Amanda Svachula

May 11, 2024 | newsbreak.com | Amanda Svachula

I have been on birth control since I was 14. I initially started taking the pill to control my hormonal acne—a common woe for many teenagers—and just...never stopped. For 14 years, it not only helped clear my skin, but it also reduced my PMS symptoms—that is, until this year, when my periods became increasingly painful. When I told my doctor, she said swapping the pill for another form of birth control called an intrauterine device (IUD) might potentially help reduce my newfound pain.

Mar 21, 2024 | usnews.com | Amanda Svachula |Victoria Sheridan

Blend Power: Blend power, or motor power, is the most important feature of a personal blender because of its impact on efficiency. Personal blenders are usually less powerful than full-sized blenders; the models on our list range from 250 to 1,200 watts. Blenders with at least 250 watts can make smoothies and protein shakes, but if you want to be able to make thicker or more solid recipes like nut butter, it's worth investing in a blender that’s higher than 700 watts, says nutritionist Dana White.

Feb 15, 2024 | usnews.com | Amanda Svachula |Haniya Rae

Adjustable bed frames allow you to customize your sleeping position by elevating certain parts of your body for maximum comfort. The best mattresses for adjustable beds are those that are flexible enough to bend and fold. Not all mattresses are compatible, and the right mattress type can make a huge difference. One study found sleeping on a medium-firm memory foam mattress on an adjustable bed frame helped decrease musculoskeletal pain in seniors at a nursing home.

Feb 12, 2024 | usnews.com | Amanda Svachula |Haniya Rae

Fiberglass may seem like a strange material for mattresses, but it’s used as a flame retardant since safety standards require all mattresses to be resistant to fire to some extent. While it’s a good fire retardant, fiberglass exposure irritates the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract. While you likely won’t experience any of these issues unless your mattress is damaged, you can seek out mattresses without fiberglass if you want to avoid the possibility entirely.

Feb 6, 2024 | usnews.com | Amanda Svachula |Chelsea Van Bloom

Sleep MasksMaterials: Certain materials are more breathable than others, so you should keep that in mind when you’re shopping for a sleep mask. Silk masks feel more luxurious and soft than masks made of other materials. They can be especially beneficial if you suffer from skin irritation or acne. Many masks are made with cotton – which is also a breathable material. If you like the feeling of pressure on your face at night, you might like a mask made with memory foam or filled with microbeads.