Adding fun to your children’s room is no different from any renovation project you have for your home. However, in choosing the right child room design, you have to make sure that it can adapt to the changing moods of your children while allowing them to develop some really cool memories.

If you are not sure where to start, here are some ideas you can consider.

Clocking The Cool Color: The Basics

The project has to start with picking the right color.

It is a myth that children love all colors. In fact, they are very picky.

To address this, you need to introduce themes along with the colors. For instance, you can associate yellow with sunshine and red with roses.

Since children have ideas, make sure to ask for their opinion. Depending on your children’s age, they can assist you in coloring the wall themselves.  For you and your children’s safety, choose paints without toxic fumes.

Thematic Tales: Every Wall Has A Story

Children grow up listening to stories of monsters, centaurs, and unicorns. So, it’s only logical that you design their room with those stories. Hire a professional or grab a paintbrush yourself and draw stories of David Slaying Goliath or Beauty and the Beast. This can freshen up the room while imparting values to your kids.

You also need to pay attention to the room’s flooring since it’s where your children spend most of their activities. You can opt for laminate and vinyl flooring in hardwood, stone, tile, and carpet flooring.

In choosing between laminate and vinyl flooring, consider that your child’s room is a high traffic area and the flooring has to be durable. Laminate is a durable material and it rarely fades. It is resistant to stains and easy to install.

Vinyl flooring, on the other hand, is a step up from the old linoleum types. It is also good for a child’s room as it is resilient and doesn’t take a lot of time to install.

Killing The Ceiling: The Dreamy Sky

The right design can make your child’s room look dreamy. Peeling paints and plasters on the ceiling can be really depressing.

Since the ceiling is the last thing your child looks at right before he sleeps, you need to carefully plan its design. It should be designed tastefully and with care.

For the wood ceiling, you can get board planks from your local hardware store. Run them in the same direction on the ceiling. Finish the job with crown molding or wood trim. For ceiling tiles, get the adhesive ones that are easy to install. Mix and match tiles or create a pattern. If there’s an existing wallpaper, make sure to remove the old wallpaper and prepare the ceiling before you add a new design.

Furniture And Accessories: The Finishing Touch

Assess the furniture in your child’s room.

If they are still usable, consider freshening them up. Take out all pieces of wood furniture and sand them down. You can also paint them up with a shade that matches the color scheme you used on the walls. For those items that need upholstering, check if you can do it yourself. If not, make sure to hire someone you can totally trust.

Consider the layout of the room. Children move around a lot and need space. So, go for an uncluttered layout that will allow your children to move freely.

Now, go for accessories. Here is where you can make the most out of your designs. You can use accessories that can double as learning materials. For example, you can make their geometry lessons come alive by decorating the room with different shapes. A mixture of symmetric figures and patterns would enhance the imagination and creativity of your kids.

Conclusion

The best child room design idea is one that reflects his or her dreams, ambitions, and emotions. It should allow them to feel comfortable and safe, too.

By following these steps, you should be able to create the perfect room for your little ones.

The post A Quick Guide In Designing Your Children’s Room appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Often, the best way to go traveling is to rent a car and just head on out there. In that way, you can get off the beaten trail and see the world beyond the hotel in your own time and at your own speed. That’s way better than getting stuck in one of those tourist bus groups or trying to see everything with public transportation.

Of course, if you’re going to rent a car while you’re abroad, then you want to make sure that you do so correctly. After all, to get into an accident or get into a bunch of trouble can really put a crick on your vacation. In our experience, a lot of holidays can be ruined by a serious mishap as it throws a wrench in the group cohesion.

For that reason, here are the best tips you can use when renting a car abroad.

Make sure your driving license and insurance work where you’re going

You might think that one country’s driving license is as good as another’s, but that isn’t necessarily true. In some countries, they don’t accept driving licenses from other places.

Before you head off, check that your driving license will be accepted where you’re going. For example, US licenses aren’t accepted in a lot of countries, like Italy and Germany. So, check first with the embassy of your target destination.

Even better, get an international driving permit. These pieces of paper will let you drive nearly everywhere without any trouble.

While you’re at it, make sure you check if your car insurance also applies abroad and to other vehicles. If not, then it might be a good idea to get insurance from a company in the country that you’ll be in.

Note that a lot of car rental companies will insist that you have insurance. So, if you do have an insurance policy that will protect you while you’re abroad, take a copy of it so that you can prove you’re insured.

See Also: Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Shopping for The Best Auto Insurance in Canada

Is it safe to drive there?

You’d be amazed what some drivers in other countries get up to.

In many countries, for example, they don’t pay any attention to the dividing lines between lanes. They’ll just drive where there is space. In other places, the rule isn’t that you have right of way based on signage or some kind of agreement, but based on the size of the vehicle you’re driving.

Then, there are countries where there are more potholes than road, where chickens and pigs regularly cross the road and where the people use the road surface to dry their beans or crops.

Driving in these countries can really elevate your heartbeat and stain the enjoyment of everybody in the car. For that reason, make sure to check first what other people have to say about the country you’re going. You can get a lot of ideas online.

Before you get behind the wheel, take pictures of everything

This has saved me so much money over the years. Before I go out, I take pictures of everything inside and out. Every scratch, dent or mark I can find, I photograph. I also photograph the rental agent with the car somewhere in the sequence, as well as the fuel gauge and the seats.

Why?

Because the pictures will serve as proof of the car’s condition before you hit the road.

If they say that a dent wasn’t there in the morning, you can show that it most certainly was. You’d be surprised how often they’ll try to get different tourists to pay for the same tactic. Don’t be one of those people. Take pictures of everything. It will save you a lot of heartache in the long run.

Also, make sure that you know how much fuel you had when you started out and that you bring it back with just as much. This can be annoying, but they’ll often give you the car with an empty tank and not give you any kind of compensation when you return it with a full one.

You need navigation

Have you tried navigating with a paper map lately?

Back before the days of GPS and mapping technology, that was a major reason people broke up, you know. Don’t put your relationship under that kind of strain.

There are a lot of mapping apps that you can download straight to your phone. There are even apps which don’t require to be connected online but just work with your GPS.

Take your device with you when you go out. It will mean less time in the car and less chances for you and your partner to yell at each other.

It’s a holiday, not a fantasy

And finally, remember that it’s a holiday and not a fantasy. Just because you’re not back home doesn’t mean you’re suddenly invulnerable.

So many people seem to forget that. The result?

People’s chances of getting into accidents are much higher when they’re in foreign countries.

Don’t end up as a part of that statistic.

Drive safe. Pay attention to how the people in the country drive and try to drive safely like them.

For example, a friend of mine got into an accident because he stopped in front of a zebra crossing to let a person pass in Turkey. The cars behind him hadn’t expected that (they don’t stop for crossings there) and crashed fully into the back of his car.

Obviously, that left for a sticky situation where the Turkish guy was yelling and so was my friend. What’s the point of zebra crossings, if you’re not going to stop for them anyway?

And though he had insurance and it was covered, his vacation was still not as much fun as it could have been.

Don’t let that happen to you. Understand how the people drive and know what to expect.

See Also: Top 10 Cheap European Car Hire Destinations

The post 5 Really Useful Tips For Renting A Car Abroad appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Who needs heroin or cocaine when you can just take it in the ears?

As effective as any drug, music can have an immediate effect on how you feel. In an instant, the right song can trigger emotions that either energize or depress you.

In this article, you’re going to learn how music affects your productivity and how you can use it to your advantage.

Predicting the Patterns in Music Soothes Anxiety

Music involves patterns, rhythmic patterns to be exact.

When you successfully anticipate what you’ll hear next, your brain gets a feel of the future. It thinks to itself, “Hey, if I know what’s coming up, there’s no reason to feel anxious.”

Have you ever wondered why children’s music and nursery rhymes are like crack to kids, while most adults can’t stand them?

The patterns in the music are too easy for adults to predict, so they get bored. Their brains are yawning. Kids, on the other hand, love nursery rhymes because they get a kick out of figuring out what comes next.

Picking the Right Music is Key

How are You Feeling Right Now?

Music can take you wherever you want to go as long as you know where you’re starting. It’s a “point A” to “point B” kind of thing.

• SAD to HAPPY
• HAPPY to SAD
• HYPHY to CHILL
• CHILL to HYPHY

You have to be in tune with how you’re feeling and when you are, music can be a powerful tool.

The Right Music for the Right Occasion

What type of music do you listen to when you’re trying to fall asleep?

To go from pumped-up to chilled-out, you should be playing a song that’s mellow, slow, and soothing.

Want to take it all the way to dreamland? Keep it calm and instrumental. Lyrics make your brain feel like someone’s trying to get your attention.

Fast-tempo instrumental music is best for crushing work and staying on the productivity train. The fast pace takes you from relaxed to energized.

Once again, lyrics can be distracting. When I’m trying to write, I don’t listen to the same rap music that pumps me up for a game of basketball. Those two activities require different mindsets for me to perform well.

When I write, I listen to high bpm (beats-per-minute) EDM music (instrumental of course). It gets me energized without disturbing my focus.

See Also: This Type Of Music Can Increase Your Productivity

How to Know if the Music’s Working?

Ask yourself how you feel when you’re doing your best work.

Are your thoughts flowing freely or are you distracted and stifled?

Doing quality work is about reducing mental friction. Get the junk out of the way, the worrying about the outcome, the distractions, and you’ll have an easier time getting in the flow.

Taking Action

Make a List

Create a list of music that you can use in different situations. Remember, the same type of music that gets you in the zone when you’re happy won’t necessarily work when you’re feeling depressed. Make four categories.

• LOW-energy to HIGH-energy
• HIGH-energy to LOW-energy
• SAD TO HAPPY
• HAPPY TO HAPPIER

Fill each category with ten artists and then make four separate playlists with your favorite songs. The next time you need inspiration, they’ll be waiting in the wings, ready to go.

If you’re the kind of person whose mood changes throughout the day, your list will have a wider variety of musical styles and emotional tones. Finding what works for you is a process of trial and error.

Want to maximize the effect music has on you?

Move!

Dancing happens when you let your body respond to the rhythm of the song without your brain getting in the way.

I find that when I can’t get my creative juices flowing, I can break through that early mental resistance by letting my body loose first.

Hollywood director Roberto Rodriguez was interviewed on the Tim Ferriss Show’s podcast a couple of years ago. On the topic of creative flow, he said that his primary job when directing is to help the actors “get out of their own way”.

According to Rodriguez, creativity is something that flows through you rather than comes from you. To be productive, you have to clear the way for the magic to happen. Dancing can be as simple as tapping your feet and bobbing your head. You don’t have to do a full dance routine. Let the music transform you.

Conclusion

So, let it!

Before I started making playlists for different occasions, I usually ended up not even playing music. Whenever I was pressed for time, it was too hard to pull myself away from the task at hand to decide what to play.

When I would finally pick something, half the time, the music would annoy me by distracting and slowing me down. Now, I have my hand-dandy playlists ready to rock, and kicking it into high gear is as easy as pressing play.

 

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Fear of missing out is such a strong phenomenon. In fact, it even has its own shortened hashtag on social media- #FOMO.

In recent years, social media has heightened feelings of FOMO and created a vicious cycle that is often hard to escape. This feeling of missing out extends even into our professional lives. For example, a professional networking event can make you feel like you are missing out when you have to choose between two interesting seminars.

Now, how do you solve professional FOMO?

The answer is in technology.

What Is The FOMO Cycle?

In general terms, the FOMO cycle stems from social media. You see something your friends or colleagues are doing on social media, you feel left out.

So, you vow to do more cool or interesting stuff. You end up doing something you probably don’t want to do just so you can post about it on social media. This sets off someone else’s FOMO cycle. It’s such a problem that 48% of event attendees say that they attend live events just so they can have something to post about on social media.

There Are A Lot Of Opportunities To Have FOMO

If you have colleagues or friends who travel to large events, you might find yourself feeling a little bit of the FOMO.

CES in Las Vegas is one of the biggest trade shows, boasting nearly 110,000 visitors each year. This is where they roll out all the cool futuristic inventions everyone is going to be talking about in the next coming weeks. Wouldn’t it be great if you can be there in person?

SXSW is another major event with more than 70, 000 attendees. It’s where things like Twitter have been rolled out in the past. Could you imagine being able to brag to your friends and colleagues that you were there when they rolled out Twitter?

Event FOMO is not unique to young people and it doesn’t only happen with music festivals. Professionals can have FOMO on cool professional stuff, too.

Thankfully, Tech Can Help To Alleviate FOMO

Now, imagine that you are at a conference and you have to choose between two awesome speakers who are giving their presentations at the same time. Both are topics that are important to your profession and they are both well-known and respected in their fields.

How do you choose? And what do you do when you find out that you missed a really groundbreaking talk about something that is super relevant to your field?

In this day and age, you shouldn’t have to choose.

These days, event organizers are starting to realize it’s all about the tech. Nearly 80% say that their tech budgets have increased since last year and that increase accounts for an additional 10% more of the budget over last year.

What’s more, increases in event tech spending on things like live streaming, podcasts, and event apps account for a reported 20% increase in event attendance. It marked a 27% increase in productivity and a shocking 20-30% decrease in costs, too.

It may seem counter-intuitive to spend money on technology that can allow people to participate without being there but that is what is happening right now. People want choices and tech gives them choices.

No longer do professionals have to choose between two seminars they want to attend. Now, they can catch the podcast later!

Giving people more options is always a great way to ensure they are satisfied with attending and that they keep coming back.

How To Prevent Fear Of Missing Out

To avoid FOMO at professional events, here’s what you can do:

• Make the most of the event app; it can help you plan where to go and when
• Utilize the live streaming options when you need to take a break
• Know that you can catch up on what you missed later with video recordings and podcasts

In this day and age where technology is a cure-all for what ails you, there’s no need to miss out on anything anymore. Event organizers are starting to take notice and adjust accordingly. People want options and event tech gives them those options. Learn more about preventing professional FOMO and networking events from this infographic!

Source: Evia Events

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I am ambitious.

To reach my goals I need to learn to get better. And to get better, I read all the time.

I do it partly because successful people throughout the ages have been voracious readers.
Legends, like Elon Musk and Abraham Lincoln, attribute their success to reading.

So, without further ado, here are the best books to read for success.

Methods of Persuasion

Every page and every section of this book is chock-full of methods you can use on a daily basis.

The best part of Methods of Persuasion is the thoroughness of the research.
Every method is backed by scientific studies.

On top of that, Kolenda provides case-studies and real-life applications of each method.

I’ve implemented every aspect of this book in my daily life and it has paid off handsomely. I have secured a new, better-paying job, my relationship with my fiance has vastly improved and my overall communication skills have increased ten-fold.

If you don’t read this book, you’ll be left in the dust by the people who did.

Ego Is the Enemy

Most of us struggle with ego.

In fact, ego is a major obstacle in our lives. It is in mine and I work towards diminishing it every day.

This book illustrates just how much of our lives are controlled by ego and how destructive it is. Ego keeps us from paying the price of success. It keeps us from doing work that we think is “beneath us”.

Ego is an enemy and a slippery one at that.

Reading this book has made a difference in my life. It has made me more humble.

Humility has helped me delve into various tasks with a more open mind.
Open-mindedness has allowed me to learn more and in turn add more value. This has benefited my career tremendously.

Trust me.

If you want to do more, create more and achieve more, you need to diminish your ego.
Ego Is the Enemy shows you how.

Reading and re-reading this book will add tremendous value to your life.

The Score Takes Care of Itself

Bill Walsh is famous for his work as head coach of the 49’ers. He built one of the most majestic dynasties in Football history from the ruins of a franchise.

How did he do it?

By focusing on the process and on the fundamentals.

This allowed him to hone the skills of Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott, Jerry Rice and Steve
Young into the best players of their generation. Some of the best players of all time.

His consistent focus on the fundamentals as a key driver of performance is essential. Whatever your field, Walsh’s advice is valuable.

My three key takeaways from the books:

1. Focus on creating a system that supports your progress.
   If you do the right things the right way, the results will follow.
2. Keep your eye on the fundamentals instead of the score.
   It doesn’t matter if people praise you at work. What matters is that you add value and get better every day.
3. Everything you do matters.
   Some of Walsh’s tenets included no sitting on the practice field, no smoking on the facilities and always dressing in a tie and jacket.

Your representation of yourself and others matters more than you think. You represent yourself in all of your actions so everything you do matters.

The lessons in these three books will add tremendous value to your life if you implement them.

So, read the books and learn their lessons. Apply them in your life and repeat.

Do this and you will get far.

See Also: 7 Reasons To Start Reading Books? Here’s why!

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Living with chronic illness comes with its own set of unique challenges but it doesn’t mean that life has to be one terrible ordeal.

Often, we don’t look ill and we can still manage to hold down a job. We have families and a bit of a social life. Despite these things, we still feel terrible.

It’s like having the flu every day, with maybe an odd hour or two of relief.

Living with a chronic illness brings with it the challenge of honoring ourselves while also living up to the expectations and responsibilities of being alive. Often, that includes extreme pain, exhaustion or a hidden disability.

The hardest part can be that because we don’t look ill and we do our best, family and friends can forget. They can even become frustrated with us. As a result, we become frustrated with them and we get angry at ourselves for being ill.

These feelings of guilt and frustration can lead to arguments. Sometimes, they can also push us into a deeper sense of depression and deprivation.

Why us? What did we do wrong?

Despite all the questions you may have in your mind, remember that there is a way to live well. It can be a challenging work but living with chronic illness is possible.

Below, I’ll show you how.

First, we need to grieve

We need to grieve for the life we are not going to live or might never live. We need to grieve for the lost time, missed events, and missed opportunities.

And grieving is tough, especially when we are told we can think our way out of it or we, on some metaphysical level, asked for this. This ‘magical’ thinking or any other general new age BS does not help us when we are deep in the mire of seeing our lives crumble beneath us.

We are ill.

Most of us are still desperately searching for a cure. But to continue with this journey, we must accept where we are.

Grieve the loss of the life you don’t have. Grieving comes in waves and must be honored.

However, you should remember that grieving does come to an end once there’s acceptance. So, accept how life is and get on with it.

Let’s live it well- even within the restrictions of the disease.

Which means boundaries

Boundaries keep you safe. They keep your pain down and they keep you sane. They don’t mean brick walls.

Instead, think of them as flexible fences that control what comes in and goes out. Learning to set your fences can be hard. But once done, you’ll wish you were able to do it years ago.

Boundaries let you stop worrying. And when you worry, you increase your stress levels and even your pain. It becomes an endless cycle that damages you more.

Strong boundaries ensure things get done, toxic people stay away, and you stop over giving.

So, sort out what type of boundaries you need. Get others on board, remind them when they are overstepping your boundary, and stick to your guns.

The boundaries you put in place will be unique to you.

Honesty with yourself and others

I feel this follows on naturally after the grieving process and boundaries.

You are going to disappoint people.

You can’t do everything. You’ll have limits due to your illness.

Being honest about this is the best way forward. Explain that you only have so much energy. Give a warning when that energy starts to deplete and plan how you’ll leave if this has not already been done. Then when ready, put your plan into action.

Do not push through!

Pushing through is for emergencies or once in a lifetime events only. The consequences of pushing through are harsh. They mean days in bed, increased pain and increased brain fog.

And often for what? So other people will like you more?

People without a chronic illness can bounce back after 5 minutes, but what about you?

You’ll crash and can’t move.

Listen to your body. Honor when it talks to you and for the love of all that is, don’t push through!

Drop the guilt

It is not your fault that you are ill and it is not your fault that you have limitations. It’s just not your fault so stop feeling guilty.

I can’t stress this enough.

It has taken me years to drop the guilt but finally, it is happening.

This is life.

By accepting ourselves as we are, we make it easier for others to accept us as we are. If we present to the world who we really are without the guilt, the world will reflect that back to us. People that can’t honor this will walk away.

Pamper days that are more than pamper days

Pamper days to me are ‘women going to a spa’.

Well, that is not enough.

Living with chronic illness means we miss out big time.

For me, a pamper day is planning a day where I don’t miss out. I don’t do what anyone else wants or needs me to do. This day is for me to experience what I need to experience to feel alive. This may be a visit to an art gallery, a trip to friends, a simple stroll or a wheelchair visit outdoors.

Too often, we are bounded to our beds and houses and this is bad for us on all fronts.

If you can’t get out, bring the pamper day to you. Have your friends come around and cook for you, have a tea party or a picnic in the back garden. Do what feeds your soul and not what feeds others!

But again, don’t push through.

Be strategic about coping with your energy/pain levels.

Love

I am so lucky that I have a partner who understands that I have an illness one can’t see. It wasn’t always like this, but we are now at a point where our routine honors his needs and mine. He knows I’m not pulling a fast one. He can now recognize when exhaustion sets in and if I need to be in bed, then I’m in bed.

It has taken time and patience to get here. Education and seeing medical results have been instrumental, but I’m so glad we have hung in there.

It hasn’t been easy for my daughter, either. She can’t remember a time that I was not ill. As a result, she can read me like a book and sense within a second when I’m flagging. I have done my best to parent her the best I can, but this has sadly meant she has grown up way too fast for my liking.

She spins it and says she is independent and she is. I can’t deny that her love has helped immeasurably, but at a cost to her childhood.

But, what if you don’t have love?

Join clubs or groups. You can even search for virtual ones. Facebook seems to be a suitable place for support and advice. Just try and avoid the toxic groups. We need support, not a pity party.

Which brings me on to toxic people.

What if you have a toxic relationship?

If you do, then get help or just get out. Toxic relationships stress us immeasurably.

We are far better off without them.

There is nothing worse than being ill and living with toxic family or friends. They will make you worse and you deserve better.

See Also: 8 Types of Toxic Friends That Are Holding Your Happiness Hostage

Alternative therapies

Alternative therapies are often complementary to the regular medical care many of us have. Some find them a bit ‘woo’ but I do believe the right ones have a significant role to play.

If we are truly fortunate, we have an integrative medic that practices both conventional and complementary techniques.

My illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, needs to be treated with several complementary therapies. Diet change has been one and I strictly follow the Auto Immune Protocol. My emotional and mental well-being has been improved with therapies like EFT. I take supplements to correct blood test results and they have improved my fatigue levels.

I still can’t do everything I want to do, so I do the best I can. I no longer beat myself up for it.

I don’t believe I am to blame for this illness and I will no longer allow people in my life that disrespect me because of it.

I see conventional medicine and alternative medicine as a partnership where they complement each other. Together, they can help a person live well.

See Also: Common Health Conditions Treated with Alternative Medicine

My life is more balanced, more loving and more fun. I have grieved, I have dropped the guilt, I have a fantastic doctor and I am loved. All these things make living with chronic illness a little easier.

The post 6 Ways To Live Well With A Chronic Illness appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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If you are among those who love fattening and processed foods or your lifestyle is stagnant or cardiovascular problems run in your family, you have a high risk of developing heart problems.

CVDs or cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in both females and males. Pain in the chest elevated blood pressure, and dizziness are some of the signs you probably know about already. Surprisingly, there are other highly uncommon signs that are a dead giveaway for an unhealthy heart.

These are the grey areas you need to be aware of to build a healthier heart and prevent a heart attack or stroke. If you feel any of these signs of an unhealthy heart, make sure to get in touch with a doctor immediately.

Sleep Apnea/Sleeping Problems and Snoring

Surprised? Don’t be.

Sleep problems, snoring, and other breathing concerns are primary symptoms of an underlying heart disease. Of course, this does not refer to the occasional all-nighter you pulled or the one time your partner woke up because of your snores. This needs to be a concern that you and your loved ones have noticed for quite awhile.

It is restricted breathing that leads to snoring and sleep apnea. If you notice this symptom, it could be that heart attack is somewhere on the way. Get it checked immediately and find out if you may need some treatment.

Bad Breath and Gum Problems

Gum and oral health concerns are not simply because you aren’t taking good care of your hygiene. They can be tell-tale signs of more significant problems that your body might be fighting against. Studies have proved that people suffering from periodontal infections are more likely to have heart conditions.

Bad breath, sore and bleeding gums and teeth issues can all indicate an undetected heart disease. Make sure to visit not just your dentist, but your general health physician, too. They will run tests and then tell you whether or not you are at risk.

Lack of Sexual Libido

Not feeling your sexy self in the bedroom? Is erectile dysfunction suddenly making your sex life miserable?

Well, your heart health may be going down.

These days, doctors check all patients with ED and other sexual concerns for heart disease. Studies have shown clearly that men within the age bracket of 40 to 49 with ED are twice more likely to suffer from heart issues.

The reason your libido takes a plunge is that the arteries become narrow and there is fat accumulation in them. This reduces the blood flow to the penis and vaginal area significantly.

Keep in mind that these indications can be the very first symptoms of heart problems. So, if you are facing them, talk to your doctor immediately.

Look Older than Your Age

Did you know that people who look older than their actual age have a 40% higher chance of getting a heart attack?

As crazy as this may sound, it is true.

People who have visible aging signs like grey hair, wrinkles, knurly hands, cholesterol deposits on their eyelids and baldness could be suffering from some hidden heart condition. If these people are over the age of 35, they are 57% more at risk of a heart attack.

You think you have these signs? Your doctor will be able to run tests to see whether or not your heart is healthy.

Hairless Legs

Hairless legs may seem like a dream come true, but experts believe this can actually turn into a nightmare pretty fast. The reason why some people don’t have hairy legs is that their arteries are too narrow and are unable to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the lower body. This simply means that your legs do not get the nutrients required for hair follicles to develop.

Known as the peripheral arterial disease, the condition can lead to poor circulation in the legs, resulting in absence of leg hair. If you have been experiencing this, you need to visit the doctor today and ask them for an accurate diagnosis.

So, are you or any of your loved ones experiencing these 5 weird signs of an unhealthy heart? Don’t delay seeing your doctor as you might be at risk for a heart disease.

See Also: 10 Habits That Can Prevent Heart Disease

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Your baby has arrived and suddenly, you are looking into the eyes of a total stranger. You love this little being with all your heart and soul but you don’t know him or her at all.

This little creature looks up at you with worshiping adoration and your first thought is “Oh my God. I hope I don’t screw this up”.

You are overly conscious of the fact that you only get one chance to create a close and loving bond between you and this miracle, to do everything to give him his best chance at life. Unfortunately, he came with no instruction manual.

How do you avoid emotionally crippling the one you love most in the world?

Check out these parenting tips that can help you understand your children better.

They are not animals

From the moment they are born, these little ones are watching, figuring and acting.

From making their tiny fingers curl around a bottle to keeping their little hands from hitting themselves in the eye, they must work out and practice.

No one is teaching them. They are teaching themselves.

When my son was 2 weeks old, I had him in his bouncy chair. I watched as he twirled his little foot in a circle to get the chair to bounce gently back and forth.

I held his foot lightly to stop the chair from rocking and then let it go. He did it again. He knew what he was doing and had worked out how to do it.

According to his doctor, he was not supposed to be thinking and working things out at that age. But as I observed my little man closely, I could see- without a doubt- that he was.

His doctor wasn’t looking at the little person in front of him when he made this statement but at a category called “babies”.

Categories are for things, not people. Don’t make that mistake.

Watch your little person, you will see ample evidence of an active little mind working overtime.

The birth process is brutally painful and confusing for them

Babies are thrust into the birth process with no advance warning. You have had nine months and possibly more to fully prepare yourself, your family, the house and everyone around you for the big day.

This little passenger has not.

He has been in a state of suspended animation that ends abruptly in a cold, bright delivery room with people yelling “PUSH!”. And there’s a strange man grabbing him as he slithers out.

Your baby’s head has been squeezed hard. The medical procedures are painful and everything is in a confusing state.

He is confused to the point that he is the total effect of everything that is happening to him and he is overwhelmed.

The process is such an ordeal that it takes him months to recover.

So, be calm and quiet around your baby. Hold him, rock him and talk gently to him.

Any loud or angry words around him will upset him and make the adjustment difficult or even impossible.

They have no idea of the sensations they’re perceiving

The lights are way too bright for his brand new eyes. The room is cold and your baby is wet and uncomfortable.

He has a fierce headache and there are strange smells. People are talking and making noises and there are movements back and forth.

If you have trouble relating, think how you might feel if you woke up wet and naked in a foreign country and the people around you suddenly started running and yelling. This is the state of a newborn baby.

Your understanding, compassion, and help will feel as if a kind stranger took your arm, covered you to keep you warm and led you to a safe place.

They depend on you completely

Your baby knows too well that he cannot make it out in the world alone. He has no capability to survive and would not know how to if he did.

Your slight frown can make him anxious. He knows that if he displeases you enough, you may decide to leave him. Although you know you never would, he still doesn’t know that.

He also doesn’t know that someday, he will grow up and be independent. He may think he will be little and totally dependent forever.

With this, your slight disappointment can translate to abandonment to him.

They don’t know the laws of the physical universe

Babies are completely new to this planet. They don’t understand things like gravity.

Yesterday, he dropped an apple or saw you drop one and it fell to the ground. So, how come when he let the balloon string slide from his grasp, the balloon went up?

He is upset. He has lost one of the very few possessions he feels was really his because the universe played a nasty trick on him.

If he lets his balloon go or falls or runs into a wall, don’t ridicule, laugh or yell. Just understand that he didn’t know what was going to happen.

Help him recover from his upset state and just get him a new freaking balloon.

Their bodies are changing so fast that they can’t keep up

Have you seen how fast babies grow?

If you want to see an example, go to the store and look at the clothes for babies at three months, six months and nine months. The size difference is huge.

Meanwhile, your baby continues to figure out all the zillion things his little body can do and how to do them.

As he grows, he tries to stand.

And let’s face it, baby bodies are not designed with any faintest idea of function in mind.

Their heads are HUGE. They try to stand up and their heads pull them down fast and hard.

Can you imagine trying to walk with a 20-pound pumpkin on your head?

When you look at all of the tiny adjustments he has to make with his little body to make it crawl, stand and walk, you have to admit that it is mastery in physics.

It is the same process that produces a classical ballet dancer or an Olympic gymnast, except that every day his body is different, so the adjustments start all over again.

If he gets cranky, give him a break. He might have sore muscles or is extremely tired because he has been working all day on strengthening and perfecting the use of his growing body.

If he stumbles, he needs your understanding, care, and strong hands ready to stabilize him.

Anyone who has been grabbed by a kind stranger before they hit the ground knows how important that can be.

They are super frustrated that they can’t communicate effectively

Communication is the most important thing we have in life. People in seclusion wither and die. Your child knows he cannot communicate and it is frustrating.

When I was 17, my family moved to Brussels for a year. I went to an all girl’s school and was taught in French, which I didn’t know. I cried all the time and I had never felt so lonely.

My schoolmates tried to help me but it wasn’t until I learned French that my depression ended.

Your baby is no different. She has so many questions and observations that she can’t tell you. It is upsetting her because you are the one she wants to communicate with.

She wants to ask you questions, tell you about the bird she sees and get you to look at the sky. Her world is just beginning and opening up in all its wonders and she has no one to share it with.

Watch your little person and try to tune in to what she is trying to tell you. Even if you don’t fully understand, you can at least acknowledge that she has spoken. That way, she’ll realize that she is not invisible and that she is worth to be acknowledged.

They are way smarter and more perceptive than you think

Babies understand by perceiving. They tune in to our emotional vibrations.

Have you noticed that when you are upset, even if you don’t show it, he is tense and unhappy?

Babies are like little perception sponges. They absorb your feelings and reflect them. Your unhappiness, anxiety, and worry affect him.

If you can, put your troubles aside when you are near him. Focus on the two of you. It will make you both a lot happier.

They are always doing their best to please you

Despite the difficult birth process and despite the inability to communicate, there is one thing that your baby knows- he loves you unconditionally.

You are his world. Every effort he makes is to please you.

When he feels that he was able to please you, he feels like he succeeded. So, validate his attempts to help you even if his help is more work for you.

As he gets better, his help will be more effective. Let him have his time and he’ll work it out.

Love them for who they are

Babies are individuals. They are not categories, personality types or animations.
Some of the labels applied to children are frankly abusive.

The idea that they are all one group of mindless beings that have to be forced into good behavior is outdated and leads to misunderstanding.

These categories and labels have been invented by “scientists” who cannot understand any human being, much less a baby.

A baby is basically a tiny creature who has arrived on earth through a weird and upsetting process. He is thrust into this life with people he doesn’t know, places he has never been and rules and a culture he has never experienced.

Each one has his or her own ideas, viewpoints and goals. Understand this and let them move on with care and guidance from you.

Helping your little man or lady grow into the fine person he or she wants to be is all about understanding and having the right approach.

You love each other and you both have the same goal.

The relief they feel in knowing that they are understood is the difference between living in a calm and secure environment and living in a hostile one.

Remember the relief you felt when you left a bitter and hostile school or work environment and found one that was safe?

Their relief is the same.

And armed with this knowledge, you can make both of your lives easier and happier. You’ll be able to build a bond that can never be broken.

See Also: 8 Ways To Nurture Your Child’s Self-Motivation 

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The United States has over 27 million entrepreneurs.

People chasing the dream. The American dream of wealth, success and world domination.

Ok, maybe not world domination but the pride and prestige of having your own business and people looking up to you.

But, what does it take to be a successful entrepreneur and run a small business?

Are tenacity and impeccable work ethic enough? Or do you need insider knowledge?

With 50% of businesses failing within the first five years, entrepreneurs must be missing an important piece of the puzzle – or at least half of them are.

The Concept

Entrepreneurship starts with an idea. It means thinking outside of the box, finding the solution to a problem that’s been out of reach for so long.

Your concept doesn’t need to be entirely new. It can be an improvement on something that already exists. Your main objective is making people’s lives easier in some way.

Consider this:

Does your bakery make a better bialy than the one around the corner? Can your landscaping company offer grass seed 10 cents a pound cheaper than your competitor?

Now, while these things sound like a good idea, they may not be enough.

The Work

You need to follow-up on your promises. Being an entrepreneur isn’t all fun and games. You don’t earn the title of “successful businessman” (or woman) without paying your dues – both financially and physically.

And businesses, big or small, take work. And a lot of it.

Don’t expect to work 9 to 5 every day.

Enjoying holidays off with your family? Unlikely. Making it to your kid’s baseball game? Not gonna happen.

Think of yourself as a parent and your business is your offspring and your primary responsibility. You’re grooming it – from infancy to inception.

At the end of the day, it’s your job to clean up whatever mess gets made. Whether your employees sign for the wrong inventory, overlap the schedule for work shifts or piss off a customer, the buck stops with you.

But your role goes beyond soothing administrative headaches. You’ll need to spend time in the trenches- elbow to elbow with the workers.

How can you help solve a problem if you don’t understand what it is or why it’s happening?

There’s nothing employees hate more than a boss or owner who thinks they know everything. You need to be present and relatable.

You’ll be respected and well-versed in your business when you invest time in doing the dirty work.

See Also: 8 Top Marketing Tips for Small Businesses

The Logistics

Ok, so you have the next big idea all laid out. You’re prepared to put in the long hours and hard labor. You’ve got this. What else is there to know?

A LOT.

If a great idea and grit were enough to transform a person into an entrepreneur, 50% of small businesses wouldn’t be failing.

You can’t bring two pieces of a puzzle to the table when only three will do. You need every component to complete the entrepreneurial puzzle.

The last piece is insider knowledge about your niche, the market, and the markup of items and services.

You need an in-depth understanding of your expenses versus your income. This might seem like a no-brainer but it’s a step that a lot of people skip. This happens for a couple of different reasons.

1. They think they know it all and don’t need to do the research.
2. They’re overly excited about their concept to see through the haze.
3. They’re spontaneous. They live on the edge — act now, think later.

None of these will produce the result you’re looking for.

See Also: How to Ensure Growth in Small Business

Don’t Be Blinded by Success

Owning a business is the American dream. It comes with clout, envy, and financial stability.

Sometimes.

Entrepreneurs need a sense of adventure and risk combined with logic and reasonability.

Do you have all the pieces of the puzzle to find yourself in the successful 50 percentile? Don’t be afraid to find out.

The post The 3 Secrets To Successful Small Businesses appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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“Hey, honey! It’s positive!”

These words can surely bring excitement to any couple. Just the idea of having a baby can make anyone feel happy, ecstatic and nervous at the same time.

Unfortunately, no matter how amazing pregnancy is, it still comes with a lot of negative experiences. Just think about mood swings, physical changes, and labor pain.

This is where doing meditation during pregnancy fits in. And to help you understand the practice, make sure to read this article until the end.

Magic of Meditation

I know you must be feeling many emotions at the same time. At one point, you’re extremely excited. The next moment, you’re laughing out loud and then you feel like crying all of a sudden. These are very normal and happy signs of being pregnant and there is no way you can stop your mood swings.

But, meditation can surely help you relax and refresh your mind. It can help you cope up with most of the behaviors and changes that can happen throughout your pregnancy.

Benefits of Meditation During Pregnancy

You may have heard how a happy and peaceful mind can tremendously help with your baby’s healthy development. And that is exactly where meditation fits in.

If you are still not convinced to give it a try, check out these top benefits of meditation during pregnancy that can surely change your mind.

Helps to achieve stability in both mind and body

Meditation can make you feel relaxed and at peace. It can help you to focus on the things that matter and avoid all the unnecessary drama. It can control mood swings to some extent, too.

You may feel free as meditation is an incredible source of energy. With it, you’ll be able to accept yourself the way you are. You will be more patient, calm, and real if you practice it on a daily basis.

See Also: The Profound Effects Of Meditation On The Mind

Makes you listen to your body’s pace and needs

If you do meditation, you may feel that you are the source of energy. It connects you to your inner-most feelings. Before, you may think that you are just a part of this universe but now, you have the whole world within you in the form of your unborn child. Meditation enhances the connection between a mother and her child.

Teaches you to be still – physically, emotionally and consciously

Meditation is known for reducing stress and anxiety. Just by playing a soothing music or lighting scented candles, you’ll be able to calm your mind. It can enhance your sense of awareness about your body and mind. You’ll be able to accept the things as they truly are!

Allows you to rest soundly

It is said that people who do meditation are healthy and happy and that’s right. Meditation can help eliminate nightmares and negative thinking.

It can also help new mothers deal with postpartum depression. So, if you have any friend who is suffering from that condition, you can suggest her to do meditation.

Apart from that, meditation can also greatly help expecting mothers prepare for their delivery.

Motivates you to stick with healthy habits

You may have heard that meditation helps people with their addictive habits. The same idea applies to pregnant women.

As you know, the urge to eat a variety of foods, especially the unhealthy ones, is incredibly high during pregnancy. Meditation can help you to say ‘NO’ to those options.

See Also: What to Eat During Pregnancy

Allows you to connect with your unborn baby

Some of you may find it easy to talk to your unborn child but many ladies feel silly and odd talking to their bellies. By meditating, you’ll be able to foster a lovable way to connect your soul with the child within you.

Meditation can spread magic

Yes, meditation can spread magic.

How? Let me tell you.

There are many studies that showed how meditation can improve a baby’s birth weight as well as reduce the chances of premature births.

Also, Buddhism said that if you use mantras, chants or prayers in your meditation, the baby can listen and connect with them. This practice makes the baby calmer and happier, even after the birth. As per my opinion, there is no harm in trying out chants.

Meditating can also reduce the chances of complications at the time of delivery as it controls the mother’s heart rate and blood pressure. If you are a regular practitioner of yoga and meditation, you will feel extremely confident about everything, including labor pain.

It gives excitement

Nothing can be compared to the mixed emotions of having a new life inside you. You know that it may hurt a lot and you may feel stressed, anxious and moody at the same time. But just the thought of having a child within you can make you and your partner extremely happy, too.

With that, you surely wouldn’t want to take a chance with this process, right?

Everything should be perfect. Although there are hormonal, physical, and psychological changes, you have to prepare yourself so you can cope with all the challenges. And for that, meditation is the key.

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