*This article is for recovering addicts and how you can stay sober while traveling.

“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac

Traveling may bring a multitude of new sights, new experiences and new cultures. However, as a recovering addict, there is one very important fact you need to remember – you are still YOU. You still have your “triggers,” you still have your weaknesses and, ultimately, you still have your addiction. Therefore, it is essential that you prepare yourself prior to making your trip.

Don’t get me wrong. It is not dangerous for you to have travel as an integral part of your recovery; in fact, quite the opposite. It will broaden your mind and give you, hopefully, fresh perspectives on how you can best live the life you want and deserve.

However, for travel to impact upon you in the best possible way, preparation is the key. Remember the “Failing to prepare is preparing to fail” edict? This is so relevant to you as a recovering addict for you will have much to lose. No-one is more aware of that than you.

This article will provide you with 5 essential tips for ensuring you maintain your hard-fought sobriety when confronted with new sights, experiences and cultures. These tips are designed to assist you make the right choices and decisions whilst traveling. As a recovering addict myself, and a guy who loves to travel as often as possible, what I wish to share has come about through good advice from others and positive experiences.

Recovery Relapse Plan

In the more secure and stable environment of your home and your local community, you have successfully created a life that keeps you sober, free of alcohol and/or drug use. Part of your success is this familiarity with your daily life, your daily routine and your local support; be that friends, sponsors, meetings, etc. When you are travelling, away on your vacation, these things are removed from you. Therefore, it is up to you to develop your own relapse prevention plan.

You should:

• Tell your sponsor (if you have one) about your travel plans. As with everything else, it should not be a secret. Should you feel that you need to speak to your sponsor, let this person know that he or she will be the first person you call.
• Tell your family and friends. Let them know that you may feel the need to call them too.

As part of your recovery, you will have identified your triggers, and physical and mental scenarios that have previously led you to addictive behaviour. Be introspective and analyze those triggers again. Remind yourself of them fully and be completely aware of the danger they pose to your sobriety.

Organize Activities

A vacation should be just that – time for you to rest and relax. However, as a recovering addict, you will know that boredom, inactivity and the compulsion to do something active always needs to be addressed.

So, in your travel plans, incorporate activities, tours, and other scheduled events to ensure this doesn’t happen. Whatever type of vacation you are planning, engage in activities as part of a group. Remember, for you, isolation is not your friend.

Keeping Your Routine

If you are able, incorporate as much of your normal daily routine into your days while on vacation. For example, attend meetings, maintain your healthy diet and exercise regime, and keep a journal of thoughts and feelings. Even waking at your usual time will help you maintain your equilibrium in your temporary new surroundings. Always endeavor to maintain whatever works as part of your usual recovery routine in this new one.

Sober Vacation Websites

Did you know that these even existed? Well, they do – for the sole needs of those like you and I that require assistance with our travel preparations. For example, Sober Vacations International offer a wide-ranging variety of vacations, from safaris to cruises to all-inclusive beach resorts. Sober Travelers offer vacations specifically based around the 12-Step Program. Even Expedia can provide a whole host of destinations designed for those wishing to keep their sobriety.

….and ENJOY!

By incorporating all of the above into your travel preparations, you will dramatically increase your chances of a relapse-free trip. So there’s only one thing left for you to do. Quite simply, enjoy yourself.

From my own experiences, traveling has given me a much clearer view on how I wish to lead my new life. Living sober (as I have done for a significant number of years now) has not stopped me from wanting to enjoy every moment of my travels. The people I have met, the new sober friends I have made, the cultures I have learned from – all of it is now an integral part of my personal recovery. It can be for you as well.

Happy, Safe & Sober

Let’s recap. Your 5 essential tips for keeping your sobriety when traveling are these: work out your personal relapse prevention plan, organize activities for your destination, keep as much of your daily routine as possible, make use of the available sober vacation websites, and, last but definitely not least, go and enjoy yourself. If you have any other advice for fellow recovering addicts with regard to ensuring their sobriety when traveling, please feel free to share in the comments below.

One last quote for you, one that I totally agree with.

“Hey, people who travel with their bed pillow. You look insane.” – Jim Gaffigan

Happy, safe and sober travels to you all.

See Also: 6 Steps to have a Stress Free Travel including Yoga

 

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There’s news about the student loan crisis just about every day. College tuition is going up at a greater rate than wages. Daycare costs more than college, leaving parents unable to save beforehand. The average student graduates with over $37,000 in student loan debt, often deferring payments and increasing their debt overall.

According to Florida Representative Dennis Ross, “Unfortunately, most students today are saddled with extraordinary debt and are entering one of the weakest economic recoveries in history. . . More than 43 million Americans owe nearly $1.3 trillion in student loans, with a repayment delinquency rate of 11.6 percent. That’s more than $150 billion in student loan delinquency, not including interest. This is a serious problem we cannot continue to ignore.”

An Educated Workforce Is Better For The Economy

We all know that individuals who have achieved a higher level of education do better financially in the long run, but that principle also scales to the entire economy. Our economy actually does better when more people are better educated.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, investing in education is the single best thing we can do as a society to better the lives of individuals. In a recent study, they found:

• States with the highest wages are also the best educated
• Investing in education can lead to greater economic opportunity
• States with more educated workers can attract higher wage jobs
• Initial investment in education can return greater tax income to the state in the long run as wages grow

See Also: How a 529 Plan Can Help You Save for Your College Education

Why Employers Should Pitch In

Even if some magical force rendered college tuition free tomorrow, we would still have an entire generation of students saddled with student loan debt. More and more companies are offering signing bonuses, tuition reimbursement, and other forms of help for students these days. Companies want to attract and retain top talent, and offering relief from student loans is certainly likely to help you keep your employees happy.

In one study, healthcare giant Cigna was able to achieve a 129% ROI on its tuition reimbursement program, mainly through retaining talent. In that same study, employees who took advantage of the program were able to gain promotions within the company, resulting in an average wage increase of 43%.

Even companies like Best Buy and Starbucks are investing in the education of their workforce, with Starbucks explaining, “College education is a priority for Starbucks partners, but for many, the rise in tuition costs has put college out of reach. We know that there is a clear and demonstrated value of having a college degree, both the opportunity it affords and the measurable impact on earning potential throughout a lifetime.”

One of the student loan repayment proposals on the table right now was proposed by U.S. Representative Dennis Ross. Under his plan employers would get tax credits for matching up to $500 a year in student loan repayment for up to 3 years, but only for students who have an associates degree or higher and who have more than $10,000 in student loan debt. Says Ross of the plan, “Overall, this bill is designed to help students become gainfully employed and pay off their loans while employers are benefited by hiring skilled and educated employees with a vested interest in long-term employment.”

Work Study Programs May Not Be Enough

Many students opt to take advantage of work study or resident advisor positions in order to lessen the burden of college costs, but that may not be enough. If employers can pitch in to make up the difference, there will be a better educated and less burdened talent pool to be attracted and retained, and there may even be some tax benefit to employers in the near future.

See Also: 7 Ways to Save Money while Earning a College Degree 

Student loans follow people around for the rest of their lives, unable to be bankrupted. In today’s economy with stagnating wages and greater competition over jobs, student loan debt is tantamount to a noose around your employees’ necks.

Preventing student loan debt before it starts is crucial to loosening those nooses. Learn more about the possible alternatives to student loan debt from this infographic. You might be surprised how many other options are out there!

Source

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Retirement does not mean that a senior just has to sit at home and do nothing. Many seniors prefer to work even after they have crossed the retirement age. Some seniors actually perceive this as a golden opportunity to follow their long forgotten entrepreneurship dreams.

Listed below are 10 businesses that seniors can successfully run from home.

Knitting

Knitting is an excellent activity to be pursued in the later years. It is known to reduce stress and boost self-esteem and cognitive functions.

Recently, 91-year-old Morrie Boogart became an inspiration for seniors when he didn’t let his limited mobility stand in the way of helping homeless and needy in Michigan.

Seniors who know how to knit or have learnt it as a new hobby in their golden years can knit beautiful pieces and then turn this hobby into a business. They can even create a blog and sell their products online along with donating some to a charity. They can even help the needy with the proceeds of the sales.

Crocheting

Just like knitting, crocheting is also an amazing activity for seniors who are skilled. They can make their crocheted goods and sell it in the market or to a reseller. They can even setup a small shop in their home and earn in their golden years. It will keep seniors busy and provide a sense of being resourceful and independent.

Freelance Writing

Seniors with good writing skills can also become freelance writers or become text brokers if they know people who can write and have great marketing skills. It allows them to keep on searching for new things and gaining knowledge about a variety of things, even in senior years, while providing a way to make money.

Writing is known to boost mental wellbeing as it keeps us engaged in reading, researching and finding new stuff to write about.

Blogging

Blogging is a way of sharing ideas, professional and personal experiences with the world. Seniors can create their own blog and give space on their website to place advertisements so they can earn some extra money or by affiliate marketing. With so many years and experiences behind them, seniors have a lot they can share with their readers.

Teaching

Another potential way of making money in one’s golden years is teaching. Seniors who are devoted to helping children and adults solve math problems, gain knowledge or learn new skills, like knitting, crocheting, sewing, pottery, painting, sketching, cooking, dancing, hairstyling, make up, and many others, can consider becoming a teacher.

Along these lines, a senior can set up a school and become a private teacher or an online teacher. It can be a part-time or full-time job entirely depending on how much time they have got to spend.

Consulting

Seniors must focus on opportunities that can leverage their years of work and career experience, such as consulting. Consulting is a great business for retirees who have learned a lot from their life lessons and previous jobs. Such experiences make seniors well positioned to convey their opinions and share their knowledge.

It is not necessary to share knowledge through face-to-face meetings. Freelance writing and blogging can also be pursued as ways of engaging in an online community, hence, generating income.

Gardening Maintenance Services

Elderly who have sufficient knowledge in gardening can offer their skilled services even in their neighborhood so they don’t have to go to remote areas. This provides a source of income with an opportunity to make new friends and socialize.

Gardening is a relaxing activity, known to alleviate stress and help stay fresh in golden years.

Pet Sitting

Pet sitting is one of the best ways to earn while enjoying the time spent with a furry friend. This is not only a way to make money post-retirement. It is also an effective kind of therapy to find relaxation and a sense of purpose in one’s golden years.

Seniors who love spending time with animals can consider pet sitting. They can ask their neighbors to let them know if they need a pet sitter or even their family members so they can earn while enjoying some time with loving creatures.

Babysitting

Seniors who enjoy the company of children can make great babysitters as they have sufficient knowledge of handling little children and helping them with their concerns like home work, hair-dos, dressing, eating meals, dealing with a bully in school etc.

Spending time with children provides seniors with enthusiasm to help them pursue their goals and share thoughts to let their inner artist shine. In fact, children can make us learn a lot of new things as well.

Cooking – Takeaway Restaurant

Seniors who can cook amazingly delicious dishes can open a takeaway restaurant in their own homes. They can take orders via the phone or online.

Cooking will not only give seniors an opportunity to earn, but will also motivate to do more. This way, senior can also help the poor and needy people by giving food or some money that they have earned.

These are some of the amazing, fun and resourceful ways of making money after retirement. They provide the elderly with a sense of purpose, self-satisfaction, daily motivation, and a boost in one’s physical and mental being. Overall, this helps seniors enjoy an active and happy life in one’s golden years.

See Also: Retirement Activities that are Financially Viable 

 

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Car accidents are on the rise all over the world. Statistics show that approximately 115 people die every day in traffic accidents. Car crashes also cost $43 billion each year in lost wages, medical bills and property damage.

Below is an overview of personal injury law, when to hire a personal injury lawyer, and how it can help accident victims obtain compensation.

Statute Of Limitations On Personal Injury Cases

Each area of residence has their own guidelines when it comes to personal injury cases. So, how long after the car accident can you claim injury? This depends on where you live. Many places have a 2 year statute of limitations, while others may have 3 years or more.

Common Car Accident Causes

While there are many different ways car accidents occur, some are more common than others. The most common causes of car accidents include:

1. Driving While Texting Or Talking On A Cell Phone
2. Being Distracted By Vehicle Occupants
3. Driving Under The Influence Of Drugs Or Alcohol
4. Speeding
5. Road Rage
6. Tailgaiting
7. Aggressive Driving

Typical Accident Injuries

People can sustain many different types of injuries after an accident. The most commonly reported accident injuries resulting from car crashes are:

1. Broken Bones
2. Crush Injuries
3. Internal Organ Damage
4. Spinal Cord Injuries
5. Brain Injuries
6. Neck And Back Injuries
7. Facial Fractures

Proving Negligence

Obtaining a settlement for injuries sustained in a car accident personal injury claim depend on your ability to prove that another driver was negligent and caused you to be hurt. Negligence means the other driver did not take reasonable steps to avoid the accident and your injuries are the direct result of his negligence.

How Much Is My Claim Worth?

Just how much your claim is worth depends on the severity of your injuries and whether or not you are disabled due to the accident. You will be awarded more money if you cannot return to work or cannot perform the same job due to your injuries. Personal injury lawyers use a car accident claim calculator to determine just how much you should seek in a lawsuit. For this reason, it is important to hire an attorney who has extensive experience in calculating medical bills, lost wages and expenses in these types of cases so you are awarded a fair settlement.

See Also: What To Look For In A Good Health Insurance Plan 

Expenses And Damages

You may be awarded a monetary settlement for certain types of expenses and damages after a car accident. Some examples of these damages and expenses include:

1. Ambulance Costs
2. Emergency Room Fees
3. Hospital Bills
4. Cost Of Alternative Transportation
5. Doctor Fees
6. Cost Of Occupational, Physical And Speech Therapy
7. Price Of Mental Health Counseling

If your injuries are extensive, you may also be awarded damages for emotional distress or pain and suffering.

See Also: 5 Financial Emergencies Everyone Must Be Prepared For 

What A Personal Injury Attorney Can Do For You

If you are considering filing a car crash injury claim, it may benefit you to hire an experienced personal injury attorney. These claims are very complex and must be handled with care to be successful.

You can be helped with the following items:

1. Hire Accident Investigators To Prove Your Case
2. Recreate The Accident Scene
3. Obtain Police Reports Pertaining To The Accident
4. Speak With Medical Experts And Doctors About Your Injuries
5. Negotiate With The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Company
6. File Your Case In Court
7. Attend Hearings
8. Represent You During A Trial

If you have been involved in an accident and sustained injuries, contact a personal injury attorney for advice. After speaking with you, an attorney will let you know if you have a valid case and how to proceed. Retaining legal counsel may also reduce the stress that is always a part of accident cases, which may allow you to focus on your recovery.

 

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Valentine’s day is just around the corner and if you are a man who hasn’t figured out the best Valentine’s gift for her yet, now is probably the right time to narrow down your choices. Deciding on the last minute isn’t only stressful but it can also put you at risk of buying the wrong gift. For Valentine’s Day, you want your partner to feel as special as possible.

To make sure you impress your loved one, here are 6 awesome Valentine’s gift ideas you should consider this year.

If you’re still dating…

Camera

If your girlfriend likes keeping memories, a good instant camera won’t fail you. Polaroid-style instant print cameras make a great choice since they have a vintage feel and they’re very portable. She can easily take her camera with her during trips. She can even take pictures of your special day together.

In case your girlfriend is into photography, you can give her something fancy, like a complete camera bundle. You can buy the items separately and just bundle them on your own or you can pick a store that sells camera-related products in packages.

Make sure that there’s an SD Card, tripod, extra battery and a case apart from the camera.

New makeup

Girls can’t resist makeup. Whether it’s another bottle of her favorite foundation or a set of limited edition lipsticks, you won’t have a hard time making her smile this Valentine’s Day.

When choosing makeup, make sure you know what your girlfriend’s skin type is. The right shade counts, too. These things are very important to consider, especially if you are planning to buy a face makeup. The last thing you want to happen is to buy an expensive foundation that’s several shades off.

For a safer choice, stick with an eye shadow pallet. Most pallets come with several shades she can use for work, special events and date nights. There are also lipstick pallets that go on sale during Valentine’s Day.

Pro-Tip: Ask her sister or friend to help you choose the right brand or shades if you’re unsure.

If you’re newly married…

Jewelry

Diamonds are women’s best friend. This, however, doesn’t mean that any kind of jewelry won’t make a good pal. Women like jewelry because they can add style and spice even to a plain and simple outfit.

Pearl jewelry, for example, makes a good choice since it reflects innocence. It can complete a woman’s classic look and may even produce a calming effect. The nice thing about pearls is that they come in a variety of colors and even sizes. Pick one that can reflect your partner’s unique personality.

Heart-shaped jewelry is also a good valentine’s gift. You can pick out the right metal and stone depending on her preference or personality. As for the base, find one that fits your budget. Gold is more durable and long-lasting but it tends to be expensive. Silver looks stylish and it’s more affordable.

A romantic getaway

Just because you’ve already tied the knot doesn’t mean that you can skip the romantic trips you used to take back then when you were still dating. The nice thing about being married when you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day is that it gives you more time to spend with your loved one. You should know her a little bit more, too.

You can go hiking, or book a vacation outside of the city or even out of the country. Imagine yourself sitting in a tropical beach on a warm and balmy day.

There are tons of packages available during Valentine’s Day so you won’t have a hard time finding one. The problem, however, is that a lot of people tend to book on the same season. To save yourself from the stress, decide early on the trip you want to take and book right away.

Apart from booking the trip, it’s a good idea to add in a few surprises, too. You can plan a romantic dinner or pack her favorite bottle of wine. You can call for room service and bring her breakfast in bed.

If you are already married for several years…

A planner

Whether your partner works a 9-to-5 job or she’s a full-time wife/mom, a planner would surely be a great help. It can help her keep track of important things, like your kids’ school play, meetings or due payments.

Apart from helping her remember things and plan her time better, a planner can also decrease her stress level. She can use it as a journal for venting out feelings. Planners are great for keeping memories as well. She can use it to track habits, too.

To make a simple planner more romantic this Valentine’s Day, sneak in a few surprises before you actually hand her the gift. You can block out specific dates in the calendar and plan something special for those days. You can write sweet notes on it, too.

At-home spa

If taking your wife on a spa getaway isn’t feasible, you can try recreating the same experience at home. A foot massage is the ultimate way to pamper her, and the Electronic Foot File with Diamond Crystals from Amopé makes it easy to give her a spa quality foot treatment in the privacy of your own home.

Add some candles and lotion and you have everything you need for a romantic night in. And the best part? This gift lasts long after roses have died and will become a staple in her beauty routine.

In preparing her home spa experience, make her as comfortable as possible by setting the right temperature. Don’t forget to put out warm fluffy towels, a clean robe and pair of slippers, too. Spritz some lavender scent in the air. You can even add some rose petals to make her feel that she is really in a spa salon.

This special day, make your beloved feel pampered, special, and loved. Remember… Happy wife, happy life.

Good luck and may your Valentine’s Day celebration be memorable and unforgettable.

 

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I have a good friend who recently received some bad news concerning his health. A couple of days later, this same friend bumped into a co-worker in the hallway at his office.

When my buddy asked his colleague how his day was going, the guy replied, “It’s OK, but I sure can’t wait until this week is over!”

My friend just nodded and walked back to his cubicle with tears in his eyes. He recognized himself in that sentiment and couldn’t count the number of times he’d wished his days away, just waiting for something better to come along.

What he wouldn’t give, he told me, if he could go back in time and really squeeze the most out of each day and drink in all it had to offer.

Every day is full of the opportunity to make yourself happy right where you are if you’ll only put forth the effort. And, by enabling yourself to enjoy the journey, you might be surprised by how much more productive you become in the process.

With that in mind, here are four ways you can make today a joy for yourself and for those around while also getting more done than you have in years.

Engage

Do you like meetings? If you do, you’re in the definite minority and may be already more contented at work than the average American.

Truth is, most people dread meetings like the tax man, and usually for good reason. Meetings often are boring, and they don’t do much to help you get your job done.

But there’s a little trick you can use to turn every meeting into a stimulating and enriching experience: actively engage.

That might sound corny and idealistic, but it’s a practical tactic that you can put to good use with just a few simple steps:

• Review the meeting agenda ahead of time. If the organizer doesn’t send an agenda, email him to ask for one or politely decline the meeting invite.
• Leave your electronic gadgets in your office. Do you really think you’re so important the world can’t survive an hour without your email replies?
• Arrive early and review the agenda again.
• Greet each meeting participant as they arrive.
• Watch each participant as they speak and try to get a read on their body language as they express their points. How engaged and passionate are they?
• Take notes.
• Add your two cents when you have something valuable to say.

Taken together, these steps won’t eat much more of your day than that hated meeting already would have, but they will make that time much more productive for you. You’ll come away with a better understanding of the issues discussed, you’ll feel like part of the process again, and you’ll strengthen connections with your co-workers.

This advice doesn’t apply to just meetings, either.

If you want to be happy where you are and when you are, make an honest effort to engage in what you’re doing throughout your day, both at home and at work.

See Also: 6 Ways Happiness Can Help You Be Better At Work 

Have a Goal

One of the best ways to engage your situation is to always have a goal for what you’re doing.

In that hypothetical meeting we discussed above, maybe your goal is to ask enough questions that your boss finally explains what he means by “failure is not an option.”

If you’re stuck doing yard work on a beautiful spring weekend, your goal might be to finish cleaning the flower gardens by Sunday afternoon so that next weekend is free.

Once you have a target in front of your face, work tends to go much faster. Even better, it’s infinitely more enjoyable to tackle a challenge in your job or at home than it is to just punch the clock and wait for the bell to save you.

Consider these two scenarios:

You come to work, sit down at your desk, check your email, maybe peck away at a few memos you need to write. If you’re lucky, you can waste enough time to get you to your 10-o’-clock coffee break and then maybe play solitaire until lunchtime.

OR

You come to work, sit down at your desk, and pull up your list of daily goals. The first one is to complete a memo to your boss about a big case you’re working on. You give yourself a deadline of Noon for finishing the report and then dive in to pull together the information you need and start writing

Now, which of the two mornings will make you feel more engaged in your job? Which will leave you with a feeling of accomplishment? And which do you think will go faster?

In almost every case, it’s the second scenario when you’re working toward a clear goal.

Whatever you’re doing, and whenever you’re doing it, set a goal of some sort. Even if you’re “just” mowing the lawn or reading a book, make sure you have a target or you’re just going through the motions.

And that’s a sure road to a gloomy disposition and wasted time.

Solve a Problem

Sometimes our jobs and our home life don’t present clear goals to us. In those cases, you might have to get creative.

For instance, some programming jobs I’ve had are cyclical in nature. The team might work on a project 60 hours a week for six months and then have a two-month stretch when we’re basically just minding the store.

There will be occasional break-fixes during this period, but no heavy-duty development is happening.

How do you stay engaged and set goals during this kind fo “down time”?

Easy … solve a problem!

No matter how bored you think you are or how convinced you are that all of your work is done, there is always a problem — somewhere — that needs your attention. They’re often insidious, too, because we find ways to work around them rather than address them, and that just lets them fester and grow.

For instance …

How about tackling that drippy faucet in your bathroom sink before it stains the basin any further?

Or maybe you could fix that funky display error you noticed on your company’s website a while back but that, for some reason, no one has reported — yet.

Or how about something bigger? You know how your teenage son seems to have grown moodier and very quiet in recent weeks? Maybe you should take him out for a run or to play some catch and see if you can break through that shell to find out what’s going on.

Problems come in all shapes and sizes, so you can start small if you’re intimidated. But actively working on the troubles in your life, whatever they may be, will engage you in the day like nothing else and help you build a happier, healthier future.

Be Grateful

Think back to the story of my friend at the beginning of this piece, and about how he wishes he could go back in time and drink in all the experiences that his job and his life afforded him rather than watching the clock tick away his life.

He wants to fix some of the things he’s done wrong in the past, sure, but he also just wants to the chance to relish the moments that he let slip by.

What he wishes more than anything, though, is that he would have been more grateful for the life he’s lived over these last several decades.

More grateful for his family.

More grateful for his job.

More grateful for his camping trips.

Even more grateful for the Saturday mornings when his wife dragged him into her volunteer activities.

He wishes for this chance at gratitude because he knows now that he won’t always have these things, that they could be gone tomorrow.

But you and I are in a better position than my friend. We have his experience to guide us, and we can learn the lesson from him that he wasn’t able to teach himself until it was, maybe, too late.

Just take a few minutes each day, perhaps in the morning when you rise or at night before you go to bed, to think about all the really good things in your life.

Your family, your job, your house, even your car and your iPad and crisp winter air on a cold January morning.

Make your gratitude more concrete by writing these things down. You can use a Google Doc or a spiral notebook or a cocktail napkin, but just the act of jotting down your blessings will make them more real to you.

Now, after you remind yourself how great it is to have a job in a safe, warm environment with interesting people and steady work, don’t you think it will be easier to enjoy your time in the office? Don’t you think you’ll get more done?

I sure do.

See Also: 9 Baby Steps To Happiness For The Naturally Gloomy 

It’s Later Than You Think

You’re going to die someday and when you do, it will be too late to fix any of the broken pieces you left behind.

It’s easy to get caught up in feeling the impositions of a demanding world and wish for the weekend to hurry up and get here. Or for school to finally be out. Or for the kids to go back to school after Christmas break.

But you don’t have to live this way, and wishing away your life won’t make you happier and it won’t make you more productive.

If you choose to engage in the here and now and relish the opportunities that each day presents, you can enjoy your life — the one you have right now — while moving toward a brighter future.

Don’t wake up one day and wish you had enjoyed the blessings you held in your fingers but were too busy complaining to notice.

 

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The brain is one of the most vital organs in the human body, and it is everyone’s responsibility to keep it in optimal condition. People race for time, information and money nowadays and some even cling to limitless brain pills out of their desire to perform better mentally. However, even with the desperation to become mentally infinite, there is little to no attention given to brain health.

There are many movements and advocacies done to help people lose weight and become more aware of their heart health. Less attention is given to brain health, yet more people are diagnosed with brain illnesses every year.

This increasing growth of brain illnesses is probably because brain damages mostly produce degenerative diseases that aren’t experienced in real time by individuals and the physical changes aren’t so visible. Nonetheless, there is a need for you to know how bad your day-to-day routine might be affecting your brain.

Excessive Coffee

The aroma, the richness and the taste. That’s how we usually start our day. Quitting coffee is probably the craziest thing a sane man would do. However, studies showed that coffee is only healthy when you take in 4 cups with only 100 mg caffeine content. Coffee is an incredibly rich source of antioxidants, however, drinking too much can result in brain damage.

Many people believe coffee to be their morning wake-up call in a cup. Coffee lovers believe that coffee can imbue them with superhuman thinking and wakefulness that help them finish a 4-hour workload much much faster. Unfortunately, that’s not true.

Coffee is not a limitless pill. What coffee does is to hinder your brain’s adenosine receptors to make your brain think that you’re still good for the day and you’re not sleepy yet despite your adenosine levels shouting that you are. Of course, this wears off, and people who need to stay up late drink more coffee to stay awake.

The effect of caffeine hinders or alters the standard brain mechanisms and the body develops tolerance to its effects resulting in coffee addicts drinking more to stay awake and active as they were before.

Frequent Headbutts

There’s nothing wrong with boxing or football except the fact that you have higher chances of headbutts. A lot of sports superstars and athletes lost their brain health at an earlier age because they neglected to take headbutts seriously.

Muhammad Ali and Freddie Roach (Manny Pacquiao’s coach), to name a few, have Parkinson’s disease because they retired a little too late. Numerous football players also developed CTE ( Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy), a progressive, degenerative disease that can be a product of head traumas such as headbutts and concussions.

Constant Exposure To Devices

“Is the drug from Limitless real?”

You may think staying in bed and googling all day is safe, but it’s not.

Constant exposure to devices also has its fair share of damage to the brain as research says. Technology has granted us the capability to be better multi-taskers. However, this caused a shorter span of attention even among adults. This chronic lack of focus is a result of a rewiring in the brain.

Getting used to instant gratification from being able to search things instantly actually rewires the brain and this results in a lack of focus and attention. Expect generation Z to be like this, though.

See Also: 4 Ways Technology is Gradually Ruining Humanity and How to Tackle it

Lack Of Sleep

Aside from cutting off years from your average life expectancy, lack of sleep also damages the brain. Sleeping is the body’s natural way to regenerate new cells even for the brain. Sleeping is also one way for the brain to develop new neural connections, to process the left-over information during the day which usually appears as dreams.

Sleeping is also the time when the brain develops plasticity in brain neurons, aside from brain stimulation. Mental flexibility helps protect the brain from degeneration and eventual cell loss.

Sleep is not just for the weak; it is for everyone.

See Also: Are You Sleep Deprived? 8 Health Risks Of Poor Sleep

Missing Breakfast And Insufficient Water Intake

Not eating breakfast is not just starving your tummy. It is also starving your brain. Lack of nutrients and enough energy to keep your body up and running for another busy day will make your brain work harder. Using your brain without getting enough nutrition is like expecting your car to run without enough gasoline.

Failing during exams is no surprise especially when you don’t usually eat breakfast to start your school day. If you don’t want to fall behind your colleagues when it comes to performance, you should eat your breakfast.

No breakfast, no work.

Another lingering concern that has been given little attention is the lack of water intake. Almost everyone doesn’t count how many of glasses of water they have taken for the day, and this is the reason why most are dehydrated but know nothing nor care about it.

The brain is more than 80 percent water, and having enough water to function, it will result to faster thinking, better focus, creativity, and clarity. The brain knows no other way to store water on its own, so it is important to stay hydrated all the time. Drinking enough water will help both your body and brain in all of their vital functions.

Overeating

In addition to the last item, overeating or binge eating is also not healthy for the human brain. Ever remember having a headache after a hearty meal?

Overeating slows your brain down, and this is why some people feel sleepy when they eat too much. Doing it on a regular basis can also become an addiction in the long run. Eating affects the brain reward system, which releases the hormone Dopamine, or the “feel good” hormone. If you overeat, the brain’s circuitry will change, and it will be difficult for you to control your eating habits.

Researchers think this is the reason why obese or overweight people find it hard to go on a strict diet.

Vices

Needless to say, there’s too much harm in illegal drugs and smoking.

Drug addiction in itself is a brain illness. Nicotine is addictive, and that addiction is a brain disease. Mood and anxiety disorders are said to tie in with drug and nicotine abuse. In fact, researchers think schizophrenia is highly related to smoking.

Although no study has confirmed this yet, we have heard of substance abusers seeing the devil in their mother’s face and what happened next is yours to imagine. Illegal drugs are not the pill from Limitless. It was either Modafinil or Donepezil.

Alcoholics are also subject to long-term brain damages. No one takes alcohol seriously because its effect seems instant and short term, however, there are a few studies that link alcohol to diminishing brain size which affects mental functioning.

Thiamine deficiency among heavy alcohol drinkers also leads to WKS or Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome which affects cognitive function, memory, learning ability, eye nerve paralysis and muscle coordination.

Too Much Sugar and Unhealthy Food

Just like any other drug, there is a need to regulate the use of sugar in every household, especially when you know excessive sugar is addictive. Sugar intake also signals the brain to release dopamine- the reward. The brain will think that this practice is something necessary for survival and will naturally make you desire for more.

People who have too much sugar will have insulin spikes and lows, which eventually makes a super perked person suddenly tired. The only way to become high again? Sugar. People think sugar to be the “new limitless pill,” but it’s not.

“Junk Foods” also have artificial sweetening and may have an excessive amount of sugar; even some cereals can be part of this category.

Lack Of Mental Stimulation

Yes, boredom kills. Lack of mental stimulation will cause brain cells to die faster. There is a need for your brain to develop plasticity to protect the brain from cell death in the future. Solving puzzles, doing a little arithmetic and chess can save you a ton of brain cells.

Researchers suggest that the lack of mental activity or stimulation is the cause of cognitive decline and even dementia. Depression is also highly related to lack of mental activity.

Exercise your brain! Sharpen your memory, solve problems, practice reason and logic, and read. Train your brain.

Lack Of Oxygen When Sleeping And Pollution

Air pollution also causes brain damage. Toxins that live in the city air kills brain cells as numerous studies suggest. Lead exposure, carbon monoxide poisoning, pesticides and mercury toxicity are just a few of the air pollutants that exists in big metros.

Covering your face while sleeping will also cause a severe lack of oxygen which will make the brain suffer. The brain needs oxygen to function, and without enough oxygen, in the bloodstream, it can cause instant brain cell death.

So sleep somewhere not too cold so you won’t have to cover your face when sleeping.

Takeaway

The brain is the body’s headquarters, and it has the chief function of maintaining balance and organization in the entire body. Taking care of the human brain should be on top of everyone’s list. Although the brain can still reproduce brain cells throughout its lifetime, there is no guarantee that the brain is going to replenish them as fast as we lose them.

If you think what you’re doing is not brain damaging, think twice.

 

The post 10 Brain Damaging Activities You Need To Stop Doing Now appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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‘Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone’

~ Pablo Picasso

Procrastination can be one of life’s biggest barriers to success. If we don’t tackle it, it can really prevent us from moving forward towards our goals.

Everyone puts off tasks they don’t want to do from time to time, but chronic procrastinators deliberately look for distractions to avoid these tasks. In this era of technology there are many distractions readily available. When have a task that needs to get done, we can sometimes find we are literally doing anything else other than that task.

Making a cup of tea, checking Facebook, messaging friends, watching YouTube video clips, catching up on some TV or even having a snooze — does that sound familiar? When we are procrastinating, we can find a multitude of things to do instead of getting to work on our important tasks.

There are many different reasons of why we put things off. Let’s look at each one in detail and explore some suggested resolutions:

Too tired

If we are feeling tired, it is hard to be productive and get things done. When we are wide awake, refreshed and with lots of energy we are less likely to procrastinate. The answer to this is simple. Get great sleep.

See Also: Get Strong, Sleep, Repeat: The Importance Of Sleeping

Overwhelmed by the task

If we feel overwhelmed with what lies ahead, the best thing to do is break down the task into smaller manageable chunks. The task in its entirety may feel huge, but once we have split it down into smaller activities, it is much easier to tackle. To ensure progress, just get to work on the first task. This gets you started and heading in the right direction. The rest of the tasks should follow on more easily from there.

Lacking motivation

If we can’t find motivation to complete what needs to be done, there are two things we can try to help us out. Firstly spend time with awesome people. If you can spend time with people who inspire and motivate you it will help you to find your own motivation. Secondly, prepare a vision. If you know what the bigger picture you are working towards is, it can help you with the journey to get there.

Getting distracted

If you find yourself easily distracted, there are many ways to try to limit these distractions. Sort out your notifications so you limit the amount you are receiving, leaving you to decide when you want to check rather than being constantly notified. Try using an application that blocks website usage. There are a number of different apps out there that range from blocking all usage to those that just block certain sites. Review the environment you are working in to ensure that you have the least number of distractions. The key is figure out what the key distractions you are facing are and then take steps to remove them.

Lack of time

We have 168 hours in a week. We need to organize our days and weeks in a way that we can fit in everything we want to do into that time. If you feel you don’t have sufficient time to fit everything in, maybe you just need to reallocate how you are using your 168 hours. Maybe you can spend more time on the things you love by better planning. The more organized you are, the more likely you will be able to fit everything you want to do into your schedule.

Overcommitted

At times we might find we have taken on more than we can manage. When you find yourself in this situation, you need to organize and prioritize. If you are overcommitted, you might fall into the trap of not being able to manage anything very well. By prioritizing and focusing on the most important tasks, you can ensure that you make progress and save some of the other activities for a later date. If it is not possible to delay them, you may have to look at what help you can get to complete them or any other ways of getting them done.

Magnifying a task

At times we can make a task seem harder than it actually is. This especially seems to be the case the more we put something off. We can delay starting a task as it seems too big, then the longer we leave it, the more daunting it can seem. The trick is to take the 1st step. Once you start it, you will usually find it was nowhere near as hard as you thought.

See Also: How to Stay On-Task…Every Day

Unclear where to start

It can be tempting to put off a task if we don’t know where to start with it. If you’re not really sure how to complete something you need to do, your first inclination may be to avoid trying. A better option is to chat through your options with someone else until you find the inspiration you need to get started on it.

Not wanting to do the task

It can be very common to put off an activity that you’re not going to enjoy. This happens with many life admin tasks. The trick here is to start with your least desirable task and get it over and done with. Completing your worst tasks first can provide you with great motivation for all the remaining tasks which should then seem much easier.

Try working out which of these areas are stopping you from moving on with what you need to get done and follow the tips to beat your procrastination.

 

The post 9 Reasons Why We Procrastinate and How to Address Them appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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No matter what your significant other has said about Valentine’s Day, it’s still important to her. Whether you’ve been married for twenty years or just went on a few dates with someone, Valentine’s Day matters.

Even men with the best of intentions need a little help sometimes with this love holiday. This foolproof list will help guide you through this tricky holiday so you don’t end up screwing it up.

Remember the day

Start thinking about Valentine’s Day a few days early so that you aren’t out shopping or trying to make a dinner reservation the night before. Think about what you want to do for her or what kind of gift she might like. Put the day on your calendar so you don’t accidentally make plans with the guys to watch a game or work late. Then, set an alarm on your phone for February 14 so you remember the special day.

Plan something for the two of you to do together

Talk with her about whether the two of you want to celebrate on the day of, or the weekend before or after. Once that is solidified, make a plan. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or pricey. It just has to be something. Make dinner reservations somewhere, buy tickets to a comedy show, plan a wine tasting day date. Women love it when men put forth some thought and effort. Don’t just pick her up and say, “So what should we do today?”

See Also: Tips In Choosing A Restaurant For A Romantic Date 

Acknowledge it on the day

Whether you celebrated the weekend before or are going to celebrate the following weekend, you still need to acknowledge that it is Valentine’s Day on the actual day. Send her a message in the morning, saying “Happy Valentine’s Day” and share something you love or like about her. Bring her a card and perhaps flowers, but think about doing something a little less predictable. Do something even it’s small. If you don’t acknowledge the day, she will think you forgot and don’t care.

Get some sort of gift

Again, this doesn’t have to be extravagant or expensive. Think about your girl and what she would like. Depending on where the two of you are in your relationship can also help determine what is appropriate to get her and how much to spend. A simple card with a nice handwritten note is always nice. Chocolate, flowers, jewelry, clothes, candles, bath stuff and spa services are all pretty safe bets. Regardless of what you get, she will appreciate that you thought of her and remembered the day.

See Also: Top 6 Reasons to Buy Her Flowers, and What Every Man Should Know

Do not buy her lingerie

You might think getting her lingerie is thoughtful and sexy. And it is—for you. Giving your woman lingerie, however, is really a present for you and could be interpreted as selfish and thoughtless. Lingerie is also very personal and fitted, so it is usually something she should pick out herself. Stick to the items above when thinking about gift giving and let her decide when and what she’ll wear for you.

Some men love the idea of romancing their love on Valentine’s Day and some think it’s a ridiculous holiday full of consumerism. Whichever category you fall into, your partner likely still wants to feel special and loved on this day for lovers. A simple, thoughtful gesture can go a long way in making your woman feel cherished on Valentine’s Day.

 

The post The Romantically Challenged Guy’s Guide to a Successful Valentine’s Day appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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With over 500 million active users, Instagram is a popular social media app mostly for youngsters, creatives, and photographers. But, how do you increase Instagram followers?

After the addition of Instagram Stories to the app, it is now becoming more popular and controversial. You might be wondering why I am telling you all this. Well, Instagram can also make you famous.

Having a strong following on Instagram would help you get more sales for your business, more exposure to your talent, larger traffic on your website and a stronger community for your brand.

There are hundreds of Instagrammers with thousands of followers, but how in the world do you actually get so many followers? See, this post is not a hack that would get you thousands of followers in minutes.

Today, I have got five effective tips to help you grow your Instagram followers. So, let’s start the post on how to increase Instagram followers and why.

Follow Other People in Your Niche

I have a photographer friend who started from scratch (0 followers) and started following every photography account he could find. By the end of an hour, he followed almost 670 accounts, and surprisingly 175 follow backs, and 50 other similar accounts followed him later. Moreover, after posting several portfolio pictures, he liked 10-15 photos on other accounts and left some positive comments and praises on their work. These several actions got him almost 700 followers in just a week and are now growing more and more.

I would recommend this to every new Instagram account as it helps people to discover you. Moreover, start liking the pictures in your category. Use similar hashtags so that people can also start following your photos as well. This is the most authentic and organic way to increase Instagram followers free.

See Also: Top 11 Instagram Users You Should Follow If You Like Photography And Nature

Craft a Theme for Your Account

So, you’ve already started following other accounts. Great, people are now going to start noticing your photos. Now is the time to give them something that they love.

I’ve discovered that people love a well presented and themed account and you’ll get likes and followers this way. Create a small but impressive bio to inform people about your photos. For mine, I created something entirely different from what I am. No tech, no Android devices but just sharing my best pictures in monochrome these days.

Socialize With Other People As Well

Well, that is what social media is for! Start commenting on other photos that you like and repost them on your account. Reply to the comments you receive and keep it authentic rather than spamming with words like “Nice and Amazing”. In 2017, this is the simplest way to increase Instagram followers.

See Also: 4 Social Media Habits You Need to Make Not Break 

Create Your Hashtags, Encourage Others Too!

Who said new hashtags are only reserved to Twitters? Many companies and brands created their hashtags and encouraged their followers to use them too.

A very simple use of this tip is to expose your brand to new people. An online shop entirely based on Instagram offers free giveaways when people share their T-Shirts and use the particular hashtag to get discovered by the brand. If you would be lucky enough to share it with more than 500 people, then chances are, other people would automatically recognize it too. To increase Instagram followers, there are several other hashtags as well, but the recent update has blocked them.

Run a Giveaway or Contest

This is something that I would try once I have established a good follower base of around 5-6K followers. If you think that you can promote your sales by providing free giveaways, then why not. Ask people to upload a particular type of picture, and mention your tags and Instagram account in the caption. It is an excellent way to grow your fan-base both offline and online.

So, this was my take on the five practical tips to increase Instagram followers in 2017. No hacks, no spams. These are just simple tricks to become more famous. Do share your views on this post and let me know if you have found these ways helpful.

 

The post How to Increase Your Instagram Followers in 2017 appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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