Let’s take a look at some habits we can break, especially ones that others may deem as on the slightly challenging side! After all, if we can change for the better (and be slightly less irritating to those around us) why wouldn’t we!

Biting your nails

Ugh. First of all, it is highly unhygienic and pretty disgusting! Not only because you have tonnes of germs on your hands but you also touch a lot of things (and sometimes other people’s hands) during the day….can you imagine what those people may have been in contact with? What if they didn’t wash their hands? We do not want to scare you but in severe cases you can do irreparable damage to your nails they can end up deformed and look horrible. Nobody will want to shake your hand if they look so bad, which can be a nightmare in social situations. Biting nails also causes pain. Additionally, it causes also dental problems called malocclusion of the anterior teeth and stomach ache.

Biting your nails can be caused by stress. Your brain then connects the two things which is why you feel a bit better after biting your nails. If you feel the urge try to distract yourself – for example, have you thought about having a quick walk or going to the swimming pool? You can also try stop & grow biting enamel that is very bitter and will eventually help stop you from biting your nails.

Always apologising

Try to stop, when we apologise constantly it can have 2 outcomes, we destroy our metal health as we begin to believe we are always doing something wrong or we annoy those around us. We should only ever apologise when we mean it and it is necessary to do so – words hold power – choose them wisely.

Tapping

Why does tapping make us so irritated? There are two reasons. First of all, you can be a person with misophonia. Those who suffer from it can become easily irritated by certain noises, normally called “trigger sounds”. Things like chewing with your mouth open during eating, tapping the table, tapping the surface of the table, lip smacking, pen clicking, typing, or often vibration of the phone can make people feel angry. A person with misophonia usually prefers to spend time alone and does not attend family and friend meetings or other social events.

Secondly, if you are the person who irritates people around them with chewing loudly or tapping the table, maybe it’s time to consider making a few changes? That kind of behaviour can be a sign of being stressed or deep thinking. You can exchange those habits and find something that makes you feel relaxed. You can buy yourself a stress ball and squeeze it while feeling stressed. Or get yourself a fidget spinner! Remember those?

Over thinking

There are some people who suffer from psychological over thinking that affects their life and stops them from having a good time. Over thinking is connected with anxiety and fear. The cerebral cortex is said to take care of all of our thoughts and thinking. Try to break the cycle as it can be unhealthy moving forwards – don’t over think every single move, every word and action that has happened as this literally holds no benefit to your progression. Accept yourself, realise that you can’t be perfect and make everything around you perfect. Accept things as they are and understand that you are not able to change the past, only your future.

Always late

Being late is irritating especially when you work with people. You affect the whole schedule and other people’s working day and lives. Your life is also affected as you are always stressed because of the lack of organisation. The solution for this is easy wake up earlier and avoid distractions. Problem solved

Being negative and complaining

We know that it is hard to change in one day but spending time with a person who is always negative can be tiring. Imagine someone who negates everything and always creates that sad and miserable atmosphere all the time. Try to think in positive way. Instead of thinking that something bad will happen, try to think that everything going to be fine. Sit and think about your life. How much you achieved and then you will realise that it is not that bad.

Drinking excessively

OK, having fun with your friends on a Friday night is not that bad. But when you drink to run away from your problems, it is a bit scary. Alcohol affects your life, your relationships and your body. It affects your brain and your memory starts to function differently. You feel tired and unhappy – then you drink more because you feel guilty. Your skin looks horrible, grey, dry and old. Your body gets rid of minerals and vitamins, you can catch a cold more frequently as your immune system is weaker, and your bones are weaker too. If you drink because you feel like you cannot handle your life, ask for help, and try to exchange your habit for something healthy. Sport, meditation, or swimming.

That’s enough to put anyone of cardio training for life, right? What if we told you there was a safer, more enjoyable alternative. One that many argue will have more health benefits than any run in the park. You would be interested wouldn’t you?

Swimming is a fantastic alternative to running. Many people prefer swimming as you at working out your whole body, but as you are in the water, this form of training can actually be better for you as it can go easier on your joints and there is less risk involved overall.

Here are the top 8 benefits of swimming

1. The most obvious advantage of swimming is…drum roll please…burning calories!

Generally, people connect running with burning calories and whenever they want to burn calories and get rid of for instance that winter weight you put on they go and run. The fact is, that swimming can be an even a better way to burn calories, and gives you at least the same or even better results with less effort, sounds good right? Everything depends on the stroke you swim.

The stroke that can burn the most calories is called the butterfly stroke (almost 150 calories in 10 min). It’s your decision how fast you choose to swim. Another advantage of swimming is the water resistance. Water resistance is stronger than the wind resistance while running. When you choose running, the resistance is unpredictable. The swimming resistance is higher so you can burn more calories in 10 minutes than whilst running. What is more important, you do not sweat!

2. Swimming is good also for your inner health

What are the physical benefits of swimming?

-keeps your heart rate up
-burns calories
-builds endurance, muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness
-tones muscles and builds strength

During a swimming session, your muscles workout a lot, as does your heart. Swimming makes your heart and lungs stronger and durable. It means that people who swim regularly tend to live longer. So swimming can reduce blood pressure and help you live a longer, happier life.

3. Do you sleep well?

Here we have another great advantage of swimming. Swimming helps you with falling asleep quicker and sleeping deeper at night. Sleep is extremely important to overall health, to find out more about this click here.

4. Swimming is accessible

Swimming is accessible to people who are older and/or deal with physical issues that make other exercises like running less accessible. Swimming is a good choice for older people looking to improve their health and for those who suffer from medical complaints like arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other conditions like injuries or disabilities. Swimming also is known for reducing pain and can make your body’s recovery even quicker.

5. Boost your mood

Swimming makes you feel better and happier. Swimming and aquatic based workouts help not only physically but also psychologically. Swimming is a very good option for people who suffer from depression and anxiety. Additionally, swimming is the best option for those who are stressed at work and in general, have a stressful life.

6. Total Body Workout!

While running makes heavy use of lower part of your body, swimming gets your upper body involved! Your knees are not as tired and as exploited as you will experience from running. So, if you are asking us: What is better for me – swimming or running? Well, if you feel that running causes pain in your joints then swimming is clearly the best option for you. To be honest, both swimming and running are valuable. But swimming is the best choice when you want to take care of your heart, mental and physical health, swimming involves your whole body so will provide the best results. Trust me, cardiovascular health is one of the most essential things to look after, but as we get older, we need to protect our joints too.

7. Competition!

Everybody needs a little competition in their lives! It is not about winning, but yes, you guessed it – the taking part! It is about socialising and spending time with each other. Swimming is a social activity and also a physical exercise as we all know. Every single pool provides lessons or competitions and events for swimmers! You can socialise, spend time with friends, have fun, exercise all at the same time! Socialising is the part of being human.

It makes us happier and feel more involved in community life. The thing is that the swimming pool is a place for you and also your family. Swimming is a very good option when you don’t have time but still want to spend some quality family time together actively.

8. Easy

Swimming is known as a one of the best low-impact exercises. It means that you can burn your calories while minimising the stress placed on your joints. Cardiovascular exercise (it means that it’s an exercise that involves increasing your heart rate and all round hard work!) gets not only your heart rate up but also makes your lungs work out. Remember, that the minimum amount of time spent swimming should be around 30 minutes. Try to swim for about half an hour, 4 times a week (or build up to this level) then once you are feeling comfortable at this level of fitness, push harder and spend more time swimming.

Your heart will feel stronger and your circulation will improve as you get fitter. Additionally, swimming is the best option for pregnant women and people who suffer from obesity. Why? Pregnancy: because you do not put your body under too much stress and moving in the water creates a stronger resistance than running. For those who suffer from obesity, a swimming pool is great because they can start their journey towards weight loss without damaging their joints.

Meal prep can take a few hours, cooking from scratch is both fulfilling and ensures you know exactly what is going into your food. By purchasing certain long life items in bulk you may be able to save money so we would advise this.

Depending on your plans for the week you will be looking at cooking between 5-7 healthy nutritious meals, for those of you with a little extra time why not cook some healthy snacks too?

Cheap healthy ingredients

Canned Fish

We know what you are thinking – food from a “can” but canned fish does actually have a lot of benefits and most importantly it can be cheaper than, and as healthy as fresh seafood. Fish, in general, is a fantastic source of protein, selenium, and full of omega-3 fatty acids.

Eggs

Eggs are widely known as one of the kings of the healthy food world. An egg is the source of almost everything you need to survive! You can buy 15 eggs for around 2 pounds (around $2.50) and make a lot of different dishes. One regular sized egg contains 6 grams of protein! Eggs also provide a major source of vitamins that you will need to function properly during the day. Additionally, eggs are one of the best sources of choline and that takes care of your brain’s functionality.

Chicken breast

This is the best meat you can eat when you are on a budget. One single chicken breast has 26 grams of protein, necessary amino acids, minerals, niacin, vitamin B6, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium. Chicken is one of cheapest types of meat and will help you to take care of your overall health too. Chicken is said to help reduce the risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes.

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is cheap and contains a lot of necessary vitamins and nutrients. A whole tub of cottage cheese provides a whopping 28 grams of protein! It is a very good option for those who are active because cottage cheese contains calcium and phosphorus, which play an important role in bone health.

Bagged Spinach

Everybody knows that spinach is healthy, especially for your eyes. Almost every grocery store sells spinach and it usually costs around 2 pounds ($2.50). So, why are those green leaves so healthy? Spinach provides vitamin K, which takes care of your blood, bone health and reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer. What is more, spinach provides what are known as “eye vitamins” and immune-boosting vitamin A, vitamin C, foliate.

Canned Tomatoes, and tomatoes in general

Tomatoes are probably the most popular vegetable in the world. Nearly everyone likes tomato sauce, salads, and tomato soup! You can normally buy 3 cans of tomatoes for around a pound! Tomatoes are full of vitamin C. They also provide B, A, E and K vitamin as well as minerals. When your diet is packed full of tomatoes, it can help with reducing LDL cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Tomatoes are also known for being a source of lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant that reduces inflammation, protect cells from getting old and damaged. Why canned tomatoes? They last longer, cost less and are available all year round.

Brown Rice

Brown rice is healthy and cheap food that gives you tonnes of fibre, vitamins and minerals. Brown rice consists mostly of carbohydrates, where you can find 4 grams of fibre per cup, B vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese. Eating brown rice helps with reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Bananas

Bananas are cheap and are full of fibre that makes you feel full and aides your digestion. Bananas provide vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium and manganese. A banana can be a great healthy snack option for those of us with busy schedules!

Frozen Berries

There is little to no difference between frozen and fresh berries, but the frozen ones you can eat all year round! They are full of natural antioxidants that make your skin glow and look younger. Berries can help prevent you from getting heart disease, Alzheimer’s and certain types of cancer. Frozen berries are full of vitamin C, K and manganese.

Here how to eat a healthy meal for under a fiver!

Egg, broccoli and tomato salad.

For a quick, easy and healthy recipe!
Boil 3 eggs (Hard Boiled). Boil broccoli to make it softer. Cut the eggs in halves, add broccoli florets and a few chopped tomatoes. Add some salt and pepper and a spoon of natural yoghurt. Enjoy!

Brown rice with canned tuna and sweet corn.

Boil a bag of brown rice with a bit of salt. When the rice is ready put it into the bowl. Add a can of tuna in oil and can of sweet corn. You can also add some herbs if you like or a spoon of tomato paste.

Cottage cheese with oats.

Prep a cup of cottage cheese mixed with some oats and leave it for overnight in the fridge. Next morning, add to your cottage cheese with oats to some defrosted berries and sliced banana.

Courgette hash.

You’ll need approximately 4 courgettes. Grate them with the skin on (it needs to be rinsed before) and add a spoonful of flour and 2 eggs. Mix it together and fry it in a frying pan. The best oil to fry with is olive oil. Fry on both of sides until its golden in colour. For additional flavour you can eat it with natural yogurt.

As we become more self conscious and more aware of things like our physical and emotional health something like a smart watch is a perfect addition to even the biggest technophobe.

So, it tells the time aaaaand what? Allow us to explain.

What is a smart watch?

It’s a very smart watch that is normally connected with your phone’s system, in a nutshell, your smartphone just mirrors your phone’s notifications and shows them on your smartwatch’s screen. These are usually watches that give you a wide range of options to choose from with different notifications to very modern options like voice dictation. Let’s start with notifications:

Notifications remind you about important events or activities. It depends on the type of smartwatch. These are the most popular types of smartwatches:

Apple Watch, Wear OS watches (different producers, using Google’s Wear OS operating system), Tizen watches (designed by Samsung for Galaxy smartwatches), Hiking watches that has GPS tracking and navigation, basic vitals, long-life battery and weather forecasting. This kind of smartwatch are waterproof, protected against bumps, drops, and dust resistant. Diving watches are a bit different because you have to connect them with the first-stage regulator to a Bluetooth transmitter and then to a diving watch. Diving smartwatch shows depth, time-remaining, temperature, and everything that divers need to stay safe and connected. Lastly, we have flying watches. These are quite niche but the D2 Delta PX gives you a logbook, a GPS-powered moving map and NEXRAD weather.

One of the most important things and options that your smartwatch can have is when something has happened to you and you cannot respond to the notification, your smartwatch will know you are injured and alert authorities on your behalf. This is a fantastic safety feature and not something your phone can do by itself.

Apps: We need to remember that there are smartwatches that have the Apple operating system and those ones which have the google operating system. Smartwatches that are suitable for hiking or diving generally support the apps they need either way.

Music: While using your phone to listen to music, your smartwatch is connected and compatible with your smartphone. You can use your smartwatch to change the song and volume. Additionally, hi-tech smartwatches also give you an option of voice dictation. It means that you can tell your smartwatch a command and it will do what you want.

GPS: Most smartwatches include a GPS for tracking your location or receiving location-specific alerts.
Good battery life: Modern smartwatches feature batteries that will get you through a day of normal use, with a bit of juice still left to go. Battery use varies; the Apple Watch typically gets 18 hours of normal use on a single charge, while the Pebble gets two or three days.

Fitness alert! For those who are fitness and sport lovers, Bathmate recommends a fitness band rather than smartwatch. Ok, we all know that modern smartwatches include a heart rate monitor and a pedometer to help track your workouts but dedicated fitness bands have more options and they are designed for sport lovers.

Lets talk money

They can be expensive, where this may be the case for the top of the range smart watches, it is possible to buy a smart watch on a budget. To put things into perspective though, the most expensive smartwatch ever sold (as of July 2018) was a Tag Heuer Connected Modular 45 for a whopping 197,000 US$ and that didn’t include any of features that a new smart watch does!

Which Watch?

So what are the top most affordable (whilst retaining quality and functionality) on the market?

Most smartwatches — whether they’re intended for daily use (as with the Apple Watch) or for specific purposes (as with the Garmin Fenix) — offer a suite of standard features. Here we have a list of smartwatches that give you a wide range of options and their prices are affordable no matter what your budget range!

High Budget: Apple Watch Series 3 for only £264
This is one of the best smartwatches but the price reflects this, as with everything in life you get what you pay for. This smartwatch is small, light, and designed in a beautiful way. Features: GPS, in-depth fitness tracking, Apple-pay and Spotify. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have NFC.

Mid-Range: Fitbit Versa Lite price £149
This is the cheapest mid-range option, as well as the best in that category, that Fitbit gives us.
The best thing is that the battery lives for 4 days! It’s light and looks amazing, has push notifications, a heart-rate monitor, and 50m water resistance.

Best Value: Amazfit Bip for….. £49!

The most amazing fact about this smartwatch is that it has 45-day battery life. Unfortunately, there are some flaws: it’s a product of Chinese company, access to some important apps is severely limited and sometimes you can feel that it is slow, but the price is very good and the basic features are ok.

First of all let’s look at why we feel pain after training. When we work out we put our body under extra pressure, By lifting weights or doing a cardio work out we actually tear our muscles, sounds scary right? It’s actually part and parcel of the whole course and is the reason why our bodies improve and our muscles and strength increase. After training we need to replenish our bodies to give them the best chance to rejuvenate and repair. A great way of doing this is with protein.

What is protein?

Protein is an essential nutrient for the human body, it’s extremely important for building muscle mass and also for recovery. It is the source of the building blocks of body tissue and when used as a fuel protein can provide as much energy density as carbohydrates. Chemically, protein is composed of amino acids which are organic compounds.

So now you know what protein is, are there better options for me as an individual? Well the short answer is yes, there are – these come down to which type of protein you require and why, this will also depend on what type of training you are undertaking and what you are hoping to achieve.

Let’s take a look at the different types of protein shakes available and why you might want to take them.

Whey protein

Whey protein is one of the most well-known proteins for bodybuilders and people who are active. It lets your body enhance and muscles grow beyond the body’s original composition. It is not only for making your muscles bigger but also for speeding up the recovery process after exercising. Whey protein is one of the richest products that contains amino acids and has the best quality.

There are different types of whey protein:

Whey protein concentrate: this type of whey protein is the best for you because it is not processed and contains a low level of fat cholesterol, a lot of bioactive compounds (lactose). Because of lactose, the taste is good and the flavour (without choosing, e.g. strawberry one) does not need changing.

Whey protein isolate: this one whey is a bit more processed. This one does not have any carbohydrates and fats. Whey protein isolate contains almost 90 percent or more protein. Fat here is reduced so there is less lactose than in the regular why protein. It does mean that the taste is a bit worse.

Whey protein hydrolysate: This type of whey protein is the best for athletes to grow lean muscle. Why? Hydrolysates are absorbed quickly so it means that the blood insulin levels increase rapidly. What does the hydrolysate mean? Large pieces of proteins are divided into smaller, more digestible ones. Hydrolysation can be done with heat, enzymes or acids.

Casein protein

Let’s start with explaining what casein is. Milk contains two types of proteins: 80 percent of casein and 20 percent of whey. There are two types of casein protein: micellar casein is the most famous and quickly digested form, and casein hydrolysate which is pre-digested and quickly absorbed. You need to remember that the bottom-line of casein protein is that it is digested slowly. For some of people it’s good but for some of us – not. What does it mean for us? Casein is kind of a “time-release” protein, it is slowly absorbed and digested in your gut. Casein protein is also called “anti-catabolic” and helps reduce muscle breakdown because casein levels stayed more consistent over time.

Soy protein

Nutrition Highlights

Soy protein isolate gives us all the most significant amino acids. Soy protein isolate is the same in the field of quality to animal ones (it means that is a good product for vegans and vegetarians). Another advantage is the fact that it is almost fat free (1 percent of fat, no saturated fats and no cholesterol), Additionally, soy protein helps us with reducing the risk of heart disease, lowers blood cholesterol and increases the flexibility of blood vessels. Moreover, soy protein helps women with menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, maintaining healthy bones, and preventing prostate, breast and colorectal cancers.

There’s also soy protein isolate. In a nutshell, soy protein isolate is made from de-fatted soybean flakes (washed in either alcohol or water just to get rid of sugars and dietary fibre).

Egg protein

First of all, eggs are not expensive. Eggs are a very good source of high quality protein. Eggs are the source of selenium, vitamin D, B6, B2, B12 and minerals such as zinc, iron and copper. Whites have more proteins than the yolk but an egg yolks contain more calories and fat than the whites. They are a source of vitamins which melt fats such as A, D, E and K and lecithin. Eggs also contain omega-3 fatty acids, but it depends on the way the chicken were fed. Eggs are known to be the best source of everything a human being needs to be healthy.

Rice protein

Brown rice is a very nutritious and healthy food. It is because of the way it is produced. Brown rice is low in calories, high in fibre (that helps you with digesting), gluten-free and has no trans-fat. You can get 24 grams of proteins in just a one cup of brown rice!! Brown rice is very tasty and you can create many different dishes with it.

Another way to enjoy sex in hot weather is during the yearly summer getaway. In 2018, the Office of National Statistics reported that 71.7 million visits were made overseas from the UK, many of which were romantic breaks or a couple’s vacation. These trips often include travelling with sex toys, sexy lingerie and sex essentials. So how can you ensure that you are travelling safely with your sex toys?

Travelling with Sex Toys

Travelling with sex toys is always your first challenge. The cold sweat that you break into when your luggage goes through the scanners. Are you going to the one of those people who have their bag publicly searched? What happens if your luggage ends up in the wrong place?

First things first, travel light. You don’t need to bring all of your sex toys on holiday, just a couple of your favourites. The VIBE vibrating bullet is the perfect travel companion because it is small and discreet. This bullet is also incredibly versatile because it can be used a number of different ways. For example, this waterproof sex toy has a long lasting charge and therefore lasts a number of different uses without the need for recharging. It can be taken into the bath or shower. For those who are struggling in the bedroom due to the holiday heat, sex in the shower is perfect for cooling down whilst getting hot. With ten speed patterns to choose from, there is lots of scope for adventure because you have the perfect opportunity to take your time and explore your partners body. Those travelling with friends and hoping using the bullet for masturbation can rest assured that this powerful bullet is also very quiet, so there will be no tell-tale hum over the sound of the shower.

My advice for travelling with sex toys is to place the sex toy in a clear plastic bag so that if you are searched, they do not handle the actual item, and place it inside a shoe if it fits. That way, it won’t be easily spotted during a search. Try to avoid carrying the sex toy in your hand luggage and check in with your travel baggage. If you have a battery operated item, remove the batteries and replace them when you get to your destination. That way, it won’t get bumped and set off mid travel. After all, no one wants to be the person picking up that bag on the suitcase carousel at the end of your journey.

Another thing to note are the laws of the country that you are travelling to. In countries such as the Maldives, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Malaysia it is illegal to bring sex toys into the country and you may be arrested. This is also the case with same sex relationships. Before travelling, always take some time to research the laws of the country that you are travelling to, and respect their rules and cultures. This helps to ensure that your holiday is as relaxing, safe and stress free as possible.

Charging your sex toys on holiday

Taking a mains powered sex toy on holiday can be a hassle you need to ensure that you have an adapter for certain countries. Luckily, our Bathmate Pleasure products are all rechargeable or don’t require power, so they are very portable. Products such as the Rhythm Rings are vibrating cock rings which are charged by a USB charging port. Therefore, they can be charged before you travel or by using the same charging port that you use for mobile phones such as Iphones.

Lubricants and lotions

There are laws in regards to the liquids that you are allowed to carry onto a flight. This must be kept in mind when taking your lubricant on holiday. Due to changes in diet, weather and climate, a decent lubricant such as the Bathmate Pleasure Lube is an essential travel item because each of these factors can affect the body’s natural lubrication. However, liquids carried onto a flight must be 100ml or less and cannot be in a larger container. For example, carrying 100ml in a bottle that holds 300ml will still result in the product being confiscated. Also, there is a maximum of ten bottles that you can carry on, which amounts to 1000ml in total. You can purchase small holiday friendly dispenser bottles which you can pour lubricants into. This will ensure that you can still take your tried and trusted Bathmate Pleasure Lubricant on holiday.

A sex toy cleaner is another holiday essential which shouldn’t be overlooked. Thankfully, our Anal Sex Toy wipes are safe and handy for travel, and help to keep your all of your sex toys clean without the need to declare it as a liquid. Each wipe comes in an individual sachet and can be discreetly stored with your other toiletries and essentials.

Anal sex on holiday

Just because you’re on holiday, it doesn’t mean that you have to take a break from your anal training regime. Quite the contrary, as you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy the stimulation of our Bathmate Anal Training plugs. Because these plugs are sized with beginners in mind and have a discreet storage pouch, they make an ideal travelling companion. Better still, our Bathmate Anal Training Plugs can be combined with the Bathmate VIBE bullet for an extra sensory thrill as you train. During sex, the combination of external stimulation and the internal stimulation of the vibrating plug, creates an intense thrill and incredible climax. Because the anal plugs and vibrator are waterproof, they can be enjoyed in the bath, shower or even your very own private pool.

If that isn’t a good enough reason to take your anal sex toys on holiday, I don’t know what is!

Since I’ve started off at Bathmate, there’s been one question I’ve been asked by friends, family and anyone else who hears about my job: what’s it actually like to work in the sex industry? Over the last few weeks, we’ve been out on the road with some of our favourite podcasts to answer that question, talking about penis pumps, sex, and a whole lot more – check them out:

After The Watershed

Last week, Bathmate product designer Kerri headed over for an in-depth chat with late-night BBC podcast After the Watershed. As a designer at Bathmate, Kerri has one of the more unique jobs you’ll come across, building brand-new sex toys (like the brand-new releases we’ve got coming up later this month) for our Bathmate Pleasure collection.

If you’re curious about what actually goes on behind the scenes of a sex toy company, you’ll definitely want to check out this episode. Across the hour, the show covers absolutely everything from how sex toys are designed and put together to the most-coveted job in the business – sex toy testers.

You’ll need a BBC account to listen to this episode, so you might be out of luck if you’re outside the UK, though you can definitely expect to see some great blogs about the topics in the near future. Click through to the After the Watershed page to have a listen!

Thirsty Bitch

Back in May at the Prowler Porn Awards (article coming soon!), we met some fantastic people – particularly the crew from Thirsty Bitch, now the UK’s #1 LGBT podcast. After a quick guest slot on the live show from the awards, we recently met back up with Thirsty Bitch to give show star DJ Keyth David a tour around our state of the art factory and talk through exactly what we do here at Bathmate, touching on everything from our in depth QC process to how we design and manufacture our award winning hydropumps – right here in the UK.

In a short interview, Keyth and Bathmate marketing executive Richard talk through just about every part of the adult toy industry – how to get started working at a sex toy company, testing toys, and just what makes Bathmate special. Click through to the Thirsty Bitch Bathmate Podcast and get ready to find out more!

We’re going to be releasing some more fantastic content with Thirsty Bitch over the next few months – make sure you stay in touch over on our social media channels to catch everything!

How you start your morning can affect how the rest of your day goes, sometimes even the week! It’s important we wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day’s challenges, whatever they may be.

So what are the alternatives?

Sex

That morning session may have a lot more benefits than you were actually aware of. Sex in the morning is a fantastic way to start off the day. Firstly, a man has a number of erections through the night – this is said to be the bodies way of keeping penile function at its very best by exercising the penis and flushing any harmful build up of toxins (much like how our award winning hydropumps function) so waking up with an erection is not only perfectly normal but also a great indication that everything is working as it should down there. So why waste it! Having sex on a morning releases feel good chemicals into our bodies, gets the heart racing and relaxes us. Did you know that sex can also help with building up your immune system? Something to consider in those winter months that may help you from catching a cold or flu. Sex can also build up your cardiovascular health and help reduce anxiety and pain. It really is a win win situation for everybody involved!

Herbal tea

Herbal has a number of benefits, coming in a wide variety of flavours and styles there will be a herbal tea out there for everyone. Herbal tea is caffeine free meaning you can drink it without getting those dreadful “jitters” or “shakes” – depending on your reasons for drinking herbal tea you can see results such as weight loss, lower anxiety, increased metabolism and greater blood flow.

Let’s look at a few different herbal teas and why you might want to drink them.

Green tea – potentially the king of all herbal teas for its amazing health giving qualities, most of us have heard of green tea but are you aware of why it’s so good? Green tea can improve brain function and make you smarter, increases metabolism and helps you lose weight. There are also antioxidants in green tea that can lower your chances of getting certain forms of cancer.

Ginger tea

Ginger tea is a great way to start off your morning. Great tasting and packed with healing properties – ginger tea really does have it all. Known for reducing inflammation, kick starting your metabolism and helping prevent stomach cramps this herbal tea is a fantastic all rounder, did you know ginger tea was also certified kosher and vegan friendly? This is because it is made from ginger root and 100% natural.

Hibiscus tea

This sharp, fruity tea is similar to grapefruit or cranberry in flavour. Hibiscus tea is known for being full of vitamin C helping to keep you fit and healthy all year round.

Cold showers

If you are brave enough, cold showers can be life changing. With countless health benefits it’s easy to understand why more and more people are ditching the coffee in exchange for this more natural way of starting the day. Cold showers jump start your metabolism aiding weight loss, speed up muscle recovery and help torn fibres to recover. It has been reported that cold showers can also help ease the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Cold showers also increase alertness, which is particularly good for those Monday morning meetings! You can also boost your immune system by taking regular cold showers. Ready to take the plunge?

For those of you wanting to cut down or eliminate coffee from your diet all together but worried about the change to your morning routine, it is easy to see that there are alternatives out there! It is possible to be ready for the day ahead without reaching for a strong coffee. By changing your diet for the better you will feel happier and healthier, especially when one of those alternatives includes having regular sex! Ready to cut down? We are…

So what new products are instore for Bathmate fans?

Anal Sex Toys

Anal sex is an up and coming sexual trend which is hitting the headlines for all the right reasons. Don’t get me wrong, anal sex obviously isn’t a new thing. However, as more people are opening themselves up to new sexual endeavours, reports are that there is an increase of people delighting in this pleasurable sexual act.

The Bathmate anal training plugs are designed for beginners to anal play. Rather that going in strong, anal training plugs help beginners to experiment with anal play in a way that is safer, more comfortable and extremely pleasurable. Each plug contains the mandatory flared base, whilst the shape of the plug is tailor made for maximum pleasure. Once you become accustomed to the size of the training butt plug, simply upgrade to the next size.

For those hoping to add an exciting new element to anal play, the VIBE training plugs work in the same way as the Bathmate Anal Training Plugs. However, they contain something a little extra in the form of a powerful vibrating bullet. As you embark upon your training routine, toe curling sensations reverberate throughout your body to tease, tantalise and thrill you as you play. During intercourse, the VIBE plug enables you to add an exciting new element to your anal experimentation.

After use, the body safe material can be washed with a specialised cleaner and stored neatly in a discreet storage pouch.

Cock rings

Cock rings are the unsung heroes of the male sex toy industry. Whether it’s a standard cock ring, vibrating cock ring or a textured cock ring, these stretchy little numbers help to create a stronger, thicker erection which lasts up to four times longer. For those who struggle with a weak erection, a cock ring can help to add the level of firmness that you require to enjoy satisfying sex or masturbation.

The Bathmate Power Rings are a no frills cock ring but that doesn’t make them any less satisfying. These powerful rings are great for beginners because they are easy to use and they deliver a powerful squeeze. As with all cock rings, the squeeze is important because this helps to reduce the flow of blood leaving the penis once an erection has been achieved. Thus, helping to create a strong erection. Power rings are super stretchy, reusable and there are a range of different textures to try.

The Bathmate VIBE Rings work in the same way as the Power Rings in that they help to create a long lasting erection. However, VIBE cock rings differ because they offer powerful vibration too.

The Bathmate Tickle contains a rabbit style tickler which is ideal for heterosexual sex because it stimulates both the man and the woman, whilst helping to maintain a strong erection. For those who enjoy a firm grip, the Bathmate Strength contains a double ring so you can enjoy extra pressure to the penis. The Bathmate Stretch and Bathmate Eight offer a different style of ring in that they stimulate on the testicles. During the male climax, the testicles retract towards the body. However, if pressure is applied in the form of a scrotum ring, the testicles cannot retract in the same manner. Therefore, the male orgasm lasts even longer and feels more intense. Now, imagine this sensation with the addition of powerful vibration…. mind-blowing!

Essentials

The Bathmate essentials range contains everything that you need to keep your Bathmate Pleasure Products in tip top condition. Unlike other toy cleaners, this antibacterial cleaner works by sterilising the surface of your toys without damaging the material or affecting the performance of the product. If you want a little more reassurance for your anal sex toys, the Bathmate Anal Toy Cleaner is the world’s first product aimed specifically at anal sex toys. This unique product can also be used on any other sex toy and contains a unique skin safe formula. Simply wash your toy, rub the cleaner in and wash it off. If you’re on the go or travelling, try the Anal Clean Wipes. These individually sealed wipes are easy to carry around and deliver the same great results!

Lasting longer in bed has never been easier with Bathmate Control. This unique gel shuns harmful chemicals to offer a gentle numbing sensation using the highest quality natural ingredients. Simply apply to the penis minutes approximately 30 minutes before intercourse and enjoy the results. Because you only lose a small amount of sensation, you can still enjoy the same mind blowing sex that you are used to, it just lasts longer!

Bathmate Pleasure Lube is a lubricant that promises to deliver super slippery results. The water-based lubricant is gentle on the skin, slippery to the touch and compatible with both condoms and sex toys. For something more hardy, the Bathmate Anal is a luxuriously thick lubricant which cushions the anal cavity to deliver more enjoyable and comfortable anal play.

Vibes

Perfect for women and men, the Bathmate VIBE collection offers ten speeds of toe curling excitement. Combine with your Bathmate Anal training plugs, cock rings or as a standalone sex toy for sheet clutching stimulation. Each bullet is rechargeable and can be used in the bath, shower or anywhere of your choosing. The VIBE offers pinpoint precision so it hits all those external hotspots, to ensure that you always have a good time.
Don’t’ believe me? try it for yourself and see.

Delivery

All orders placed on the Bathmate Pleasure website will be discreetly packaged and dispatched same working day (if placed before midday). All orders placed after midday will be dispatched the next working day. Excludes Bank Holidays.

The revival of pubic hair

Over the last 17 years, the Brazilian wax achieved something that was almost unheard of in the fashion world, it lasted! For those who haven’t heard of the style, the Brazilian wax is either the full removal of pubic hair or a very small landing strip on the groin area. Thus enabling both men and women to wear all types of underwear without anything sticking embarrassingly out of the sides… yes, that is a thing too! The Brazilian wax gathered further momentum by featuring in episodes of Sex and the City and The Only Way is Essex. This style became so popular, that public lice were at risk of becoming extinct because they were unable to thrive… but for me, that’s a good thing, isn’t it?

However, a recent announcement from fashion bible Vogue declared that the long loved Brazilian wax was falling out of fashion in favour of a more natural, fuller bush. This isn’t a new trend though; pubic hair has been ‘growing’ in popularity since 2013 due to a number of celebrity endorsements. Miley Cyrus famously dyes her pubic hair an assortment of wacky colours, whilst Gwyneth Paltrow openly admits to rocking ‘that 70’s vibe’. Other champions of the full bush are Ashley Jacobs, Cameron Diaz and Emma Watson.

The revival of pubic hair isn’t just a fashion issue. Waxing your pubic hair can be really painful for both men and women. A University of Californian study revealed that over the years, there has been a five fold increase in visits to Accident and Emergency departments caused by pubic hair grooming accidents. However, clinics such as DHI Global, the hair transplant clinic, have spoken about an increase women self-referring to the clinic to have their pubic hair restored after undergoing laser hair removal.

So, what are the health benefits of pubic hair?

Believe it or not, the reason that we have pubic hair is because it is supposed to be there. Although no one ca be sure of the exact reason why we have it, there are some reported benefits to having a full set of short and curlies.

Pubic hair acts as a cushion to protect the genitals

According to experts, pubic hair has a cushioning effect which protects the groin against bumps and bangs that may occur during sexual intercourse, bike riding or any other activity which places pressure on the genitals.

Pubic hair helps to prevent infections

Your pubic hair acts as a natural sponge and this can help to prevent bacteria and infection from entering the membranes of your genitals. Your pubes also help to regulate moisture which for females, can help to reduce those pesky yeast infections.

Pubic hair contains pheromones

Pheromones are a chemical that we naturally release to attract members of the opposite sex. Because of its location, your pubic hair is loaded with the pheromones you need to attract your ideal mate.

Pubic hair can help to lower your risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection

Whatever you do, don’t throw away your condoms yet! Condoms are by far the most effective method of reducing your chances of contracting an STI. However, a recent study by the US library of medicine found that those without pubic hair had higher rates of STI’s than those who don’t. Perhaps pubes have magical qualities, or perhaps, like bacteria, your pubic hair acts as the first defence against sexually transmitted infections?

Your hair follicles have sensory qualities

For those who find it relaxing to have their hair stroked, having someone stroke and caress your pubic hair is a sensory delight! This is because your hair follicles contain nerve endings which send ‘feel good’ sensations to the brain. The removal of your pubic hair reduces this sensation.

Pubic hair absorbs sweat

The genitals are already at risk of becoming too sweaty and moist, particularly as the groin holds onto more warmth than the rest of your body. The sponge-like qualities of your pubic hair help to absorb sweat and reduce odour so your privates remain fresh and smelling sweet. As men require the testicles to remain at certain temperatures for reproduction, pubic hair plays a huge part in regulating those temperatures.

Pubic hair helps to reduce skin irritation

Because pubic hair is coarser and tougher than anywhere else on your body, it is much more difficult to remove. Therefore, the delicate skin is more susceptible to irritation and skin damage during the removal process.

For some, it could be that they enjoy the sensation of the technique, whilst for others, it could be that they have very big ambitions in terms of the sex toys that they can encompass! With more extreme anal stretching, this can lead to a form of body modification which is something that some people hope for. This isn’t a bad thing, but just means that the anus looks different to one that has never experienced this form of training. Another reason that people enjoy more extreme anal stretching is the temporary anal gape that is caused during the stretching process. The gape usually lasts less than a minute. However, it offers opportunities to experiment with the insertion of an array of sex toys.

What is anal stretching?

Anal stretching involves gradually stretching the anus so that you can insert a penis, sex toy or butt plug that you couldn’t normally accept before. For beginners, this could be as simple as working up from one finger, to a beginner’s butt plug, and then something more advanced. For the more hardcore and experienced players, this can go beyond the realms of ordinary stretching to encompass more extreme anal play such as the insertion of larger sex toys or large objects. This form of extreme anal stretching requires a lot of skill, patience and experience.

Anal stretching for beginners

Ready to practice safe anal stretching? Luckily, anal stretching is very simple to get into. All you need is some time, patience, lubricant and a sex toy. For those tempted to make things a little more comfortable with an anal numbing gel or lubricant, these are not suitable for anal stretching. This is because they prevent you from recognising any signals that you may need to stop and take a rest. If you are experiencing so much discomfort that you require these creams, you may need to take a step back and re-evaluate your experience. It could be that you are trying too much too soon and your body isn’t ready.

How to prepare for anal stretching

When you are preparing for any kind of anal activity, there is always a degree of preparation involved to make sure that things are as comfortable, safe and hygienic as possible. This can start as simply as eating a diet that is high in fibre so that things are constantly ‘on the move’ and you aren’t feeling clogged up. After a bowel movement, relax in a nice warm bath or shower to ensure that you are feeling relaxed and fresh. For those who seek a little more reassurance, using a douche or enema can help to keep things clean internally.
Safe anal stretching

There are several things to remember for safe anal stretching:

Do

• Go to the toilet beforehand
• Use a douche or enema if you want to
• Stop if you experience pain or bleeding
• Start with a small sex toy or butt plug
• Use lots of lubricant
• Give your body time to adjust
• Give your body 2-3 days to recover between sessions

Don’t

• Opt for an anal numbing cream, this can mask a harmful reaction
• Force things if you are experiencing resistance or pain
• Be too rough during thrusting, you could harm yourself
• Wear for longer than 20 minutes to start with

What are the best sex toys for anal stretching?

For anal stretching, you definitely need more than one sex toy. This is because stretching involves sizing up to something bigger once you feel more comfortable. Sizing up increases your chances of pleasure and helps you to keep an eye on your progress, so it’s a real treat! One of the most effective sex toys for anal stretching and training is the humble butt plug. This cone shaped sex toy may not look like much, but the tapered tip is perfect for comfortable insertion and ideal for gentle stretching in that you can insert a little more of the tip with every session. For the most cost effective results, look for a set of anal training butt plugs as these come in lots of different sizes. For those who want to experience a prolonged sensation of stretch, a tapered dildo is more suitable than a butt plug as the anus stretches around the dildo to create that delicious sensation!

As with all anal sex toys, it is very important that the sex toy has a flared base which is wider in diameter than the toy itself. This is to ensure that the sex toy does not travel into the body and get stuck. After all, nobody wants to have to explain their anal stretching technique at the local accident and emergency department.
With anal sex toys, it is very important to choose carefully based on your level of experience with anal sex. It is always wiser to start off smaller and work your way up to a bigger size, rather than struggle with a sex toy that is too uncomfortable and large.

How to stretch your anus

Stretching is easy if you start off slowly. Lie on your back and take some time to relax, this could involve deep breathing techniques or listening to relaxing music. Apply lubricant to your anus and finger before gently circling the anus. This helps the anus to relax and ensures that insertion is much easier and more comfortable. Slide your finger carefully into the anus. It you feel uncomfortable, stop and take a break. Once you can comfortably insert a finger, try again with a small, beginners butt plug. Again, the process is the same. However, you might experience some discomfort because the butt plug is much thicker. If you feel uncomfortable, stop and slide the butt plug out before trying again, aiming to gently go a little deeper each time. It might take some time, but soon you will be able to insert the whole plug and wear it comfortably. Once you manage this, you can move up to a more intermediate butt plug and repeat until you reach the desired level of stretch.

Happy stretching!

In this article, we want to take a look at some of the anal sex myths that our readers may have heard and offer the facts. Granted, each and every one of us may feel a little differently about things and some things may work for some and not for others. However, debunking some of the biggest misconceptions about anal sex may help you to make the decision of whether anal sex is something that you and your partner want to try.

Anal sex is just for gay people

Anal sex is not something which is gender specific, nor is it confined to your sexuality. Anal sex is simply another form of sexual experimentation which can be enjoyed by anyone. For men, anal stimulation offers a direct route to the prostate gland which is also known as the P Spot. Stimulation of this gland can lead to a very intense male orgasm. However, this is something that lots of straight men enjoy as much as their gay counterparts. Many women also experience orgasm during anal sex so if something feels good, your sexuality and gender shouldn’t matter at all.

Women don’t enjoy anal sex

This statement isn’t just incorrect, but it is disempowering to women who do enjoy other forms of sexual stimulation than vaginal. As a woman myself, I can assure you that anal sex gives lots of opportunities for orgasm. For example, did you know that the clitoris is actually shaped like a wishbone and contains over 9,000 nerve endings. Therefore, it has been speculated that it is possible to stimulate this super sensitive hotspot during anal sex. Foreplay and sex isn’t always about having an orgasm either. The anus is also full of nerve endings which feels delicious when stimulated.

Anal sex is painful

A lot of people associate anal sex with a bad experience that they may have heard about or experienced themselves. Therefore, it is important to remember that anal sex requires a lot of preparation, and this includes getting yourself mentally prepared too. As with anything that enters the body, there may be some resistance which is one of the reasons why it helps to be completely relaxed and have a lot of lubricant close to hand. Start off with something small like a finger or a beginner’s butt plug and take things very slowly. Once you’re feeling completely relaxed, you can always try something a little larger. The most important thing to remember that is if you do feel any pain, stop immediately and give your body a rest.

Anal sex is messy

Hygiene is one of the biggest concerns that people have about anal sex. However, it is very rare that anyone actually does poo during the act. It is possible for some faecal matter to transfer onto condoms, sex toys and fingers if steps haven’t been taken to clean out the anal canal. Luckily, this can be done by ensuring that you have a bowel movement before anal play and you take a nice warm bath or shower. Another way of ‘prepping’ the area before anal sex or anal play is by using a douche or enema. This device squirts warm water into the rectum and washes any residue from the anal canal, so it’s always squeaky clean.

You don’t need to use condoms during anal sex

Fair enough, the risk of pregnancy is a lot lower with anal sex. However, there is still a risk of semen entering the vagina during other forms of foreplay. Using a condom doesn’t just protect against unwanted pregnancy, but against sexually transmitted infections too. Therefore, condoms provide the most reassurance if you are having sex with someone who’s sexual history you aren’t aware of yet. That’s not to say that this applies to everyone though. For some who have been in long term relationships and know their partner’s sexual history and take regular contraception, condoms may be something that they choose to forgo and that’s completely fine too.

Anal sex will stretch your anus

Another misconception about anal sex is that this type of sex will stretch and weaken your anal muscles. However, there is no evidence to suggest that this is true. As with vaginal sex, it is possible that the anus and anal canal will experience tiny tears during anal sex. This is perfectly normal and they should heal quickly. During anal sex, if you feel any pain or intense discomfort whatsoever, it is important to stop immediately. Always enter slowly and give yourself plenty of time to adjust to the sensation before deeper penetration. As long as you take the time to read the signals and use plenty of lubricant, the risk of damage is minimal and temporary.

Anal sex is exactly how it looks in porn films

Anal sex is very different to how it looks in porn films in that a lot of preparation and care is required before you can ‘launch’ into the act. As with any form of anal play, there must be a lot of communication between both partners and usually a lot more foreplay to help both partners relax. It may take a few different attempts before you manage full penetration and mutual pleasure, which is perfectly fine. As long as everyone is safe, happy and having fun!