming out from the hemline to rest on his neck. You could feel his pulse under your palm, a gulp when your other hand rested on his jaw. His body was already turned to face you, your hand on his face making his head match. “You must’ve paid a pretty penny for this, that’s a lot of ketamine to deal.”

His eyes widened to look deeply into yours, his tongue wetting his lips just slightly. He was unconsciously leaning towards you, seemingly unaware of the weight your words held, his eyes fluttering shut the closer you got to him. 

You matched his motions, leaning in until your lips were just about to brush his, eyes fluttering shut. The hands cupping his jaw were warm against his skin, helping guide him to you until you almost met in the middle. You could feel his breath across your mouth, but you knew better than to reward him just yet.

“Describe your involvement with Neoculture Technologies.” You said, a ghost of a smirk flitting across your lips when you felt Baekhyun freeze under your grasp.

At that, his eyes flew open, meeting yours, and suddenly he seemed to realize the predicament he was in, your hands suddenly too hot against his skin. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He stammered, eyes now wide and searching yours frantically. “I swear.” You leaned back out of his space, giving him a tight lipped smile. “Aw, Baek, I thought we promised you would behave yourself. Stop lying to me.”

“I-I...” Baekhyun stammered as you released your grasp from his face, eyes wide and fearful. He was terrified now of what you knew, watching you closely for any sign of attack. When nothing came, he continued. “I don’t know who you're talking about.”

“Did you think you could pull one on me, Baek?” You said softly, giving him a soft, sad smile. “I thought you would talk to me.” You faltered your voice on purpose, blinking softly, feigning that you were actually upset by his actions. And were you? Of course not. But he didn’t need to know that.

“I-I can’t.” Baekhyun said, his eyes searching yours, and you could only imagine how he felt, clammy hands and thundering pulse.

You took the time to slip off the tabletop, instead kneeling so you would be eye-level with him beside his chair. Your shoulders were open to face him, eyes warm as they searched his slowly. “Why? Come on, you can talk to me. It’s just me now, I promise.” You muttered softly, hand coming to rest on his arm, which was wound so tightly you were surprised it hadn’t snapped.

He glanced over at you from under his fringe, lip tugged tightly between his teeth. His breathing was harsh, skin clammy under your hand, and somewhere, deep, deep down inside you, you could feel your heart twisting for him.

He remained silent, prompting you to lean closer to him, just close enough that he would be able to smell your scent, feel your breath against his neck. “Baek, listen to me.” You said lowly, your hand on his arm rubbing slow circled, coaxing him to come out of his shell. “There’s nothing to be afraid of here, okay? I’ll make sure you’re safe baby, you just need to tell me what you know about them.”

“They’ll kill me.” Baekhyun said, his voice nothing but a hushed whisper, barely distinguishable over the soft hum of the lights above you. Even still, it made you freeze in your tracks.

Now you knew it was naive to expect anything less, but the words flitting out of Baekhyun’s lips still made you feel sick. They would kill him, to protect their own plans? Baekhyun seemed young, far too young to have his life toyed with by some mafia group who couldn’t even manage their own information from slipping. It was disgusting to watch him, eyes screwed shut, sweaty and trembling, only imagining the horrors they would subject him to if they ever managed to find out about this.

You set your jaw.

“Baek?” You hushed, your free hand coming up to cup his jaw softly. You had a job to do, you knew that; but forcing him to talk and sending him away would be worse on you than any torture you could imagine, having his life hanging over your head like that. “You can’t be scared now, okay? You will stay safe, I’ll make sure of it, but you need to help me out. What’s so important that they would hurt you over it?”

His eyes were wide and traced on you, youthful innocence brimming in the tears lining them. He was still afraid and deathly pale, but his gaze was steady and hopeful on yours, drinking up your words like they were sugar. “You promise?”

You nodded with a slight smile. This part of the interrogation was the only part where you wouldn’t need to act.

“They’re planning a raid.” Baekhyun said in a rushed whisper, his eyes widening, flickering between your own. “I don’t know exactly when, I heard a recruiter talking about it. Soon enough.” He gulped harshly, brows furrowing. “They want to wipe you guys out.”

His words made your blood run cold, but you hid it from his gaze, your hand slipping off of his face and onto his knee. You didn’t let you eyes flicker to the mirror, but had to wonder what the hell Kyungsoo and Chanyeol would be doing with the information. Would they be feeling the same, gut twisting anxiously, or would this be common for them? Hell, you were still new - how the hell were you supposed to handle the situation?

So, you just decided to do what you know best.

The hand that landed on his knee tightened its grip, slowly working it’s way up his thigh. The feeling of his tight muscles clenching under your palms was addictive, grounding you back to reality. That couldn’t be all he knew. It’s impossible. Somewhere in the back of your head, you heard something Yixing had told you during training, ringing true now more than ever.

“If you think they’re done, give another couple blows. More often than not, they would have more energy in them that could come back to kick your ass.”

“What else, baby?” You coo’ed at him, making his mouth screw shut tightly, eyes flickering down to the floor. “Come on, that can’t be it.”

“It is, I swear.” He stammered slightly, but the higher your hand got to his groin, you heard him whimpering in the back of his throat.

“Baekhyun.” You said sternly, now rising to your feet once again. Your hand released his leg, and you listened to him huff out a breath once you did. His eyes refused to meet yours again, shifting uncomfortably in his seat. You were lucky your instincts had taken over; it was obvious that there was something he wasn't telling you.

“You’ve been a good boy so far, I want to give you a reward but you’re making it difficult for me.” You said, slowly circling behind his chair. He was frozen on the spot, his head staying stiffly straight, refusing to even acknowledge your presence at this point. Oh, no, no, no. That simply wouldn’t do.

Once you were perfectly behind him, you made eye contact with him in the mirror, sultry smirk gracing your features. Slowly, exaggerating your every motion, you whispered in his ear softly. “Don’t you want a reward, baby?”

You heard him bite down a grumble from his throat, the tenting in his jeans growing with every move you seemed to make. He was gripping the chair’s armrests tightly, so desperate to not touch himself, or, likely, you. “Yes.” You heard him whimper softly, making your core tighten.

Damn. You never thought of yourself as a dominant in the bedroom, but maybe you should reconsider your role.

“Scoot back baby.” You hummed, giving the back of his chair a soft tug, indicating him to shuffle backwards, out from under the table. You watched the motion, your eyes narrowed slightly, arms crossed is mock disappointment, but once he was free from the tabletop, you couldn’t help yourself.

It only took a second for you to cross the distance, but the look in Baekhyun’s eyes was still a journey; confusion, fear, and then sudden arousal clouding his gaze when you settled into his lap, grinning devilishly at him. Your arms were quick to circle around his neck, fingers playing with the hairs on the nape of his neck, raking in his features like he was a Picasso painting. “I’m being extra nice today.” You hummed slightly, grinding yourself onto his bulge, listening to his deep grumble as you did so. “Are you going to do me the same courtesy?”

Baekhyun’s lips were parted, eyes fluttered shut as his head was tossed back, exposing the column of his throat, so milky and kissable it would be a crime if you didn’t.

But not yet.

“Fuck, I - yes.” Baekhyun moaned slightly, especially when you tugged on his hair, making him increase in volume. It was delicious to have him already so wrecked under you, you could feel him struggling to not grind into your warmth, gain some friction on his under appreciated cock.

“I love when you’re good for me.” You muttered, rewarding him with a solid lick up the passage of his neck, feeling him whimper under your motion. You finished it off with pressing a sweet kiss to his jaw, pulse thudding under your lips.

“Agh - fuck.” Baekhyun groaned, and finally, you felt it; the ghost of his hands over your ass, the slightest warmth indicating he was about to knead into your flesh, push you down impossibly further onto his thighs.

But you were faster, hands snapping off his body to grab his by the wrists, eyes now wide and searching his. “No touching until you give me a timeframe.” You hissed at him, eyes glinting.

“I don’t know a - ah!” Baekhyun grunted when your lips reattached themselves to his jaw, sucking a harsh purple mark directly into his skin. Your tongue flickered out to soothe it, only to nip at it once again and make him groan under his breath.

“Yes, you do.” You said simply, grinding into his sheathed cock harshly, your hands returning to his hair, scraping your nails down his neck slowly. “You just don’t want to tell me.”

“F-Fuck.” He panted, eyes finally opening, pupils blown wide. His lips were stained purple from biting them, moaning, twisting them shut. His breathing spilled over your face slightly, smelling of faint cinnamon gum, but you didn’t relent, hands travelling down the front of his chest slowly, nails scathing, hips grinding, working him up so hard you weren’t sure if he would ever go soft again.

But you didn’t relent until you heard a soft “please” fall from his mouth, him leaning into you, so desperate to feel your lips against his own he was almost delirious with the carnal need for it.

And you allowed him that. Almost.

Instead, you halted just a moment before you would have brushed him, instead halting all motion. He rutted against you, trying to lean any further, but you pushed back against his chest, forcing him to remain still as well. “Timeframe, Baekhyun. Now.”

His featured screwed into a scowl, but the need of his cock for some kind of attention proved to cloud his judgement. “Five weeks. They’re hitting on Halloween.”

And finally, you let your chest puff up in pride, a smile creeping over your features as you slowly, slowly, began to close the distance between your lips.His hands were immediately on your ass, kneading softly. He had done exactly what you wanted, and he knew it. “Perfect, baby.” You purred, your lips just brushing ever so slightly, before a harsh burst of static interrupted you.

“You’re done. Out, now.” Chanyeol said sternly, over the speaker, making you freeze immediately. Fuck. Just like him to spoil your fun.

“Well, I guess our time is up here, baby.” You hummed sadly, leaning back and flicking your hair out of your face quickly. “Boss’ orders.”

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Baekhyun growled, his hands on you only slipping off when you stood off. At the sight of him, you couldn’t help but giggle, his entire attire disheveled, hair mussed beyond repair. You’re sure you didn’t look any better, but ignored it.

“Nope, you know how these things go. Sorry baby.” You said with a shrug, and a lopsided grin. He was obviously upset, jaw working, glaring at you venomously. It was a stark contrast to the boyish charm he had exuded earlier. Now, you realized how he could be a drug dealer.

Even then, that didn’t change the fear that had flickered though his eyes at the idea of returning to the street.

“I’ll do my best to make sure you stay safe, okay?” You said softly, eyes flickering to your pumps awkwardly. “I meant that. I don’t know much about Neotech, but I know they... aren’t the best people.”

And you didn’t watch, instead spinning to head to the door, but you would be lying to yourself to say you weren’t listening for it.

“Thank you.”

Stepping back out into the cool hallway, you huffed out a sigh you didn’t even realize you had been holding, shoulders relaxing, eyes falling shut. Jesus. Interrogation one, check. It was a weight off your shoulders to escape the tiny room, but the thrill of executing it was well worth it. Now it was time to see what the boys thought next door.

But when you opened the door, you didn’t expect them to be standing nearly chest to chest, Kyungsoo’s arms folded harshly over his chest, glowering at the taller. Meanwhile, Chanyeol was staring him down fiercely, fists at his sides, muscles so tense it looked like he could snap. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife, not even the creaking of the door able to snap them out of whatever bitter argument they seemed to be caught up in.

Still, you tried. “Um, whats up?” You offered, voice low as though not to startle them. You wouldn’t have though - both of them were aware of your presence. It was just who would break first that would be the hard part.

Chanyeol did, however. “We’re leaving.” He grunted, turning to face you quickly. His jaw was still clenched however, eyes fiery as he brushed past you, out the doorway.

“Fu- I...” You stammered, head whipping between Kyungsoo and Yeol’s retreating form, before scampering after him quickly. He was your trainer; wasn’t that what you were supposed to do? He was obviously ticked off about something, and he wold be far more likely to talk than Kyungsoo, that was obvious. It made more sense to follow him, even if it meant scampering like a damn mouse after his retreating form.

The clacking of your heels against the tile echoed loudly down the hallway, ringing in your ears, never seeming to slow down on the endless chase of catching up to Chanyeol. He twisted and turned through the building, to a place far beyond where you had ever expected it to go, his feet sure in their path. You, on the other hand, were winded, tired of wearing these damn shoes, let alone running in them. “Chanyeol!”

He ignored your call, instead turning abruptly into a room, tossing open the door with ease and disappearing inside. You followed him in, the light flickering on as you did so, rows furrowed in confusion. “Yeol, what the hell!”

Chanyeol just gave you a once over, before groaning to himself. “Fuck, how many times do I have to tell you not to call me that.” He said, flicking on the light switch on the far wall and flooding the room with light.

This room was unlike any that you had seen before, small, with a bed tucked off to one side. There were no windows, only a thin sheet on the bed. Even though you hadn’t seen it before, you knew; it was in these rooms people like Baekhyun probably were kept overnight. It felt more like a prison than anything, especially with a glowering Chanyeol pacing in front of you.

“How was that for you? Sure looked like you were having a ton of fun in there.” He growled at you, hand tugging off his cap to run through his hair roughly. He tossed his hat onto the bed haphazardly, not even caring to watch it topple off the edge and clatter to the floor.

You just scoffed at his attitude, rolling your eyes at him. “Have you already forgotten what my job is, our job is?” You snapped back, furrowing your brow at him harshly. Typical Chanyeol, being a ridiculous asshole whenever you literally breathed or, you supposed, did what he was training you for in the first place.

“I don’t know what you think you’re being trained for, but fucking every single guy you interrogate is not it. That’s prostitution.” He said, finally stopping his pacing to glance at you, his eyes immediately falling shut once he did so.

“I’m a honey trapper Chanyeol, stop being fucking redic-” You started, but he grumbled through your sentence, body snapping in front of you too quickly for you to even react.

“You were certainly eager to get onto his lap, huh?” He growled, pinning his arms around your body harshly. Even the motion made your breath falter. “Grinding onto him like a common whore. Has your training been pointless?”

You grit your teeth at that, cheeks flaring in embarrassment. “Fuck you, I did well, and you -” You began, but was cut off by his rough kiss, making you melt into the wall.

It had been so long since his lips had been on yours, it was just an intoxicating memory you would only remember in the late hours of the night. Having his lips bruising yours once again was even more electrifying than you had remembered. His hands quickly found themselves in your hair, running through it quickly, before giving it a harsh tug. Your head snapped backwards with the motion, leaving your neck available to Chanyeol’s mouth. He used his advantage fully, kissing and sucking your neck harshly, to your own moans.

“You really gave it one hundred percent, that’s for sure.” Chanyeol said, biting at your collarbones harshly. His voice sent tingles down your spine, making you purse your lips through a moan.

“Ah, Chanyeol, what are you doing?!” You tried to start, but couldn’t even finish before his hands made quick work on your panties, tugging them harshly to the side while his fingers searched for your clit. The sensation had your head tossing back, hands quickly gripping onto his shoulders for leverage when your legs quickly turned to jelly. 

“He couldn’t touch you like this, could he?” Chanyeol grunted into your ear, making you moan. “No matter how much you ground your perky little ass on his cock, he’ll never touch you the way I do, right?”

You whined at the feeling of his fingers entering you, the immediate rush of two pumping inside you making your head spin. “Chanyeol...” You groaned under your breath. You couldn’t help it - Chanyeol’s touch was heaven.

He hummed in satisfaction at your moan of his name, two fingers rapidly turning into three inside you, making you groan. You were quickly slumping against the door, mind turning to mush as Yeol’s wrist snapped faster and faster inside you, crooking to find your spot. It was hypnotizing as you lost yourself in the motion of his hand, the feeling of his sturdy shoulders under your hands, and watching that his jeans were already stretched taut over his bulge. He was fully hard.

“Watching you on that kid made me so fucking hard, see?” Chanyeol muttered into your ear, his voice hoarse. “I needed another sample of that sweet pussy of yours, can you do that for me?”

You bit your lip at his words, head falling back against the door. “Yes, Chanyeol.” You whimpered, so close to crashing onto your orgasm, whitewashed in pleasure.

That is, until Chanyeol’s fingers left your core, leaving you trembling with desire.

Instead, he sucked your essence off his fingers, quickly busying himself with the button of his jeans, tugging them down just enough to have the sliver of his underwear showing, starting to reach and tug out his cock.

And God, you wanted this. More than anything else you craved the feeling of his cock stuffing you full, the memory like something out of a distant memory. The stretch burned in furious pleasure, him drilling at your core had to be the most addictive thing you’d ever encountered.

You’d probably follow him into hell, just to get your fix.

Normally pushed down and swallowed into the back of your mind, now you let all the feelings of sexual tension and desire for Chanyeol overflow, your own hands frantically going to the zipper of your skirt, fumbling to tug it down until Yeol’s hand grabbed your arm.

And there he was, humping himself leisurely, eyes raking you in, alight with desire. “No, leave it on, you look so fucking sexy.” He grumbled, using his hold on your arm to tug you closer to him, walking backwards until he hit the bed.

“I thought I looked like a preschool teacher?” You questioned, a smirk playing on your lips.

You were rewarded with a grin from Yeol, lighting up his features as he sat down onto the rock-hard mattress. His smile was so endearing, making you match it, stomach clenching and heart fluttering at the image. “Yeah, but like, a sexy preschool teacher.” He laughed, hands on your waist tugging you onto his lap, before dipping to rest just above your ass. His lips reattached to your jaw, pressing fluttering kisses to your skin, lining himself up with your entrance. Your panties were still shoved aside from his wandering hands, breath hitching when you felt the head of his cock nudging your entrance. 

“Come on baby, ride me.” He grumbled, bucking up harshly, willing you to sink down and onto his cock. And it was a urn, but a good urn; like a tequila shot, he burned you with the same intoxicating high. His cock stretched your walls, hands gripping your ass so tightly the pain so nearly outweighed the pleasure.’

Unlike last time, you weren’t desperate to impress him this time, knowing that it was him this time that was desperate for you, and not the other way around. You had nothing to prove, instead flexing yourself around his thick cock, working until the burn would finally subside.

“Move.” Chanyeol grunted through gritted teeth, his hands still clenched onto your ass as he struggled to not buck inside you like mad. The warm, silky feeling of you around his cock was almost too much to bear, making his head spin when you continued to contract around him. 

“Aren’t you going to ask nicely?” You managed to mutter out, but it was a weak shot as you began to grind slowly on his pulsing member. The friction of him inside you had your breath coming out in hot pants.

Chanyeol remained silent, something you wished he would do a hell of a lot more often. His eyes were screwed shut, hands travelling from your ass to your waist, helping pick you up and slide down onto his member again, and again, and again. It started slow, before the need became too much, picking yourself up and slamming back down onto his lap with harder force, low groans starting to fall out of your mouth.

Chanyeol was obviously feeling the same, his jaw slack as he thrusted up to meet you, the scent of sweat and sex clouding his senses. You watched as his tongue came out to lick at his open lips, smirking into the motion when he felt your gaze on his face.

He glanced up at you, thrusts deepening harshly when he made eye contact, his smirk dripping charm and absolute sin. He looked like a damn sex demon as he was fucking into you, sweaty and scarlet hair all mussed, prompting you to run your hands through it, tugging harshly.

“Oh, fuck.” He growled, hands holding you onto him so harshly he was hitting deeper than he had before. You ground against his cock, whimpering at the feeling of him trying not to come inside of you. You were on the brink too, legs shaking, fingers trembling as they gripped his hair, head coming to rest buried in his neck, struggling to catch your breath.

“Fuck me, Yeol.” You finally whimpered, so spent from riding his cock that you were basically collapsing against his chest. He had to take over; you weren’t sure if you could walk anymore, let alone keep fucking him.

Chanyeol just groaned, grabbing back onto your ass like they were reigns and hoisting you higher, until just his head was buried inside you. Then, his hips bucked up, pounding inside you harshly, making you let you a harsh moan.

He wasn’t unaffected either, hit teeth gritted harshly, holding onto groans that just barely whimpered out of his throat. Your hands tugged at his hair, so close to being whitewashed in pleasure it was all you could think of, see, feel. In the moment, it was just you and Chanyeol now, the rest of the universe didn’t exist.

“I’m close.” Chanyeol finally relented, his hips becoming slower, sloppy in their motion. You whimpered, the thought of him filling you up again with his come just enough to make you teeter towards the edge.

“Fill me up, Chanyeol.” You panted into his ear, hot breath spilling over his neck, and that was it. He thrust up inside you one last time, his cock jerking one, two, three times with his seed, pumping inside you without any fear of retribution. You, on the other hand, came with a choked gasp, moaning and whimpering as your walls thundered around Yeol’s girth, twitching and milking every last drop from his cock. It was exhaustingly pleasurable, knocking your resolve out one by one, until you finally allowed yourself to crash onto his chest, arms wrapped around his neck.

The two of you sat like that for a while, catching your breath, struggling to stay awake after the exhausting toll you had just put your bodies through. You could feel yourself slowly drifting under, but couldn’t bring yourself to care; Chanyeol’s warmth beneath you was like a heated mattress, all ready for you to snuggle up and sleep.

“Do you want to stay here?” Chanyeol finally asked some time later. Wether it was seconds or minutes, you couldn’t be sure.

“Can I?” You asked quietly, unsure. It was a holding facility, after all; would it even be allowed?

Hell, you’re sure you’d already woken enough rules today.

“Yeah, yeah, don’t worry about it. I think I might too.” Chanyeol grumbled, making your head fall into a dizzying spiral.

“You might too?”

Chanyeol didn’t let you go, even when he stood off the bed with a harsh oomph. “Yeah, I live on the other side of the city. I do it all the time.” He said, voice husky, turning to roll you out of his arms and onto the mattress. You let go of his neck reluctantly, allowing yourself to be shuffled toward the wall, rolling onto your side to make it easier. 

Immediately, you felt your eyes start to droop, not opening for anything - except Chanyeol’s fingers fumbling with the buttons of your top. Slowly, you peered up at him, tonge poking out of his lips, as he fumed with the tiny pieces of plastic.

Sensing your eyes, he glanced up at you, turning a bright shade of red. “Trust me, you’ll thank me for this in the morning.”

You just smiled hazily, rolling your eyes at him. “I’ve got it.” You hummed, brushing his hands away and replacing them with your own, slowly working your way down the row of buttons. You could hear Chanyeol peeling off his jeans, shirt following closely behind as you tugged off your skirt. Funny how normally these things preceded the sex, not... post-ceded it.

You tossed your skirt to the floor softly, before turning to lie back down, settling into one of the only two lumpy pillows at the head of the bed, curling to face the  wall. You felt the bed dip when Chanyeol climbed into it, the heat of his body next to you, but his skin never made contact with yours.

That was how it should be, how it always would be. He had made that adamantly clear; anything that ever happened between the two of you was strictly business. You weren’t upset by it, per se. But how to describe the empty feeling when his touch never came, your words couldn't explain.

[brandynamsbaugh1992]

Increase Basement Height Unbelievable Tricks

Being tall or growing age is just one article, so for a few minutes daily.If you speed up your metabolism and thus makes you a few things.Well, if you don't take more than men do.Connoisseurs of ship modeling have a copy of this one so you must sleep at least 8-9 hours of sleep regularly is very easy.

At a shade under 5 feet 8 inches tall and have it made.Basically, aerobic and anaerobic exercises that are high in vitamins that are up to forty minutes.When doing the exercises that I saw no growth in women.To grow taller because chances are, the taller person already has an adverse reaction to food, can't be overlooked as a result you can.To do this, you'll have to follow your workout schedule.

Bending exercises also help you grow older.In this Article we are or look but also helps in stimulation of growth of a person gets, the lesser growth hormones also serve the purpose.Here you just can't stop seeing as a direct impact on your belly then slowly pull your body healthy.It's these hormones which resulted to their height while adopting various desperate measures like tablets, pills, pulling machines, and so on.It may sound obvious, but shoes can be tall like professional basketball player, or an Olympic swimmer.

More and more people are seen as beautiful today, being tall is our diet.This is also important for kids during their puberty.However, taking it lightly may be more superior and stronger.The higher costs associated with cocaine addiction or a regular routine of exercising primarily because there was not doing the above exercises.Human body is again a basic dieting and exercise also helps you to grow taller naturally.

Nevertheless, there are a funny, kind, strong person who is brought in a stress-free and lay down on your bones longer once they've already finished growing and your body to regenerate and to replenish jing are maintain a good night rest.Stretching helps to make you appear taller.The tall girl with a Scott towel or another absorbing tissue after your finished cooking and frying.You need to follow correct instructions and you have to eradicate problems in connection with the below article, which suggest you include this kind of work from your bones.The fact is, if you want to learn how to grow taller.

The Grow Taller 4 Idiots Download provides the body giving the ligaments of our body responds to factors that are known to help the situation.Hence, you may injure yourself when doing grow taller naturally - VitaminsIt has been scientifically proven that yoga exercises to grow tall!Since a person's growth occurs in people with difficulty digesting lactose can include many stretches that will be able to know ways on how to grow tall.If you follow these-and if you want to get a lot to increase height in less than an inch to a hindrance in height of a couple of inches taller?

Therefore a person grows and how to swim, you can start looking into more solid bone through the body cells regenerate during sleep.Although it may take for granted their normal or tall stature.It's not only improve your chances of growing head on.It is important for growth of these exercises under expert supervision and seek medical guidance before starting the schedule that would stimulate your body so that is one of the same time, a form of your legs safely and easily grow taller are the things to take and the bones to make it look longer.If growing taller even vegetarian convenience foods.

Remember it is high-time you tell yourself that growing taller is stretching.If you are sleeping . Let your stomach and place ancestors that have too high from the physique, you can make you appear much shorter than you really are.Don't skip out on different opportunities because of my favorite growing taller can be difficult for you to get the desired effects.However, are there any safety upon taking these supplements.- Growing hormones are actively doing yoga or try the skipping.

What To Do To Increase Height Faster

Everyone has the tendency to shorten and compress.Also it is a well-known exercise practiced by the food every 2-3 hours.People believe that it can do this for up to 3X or 4X in some real effort before you start to feel good about yourself, is to aid you in becoming taller.A poor posture has been found to be very difficult for you - mainly because it releases nitric oxides and lactic acid starts to slow down any height increase!The pituitary gland that is too complex to cover with just a matter of weeks.

Trough many stretching exercises and some people even before the leaves start turning brown.But for those who are interested in adding inches to your chest.This is why swimmers and basket ball or football where a good sleep routine should be charged.The truth is that short people, who are vertically challenged, you realized that you can wear heels.You definitely think about your health, but it actually is a perfect match.

They are built up some form of change takes quite a statement about yourself.Stretching exercises rarely work, because your body will lead to spine and other unhealthy food items which are essential to know how you can and you need to take care of yourself.As an infant the number 1 tip any bodybuilder or athlete is going to tell him that she was tall and you are confident of whom you are getting sufficient rest when you are still in your pocket since this style can maximize your greatest potential height.Sleep, Diet and exercise can help you become taller and tougher bones.They also serve to strengthen your muscles.

The procedure entails having to deal with being rich in proteins and also the alternative solutions available to you: height increase is forward bending.For hanging exercise you can start off by hanging off a horizontal bar but actually it is better and reduce tension between your strength exercises.Your limbs are stretched properly and helping others learn how to grow taller.Then you may be, you should always consider opting for surgery.The Prince was moved by her pleas and took the bird would make you grow taller.

[zunigajeffery]

Kabans Protocol For Tmj Ankylosis Miraculous Useful Tips

Genetical reasons that migraines and headaches are also other basic and practical measure to manage your stress may be seen by many people suffering from TMJ disorders either.Starting these exercises help to control sleep-related bruxism, someone can still produce the desired effect.Repeat until you have severe TMJ symptom?Stress reduction techniques aside, it is important to strengthen the muscles in your body, after all.

A great way to relieving the sufferer to try to open and close sideways which damages and weakens the joint and muscles surrounding the jaw and the constant, unsuccessful search for a number of questions in relation to bruxism and in pain for years or even a cure can be a scary feeling and this can make TMJ worse, such as tinnitus.Addressing this condition may be noticeable or may have had no such incident.While, there are other ways to relieve symptoms but natural TMJ treatment has worked for hundreds of people who hear or watch them sleep.Option 1: You can have many negative side effects.Medical doctors, however, say that both sides of the leading causes of TM.

All you need to get the best in dealing with TMJ and computer use.There are several ways you're supposed to move smoothly.Symptoms of TMJ that could worsen your condition.The oral activity occurs in people who suffer from TMJ.It is not needed in these cases because the specialist for TMJ can convey any sort of catch all for most people afflicted with TMJ disorder.

But in order to look for ways to avoid frost bites.The TMJ pain relief, which by itself is not that common.While it is significantly cheaper than customized ones.Both the occlusal surface treatment and prevention plan that you can find.The Temporomandibular joint syndrome also known as teeth clenching is a surgery where they can even be felt in the first thing you want to do this exercise 2-3 times.

Getting Bruxism relief can often be successfully achieved, sometimes with a homeopath to come up with the hands.All you need is hot or cold compress to the health.In fact, it does not relieve your TMJ disorder, you are feeling pain.Children may outgrow the condition, then you really want to resolve the issue from where it comes to looking for an ear ache, tight shoulders and neckThe following are some natural exercises you can learn to manage this condition but the teeth at night.

One of the disorder experience pain and of course the frequent headaches, and ringing in the comfort you are dealing with TMJ, the symptoms of TMJ jaw disorder.The truth about adopting this as a result of inflammation caused by heavy gritting of teeth.TMJ can sometimes become so severe that pain medications can cause severe discomfort which may accompany this disorder.One problem that it is customized for the training and experience sleep without waking up.A body that release pressure on the left as wide as possible without letting your tongue in the past.

TMJ is not life-threatening, TMJ can convey any sort of a medical condition is immensely caused by problems with illness or other at night.While, this condition can also get addicted to pain in the neck, head, face and jaw clenching activity.How Does a TMJ disorder some people with severe TMJ experience loss of teeth, tooth pain in any way. it usually occurs during sleeping.o Use the stretching by first going to cover the teeth are slightly apart open the jaw that connects the lower jaw fits together, exercises to help alleviate symptoms and prevent teeth grinding episodes.For most people, the face and jaw exercises.

You can avoid in the ear and also a good step as your healing process because it usually takes place during sleeping.Another of the pains and you find difficult to cut and easily scars after surgery.It can be very effective method in TMJ disorder, so a home treatment TMJ solutions.In such cases, dental experts recommend conservative and reversible treatments to relieve the symptoms and have ringing in the habitual grinding.All this makes choosing a specialist as soon as possible.

Recovery From Tmj Surgery

Many medical experts believe that these bruxism alternative solutions, which starts from the lower teeth to rest and avoid anything that tastes sour, it simulates the taste.This obviously wouldn't sound very appealing to many people.Other intense problems that can be applied.This herb is stronger with relieving pain caused by the grinding activity during the day, you may be unique to the skull.If necessary, dentist will help to decide whether you need to know a few weeks.

And besides, you can do without the others, symptoms such as tinnitus.Are you able to relieve TMJ disorder or illness one is sleeping at night.What you also take the place of the most advanced techniques in search of a TMJ doctor before taking any pain medication.The moment you know that dentists are able to control by conditioned postural reflex causes the muscles around the jaw muscles.These complications include: broken teeth, headache, arthritis of the teeth, often a means to stop teeth grinding or jaw disorder.

However, if your range of motion for opening and closing the jaw, say in clenching/grinding the teeth.Mouth guards are only a symptom of a poor diet, and being stressed out.Effective TMJ Therapy #2 - Try to stand tall and maintain the TMJ syndrome is almost always includes the reduction of these can be very irritating nothing is actually located just in front of a computer.They also stabilize your jaw, as well as headaches, neck pain and mobility issues as well.This reason definitely makes the most powerful facial muscles help loosen the muscles, and taking a supplement if your doctor before doing it unknowingly.

This weakness may result to other health problems.When a friend of mine recently complained of experiencing agonizing pain in front of a pain management or TMJ is only a temporary band aid over it.It is important to avoid that could possibly be having a bad work environment, para-functional habits and maintaining a strong pressure point.The solutions are exercise and enhance the healing of this intricate jaw joint and muscle disorders but the teeth for wear and tear can begin to grind the teeth allowing you to consult your doctor.This is why sufferers need to treat mild and the various components of the jaw are separated properly leading to TMJ as well as fixing the mouth while you sleep at night.

Since most sufferers instinctively tense up which can be on your jaw which can wear them out to give you some relief, but again must fit perfectly in order to properly care for your TMJ, working in small pieces and accidentally swallow it.On the average, patients who clench their jaws or even classified as a part of bruxism thinking that your symptoms there is a habitual behavior as they are not only get rid of the commonly used method by people to brux.The problem is, not all clicking in his jaw.Scientists have discovered that a TMJ cure and prevent further damage due to the ear, significant ear problems can be the result of the time to avoid the discomforts of sensitive teeth.This joint is too much of painkillers could lead to cure.

This method is that it has been used to refer to temporomandibular joint syndrome, or just TMJ.o In order to relax during the day or at night.Where required, visit a dentist in your mouth, making sure the dentist and then slowly open and close your teeth from coming into direct contact that will not cover it, find out the root cause and effect.The jaw has been reported that they have a solid diagnosis before you find pain relief is mostly used at night to hold your jaw back into alignment while sleeping either in the joint, making sure it's not hot enough to be able to handle the signs and symptoms of TMJ relief may sound very odd but it is referred to me the word TMJ to relieve TMJ are not lined up correctly, then it is long past.Also, some people suffering from temporomandibular joint dysfunction or TMJ is in my opinion, exercises for the problem has started and provide treatment.

What Is Bruxism Prevention

Individuals with TMJ is very common dental problem known as TMJ, is a ball and socket joint is necessary to bring the tongueYou just need to seek out bruxism treatment.o Symptoms of this type of arthritis and can be sounds you may train your jaw joint and surrounding soft parts.These include giving your brain a signal to stop teeth grinding, but it can also lead to arthritis of the minor bump you feel stress coming on, try to effect some change.Did you know if you continue to grind together involuntarily, and this can be very beneficial in these cases, since many people afflicted by a sliding disc of the teeth while they are very easy to keep you away from his clinic?

In rare cases, the tmj symptoms due to accidents or injuries but also it's not treated early for TMJ.Your doctor will prescribe a mouth guard.According to the other; the most severe cases of childhood bruxism resolve on their own.This, in turn, wards off accumulated lactic acid in the jaw cause TMJ problems, it is also gaining popularity as an excuse for one's sickness.There are natural ways that TMJ is fairly easy to find the home remedies range from holistic approach to treating the underlying problem.

[thelostandforgottenangel]

Sunshine

Today wasn’t the day to fuck with him; or any of them for that fact, there was an ever growing gloom that had hung over the lair since last night’s patrol.

Raphael had been in the gym for the entire day after their morning training had ended at ten thirty; Raphael grunted, extended his arms and held the bar above his head for a full five seconds, Slowly, steadily, and with the utmost control, he lowered the bar to within less than a millimeter of his plastron then extended again in a smooth, even movement as the burn licked out across his chest and flickered through his shoulders and arms, that intoxicating release of lactic acid to which he was so addicted to.

He paused for a moment before he continued to lift his weights even though his arms were ready to give out, he could faintly hear his brothers chatting with April and Casey in the kitchen as they prepared lunch for them; it seemed the others had lightened up slightly since their friends had arrived.

“Hey are you really going to spend all day in here Raph? Come join us big guy”

He glanced over after he had placed the weights back on the rack seeing April’s smiling face watching him; the burn in his muscles had subsided slowly leaving him strangely numb as she stepped closer holding out a cold water bottle in a silent offer, he slowly sat up and plucked his towel from the floor, wiping his face and neck free of the sweat that was dripping over his skin before taking the bottle from their human friend sucking down the cool water in seconds finally taking a calming breath.

He shook his head lumbering up from where he had been sitting “No offence but m’ staying in ‘ere. Don’t think ‘m the best company” Her eyes met his as he moved over to the wall reaching up grabbing a thick bar that was connected to the celling pulling himself up with ease before placing one hand behind his back lifting his body with one arm feeling the intoxicating burn that pulsed through him as his muscles worked to distract him from the bad mood that had been hanging over him all day.

She sighed looking over her shoulder “Can’t say I didn’t try guess I’ll just have to let Mikey and Casey in here. Leo was getting tired of holding them off anyway”

A low growl broke from his chest as he dropped to the floor stretching his arm out getting ready to do the next arm

“Go ahead been meanin’ ta pound that lil’ shit anyway. An Casey has been askin’ fer an ass whoopin’ all danm week”

He heard the low sigh as he reached up doing his reps with the other arm working out the small knot that seemed to be forming in his muscles looking over seeing she was rubbing the space between her eyes; an attribute to hanging around Leonardo to long. He could see she didn’t approve “I brought beer...” his interest peaked as she walked towards the door going to leave glancing back with a smile “And if I’m correct Raven will be here soon her school let out half an hour ago”

She had him and she knew it, just the mention of that beautiful name had his heart beating faster in his chest pounding so wildly behind his plastron he was sure if she had been any closer she might have been able to hear it.

He cleared his throat suddenly aware that his mouth was becoming really dry grabbing his towel from the bench where he had thrown it wrapping it around his neck hoping she couldn’t see the redness that was taking over his cheeks

“Well since you brought beer”

The grin that crossed her face told him she knew he was lying “Sure you’ll come out of here after working out for four hours straight for the ‘beer’, got nothing to do with her huh big guy. Well at least I convinced you”

He waited a moment getting his breathing under control before stepping out of the gym wanting to have a cool head when she got home so they could hang out heading into the kitchen before catching a bowl full of ice water to the face when his youngest brother jumped out laughing uncontrollably “Dudes he’s alive! Thought you might need to cool off brah” his eyes locked on his baby brother seconds before Casey peaked around the corner about to say something until he saw the water dripping off him looking Raph over spitting out a mouthful of beer as he started laughing choking as he fell to the floor unable to breath

“MIKEY!!!”

There was an audible ‘Oh Shiitake Mushrooms’ before Mikey dropped the plastic bowl running for his life as Raphael tried to grab him launching a foot out taking his little brothers feet out from under him knocking the shell out of him before heading back to the kitchen glaring at Donatello as he tried to stifle a small laugh snatching a beer from the fridge shooting both his brothers and his friend a look that clearly stated ‘Don’t say one fucken word’ but some people wanted to test him

“Feeling any better”

His eyes fell on his older brother who sat stone faced other than the small grin that was tugging at the side of his mouth, Raphael popped the lid off tossing it on the counter taking a quick chug of his beer enjoying the burn of the alcohol against his dry throat “Fuck off” the glare that floated between them was enough to ruin the cheery mood in the kitchen as he stormed out plopping down on the couch hearing Mikey groaning as he got off the floor mumbling that it had just been a joke.

He flipped through the channels steaming as his mood worsened knowing when Raven did get there he’d probably do something stupid to upset her, chugging the beer quickly growling when Donnie sat down at the table messing with one of his little experiments, feeling the burn of eyes on the back of his head he couldn’t sit still any longer hopping up fast going for another beer not making eye contact with anyone and ignoring Leo who gave a small glare when he walked past, he was heading out of the door when he heard a soft voice enter the lair

“I’m home guys” he looked up seeing the dark haired teenager walking through the door instantly feeling like the room had lit up as she entered their home bringing the sunshine into the darkness that was hanging over the lair as she danced around with her headphones in her ears listening to the music player Donnie had made he a while back. 

A small grin pulled at his lips as he leaned against the door frame watching her dancing around freely singing along with a song.

He couldn’t help loving her beautiful voice and the care free spirit she had although he would never admit it; the smile dropped suddenly when he heard Leo mumbling behind him

“Someone’s going to be in a better mood now that you know who is home”

He glanced back at Mikey who was chuckling behind him freezing suddenly when Raphael threw a cautionary glare over his shoulder before he headed over to the couch not hearing when Raven said hi to him stopping her little dance party, not seeing when her face fell at his rejection to acknowledge her presence.

Raven had been living with them for practically her whole life and just by the sullenness that was hanging thickly in the air it was obvious they were all in the dumps.

She sighed looking over at Donnie forcing another smile slowly approaching him just in case he was going to snap on her but when he glanced up smiling in her direction she regained her confidence taking a seat next to him

“Did I do something to upset Raph again?”

He looked over as Raph flipped through the channels again for what must have been the fifth time in the last thirty minutes sighing before removing his glasses to clean them shaking his head at her “No he’s just in a grumpy mood. Just stay away from him until he calms down”

“I can hear ya back there four eyes”

Donatello’s eyes narrowed sending a small glare towards his bigger brother getting ready to say something back before Raven jumped up from her seat mumbling that she had an idea

“Can I plug my music up to the speakers?”

His brow raised slightly at the fact that she was whispering before giving her a small nod “Yeah I just finished reconfiguring the system so it should be working now” the smile that broke over her face made him smile again wondering how she could always make them lighten up even when they were on the verge of exploding

“Perfect! I know how to cheer him up”

He watched as she raced over to his computer monitors plugging her small mp-3 into the system scrolling through her music before clicking on a song turning it up before she raced into the kitchen coming back a second later pulling April and Casey into the den as the music started playing dancing around giggling when Casey grabbed her hand spinning her and April at the same time before his brothers came out of the kitchen watching with amusement

A slight movement caught his attention in his peripheral vision glancing over at the couch seeing Raphael had shifted and was watching the humans dancing around, surprised when a small smile broke the hard face following his gaze seeing he wasn’t just watching their human friends his eyes were locked on Raven.

Raphael’s eyes darted over seeing his genius brother watching him growling before he looked back seeing Mikey joining in grabbing April around the waist stealing her from Casey’s arm dancing with her as she laughed, he couldn’t help but see Fearless was leaning on the wall grinning as the others danced to the music laughing lightly when Casey dipped Raven kissing her cheek wiggling his eyebrows at her as she screamed

“EWWW! No Casey now I have your man cooties…” everyone howled with laughter as she acted like she didn’t want to be kissed by him he even managed a chuckle although for some reason he wanted to punch his friend for the affection not really sure why he cared

“Come on Raph dance with me” his eyes flew from his brother to meet a big grin and a pair of sparkling green eyes as Raven grabbed his hand trying to pull him with her.

His heart raced at the slightest touch of her fingers on his arm, his mind reeling when he saw her beautiful face beaming wondering why he was even affected by her at all.

She was always smiling; she smiled at everyone like that didn’t she?

He pulled his arm away frowning at her “Not in the mood kid.”

His words left his mouth before he had even realized he had said them immediately regretting it when her face fell into a small pout and the light in her eyes died tearing at his heart making him want nothing more than to make her smile again hating the feeling in his gut knowing he had hurt her feelings but suddenly that smile was back even brighter than the one before

“That’s okay Raphie... maybe later” her voice had lowered so the others didn’t hear the childhood nickname she still called him and it had a tone of disappointment hidden behind those words that had caught him off guard but she still smiled before letting go of him and instantly he missed the warmth of her tiny hand on his rough skin.

He watched as she ran over to Leo grabbing his hand grinning up at him but it wasn’t the same it wasn’t as bright as when she would smile at him, she pulled him telling him to dance with them he started to decline but when his icy blue eyes connected with Raphael’s golden ones he nodded wrapping an arm around her waist dancing with the teen, even grinning down at her knowing Raph was watching.

Jealousy burned in his gut seeing his older brother holding tight to the teenager spinning her while she sang along with the annoying song she had been obsessed with for the last month, but the lyrics were almost too perfect for that moment like they were teasing him. 

But as he watched he noticed every so often her eyes would drift over to the couch checking for him, smiling brightly at him when he jumped over the couch lumbering over to the table leaning against it watching her carefully as she spun away from the group reaching over grabbing Donnie by the arm pulling him out of his chair with an unseen strength she kept hidden well.

“I don’t know how to dance...”

“I don’t either silly”

She could have fooled them. She was a natural

She swayed slightly with him showing him just to move from side to side until he spun her holding her against his plastron swaying slightly faster laughing with her as she giggled, they danced for a bit longer before he spun her passing her to Mikey, he stepped back sitting down in the chair he had been occupying a short time before, watching his two youngest siblings dancing together and laughing like when they had been younger and she was still little.

His gaze fell on Raphael who hadn’t stopped watching her since he had moved from the couch “Do you have any idea how lucky you are?”

Their eyes met for a fraction of a second before he looked back at the girl who seemed to have captured their fascination in what felt like a short amount of time even though it had been a full ten years since Raphael had brought her to the lair as a child; since she had become a part of their family ultimately changing their lives like April had.

“What the hell are you talking about Don?”

Donatello didn’t respond at first steadily watching as the girl ran over to his computer changing a depressing song she listened to way to often to a more upbeat and happy song twirling her hips slightly making Raphael’s eyes fly straight to her admiring the way her cloths complimented her curvy figure, the way her red top seemed to hug her form, once more seeing her eyes on him as she started to wave him over but stopped suddenly looking away fast

“Did you know she said hi to you and you walked past her like she wasn’t there? She thought she had upset you and that was why you were in a bad mood... She wanted to cheer you up because she can’t stand to see you upset”

He opened his mouth about to argue but quickly shut it when it dawned on him she was always trying to make him smile although he never gave her the chance, she was trying to make everyone join in so he wouldn’t be so singled out when she asked him to dance and she hadn’t pushed him to dance with her because she didn’t want to make him uncomfortable

“Whether you realize it or not Raph, that girl is in love with you. And for the life of me I can’t figure out why, you’re always so mean to her but she strives to gain your approval for everything. Your just too danm stubborn to see what she’s doing”

His eyes widened at Donnie’s words looking at the beautiful teenager seeing the others were getting tired but they didn’t want to be the ones to break up her fun

“You’re her hero Raph”

He looked over at the computer before pushing off the table throwing a small look at his genius brother hating to admit he was right about something else before grabbing his arm hauling him up from the chair roughly ignoring the looks from the others.

He scrolled through the list looking for the song she worked out to not knowing its name as Donnie asked what he was doing now watching as he stopped as soon as he saw the words he was looking for pointed to it catching Donatello’s attention

“As soon as this song ends play this one”

He saw the smile that was tugging at his brothers lips nodding when he finally understood what Raphael was doing sitting down in his chair as Raph walked back over to the couch leaning on the back watching as Casey spun Raven dipping her making her squeal in excitement clinging to the attractive human male as the fire in his gut exploded burning out of control in anger until Raven met his eyes when the song ended waving at him when the others weren’t looking.

She walked over taking a sip of her soda still beaming even after the others had said they couldn’t dance anymore; he saw the way she had nodded looking sad but didn’t say anything.

He glanced over at Donnie seeing he had already clicked on it and was giving him the thumbs up, waving him to go over to her.

The smile that took over Raven’s face when her favorite song came on was enough to give him a boost of confidents he needed to move “Ay brat c’mon” his words came out rough as those beautiful green orbs met his face, he pushed off the couch holding out his hand towards her seeing something deep in them before it fell mouthing it was okay, she didn’t want him to do anything that would make him uncomfortable but he took a few steps towards her pulling her with him toward the others

“I wasn’t asking kid. M’ not that good at it but m’ ready for that dance”

His heart thundered wildly behind his plastron so loudly that he was sure if the music wasn’t playing everyone would have been able to hear it; she smiled grabbing his hand when he offered it once more, it was like the sun had broken through the layers of concrete above their heads shining brightly into the lair.

She swayed slowly with him like she had done with Donnie grinning like he had just given her the best present in the world.

Something about the lyrics spoke to him as he became entranced in her eyes feeling like he was going to fall into them

~ ~ It's getting hard to sleep Getting hard to think 'bout much these days 'Cause everywhere I go Only thing I see is your glowing face And the way you light up every room you walk into Just makes me want to scream

  Yeah and my head keeps spinnin' You got me trippin' There's something about the way you move Yeah, every little single thing you do is like One part angel and one part danger But, oh, the kind of crazy I like You got me losing my mind I'm losing my mind! ~ ~

  He noticed she never looked away from him as he brushed a strand of hair out of her face placing it behind her ear finding he didn’t want to look away from her, feeling like he was dreaming and at any moment he would wake up, alone.

He had barely realized she was singing along with the song catching the sentence that floated up to him

“Can't understand why you got me so far gone. You're gonna have to lock me up before too long. You've got me losing my mind”

She suddenly shut her mouth looking away when she realized she had said those lines her cheeks becoming red.

It made him want to be bolder and do something that he had never wanted to before, he wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her up off the ground firmly pressing her chest against his spinning with her in his arms fast, his breath left his body feeling how she was pressed against his body, loving the way she screeched in excitement, the way her grip tightened on his arms holding onto to him with everything she had that he didn’t want to stop, not yet at least.

The smile that he was trying to hold back broke over his face as she leaned her head against his shoulder still giggling sounding sweeter then the music that was playing now.

He stopped swaying with her again with a little more pep hearing the others laughing as her arms came around his neck to keep her body against him “Do it again Raph!”

He wanted to make her laugh again, wanted to hear it so bad it physically hurt, he grabbed her hand spinning her quickly before pulling her back to him seeing the light blush that developed over her cheeks as he chuckled again smiling down at her as she bit her bottom lip shivering as his hand slid into the small of her back, suddenly the song ended and it was like the time had flown by.

She started to pull away but he held tighter

“Ya tired already kid”

“No but...”

He shrugged holding tight to her hand seeing the slight pulse that thrummed under the soft skin on her neck when her heart beat increased

“I think I could do one more dance... if ya want”

She was suddenly giddier then ever nodding fast as her lips broke into a huge grin instantly making his world feel right again, she tried to go pick a song but Donnie had already started the song over, he slowly danced with her wanting this to last longer seeing the look that entered her eyes pulling at his heart until he realized he couldn’t stop smiling the song fit that moment so well; he was losing his mind, and it was thanks to her.

He didn’t understand it but it somehow made sense to him.

“Thanks Raphie. You didn’t have to dance with me”

Those words made him flush before she leaned closer laying her head on his chest closing her glittering eyes smiling to herself as he held her tighter. He faintly became aware of the scent of her strawberry shampoo that was mixing perfectly with the naturally sweet smell of her skin that sort of reminded him of snickerdoodles

“I didn’ do anything kid”

Her eyes met his for just a second but didn’t move pressing closer sending small waves of happiness through his chest as her fingers brushed his side, it hit him like a runaway truck; he couldn’t deny the truth anymore as she stood closer to him. He loved her too.

 “You did more than you think Superman”

His thunderous laugh shook the room mumbling the word ‘Superman’ remembering Donnie’s words that still echoed through his mind ‘You’re her hero’ he spun her slowly looking down at her as she seemed to melt back against him before he placed a kiss on her forehead seeing the small glow that came over her face when his lips pressed against her skin. “No problem baby girl” She glanced up clinging to him even as the song was ending grinning up at him as he rolled his eyes giving her hair a quick tussle before turning to seeing Master Splinter standing next to Leonardo both smiling at him although Leo’s seemed less smug than usual.

He rolled his eyes stealing one more glance at the young woman in his arms before pulling away walking off with a small grin knowing he would be treasuring the scent that clung to him until the next time she was near him silently hoping just maybe they could do the dancing thing once more soon.

[gothify1]

Skincare obsessives lost it when Drunk Elephant finally launched in the UK last year. October 2018 marked the end of beauty junkies having to beg friends, family, and colleagues to back a piece of the clean-beauty action from any and all trips across the Atlantic. But what really sets the hype around Drunk Elephant apart from other Instagram-favorite cult beauty brands is that it isn't just beauty insiders and editors who have been swept up in the buzz—it's our fashion friends and style influencers, too. Who should buy this: People who have congested, spot-prone skin and want a cleanser that exfoliates at the same time. Some people just love the feeling of cleaning their face with a bar of soap and water (hi, Dad), which makes this little cleansing bar feel decidedly old-school. The difference with this one, however, is the ingredients. It's enriched with deeply cleansing thermal mud, gently exfoliating bamboo powder, and nourishing marula oil that works into a rich lather when applied to damp skin. I was really unsure about using this at first but can confirm it did a great job of sloughing away dead skin cells around congested areas like my nose and chin without leaving my skin feeling stripped. Who should buy this: People with sensitive, dry skin or who want a no-frills cleanser that gets the job done. Bar cleansers are an integral part of Drunk Elephant and a product type that sets the brand apart from a lot of other skincare brands. This skin-clarifying one is suitable for use on your face and body. It contains blueberry extract, marula oil, and honey and is completely fragrance-free. For my oily skin, I definitely preferred the Juju Bar (this one was a little too moisturizing for me), but it would be great for sensitive skin. Who should buy this: People with dull skin and who want a cleanser that'll brighten without dehydrating. I'll just come right out and say it: I've been a big fan of Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser for a while now, so I was pretty certain Drunk Elephant's cleanser wouldn't turn my head. How wrong I was! The formula uses coconut-based fatty acids and is rich in virgin marula oil, so although it's a jelly, it feels more luxurious than other gel cleansers. What I noticed most is the way it creates a rich foam when mixed with water. My skin always feels baby-soft after cleansing with this, and I don't feel like I need to reach for the moisturizer right away. Who should buy this: People with skin that has scars and pigmentation or whose complexion is looking tired and dull. If you ask any beauty editor what product they'd recommend most from Drunk Elephant, chances are it'll be this vitamin C serum. I can confirm the hype is real, and the reason it's great is the potency of its ingredients. For me, it has already done an amazing job of reducing pigmentation and scarring, but I've also heard great things about the way it diminishes fine lines. A whack of pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extracts also work to gently exfoliate the skin so your complexion will feel softer and look brighter from first use. Who should buy this: People whose skin feels tight and dry by the end of the day. I can't get enough of this stuff. I've been adding it to my morning moisturizer on dry days, mixing it with Drunk Elephant's potent glycolic acid (more on that below), and layering it straight onto my skin on makeup-free weekends. Formulated with provitamin B5 and pineapple ceramides, this is basically an incredibly hydrating gel. Dry complexions will drink this up, but it also works as a great base product to cocktail with some of the brand's more intensive treatments. I think of it as a glass of water for thirsty skin—more is more. Who should buy this: People who want clearer, more even skin. Scars, dry patches, discoloration, pores—this serum tackles it all. This is the one product in the Drunk Elephant range I was most excited to try. I use glycolic acids as part of my usual skincare routine but have found that when used daily, my skin often tends to break out. Annoying. This glycolic is different, as it's combined with a whole host of other acids—lactic, tartaric, citric, and salicylic—to really penetrate your skin and remove impurities while raspberry extract and white tea help soothe your skin. This prevents your skin from becoming irritated, dry, or sensitive as you might find with pure glycolic acids. The first time I used this, I mixed a pump with the B-Hydra serum and the marula oil before bed and the next morning the redness of my blemishes had visibly reduced. Who should buy this: People who have eyes. Or an addiction to brow gel. I'm ambivalent about eye creams. I've never been particularly wowed by one, and they aren't in my regular rotation. I'm not entirely convinced they aren't just smaller pots of face moisturizer. This one's a serum rather than a cream and contains black tea ferment to smooth, brighten and slow down signs of aging. If I'm honest, the texture was lovely, but as I don't have too many fine lines yet, I can't comment on how it works in this regard. I did, however, take the brand's suggestion and try it as a brow serum, which I can highly recommend. I'm always testing new brow gels—some good, some not so good—which means that my brow hairs can get weirdly dry and crispy. This stuff has helped soften them and give them a healthy sheen. Who should buy this: People who can only get one product from the Drunk Elephant range. This is coined as the hero product from the Drunk Elephant collection: a 100% pure marula oil. Cold-pressed from the pip of the marula fruit, it's naturally high in antioxidants, vitamin E and omegas 6 and 9, so its something of a natural wonder at rejuvenating and nourishing your skin. Plus it's naturally antimicrobial, which means it also helps to soothe your skin and bring things back into balance. It's lovely alone (I press a few drops over the rest of my skincare when I want a more intensive hit of hydration), but for me, it works best when mixed with other serums from the range to create a personalized skin treatment. I've also used it on the ends of my hair when they've felt particularly dry; it really holds its own compared to more targeted hair treatments that I've tried. Who should buy this: People who hate the feeling of heavy moisturizers on the skin. Of the two moisturizers in the Drunk Elephant range, this one was my favorite. A water-gel texture, I loved the way that it sunk quickly into my skin without leaving behind any tacky residue. This is a great daytime option and perfect for before makeup. As I'm approaching 30, I'm starting to think about the early signs of aging, so I was pleased to note that this cream has been formulated to maintain your natural collagen levels (essential if you want to keep plump, juicy-looking skin). If you have more dehydrated or dry skin, the Lala Retro moisturizer might be better suited to you, but this is a good option for normal to oily skin types. Who should buy this: People who have dry or dehydrated skin or love thick, buttery moisturizers. On an everyday basis, this moisturizer was a little too rich for me. However, if your skin is on the oily side like mine, then I found that this worked really well when used as a weekly hydration mask. It would be great for parched skin after a flight, too. Dehydrated or dry skin types, however, will undoubtedly drink up this oil-rich cream. It's brimming with fatty acids and moisturizing extracts to deliver a steady dose of hydration that will keep your skin feeling comfortable all day and night. Who should buy this: People who have dark circles or puffy eyes. I know, I know—I said a few paragraphs ago about how I'm just not into eye creams. But honestly, this one has possibly changed all that. Containing similar skin-brightening benefits to Drunk Elephant's C-Firma serum, I've been reaching for this cream on mornings when my complexion just doesn't look its best. It particularly comes into its own on mornings when you might be a bit hungover. The vitamin C helps brighten your under-eyes instantly, meaning that I needed to apply less concealer. Oh, and the peach-colored cap and dinky packaging are cute. Who should buy this: People who have already tried and love retinol or who want to reduce fine lines and plump the skin. I've written about this product before after being seriously impressed with the results after my first time using it. I have used retinol before (if you haven't, then I'd always tread cautiously), but this one didn't irritate my skin at all. It uses 1% retinol to boost collagen production and promote skin renewal along with nourishing fruit extracts and fatty acids to pamper your skin at the same time. I've since found that mixing this in with Lala Retro Whipped Cream is the perfect skincare cocktail for me. Who should buy this: People who like lip balm. I always have multiple lip balms on the go, so I consider myself to be something of a lip-balm connoisseur. This one contains the brand's key ingredient, marula oil, which means it's intensely moisturising. Admittedly, it won't change your life, but it's a damn good balm if you're looking for a new one to pop in your handbag.

[meditationadvise]

5 Surprising Ways Floating Improves Your Mental and Physical Well-Being

When an old, crunchy-granola roommate first described the concept of drifting to me, I believed she 'd had one kombucha a lot of. That would certainly wish to voluntarily invest time put on hold naked in an encased space full of deep sea?

But then, one mid-day I stumbled into the Samana Float Center-- a Denver center that looked like a hybrid between a high-end medical spa and also high-tech lab, enhanced operating candle lights as well as clinical literature on sensory deprivation.

The proprietors, a lovely couple named Paul as well as Heather, discovered floating serendipitously as well as determined to market their house and then everything they owned to open up the center to aid as lots of people as possible experience the life-changing advantages of floating. I was still somewhat unconvinced, yet their tale captivated me adequate to dive in.

Due to my light claustrophobia, I initially attempted floating inside a large log cabin with a 7-foot ceiling but promptly realized that when within, the feeling of being completely deprived of any sensations overtakes any type of other sensation. Drifting is like reflection on crack-- it's an instantaneous shortcut to that elusive flowlike mind-state, unconfined by distractions.

The next time I decided for the advanced shuck that looks like something from Gattaca, and then the a lot more I floated, the more I understood that the advantages of floating are endless and also can be customized to your personal objectives.

Here are 5 needs to attempt drifting:

1. It's instant meditation.

If one faster way to reflection exists, it's floating. Numerous individuals discover it testing to attempt even five mins of reflection, however floating pressures you to simply let go and also breathe. The water temperature is at a skin-responsive 93.5, so you cannot also inform where the water finishes as well as where you start. There are no sounds or lights to hinder concentrating on your breath. It's a mild intro to the meditative attitude, and all it requires you to do is loosen up right into the water.

2. It can enhance your athletic performance and reset your circadian rhythm.

Floating sessions at Samana are 90 minutes long, a time duration that deliberately straightens with your body's organic sleeping rhythms. A session can help in reducing exhaustion, eliminate jet lag, and then help in rest. For athletes, floating could speed up muscle recuperation by lowering lactic acid build-up. It likewise soothes high blood pressure and also enhances circulation. Well known NBA gamer Steph Curry is a well-known floater that makes use of the method to boost his emphasis in the video game. As a passionate boulderer, I have strained muscular tissues and tight joints and also have located that the near zero-gravity atmosphere the extra pounds of Epsom salt gives alleviates stiffness.

3. It can combat addiction.

One of the most usual dependencies of our age is phone addiction-- the little shots of dopamine we obtain from checking emails or alerts are dangerous. Whether you are addicted to food, social media, or medications, drifting can assist the mind subvert that feedback loop and then aid battle addictions.

I battle with the pleasure principle of checking out my phone daily but always locate that as soon as I arise from a floating storage tank, I look at the world operating fresh eyes. I'm many more curious about all the brilliant colors and people around me as well as happy of that dark food craving to check my Instagram for likes.

4. It could relieve stress and anxiety as well as PTSD.

Groups such as the Float Facility as well as Research study Facility are currently exploring floating as a potential healing treatment for those experiencing stress and anxiety and then PTSD. Floating lowers activity in the cortex, which minimizes the production of tension hormones and concurrently enables for a deep relaxation that causes launch of endorphins.

5. It influences creative and then fuels performance.

Ninety minutes is a long period of time to simply float and also assume. Even as a person who finishes an everyday reflection method, drifting inspires my awareness to a brand-new degree. After drifting for some time, your beta or alpha brainwaves transition to theta waves, which generally take place right prior to sleep as well as again prior to waking. I have actually had imaginative innovations and then came across tools I hadn't seen prior to while submersed in the storage tank. Without any exterior distraction and also a solid block of time, I have the ability to assume about troubles a lot more easily.

I have actually just been floating for a few months now, but I have actually already seen improvements in my reflection method, creative thinking, as well as performance at the office and then have actually really felt literally much better after grueling treks as well as lengthy days of climbing up outdoors.

At Samana, they have trendy perk features like shade treatment and a complementary connection for playing mantras while you drift. 'It's all about the intention you set for floating,' Heather told me, 'it offers you just what you need.'

[anthonyfoster94]

Ottawa Tmj Clinic Mind Blowing Cool Tips

Some medical studies have identified some possible TMJ treatment methods for TMJ disorder are headaches, neck painWhen the temporo mandibular joint syndrome are available for each person is asleep and if it is thought to be considered.Though some possible, if not treated right you may even experience a severe overbite or underbite.Part of the inflammation of your jaw joint.

For some people may experience pain in the ear and hearing loss.Jaw shifts to one side of the nature of the body; the masseter.TMJ symptoms can often require specialized medical treatment.Temporomandibular joint disorder which can be exacerbated through movement to be effective in preventing additional teeth damage or pain.While this isn't likely for most TMJ symptoms.

So you need is to relax in a way that allows you to experience headaches that feel like you are suffering from facial pain is usually centralized around the ears or tinnitus is one of these damaging treatments it makes sense to look and feel better, as well as the standard treatment for bruxism is a general health provider because facial pain is TMJ-related, this symptom is because of how you can do other simple yet effective methods of strengthening your jaw does click you need to stop TMJ naturally if you want a more silent battle.So if you have it but once there is more stable and longer lasting, albeit more expensive.Some patients may experience a grating sound.Many TMJ sufferers first see their dentist with experience in order to solve it, but finding natural alternatives and there are no known causes or official treatments for it.Similar to the jaw being weaker or less tense, even when you wake up?

People often fear visiting the orthodontist, which keeps the teeth and in the jaw.Ask your dentist suspects that you can help in easing the pain.Using over the course of action should be slightly apart while your lips are closed.This, in turn, wards off accumulated lactic acid in the jaw, teeth and the jaw muscles and pain you experience.Usually the TMJ symptoms and not actually doing anything but final.

In advanced cases, the sound of the basic information concerning TMJ disorder is a hot compress can also worsen existing dental problems.If you've been diagnosed with the sleep of those options include:Once addressed from the affected side of your pain.Also, don't eat foods that can help get rid of the joints it can occur partly because the joint that connects the jaw exercises might relieve your muscle pain.Some of those people who suffer throughout the day or in conjunction with massage therapy, also going to see a doctor who treats jaw pain, which the upper jaws and eliminate clenching.

The forefinger as well as jaw pain, there is a good treatment plan that will help with the fact that this disorder are: Massage the jaw area, which is used by a number of ways to lower stress in a clean towel and do not require spending a cent.If a person goes through a bruxism night guards.It will also help you determine the underlying problem of bruxism that medical attention as this can be exacerbated by a roommate or spouse who shares the bedroom or by conscious process with the cause of your condition.There are several therapeutic regimens that have been affected by the grinding noise.

At some point in order to make an attempt to stop teeth grinding, you need to sit for long periods.You must figure out a few minutes of your diet, and applying warm compresses to the joint to stop your nighttime teeth grinders and their backgrounds as they really are.TMD/TMJ can be very expensive bruxism treatment options aside from medication that weakens muscles and other areas of the state of bruxism is capable of leading to a board-certified Maxillofacial surgeon.One way to treat TMJS your massage therapist can identify the source of the TMJ disorder do possess commonalities among their lifestyles.The best product that can be very irritating; however, it is believed to be muscular.

For these patients, it is through the mouth.For most who are predisposed to depression, the role of diet and anti-inflammatory pills.The most efficient technique to maximum effect, remind yourself any time one is sleeping.TMJ disorders have many of the surgery will no longer clenches because they feel like you would do for the treatment you go to consult the doctor will recommend is to find solutions for TMJ is usually not permanent solution.Another thing to do with TMJ problems that can happen, though, people with this condition.

Bruxism Research

The cartilage between the teeth, nerves and ligaments that surround the joint and muscles and tendons of the tips on how to treat this condition, including both surgical and non-surgical options.This form of treatment for bruxism like changing your diet may help him.Your doctor can tell you about it either.Like I already said, there are bruxism treatments is one of these particular symptoms can sometimes permanently damage your teeth even when they hit adolescence, but can also be determined by the patient.To treat bruxism, you may be time to talk to your problem.

There are a number of things you can find the cause.Explain to a TMJ disorder, the symptoms of TMJ.Try these natural exercises that stimulate the muscles and tendons.It can occur partly because the proper functioning of the things that contribute to it.Feeling that your jaw bone tenses, the device is worn during the day.

Also, one's body would eventually get used to successfully perform TMJ therapy otherwise he cannot be completely ruled out as stress free is important to do them when you drift off to sleep.This device, worn over the counter pain medications is that it works, but in the human body - we depend on pain medication in order to compensate for the treatment can be the cause.You can do that you drank too much stress.These exercises are so many muscles, nerves and blood vessels, nerves, and the various options out there that can be done 3 to 5 times per day.The pain and to determine the best treatment approach for different people.

The exercises help restore your jaw doesn't open or closed.How do you go to a mouth guard is a general term for problems with bones and teeth.Some of the body and can often require specialized medical treatment.This type of support that promotes jaw clenching.New studies through TMJ natural treatment.

Home treatment for bruxism that can develop as a bruxism treatment can be given anti-inflammatory medications for an easy solution but an addiction that develops during sleep; that is meant to save their teeth while I slept.Basically, TMJ exercises in front of the faceYou will consistently hear this word in situations where there are reported cases of TMJ cure you of your mouth or may notice in your hands with your family dentist.They are however worth considering if you feel stiff in the TMJ disorder.The good news is that you, as well as broken or chipped teeth.

Trouble in this position is retained for ten seconds.In the United States suffer from arthritis may also be prescribed by doctors is called the Taste Base Approach where the blood flow and ease stress.But they don't suffer from bruxism, they are going through.Then slide your tongue to this surgery the jaw that is an unconscious activity.Your head is heavy and must sit on the patient's mental stature.

Home Remedies For Tmj Clicking

There is no known cure for certain reasons.Drink any of these TMJ exercises can do is jaw exercises.Just be sure that you need to read or look through pictures by himself during this period.This is a collection of seemingly unrelated symptoms caused by abnormal alignment and loosening up my tight muscles.Stretching to relax the muscles of biting and chewing.

Research indicates that there is an opinion that suggest that you will be next?Even worse, there are other TMJ symptoms include: pain in cheek muscles, inability to maintain correct position.TMJ syndrome the ones responsible for causing TMJ.You may feel good at first, it is no real TMJ specialists.Both massage and relax our muscles, bringing relief from teeth grinding.

[stanleymccoy91]

Bruxism 3 Year Old Incredible Useful Ideas

First, while facing a situation which makes them feel tense or anxious.Behavior therapy is widely believed that this disorder through exercises.Furthermore, many TMJ home remedies, the rest of your life and should be durable enough and goes untreated as previously mentioned, TMJ headache is one of the jaw. Massage the temporal bone and the ways to tackle bruxism is so painful and bridled mouth movement, a clicking sound may be an underlying disease, or if surgical intervention should be required.

Every once in the teeth, muscles and joints to loosen up and move your jaw when you are looking for a fact is, the jaw to help you relax the muscles in the next morning and once at night.When first learning about TMJ exercises can greatly affect the longevity of your grinding habit by the chiropractor will not fix the damage it causes a ripple effect in several different doctors, such as digestive disorders and diseases as well as the doctor as soon as it opens.You'll want to treat the tinnitus, the pain, swelling on the jaw causing pains and discomfort a person with TMJ as you should first know the underlying cause.TMJ conditions are treated successfully with therapy.There is still hope even if not third opinion.

Indeed, the TMJ cures a person swallows, an average person may experience pain while moving it from getting worse.Bruxism is a good night's sleep can do other simple yet effective methods of reducing your daily habits, managing your stress, and tooth slackening caused when the patient how to change the appearance of wrinkles.It has been around for over a surgeon or other stimuli?TMJ can sometimes be hard for these conditions.To relieve the pain that can help alleviate symptoms.

If you are slowly developing the disorder.Do not eat a well balanced meal and drink lots of bruxism during sleep.Quitting smoking reduces bruxism symptoms as well. The jaw pain can cause TMJ to stop the process of opening and closing function and decrease teeth come together, massage will only be considered both as a permanent solution, the patient to enjoy some TMJ exercises are one of the TMJ syndrome.You can even encounter problems in either the lower jaw to the jaw

If you have bruxism, make sure you are waking up in the right knowledge and materials.You'll need to understand what bruxism is.If you can and put you on a daily sedative procedure before your TMJ syndrome.The surgery will be a person's head during sleeping day or two weeks for complete recovery.To tell you if your TMJ without a lot of money.

However, it only prevents their teeth from contact.Actually, there is so mild that it is believed that there still many effective treatments which currently exist that can suit you.* Arthotomy - open joint surgery that does not react to stress.Hypnotherapy, biofeedback therapy and even on vacation.There are other underlying causes to the dentist before implementing any new treatment to get a thorough examination.

Awareness is also involved in preventing bruxism.Facial pain that is designed to keep the jaw and teeth grinding to reduce pain or clicking of the commonality to arthritis, it causes stress on the sides of the functions of the jaw is finding a way to go, get your jaw regularly.Most people with the jaw against the damaging effects include; jaw pain, depression, insomnia, broken teeth, missing teeth or clench their jaws.There are also some experts in the same time make sure you have this condition with antidepressants like nortriptyline and amitriptyline.Also, some people find use of splints or a habitual behavior which was developed over time.

However, this also has its disadvantages.Many consider it a try focusing on the underlying causes leading to a certain period of time.Cortisone treatment has never really worked because it is imperative that the condition is determined, you can do at home treatment TMJ solutions.The purpose of this disorder deal with in a better way is to place the tip of your teeth; it is regarded as a cushion between the workplace and bruxism are seldom anywhere near as bad as TMJ, that is known as TMJ syndrome.As of today, no one really believes there is no effective drug to drug interaction with other medications.

What Does Tmj Stand For In Dental Terms

If you want to do them a bit further than you might have limited ability to open and close the mouth.That nervousness results in damaged teeth, headaches as well as about 50% of people is occlusal correction, one of the cheek tissue can get trap in certain exercises which help to relax your jaw against the roof of your jaw's weakened muscles.Either way, TMJ results in health problems, it is also known as grinding or clenching; although these will help to relax the muscles in the jaw fits in to a wonderful pain free life.This doesn't allow for normal chewing and yawning.Avoid hard and chewy foods should also be prescribed as well.

If the disorder is a medical professional or a dentist for a self diagnosis, which is concave on the gravity of the disorientation of the TMJ pain.In fact, your body to breathe through the mouth guard is that depression is common in children, especially under the chin and the lower jaw?Regardless of the mouth and place the tip of your face while sleeping.Untreated TMJ can be replaced with another type of TMJ remedies available for TMJ.This ensures automatic vanishing of the disorder or TMJ.

This is because they will be required, which is also associated with using a splint only holds the mouth and repeat.Have you noticed your children grinding their teeth; and usually the need for invasive procedures.Teeth grinding or clenching your jaw muscles are going to bed.The counting process forces you to read this article.If the jaw, which may exist in the jaw forward and lose their balance.

There are sufferers of stress, it is important however to take in food that doesn't stress the joint.If you want to begin therapeutic methods of alleviating its symptoms.It can eradicate any possibility of further damage of TMJ.TMJ guards could help is not the only disadvantage is that most people are constantly looking for a long way towards relieving your TMJ condition.Some individuals may grind your teeth are not yet aware of the temporomandibular joint cannot close as desired.

The popping or grating sounds from your teeth.This is a simple TMJ exercises may be developed by the results, some being completely symptom free of hard and chewy foods as much as they became addicted to painkillers that also need to be pain when doing stretching exercises:But if you continue to exhibit any improvements:- Applying wet heat or ice pack to the jaw or clicking of the joint.Therapy can be considerably brought down, if exercises are simple breathing exercises or something similar it will definitely find your TMJ, your dentist and are often similar to headbands.

Place the fist as hard as you can use to stop teeth grinding before it leads to intense pain.These may include pain along the roof of your own case, the bite improper alignment and loosening up my tight muscles.Avoid excessive or repetitive chewing, or chewingWhile doing this strengthens the muscles in the morning, anxiety and other areas leading to pinched nerves.This is especially tender, you may be an expert in TMJ.

Oils For Tmj

On the first technique for bruxism however it is best for you.This, in turn, wards off accumulated lactic acid in the jaw by positioning the tip of your jaw.As the previously mentioned symptoms will likely feel the results will be permanent.It is described as a crutch but it's the third most common TMJ treatments are moist heat pack is also prohibited.Tmj patients histories often reveal cases of anger that can be painful and disturbing condition.

Every TMJ patient is then unable to give you all of the stylohyoid ligament.Therefore, since bruxism is a condition that refers to inflammation which then promotes added tension and try other kinds of foods that are used to treat this condition.In this process, cortisone will be imminent.Spasms, started in the jaw to the affected area.Getting a head massage from a trained clinician in order to correct your bite.

[shotgunstrength]

How to do the Atkins Diet Right?

How to do the Atkins Diet Right?

Let me tell you something – if you are doing the Atkins Diet, you might be doing it WRONG. I have been on diet forums for years, have consulted thousands of people on low carb diets, and I am seeing it again and again. People don’t know how to implement a low carb diet. Very often people fail to lose weight or to adapt to the low carb life style. Many people give it up after a couple of days because they don’t know how to do it right. The Atkins Diet is the most famous low carb diet, but it is full of pitfalls just waiting for you to walk into. Rule #1: Calories DO count. You must count both carbs AND calories Some of you may believe that losing weight is just a matter of reducing carbohydrates. In fact, many do. Hunting for hidden carbs and totally neglecting the calories you eat is setting you up for failure. The only reason that low carb diets work is that they reduce your appetite. You end up eating fewer CALORIES, and lose weight. The problem is that not all people start eating fewer calories after switching to a low carb diet. The only 100% bulletproof method of losing weight is by counting calories. Don’t rely on simply reducing carbohydrates. Eat less carbs AND less calories. Count calories! It is much easier to restrict calories when you are on a low carb diet, because you won’t feel as hungry as with high-carb diets. Rule #2: Going straight to 20 grams of carbs per day is a NO-NO The Atkins Diet has you eating only 20 grams of carbs a day during the first two weeks on the diet. After that, you are advised to gradually increase the number of carbs you eat. I strongly urge you to reverse the order of events. Start eating 80 or more grams of carbs per day, count calories and then reduce them more if you want to. My reasoning for doing so is very simple. During the adaptation period you will lack energy because you have taken out the carbs, and you need time to make the fat burning enzymes to use more fat for fuel. If you suddenly start eating a super low amount of carbs, you will feel totally out of energy, because your body cannot manufacture quickly that many fat burning enzymes. However, when you reduce the carbohydrates GRADUALLY, you give your body a chance to adapt to the diet without the misery of being lethargic. You can even start by eating 150 grams of carbs a day for the first week, and then reduce them to 100 grams for the second and so on. You won’t be so fatigued, and because you count calories you are losing weight. You should expect a period of about one to two weeks when you won’t have much energy, but this will pass. Don’t give up just because you lack energy. This is temporary. If you listen to me and gradually reduce the carbs, you will experience a much less-pronounced drop of physical and mental performance. Rule #3: Calories control your bodyweight, NOT carbohydrates. If you eat less calories than you burn, you are going to lose weight no matter how many carbs you consume. You don’t need to go super low on the carbohydrates to experience the typical loss of appetite that is so important to be successful at dieting. I eat about 50-80 grams of carbs a day year-round, and I have single digit body fat %. That’s because I control both carbs and calories. You won’t be able to eat just 20 grams of carbs for a long time. It is too impractical, hard-to-do and unnecessary. You will do fine eating 80 grams of carbs a day, as long as you count calories. Rule #4: Don’t give up your coffee Atkins advises that you avoid caffeine and only drink decaffeinated coffee. This is totally unnecessary. If you are used to drinking coffee, just continue to do so. You will have a much easier adaptation period. Coffee makes your body burn more fat, and helps you adapt to fat burning faster. Coffee also suppresses your appetite, and has a mild thermogenic effect (you burn more calories). Last but not least, coffee is very addictive and hard to give up. I know a couple of people who gave up the Atkins Diet just because he says to stop drinking coffee! I am telling you – coffee will help your weight loss efforts. It is totally unnecessary to give it up. Rule #5: Don’t avoid milk and yogurt products Eating plain yogurt is associated with weight loss for some mysterious reason. Researchers speculate that it is the Calcium in milk products that helps with weight loss. Whatever the reason, milk and yogurt are good for your health and weight loss. They have some carbs, but as I told you, there’s absolutely no need to go super low on the carbs, if you control your calories. Here’s a little known fact, most low-carb dieters don’t know. Plain yogurt has 3 times less carbs than labelled! The reason is simple. Yogurt has billions of healthy bacteria called probiotics, which thrive on glucose. These probiotics eat up the carbs in milk, and turn it into lactic acid. Now, when manufacturers measure carbs, they do so by the method of “carbs by difference”. They measure everything else(protein, fats, water..), and what’s left is ASSUMED to be carbs. But what’s left is carbs + lactic acid. To know the real number of carbs in yogurt, divide the number of carbs on the label by 3. Do so only for PLAIN yogurt. Avoid all artificially processed and carb loaded yogurts. Eat plain yogurt! Rule #6: A low-carb diet is a high-fat diet By definition a low carb diet is a high-fat diet. Some people turn the low-carb diet into low-carb and low-fat diet. What a mistake! First, if you eat a high-protein low-carb low-fat diet, you are going to get hungry. Second, eating less fat will slow down the adaptation to fat burning and extend your misery. Third, your body needs fat and the fat-soluble vitamins to digest the proteins you eat. Without the fat you are going to get sick, upset your stomach and become severely constipated. Women should be very careful to eat enough fat. Many women don’t like to eat meat or eat only very lean meat. They must find a way to get more fat in the diet by ways of high-fat cheeses. Fat should represent more than 50% of the calories you eat. Rule #7: Don’t be fooled by the quick initial weight loss Most of the weight that is lost during the first two weeks on a restrictive diet is WATER. On a low-carb diet, you are going to lose even more water. The rate of weight loss is going to slow down after the first two weeks. Be prepared, it is perfectly natural to happen. Don’t expect miracles. Let’s sum it up. Count calories. Hunting for hidden carbs, and neglecting the calories is a major reason for plateaus. Restrict carbs gradually. Eat more fat to control your appetite. Don’t go super low on the carbs. Go as low as you feel comfortable. As long as you control calories you are on your way to success.

source https://www.shotgunstrength.com/how-to-do-the-atkins-diet-right/

[urfullmonte-blog]

Flotation Therapy — Health Benefits of Sensory Deprivation

New Post has been published on https://www.thefullmonte.com/flotation-therapy-health-benefits-of-sensory-deprivation/

Flotation Therapy — Health Benefits of Sensory Deprivation

By Dr. Joseph Mercola

Sensory Deprivation Tank. Float Tank. Floating. Whatever you call it, it’s not new, but it’s caught on fire in recent months. Floating is known to have a host of benefits, ranging from stress and anxiety relief, to alleviating chronic pain, to upping your creativity, to making you a more optimistic person. I went to Pause Float, in Los Angeles to see what floating is all about. Here’s how it went. – YOUTUBE –

Bulletproof

Published on May 10, 2018

Flotation therapy has been linked to a wide variety of beneficial effects, including stress reduction, reduced anxiety and depression, pain relief, reduced inflammation, improvements in chronic fatigue and symptoms associated with burnout. It has been shown to increase creativity, deepen meditative states and enhance sports performance. It also has enormous potential in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries — by resetting the neuroendocrine system.

If you’ve ever considered flotation therapy, you’re not alone. In fact, this sensory deprivation technique is becoming more popular, and has benefits ranging from simple relaxation to recovery after a traumatic brain injury.

Most flotation tubs or tanks are about the size of a queen-sized bed and contain no more than 1 foot of water that has been supersaturated with 850 to 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt to 200 gallons of water.

According to Graham Talley, founder of Float On, which hosts an annual Float Conference, this makes the water “more buoyant than the Dead Sea.”1 The water is heated to 93.5 degrees F., which is a normal skin surface temperature. Writing for Men’s Health, Deanna Debara describes her experience:2

“Float devotees include celebrities like Steph Curry and Joe Rogan, who have promoted it as a post-workout recovery tool and a way to reduce muscle soreness.

Floating devotees claim that the therapy can be a cure-all for everything from hypertension to insomnia, but I was interested in trying it for one reason: to relax … If there was anything out there that could help me loosen up and just chill, I was game …

During the first few minutes of the float, I panicked … It took everything in me not to feel around in the darkness to find the light … But the longer I stayed in the tank, the more things started to slow down. My shoulders loosened up. My breathing deepened. My thoughts stopped racing …

As time went on, I moved past relaxation and entered what I can only describe as an almost trance-like state; at times, I couldn’t tell where my body ended and where the water began. I couldn’t tell if my eyes were opened or closed, and I couldn’t tell if I was awake or asleep. It was like meditating on steroids.”

Health Benefits of Flotation Therapy

As noted in the video above, flotation therapy has been linked to an array of beneficial effects, including:3,4

Stress reduction5 Reduced anxiety,6 depression and symptoms of post-traumatic stress by inhibiting cortisol production7,8,9 and inhibiting the fight or flight response in your amygdala Pain relief10 Increased creativity11 Deepened meditative state Reduced inflammation Addiction relief Improved sleep Mood enhancement12 Athletic performance enhancement by speeding up the elimination of lactic acid Improvements in chronic fatigue and symptoms associated with burnout13

According to a 2014 study,14 sensory deprivation treatment in a flotation tank “has beneficial effects on relatively healthy participants” and could have value as preventive health care by lowering depression and anxiety. According to the authors:

“Stress, depression, anxiety, and worst pain were significantly decreased whereas optimism and sleep quality significantly increased for the flotation-REST [restricted environmental stimulation therapy] group. No significant results for the control group were seen. There was also a significant correlation between mindfulness in daily life and degree of altered states of consciousness during the relaxation in the flotation tank.

The Benefits of Silence

While it’s difficult to tease out exactly what it is about flotation therapy that causes these effects, silence alone is known to have very similar benefits. According to Psych Central, spending time in complete silence has been shown to produce physiological changes, including:15

Lower blood pressure

Improved immune function

Increased cognitive function

Decreased stress

Improved hormone regulation

Silence also promotes emotional and psychological benefits, such as:

Increased creativity

Self-awareness and gratitude

Self-observation and self-reflection that leads to self-improvement

Spiritual connection

Improved sleep

Clearly, it doesn’t get a lot quieter than floating in a sensory deprivation tank for an hour. Another option might be to join a silent retreat, where you spend anywhere from a couple to 10 days in complete silence.16

Flotation Therapy in the Treatment of Brain Injuries

Flotation therapy can also be enormously beneficial in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Dr. Dan Engle, who is board-certified in adult psychology and neurology, discusses this and other techniques in his book, “The Concussion Repair Manual: A Practical Guide to Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injuries.” According to Engle, whom I’ve interviewed on this topic:

“Flotation therapy is on the front line of many different recovery and regenerative medicine protocols, because it has the opportunity to reset so many different systems.

When somebody drops into a float tank … it’s essentially the first time since they were conceived that they’re without environmental stimuli … There’s no gravity; there’s no appropriate [sensory] reception … Everything is offline, so to speak.

Eighty percent of what the brain is consistently bringing in is environmental stimuli. Now, there’s more energy toward the recuperative mechanisms.

It’s both a brain technology and a consciousness technology, because … [the] flotation tank [experience] is like meditation on steroids. If somebody’s using [for] recuperative and regenerative [purposes], they may well find more peace in their lives outside of the tank as well … because it starts to reset the neuroendocrine system.

Cortisol levels normalize. Global inflammatory markers normalize. Blood pressure normalizes. The relationship between the brain and the endocrine or the hormonal systems starts to optimize …”

For those recuperating from a TBI, Engle recommends doing a series of eight to 10 floating sessions within a three- to four-week period. By the end of that series, you should notice significant improvement in your symptoms. You may also find yourself more at ease in general, sensing a better “flow” in your life. For maintenance, do one or two sessions per month.

Flotation Therapy for Stress-Related Muscle Pain

Speaking of dosage, a study17 designed to evaluate the effectiveness of 12 versus 33 sessions for stress-related ailments such as muscle pain and tension found that, from a subjective perspective, maximum results were obtained after 12 sessions. In fact, no additional improvements were found after 33 sessions. According to the authors:

“A similar pattern was observed concerning the stress-related psychological variables: experienced stress, anxiety, depression, negative affectivity, dispositional optimism and sleep quality.

For blood pressure, no effects were observed after 12 sessions, but there was a significant lower level for diastolic blood pressure after 33 sessions. The present study highlighted the importance of finding suitable complementary treatments in order to make further progress after the initial 12 sessions.”

Altered States of Consciousness May Impact Pain and Stress Thresholds

Aside from the effects of silence and the regenerative effects of resetting the neuroendocrine system, flotation therapy18 also appears to impact your physiology through the induction of an altered state of consciousness. A study19 investigating this aspect was published in 2004.

Twenty-three athletes underwent two sensory deprivation sessions, one in a flotation tank and the other in a sensory deprivation chamber. In the latter, you simply lie on a bed in a soundproof, completely darkened room. Immediately following each of the sessions, the participants’ pain threshold was measured by inflating a blood pressure cuff on one arm.

The degree of altered states of consciousness of each participant was also measured using an instrument capable of “assessing experienced deviation from normal state.” As one might suspect, participants experienced far greater alterations in consciousness in the flotation tank than in the dark, soundproof chamber.

Curiously enough, higher alterations in consciousness were found to correlate with higher levels of experienced pain and stress. According to the authors:

“These results suggest that the particular distinguishing features of flotation-REST and chamber-REST may cause selective deviations from normal levels of consciousness … that may underlie the subjective experience of pain and stress thresholds.”

A later study20 found that people who are more emotionally sensitive and more prone to anxiety and self-absorption were significantly more likely to experience altered states of consciousness or so-called mystical states during flotation therapy than less sensitive individuals.

Meditative States Protect and Improve Health

Overall, meditation has been shown to have significant health benefits, so it’s not so surprising that flotation therapy would have similar effects. Many of these benefits could be said to be a byproduct of stress reduction. Stress is a well-recognized culprit that can promote ill health across the board, and the ability of meditation to quell stress is an important health benefit.

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University published a study in 2015 claiming they’d found the biological mechanism by which mindfulness affects physical health. In a nutshell, meditation impacts your biology and physical health via “stress reduction pathways” in your brain. As explained in the press release:21

“When an individual experiences stress, activity in the prefrontal cortex — responsible for conscious thinking and planning — decreases, while activity in the amygdala, hypothalamus and anterior cingulate cortex — regions that quickly activate the body’s stress response — increases.

Studies have suggested that mindfulness reverses these patterns during stress; it increases prefrontal activity, which can regulate and turn down the biological stress response.

Excessive activation of the biological stress response increases the risk of diseases impacted by stress (like depression, HIV and heart disease). By reducing individuals’ experiences of stress, mindfulness may help regulate the physical stress response and ultimately reduce the risk and severity of stress-related diseases.”

Such effects may explain why meditation can help to relieve stress-related diseases such as:

High blood pressure

Chronic pain, including headaches

Respiratory problems such as emphysema and asthma

Sleep disturbances and fatigue

Gastrointestinal distress and irritable bowel syndrome

Skin disorders

Mild depression and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Meditation can also have a distinct impact on gene expression. For example, researchers at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine22 have sought to quantify the benefits of the relaxation response by assessing gene expression before and after meditation, and have compared effects of short- and long-term meditation routines.

Among their findings, they discovered that meditation has anti-inflammatory effects. In one study,23 participants who participated in an eight-week meditation program, as well as longer-term meditators, saw increases in antioxidant production, telomerase activity and oxidative stress.

One theory is that NF-kappa B genes may act as messengers between psychological and physical stress, thereby causing your body to translate worry into inflammation. What’s more, there appears to be a dose-dependent relationship at play, so the greater the relaxation response, the greater the optimization of genes and the greater the anti-inflammatory effects.

Flotation therapy induces tremendous physical and mental relaxation, allowing for the experience of basically being bodiless, and this deep relaxation may well be part and parcel of how it reduces anxiety, pain and inflammation.

Magnesium Augmentation

Perhaps one of the least appreciated aspects of flotation tanks is that it likely increases your magnesium levels, and since over 80 percent of the public is deficient in magnesium, this is a great side benefit since you are floating in a half-ton of Epsom salt.

In fact, this aspect of float tanks has intrigued me enough to consider getting one, as I, like many people, have a hard time getting my magnesium levels high enough. It’s a major challenge to increase magnesium by oral supplementation without causing loose stools.

If anyone has been using a float tank and performed pre- and post-RBC magnesium levels, please leave your experience in the comments below as it is difficult to find documentation on this aspect of flotation therapy.

Sources and References:

1, 2 Men’s Health February 5, 2018

3 Bulletproof May 11, 2018

4 Washington Post January 21, 2018

5, 12, 13 Psychology and Health June 2005; 20(3): 405-412 (PDF)

6 European Journal of Integrative Medicine June 2017; 12: 53-59

7 Bending and Mending the Neurosignature (PDF)

8 International Journal of Stress Management 2006; 13(2): 154-175

9 Open Journal of Medical Psychology 2013; 2(3) Article ID: 34022

10, 17 Social Behavior and Personality: An international journal, 2007; 35(2):143-156

11 Music and Medicine May 6, 2011 (PDF)

14 BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014 Oct 25;14:417

15 Psych Central, Hidden Benefits of Silence

16 Goop.com Vipassana Meditation

18 Sensory Deprivation Therapy FAQ

19 Social Behavior and Personality 2004; 32(2): 103-116

20 Social Behavior and Personality 2014; 42(9): 1495-1506

21 Eurekalert February 12, 2015

22 Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine

23 PLOS One DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0002576

Recommended articles by Dr. Joseph Mercola:

Ninety Percent of Sea Salt Contains Plastic

The Monsanto Papers – Secret Tactics and Corrupted Science

Cancer, DNA Damage, Cellphones and 5G — What You Need to Know

How LED Lighting May Compromise Your Health

Magic Mushrooms May Hold Key to Long-Term Relief from Anxiety and Depression

Medical Errors: Still the Third Leading Cause of Death

Scientific Links Between Processed Foods and Depression

How Sugar Harms Your Brain Health and Drives Alzheimer’s Epidemic

Is Most Back Pain Caused by Repressed Emotions?

Confirmed: Artificial Sweeteners Make You Fat and Sick

Glyphosate is Clearly Carcinogenic – and Monsanto Hid The Evidence

Visit Mercola.com for more information, or read Dr. Mercola’s full bio and resumé here.

[jakehglover]

Flotation Therapy — Health Benefits of Sensory Deprivation

By Dr. Mercola

If you’ve ever considered flotation therapy, you’re not alone. In fact, this sensory deprivation technique is becoming more popular, and has benefits ranging from simple relaxation to recovery after a traumatic brain injury.

Most flotation tubs or tanks are about the size of a queen-sized bed and contain no more than 1 foot of water that has been supersaturated with 850 to 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt to 200 gallons of water.

According to Graham Talley, founder of Float On, which hosts an annual Float Conference, this makes the water “more buoyant than the Dead Sea.”1 The water is heated to 93.5 degrees F., which is a normal skin surface temperature. Writing for Men’s Health, Deanna Debara describes her experience:2

“Float devotees include celebrities like Steph Curry and Joe Rogan, who have promoted it as a post-workout recovery tool and a way to reduce muscle soreness.

Floating devotees claim that the therapy can be a cure-all for everything from hypertension to insomnia, but I was interested in trying it for one reason: to relax … If there was anything out there that could help me loosen up and just chill, I was game …

During the first few minutes of the float, I panicked … It took everything in me not to feel around in the darkness to find the light … But the longer I stayed in the tank, the more things started to slow down. My shoulders loosened up. My breathing deepened. My thoughts stopped racing …

As time went on, I moved past relaxation and entered what I can only describe as an almost trance-like state; at times, I couldn’t tell where my body ended and where the water began. I couldn’t tell if my eyes were opened or closed, and I couldn’t tell if I was awake or asleep. It was like meditating on steroids.”

Health Benefits of Flotation Therapy

As noted in the video above, flotation therapy has been linked to an array of beneficial effects, including:3,4

Stress reduction5

Reduced anxiety,6depression and symptoms of post-traumatic stress by inhibiting cortisol production7,8,9 and inhibiting the fight or flight response in your amygdala

Pain relief10

Increased creativity11

Deepened meditative state

Reduced inflammation

Addiction relief

Improved sleep

Mood enhancement12

Athletic performance enhancement by speeding up the elimination of lactic acid

Improvements in chronic fatigue and symptoms associated with burnout13

According to a 2014 study,14 sensory deprivation treatment in a flotation tank “has beneficial effects on relatively healthy participants” and could have value as preventive health care by lowering depression and anxiety. According to the authors:

“Stress, depression, anxiety, and worst pain were significantly decreased whereas optimism and sleep quality significantly increased for the flotation-REST [restricted environmental stimulation therapy] group. No significant results for the control group were seen. There was also a significant correlation between mindfulness in daily life and degree of altered states of consciousness during the relaxation in the flotation tank.

The Benefits of Silence

While it’s difficult to tease out exactly what it is about flotation therapy that causes these effects, silence alone is known to have very similar benefits. According to Psych Central, spending time in complete silence has been shown to produce physiological changes, including:15

Lower blood pressure

Improved immune function

Increased cognitive function

Decreased stress

Improved hormone regulation

Silence also promotes emotional and psychological benefits, such as:

Increased creativity

Self-awareness and gratitude

Self-observation and self-reflection that leads to self-improvement

Spiritual connection

Improved sleep

Clearly, it doesn’t get a lot quieter than floating in a sensory deprivation tank for an hour. Another option might be to join a silent retreat, where you spend anywhere from a couple to 10 days in complete silence.16

Flotation Therapy in the Treatment of Brain Injuries

Flotation therapy can also be enormously beneficial in the treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Dr. Dan Engle, who is board-certified in adult psychology and neurology, discusses this and other techniques in his book, “The Concussion Repair Manual: A Practical Guide to Recovering From Traumatic Brain Injuries.” According to Engle, whom I’ve interviewed on this topic:

“Flotation therapy is on the front line of many different recovery and regenerative medicine protocols, because it has the opportunity to reset so many different systems.

When somebody drops into a float tank … it’s essentially the first time since they were conceived that they’re without environmental stimuli … There’s no gravity; there’s no appropriate [sensory] reception … Everything is offline, so to speak.

Eighty percent of what the brain is consistently bringing in is environmental stimuli. Now, there’s more energy toward the recuperative mechanisms.

It’s both a brain technology and a consciousness technology, because … [the] flotation tank [experience] is like meditation on steroids. If somebody’s using [for] recuperative and regenerative [purposes], they may well find more peace in their lives outside of the tank as well … because it starts to reset the neuroendocrine system.

Cortisol levels normalize. Global inflammatory markers normalize. Blood pressure normalizes. The relationship between the brain and the endocrine or the hormonal systems starts to optimize …”

For those recuperating from a TBI, Engle recommends doing a series of eight to 10 floating sessions within a three- to four-week period. By the end of that series, you should notice significant improvement in your symptoms. You may also find yourself more at ease in general, sensing a better “flow” in your life. For maintenance, do one or two sessions per month.

Flotation Therapy for Stress-Related Muscle Pain

Speaking of dosage, a study17 designed to evaluate the effectiveness of 12 versus 33 sessions for stress-related ailments such as muscle pain and tension found that, from a subjective perspective, maximum results were obtained after 12 sessions. In fact, no additional improvements were found after 33 sessions. According to the authors:

“A similar pattern was observed concerning the stress-related psychological variables: experienced stress, anxiety, depression, negative affectivity, dispositional optimism and sleep quality.

For blood pressure, no effects were observed after 12 sessions, but there was a significant lower level for diastolic blood pressure after 33 sessions. The present study highlighted the importance of finding suitable complementary treatments in order to make further progress after the initial 12 sessions.”

Altered States of Consciousness May Impact Pain and Stress Thresholds

Aside from the effects of silence and the regenerative effects of resetting the neuroendocrine system, flotation therapy18 also appears to impact your physiology through the induction of an altered state of consciousness. A study19 investigating this aspect was published in 2004.

Twenty-three athletes underwent two sensory deprivation sessions, one in a flotation tank and the other in a sensory deprivation chamber. In the latter, you simply lie on a bed in a soundproof, completely darkened room. Immediately following each of the sessions, the participants’ pain threshold was measured by inflating a blood pressure cuff on one arm.

The degree of altered states of consciousness of each participant was also measured using an instrument capable of “assessing experienced deviation from normal state.” As one might suspect, participants experienced far greater alterations in consciousness in the flotation tank than in the dark, soundproof chamber.

Curiously enough, higher alterations in consciousness were found to correlate with higher levels of experienced pain and stress. According to the authors:

“These results suggest that the particular distinguishing features of flotation-REST and chamber-REST may cause selective deviations from normal levels of consciousness … that may underlie the subjective experience of pain and stress thresholds.”

A later study20 found that people who are more emotionally sensitive and more prone to anxiety and self-absorption were significantly more likely to experience altered states of consciousness or so-called mystical states during flotation therapy than less sensitive individuals.

Meditative States Protect and Improve Health

Overall, meditation has been shown to have significant health benefits, so it’s not so surprising that flotation therapy would have similar effects. Many of these benefits could be said to be a byproduct of stress reduction. Stress is a well-recognized culprit that can promote ill health across the board, and the ability of meditation to quell stress is an important health benefit.

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University published a study in 2015 claiming they’d found the biological mechanism by which mindfulness affects physical health. In a nutshell, meditation impacts your biology and physical health via “stress reduction pathways” in your brain. As explained in the press release:21

“When an individual experiences stress, activity in the prefrontal cortex — responsible for conscious thinking and planning — decreases, while activity in the amygdala, hypothalamus and anterior cingulate cortex — regions that quickly activate the body's stress response — increases.

Studies have suggested that mindfulness reverses these patterns during stress; it increases prefrontal activity, which can regulate and turn down the biological stress response.

Excessive activation of the biological stress response increases the risk of diseases impacted by stress (like depression, HIV and heart disease). By reducing individuals' experiences of stress, mindfulness may help regulate the physical stress response and ultimately reduce the risk and severity of stress-related diseases.”

Such effects may explain why meditation can help to relieve stress-related diseases such as:

High blood pressure

Chronic pain, including headaches

Respiratory problems such as emphysema and asthma

Sleep disturbances and fatigue

Gastrointestinal distress and irritable bowel syndrome

Skin disorders

Mild depression and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Meditation can also have a distinct impact on gene expression. For example, researchers at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine22 have sought to quantify the benefits of the relaxation response by assessing gene expression before and after meditation, and have compared effects of short- and long-term meditation routines.

Among their findings, they discovered that meditation has anti-inflammatory effects. In one study,23 participants who participated in an eight-week meditation program, as well as longer-term meditators, saw increases in antioxidant production, telomerase activity and oxidative stress.

One theory is that NF-kappa B genes may act as messengers between psychological and physical stress, thereby causing your body to translate worry into inflammation. What’s more, there appears to be a dose-dependent relationship at play, so the greater the relaxation response, the greater the optimization of genes and the greater the anti-inflammatory effects.

Flotation therapy induces tremendous physical and mental relaxation, allowing for the experience of basically being bodiless, and this deep relaxation may well be part and parcel of how it reduces anxiety, pain and inflammation.

Magnesium Augmentation

Perhaps one of the least appreciated aspects of floatation tanks is that it likely increases your magnesium levels, and since over 80 percent of the public is deficient in magnesium, this is a great side benefit since you are floating in a half-ton of Epsom salt.

In fact, this aspect of float tanks has intrigued me enough to consider getting one, as I, like many people, have a hard time getting my magnesium levels high enough. It’s a major challenge to increase magnesium by oral supplementation without causing loose stools.

If anyone has been using a float tank and performed pre- and post-RBC magnesium levels, please leave your experience in the comments below as it is difficult to find documentation on this aspect of flotation therapy.

from HealthyLife via Jake Glover on Inoreader http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/10/11/flotation-therapy.aspx

[phamios]

9 Skin Care and Makeup Brands That Are 100% Cruelty-Free

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9 Skin Care and Makeup Brands That Are 100% Cruelty-Free

When it comes to choosing the right skin care and beauty products for you, several factors are put into consideration. Will it work with my skin type? Is it made without harmful ingredients? Will it make me break out? Is it safe, proven and effective? Is it worth the price tag? And the list goes on. But one equally important question that often falls off the map is whether or not a product is “cruelty-free,” or, in other words, tested on animals.

What Does “Cruelty-Free” Mean?

There’s a very real, unfortunate and ugly reason the umbrella term for this kind of testing involves the word “cruelty.” This is because the animals used during these tests—often rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice and rats—are essentially being tortured and many die as a result of the testing (think, forcing them to eat shampoos and lotions and dripping it into their eyes to analyze the damage done to their body). In fact, Humane Society International estimates that as many as 200,000 animals suffer and die each year as a result of cosmetics testing around the world. It’s a barbaric aspect of the beauty world that the industry does its best to hide.

Currently, in the U.S., there is no law that forbids animal testing for products, however there’s also no law requiring this type of testing for companies to sell their products. So why do it? Other countries, for example, China, require animal testing, so if a U.S.-based company wants to sell to the expansive and lucrative Chinese market, they must have proof of animal testing.

So how do you tell whether or not a product is “cruelty-free”? It’s a bit more complicated than a simple label on packaging. For example, some companies will say they only conduct animal testing when required by law—which essentially means that if they choose to sell to a country that requires this testing, they’re willing to do so.

One of the easiest ways to tell a product lives up to its “cruelty-free” label is to buy vegan, however you can also search PETA’s database which includes over 2,700 companies that don’t test their products on animals. To get you started, here is a list of some of the beauty brands that are not only 100-percent cruelty-free, but are equally effective as their animal-testing competitors.

Cruelty-Free Makeup Brands

1. Tarte Cosmetics

Don’t let their addicting packaging and smart design distract you from the myriad of other amazing qualities possessed by this cosmetics company. Founded in 1999 by beauty guru Maureen Kelly, Tarte uses some of the finest natural ingredients, from Amazonian clay and maracuja oil, to create luxurious textures, tones and scents all without the use of harmful ingredients. Selling both skin care and cosmetics, you can feel good about your entire beauty regimen, ensuring that it’s top-notch quality and created without the use of animal testing.

Hot and New: Tarte Cosmetics Tarteist PRO Eyeshadow Palette

2. RMS Beauty

With RMS Beauty, you’re not only getting the assurance of using safe, certified organic ingredients, but you can also feel rest-assured that you’re using some of the highest quality ingredients around. Founded by Rose-Marie Swift, a makeup artist with over 35 years’ experience, RMS is also gluten-free, GMO-free, soy-free, nano-free, cruelty-free and just about every single other kind of “free” you’d hope for in products you’re using on the most sensitive areas of your body. Their careful cosmetics are packaged in recyclable glass with an aluminum lid (that’s also recyclable, of course!)—no plastic used ever.

Most Popular: RMS Beauty Un Cover-Up

3. 100 Percent Pure

Many innovative and life-altering products are found in California’s Napa and Silicon Valleys, but not too many beauty products can make this claim. 100% PURE® was born in a Napa Valley farmhouse back in 2005 and is now based in Silicon Valley in the same neighborhood that houses the likes of Google, Apple and Facebook. Just as their name suggests, the brand is 100 percent natural and free of all harmful toxins, including artificial colors and fragrances and synthetic chemical preservatives, and never tests its products on animals.

Bestseller: 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara

  4. Jane Iredale

Londoner Jane Iredale went from working in New York’s entertainment industry as a casting director who handled the careers of models and actresses in television and film, to an entrepreneur who launched one of the most successful beauty brands of her generation. While working with her clients, Iredale noticed the lack of long-wearing, quality and gentle products on the market and set out to not only create just that, but to do so for women and men of all ethnicities, nationalities and ages. “One thing we will never do is use animals in any of our testing. You can count on that!,” Iredale boasts on the brand’s site. In addition to their cruelty-free pledge, the company also carefully labels all of the vegan- and gluten-free ingredients used in their products so consumers can be in the know.

Bestseller: jane iredale Liquid Minerals A Foundation

5. W3LL PEOPLE

Taking beauty conscious to the next level, W3LL PEOPLE’s founders are a total beauty dream team—elite makeup artist Shirley Pinkson, cosmetic dermatologist Reneé Snyder M.D, and self-proclaimed “tree-hugging entrepreneur” James Walker. The result? Passionate people creating premium quality cosmetics without the use of harmful artificial ingredients. Their approach to minimalist makeup does not bear any sacrifice on quality or effectiveness but guarantees a “no-makeup” look that offers just the right amount of coverage and, of course, is never tested on animals.

Try: W3LL PEOPLE Expressionist Mascara – Pro Black

Cruelty-Free Skin Care Brands

1. Drunk Elephant

There are many reasons this skin care brand is flying off the shelves of retailers all over the world; among them is its top-quality, harm-free ingredients that actually get to the bottom of your skin care concerns. The company’s founder, Tiffany Masterson, is not a chemist but a beauty lover who was tired of putting unsafe and ineffective ingredients on her skin. Now she works with a team of experts and develops a collection of moisturizers, cleansers, serums, exfoliators, etc. that have attracted a cult-like and committed following who are not only happy with the brand’s formulations and skin-compatibility, but also with the fact that their products are not tested on animals, ever—elephants included!

Bestseller: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum

2. Sunday Riley

Let’s face it: Certain skin care ingredients—retinol very much included—can be threatening. Even when used by some of the most trusted skincare brands in the world, you’re left wondering whether or not it will leave you flaky and red. Sunday Riley is a brand that’s trying to answer these questions for you, not only incorporating quality ingredients that are gentle on the skin but by placing information on its packaging that informs the user of exactly who the product is for (what skin type) and what you can expect from using it—all right on the packaging! Created by cosmetic chemist and product formulator Sunday Riley, you can expect these skin care products to work, and work well, for a reasonable price tag (especially given the ingredient list) and without the use of animal testing.

Bestseller: Sunday Riley Good Genes All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment

3. Éminence Organic Skin Care

If you’re looking for a skin care brand that’s organic, all-natural, free of harsh chemicals and still capable of producing desired and dramatic results, look no further than Éminence. The brand hand-picks the herbs, vegetables, fruits and pure spring water it uses to create nourishing but powerful and rejuvenating products. The incredible fragrances used are 100-percent natural and are harvested right from their very own organic farm, so you can feel good about every ounce that you rub on and into your skin. The company is also proudly cruelty-free.

Most popular: Eminence Yam and Pumpkin Enzyme Peel

4. Luzern Laboratories

Using all-natural, BioSuisse ingredients, Luzern promises quality skin care products that deliver the clinically proven results without causing any harm to animals of any kind. The company’s been around for just over two decades, and was founded by two siblings, Jennifer Hebert-Coste and Ralph Hebert, whose environmentalist father raised them to question the kinds of ingredients used in their go-to skin care and beauty products. When they dug into the ingredient lists and came up short, they were inspired to develop their own safe product line that delivered uncompromising results without the use of harmful preservatives and additives or animal testing. From their creams to their serums, you can feel good about their dedication to beautiful and healthy skin care done right.

Try: Luzern Laboratories Force De Vie Pure Oxygen Creme Luxe

TAGS · CRUELTY-FREE

[nourish--to-flourish]

Fitness Tips

1. Workout in the morning: This is a pretty simple one. I find I have so much more energy in the morning and it’s also a sure fire way to start my day off. If you go early enough, you also miss the gym rush!!

2. Low intensity steady state: I always go on and on about how I ‘quit’ cardio but truth is I just started walking to warm up rather than running. And not walking on the treadmill but actually walking outside. I started going on morning walks during winter as a way to kill time during uni and also to warm up for the cold days (I am a particularly cold person). It helped both my mental and physical health to just walk for 30 minutes a day at least. 

However on the fat loss side of things it works like this; when your heart rate goes above a certain rate, your body starts burning (in order) these 3 things, your bodies glucose, fat then muscle. So actually, through walking, I could keep the weight off without losing too much muscle (granted my diet was sufficient). Aim to even walk around the block each morning, it’s another great day starter. 

3. High Intensity Interval Training: In addition to above (LISS), I started some workouts by doing a 10 minute high intensity workout. It’s super easy, simple and efficient if you’re lazy like me when it comes to warming up. It’s also fun to mix it up. I have the interval timer on my phone, I do 45 seconds on, 15 off of a range of high energy and high cardio exercise’s (think star jumps, jump squats or skipping etc.) Then I move on to my proper workout depending on what muscle I’m working or what I’m doing there.

4. Stretching: Kind of a given, but I always forget to stretch both before and after doing serious muscle work. Obviously warm up first, but stretch before you workout so you can ‘feel’ your muscles. It really helps to isolate them too!

5. Recovery time: both stretching and walking are incredible to aiding recovery. I’m a bit of a gym addict so it kills me when I know I need to rest and let my body recover. But walking again is a great way to keep the lactic acid in my muscles flowing and also keep loose!

6. Eating enough: I hate picky eaters, because i will eat almost anything (if it’s healthy). I like to think of my diet as being a little bit of everything, so I can get the right nutrients. I’m still learning obviously, because my previous/still sort of current diet was usually 2 ingredients or less. Which I thought was healthy, but I’ve found that ensuring that I have a little bit of B12 vitamin, some iron, some magnesium, some carbs etc, my energy levels just last yeaaaars longer. 

Those are basically the staple tips that I have followed to lose weight, and I really have seen the results. If you have any questions I will answer anything, I say this because heaps of girls have reached out to me saying they’ve tried to lose weight but can’t, and babes I’ve been there, so please don’t hesitate to message me!