Raphael Stevens

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    in health and weelbeing

    Let’s Talk About How To Really Hydrate Your Skin

    Is your skin not giving glow, plump, hydrated fabulousness? It might be because you’re struggling with a parched complexion. If so, it might not be the amount of product you apply but rather the type you’re using.
    Yes, turns out dehydrated skin and dry skin aren’t the same thing, although at first glance they may appear to be. Here’s what you need to know about hydration and how to really hydrate skin.
    What’s The Diff?
    Listen/read carefully: dehydrated skin needs water and lacks hydration and hydrating products. Whereas dry skin lacks oil and needs to be moisturised with moisturising products. How to tell if your skin needs moisture or hydration? Dry skin can be flaky, rough and dull. Dehydrated skin cells sort of shrink up, causing the skin to look deflated and lifeless.
    To Moisturise or Hydrate Skin
    So let’s clear this up. Moisturising ingredients lubricate the skin to prevent water from escaping. Ingredients such as: shea butter, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil and ceramides.
    While hydrating ingredients in skin care products attract water to the outermost layer of the skin. Hydrating ingredients include: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, fatty acids, amino acids and peptides.
    Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, here’s the brilliant news: It’s quite easy to keep your skin supple and glowly.
    READ MORE: Retinoids Everything You Need To Know About This Miracle Skincare Ingredient
    The Perfect Hydrator
    Cetaphil products are gentle, yet powerful and hydrate and moisturise. Cetaphil is a dermatologically tested skincare brand that is the go-to brand for those with sensitive skin. It helps restore, protect and maintain skin’s health every day.
    The USP is that this range (now for the extra sensitive skin) contains a combination of everything you need. This range contains a powerful combination of hydrating ingredients, including a unique Hydrosensitiv™ Complex and Hyaluronic Acid in each of the Optimal Hydration products, a dynamic hydration process is activated that boosts skin’s water content and locks it in where it’s needed. Each product works to replenish skin’s hydration for 48 hours and defends against five signs of skin sensitivity including dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and a weakened skin barrier.
    Hydrate Skin With Cetaphil: What To Buy
    Cetaphil Optimal Hydration 48H Activation Serum
    This serum absorbs instantly to deliver deep 48 hour hydration. This lightweight serum absorbs instantly and can be used alone or with Optimal Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream for an extra boost to skin’s hydration.

    [buy_button img=”https://www.womenshealthsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screenshot-2022-08-05-at-13.26.34.jpg” url=”https://www.cetaphil.co.za/product/optimal-hydration-48h-activation-serum” description=”Cetaphil Optimal Hydration 48H Activation Serum” price=”” title=”Buy It” alignment=”row”][/buy_button]
    Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream

    This lightweight cream leaves skin feeling immediately soft and supple.  It defends against 5 signs of skin sensitivity including dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and a weakened skin barrier.
    [buy_button img=”https://www.womenshealthsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screenshot-2022-08-05-at-13.27.31.jpg” url=”https://www.cetaphil.co.za/product/optimal-hydration-healthy-glow-daily-cream” description=”Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Healthy Glow Daily Cream” price=”” title=”Buy It” alignment=”row”][/buy_button]
    Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Refreshing Eye Serum

    This targeted eye serum reduces the appearance of dark circles and puffiness while nourishing and replenishing skin’s hydration for 48 hours. Featuring a soft silicon applicator tip for gentle massage during application. Suitable for sensitive, dry or dehydrated skin.
    [buy_button img=”https://www.womenshealthsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screenshot-2022-08-05-at-13.28.13.jpg” url=”https://www.cetaphil.co.za/product/optimal-hydration-refreshing-eye-serum” description=”Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Refreshing Eye Serum” price=”” title=”Buy It” alignment=”row”][/buy_button]
    Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Replenishing Night Cream

    This thirst-quenching cream instantly comforts sensitive skin, leaving skin soothed and soft. This night cream nourishes and intensely plumps the skin with moisture for 48 hours non-stop. You’ll wake-up to a refreshed rested look and signs of fatigue faded away.
    [buy_button img=”https://www.womenshealthsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screenshot-2022-08-05-at-13.29.01.jpg” url=”https://www.cetaphil.co.za/product/optimal-hydration-replenishing-night-cream” description=”Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Replenishing Night Cream” price=”” title=”Buy It” alignment=”row”][/buy_button]
    Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Serum Spray

    A serum spray that keeps the skin hydrated 3x longer in over-drying conditions, while the formula soothes skin sensitivity. This serum spray absorbs quickly and dries instantly so that skin never looks or feels greasy.
    [buy_button img=”https://www.womenshealthsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screenshot-2022-08-05-at-13.24.35.jpg” url=”https://www.cetaphil.co.za/product/optimal-hydration-serum-spray” description=”Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Serum Spray” price=”” title=”Buy It” alignment=”row”][/buy_button]
    Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Replenishing Lotion

    This weightless lotion is made to be gentle and is suited to all skin types. It defends against 5 signs of skin sensitivity including dryness, irritation, roughness, tightness and a weakened skin barrier.
    [buy_button img=”https://www.womenshealthsa.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screenshot-2022-08-05-at-13.25.32.jpg” url=”https://www.cetaphil.co.za/product/optimal-hydration-replenishing-lotion” description=”Cetaphil Optimal Hydration Replenishing Lotion” price=”” title=”Buy It” alignment=”row”][/buy_button] More

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    Sheikh Hamdan shares sweet photo of his twins with grandfather Sheikh Mohammed

    Lifestyle

    by Team Emirates Woman
    19 seconds ago

    His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is no stranger to sharing tidbits of his family life with his loyal fans.
    Having shared some snippets from his summer holiday in the UK with twins Rashid and Shaikha, the Crown Prince of Dubai is also spending quality time with his father, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
    Sheikh Hamdan, affectionately known as Fazza, shared a snap on Instagram with his father and his two children spending time together in the UK.
    In the forefront of the photo twins Rashid and Shaikha are seen sitting in a pushchair, with doting dad Sheikh Hamdan and grandfather Sheikh Mohammed behind.

    Sheikh Hamdan captioned the post with three heart emojis: one red, one blue and one pink, representing the Dubai Ruler and his two grandchildren.
    Holidaying in the UK
    Fazza has been spending time in the UK with his two children during the summer months.
    ALSO READ: 7 times Sheikh Hamdan was the ultimate doting father to twins Rashid & Shaikha
    Last week, he posted a few snaps from his recent outing with his horses in the countryside where his son Rashid accompanied him.

    In the first photograph, the little one is seen with his dad petting one of the horses at the stable. But it’s the second photo which shows just how grown-up Fazza’s son has gotten as he was seen holding his dad’s hand, walking alongside him in the fields.
    Sheikh Hamdan simply captioned the post with a blue heart and a horse emoji, suggesting it was just 14-month-old Rashid was with him at the stables.
    Rashid and Shaikha celebrated their first birthday back in May.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Sheikh Hamdan Instagram  More

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    I’m a Fitness Coach and These 5 Easy Habits Keep Me in Shape

    As a strength and conditioning coach, fitness takes up most of my daily life, between coaching my clients and writing about fitness; however, a busy schedule doesn’t always allow much time for me to focus on my own workouts, so I keep five habits in rotation to ensure I stay in shape. FYI: “In shape” means feeling your most energized, strongest, and healthiest—not a number on a scale or what you can lift in the gym. Whether you’re a trainer, an athlete, a weekend warrior, or just someone trying to improve their fitness, give these five habits a go. Spoiler alert: They’re easy than you think. 

    1. I walk, run, or bike to my destinations as often as possible
    No matter what it looks like, movement is paramount to health. On days when my schedule calls for a lot of sitting or doesn’t give me enough time to dedicate to a workout, I make sure to utilize my commute. There are so many ways to get steps in and get your heart rate up before, during, or after work, as long as you’re willing to get creative. For example, try biking to work if you can (look for a shared bike program like CitiBike). If you’re able to leave your work essentials and a change of clothes at work, wake up early and run there. Too far? Try running halfway and utilizing public transportation the rest of the way. As someone who has every intention to go for a run before work, I’ve found that incorporating my run into my commute has had a way better success rate. Pro tip: Leave some shower wipes in your gym bag so you can freshen up!
    If all else fails, a good old-fashioned walk on your lunch break is a great way to accumulate movement throughout the day. I live in New York City, and the moment someone referred to my walk home from work as an “urban hike,” my whole attitude about walking changed. We consider hiking great exercise, so why isn’t walking to or from work, the store, or a friend’s house just as valuable? Bottom line: Movement is always a net positive no matter how we can get it.

    2. I eat whenever I’m hungry (and get plenty of protein) 
    One of the detrimental effects of diet culture is the idea that hunger isn’t the one and only factor to dictate when we eat. Your body is a complex capable machine, and it knows exactly when it needs fuel. One of the most important ways that I stay in shape is by eating when I’m hungry and getting plenty of protein in my diet. I don’t count calories or macros—I simply eat what I know makes me feel good. I also write down my meals, because it helps me identify which foods made me feel good throughout the day and which didn’t sustain me, or simply made me feel tired or sluggish.
    In order to get enough protein for my body and lifestyle, I have two servings of protein powder every day and try to consume plenty of protein from whole foods, such as beans, legumes, tofu, lentils, nuts, and seitan. For people who consume animal protein, eggs, chicken, turkey, and salmon are other excellent sources of protein. Make sure to also eat carbohydrates and fats for a healthy, balanced diet, and remember that every body needs different things. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist about the amount of protein that is right for you.

    3. I take the stairs every single time
    Whenever possible, I take the stairs. Instead of spending time on the Stairmaster at the gym, skip the elevator and climb your way to your destination. Taking the stairs will get your heart rate up (even if you take it slowly) and puts your quads, glutes, and hamstrings to work. Going up to the 10th floor? Start with a few flights of stairs before you opt for the elevator. Building up the number of flights you can climb is a great way to improve your fitness with measurable results.

    4. I drink plenty of water and limit my caffeine intake after 5 p.m.
    Hydration is a tremendous part of fitness. If you are dehydrated, you’re likely to feel fatigued, confuse thirst signals for hunger signals, and have blood sugar spikes, headaches, and poor mental and physical performance. By drinking water as often as possible, you are helping your body stay at its sharpest and highest-functioning level, prevent false hunger cues, regulate body temperature, and replenish water lost in sweat.
    As a coach with a packed schedule of early mornings and late nights, I do rely on caffeine to help me get through my day, whether it’s in the form of coffee, energy drinks, or pre-workout supplements. While everyone chooses to drink their caffeine differently, one thing we can all agree on is the way in which caffeine negatively affects our sleep when it’s consumed later in the day. For me, limiting caffeine intake after 5 p.m. has helped me fall asleep more easily and stay asleep throughout the night. Sleep is one of the most important ways to improve and maintain fitness, so limiting caffeine later in the day is a great way to make sure you get that much-needed, restful night’s sleep. 

    5. I make sure to break a sweat at least once a day
    Let’s face it: Life happens and things out of our control can get in the way of getting our sweat in. But my one and only hard-and-fast rule? Break a sweat somehow, some way, once a day. On an ideal day, I have the time to get a full workout in. Most days, however, I fit in what I can, when I can. For example, I’ll opt for a quick sweat session, like 100 burpees in my kitchen before I hop into the shower or a half-mile run around the block at an all-out effort (after a quarter-mile warmup, of course!) while my coffee is brewing.
    As long as I break a sweat once a day, I’m satisfied, even if it’s not a full workout. In the long run, keeping up the habit of incorporating fitness into our daily lives is more important than the details of each workout. Remember that we are a product of our daily habits, not the things we do occasionally, so keep making fitness a daily habit and you will feel results.

    10 Products a Fitness Trainer Always Has in Her Gym Bag More

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    Here’s What It’s Like To Get A Bikini Wax For The First Time

    There seem to be two types of women: those who wax and those who don’t. Among those who wax, you might find the same group in the Nail Salon Regular Department or the Regular Make-Up Wearers Department. Of course, there are women who do neither and still wax, along with those in the NSR and RMUW departments who opt for other hair-removal tactics (or none at all; we’re multi-faceted onions).
    Among the Regular Waxers, there’s a blasé attitude that goes along with the intimacy of bikini waxes, a normalcy about it. As a woman who is not very shy, I still felt a great deal of trepidation about the idea of someone really *in there*. What would they think? Is it pretty? Is it ugly? Regardless, when I was sent to get a wax at the newly-opened WAXIT flagship store in Table Bay, Cape Town, I bravely opted for the package Bare Necessities that included the bikini wax option, so as to really immerse myself.
    Tip #1: Go To A Wax-Only Space
    WAXIT is a wax-only beauty salon with branches in Joburg, Pretoria, Durban, and now, Cape Town. Part of the reason for the wax-only salons, for brand owner (aptly named Director of Smooth) Michelle Royston, is that it’s a specialist experience. “What makes us different is that we specialize in waxing. Waxing is our passion in everything that we do and we do it well,” she says. Because it’s hyper-focused on one thing, they’ve thought of all the things to make the experience better: disposable underwear, heated treatment beds, and even sets of pre-and-post wax products that exfoliate and hydrate.
    READ MORE: 8 Amazing Benefits And Uses For Aloe Vera
    WAXIT even has their own radio, playing impulsively sing-along songs. A big bonus: the treatment bed was heated, and this felt so comforting, especially in the cold winter air. Every bottle is uniform and cleanly labelled, all products are placed on an easy-to-access swivel table adjoined to the bed. Little details like these matter; they make the space feel professional. WAXIT extends this to their staff too: they hire qualified technicians, but everyone does special WAXIT training, too, and there’s such a difference in practice.

    READ MORE: Here’s How To *Actually* Prep For A Bikini Wax, According To Waxitologists
    What It’s Like To Get A Bikini Wax
    In some reviews I nervously read, many people opted to take painkillers before the event, but I was late and forgetful so that illustrious opportunity passed me by. Instead, I arrived and was shown into my room: an elegant space without too-harsh lighting and inoffensive grey walls. I was told to get undressed – since my session involved most of my hair being stripped away (armpits, legs, eyebrows and full bikini) – and lie on the bed. I was also given a set of disposable underwear that was loose and breathable that my Waxitologist, Nondumiso, would work around. I lay down, waiting.

    Is getting a bikini wax painful?
    First, the armpits. I confidently took a video to show how easily I would handle things. My smug expression contorted quickly into pain. There was a quick ‘ouch!’ ripping sensation but it went away within seconds, especially when Nondumiso applied her thankfully cold (gloved) hands onto the area with pressure. A few strips later, we’d moved onto my eyebrows, which have not been touched in years. A far more tolerable pain, although the video betrays me. Afterwards, the pain completely vanishes, thankfully.

    @splishsplashmishmash #fyp #waxingvideos ♬ original sound – Michelle

    The lower body was harder to stomach. My leg hair had been allowed to grow as long as possible, which is fabulous for removal purposes: the longer the hair, the more the wax has to hold on to, making it easier to pluck away. But it’s more painful and stung. It was over fairly quickly, but the real work lay in the Hollywood wax. I opted to remove every bit of hair so as to really throw myself into the scene. It’s intimate work, but Nondumiso seemed genuinely nonplussed, chatting all the while. I timed my breathing so that with every removal, I let out oxygen. This helped make things a lot less painful but there’s just so much real estate down there that the complete removal took a while.
    READ MORE: 6 Best Eye Creams For Dark Circles, Fine Lines, Puffiness, And More
    After, I hazarded a glance. Hairless like a naked mole rat! The area was for sure sensitive and ouchy for a while. I took a painkiller and resolved to lie myself down and do as little as possible, although I may have been dramatic, like a Victorian woman flush with hysteria.  The pain was completely gone by the next day, sensitivity and all.
    So far, it’s been a week and I do find myself admiring the way my bikini line now looks, and how smooth it feels to walk around. I’ve been eyeing every area steadfastly to check for regrowths but so far, nothing’s popped out. This is why people return for bikini waxes, pain be damned, explained Michelle. “I mean, a million times when clients walk [away] I hear them say, ‘I feel so clean, so nice.’ So once you try it, you never go back [to shaving],” she says. As for me? I’m about to book my next session. Those Who Wax Department, prepare for your newest member. More

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    The Lazy Girl’s Guide to Understanding Health Insurance

    You know all of those really important skills you should have learned in high school but never did? We’re talking about filing taxes, how to change a tire, and how to make a budget; actual life skills that most of us will use way more often than y=mx+b. Perhaps one of the most important topics that was left off of the curriculum was understanding a little thing called health insurance. If you feel like you’re way behind on this topic, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s your guide to understanding common health insurance phrases, where to get health insurance, and some important things to remember when it comes to using your benefits.

    Terms You Should Know

    What’s a deductible?
    Your deductible is the amount of money you will have to pay out of pocket in the year before the insurance benefits kick in. Think of your deductible as the points you have to rack up before you receive your next Abercrombie & Fitch reward. You spend x amount of dollars to get money off on your next purchase!
    Your deductible can be anywhere from $0-$8,000, but in many cases will be in the $1,500-$4,500 range. To meet your deductible, you will use your health insurance card at doctor’s visits, to fill prescriptions, etc. You will then receive a bill from your doctor and what’s known as an Explanation of Benefits (or EOB) from your insurance carrier. This will show you that the claim from your visit was processed through the insurance and your payment went toward your deductible. Not quite as exciting as receiving your A&F package but still a positive nonetheless!

    What’s coinsurance?
    Once you meet your deductible, the insurance benefits begin. This is the percentage the insurance will pay toward a claim. This amount is generally between 50-100%. Let’s say your coinsurance is 70%. This means that, after you meet your deductible, the insurance plan will pay 70% of the claims that come in for covered services and you will pay 30%. For example, if you have a covered claim that is $100, the insurance will pay $70, and you will be responsible for $30. Isn’t it great having someone help out for a change?

    What’s a copay?
    A copay, or copayment, is a preselected amount that you will pay for certain benefits. Usually, you have a copay for prescription drugs, doctor’s office visits, and urgent care visits at the time of the visit.
    Prescription drugs generally fall under 3-4 tiers, ranging from generic (or tier 1) drugs to specialty (tier 3 or 4) drugs. You may see prescription drug tiers such as $10/$65/$95/$200 or some variation of that.
    Office and urgent care visits often also have set copayment amounts that you pay upfront. You may see $25 or $50 for office visits and $75 or $100 for urgent care. 
    Note: Not all health insurance plans utilize copayments. In this case, there will not necessarily be a set flat fee, and you will pay whatever the drug or office visit costs (bummer, we know).

    What’s an out-of-pocket maximum?
    Your out-of-pocket maximum (OOP)  is the highest amount of money you will pay for covered services under your health plan for the year. If you reach your OOP, you can think of the rest of your health insurance benefits as “free” for the rest of the year. 
    The out-of-pocket maximum will generally include the deductible you previously met as well as any copays, but this can vary depending on your plan. From the example above, if coinsurance pays the $70, the $30 that you paid would go toward your out-of-pocket maximum. Once you’ve reached your out-of-pocket maximum for the year, all covered services going forward should be covered by insurance—completely, this time.

    What are preventive benefits?
    A majority of health insurance plans are mandated by the Affordable Care Act, meaning they will follow ACA guidelines for preventive benefits. These are the coveted services you generally get once per year, free of charge. Common preventive benefits include routine vaccinations, blood pressure screenings, cholesterol screenings, and more. You know, everything you need to stay in tip-top shape. 
    Preventive benefits are often split up between demographic groups. There will be certain benefits specifically for women, children, or all adults. Some benefits, such as colonoscopies, require you to be a certain age in order for the benefit to be considered preventive. 
    For a full list of preventive benefits, click here.

    The Logistics

    Where can I get health insurance?
    Congratulations, you’re finally a true adult! Translation? You just turned 26 and are getting kicked off your parent’s health insurance plan. Now the real fun begins. 
    When this time comes, the most straightforward (and generally most affordable) way to obtain health insurance is through your employer. Many employers will pay a portion of your monthly premiums, contribute to a Health Savings Account for you, or (if you’re really lucky) offer free health insurance. 
    If you’re in the unlucky minority and can’t get insurance through an employer, you generally can enroll on a policy through the Marketplace/Exchange. All you have to do is meet all of the requirements, be able to afford it, sell your soul, and sign away your firstborn. Kidding! 
    As long as you meet all of the requirements, you can enroll in a marketplace plan on your own online, or you can reach out to an individual health insurance broker for assistance.

    When can I apply for health insurance?
    You’re going to want to get your insurance through an employer. When you begin a new job, you will generally have to go through a “waiting period” where you must work for the company for a set amount of time before you qualify to enroll on their insurance plan—this is typically anywhere from 0-90 days.
    If you don’t enroll as a “new hire,” meaning within your waiting period, there may be limitations to when you can. Typically, you will need a Qualifying Life Event to occur, aka a big life-changing event like losing coverage elsewhere (example: adulthood/turning 26), getting married, having a baby, and more. 
    Generally, the only other time to enroll on a company’s health insurance plan is during their open enrollment period. Most companies renew their health insurance plans on Jan. 1, making their open enrollment period the month of December. This is the time period when employees who previously waived (or did not elect) the group health insurance plan are once again eligible and can enroll for a Jan. 1 effective date. 
    There are some cases when the insurance policy renews at a different time, making the open enrollment period different. Do your due diligence and check with your employer before taking our word as gospel. 
    If you are not seeking insurance through an employer and are looking at an individual or marketplace policy, you will likely have to wait for the annual open enrollment period or have a qualifying life event as well.

    How much does health insurance cost?
    Great question! We’d love to tell you, but the only answer here is that there is no one answer. Usually, the most affordable option is enrolling in a plan through your employer. Generally, the employer will pay a portion of your monthly premium. Your “premium” is the price you pay, generally monthly, to be enrolled on an insurance plan and have insurance benefits. 
    Not to be the bearer of bad news, but if you’re needing an individual health insurance plan, you’ll likely be responsible for paying the entire monthly premium yourself. Based on your demographics and the richness of the benefits you choose, this could range from $100-$400 monthly. Use those preventive benefits to stay as healthy as possible and keep costs down!

    Things to Note
    For some more good news, it’s important to remember that insurance doesn’t cover all medical procedures, as there are exclusions. Exclusions will be things like dental services, cosmetic procedures, alternative medicine, etc. 
    There is also a fun little thing called “pre-authorization” that the insurance company will often require before a major procedure. This means that your doctor must pre-authorize, or prove to the insurance company that the procedure is “medically necessary,” before they agree to cover the claim. This is something your provider’s office should be aware of, but we recommend trusting no one and taking it upon yourself to make sure this gets taken care of in advance.
    Another thing to note is that deductibles, coinsurances, and out-of-pocket maximums are generally reset yearly. In many cases, this will happen on Jan. 1 each year, but there can be some variations. 
    Pro tip: If you are needing a service that will cause you to hit your deductible, schedule it toward the beginning of the year, or right after your plan resets, so your insurance benefits kick in and insurance pays a portion or all covered claims for the rest of the year. We DO NOT recommend taking this advice for anything that is life-threatening, of course.
    If you have any questions regarding your health insurance benefits, what’s covered, or what you owe for covered services, bite the bullet and contact your health insurance company. Yes, you will likely have to wait on hold for an hour, but most companies now at least have the option for you to leave a message and receive a callback. This is one of those times it will be worth it to put in a little extra work, we promise

    The Lazy Girl’s Guide To Tax Season

    * This is a summary only. Please contact your health insurance provider or an insurance professional for specific details.  More

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    The ultimate guide to the best private schools in Dubai, per the KHDA

    Lifestyle

    by Sarah Joseph
    3 hours ago

    Dubai is known to always put education at the forefront.
    Under the guidance of the emirate’s Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), Dubai-based schools continue to strive to provide the very best experience and education for students.
    Ensuring parents across the emirate are in the know about the very best Dubai education has to offer, the KHDA has ranked all 218 private schools in the emirate, with only 17 receiving an ‘outstanding’ certification.
    So, if you’re currently searching for the very best school to enroll your child in, take a look at the institutions which have been given the seal of approval by the emirate’s education authority.

    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More

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    in health and weelbeing

    What To Do When You Start Catching Feelings In A Situationship (Oh, oh)

    “Yes to lots of safe sex, definitely no sleepovers, no calling each other on our birthdays, no unnecessary check-ins unless it’s to set up a booty call and most importantly, no acting up when you see me with someone else.” So go the rules of many situationships, often declared at the very beginning to prevent either party from falling in love with the other.
    If you’ve been living under a rock (for some reason), a situationship is a half-baked ‘relationship’ that is neither official or unconfirmed. Most importantly, it’s meant to be uncomplicated. But when have feelings ever respected boundaries?
    Sex with no strings attached can be fun, but can also get complicated really fast. If you happen to wake up pining for your f*** buddy (not in that lust, but the ‘I just want to hear your voice sense’) it could mean that your feelings have gone and crossed the boundary line — without first consulting you nodal! First and foremost, don’t beat yourself up for developing feelings: Women are biologically wired to feel attached to their sexual partners, so it’s not only common, it’s natural.
    Women release oxytocin, a bonding hormone, when they have sex (and particularly when they orgasm), so in many cases, it’s hard not to feel at least a little attached. And of course, the more you spend any kind of physical time with someone, the more you’re likely to learn about them and get to know them on a more personal level. So, yeah… chances are, if you’re regularly having casual sex with the same person, you’re going to start to feel the feels.
    By now, we’ve all established that relationships are complex AF. WH advisor and therapist Dr Chloe tackles your most confusing issues and burning Qs.
    Makes sense. So I shouldn’t worry that my casual-sex thing doesn’t feel that casual?
    “Let’s not pretend this isn’t an issue — clearly, you’re here for a reason, and my guess is that the reason is you think this person doesn’t have those same feelings for you and you’re not sure how to proceed. Perhaps you went into this thing with a mutual understanding that the sex wouldn’t progress into a relationship and your feelings honestly took you by surprise.
    But it could also be the case that, on some deeper level, you sought out a casual-sex situation because you thought it’d be emotionally safer to stick to an arrangement where they can’t reject you. If you’re not ‘putting yourself out there’ in that vulnerable way, you can’t get hurt, right? I know the thinking.
    READ MORE: The 10 Rules Of Casual Dating Every Woman Should Know
    Here’s the truth, though: If you frequently (if not always) find yourself developing feelings for someone you’re having casual sex with, I urge you to consider if a non-relationship is really what you want. If you think casual sex is a way of guaranteeing you won’t be disappointed by a partner because you’re not even putting the idea of a relationship on the table, you’re actually encouraging self-denial, not self-awareness (which as a maturing adult, isn’t the way to go!).
    It’s kind of like overtraining at the gym and then popping a bunch of painkillers to remove the soreness: You might not feel the pain anymore, but the muscle damage is still there. Similarly, having sex with someone you like but who doesn’t cherish you is painful, whether you act like you care or not (by continuing to sleep with them with no strings attached).
    If that’s you — if you’ve never really been able to separate sex from emotions — casual sex might not be the healthiest thing for you. Try limiting yourself to having sex with people who reciprocate a desire for a relationship and emotional intimacy. Even though there’s no way of guaranteeing that a long-term relationship will come out of it, at least you’re not setting yourself up to be heartbroken and disappointed from the get-go.”
    Uuuhhhmmm, Dr Chloe… but that doesn’t help me now.
    “What to do in your current situation? The answer is simple: Be honest. You have absolutely nothing to gain by keeping your feelings to yourself or pretending that they aren’t there. In most cases, feelings only grow with time, so you’re doing yourself no favours by getting in deeper with someone who doesn’t want what you want.
    So tell them. Yes, I know it’s scary, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind you’ll gain after! Try saying: ‘I thought you should know that I’ve started to like you-like you. I think I need to step back, because when I got into this, I didn’t plan for these feelings.’
    READ MORE: 11 Signs Of An Emotionally Unavailable Partner — And WTH To Do About It
    This approach lets them know how you feel but doesn’t put any pressure on them to reciprocate — which you only want them to do if they truly feel the same way as you do. You don’t want a potential partner to stick around just so they can keep their Nice Guy (or Nice Girl) card, so let them know that you’ve decided to walk away without expressing any negativity toward them. That way, if they come back and tell you they want more, you know it’s because they actually want more.
    Now, if they don’t end up coming around with their own declaration of feelings or desire for a relationship on their own time, know this: You just did yourself a solid. The relationship you’re imagining in your head is with a relationship-oriented person who feels a certain way about you, too. And if that’s not them — they only want casual sex, or they just don’t see you in particular as something more than that — then you can accept the reality and let go. It’s much, much easier to move on from someone who isn’t what you want than someone who is.
    Got it. Is there any way to rein my feelings in in the future?
    Of course! If you do decide to enter into another casual-sex shindig because that’s what you really, truly, deeply want, try the following to minimise the chances of getting in too deep:

    Avoid sharing or learning deep personal stories (about your family, hobbies, childhood, etc.), which forms strong connections.
    Avoid frequent or daily texting — only talk for purposes of meeting up for your rendezvous — because frequency and duration of contact is how humans build trust and grow closer.
    Avoid replaying encounters in your mind, which makes your brain grow fonder of them.

    Space out encounters or keep them to long-distance situations. Seeing someone often (and sleeping with them) pumps out all kinds of chemical hormones that can make you feel “addicted” to them.
    At the end of the day, casual sex without attachment is possible, but it’s tricky. As long as you stay true to yourself and your heart along the way, you’ll be just fine. I promise.
    This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com  More

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    in lifestyle and culture

    The touching way Sheikha Hissa paid tribute to her late father Sheikh Hamdan

    Lifestyle

    by Team Emirates Woman
    2 mins ago

    Her Highness Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the daughter of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the former Deputy Ruler of Dubai, is ensuring her late father’s legacy continues to live on.
    Attending the Sussex Stakes in the UK last week, Sheikha Hissa was cheering on horse Baaeed as he was victorious in coming first in Group 1.
    While her father may not have been able to be there in person, Her Highness made a touching tribute to Sheikh Hamdan when she was at the Sussex Stakes.
    In an interview with Racing TV following Baaeed’s win, the sheikha was seen wearing a badge with her father’s photo which was pointed out by the interviewer.

    “Is that a badge of your father you’ve got there?” the interviewer asked.
    “Yes, my father’s photo,” Sheikha Hissa replied.
    To which the interviewer said, “So, he comes with you…”
    “Always,” Sheikha Hissa replied, finishing her sentence.
    It was a special victory for Sheikha Hissa and Baaeed at the Sussex Stakes as the racehorse is directly from the lineage Sheikh Hamdan bred.
    “For me and my family he means the world,” Sheikha Hissa said of Baaeed’s victory. “It’s good to see one of our best horses coming from that lineage that my father worked hard on.”
    Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid died last year. His passing was announced by his brother, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and the Ruler of Dubai.
    He was aged 75 at the time of his passing on March 24, 2022.
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images/Media: Instagram  More