Clean off any toys your hermit crab uses, as well as any hiding boxes you provide in the tank. Make sure to use dechlorinated water to wipe down toys, as chlorine can be harmful to hermit crabs. If the toys are very dirty, wipe them down with a 3% bleach solution as well. You should also wipe away any dirt or grime from a hermit crab's dishes. Make sure to use dechlorinated water here as well. Then, place them in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes. This will remove any bacteria from the dishes.  Make sure the water you use is dechlorinated. Set the dishes aside to cool and dry. Wait until they're cool to the touch before returning them to the tank. You want to make sure you rinse anything you've cleaned thoroughly. Once again, use dechlorinated water. If you used bleach solution on the toys, make sure to rinse them until they no longer smell like bleach.

Summary: Clean any toys. Boil the dishes. Rinse everything off.


If you are experiencing pain or other side effects from ovarian cysts, then it is important to let your gynecologist know. Your gynecologist may advise a “wait and see” approach, also known as watchful waiting. Your gynecologist may also want to do an ultrasound a few weeks after you become aware of the cyst to see if it is still there. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can provide relief for painful ovarian cysts. Make sure that you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions before use. Talk to your doctor if you are not sure what or how much to take. Sipping a cup of herbal tea may also help to relieve some of the pain caused by ovarian cysts. The warmth of the tea can help to relax you muscles and serve as a nice relaxing distraction. Some good teas to try include:  Chamomile Peppermint Raspberry leaf Decaffeinated green tea A heating pad applied to your lower abdomen may also help to relieve some of the pain caused by ovarian cysts. You can use either a hot water bottle or an electric heating pad. Place the heating pad on your lower abdomen for about 10 – 15 minutes at a time. Take breaks in between uses to avoid overheating your skin. A stressed state of mind may make pain seem worse, so try to take some time for yourself and relax as much as possible while you are dealing with an ovarian cyst. Some good stress relieving activities include:  Playing with a pet Going for a walk Taking a bubble bath Writing in a journal Calling a friend Listening to music Watching a funny movie If cysts are large or if they are causing other symptoms, then surgery may be necessary to remove them. Surgery may also be necessary if there are concerns that a cyst may be cancerous. Surgery for ovarian cysts may be performed using:   Laparoscopy — For smaller cysts, the surgeon can make a small incision and remove the cyst with the help of a laparoscopic camera.  Laparotomy — For larger cysts, it may be necessary to make a longer incision to remove the cyst.

Summary: Make an appointment with your gynecologist. Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Drink soothing herbal teas. Apply heat. Try to relax. Talk to your gynecologist about surgical options.


You don’t need a clinician to tell you that stress is no fun, but did you know that even a mild stress-induced mood disorder like sub-clinical depression can wreak havoc on your immune system? In fact, the duration of a stressful period has more effect on immunity than its severity.To fight stress, first recognize it and stop trying to battle it alone. Find ways to ground yourself and to let off steam constructively. Sports, exercise, a hobby and spending time with friends are all good ways to counteract stress. You might like to try guided imagery, yoga, or tai-chi; if you have a severe mood disorder, seek counseling and/or medication. Can you change the cause of the stress? Then, do so. In many cases though, stress links back to your job, money, or family. In uncertain times, changing jobs can be difficult, in which case, you must find ways to manage it better.  Managing stress that comes from work or family can be done by being more assertive about your needs and setting boundaries. Assertion and boundary-setting include learning to say "no" to tasks that overload your schedule, getting regular "me" time, and avoiding taking work calls when you are relaxing at home with family or friends, or vice versa.  Other ways to manage work-related stress consist of working smarter not harder, which means breaking down larger tasks into smaller increments and delegating tasks to others, if necessary. Also, make sure to use workplace resources like trainings and professional development events to counteract detrimental practices that may impact your health and well-being. Getting a higher education can bolster your self-esteem and interest in the world. But it's not for everyone and it's not the only solution. Reading, traveling, taking fun classes, attending guest lectures, and meeting people from other cultures will do the same thing. Or try MOOCs––massive online open courses––these courses offer very stimulating ways of stretching your knowledge and abilities, in your own time. Ultimately, instead of running from new experiences, engage in them, and seek more whenever you can. After all, you only live once. . Whether you choose stamp collecting or kickboxing, hobbies and extracurricular activities are necessary for the pursuit to enjoy life. Hard routines are counterproductive to spontaneity and surprise––leave a little flexibility in your schedule so that it doesn't become routine and humdrum. Do your hobby or activity because you love it, and because it gets you "into the flow", and not for reasons such as keeping up with other people or conforming to unrealistic social standards. Research demonstrates that participating in leisure activities can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health and wellness. Benefits of hobbies include lower blood pressure, less cortisol, lower body mass index and greater perception of physical abilities. Putting your feet up and watching your favorite show at the end of the day is definitely a treat, but since passively watching a story doesn’t do much to stimulate your imagination, it can also leave you feeling restless and 'zombified'. For a change of pace, find a book that you can lose yourself in for a while. If you don’t consider yourself much of a reader, think outside the box and find something that relates to your hobbies: if you’re a baseball fan, pick up Bill Veeck’s autobiography; if you’re a biker, try Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Keep notes of passages or ideas that really resonate with you. If you keep a notebook in your usual reading spot, ready to jot down such inspirations, you'll soon amass an inspirational collection of ideas that matter to you and may help direct your sense of purpose for years to come. Meditation reduces stress and promotes a calm feeling. Participating in a few minutes of meditation daily can promote a positive outlook and keep you feeling balanced and relaxed. It is important to maintain a good body posture and perform meditation in a distraction-free zone.
Summary: Reduce stress. Improve your stress management, if you cannot remove the stress. Learn new things.  Find a hobby Read a good book. Practice  meditation.