Upgrading Your Life, Step By Step

Photo by Chevanon Photography from Pexels

When we ‘level up’ in a video game, that’s usually associated with a range of virtual benefits we can make use of. From assigning character points in the leveling system, to becoming stronger and more versatile. Of course, life is not a video game, but sometimes ‘gamifying’ our everyday priorities can help us feel a little more motivated and able to track our goals.

Now, this sounds silly, and you’re more than within your right to think so, too. However, there are some worthwhile concepts to keep in mind here. Perhaps, in real life, we could take the time to ‘level up,’ or upgrade our daily experience through a few wise investments of our cash and time. After all, why shouldn’t this work? Every gym session you attend will incrementally increase your physical fitness, which will ultimately help you become in-shape physically. Is it possible for us to manage a few hobbies or actions that enables us to move forward with confidence, especially after the great cultural reset of a coronavirus lockdown?

We think so. In the following column of advice, you’ll find some loving guidance to that end:

Upgrading Your Fashion

When you look good, you feel good. Does this mean you have to wear the best clothes in order to feel like a worthwhile person? Absolutely not, and you will read nothing similar to that erroneous viewpoint here. However, it can help to ensure you’re wearing clothes that help you feel comfortable, and confident, and put together well. 

This might mean taking the time to look for some worthwhile eyeglasses that suit your head shape, as prescription lenses can help you interface with the world with further clarity. It might be that investing in a great pair of sneakers can help you relive your nostalgia for comfort wear in the 90s. You may even find that purchasing body-hugging gym wear allows you to work out in style, confidence, and with even-more enjoyable practicality. 

Do not feel as if you have to wear certain clothing to impress others. Finding style that compliments how you feel inside, helping you express your inner self, can help you feel much more present in everyday life. If that’s not a worthwhile upgrade, we’re not sure what is.

Taking Care Of Your Body

Your body is your temple, and taking a renewed effort to look after it can be one of the most important things you do in life. From exercising to the degree you are able to eating enough green vegetables a day, the way we treat our body is ultimately the way we perceive the world.

Your body is also sensitive to many daily habits that you could improve if you’re looking for a life upgrade. For instance, getting your sleep cycle in check can be a tremendous aid to anyone hoping to preserve more energies throughout the day. From heading to bed at a regular nightly hour to rising in the morning and performing a few stretches at a standardized time, the more you can gain your eight hours each night and stay hydrated, the better you will feel on average.

Unlocking Your Routine

Life is much easier to deal with if you follow a routine. Those with 9-5 jobs will often be experts at this, but it’s also important to iron out some of the details if you have a chance. 

A routine is not just getting up and showering at the right time, but ensuring you meditate each morning, preparing your meals for the next week (and freezing them in an organized manner), or it can mean preparing your skincare routine every night. This way, the habits you know you should keep on top of become less isolating and unenjoyable, and instead start to fill your life with a sense of responsibility and perspective.

Furthermore, just like following the same route to work each day, the tasks you must keep on top of require less energy output if you know what you’re doing and when you’re doing it. So, if you really wish to become more productive and gain more free time each and every 24 hour cycle, learning the power of routine can be a great benefit.

Stay Humble, Staying Honest

An easy means of improving your life, starting now, is to be honest, or at least to make an effort not to lie. This can be a very hard task. Many of us tell white lies or mistruths in order to function socially, or to limit the effects of a negative situation, or to try and avoid social faux pas.

Of course, we can tell our colleague their new hairstyle looks great despite it being questionable in your eyes, those kinds of mistruths are necessary for people to get along, and for us to live well.

But being honest with those we’re close to, or especially ourselves, can be important. Do you really wish to purchase the latest fashion styles because you feel comfortable in them, or because you’re trying to overcompensate in some way? Might it be better to find the styles you actually enjoy and wear those, without having to worry about ‘fitting in’ all the time? Furthermore, staying honest can often help you out of difficult situations. If you’re struggling with a past even that has left its mark on you, you’re well within your right to discuss it.

If you’re worried for a family member, avoiding bottling those emotions up can help you start to make real progress in your relationship with them. Staying humble and staying honest can help bring your mindset down to a grounded level, and it’s from there we can see what is most important, and how we can function in the world with care and consistency. To us, that sounds like a fantastic place to start.

Setting Realistic Goals

When we’re tired of occupying the same position in life, or we need a change, it’s very tempting for us to throw the baby out with the bathwater and invest all our time, energies and finances in a new direction. Yet sometimes, this can leave us feeling rather put-out and tired. It can also prevent us from making thorough and insightful progress due to how intensely we’re forcing the process.

Could it be that setting realistic goals is important to help us upgrade our lives? Whenever we wish for an important change, we can find it incrementally. If you hope to get fit and muscular, for instance, you do not attend one mighty gym session aimed at training each muscle group you have and eating twenty thousand calories that day. Instead, you head to the gym and work out a little, come home and rest. Then, two days later, the same. Over time, you will have set realistic goals that have are specific, measurable achievable, realistic and timely. Over time, progress will be made through this careful setup.

Sometimes it’s not knowing what you want that becomes the important part, rather how you believe you will get there. When pursuing tangible goals through this template, you will see just how quickly a dream can become reality.

Social Curation

You would be (and will be) astonished just how effective great social curation can be when helping you better your life. It’s not uncommon for people to find their life populated with people who simply do not want what is best for them. From unreliable to toxic friends, to colleagues at work we dread to socialize with, or even family members that seem content to belittle us thanks to little pushback over the years, sometimes it can be tiring to feel alone despite being surrounded by people.

So, it can be worth deciding to speak to negative influences less, and to bring people closer to you who are a net positive influence in your life experience. Social curation of this nature can help you feel more positive in yourself. It will also help you work as an ally with those you truly care for. Life is too short to surround yourself with people who provide obstacles. Of course, there’s a difference between a friend who gives you constructive criticism and someone who lambasts you for no reason. Taking stock and seeing just who your true friends might be can serve as a worthwhile yearly practice. It helps you avoid placing your energies where they’re not appreciated.

To Summarize

Life, in general terms, is largely unpredictable. It’s hard to say what any of us will be doing ten years from now, or how happy we will be. However, we can always take the time to focus on goals that keep us on the right path, and help us enjoy the journey of this crazy life. The more we can do that, the more we can feel an improvement over time, and the better rewards and positive experiences we can squeeze out of our yearly plans. With all the templates given in this article, we hope you can find a few measures that help you move forward with confidence, care, and renewed life potential.

Practical Steps to Help You Overcome a Bad Habit

Everyone in the world has faced a bad habit at some point in their life. For some people, it could be something small such as biting their nails, and for others it could be something more threatening such as an alcohol problem. However, even something like nail biting can get out of hand despite seeming like an innocent habit that you can easily break out of. Whatever bad habit you had, it’s important to understand that you can’t just wipe them off and start a clean slate. It’s not as simple as just deleting it from your life, even if you get plenty of assistance and support to help you do it.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at some practical steps to help you overcome a bad habit. We’re going to show you how you can focus on your health, how to battle your demons and overcome your bad habits, and also how you can ensure that they don’t come back.

Photo by Andres Siimon on Unsplash

Step 1: Identify you have a bad habit

First thing’s first; identify your bad habits. If you don’t identify and admit to things that you’re doing on a regular basis that are causing harm to your physical or mental health, then it’s going to be tough to overcome it.

Step 2: Look at when you resort to it

As an extra step, take a look at when you resort to your bad habit. For instance, people that smoke tend to do it as a way to de-stress, while people that bite their nails might do it when they’re bored. When you identify when you resort to a bad habit, it can help you understand a bit more about it and why you do it in the first place.

Step 3: Understand the health implications

Next, make sure you look at the health implications of that bad habit. For some people, this might mean realizing that alcohol has some very negative effects on your organs. Other people might have to dig a little deeper to understand the health implications. For instance, someone that plays a lot of video games might realize that they’re becoming sedentary and their physical health is suffering as a result of that.

Step 4: Search for an alternative

One of the best ways to overcome a bad habit by yourself is to actually search for an alternative to it. This might sound strange to a lot of people, but if you’re able to identify why you rely on a bad habit in the first place, it’s actually not so far-fetched. For example, if you play a lot of video games because you’re bored or because they offer you a sense of reward and accomplishment, then it’s easy to get sucked into playing every day. However, once you realize that there are also negative effects in playing too much, you can step back a bit and search for something else that also rewards you with a sense of accomplishment that doesn’t involve sitting down. It could be learning a new skill or even gamifying fitness.

Step 5: Consider outside support and assistance

However, regardless of how you tackle your bad habits, you’ll undoubtedly have a much easier time if you rely on outside support. This could mean alcohol addiction treatment for anyone that thinks they have a drinking problem, or even just support from a friend or family member. Whatever your bad habits might be, having someone else to talk to and offer a second opinion is incredibly valuable.

Step 6: Settle on a replacement

One of the most underrated ways to overcome your bad habits is to actually find a replacement for them. We talked about this above with finding an alternative, but it’s also important to settle on a replacement for good. Sometimes, it can be hard to find a direct replacement for something such as smoking or drinking, but that’s where it becomes important to understand why you resort to a bad habit and find something that can offer a similar result without negatively affecting your health.

We hope that these practical steps have helped you understand that it’s possible to overcome a bad habit with relative ease as long as you approach it in a practical way. Just keep in mind that you can’t just simply erase a bad habit out of existence. You need to slowly overcome it by replacing it with more positive habits and understanding the health implications that you face if you don’t get rid of it soon.

[Review] First cycle with the Sinaya Cup (menstrual cup)

Not gonna do an intro about menstrual cups. I figured those who'd wind up here are at least partially aware and considering switching to menstrual cups already hehe, so I'm just gonna jump right to the experience. Spoiler Alert: I'm making the switch, and I'm encouraging you too!

Here you'll find pros and cons, product price and details, and my day to day experience during my first cycle using the cup.

When I got the package, I wanted to try it already so I read the instructions and went ahead and sterilized it in boiling water. It's not my period yet but I wanted to try how it works so as advised, I used a lubricant to help myself shoot the thing up my coochie.

The cup comes in 2 sizes, small and large. Small is ideal for women below 35 years old who have never given birth. Large is recommended for women who experience heavy flows (3 napkins a day type of flow), those who have given birth, or those aged 35 and above. Here's a size guide from Sinaya Cup.

Even though I think I have a heavy flow, I still got the small one because I'm scared I won't be able to fit a large cup in my vagina lol. Well, good call.

First impressions. Cute packaging! Looks eco-friendly too.

All the info you need is on the box.

I thought the cup is not gonna hold enough blood. But hey, I realized that I don't really have a heavy flow. Wearing a napkin has fooled me into thinking I'm a heavy bleeder. Guess that's what super absorbent cottony fiber does to you. It leaves you feeling like you have an unstoppable flow, and that you're perpetually bleeding.

Pros

• No itch
• Environment friendly
• Saves money
• No leaks
• Less rashes
• Feels comfortable
• You can swim in it (ie. be active)!

Cons

• Learning curve
• Hassle to drain and clean
• Uncomfortable at first

Pricing and availability

I got the product online from Sinaya Cup for ₱1,199. It's the most recommended brand among peers (aka the girls in my Facebook group). The cup is made from medical grade silicon, so it says in the website, so uhm I trust that's it's safe inside hehe.

Anyway. Here's how my day to day went on my first cycle using a menstrual cup:

6 day diary

Day 1

• Inserted the cup using tulip fold.
• Spent a couple of minutes in the shower trying to make it pop
• My Day 1 flow feels unusually weak
• I was afraid the cup might be stopping the flow instead of catching it lol
• Thank God one of my friends told me it's normal, that there's really not much blood, it just looks a lot when absorbed by a napkin. I was relieved.
• It's very uncomfortable moving around with the cup, I can feel the stem poking my vagina
• I wore a napkin to bed just to be sure

Day 2

• Woke up to no leaks!
• Removed the cup in the shower and found there's almost no discharge, just brown drops
• I was scared, again, that the cup might be breaking my cycle and stopping the flow lol
• Nonetheless, still went ahead and used it
• Inserted using the C fold this time
• Can't decide what fold is best, as long as it pops and seals I'm good
• After 3 hours it leaked, damn
• Drained it and found the cup is halfway full
• Trimmed the stem 1 notch
• Re-inserted and forgot about it
• After 4 hours I drained it again, this time no leaks, but the cup is halfway full again
• Trimmed the stem 2 notches this time
• Feels better but I still feel a slight poking
• Having drained it twice, all my doubts that it's ruining my cycle is now out of the window
• Drained it again before going to bed

Day 3

• Woke up to a tiny bit of leak on my panty liner
• Thank God the leaks are usually at the front of the liner and not at the back so our sheets are still safe
• I thought the cup was super full because it leaked
• But when I drained it at the shower it's only 1/5 full
• Contemplating on snipping another notch off the stem because it's still poking on my coochie
• I'm starting to think I have a low hanging cervix, whatever that means
• I wonder if I should've bought a cup that has a small ring at the end instead of a stem
• Drained 3x throughout this day
• Aaand, I trimmed it again. For the last time. Cos there's nothing left to cut off anymore lol
• Huge difference, I can't feel a thing now, wow

Day 4

• Woke up to zero leaks! I love it!
• Took if off in the shower, it's only around 1/5 full
• Inserting it is becoming easier now
• Drained twice today, first when I took a bath, then before going to bed

Day 5 and 6

• I'm getting a steady state with this one
• Again, no leaks
• Drained twice today, after shower, then before going to bed
• Since my period is ending, flow is lighter
• Discharge has gone from bloody red to light brown
• It's easier move around with it now that the stem's been cut off

Alright.

Overall I feel very pleased with this cup's performance. I'll definitely continue using it again. It feels liberating not having to feel a bulky pad on your crotch area for a week. And it's amazing how's there little no leakage when using it. Now I can stop worrying about staining out sheets. I was worried still about getting rashes but they never came, I wasn't itchy anywhere. I frkn love it.

My entire first cycle with the cup is a learning curve. I have to learn how to put it in, explore which insertion fold works best, and struggle to make the thing pop and seal. In my case, I use the punch-down fold (aka lotus fold) more often because the tip is smaller compared to the C-fold so it doesn't stress my opening too much.

I still have a long way to go to say I've totally gotten used to it. I've been thinking how to manage with the cup when we finally go back to working at the office. I don't want to end up hogging the only cubicle with a faucet and tabo for more than 10 minutes, so I need to practice working faster with it hahaha.

It feels totally different, switching from pads to cups, but it's definitely a more comfortable experience. ♥

Smart Tips to Start Socialising Again

Photo from Pixabay

It's a lot easier to start isolating yourself from others than you might think, especially if you're a naturally introverted person. Maybe you work from home or spend a lot of your time doing something that doesn't require you to leave the house, like playing video games. You might go through a period when you don't feel like socialising, but then find it difficult to reconnect with your social circle once you do feel like being social again. If you want to get back out there, you need to have a plan to start socialising more.

Reconnect with Friends

If you haven't been socialising much lately, it doesn't mean you don't have any friends. It's easy to convince yourself that your friends might have forgotten about you or no longer want to hang out with you, but most of the time, that's not the case. In fact, they might be wondering where you've been and when you're going to get back in touch. You have nothing to lose by reaching out and asking some friends if they want to get together. Start with just one person who you're more confident will be happy to hang out with you or maybe plan a get-together with a few of you.

Deal With What's Keeping You In

Sometimes you don't spend much time socialising because something is stopping you from going out. It might be that you're always online, whether you can't stop streaming Netflix or your whole life is video games. Even sex addiction can keep you from going outside or can limit your socialising. If you're dealing with sex or pornography addiction, professional sex therapists can help you to address your habit. The same is true for other addictions that might be stopping you from having a normal social life. Even if you're shy or dealing with social anxiety, getting professional help can allow you to confront the issue.

Photo from Pixabay

Find New Social Circles

Not everyone feels that they have friends who they can reconnect with. Maybe you've moved to a new town, or you've found it hard to make friends since leaving school. Looking for new people to socialise with can help you expand your social circle. It's a good idea to look for activities and groups to join, whether you join a hiking group, become a member of a choir, or start volunteering. Making new friends as an adult can take a while, but when you find your tribe, it can encourage you to be a lot more social.

Set Goals

If you want to achieve anything in life, it's always a good idea to set some goals. As well as having big goals, you can break them down into small objectives and actions. Your main aim might be to make some new friends but to do that you might first challenge yourself to start participating in a new activity, talk to three different people or ask someone to hang out with you.

It can be tough to start socialising again if you've been isolated. But once you decide to make a move, you can get out there and step out of your comfort zone.

Retrain Your Mind To Slash Your Anxiety Levels

Anxiety is a modern epidemic. It’s something that seems to permeate every level of our society and imposes enormous costs. Stress literally ruins people’s lives.

It’s only relatively recently though that anxiety has become a publicly-recognized issue. Not only have we become better at talking about it, but it’s also become a bigger problem. We live in a society where no matter how much success you have, it’s never enough. We’ve become slaves to the constant need for “more” in all aspects of our lives. The pressures of the modern world create a situation where anxiety is the inevitable result. The good news, however, is that it doesn’t have to be this way. We can retrain our minds to overcome the pitfalls of our economic and romantic lives and live more healthfully (and joyfully).

Shrink Your Amygdala

Scientists think that the amygdala has a significant role to play in the modern anxiety epidemic. The pea-sized region at the center of our brains is responsible for a vast amount of the anxiety that we experience. It’s an ancient part of the brain which gives us our essential “fight or flight” response.

Photo from Pixabay

The problem is that the modern world can corrupt the amygdala. It played an essential role in helping us avoid danger in our evolutionary past, but the contemporary world confuses it. The daily stressors of industrial production switch on the amygdala continually, enlarging it and putting it into a state of permanent activity.

Shrinking the amygdala is vital for long-term mental wellness, but how do you do it. The leading approach right now is to spend 30 minutes per day meditating. The incredible thing about meditation is that it appears to shrink the amygdala back down to a regular size while cutting out the unwanted activity.

Supplement To Reduce The Activity Of The Amygdala

Incredibly, as CBDOlja.nu points out, some foods and supplements reduce the amount of brain activity in the amygdala. Ashwagandha, for instance, is a natural herb which cuts the level of activity in the brain and helps people to feel more relaxed about their day.

Something as simple as taking a powdered berry supplement can help too. Inflammation in the brain can change our thought processes, making us more susceptible to negative and unhealthy emotions. Using berries to flush out some of the inflammation cuts the odds of our thought patterns from getting out of whack with reality.

Try Unlearning Your Fear Responses

What’s so upsetting about the whole anxiety epidemic is that it is almost wholly unnecessary. Our lives are not in danger the majority of the time, but our biology causes us to react as if it were. Ancient biology hasn’t yet adapted to the realities of life in modern offices. It’s all so new.

As bodyandsoul.com.au points out, researchers are now experimenting with ways to help people unlearn their fear responses. They do this by asking people to create a list of their fears from least bad to worst. Practitioners then get people to face their fears head-on, instead of avoiding them, helping them to see that they’re usually not in danger after all.

Surefire Ways to Stay Fit and Healthy While You're Travelling

You spend all year daydreaming about your holiday; don’t you?

Where to go, the kinds of adventures you’ll have - and picture yourself out there in paradise - blissful!

Photo from Pexels

But although we all make lots of practical preparations -  it’s easy to forget our own bodies - and we shouldn’t do. Travel can be a big drain on your health if you’re not careful - so it’s important to take the appropriate precautions.

Before you travel

Boost your immune system

A strong immune system is crucial to your overall health - so make sure it’s in shape before you set off.  Try to eat well in the run up to your holiday - and include lots of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet. Dark leafy greens like kale and brightly colored fruits are particularly helpful.  And remember to take small, healthy snacks with you on your journey.
Check if you need any vaccinations

Depending where you’re going, you might need vaccinations - so make sure you’ve checked - it’s really important.  If concerns about pain put you off - don’t let them - perhaps using a numbing cream could be the solution.

You can find lots of useful information online about which vaccinations might be appropriate for your holiday destination.  So do your homework. And your doctor, physician or pharmacist will be able to advise you too.

Photo from Pexels

Buy the right sunscreen

We can’t emphasise enough the importance of taking - and using sunscreen - particularly if you’re visiting warmer climes.  Make sure you choose a cream with at the very least a factor 15 (30 is preferable, particularly for children).  Look for good UVA ratings - and apply it really regularly while you’re away.

While you’re travelling

Get enough sleep

Sleep is essential to our health and wellbeing and research has revealed that it’s crucial for our immune system.  Put simply, you’re more likely to catch a virus without it - and to shake one off if you do get sick.  So getting proper sleep is very important before and during your journey.

Consider packing a travel pillow and earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to help you sleep more soundly too.

Stay hydrated

When you travel by air, the lack of humidity in the cabin air can lead to dehydration - and dry out mucous membranes.  This can make you more susceptible to germs - so remember to keep as hydrated as possible.  Water is the best option - obviously - so consider taking a bottle with you and refill whenever possible. Potassium-rich foods like bananas are also great options to help keep you hydrated.

Try to keep active

That might not sound straightforward while you’re travelling but it is possible - and, of course, crucial. Because it’s another really effective way to stave off unwanted infections - and boost your energy.

Photo from Pixabay

So make time in your travel schedule to do something that gets your body moving - even if it’s just a quick stretch.  And when you arrive don’t neglect this either - check out the hotel gym and go for a walk or run to explore your new surroundings.

Wash your hands regularly

It’s surprising how many people forget the importance of regular hand washing - and how it helps maintain health.

This is even more important when you travel - as you come into contact with surfaces that many other people have touched. Using handrails, touching counters and opening doors are all things we do without much thought.

Health professionals recommend carrying out the following steps to make sure your hand washing is effective:

1. Wet your hands with water.
2. Apply enough soap to cover your hands.
3. Rub hands palm to palm.
4. Rub the back of your left hand with your right palm with interlaced fingers. Repeat with the other hand.
5. Rub your palms together with fingers interlaced.
6. Rub the backs of your fingers against your palms with fingers interlocked.
7. Clasp your left thumb with your right hand and rub in rotation. Repeat with your left hand and right thumb.
8. Rub the tips of your fingers in the other palm in a circular motion, going backwards and forwards. 
9. Repeat with the other hand.
10. Rinse hands with water.
11. Dry thoroughly, ideally with a disposable towel.
12. Use the disposable towel to turn off the tap.

If you can’t get access water to wash your hands fully while you’re in transit - try using an alcohol based sanitiser.  And remember to keep applying it frequently, to make sure you’re properly protected.

Photo from Pixabay

In conclusion

Just a little common sense and a tiny bit of preparation can help you stay fit and well while you travel. And then you’ll be sure to arrive at your destination - and home - relaxed healthy and happy.

Life Events that Will Change Your Outlook

We all make mistakes when we are young, and the smartest people learn from their own or other people’s mistakes. If you would like to overcome the challenges in life, it is important that you reflect on them and don’t dwell on them. Chances are that some early mistakes in your life have taken their toll, damaged your self respect or confidence, and - until you come to terms with them - you will have a limited outlook in life. Below you will find a few life events that can hold you back from success or help you achieve it.

Image by Ronny Overhate from Pixabay

Dropping Out of College 

Some people drop out of college because they realize that they are not that keen on pursuing their career. Others will have too much going on in their lives, or simply need to find a job to pay their bills. If you wish you never dropped out of college, you will have to overcome the regret and find a way to forgive yourself. You are likely to be smarter now, and your circumstances have changed. There is no reason why you can’t go back to school right now and complete your course to advance your career.

Choosing the Right Guy 

You might have gone through a lot of trial and error, but - at the end of the day - you will learn from your bad choices. Once you find the right guy who is providing what you really need, you will have a more balanced relationship and a more positive outlook in life. You will know that you found the right person if you don’t feel like you have to change or pretend to be someone you are not.

Overcoming Being Cheated 

Unfortunately, fidelity is not as popular today as it used to be. You might have been cheated on, and are still searching for the reason. Maybe you are blaming yourself. You might have decided to have an abortion procedure as a result, and now would like to turn back time. The truth is that you cannot change other people; you can only learn to deal with what they do and how this affects you.  

Losing Weight

In case you have been struggling with losing weight, and you finally made the right health choices, and lost the extra pounds, you should celebrate. You will now be able to do things you never considered doing before. It will change your life and your outlook in life for the better.  

Building Your Confidence Up 

Building your confidence up

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

Many people struggle with their confidence. If you have listened to too many negative comments, or simply didn’t get the help and positive feedback as a child, you can use affirmations that will help you celebrate your uniqueness and accept your limitations. You should work on your confidence level, as you can reach higher in business and personal life if you believe in yourself. 

Some life events will simply change your view on life and relationships. Learn from your decisions; good or bad, and become a better version of yourself every day.

Struggling to Turn Things Around? These Might Be A Few Reasons Why

Photo from Pixabay

It would be great if life was always sunny and happy, with everything working out exactly as it was supposed to, and with success and accomplishment being a given.

Obviously, though, that is not the way things actually work out in reality. All of us have to deal with a pretty hefty number of setbacks, disappointments, failures, and troubles, along the way.

In order to keep things moving forward in a positive manner, and to get the most out of our lives, it’s important to be able to pause, reflect on what’s going on, and take steps to turn things around on a regular basis. But what if you’ve been struggling to turn things around, recently? What if situations constantly seem to be getting out of your control, and you’re not managing to make headway?

Well, if you’ve been struggling to turn things around, these might be a few reasons why.

You are allowing too much distraction into your life, at a time when your focus and willpower are already low

When things aren’t exactly working out for you in the best possible way, it’s very likely that your willpower, focus, and motivation, will automatically be pretty low.

So, when you add a bunch of distractions into the mix, you may well find yourself wasting hours every day checking up on your social media accounts, watching TV shows, listening to music, and giving in to just about every option for procrastination that presents itself.

If you’re struggling to turn things around in your life, it might be because too much of your time and energy is being taken up by idle distractions that you can’t seem to resist.

Counteract this situation by removing distractions from your life, as much as possible. That might mean installing a web blocking app on your phone, for example.

You aren’t eating or sleeping enough

When times are tough, and we become very stressed and preoccupied, we typically cease to take care of ourselves in the way we should.

One of the primary ways in which this manifests itself, is by missing out on sleep, and eating too little (and too little of the right things.)

The thing is, sleep is essential for health, mental function, willpower, and energy. And so is proper nutrition.

Begin feeding yourself properly again, and getting enough rest, and you might find that you are more capable of improving your life, literally overnight.

You’ve been too vague, or ambitious, in your plans – or you haven’t made any plan

Vague plans such as “I should visit the dentist soon,” tend not to lead to actual solutions to problems. Instead, researching and contacting a dentist such as monavaledental.com.au is the way to get things done.

At the same time, setting yourself goals, and making plans, that are too ambitious, often results in things remaining static. “I’m going to be fit enough to run a marathon,” is a stretch if you currently aren’t capable of going up a flight of stairs without feeling winded. And, if a goal seems unattainable, you’re likely struggle to pursue it wholeheartedly.

Finally, if you fail to make plans – well, then, it’s not surprising that you aren’t achieving much, is it?

In order to turn things around in your life, you need to make concise and focused plans, keep them manageable, and work consistently to fulfil them.

5 Possible Reasons You Can’t Get To Sleep

For some of us, getting to sleep can be a real mission. It can result in hours of tossing and turning, which can become more frantic as it gets to the early hours of the morning. There are many factors that can stop us from getting to sleep easily. Here are five possible reasons you may be struggling to drift off.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

You’re too stressed

Stress can keep many of us up at night. When stressed, our body releases cortisol which makes our mind more alert and our body more energised. Taking the time to de-stress before bed could help to flush out this cortisol so that your mind isn’t racing and your body isn’t tense. There may be forms of bedtime meditation that you can try in order to get yourself de-stressed. A hot bath meanwhile is another effective stress reliever. Avoid stressbusters such as exercise, which may simply perk you up and make it harder to sleep.

You’ve been consuming the wrong foods/drinks before bed

Certain foods and drinks will make it harder to go to sleep. Caffeine is the biggest culprit – coffee or tea before bed is best avoided and you may want to limit chocolate (this often contains caffeine too). High-sugar drinks may also keep you up, whilst fatty foods may cause bloating that makes getting to sleep difficult. Instead, try foods like honey or oats, which can help you get to sleep by promoting the hormone melatonin. Bananas and almonds are also good sleep inducers due to their content of magnesium.

You’ve been looking at too many bright screens before bed

Staring at a bright TV, laptop or phone screen before bed could be tricking your brain into thinking that it’s still daylight hours, delaying the release of melatonin. Try to make it a habit of turning off all devices with screens an hour before going to sleep. As mentioned earlier, you could try having a hot bath or meditating instead, or you could read a book – anything that doesn’t involve a screen.

Your bed/bedroom is too uncomfortable

An uncomfortable bed could also be preventing you from getting to sleep. If you suffer from any kind of back or joint pain, you may find that a soft mattress exacerbates the pain, whilst a firm mattress provides more support. Alternatively, some people may prefer a soft mattress that they can sink into. It’s also important that your bedding doesn’t make your too hot or cold – consider using different materials of sheets for different seasons to help regulate temperature more easily.

You’ve been lying in too late

Lying in late will make it harder to go to sleep at a reasonable time. Because you haven’t been awake long enough, your body and brain won’t be ready to sleep. Try making an effort to get up earlier even if you have no reason to. If it’s your day off from work, you may still be able to get a lie in – you may just want to keep a cut off point such as 10am to prevent you lying in too long so that you can then go to bed at a reasonable time the following night.

Beating The Bloat In Time For Summer

Even the most in-shape of us can suffer from bloating from time to time. Bloating can be uncomfortable, make you feel heavy and affect how your clothes fit. Bloating can be caused by many things, but there are some solutions you can try to reduce bloating and feel great in your own skin. Here are some suggestions for beating the bloat in time for summer.

Photo by Joseph Greve on Unsplash

Pay attention to what makes you bloat

Bloating can be triggered by all kinds of foods. From starchy carbs to certain types of vegetables, you can soon start to recognize which foods are making you bloat. You can take a look at some common foods that trigger bloating and establish some patterns to help you work out what to avoid on the days where bloating isn’t an option.

Cut down on alcohol

Alcohol can cause many adverse effects, and one of them is bloating. Alcohol can cause the typical stomach bloating, but it can also make your face and body bloating as a result of the dehydration it causes. If you think you can cut back on your alcohol intake, consult the Stop Drinking Expert to get some help. Alcohol can lead to weight gain and problem skin, so if you want to look your best, then it doesn’t hurt to cut back.

Make sure you hydrate yourself

Bloating can happen easily when you’re dehydrated. Your body will retain water easily, leading you to feel bloated and uncomfortable. Staying hydrated is the answer, so make sure you drink plenty of water - especially if it’s hot or you’ve been working out. Soda drinks can make bloating worse, so try to avoid carbonated drinks if you’re having a flare-up.

Keep moving

Exercise can help relieve bloating, even if it feels like the last thing you want to do! Regular exercise will help digestion and make sure you keep things ticking over. If you don’t feel like going for a run or doing some cardio while bloated, take a look at some empowering strength training instead. Some exercise will soon have you feeling better and help keep you regular too.

Get checked out

If your bloating is recurrent and causing you pain, you should make an appointment with your doctor. Bloating can be caused by conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other conditions, which can leave sufferers suffering regular, painful bloating. Getting a diagnosis can help you get the treatment you need to manage your condition and soon help you feel better.

Bloating affects most people, and while it can be a misery to deal with, you can learn to manage it with the right approach to your health and well-being. Eat the right foods, get moving and make sure you don’t do anything that exasperates your symptoms. In most cases, bloating will pass quickly, allowing you to enjoy your summer wardrobe while feeling relaxed and comfortable.

Hair Regrowth Doesn't Mean Surgery

A lot of individuals suffering from hair loss mistakenly believe that their only solution is surgery. Understandably, many people do not want to go down this route. However, what they do not realise is that there are other options available.

Photo from Pixabay

You can treat your hair loss and feel confident again via utilising medical methods of hair restoration. That’s right; there are several different types of medication available to deal with various kinds of hair loss. Therefore, the chances of you needing surgery are minimised.

From being one of the more common ovarian cancer symptoms to occurring purely through stress, so many people suffer hair loss today for different reasons. However, there are options when it comes to treatment. Keep reading to discover more about the medical options at your disposal…

Minoxidil

Let’s begin with one of the most popular medications for hair loss; Minoxidil. This option is utilized both to slow balding and to stimulate hair growth as well. It is believed that it is most effective for individuals who are under the age of 40 and have started using the medication as soon as possible. This medication comes in a liquid form. Individuals who utilize it are supposed to apply it to their scalp two times a day. It is extremely important to be aware of the fact that if you exceed this recommended dosage you won’t actually promote faster growth of hair. In fact, the only thing you are doing is increasing your chance of suffering from side effects.
Propecia 

In addition to Minoxidil, Propecia is another popular medication utilized for hair loss. Nevertheless, this is only used to treat male pattern baldness. It should never be taken by women as it can have serious implications on pregnancy. You may also commonly see this medicine called Finasteride. So, how does it work? You will take Propecia in the form of a tablet and it has the effect of reducing hair loss rather than stimulating growth. This type of medication is not for everyone. As is the case with all types of hair restoration, it is important to make sure you have a proper consultation beforehand.

Avodart

Aside from the two medications that have already been mentioned, you also have the option of utilising Avodart. This is also commonly labeled Dutasteride. Similarly to Propecia, this is a medical option which is effective when it comes to treating male pattern hair loss specifically. Avodart works via inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase. This is the enzyme which is responsible for producing dihydrotestosterone (DHT) – the hormone which is found in increased amounts when in relation to a male who suffers from male pattern baldness. By inhibiting this enzyme the result is that the formation of DHT is actually blocked and therefore this stops male pattern hair loss from occurring as a result.

Avodart, Minoxidil, and Propecia are definitely the three most common medicines used in order to treat hair loss. Nonetheless, you should never jump right in and purchase one of these medications. This is highly ill-advised. You need to have a thorough consultation with a professional who will talk you through your options and suggest the best medication based on your type of hair loss specifically.

Driving Up Efficiency

For most of us at least, driving is something of a necessity. Whether we’re part of the daily commute, dropping the children to school or carrying out errands without our cars we’d all be a little lost. That doesn’t mean we don’t find it an expensive necessity. What with the cost of insurance, petrol and not to mention wear and tear, running a car is quite the investment. That’s why a small saving here or there pays dividends. Watch them add up and year on year get the cost of your motoring right down. We take a look at cutting your driving costs, without cutting corners.

Photo from Pexels

Fuel

Making your fuel go further isn’t just about finding cheaper pumps, it’s just as dependent on making your car as fuel efficient as possible. There are quite a few ways you can achieve this: always have your tyres inflated to the correct pressure. Flatter tyres cause drag which in turn forces the car to use more fuel moving them forward.

You might also want to consider opening a window, rather than cracking up the air con. One of the worst culprits for fuel consumption, air con burns through petrol. This only applies at lower speeds, at higher speeds the drag from an open window takes effect.

Finally, remove anything extra that’s weighing your car down. Take off the roof box or luggage rack and clear the boot. Making your car lighter will help it become more efficient and not have to work quite so hard to keep you moving.

Insurance

Quite simply you need to shop around and find out what the average car insurance cost is. Then look to beat it on price comparison sites and so on. You might even find talking to a broker scores you a cheaper deal with some extras thrown in.

Whoever you choose to go with for insurance, you’ll need to make sure that you read the small print. As time consuming as this is, this is where you’ll find out that your amazing deal is cheap for a reason. Check that you’re adequately covered when driving abroad and if you’re entitled to any legal/breakdown assistance in the event of an accident. 

Lastly, shop around. Save up and use supermarket offers on fuel and look for online offers, such as Groupon, for servicing that keep your car in great condition. The more efficiently it runs, the less fuel you’ll be wasting. Learn to drive smoothly and avoid over accelerating, come to a halt and speed up again slowly and think about your road position to reduce unnecessary mileage on your clock.  Try and drive in as high a gear as you can. Keep your vehicle light and the tyres pumped up for better performance and less cash spent out.

Shop around for great insurance deals but make sure you know what value you’re getting for your money when you sign on the dotted line.

Driving is necessary but expensive, use these tips to reduce your costs and you’ll be cruising into a fuel efficient future.

5 Simple Tips for Making the Best First Impression on a Date

Disclaimer: this is a guest post.

Photo from Pixabay

Undoubtedly, everyone searches for the universal formula in making a good first impression on a date. Finally, they find what they’ve been looking for, but there are too many people and too many different opinions about this issue. We offer you truly universal tips that can work with completely different ladies, even if you want to try dating Philippine women on pinalove. 1. Always be on time
In a modern world, we are taught to respect our time, especially if we are very busy persons. As years go by, we start to understand its immeasurable value. We make plans, arrange meetings, and keep eyes on clocks. But the rule of punctuality works everywhere, especially on dates.

What can tardiness tell about a person, if you see them the first time in your life? Surely, it is a sign of disrespect to your own time. Non-punctual people seem to be focused entirely on their own personalities. Simply put, they are egoists. The more time is passed since you’ve been waiting, the more reckless and disrespectful you will seem to your partner. Moreover, it makes a negative impression even before you see each other.

Therefore, make sure there will be no obstacles and time-consuming occupations on a day of your date. Plan everything in advance, go out a bit earlier than you need to avoid traffic jams. Just be on time – this is really the simplest thing you can do to impress her.

2. Take special care of your appearance
The way you look tells 80% of information about your personality. Laziness, creativity, lifestyle, taste – all these features can be read from your clothes and appearance.

It is not enough to dress the best clothes you have. This is, actually, the most obvious demand. They should be clean and well ironed. Prepare your clothes in advance so not to face an unpleasant surprise on a day of your date. Groom your beard and give it the best and neatest shape if it is dense. If you haven’t shaved for a week, get rid of this repulsive stubble. Also, cut your nails or get a professional manicure, take a shower, wash your hair. If you feel it’s time to have your hair cut, then visit a barbershop.

Many people claim that appearance is not the most important thing. For building a relationship, it's really not the primary person’s feature. However, when you see them first time, you cannot underestimate its power.

3. Shake hands
This tiny inconspicuous gesture has become a strong sign of good manners many years ago. There is a serious reason why shaking hands is considered mandatory in many cultures. It is a symbol of peace, a sign that two people have no evil intentions and they are open for building a relationship. Today, a rejection to shake hands is considered a huge humiliation, so you can understand the whole power of this ritual.

In many cultures, women accept shaking hands with men on a date as equals. It is more common for the western culture where women are more emancipated.

4. Avoid physical boundaries
It is very important to be close to your date, both physically (but not too much) and psychologically. Many dating coaches admit that any physical boundary between two people lowers the level of intimacy even if they meet for the first time. Such position is a certain message that explains you want to build a connection and understanding with your partner.

5. Maintain the eye contact
The most vivid sign of a confident and friendly person is the eye contact. With no words it demonstrates your openness and desire to make a connection. Moreover, you show your attention to your date. Finally, do not forget to smile also. These are the simplest steps to help you make the best impression in the very first minutes of your date.

5 Ways to Finally Break Your Alcohol Addiction

Photo from Pixabay

When you hear the word alcohol, you might think about ‘good time’, ‘friends’, and ‘party’. Well, alcohol is not really a terrible thing, it’s just how most people take it. The real problem is, alcohol is the main culprit why people are losing self-control. A lot of road accidents are triggered by drivers who are influenced by alcohol. If you think that you are one of those people who are addicted to alcohol, and want to break free from it, you’ve come to the right place. Before I proceed to explaining how you can control your drinking, you need to know why you need to get motivated to start doing it.

• If you are bearing a child, you can prevent damage to your baby in your womb when you stop drinking. Alcohol is the worse enemy of that little thing inside your womb. 
• It can prevent further damage to your health. According to study, as many people know it, alcohol is the main culprit of liver damage. You don’t want to spend the rest of your lives visiting a doctor, do you? 
• It prevents family problem and other relationship concerns. Why is it so? Once you are influenced by alcohol, you are usually out of control of your emotions, especially your anger. We hear lots of quarrel from our neighbors, and the most probably reason is that the one is under the influence of alcohol. 
• You can prevent from acquiring legal problems due to drinking alcohol. How do alcohol drinking damage your reputation? For example, let’s say you came from a party, and drank just few shots. You drive your way back home, and you bump into a man who suddenly cross the road. Even though the problem is not with you, you will be the one to be blamed especially if you are positive in alcohol test. 
• You can become more productive to you work if you control your drinking. Drinking alcohol is also time consuming. Yes, it is true that you also need to have an enjoyable time, but there is appointed time for everything, and being too addicted to alcohol is truly waste of time.

How can you break your alcohol addiction?

1. Know the cause. 
Some people choose alcohol to divert attention from the problem they are experiencing. According to psychologist, most of alcohol addicts have family problem backgrounds, environment influence, and peer pressure. Are you undergoing with such circumstances? You must self-analyze to know the main cause of your actions, so that you are aware of what to avoid and how to do it.

2. Decide of what you must do.
In other words, you should make plans before it gets too late and you become slave of alcohol. But if you think that you are already indulged in alcohol addiction, you should make a move. Do your plans moderately, and not in an instant.

You must be realistic with your plans. The more unrealistic it seems, the more you’ll find it hard to achieve. If you have alcohol addiction for quite long time, you have to reduce your alcohol intake little by little.

For you to achieve the goal of breaking alcohol addiction, you must put your date of when you should achieve it. Write it down in the paper or sticky note, then stick it to the wall or refrigerator where you can easily see it. Let’s say you have three months to achieve it. In the first week of achieving your goal, you can try to control your drinking into 3 times a week. Then, minimize again for another week until you finally get rid of alcohol.

3.Share you plans with others.
Tell it to the people that mostly care about you – your family. Inform that you are planning to break from alcohol addiction, and they can help you to monitor and encourage you from time to time when you seem keeping out the pace of your plans.

4. Do not get downhearted by your relapse. 
There are times that you get relapsed with your plans of not drinking. But do not give up! Just because you failed for certain time, you’ll stop trying. Repeat again and continue the progress you are making.

5. Divert your attention.
You don’t need to drink alcohol just to have a good time. You can enjoy, even without it. Instead of focusing your mind with the alcohol, why don’t you spend the time with your friends, family, and kids? There are lots of things to do than drinking. Doing outdoor activities can help you to divert your attention and make you feel that drinking isn’t the only way to have fun.

Think of the good reasons why you need to stop your alcohol addiction. Get motivated, and visit a doctor if necessary. Do not give up, and all your sacrifices will reap its fruits.

Holiday Romance: Pros and Cons

Disclaimer: this is a guest post.

A holiday romance can turn your vacation into a real adventure. But in order for such relationships to leave only good memories and not turn into bitter disappointment, you need to follow certain rules.

These tips were kindly provided by Jump 4 Love. There are no people with whom it doesn’t happen. Once or several times, leaving good or, conversely, sad memories, a holiday romance happened with many. Holiday romances are good for those who know how to quickly let it go and forget; who is able to turn off emotions at the right time and turn on the mind again. It is also great for those who treat life easily, like thrills, don’t strive for serious relationships and don’t want to create a strong family. For such people, a holiday romance is like energy for their “battery” of love, new feelings, emotions, and impulses.

What are the pros of holiday romance? 

Photo by India Tupy on Unsplash

Improvement of self-esteem. Nothing convinces a man of his irresistibility like compliments and attention from the opposite sex. But here it is necessary to be cautious because self-esteem can increase during romance, but greatly decrease after its completion.

Feeling of happiness. Going on vacation, most people leave their worries and problems at home and it helps them feel really happy. But this feeling can intensify into a hundredfold when you begin to communicate with new people and feel the obvious interest of beautiful girls.

New experiences and sensations. You met a new person and got a new experience of communication (not only mental). You can meet again in the future if it is really good to be together. Who knows, maybe you can start a relationship built outside carefree holidays. Undoubtedly, you can gain experience in personal relationships. Such a holiday romance doesn’t oblige you to anything. It allows you to fully reveal yourself and implement even the most intimate fantasies. You can remain yourself or play a role that you could only dream of at home, for example, to become a reckless hooligan.

Revaluation of life values. Perhaps, this is one of the most useful aspects of holiday romance. After a man experiences very strong emotions, he usually overestimates his own life and what was once important for him.

Careless life. You are perfectly rested, let all your feelings, desires, and impulses go, satisfy all your fantasies, allow yourself just to enjoy life. Love. This point is in the last positions completely not in vain, since such relations very rarely become serious. So, there is always a chance that you will be lucky and meet true love as in holiday romance movies.

What are the cons of holiday romance?

Photo by Timothy Kolczak on Unsplash

Venereal diseases. No one should forget about one’s own protection. Whatever emotions and impulses you feel, no matter how this romance ends, including sexual relations, contraception may protect you from many possible unpleasant consequences! Don’t forget about it.

Scammers. Experienced scammers always know where they can profit. So, very often they go to different resorts. After all, it is very simple to deceive relaxed, having a rest and nothing unsuspecting holiday-makers. Therefore, be very careful and vigilant. You have to be very careful when getting acquainted with new people.

Suffering from unrequited feelings. If you are careless and fall in love with your new acquaintance, who doesn’t reciprocate to you, this can turn into a serious problem for you. But in addition to suffering from unrequited love, you can drive yourself into a kind of “emotional trap” that will not let you go any further and establish a serious relationship.