Exercising is beneficial no matter where you do it, but there are several reasons why taking your workout routine outside is a healthy alternative to the confinement of four walls.

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This summer has been an extraordinarily hot one for some parts of the country. Keeping cool is the goal of the day, which means air conditioners are working overtime and pools are overcrowded. But there are other ways to stay cool naturally during the dog days of summer.

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/Photo by Matthew Hulser/

What do you do with all those perfume samples from magazines? Give them a quick sniff? Toss them in the trash? Collect them? Perfume samples are handier than you think. Here are 10 ways to put them to good use.

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1. To help your fragrance last longer, layer it! Invest in the bath products and lotions that belong to the same fragrance line and use them as scent boosters.

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Skin scarring is oftentimes an unfortunate (and unwanted) result of acne, abrasions, burns and surgery. While eliminating scars completely isn't always realistic, you can put together an action plan to keep potential scarring to a minimum.

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Sometimes we tend to forget that our skin is an intricate organ system that has special needs. Our skin is affected by the environment, changing temperatures and humidity levels. Our skin reacts differently to different products, given that its chemical makeup is varied from one person to the next.

In order to maximize the effectiveness of your skincare products, it's important to learn how to apply them. The way you apply lotion makes all the difference when it comes to absorption of the lotion's active ingredients.

A good rule of thumb is to apply lotion directly following a warm shower or bath. It's a proven fact that moisture locks in the lotion faster than if you apply it to dry skin. The moisture helps to dissolve the active ingredients, which are then absorbed easier. It's also important that you don't scrub yourself dry with a towel; pat yourself down and then apply the lotion.

Don't apply lotion to cold skin. If necessary, pat yourself down with a damp, warm cloth.

Start at your ankles and apply the lotion in an upward motion. It's always important to stroke toward the heart to help stimulate circulation.

When you apply your lotion, be mindful not to rub your skin, which can stretch it out. It is recommended that you use your middle finger and use quick, but firm strokes. 

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Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils extracted from flowers, bark, stems, leaves, roots or other parts of a plant to enhance psychological and physical well-being. There are a wide number of essential oils available, each with its own healing properties.

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If it has notes of light floral rose or rosemary, it must be a women's fragrance, right? Or what about fig leaves, leather and tobacco? Definitely for men. Generally speaking, it's true that men and women prefer certain scents over others when it comes to tickling the nose, but unisex fragrances are more common now than ever.

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Hair that is windswept by ocean breezes and kissed by the sun might seem as much a part of summer as cut-offs and flip-flops, but these elements can dry out and damage our hair, unfortunately.

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