Do you need stress relief tips?

We all encounter so many stressors on a day-to-day basis — work, kids, money, time. The list goes on and on. Keep your stress level at bay with these nine tips.

1. Laugh It Up.

Laughter really is the best medicine. When we laugh, physical changes happen in our body that help us reduce stress. Laughter enhances our intake of air, stimulates our heart and lungs, and increases our endorphins, chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers.

It also feels really good to laugh, Go on, chuckle a bit.

2. Exercise.

When we exercise our body produces endorphins. Endorphins help us sleep better, which in turn can reduce stress too.

Go for a run or a bike ride after a hard day’s work. Yes, it’s very enticing to sit in front of the tube with a cold one, but get a quick run in first and you’ll feel better in the long haul.

3. Get intimate.

High blood pressure is a physical symptom of stress. Getting under the covers can help lower high blood pressure.

Sex encourages us to physically touch and connect with another being, which helps relieve stress. We exert physical energy and release endorphins during sex, all of which add up to lower stress. Just in case you needed another reason to get frisky.

4. Avoid Screen Time.

Researchers have found that smartphones can actually increase stress levels. We have gotten so used to being glued to our phones that it can be hard to disconnect and turn our brain off. Feeling the need to respond to messages adds to our stress and prevents us from unplugging.

Try putting your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode after the work day. It is actually freeing to not check our phones every five minutes.

5. Get a Pet.

Did you know that pet owners are more heart healthy? Pet owners often have lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels compared to non-pet owners.

When we play with our pet dog or pet cat, our levels of seratonin and dopamine increase. These two are nerve transmitters that have pleasurable and calming properties. Playing fetch or walking a dog also encourages exercise, which as we already discussed helps reduce stress.

6. Pray.

If you believe in a higher power, talk with them. Praying can relieve stress and remind us that the world is much bigger than us.

It can be calming to remember that here is a greater being looking after us. Spend some time in prayer and you will reduce your stress levels.

7. Meditation.

Similar to prayer, meditation involves relaxing the mind and focusing on breathing. It trains us to take responsibility for our mental state and how we respond to situations. Even when practiced for as few as 10 minutes each day, meditation can help us control stress, decrease anxiety, and improve our capacity for relaxation.

See Also: Reduce Stress Levels and Increase Your Willpower Using These 3 Stress Reduction Techniques

8. Do Something Creative.

Shifting our thoughts to something creative can be incredibly rewarding and take our mind off of stressful situations. Writing, painting, or even completing a DIY project can help reduce stress.

When we work on creative projects, we distract ourselves by focusing solely on the task at hand and don’t let other things enter that creative space. Naturally, the stressors of the day melt away.

9. Sleep.

Sleep is so important to relieving stress. Not getting enough sleep can leave us cranky and irritated.

Establish a better shut-eye routine by avoiding caffeine and exercise in the hours leading up to bedtime. Try going to sleep and waking up around the same time each day to get your body into a routine. Read or take a warm bath or shower to relax your mind before hitting the hay.

See Also: Say Yes to Inner Peace: Top 9 Apps for a Stress-free and Happier Mind

Next time you feel your blood pressure rise or your muscles tense, take a deep breath and choose a few of these stress relief tips to help you manage your stress levels. When practiced regularly, we can create routines that help us manage stress throughout our lives.

The post 9 Ways We Can Reduce Our Stress Level appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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If you’ve been dreaming dreams too long, it’s time to stop and learn how to take action.

Do you ever find yourself staring off into space, envisioning your potential success? While the fantasy may give you something to hope for, it will only remain in your brain unless you’re committed to taking action.

Aspiring to accomplish your dreams is merely the first step of a journey that lasts thousands of miles. If you want to reach the end of that journey, it’s time to put things into motion. Put together a plan, and get to work.

Here’s how to take action:

Know what you want

The most critical part of taking action is knowing what it is you’re trying to accomplish. Maybe you want to write the novel you’ve been dreaming up for years. Maybe you want to start a career that’s meaningful and prosperous. Whatever it is, you need to isolate that goal. Detail what it is that you want to do, and commit yourself to that idea.

Outline what it will take

Once you know where you want to go, you need to figure out how to get there.

Does your goal require you to extend your education? Are there major lifestyle changes involved?

It’s time to make a list of every step you’ll need to take. Be as specific as possible with your list. Having a clear outline is paramount to staying on course, and it’s rewarding to be able to check off every accomplishment as it is made.

See Also: 5 Ways to Motivate Yourself to Action 

Start by making small changes

You won’t be able to conquer the world in one day, and believing you’re capable of doing so will only set you up for disappointment later on. No matter how impatient you may feel or inspired you may be, slow and steady will always win the race. You’re much more likely to burn yourself out if you try to accomplish everything at once.

If you want a successful outcome, you’ll have to pace yourself. Take things one day at a time, as long as you’re continuing to make progress toward your dream.

Don’t be intimidated by failure

One of the biggest excuses people use to avoid trying is their fear of failure. Nobody wants to fail. It bruises our egos and makes us feel incapable.

The reality of the matter is that you’re bound to fail sometimes. While that may seem like a harsh sentiment, it’s true. Failure is normal, and nobody is going to win every time.

Change your attitude toward failure, and treat each shortcoming as a learning experience. As long as you understand why something didn’t work, you’ll be able to change your approach and try again. Even the darkest clouds have silver linings.

See Also: A Simple 5-Step Process to Separate Your Actions from Negative Thoughts

Celebrate your achievements

When you’re dedicated to following your path, it’s easy to miss all of the things you’ve accomplished along the way. There’s a lot of work involved, but you’re still following your dreams.

Don’t forget to step back every once in a while and evaluate what you’ve accomplished. Every milestone is a good thing, even if you’re nowhere near your final goal.

Celebrate what you’ve done. It will help you stay positive and enthusiastic, keeping your passion invigorated.

As long as you keep moving forward, you’ll get to where you want to go. It could take days, months, or even years – but the length of time isn’t important. All that matters is you learn how to take action and that you strive to achieve the things that matter to you.

The post How to Stop Dreaming and Start Acting Right Away appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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I wished I had known about this super useful skill in my 20s. It would have saved me a lot of time, resources, and head-and-heart aches. It would have propelled me faster to millionairedom and punditry. Yeah, no one ever taught me about this one super special skill. Not a parent, not a mentor, not a spouse, not a lover, not a teacher, not a professor, and not a friend.

I learned the hard way through failures, rejections, and tons of head-and-heart aches. I learned it through direct and indirect experiences. I learned it along the way while applying for jobs, submitting works, calling people up, nudging friends, and presenting ideas.

If I had known, understood, and executed this skill of utmost importance, I would have won a scholarship, retained big-shot clients, got an exciting and high-paying job, made multi-million dollars in a short time, and —perhaps, even— married a soul mate. Instead, I didn’t get all those things until a decade later, except for the last one due to many variables including “destiny” and “serendipity.”

For most of us, a decade is too long a wait. So, if you can learn it as early as possible, why postpone?

That super special and useful skill is called: Pitching. Yup, with a capital P.

The art of pitching would be extremely useful in most situations in life, business, and career. Even in politics, when someday you’re running for office.

See Also: How to Improve Your Skills at Office Politics

A pitch isn’t a pitch until it’s awesome and makes you stand out in the crowd. A good pitch is a great pitch that brings result. Sometimes a few minutes, or even, seconds, is all you’ve got to make an awesome impression that gets you selected.

Unless it stands out, people are too busy to tell the difference between yours and other pitchers. And since only you understand exactly how you’re different and worthy of selection, it’s only you who can and must succinctly prove why you’re the perfect choice.

Here are some pointers in the art of pitching.

First, treat yourself as a “business.”

And by “you” I’m referring to yourself as a whole package, which comprises of your skills, talents, good looks, and other unique traits and attributes.

Remember this important rule: a business must sell its image to the public; before they can sell their products. An “image” is basically the positive traits that the public can relate themselves to the business, which matters. Yes, a positive image must matter to the public (or the person you’re pitching to).

People perceive who and what you are based on how you carry and represent yourself. To succeed, every business needs a pitcher to show off their achievements, benefits, and uniqueness. In your case, the “business” is you and the “pitcher” is also you.

In other words, a business needs to be worth talking about. Yeah, it’s something like those popular “queen bees” in high school, but this time around, it must be done, managed, and sustained in a more professional manner. After all, the “business” of being you is a long-term engagement for as long as you’re still breathing —probably 60 to 70 more years– if you’re in your 20s now.

It doesn’t mean that you must project a flawlessly perfect image, but it means that you’d to optimize yourself based as a good person, who truly deserves to get the attention.

Since no one is perfect, having this awareness allows you to expect more from and seek deeper within yourself. You’d do whatever it takes to align yourself with the projected favorable image.

See Also: 9 Qualities That Will Rock Your Career

Second, there is a basic mold for a successful pitch.

Every pitch is the same. However, it doesn’t mean that you should use it over and over gazillion times. Like baking cakes, you’d use the same pan and ingredients, but every cake is different and decorated differently depending on the occasion.

Basically, a pitch is a sentence or a paragraph that connects the person and the pitcher with a specific objective. When the “connection” hits the targeted person hard, your pitch is successful. For instance, when the target is getting a job, your pitch should connect you with the employer. When you’re applying for scholarships, your pitch must connect you to the university and the program’s vision and mission.

Purpose. Know where you’re heading and how it would help the other person (or the public). Include a clear purpose of your pitch by answering “why” you’re the fittest person for it. You may include a response or an answer to a particular problem.

You may also include an explanation why only you’re suitable in the midst of a sea of applicants. Be courageous enough to acknowledge your uniqueness and distinction.

Original. Make the pitch as original as possible. The pitch should lead others, not to follow a pack. To be original, you can choose to use a contrarian perspective, a unique and memorable acronym, or even humor.

Simple. The pitch should be simple, meaning it can be understood without having to wrinkle one’s forehead or checking words up in a dictionary, or a PhD to decipher, written in simple sentences instead of complex ones, and simple enough to memorize.

Short. Make the pitch simple and short. Sweet. Create a clever and punchy name for the project or proposal whenever appropriate, which can be easily memorized. For instance, PetTel for Pet Hotel or Disney’s volunteering program named VoluntEARS.

Third, every pitch is different.

The key to success is customizing the “template” to fit the current objectives. Use the P-O-S-S template to fit your specific situations. Most situations require pitching, thus it would be to your advantage to remember using this framework.

The best pitch is an art with a pseudo-scientific framework and filled with facts. Once you’ve mastered the art of pitching, you shall live a more meaningful and rewarding life. Master it now, while it’s still early enough. Great pitches open many doors to a great life.

The post One Super Useful Skill that No One Teaches in Your 20s appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Did you know that while the majority of burglars avoid homes with a security system, only 17% of homes in America alone are protected by smart home security systems? This alarming fact prompts us to look into the different attitudes people have that prevent them from optimizing the many benefits of having a security system, from practical safety to reducing stress and anxiety.

Here are the 10 types of people who badly need smart home security systems. Can you identify yourself in any one of them?

1. The Budget Watcher

Many people use expense as an excuse to forget about home safety, unaware that the cost of getting a good security system is way cheaper than dealing with the consequences of property crimes. It’s also worth stressing that effective devices need not be expensive. Budget conscious people can opt for DIY systems that can go as low as $100. These systems can include motion sensors, panic sirens, and even remote control. You can also add optional components to build your personalized system.

Devices like cameras and and contact sensors for doors and windows make for great additions to secure your home. Indeed, deterring burglars and property criminals with a security system will not dry up your funds.

See Also: Protect Your Home with Today’s Top Home Security Apps

2. The Busy Professional

Busy professionals understandably have a lot on their plate. They are usually focused on work and have to juggle their tight schedules. Don’t increase your daily stress by forgetting about home security! What’s at stake here is your safety.

Professional alarm systems have evolved and gone smarter that they do the busy work for you. From sensors to lighting control, you have in your hands the power to make your life safer and less stressful.

3. The Happy-Go-Lucky

It’s nice to be carefree once in awhile and forget about daily worries. However, it’s not a good idea to let your guard down when it comes to home security. Do yourself a favor and confront the seriousness of security matters.

Happy-go-lucky individuals often are hooked into the illusory idea that they are far removed from danger. They like to forget about their responsibilities not only to their own safety but also to their loved ones. The repercussions of such an attitude can be extremely endangering.

Getting a smart security system is your best bet because it allows you to not think about it too much. A smart system can “think” for itself and for you.

4. The Wonder Woman

Strong, independent women should be lauded and celebrated. They are like superheroes who prove to everyone that they are equal and can be better than men. However, problems arise when they don’t think about their own security. If you live alone in an apartment, one of the best guides to secure independent living is to invest in a simple entry sensor.

For $30, you can get entry sensors that can do wonders for your safety. Also, there aren’t any monthly fees unless you opt for live monitoring by a security services company.

5. The Complicated

The irony of complicated people is they don’t usually like obstacles. They dream of a life that can be simplified and be in order.

If you belong to this group and think that devices such as home security cameras will make your life more complicated, then you are gravely mistaken. You are also compromising your security!

The security options available today have the beauty of simplicity. Gone are the days when security systems mean having bulky and difficult-to-operate devices. You can go wireless or hybrid, which means you don’t have to deal with those pesky wires that trouble you.

6. The Family with Special Needs

Having a special needs member of the family makes it all the more important to think about safety. The expenses that come with living with a special needs family member can sometimes be steep. Having a security system can sound expensive if the priceless value of safety is disregarded. Indeed, the thought of putting your child’s safety at risk can be scary. Know that having a smart home means creating a safe haven for you and your child. Concretely, you can consider having a two-way audio system that allows you to communicate with your child at all times.

See Also: Home Security: Try These 10 Ways to Make Your Home Safer – Without a Gun

7. The Ageing Non-Techie

Did you know that as many as 87% of adults over the age of 65 would prefer to stay in their homes most of the time? Having ageing parents who live by themselves makes you worried about their safety. There’s also that inescapable fact of diseases like Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other limiting conditions.

Getting a smart security system will dramatically reduce your anxiety and can effectively take care of your elders. Check if the devices are something they can operate themselves.

One of the best times to replace your security system is when the devices they have are either ineffective or difficult to use. There are simple devices like sensors that send notifications to you. These types of devices are great because your folks can use them with little to no assistance.

8. The Foodie

Are you a foodie who likes things fresh all the time? Do you find yourself having to throw away food because you keep on forgetting about the expiration date? Smart home devices like a smartened-up egg tray can be your best friend. This device can hold all 14 eggs in one tray and tell you how long each egg has been stored. The capability of similar devices will allow you to know when the food is about to go stale or bad.

9. The Undecided

With so many choices available, the Undecided feels confused and unequipped to make the right decision. It’s no different when it comes to home security systems.

True, there are countless options. Know, however, that security options nowadays have been extremely simplified and are user-friendly. The buzz phrase is “smart devices.”

Wireless hidden cameras, for example, can automatically record videos. Similar types of smart devices can benefit you in times of confusion and danger. Such devices maintain their efficiency even during moments when you lose your focus.

10. The Style Conscious

The worry of stylish people is that a security system will not suit their discriminating tastes and ruin the design of their spaces. Nothing could be further from how modern smart systems actually look. The available security devices today exude sophistication and elegance that they can easily fit into any space.

In fact these devices—from hidden cameras to heat detectors—are smartly designed that they can look like modern pieces of art. Besides, what can be more un-stylish than having your serene space disturbed and spoiled by burglars?

These kinds of people who do not like to have smart home security systems should put things in perspective for you. Whatever the attitude or type, the fact remains that criminality and other possible dangers are standing threats to everyone. Never compromise yourself and your family’s safety. At the end of the day, having smart home security systems will allow you to live your life to the fullest in a safer environment.

The post 10 People in Urgent Need of Smart Home Security Systems appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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The role of karma in relationships is real and we can see it play out in our daily lives and the people around us.

By now we’ve all heard of karma, and we’ve gotten the impression that it’s some malicious force that punishes us for our bad deeds. Not so! Karma is an old Sanskrit word that simply means “deed” but the ethical concept of karma dates back thousands of years in India.

Let’s clarify karma a bit so we understand its real influence over our lives:

What is karma, anyway?

Karma is actually the accumulation of our every thought, intention, and action from this and former lifetimes. It’s like a piece of luggage we carry with us on our trip from life to life only unlike luggage at the airport, it never gets lost! And bad karma doesn’t punish us; it makes us punish ourselves.

Negative karma sets us up for negative cycles that are seemingly never-ending. But just as there’s bad karma, there also exists good karma that protects us from harm and allows us to evolve towards personal joy.

See Also: How to Never Take Life for Granted

How karma really works.

Our ultimate goal is to settle old karma and generate as much positive karma as possible. So how does this energy play out in our romances?

Karma will wreak havoc in our love life if left unresolved (no pressure). Being blind to our individual karma will cause us to blame other people for the wrong things that happen to us.

We might be settling for the same type of partner, or making the same mistakes in relationship after relationship, but our karma won’t allow us to see that. We’ll think it’s bad luck or that all people are liars and cheats.

If we haven’t lifted the burdens of our past, they will block our future. Life is a circle. We travel ‘round and ‘round, meeting the same situations, circumstances, and people because they are part of our unique karma. But if we left the road a piece of baggage on the road some miles back, we’ll meet it again when we come around the circle.

This is why it’s essential that we clear our roadblocks for a smooth trip.

See Also: How to Meditate When All The Other Techniques Don’t Work

Karma, in action.

Breaking karmic patterns can be tricky because we may not have identified the karma that’s causing us to endure the same obstacles. The only way to break the barriers is to take different actions. That’s why we wrote The Karma Queens’ Guide to Relationships, a practical manual for recognizing and ending unwanted karmic cycles. We wanted to show our readers that every decision matters.

Everything we do comes back to us and even the most trivial choice we make now can have a massive impact later. Many times we ignore our karma and act in bad faith or out of ego and selfishness.

Take the case of Susan, who fell in love with a man who was married and had four children. These facts didn’t deter Susan, however, who was tenacious to have Adam if it was the last thing she did! Eventually, Susan charmed Adam to the point that he actually divorced his wife and left his four children. Susan couldn’t be happier, and quickly became pregnant with her own child with Adam. But Adam’s former wife outwitted them both. She sent all four of her children with Adam to live with him and Susan. These children had been thoroughly instigated against Susan and they figuratively ate her alive. She became desperate but Adam wasn’t seeing the problem, partly because these were his children whom he loved dearly. The kids were also influencing Adam against Susan, fabricating stories about bad things she had never done. After a few years, the situation became so strained that Susan actually gave up on the man she had fought so hard to be with. She saw the grim reality of what she had done: she had taken a man away from his family, and the dark karma was now turning against her.

Your story may not be as dramatic, of course, but if you’re not completely happy in a relationship then a karmic component could be the cause.

Use these three principles to create positive karma if you feel something is wrong in your relationship:

Keep sacred your karma

The golden rule to clean karma is to act with integrity not for other people, but for your own sake. Smile at everyone, even if they don’t smile at you. Keep sacred your karma by remaining aware of your thoughts, intentions, and actions.

It doesn’t matter who has mistreated a million times. You must continue to act according to your karmic reputation and not in response to the other person’s actions.

Continue to be compassionate yet indifferent. This doesn’t mean that you should keep sacrificing for a person who doesn’t treat you the way you deserve, or that you have to yield to their every whim. But you must still show a degree of understanding under any circumstance.

Don’t retaliate

Our first reaction when we’ve been wronged is to seek revenge, and this is normal. But in the long run this causes us much more harm than the temporary good it brings. Whether you’ve been betrayed or not, don’t resort to betraying another person.

Remember the phrase, do unto others as you would have them do unto you? Never forget it! If you’re unhappy in your relationship, simply move on but never purposely fool or mislead others just to satisfy your ego. Taking revenge will only backfire on you as it will trap you and perpetuate bad karma so that it continues on indefinitely in your life.

See the bigger reason

When we make a mistake, we tend to blame and criticize ourselves endlessly. Mistakes help us to resolve karma if we make the right choices. We all have some sort of outstanding karma. Karma certainly builds up in time and it’s nearly impossible to keep a completely clean record.

Errors in life are sometimes necessary because they can help end our karma, our soulful ties with people, places, or things. For example, many of our clients have made mistakes that have ended the relationship with their partner. At first they couldn’t forgive themselves but in time they’re actually grateful that the relationship came to an end because they weren’t completely happy.

There’s no escaping our karma, and why should we want to? If we keep our karma unstained and honor our karmic duties, we will get exactly what we deserve: inner peace, endless joy, and a truly fulfilling relationship.

To good karma,
Dr. Carmen Harra and Alexandra Harra

The post The Role of Karma in Your Relationships appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Do you want to learn how to use Snapchat?

I had heard of Snapchat but never paid much mind to it. Then I saw a bunch of people in my Twitter feed talking about it, using it and having fun with it. My interest was piqued and I decided to give Snapchat a whirl.

At first, I had no idea what to do or how to use Snapchat. Now I’m using it like a boss. You can too. I’m giving you the inside scoop. I’ll explain and show you how to use Snapchat, so let’s get started.

Set up Snapchat

1. Get the Snapchat app from the Apple app store or Google Play.
2. Set up your Snapchat account.
3. Add your friends or others you want to follow.
4. Tap the Ghost icon on the top of your screen. This opens your profile page.

For your profile page:

• Customize your Snapcode – Take a picture or video for your friends and followers to see. This appears in your ghost icon.
• Settings – In the upper right-hand side of Snapchat, tap the gear icon. Here you’ll manage privacy and additional user settings.
• Find – Add more friends. Follow brands and celebrities.
• See your score – Your Snapchat interactions create your score. See your snap score under the ghost icon, next to your Snapchat username.
• View Trophies – In the upper center of your screen view your Snapchat trophies by tapping on the trophy icon.

See Also: 8 Things You Didn’t Know There Was an App For

Start Snapping Pictures and Videos

With your phone in regular camera mode, you can take pictures as you normally do. Tap the circle button displayed in the lower middle of your screen. To take a video press and hold the button down.

1. Once you take a picture, you can add a filter by swiping right.
2. To use more than one filter after you’ve applied your first filter, hold your finger on the screen and swipe right with another. This is called stacking.
3. You can also add filters to videos by swiping right. With video, you get a few more options to use, although you can’t stack. Video lets you make your video display in rewind mode, Fast (rabbit) mode or super slow (snail mode).
4. You can share the picture or video with your friends or add it to your Story, which I get into a little further on in this guide.

Take Selfies and Videos. Customize Them.

1. From your profile page, swipe up. To take a selfie, tap the flip camera icon in the upper right corner. Next, tap the circle button in the lower middle of your screen to snap a photo or hold it down to record a video.
2. Want to add text? No problem. Go to the upper case T on the top right-hand side, then tap and type a caption to add to your picture or video.
3. Add some stickers by tapping on the small icon that looks like a piece of paper with the edge flipped up.
4. Draw a picture or doodle on your selfie with the pencil icon located in the upper-right of your screen.
5. Add filters by swiping right on your screen. You can unlock even more filters specific to your area by turning on location-based services.

To use lenses:

• In selfie mode hold your finger down on your face on your phone screen (not the take photo button).
  Now Snapchat will scan your face and you will see lenses that you can use to take a selfie or video within the lower right. Check them out; they are super fun!
• To use a particular lens tap it before you snap a selfie or video of yourself and it will be applied.
  Incoming Snaps and Chats
• To view incoming snaps and chats from your friend’s swipe right.
• To see a snap from a friend, tap once on your friend’s name to open it. Over time, the emoji next to your friend’s names will change based on your interaction with them.

Open a Chat

1. To chat with a friend, swipe right on their name. You can tap on a line of text, picture or video you want to save in case you need it later.
2. Send your friend a picture with the picture icon in the lower left.
3. You could also have a voice conversation by tapping on the icon shaped like a phone.
4. Use the quick snap button (little circle) within your chat to and send it to your friend.
5. Tap on the video camera icon and to have a video chat with your friend.
6. Send your friend some art with the smiley face icon.

Check your Privacy Settings

1. From your profile page, click on the settings icon, the little gear in the upper right-hand screen of your phone.
2. Scroll down to Who Can… Contact Me and View My Story.
3. Tap on View My Story. Then, select who you want to have access to view your story. The options are Everyone, My Friends or Custom, where you pick and choose who sees what.

See Also: Must-have apps for women who love to travel alone

View Stories

To learn how to use Snapchat, you’ll need to know about stories.

Want to view your friend’s compilation of videos and pictures? Swipe left on your phone’s screen to open the stories page. These only last for a 24-hour time frame so be sure to check the stories page often. Make your stories to share with your friends or you can make them public for all to see.

More pro-tips about stories:

• You can also watch stories made by brands and celebrities on Snapchat.
• Live stories are ones happening around where you live. They are from local users snaps and made by the Snapchat team.
• To keep things moving along, you can tap on your screen to see the next snap without waiting.

Once you learn how to use Snapchat, you’ll get used to the way it works and be a pro in no time. You might even wonder what you did without it. It can be a bit addicting at times but always fun! Snap and share my friends, snap and share.

The post How to Use Snapchat Like a Boss appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Do you want to know our secret on ways to travel the world for FREE?

If you are a traveler, you certainly know that traveling can be far too expensive. The good news is that there are ways out there to travel cheaper and longer. You may even end up traveling for free!

All you need to do is to challenge your comfort zone and think outside of the box. Even better, be outside the box or as I prefer to say, get rid of it! You need to play your cards right in order to be able to travel more and avoid paying too much.

Here are the 3 smart ways you can travel the world cheap or for free.

#1 SAVINGS

Are you tired of people saying you can’t save money if you don’t earn a ton? It doesn’t matter how much you make. The only thing to consider for money-saving is to spend less than your income.

These are some easy ways to increase your income:

1. Do you love animals? Be a puppy-sitter and earn some extras.
2. Find part time jobs.
3. Consider freelancing

After getting or increasing your income, count your monthly earnings and cut down your expenses. It’s important to write down every single penny you spend to avoid unnecessary costs. Mint is an app to help you monitor your income and outcome.

These are some expenses you could limit:

• Accommodation:
– Find a roommate. Fewer expenses and more fun!
– Join AirBnB and rent your apartment or a room for a couple of weekends per month.
– Bargain for better deals for your phone, mobile, internet contracts, etc.

• Transportation:
– Use public transportation to avoid expensive taxis and gas for your car or motorcycle.
– Buy a monthly ticket for public transportation.
– Try services such as Uber.

• Entertainment:
– What about home parties or gatherings with friends?
– Do it like a student! Have pre-drinks at home before a night out to spend less.
– Avoid costly events, festivals and parties.

• Food and grocery shopping:
– It’s time for you to learn how to cook!
– Avoid eating out. Search for Super Market deals.

#2 BUDGET TRAVELING

Learn how to manage your travel budget and create the perfect long-lasting travel experiences. Discover some cool tips and hacks to improve this skill and make saving cash a breeze. These tips will help you spend less for your airfare, accommodation, transportation and activities.

1. Do it like a local

Don’t treat yourself as a tourist if you are not willing to spend all your savings. Touristy areas tend to be way more expensive when it comes to your stay, food, drinks or activities.

There are websites and apps out there ready to help you create a real local experience. Couchsurfing is an excellent way to meet locals. Stay with them or let them guide you to explore insights into the local culture.

Instead of entering touristy restaurants, go to local pubs and join happy hours, local fairs or festivals. Look for bargains and shop from local markets.

See Also: The Top 6 Travel Locations for Single Men 2016

2. Passes and Discounts

So many offers and discounts are in front of us when traveling, but we tend to avoid them. Even if you are not able to find any, use your negotiation skills.

Check out discount stores. Many of them sell all kinds of tickets at a discount, passes, gift cards, etc. Visit a tourist information point even if you don’t consider yourself as a tourist. You can find discounts, free maps, and free events to join, so why not.

Use museum passes. Many of them will pay for themselves, and you will be able to keep coming back, or visit other sights that might otherwise not be worth the expense.

Additionally, make sure to negotiate deals. You can get great discounts when personally contacting an airline, a hotel, a rental, etc.

3. Group Traveling

Traveling alone isn’t a wise thing to do if you want to travel cheap. If you’re a solo traveler, find or form a group of people who are traveling the same destinations as you.

Case in point, reserving a hotel is not solo travel-friendly. Lots of hotels charge supplements for single travelers; single rooms tend to be quite basic and stripped down. Double rooms are cheaper and quad rooms are only a little more expensive than the double ones.

On the other hand, group discounts are literally everywhere! Whether that’s a tour, train tickets, a festival, etc., most service providers are willing to give over 10% discounts for small groups.

Do things as a group, even if you are a solo traveler. You’ll be surprised with the offers you can get for a group booking or the money you save when sharing your hotel room or getting group tickets. Check out Lifeky to organize a group travel and find travel buddies.

4. Avoid travel agents and touristy finding services

Go direct to the source to get an offer for the best accommodation. Agents charge fees and mostly offer high-priced rooms without discounts.

Use guidebooks. They are easy to find online for many services you might need when traveling.

See Also: 5 Common Travel Fears and How to Overcome Them

5. Services provided by nonprofessionals

More or less, we are all familiar with the sharing economy solutions and services provided by nonprofessionals. There are several websites, platforms and even blogs out there providing these kinds of services and most of the time, they are great value for money deals.

Do your research! Apart from the ones we’ve mentioned already, there are several local nonprofessional services out there.

#3 FREELANCING

Providing online freelancing services as a way to fund your travels is a very good idea for two reasons:

1. Be your own boss. You can work whenever and for as many hours as you wish, from any place around the globe. All you need is your laptop and some creativity.
2. Sell value, not time. A significant part to consider is that you need a job that brings in income without the need to spend hours and hours of work, as your primary occupation is to travel.

To succeed as a freelancer and generate revenue you need to follow a couple of rules:

• Create real value based on your skills and expertise, not your time.
• Commit to your job as you would do if you were Amazon’s CEO or at least as a small business owner.

Does it sound too stressful? Don’t worry! You don’t need an MBA at Stanford to profit as a freelancer. What you need to do is to feel and act like a professional and spend some time to answer these questions:

• Product – What kind of services are you willing to produce?
• Clients – Who would purchase your services?
• Distribution Channels – How will you reach your customers?
• Metrics and Automation – How will you fasten your work and count your results?
• Brand name – What do your clients have to say about you?
• Costumer experience – How will your customers be tremendously satisfied?

To answer the questions, follow the steps below.

STEP 1: List your skills!
Don’t miss out any of them! People tend to skip qualifications they believe are too obvious or not valuable enough. You will probably skip a skill you think isn’t useful enough or too noticeable. For example, you might be relationship advisor expert or you have skills in interpreting dreams. You will be surprised at how many services you’ll come up with.

STEP 2: List skills you could acquire easily.
Learn and list skills close to your field of knowledge which could be obtained in less than a 20-hour study. It could be a landing page design, basic video editing, etc.

STEP 3: Google your skills and potential skills listed and seek out opportunities globally.
Check out freelancing platforms like Fiverr or People Per Hour. Try to identify services in high demand and get inspired!

STEP 4: That’s your product.
Sum up what you have discovered. Combine your skills to provide services in high demand and get clients. No, you don’t need to be a professional designer, developer or an expert in any field to be able to provide services. Come up with the need you could cover in some way better than your clients do themselves. This means higher quality, or faster or cheaper services. For instance, you might be an excellent writer and able to compose great product reviews and in half time. So, that’s your product from now on!

STEP 5: Find your clients and distribution channels.
You can find online freelancing platforms to sell your services. To give you an idea…

• Sell blog posts at Zerys.
• If you are a designer, 99designs is ideal for you.
• For custom projects, visit freelancer.

STEP 6: Start. Test. Automation.
Create 6 to 10 different service offers, start promoting them in 1 to 3 different platforms and find where you gain the most results. Keep the services and channels that fit you the most, and automate them for your time management strategy. For example, if you are a PPT presentation creator, find the highest in demand template and use only this one.

STEP 7: Create your brand.

• Ratings are vital when freelancing. Don’t risk losing them! To get a high rate:
• Reject “problem-creator” clients.
• Refund directly dissatisfied customers.
• Ask testimonials from satisfied customers.

STEP 8: Create a great customer experience.
Customer experience even in big corporations and firms is based on two principles:

• Happy customers come back and suggest your service to others.
• What excites customers the most is an even better experience than the one expected.

Remember, always be kind, enthusiastic and a professional.

#4 ORGANIZE A GROUP TRIP & FUND YOUR TRIP

What about organizing your dream trip for a group? This is one of the ways to travel the world for free.

As an individual, you can be a nonprofessional trip planner and share it with ideal co-travelers. If you feel incapable of organizing your trip, finding friends to join you, and have no budget, use your creativity to:

• Create an amazingly unique plan and convince travel buddies to follow
• Place yourself among top travel pros using a unique selling point
• Fund your trip taking advantage of group booking discounts

All you need to do is follow the steps below:

1. Capture the idea
What kind of trip could you organize? You have a hint about what you would like to plan but it isn’t clarified in your head yet. If you can fit an overall travel experience in within three lines, keep going! You are on the right path, and you can explain your idea to third parties.

2. Create a social trip
Figure out your plan’s details and imagine the overall experience. What’s your secret sauce that would make your idea irresistible?

The magic formula you’ll figure out yourself is that it’s all about social traveling. It’s not about the destination nor the activities. It’s all about people! At the end of the day, it’s whom you live it with that you’ll remember.

That’s why you need to make sure to prioritize the human factor and answer the question “Who would you like to live it with?”. To define the perfect co-travelers, firstly you need to clarify what could bond you. Is it a common interest, hobby or personality? Let your shared values lead you to the answers on what to do and where to go.

3. Bargain for the best deals
What if I told you that you can approach travel service providers, ask for an offer and get a discount that could fund your trip participation? When seeking for a group booking instead of a single booking, you can indeed achieve a lower price and a better deal. Makes sense right?

Providers are willing to give over 10% discount for a group of 10-15 individuals. Do the math! Don’t hesitate; it’s up to you to find the best deals and reliable providers offering the best “value for money” deals.

All you need to do is start your research, make some phone calls, write emails and there you are. When best offers are on table, you can choose the most valuable.

4. The presentation. Where to say what and how?
The first thing to consider is which channel to choose. A self-created website, world of mouth, or social media? They are all different options. That’s why you need to set some criteria.

The perfect channel is the one that will lead you to the ideal co-travelers. Make sure to reach them. The most tested channels are found online. My suggestion? Keep it digital! This is how you can ensure your message will be heard and gain supporters. You should even consider the viral effect.

Secondly, what are you going to say via the selected channel? The best way to show people they can trust and like you is to represent yourself. Tell them your story, be honest, and let them know what makes you a great trip organizer.

What travel experience do you have to offer? You don’t need to focus on scheduling the trip day after day; that would make you a tour operator. Share a flexible travel plan full of creative ideas and inspiration. Keep in mind the sequence: Who. What. Where. Last but not least, present your offers and what your negotiation skills have achieved.

You’ve got it so far but do not know how to make your presentation outstanding. I have some tips for you

• A catchy title will attract more potential co-travelers. Ways to travel the world for free (or at least, much more cheaply than you’d expect) is already a catchy idea.
• Make it interactive. Use videos and photos for each topic explained above. They will make you presentation appealing, and you’ll gain attention. Additionally, they are easy to share!
• Add some fun. A funny story and some humor are more likely to bring attention and make you likable. Keep your content updated.

5. How to sell it
You have a great plan and presentation, but are you going to fulfill your travel desire if you are not able to find co-travelers? Gain specifically targeted traction to reach people you would like to join.

Lucky you, the web provides ways and tools to find, approach and engage like-minded people. I would like to share some excellent tips, even top marketers all around the world use:

– Uniqueness. One-up what “competition” offers and be unique.
– Social Media. Share the plan on your Social Media and ask your online circle of friends to share.
– Create real value. That could happen through a blog post. Are you a blogger? Perfect, but even if you are not, consider guest blogging in targeted media.
– Let Google find it. You could spend mere $10 on Google AdWords and gain targeted followers and potential co-travelers.
– Communities. Even if you are not willing to pay anything, the magic tool called “Social Media” is an awesome way to find travel buddies. Exclusive travel apps or mass social networks are both perfect. Find targeted Facebook groups, or Google Plus communities, join and share your plan. Get them involved, ask for their feedback!
– #Hashtagtime. Use hashtags that match your idea on Twitter, Instagram, etc. People you are looking for — people who are also looking for ways to travel the world for free — will search for you through them. Even consider creating your own hashtag to describe your idea.

Did you enjoy the article? Did you gain more ideas on ways to travel the world for free? Spread the world and share!

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Do you need a guide to suprapubic catheter care and bladder management? This post will talk about the essentials of suprapubic catheter care.

What is a suprapubic catheter?

A suprapubic catheter is a thin tube that is inserted straight into the bladder to drain urine. This type of catheter is used by patients who are not able to use a catheter that is inserted into the urethra.

When a patient receives a suprapubic catheter, they undergo a procedure in an operating room during which they are either given general anesthesia or local, spinal anesthesia. The catheter is inserted through the abdomen into the bladder during a process that last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Usually suprapubic catheter insertion does not involve an overnight stay in the hospital.

About six weeks after your surgery, a medical professional at a healthcare facility will enable the changing of your suprapubic catheter. After this is done the first time, someone who has been trained in the process, including the patient or a relative, may perform this procedure.

Is a Suprapubic Catheter Better than a Urethral Catheter?

There are various reasons as to why a suprapubic catheter is often preferred over a urethral catheter. Overall, the former is easier to use and is more dependable. Hygienically, suprapubic catheters tend to be easier to clean and maintain.

There are also more choices when it comes to suprapubic catheter sizes. Urethral catheters should not exceed 14Ch, whereas suprapubic catheters as large as 20Ch may be used.

Larger catheters are less inclined to blockage. Also, once removed, the healing process for the catheter that’s been inserted into the abdomen is fast. Finally, with this type of device, one may engage in sexual activity, which is not the case with urethral models.

Drawbacks to urethral catheters include the fact that over a period of time the urethra may become damaged, which will expedite urinary leakage around the catheter. Also, damage to the bladder neck may occur when one uses this type of catheter. This would also facilitate unwanted leakage.

Possible Disadvantages of a Suprapubic Catheter

Some people will find that they are hypersensitive on and about the area where suprapubic catheter placement has taken place. Often, it’s found that such sensitivities wane with time.

Those who are overweight may have difficulty with placement of the catheter. Persistent discharge at the site of insertion is a problem for some, making it necessary to dress the site and change dressings in a timely manner. During the initial few weeks after insertion, some patients experience spasms.

Those who have any type of internalized catheter will be more likely to experience bladder stones and urinary tract infections. These are less problematic with other bladder management options such as intermittent catheterisation or sheath drainage.

Finally, after some time catheter blockages may become frequent prompting the need for one to undergo a cystoscopy, which is a surgical procedure designed to view and wash out the inside of one’s bladder.

Suprapubic Catheter Types

There are various types of suprapubic catheters, including those made of 100% silicone, which have been created for those who have a latex allergy. However, these can be more difficult to change than the standard kind, which are hydrogel coated latex catheters.

In terms of size, the 16Ch is the one that is most commonly used. Often, when a new catheter is inserted, the doctor will opt for an 18Ch, which will drain more easily due to the simple fact that a larger size means larger drainage holes. Better drainage reduces the chances of bacterial infection. The 18Ch may later be replaced by a 20Ch.

Proper Care of Your Bladder

In order to properly care for your bladder, it’s important to follow specific instructions from your doctor. However, there are some general guidelines and instructions that apply to just about anyone who has undergone suprapubic catheter insertion.

These include:

• Drink at the minimum 3 liters of fluids each day to flush the kidneys and bladder and prevent urinary tract infections.

See Also: There Are Huge Health Benefits of Drinking Water But How Much Should You Really Drink?

• It’s usual to have red or pink urine following initial catheter surgery and replacement.
• Seek help for bleeding if it is prolonged or excessive.
• Your doctor may give you a prescription, such as that for Oxybutynin/Detrusitol, to help inhibit leakage of the urethra.
• To reduce the risk of your catheter being pulled out, tape it to your abdomen and use a thigh strap for the drainage bag.
• Alternate on which leg you were the bag to reduce stress and soreness on the site.
• Your catheter balloon should have 10 mls of water in it.
• If you don’t have enough water in your catheter, it may fall out. If this is the case, remove what is in the balloon and replace it with 10mls of sterile water.
• Catheter changes must be accomplished swiftly as the suprapubic channel will close quickly once the device is removed.
• Some people use a suprapubic catheter with a catheter valve, allowing them to turn the urine flow off and on and to negate the use of a drainage bag.

See Also: 15 Simple Changes That Will Quickly Improve Your Health

For more information on suprapubic catheter care, make sure that you contact your heathcare professional.

The post Suprapubic Catheter Care: Health and Bladder Management appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Do you need to learn how to make your own standing desk?

A few years ago a friend of mine bought one of the first standing desks. I fell in love until I heard how much it cost him.

His desk was over $600.

Today I’m going to show you how you can make a standing desk for less than $20. Yes, I did say $20.

The standing desk is a Godsend for those who are doing their best to shy from the sedentary lifestyle. According to Kelly Starrett, famed physical therapist, standing desks can help avoid musculoskeletal injuries. However, the key is to take it slow and work your way into one because when acclimating too quickly, it can create back problems.

That aside, standing while working can increase caloric expenditure by as much as 300 calories per day!

See Also: 8 tips to help you avoid gaining weight while working a desk job

With that information quickly covered, let’s get cracking and get you standing!

Here’s how to make your own standing desk for a very pocket-friendly price.

Step 1: Measure the distance from the floor to your elbow

Using your ruler or tape measure, find the distance from the floor to your elbow. My measurement was roughly 40 inches, the approximate point that your keyboard should be to provide a comfortable working area for productivity.

Step 2: Find a lifter for your desk or table legs

Channelling the hidden MacGyver in me, I did some research and found an incredible bargain! Instead of buying a desk, hydraulics or some space age leverage system, I found the official item I was searching for. It’s called a bed riser.

This little gem is what allows you to raise your existing desk, raising and resting the legs within this inverted plant pot-shaped device. Depending on your height, you may need to stack a few of these risers.

I’m 5 feet, 10 inches, so one was plenty for me. Bed risers are available at Ikea, Wal-Mart or any place beds where beds are. A set of four at Ikea costs $4.49. Other places sell them at $11 for a set of four.

See Also: Simple Stretches You Can Do at Your Desk for Increased Energy

Step 3: Adjust to your preferences

Once my wife and I safely set our existing desk onto the risers, we needed a few adjustments to get the keyboard closer to elbow height. Luckily I found some wood in my garage. Using a plank and two 2X4’s, I screwed it all together.

My standing desk costs me $4.50 out of pocket.

With wood to purchase or asking for remnant pieces from the hardware store, the project could still be completed for around $20. Certainly for much less than $600!

Conclusion and Review

Let’s review the three easy steps you need to do on how to make your own standing desk:

• Determine the right distance from the floor to elbow.
• Using bed risers, place the legs into the risers.
• If the risers aren’t enough, make the adjustments required for a happy standing experience.

After two weeks, I concur with the recommendation to take it easy the first few days. When not used to working on your feet, take a break every few hours or use a barstool as pictured above.

I’ve noticed an increase in my mobility already, and the ability to move around has enhanced my creative thought processes as well. So if you’re up for a quick DIY project that will help your health, I recommend the $20 Standing Desk strategy.

Happy Standing!

The post How To Make Your Own Standing Desk and Save $600 appeared first on Dumb Little Man.

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Do you know the habits of wealthy people? Have you ever looked at rich and successful individuals and wanted to be like them one day?

There are eight habits most wealthy people share that have helped them enormously along the way. Find out what they are.

1. They Wake Up Early

Most, if not all, wealthy people are early risers, and that is no coincidence. Successful people recognize the value of waking up early. Billionaire Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin brand, is a strong advocate of waking up early.

There’s evidence to back his claims. Take the 2008 study, conducted at the University of North Texas, for instance. The study concluded that students who woke up early were more likely to get better grades than their late-rising counterparts.

This could be because when you wake up early, you have more time to plan your day, and even get a few things done, before you’ve even had your breakfast. And getting an early start on your day will give you the boost you need to be optimistic and highly productive.

2. They Never Stop Learning

In this technology-driven world that we live in, the day you stop learning is the day you become obsolete. Whether you’re an entrepreneur working toward expanding your business, or an employee of a multi-national company looking to climb up the corporate ladder, your willingness to keep updating yourself is what will help you become successful.

Make it a point to learn something new every day. Not only will it help you expand your knowledge, constantly learning will also keep you aware of all that’s changing in the world around you.

And when you are aware, you can easily adapt to suit market trends and shifts without any fear of being left behind.

See Also: The One Trick That Will Help You Become Wealthy

3. They Set Themselves Short-Term Goals

Long-term goals are all well and good but short-term goals are what really affect your daily productivity levels. In order to achieve your long-term goal, you need a definite path to follow. And that is where short-term goals come in. They put you on the right track, helping you to achieve your long-term goal in an efficient manner.

4. They Work out

Successful people tend to have a very disciplined workout routine. They work out, not just to be physically fit, but also to recharge their minds, getting themselves ready to face the day ahead. Bill Gates spends an hour every morning on the treadmill. Marx Levchin, co-founder of Paypal, prefers cycling to burn calories.

Pick a work out regime, be it yoga or running, or even rock climbing, and make it a point to follow a strict schedule. You will see that your mind and body transform bringing about a positive change in you.

5. They Have A Daily To-Do List

Ever found yourself chasing an important deadlin, wondering where all the time went? The rich don’t have that problem.

Wealthy people know that time is money which is why they practice writing up a daily to-do list. A to-do list helps you to organize and plan your day in advance, prioritizing your tasks.

Most importantly, it helps deter procrastination. And that is why a to-do list is such a powerful tool in the corporate world.

As you tick off each task that you complete, you get a sense of accomplishment which then propels you to work harder to achieve your ultimate goal.

6. They Value Their Employees

Successful people know that it’s the people around them that have helped them achieve their dreams. If you take a look at a company with a great employee retention rate, you can safely assume that that company treats its employees really well. This includes giving them good benefits and other incentives, as well as treating them as valued assets to the company.

It goes without saying that when you treat your employees right, they in turn will treat your customers right. And that is the secret to building a successful business empire.

7. They Don’t Watch Television

Bet you didn’t imagine that this would be one of the habits of wealthy people.

The television is referred to as the idiot box for a reason. Josephine Fairley, a journalist for the Telegraph, states that most of the successful people that she’s interviewed over the years simply don’t watch TV. Not sitting in front of the television frees up so much of your time, time that you can then use to do much more productive things.

The next time you look at someone and wonder how they manage to get so many things done in a day, know that the answer probably is that they don’t watch TV.

See Also: 5 Traits To Adopt To Create The Mind Of A Wealthy Person

8. They Network Aggressively

Wealthy, successful people are highly proactive when it comes to building their network. They make it a point to make contact and develop relationships with vital people, both within and outside their business. From golf sessions to LinkedIn connects, one of the habits of wealthy people is to actively strengthen and expand their network.

When done right, networking can help you land new clients as well as tap talent for future hiring. Sometimes it is all about knowing the right person, and that is where your networking comes in handy. Good networking skills are an indispensable asset in the business world.

If you want to be successful and wealthy, you need to work for it, not just in your professional life but in your personal life as well. When you follow the habits of wealthy people and optimize your lifestyle to reflect that of a successful person, you are already half-way to achieving your goal.

 

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