by Dr. David Watts

Before I begin, I have something very important to tell you...

Swollen feet can be a symptom of a major health problem.

So if you are experiencing severe foot swelling on a regular basis, I strongly urge you to consult your physician.

Now, millions of people deal with minor to moderate foot swelling every day.

And often, the pain and discomfort can be a distraction or even ruin your day.

What’s worse, swollen feet become even more common as you age.

Now, there are a lot of reasons why this problem occurs, but the most common causes are:

Standing, walking, or sitting for long periods of time
Excess sodium (salt) in your diet

Now, reducing your salt intake and soaking your feet in epsom salt are the most common ways to relieve foot swelling.

And for many people, they’re effective.

But I want to show you three lesser-known ways to experience relief... or if you’re already limiting salt and doing epsom baths, increase your relief.

1) Eat More Magnesium-Rich Foods

Magnesium is an essential mineral that gets your blood flowing.

It also helps reduce water retention, which leads to swelling.

In fact, a British clinical study showed that increased magnesium intake was effective in reducing water retention.1

So here are some great magnesium-rich foods I want you to make sure you’re getting plenty of:

Spinach
Broccoli
Almonds
Bananas
Sesame seeds

Now, this next technique may surprise you:

2) Try A Seltzer/Soda Water Foot Soak

A fellow doctor gave me this tip years ago, and I have to admit, I thought it sounded really strange…

But when I gave it a try, I loved it!

You see, the bubbles from the carbonation give your feet a pleasant, tingly sensation that feels very relaxing.

Just be sure not to use carbonated waters with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, or other chemicals that can irritate your feet.

And definitely don’t try this with soda or other soft drinks. (You’d be surprised how many people make this mistake!)

Now, if you want to give this tip a try, this is what you do…

Get room temperature seltzer water/club soda
Pour enough into a small tub to cover the tops of your feet
Then soak them for about 10 to 15 minutes
After you’re finished, thoroughly pat your feet dry with a clean towel
Gently moisturize your feet

It’s that simple! And the next tip is just as simple... and surprising:

3) Wrap Your Feet In Cabbage Leaves

Now, I know this one sounds very silly…

But people have been doing this for centuries to help relieve painful swelling. It was even the subject of a major article published in the prestigious British Medical Journal.2

So if you want to give this tip a try, here’s what you do:

Step 1: Peel several leaves from a head of cabbage.

Step 2: Clean them and place them in the refrigerator.

Step 3: Once they are chilled, take the leaves out and sit down.

Step 4: Now, gently wrap them around your feet.

NOTE: You can hold the leaves in place with a bandage, fabric, or twine.

Step 5: Once you’re finished wrapping, elevate your feet.

Step 6: Keep them on your feet for about 30 minutes.

Alright, those are my tips for the day!

If you’re experiencing moderate foot swelling from time to time, and want to try a different way to get relief…

Give these techniques a try.

You may be surprised how much they help.

To healthy and comfortable days ahead,

Dr. David Watts
Dermal Medix

Sources

1 Walker, A., De Souza, M., Vickers, M., Abeyasekera, S., Collins, M. and Trinca, L. (1998). Magnesium Supplementation Alleviates Premenstrual Symptoms of Fluid Retention. Journal of Women's Health, [online] 7(9), pp.1157-1165. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9861593 [Accessed 4 Aug. 2017].

Total time: 2 hours, 20 minutes, plus brining time | Serves 6 to 8

Note: Adapted from a recipe by chef Kris Morningstar of Terrine restaurant in Los Angeles.

by Lindsey Maestas

I have mentioned before that just as a woman desires to feel loved, men equally desire to feel respected. Respect, in all forms, speaks volumes to men and often results in them feeling worthy of their wife's affections.

As you can imagine, talking about this with my husband stirred up some really important conversations between the two of us and I'm really glad that it did! Sometimes we can be so blinded to our own shortcomings that we have to take the time to ask our spouses to boldly and lovingly share them with us.

1. Emotional Manipulation

Do you ever use your moods to control your husband's response? For example: Have you ever responded curtly with, "Nope. It's fine. I don't care" – when it actually isn't fine and you do care? Guilt trips, using the words "always" and "never", aggression or passive aggression, the silent treatment, doling out ultimatums, crying for pity or exaggerating disappointment are many of the ways that women emotionally manipulate their spouses.

Friends, I want to encourage you to use your words. Be honest in the disappointment or sadness that you feel – nobody is telling you to suppress your emotions – but there is a boundary in knowing what you are saying to help your marriage versus what you are saying to control your marriage.

2. Mothering

Okay guys, I can be such a mom – in every sense of the word. But gosh, it's damaging, and especially to my marriage. We have gotten to a place where I have recognized that this is a struggle for me and am actively choosing my words & actions more wisely, but that hasn't always been the case. And I believe in many marriages, the wife acts like her husband's mother, but because she thinks that it's what's 'best', she avoids the issue and drains her husband of all independence and joy.

If you are regularly telling your husband what's best for him or making your own convictions his convictions, it's likely that you're playing the role of 'mom' rather than the role of 'wife'. This tends to make a man feel smaller and smaller in his role as your protector.

3. Aggression

Using aggression as a means of fighting or getting our way won't ever allow our husbands to win. If he responds with meekness or silence, we make him out to be a coward. If he responds with anger, we make him out to be a bully. If you need space after an argument because aggression tends to be your go-to, then take time away before you come back together.

'My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
(James 1:19-1:20).

4. Smothering

Jesse and I have an 'open phone' policy and over-compensate when it comes to asking hard questions and telling hard truths. However, there comes a point when 'openness' becomes 'obsession' and 'asking' becomes 'smothering'. I have always said that if either party in the marriage truly wants to go out and have an affair, there's no amount of snooping that anyone can do to stop it.

But even more importantly, you should fight for your marriage. If you struggle with trust issues, don't smother your husband with prying questions to make him feel as if he's done something wrong, only because you assume he has. First – pray for his heart and entrust him to God. Secondly, step out and speak to a couple or counselor who would be willing to hold both of you accountable and to help you walk through the trust issues that you face.

5. Criticizing

This one speaks for itself. If you spend the majority of your time criticizing the things that your spouse has done wrong rather than praising the things that they have done right, it's likely that they feel as if they won't ever be good enough for you. Your words have the power to destroy or build them up. Challenge yourself each day to voice ten positive things about your husband for every criticism you give.

6. Undermining

This is a big one in a lot of marriages. Undermining your husband, especially as a father, teaches your children that he is not competent and shouldn't be respected. Overruling his decisions in front of your children not only teaches them to disrespect him, it brings discord and conflict into your home rather than bringing peace and unity. We are on the same team and any time we think that we're doing the 'right thing' by devaluing our husband's words or opinion, we are slowly giving no other option but for him to disengage and completely leave the parenting duties to us.

7. Lusting & Flirting

This should be an obvious one, but a woman who either secretly or openly flirts with other men has the ability to immediately make her spouse feel 'less than', ashamed and embarrassed. When we married our spouses, they became our only 'type'; you are your husband's and he is yours. Talking about other men or hinting at the attractiveness of other men is degrading and disrespectful to our husbands and creates insecurity in their hearts.

8. Avoiding Issues

Holding grudges and keeping a record of your husband's wrongs, rather than talking things out and expressing what's really on your mind, will likely lead to bitterness and resentment on both ends. If you continue to allow bitterness to fester in your heart, you will bring up past arguments when new situations arise, causing your husband to feel as if there is never any progress made.

9. Taunting

Do you provoke your husband? Do you push his buttons for the sake of attention or to test his response? Do you nag at him when he walks in the door for not helping enough around the house, even though he has worked a 40/60/80 hour week? A taunt is defined as, "a remark made in order to anger, wound or provoke someone." We would probably never openly admit that we 'taunt' our husbands, but think back to the comments made the past few days – were they meant for building up or for tearing down?

10. Envy of Other Marriages

Contentment is huge. And when we display discontentment in our lives, our husband immediately feels the need to 'fix, fix, fix' until he feels like there's nothing more that he can do and he just wants to give up. The more time and energy we waste comparing our marriages (or husbands) to that of other people, and telling him who he isn't or who he needs to be, the more we miss out on the beautiful quirks and gifts in the person that God gave to us.

This article originally appeared on sparrowsandlily.com. Used with permission.

About The Author:

Lindsey Maestas is a Christian, a wife to an incredible and loving husband and a stay-at-home-mommy to the happiest, most-energetic little boy, Sutton Rylee. She received her degree in Journalism and has had a passion for writing since she was a little girl. Lindsey began Sparrows + Lily to remind moms, wives, students, employees, dads, husbands and families that they're never alone.

by: Morgan Johns

The buzz word for saving a marriage nowadays seems to be 'communicate'. It is as if it will automatically zip up all conflicts and resolve all hurts. It may seem a simple word but it can be quite difficult for one to practice.

There are some pointers for a couple with marital problems to learn the right communication skills before using them correctly to fix their communication in marriage problems.

Your spouse is the closest human relation on earth to you; hence it is your rightful duty, as per your marriage vows, to treat each other well. Each has to look out for the welfare of the other and give one's spouse the best of oneself. But most of us tend to react the other way; we are most polite to strangers but rude and critical with our spouse. We tend to take our loved ones for granted. Hence, before good communication can happen between the married couple, they must remember their status in each other's lives and be given top priority at all times.

Communication between spouses

Communication is the process of conveying some message to another. Hence, the right words must be chosen as words, once delivered, cannot be retracted. It is so important to choose your words carefully so that the correct message is conveyed without inferences and guesswork. Always sort out your words first before voicing to avoid misunderstanding and create conflict.

This is especially necessary if your marriage is not too stable when you wish to communicate to resolve issues. Put yourself in your spouse's shoes to feel how your words might impact him/her.

Another point about communication is the timing. To have an effective communication, it must be done at the right moment. Do not try to communicate when one party is busy or not alert in mind. Your spouse may be sleepy or tired; there will be no positive impact and you will end up being frustrated with the brick wall of communication. Both parties should be calm and ready to deal with the issue at hand for a resolution. That will be the best time to communicate your feelings and thoughts without being accusing or defensive.

Avoid emotional outbursts which tend to turn the spouse away or shut off his mind. This kills all forms of resolution to any disagreement or conflict in the marriage. Raising voices and yelling at each other tear down respect for one another which causes more hurt and frustration.

Communication is conducive when the location is right. Crowded places or in front of your children will not do. The place should be comfortable and secure for both parties so that openness is encouraged. The bedroom is a good choice for privacy and a reflection of intimacy for good communication between the couple.

There are many ways to communicate effectively besides words; one can touch or embrace, give a smile or a kiss. These help to relax the other party and allow softer communication to take place which is more productive. Choose nonverbal gestures of communication to promote respect, love and desire to resolve marital conflict.

About The Author

MORGAN JOHNS is a relationship expert and the owner of http://www.howtosavemarriagetoday.com
- Source of information about communication in marriage.

by Pierre Nanterme, Chairman and CEO, Accenture

Digital disruption is at the heart of all the conversations I have with CEOs today. And this is not surprising, as it presents the most significant threats and opportunities any of us have faced in business.

When assessing the implications, consider the fact that that new digital business models are the principal reason why just over half of the names of companies on the Fortune 500 have disappeared since the year 2000. And yet, we are only at the beginning of what the World Economic Forum calls the “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” characterized not only by mass adoption of digital technologies but by innovations in everything from energy to biosciences.

While the digital transformation of industries will be profound, we must keep in mind that it will have wider economic and social impact, too, as with previous revolutions driven by steam and coal, electricity and computers.

Waves of innovation

We are seeing the Fourth Industrial Revolution emerge in a series of waves: the digital consumer, who enjoys more interactive and personalized experiences thanks to SMAC (social, mobile, analytics and cloud) technologies; the digital enterprise, which leverages SMAC technologies to optimize the cost of corporate functions and to transform enterprise collaboration for greater productivity; and the emerging digital operations wave, where companies are truly revolutionizing business with the use of artificial intelligence, robotics, cognitive computing and the Industrial Internet of Things. These waves explain why one third of Accenture’s revenues today derive from digital services.

The rapid pace and scale of disruption is unique to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Digital companies can reach new customers immediately and at virtually zero marginal cost. They can compete in new sectors by collaborating with peers and competitors. They can massively improve quality and productivity by converging technologies and sources of data. Accenture and Airbus are trialing smart glasses that combine data from the cloud, augmented reality and 3D viewing to transform the quality, productivity and safety of workers on the factory floor.

Business leaders tell me that they are intent on disrupting before they are disrupted. They want to drive value from data in new ways, and they are embracing a world of rapid experimentation that allows for the ability to innovate faster. Success is no longer about changing strategies more often, but having the agility to execute multiple strategies concurrently. And success requires CEOs to develop the right leadership capabilities, workforce skills and corporate cultures to support digital transformation.

Turning to society, the implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution are profound - from saving lives to creating jobs to better stewardship of the environment. In fact, the societal gains from digital transformation could be one to two times the value of the benefits to industries themselves, and even greater in some sectors.

More than a commercial opportunity

There will be challenges, however. We believe that the net impact on employment will be positive and that artificial intelligence will augment what humans are great at and make them even better. But we need a revolution in skills and a transformation of organizations if we are to reap these rewards in the workplace.

We must also make collective efforts to establish guidelines and regulations that maximize the societal benefits. Businesses could be more incentivized to assess the social impact of their digital investments. More demanding standards could ensure consumers and citizens have confidence in business models that depend on the sharing of their personal data. Mandates on technologies like vehicle telematics would accelerate the adoption of in-car insurance and other services that reward safer driving.

The breadth of digital’s impact shows that this is not merely a challenge to be delegated to chief digital officers and others. It represents more than a commercial opportunity. The Fourth Industrial Revolution demands that CEOs take responsibility for the massive transformation of their businesses and for the extraordinary impact that this transformation will have on wider society.