Tag Archives: anything and everything

Jun10

How You Can Feel Your Best, Every Single Day

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How You Can Feel Your Best, Every Single Day

There are some days when we wake up and we’re just raring to go. Then, there are the days when we wake up, and bleh, not today. At some periods, it feels like more or less like every morning fits into the latter category, when we really want the former feeling. While there will always be times when life isn’t all that enjoyable, there are things you can do that’ll help to nudge things in the right direction. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at some tried and tested tips that’ll hopefully have you feeling your best, every single day:

Limit the Vices:

There are some things that are socially accepted but aren’t all that good for us. Take alcohol, for example. It’s so commonplace in society, yet it can have a negative effect on our overall well being. If you’re continually waking up feeling a little lackluster and without energy, then you may want to look at your alcohol intake. A couple of beers or glasses of wine a night might not sound like a lot, but they can have an accumulative effect. Try giving it up for a few weeks and notice the increase in your energy.

Start the Day Right:

You should start as you mean to go on, is what they say. If you’re starting your day chaotically, then it’ll be little wonder if you’re not feeling so great throughout the day, will it? While it can be tempting to get as much sleep as possible, there are benefits to rising early. If you have an additional hour each morning, then you can go for a run, prepare a nice breakfast, read, and leave the house feeling like you’ve already had some goodness in your life. It can be tough to make this transition (that is, to get out of bed), but after a few days, you’ll know that you’re onto something good, and will keep it part of your routine.

Handle Any Problems:

While we’d like to hope that our days will be filled with nothing but good times, this just isn’t the case, not always. There’ll be times when problems present themselves. It’s not the problems that’ll dictate the day, however, but how you respond to them. There’s a solution for everything! It’s all about being prepared. If you have the right medication with you, then you’ll be able to wrestle back control from the things that threaten to derail your day. So make sure you’re prepared. You can get chlamydia treatments online, buy some aspirin, and have anything else in your bag that you think will make your day more comfortable. When those problems present themselves, you’ll have the remedy that’ll have you back on track in no time. 

Moments of Joy:

You won’t be feeling your best if all you’re doing is going through the grind, and doing all the things that you have to do. They should be taken care of, of course, but they’re not the only things that should make up your day! There are always ways to incorporate moments of joy into your day, even when you’re just going to the office. For example, could you park a little further away from the office, and take a pleasant stroll before work? Could you treat yourself to something nice on your lunch break? These small joys might not seem like much, but adding them to your day can shift your life in a more positive direction. 

Work up a Sweat:

Sometimes, we think that all we want to do is curl up on the couch and watch Netflix. And sometimes, that is the case. But if it’s becoming the default way for you to spend your day, then it might not be doing all that much good for you. Our bodies feel good when we use them. If you’re ever feeling a little low of energy and uninspired, then one of the best things you can do is put on some running shoes and go for a jog. Fifteen minutes is enough, so long as you’re working up a sweat. You’ll feel great once you’re back and showered!

Meditation and Slowing Down:

Finally, take some time to slow down. Life can be chaotic, and if you’re not taking steps to protect yourself, then you’ll only get caught up in the chaos. Meditation is perhaps the best way to keep a sense of calm and serenity. Give it a try, and you’ll see. 

Use the tips above to keep you feeling tip top every day!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun10

How To Start Moving Past A Fear Or Phobia

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How To Start Moving Past A Fear Or Phobia

When you’re dealing with a fear or a phobia, it can be a real challenge and it can even stop you from enjoying life in certain ways. No one should be held back like that, so if that’s the situation you find yourself in and you’re not sure what to do about it, you’re in the right place. There are options and techniques that can help you overcome these problems faster.

Of course, everyone is different and when it comes to psychological matters, there’s certainly no one size fits all solution that you can turn to. There are always going to be things that can go wrong and tactics that fail. But we’re going to discuss a whole range of options to try and a combination of them might just help you confront and move past your fears in life:

Take Small, Gradual Steps:

You should try to take relatively small steps when it comes to confronting your fears and phobias. There are always going to be difficulties along the way but you might end up doing more harm than good if you throw yourself in at the deep end. Small and gradual steps can help you to slowly adjust to the feeling of experiencing or being around the thing you fear. That kind of progress is positive and small steps are just as worthy of celebration as bigger ones.

Replace Negative Thoughts/Images with Positives Ones:

When you notice that you have negative thoughts creeping into your mind, you should try to replace them with more positive ones. The process of doing this is not always easy and straightforward but it certainly is something that’s worth working on. Sometimes, it really is as simple as recognizing the negative thoughts that are going through your mind and replacing them with thoughts that aren’t going to drag you down in the same way.

Don’t Demand Instant Results From Yourself:

You need to avoid the temptation to be too harsh on yourself. This is something that’s very easy to get wrong when you’re attempting to make progress with your fears and phobias. When you pile the pressure on yourself to change or to deal with your fears better, that pressure can end up making the situation worse than it already is, and that’s not what you want. Instead, you should try to be patient with yourself and don’t fall into a spiral of frustration just because things don’t change overnight.

Give Yourself Time to Think:

Sometimes, you just need to give yourself a little time and space to think things through. When you have a fear or a phobia, you often react in a very primal way. The fear is instinctive and it’s not the result of a real thought process. And that’s exactly why slowing things down and allowing yourself the time to think things through can be so beneficial to you. It allows you to analyze situations and understand if there really is a threat or whether you’re just being irrational.

Try Some Breathing Exercises:

Breathing exercises are useful when you need to calm yourself down and stop feeling so anxious about things. You should try to learn some breathing exercises and find ways to deal with difficult situations when they arise. When you take the time to breathe slowly and focus on every breath, you’ll find yourself becoming less stressed and you’ll calm down much quicker. That’s vital when you’re scared and want to start the process of overcoming that fear.

Write it Down:

Another thing that many people find helps them is the process of writing things down. This is all about processing those thoughts and feelings you’re having in a more logical and rational way. Fears and phobias tend to be quite irrational and you can work through them better when you write them down. This forces you to think about them and look at them clearly, rather than through the lens of your existing fears and phobias. It can really help in giving you the right kind of perspective.

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Pixabay Image

Learn to Deflate Situations with Humor:

When you find yourself in a difficult situation and you can feel your fear starting to mount and build up, you should try to deflate the situation with some humor. Doing this will be vital because when you can laugh, it’s hard to also feel scared at the same time. Learn to find the humor in the situation even if it feels a little uncomfortable and unpleasant for you in the moment. Once the situation deflates, you’ll feel a lot better.

Confront Past Experiences:

It’s a good idea to try to confront the things in your past that might have led to the fears that you have today. When you do this, you can be sure that you don’t carry on holding that origin story of your fears at the back of your mind. For example, if a dog bit you and you’ve been scared of dogs since, finding a dog bite lawyer and resolving the issue that’s caused you that mental trauma might help you to get closure and put the whole event behind you once and for all.

Exercises to Relieve Tension:

Finally, you should think about what you can do to relieve the tension you often feel when you’re in a situation where you’re scared and fearful. That tension can last even after the situation that’s making you scared is over. By exercises, you can release that tension and generally feel better from a mental health point of view.

When you have a fear that really stops you from doing things and achieving all of the things you want to in life, it’s time to take action. Don’t let yourself be held back or limited in any way by the things that you experience in life. Your fears can be confronted and dealt with using the ideas above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun8

June 2020 Funky Time Jams

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June 2020 Funky Time Jams

Hello! Wow, everything sucks. But, the end of June will be an exciting time because my family is going to have a little mini vacation to North Carolina. Now, this by no means will be a normal Mushenheim Family Vacation where my dad plans a perfect week full of activities and restaurants. Rather, it will be a more chill time of relaxing in a nice house and eating takeout. The best part? Finally meeting my new baby nephew and having my boyfriend join us on a vacation. 🙂

To keep going with a vacation mood, let’s all go to a happy place in our minds with the following:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to these songs or videos!

Feel good music has been a big part of what keeps me sane during the stressful times that we’re all currently living under. During all of the driving I do for work, I use my time in the car to get my mood back to a happy place with a few funky time bangers. And, who doesn’t feel like they just had an afternoon at the beach after hearing “Soak Up The Sun” by Sheryl Crow or “Kokomo” by The Beach Boys?!

If you find yourself getting anxious with today’s uncertainty, put on your favorite jam, take a vacation in your head, and get yourself back to baseline. ❤

Which songs make you think of vacation? What are your plans for the summer? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun5

Ladies Who Golf, In Style

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Ladies Who Golf, In Style

Ladies styles of golf clothing have advanced rapidly over the years. This falls in line with the fact that people are more style-conscious about what they wear on the course than they ever have been. However, it is important to recognize that there are still rules and regulations in place regarding what you can and cannot wear when playing golf.

A lot of people overlook the fact that a lot of golf courses have dress codes in place when it comes to the types of golf clothing that can be worn at their venue. The last thing you want to do is be turned away from a game of golf because you are wearing something that is deemed inappropriate. The most vital thing to recognize is that dress codes differ from venue to venue, some are relaxed and some are quite strict. This is why it is a good idea to check the company’s website before you do any online golf shopping so you can purchase clothing that stays within dress code restrictions.

It is worth noting that in most cases, you will not be allowed in a venue if you are wearing shorts or a golf skirt that is deemed too short. You should make sure they fall by your knee. Aside from this, other items on the non-permitted list tend to include jeans, any clothing that features big logos, T-shirts with big round necks, and rugby and football shirts. You can still have custom T shirt printing; you simply can’t wear football and rugby shirts.

Ensuring Your Clothes Have The Perfect Fit:

One of the biggest mistakes people tend to make is buying any clothes just because they are cheap, irrespective of their fit and features. However, if your clothing does not fit you correctly, it is going to have a detrimental impact on your game and your appearance. After all, comfort is one of the most crucial aspects when playing golf. So, let’s begin with the golf shirt, it is important to make sure the sleeves do not fall below your elbows. For men, they want a top that comes just above the elbows, but luckily for ladies, you are able to go a little bit shorter.

If you want a clean look, you should consider keeping the collar of your shirt inside of your sweater, if wearing one. If you are wearing shorts, make sure they are not too short, as you may find that you are in breach of the dress code and not allowed into the golf course.

If you are wearing trousers, they ought to kiss the top of your shoes for the right fit. All golfers should invest in waterproof clothing, as the weather is often erratic. The fit is even more important when it comes to these garments. If you go for anything that is oversized, it is going to get in the way and it will make it difficult for you to swing freely.

Grab the right garb for your time on the green with your girls (Alliteration much?!) and enjoy your day! And, make sure you grab the best tunes for Golf Cart Karaoke after learning more about top rated golf cart Bluetooth speakers. FOUR!!!

Jun3

Cut Your Energy Bills With These Tips

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Cut Your Energy Bills With These Tips

One of the many things that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on society is a rise in energy bills. After all, we are all spending a lot more time at home, so it is only natural that we will consume a lot more energy.

A study carried out in 2009 found that as a nation, the United States was wasting over $130 billion a year on energy. Energy and money that escapes through our roof, through the inefficient seals around our windows, through cracks and holes in the walls, and appliances and lights left switched on or in standby mode. More than ten years later and a massive increase in the technology that we use on a day to day basis and you can imagine how much that amount has probably jumped up by since then.

The one good thing, however, is that our energy consumption is something we have power over, so we can take measures to reduce it. Here, we will look at some ways you can cut back on your bills:

Tackle your temperature:

Depending on the season, the cooling down or heating up of your home does not only bring you comfort during the day but may be the only thing that gives you a pleasant and restful night of sleep. In the colder months, endeavor to keep the temperature between 18-20 ° C. Any degree higher than this will add up to 10% to your bill. Test the auto timers on your heater, too. By raising your heating time by one hour a day, you can save up to ninety hours of heating costs over the winter. Once the warmer months have come back, strive to keep your air conditioner above 24 ° C. Any degree lower will add 10% to your electricity bill. Make sure your house is sealed well so that they work efficiently and keep all of the heat or the cool air in.

If you are noticing issues with your heating or cooling system then it is best to contact the pros at underwoodhvacpros.com (or a similar business in your local area) to take a look. HVAC systems that aren’t working properly can be a huge money drain so you will want any repairs or replacements to be tended to immediately. Be sure to schedule yearly visits to ensure that everything is in working order for winter and summer.

Increase your insulation:

Think about why you wear a hat in the winter. It is because your head is where you lose most of your heat. The same goes for your home – your roof is the head of your home. By making sure your attic space has the very best insulation possible from somewhere like https://www.insulatekansascity.com/attic-insulation/, you can reduce the amount of heat lost from your house and save you plenty of cash, particularly over the winter months.

Audit your appliances:

Old, outdated appliances can be power-hungry and can really add to your energy bill. If you have older air conditioning units, a flue gas heating system, or water heaters and fixtures, you might want to think about an upgrade. Modern appliances are made to function more efficiently. They also will be using the latest in technology and assembly methods, which is beneficial should you need repairs. It can be hard to find replacement parts for outdated models. Sure, it costs an outlay of money initially but, in the long term, it will really end up saving you. If updating these appliances isn’t possible, it would be a good idea to have an expert in, for example, Hot Water System Installations (or whatever system is problematic) to come by for a maintenance check.

Cutting your energy bills does not need to involve anything dramatic or necessarily expensive. A few minor tweaks to your lifestyle here and there and making sure everything is working efficiently is enough to save you hundreds of dollars every year – global pandemic or not.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun3

Enjoying Improving

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Enjoying Improving

Hi! During quarantine, I have been enjoying getting to practice all of the different languages that I have been learning. I have much more time to do so and have noticed how much I’ve improved thanks to the almost daily practice sessions. On Duolingo, I am taking French, Spanish, Czech, German, and Italian. I also have been LOVING practicing American Sign Language through YouTube videos.

Recently, I began taking an online ASL Zoom class taught by the fabulous Doctor Jen. Unfortunately, she stopped doing her weekly teaches and I was left high, dry, and disappointed because I have been wanting to learn ASL for forever. Especially since teaching myself a little from books was nothing in comparison to watching someone teach you.

It was important to me to find another source to continue learning ASL with because I was doing way better than I expected. And, luckily, I landed on ten twenty minute lessons of basic sign language from a guy who looks like Steve Martin AND the one guy from Whose Line Is It Anyway? You’ll see what I mean, I promise:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video!

Although I loved learning ASL under Doctor Jen, it’s nice to continue learning even if it is with someone different. And, thankfully, Doctor Byron Bridges is a close second! Born deaf to deaf parents, Doctor Bridges has degrees from numerous different schools and is dedicated to teaching his craft.

Not only is he brilliant, but it’s impossible to not grin from ear to ear when you see how animated and in he gets to each lesson. If you’re looking for something to help pass the time, why not give a few of these ASL classes a try? You’ll be glad you did!

Where else offers ASL classes online? Which languages do you know? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May30

The Hidden Dangers Of The Daily Commute

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The Hidden Dangers Of The Daily Commute

Before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the economy, many of us used to travel to work. (Do you remember those days?) But even back then, the subject of the commute was a thorny one. Employers expected you to spend large parts of your day sitting on buses and trains to get to the office. And they didn’t usually pay for it (even if it was a necessary cost of the job).

The commute, though, could be more dangerous to you than you think. It’s not just a matter of getting to and from work and the time you lose. It could also be taking its toll on your health.

It Is Hazardous:

Getting on the train to go to work seems like a perfectly normal and safe thing to do. After all, workers have been alighting at railway stations ever since the Victoria era. Trains, though, are hazardous. Accidents are waiting to happen around every corner.

Research suggests, for instance, that the average worker faces risks around 32 times every week when they use trains to get to work. Being packed into a tin can with dozens of other people and having to navigate the step down to the platform is dangerous. The chances of a slip or fall are high, especially when workers are in a rush and their minds on other things. Data from the UK suggest that 1.7 million people have to take time off work every year because of injuries they sustain while commuting.

The risks are even higher than that, though, in some cases. One of the worst New York city derailments of all time, with more than 200 people sustaining injuries, occurred in Union Square in 1991, proving that accidents can still happen on the railway.

It Could Damage Your Body Clock:

Evolution designed humans to wake up with the rising sun and go to bed soon after it sets. Modern working lives, however, disrupt this natural process. We’re no longer in a routine. Instead, we organize our lives around our shift patterns – and they’re not always healthy.

The commute may actually make things worse. When you get on a brightly-lit train or bus in the morning or evening, you send signals to your body that it is day time, and you should wake up. Suddenly, your body releases a flood of hormones designed to perk you up and give you a buzz. When this happens in the morning, it is healthy. But when it occurs at night, it is anything but. You wind up fizzing all evening, and when you hit the sack, you can’t sleep.

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Pixabay Image

It Could Affect Your Cardiovascular System:

Finally, commuting to work could harm your cardiovascular system. The combination of sitting still for a long time with the added stress of being around so many people can lead to increases in blood pressure. When your body goes through this daily, it can lead to conditions like hypertension, which are risk factors in more severe diseases. Standing up more on transport may help.

Stay aware during your commutes to work and keep yourself and those around you safe.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May27

Tips On How People Can Protect Their Health During COVID-19

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Tips On How People Can Protect Their Health During COVID-19

The coronavirus has changed life as we know it with a number of people terrified to go back to work or school. Protecting your individual health is essential in keeping your family and those you come into contact with virus-free. There is a myriad of guidelines that have been set out by the CDC along with other medical experts. Below are tips to protect your health during this global pandemic:

Avoid Those Throwing Social Distancing to the Wind:

There are those that are practicing social distancing but still seeing members of their family. Avoiding these people is not essential, for the most part, although it might still be wise. The people that are constantly on social media at some sort of large gathering weekend after weekend should be cut out of your social life for the time being. Footage has been taken around the country of celebrations of the end of lock down with huge gatherings. The last thing anyone wants is a few more months of lock down so be smart in your decisions.

Understand How Your School or Workplace is Preventing the Spread:

The tough choice of going back to school on campus is a reality for many students at this current juncture. Looking into the preventative measures taken to reduce the chances for the virus spreading is crucial. Coronavirus cleaning for schools is available, which is something a school will publicize if they have invested in it. Lack of restrictions or dedication to distancing might make the decision for you with you opting for online classes.

The workplace is far more complicated, as you might not have a roof over your head if you do not go into work. The chance to work remotely is available for some people but it is not an option for all. Wearing a mask can be done if you have to deal with people face to face or work in a tight office environment. You also might want to introduce your employer to Unigloves so that he or she can stock up on the best disposable gloves for your work setting. The decision to go into work is one that will have to be made at one point or another. Make the decision when you are comfortable doing so, as many employers are being flexible in this uncertain time.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Home:

Doing a deep cleaning and disinfecting of your home weekly during this time is important. You have extra time to clean so use it to make sure the virus cannot spread. You do not want to get sick so a dedication to making sure hands are washed and areas like railings are disinfected is important. Most of the time a person’s home could use a little extra cleaning especially in tough to reach areas, anyways!

The importance of being proactive when it comes to washing your hands and practicing social distancing cannot be stressed enough. Wearing a mask is not required in many areas but it should be done just in case. The last thing you want is to contract the virus only to pass it to a family member that is elderly or has health complications. Once you get into the right routine this will become second-nature until things go back to normal.

May27

The Strange Effects Of Social Distancing On Your Emotions

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The Strange Effects Of Social Distancing On Your Emotions

When the government announced that it wanted people to stay in their houses and not leave for a few months, most agreed with the idea. A dangerous virus was on the loose, and that seemed like an excellent way to stop it from spreading.

A lot of scientists, however, warned that social distancing would have knock-on effects on people’s mental health and should be kept to a minimum. The government couldn’t just bar citizens from going around to each other’s houses until 2021. The consequences for human health and happiness would be just too high.

For many of us, social distancing has had a profound effect on our emotions. It is a strange experience staying indoors every day, only able to communicate with friends and family via text. If you feel a little odd, you’re not alone. Science actually has quite a bit to say about how isolation affects your well being and why it is vital for all of us to get on with our regular social lives when it’s safe to do so.

Higher Levels Of Insomnia:

The scientific research on the effects of social distancing is relatively limited, owing to the fact that there have been so few pandemics to study over the last 100 years. Even so, there is evidence from the 2014 Ebola outbreak that social distancing can exacerbate insomnia and lead to bad dreams.

Being away from other people appears to affect the way that our unconscious works. When we’re surrounded by people we love, we feel safe and can fall asleep quickly, no matter how busy our lives are. But when we are on our own, our brains sense danger, it can become more challenging to brush off.

The pandemic is also an intrinsically dangerous thing – and our minds aren’t ignorant of that. This phenomenon is leading to more extreme dreams and less restfulness while asleep – again impacting our ability to recover.

Loss Of Ability To Socialize:

You’ve heard the expression, “use it or lose it.” Well, it appears that that might be a real thing when it comes to socializing. People who spend a considerable amount of time by themselves might lose necessary social skills once they finally come out of isolation.

Fortunately, we live in a world full of unprecedented communication technologies. In the past, social isolation meant spending week after week by yourself without interacting with people. But now, you can text whoever you like, whenever you want, and immediately get that social interaction you crave.

Disease mitigation technology is also progressing leaps and bounds, according to COVID Guard. If you visit their site, you’ll see how face mask technology is advancing as entrepreneurs get to grips with mitigating the disease.

The psychological fallout from COVID-19 still isn’t clear, but there are good reasons to feel optimistic. Many people hunkering down together feel a sense of solidarity and strength in their efforts to help their communities. People are developing new cultures, methods of dating, and getting more exercise. Positive lifestyle changes are coming out of this phenomenon if you know where to look!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

May24

Just Something Nice :)

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Just Something Nice :)

HELLO! So, this quarantine has been lots of fun… I mean not the quarantine itself, everything kind of sucks. But, hanging out with my boyfriend at home when I’m done at work has been a hoot. Johnny and I have binge watched series after series and played countless hours of Animal Crossing to help us pass the time and, although it’s boring, I wouldn’t want to be quarantined with anyone else. :*)

One of my favorite nice Johnny stories that I never shared was from after I attended a wine and paint night with my best friend and some of the bridal party for her upcoming wedding. I came home with my tail between my legs because I thought my painting turned out like BOO BOO:

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But, the first thing Johnny said when he saw my painting was that he liked it and it looked like a Christmas card. Now, I have the painting proudly displayed in the living room. He always knows how to turn something I see negatively into a positive which I suck at doing and I always feel happy when I look at my masterpiece now.

Another thing that never fails to put a smile on my face is when I notice that Johnny has put my little artist’s wooden body model into a different position:

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^^^ It’s the little things, right?! 😅

Although things are far from awesome right now, I get to spend my excess free time safely tucked away in our goofy apartment world and I am so thankful for that. Especially when such fun surprises are scattered about if you know where to look! 🙂

Who has helped make this time in quarantine more tolerable for you? What is a silly tradition between you and someone your close with? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah