The benefits of spending time in nature are numerous. By going outside for your walk, you may experience benefits to your mental and physical health. Studies have shown that spending time in a forest can provide far reaching health benefits including reduced stress, lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, better mood, increased focus, faster recovery from surgery or illness, more energy and better sleep. If you live near a forest, then you might consider taking your walk on a trail through the woods. You could also try visiting a local park or journey to a state or national park to immerse yourself in a forest setting. If you live in the city or if the weather is bad, then you might try visiting an arboretum or even a botanical garden. If you're going on a stroll, part of the goal is to see pretty things -- a beautiful tree, a flower garden, stately old houses. Figure out what would make you feel happy on that particular day, and turn toward whatever it is. If you want a stroll, you're probably not going to want lots of hills (though the views might be lovely). For maximum effect, you're going to want to do a hike with some extreme hills. On the other end of the spectrum, you could try a walk with no hills on a paved, even surface. Many of us don't live within walking distance of work. But for those who do, walking to work can be a great way to transition from home to work and back again while getting exercise. It helps put you in the right frame of mind for each place. If you have to dress up for work, consider taking your work shoes with you and wearing walking shoes on the way to and from your destination. Loose dogs are one of the greatest threats to walkers. Choose a route where you are unlikely to encounter dogs off lead. If you have to take a route where you know you are going to encounter loose dogs, be ready to interact. Stay calm. Walk away. Be calm, and send calm energy toward the dog. Don't act aggressively. As a last resort, pretend to pick up rocks -- most dogs will get the idea and move away.

Summary: Visit a forest or park. Determine what you'd like to see. Decide how much exercise you want to get. Think about walking to work. Be aware of dogs.

Pour liquid dish soap onto a damp sponge. Gently scrub the surface of the grout lines to remove any dirt or dust that has not absorbed into the grout. Rinse with a clean, damp sponge. Allow the grout to dry for at least 3 hours, or until it is completely dry to the touch. Grout stain will not adhere well if the grout is damp.

Summary: Clean the tiles and grout.

Laser surgery will use beams of light to reshape your cornea so you no longer have astigmatism. This procedure must be done at a specialist eye clinic by a surgeon trained in laser eye surgery. Laser eye surgery can range in price from $300 to $4,000 USD per eye. The cost depends on how experienced your surgeon is and the severity of your astigmatism. Your health insurance may not cover laser eye surgery. Contact your insurance provider for more information. This procedure is considered safe and low risk. In rare cases, you may develop dry eyes, double vision, glare, and vision loss. However, these issues usually clear up as you recover from the surgery. In some cases, your surgeon may under-correct your eyes, where your cornea is not repaired enough to fix your astigmatism. If this occurs, they can repeat the surgery and make sure your cornea is fully corrected. The surgery will be done at the eye clinic and will take 20-30 minutes total. You will be given medication so you can relax as the surgery is performed. You will also be given numbing eye drops so you do not feel anything during the procedure. If you are getting laser surgery in both eyes, the surgeon will likely complete surgery on both on the same day. after the surgery. Most people can drive and return to work 1-2 days after getting laser eye surgery. Your doctor will check up on you the day after your surgery and you will need to have regular check ups for the first 6 months of recovery. Issues like dry eyes, double vision, and glare should clear up within several weeks. Protect your eyes from injuries by wearing sunglasses outside and avoiding contact sports as they heal. Most people recover fully from laser eye surgery within 6 months. After 6 months, your doctor will reassess your sight to confirm you no longer have astigmatism.

Summary: Get a referral for a specialist eye clinic from your optometrist. Learn the possible risks of laser eye surgery. Allow the eye surgeon to perform laser eye surgery. Recover

Sore muscles or a minor strain can be treated at home, and pain usually goes away within a week. However, you'll need to see a doctor if you've suffered a serious injury or if you have severe pain with no obvious cause. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as: Severe pain, swelling, or widespread bruising The inability to move your leg or bear weight A joint that seems out of position A popping sound when you suffered the injury Moderate pain that doesn't improve after 2 to 3 days If you're sore after a tough leg day workout, rest and avoid demanding activities. Icing the overused muscle, elevating it, and taking an over-the-counter pain reliever can also help, so follow the steps you'd take in treating a minor injury. You should feel better within a couple of days. To prevent sore muscles after a workout, warm up and cool down with a brisk walk or jog. Avoid exceeding your limits, and drink plenty of fluids before, during, and after exercise. Follow the RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to relieve minor to moderate muscle pain due to injury. The first step is to avoid using the sore muscle and to keep your leg as still as possible. Stop all activity that causes pain and, if possible, take a day off to rest in bed or on the sofa. If you need to walk around, a cane or crutches can help keep weight off your sore leg. Wrap ice or an ice pack in a cloth instead of applying it directly to your skin. Ice the area for 10 to 15 minutes right away after an injury and again every hour for the rest of the day. For the next 2 to 3 days, ice your sore muscle every 3 to 4 hours. Wrap the affected muscle and either your knee or ankle with an ACE bandage or elastic sports tape. If your quadriceps or hamstring are sore, wrap your thigh, and wrap your lower leg if your calf muscles hurt. Each of these muscle groups cross the knee joint, so you should also wrap your knee to keep it in a relaxed, neutral position. If possible, have a medical professional show you how to wrap or bandage your leg for the first time. They can teach you how to properly put on your support bandages in a way that helps your leg without impeding circulation. If your lower calf muscles or Achilles tendon are injured, wrap your ankle. Wrap snugly but gently, and don't cut off your circulation. Cross at least 3 layers of tape over the affected area and, if the bandage doesn't have a strip of Velcro, secure it with medical tape or a clip. A serious muscle strain or sprain might require an immobilizing splint or boot. Lie on your back and place pillows under your leg. Try to keep it raised higher than the level of your heart. Elevation reduces swelling and can help relieve pain. If possible, rest in bed or on your sofa with the sore muscle elevated above your heart for the first day after getting injured. If ice and compression aren't enough to ease your pain, take ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol). Follow the instructions on the bottle, and don't take more than the recommended amount. If you have heart issues, kidney disease, or other medical conditions, consult your doctor before taking any medication. Some medical professionals advise against taking pain relievers for muscle injuries, especially for longer than 24 hours after an injury. For a serious injury, ask your doctor for advice about pain relievers and your healing process.
Summary: Treat minor pain at home, but see a doctor for serious injuries. Take it easy if you're sore after a workout. Rest your leg as much as possible. Apply ice for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. Wrap the area with a bandage or sports tape. Elevate your leg to reduce swelling. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever, if necessary.