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Dec21

Why Is My Dog Aggressive?

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Why Is My Dog Aggressive?

If you have ever seen yours or another dog show aggressive behavior, it might be a little scary to witness and can be even more challenging to manage. Of course, when you have a family and children, the presence of an aggressive animal can be a big risk. However, before you take your dog away and put them up for adoption, it is important to understand their behavior and see if there is any way to manage it.

The first thing you will want to know is the cause of your dog’s aggressive behavior. From the outside, people usually assume that it is the owner’s fault or the dog is simply out of control, but when you start to explore deeper, you will see that everything is not as black and white as it seems:

Hormones: Like all other animals, dogs have hormones which change at certain times of the year, or according to certain stimulus. For example, when it comes to female dogs, they come on heat a few times each year. This means that they are at optimum time for mating and to give birth to pups. The issue with a female being on heat is that male dogs will be able to smell the pheromones she gives off, and this can make your male dog more aggressive for a short period as his testosterone levels spike. This is, of course, not an issue if your dog has been neutered, but if it hasn’t this is something to look out for.

Illness: When your dog is ill, it can cause them to become aggressive. There are a few different illnesses which can cause your dog to display aggressive behavior. Even the most friendly dog in the world can become aggressive when they are unwell or are in severe pain. Conditions such as a brain tumor, joint pain, and thyroid disease can be common causes of aggression in your pet. If you have a dog that suddenly shows signs of aggression such as growling, biting, or snarling you will need to get them checked out as they could be ill.

Fear: You may have heard of the concept of fight or flight; this concept applies to every living thing and is an innate action. When presented with a situation which is scary, you can either run away or stay and fight that fear until you beat it. Some dogs will cower away from other dogs, buses, or scary objects, but some dogs will stay and fight. If your animal is faced with a situation where they feel either trapped or afraid, they will lash out in self defense. This becomes a big issue if they bite somebody, because you may end up with a dog bite lawyer on your case.

Possession Aggression: There are a few instances where your dog may become possessive over its food, toys, or something else. It is mostly down to a dog’s personality. Some dogs don’t care if you sit next to them as they eat, whereas others will snap at you because they think you are going to steal it. Knowing your dog and taking precautions to stay away from them when they have food is the only way to deal with it.

You may also have the occurrence of your animal suddenly displaying possessive behavior when they have never done before. In this case you will want to take them to the vets because it could be if your dog is a young female, that they are suffering a phantom pregnancy. The toys your dog is being possessive over are actually her babies in her mind, which is why she is aggressive. This is nothing to worry about and will pass within a few weeks, however it is worth keeping toys away from her in this time.

Establishing Dominance: If you have more than one dog, you might notice them fighting each other every now and again. If this occurs frequently and the fighting starts becoming more aggressive it is most likely because they are fighting for dominance. All members of the canine family have a strict hierarchy which they live their lives by. There will always be an alpha male and alpha female. You will be able to tell which is which by the behavior they display as they eat and walk about.

An alpha male will always take their time with their food, whereas the lower ranks will wolf it down (pardon the pun) as quickly as they can. This is because alpha dogs have priority over food, so if they finish and another pack member still has food left, they can take it. The lower ranks will eat quickly so that they do not lose out on their food. Your dog may also display this behavior to you if they feel that their dominance is being challenged. If your dog barks as you try to move them off of the furniture or take them outside, this is a sign that they are asserting their dominance to you.

What to do: When your dog is displaying aggressive behavior, you may need help identifying the cause and helping them calm down. To do this you can do the following:

Call in a Professional: Call the vet and book an appointment to see if they are ill. If not, then you will need to look at contacting a dog behaviorist. Don’t try to fix the situation on your own because you could make matters worse and end up hurt. A professional will be able to see what’s happening with your pet and advise you on the way you should behave towards them to calm them down. Their advice could range from additional training like obedience school to CBD drops for dogs to help soothe them. A trip to the vet is the best first step you can take if your dog is displaying aggression.

Avoid Situations That Aggravate Your Dog: If your dog hates buses or they don’t like other dogs, avoid these situations where they are put in front of them. If the behavior still continues you may need to use desensitization to teach the dog that these things are not scary and that other dogs are good to be around.

Be Patient & Positive: Don’t shout at your dog. It is the worst thing that you can do because they do not understand why you are shouting. In their mind, their aggression is for a reason, so they will not respond well to you punishing them for it. Instead, keep things positive, praise your dog for good behavior, and try to work through things in a positive way.

Featured Image By: Flickr

Dec18

Home And Garden: Protect Your Property

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Home And Garden: Protect Your Property

If you need some help with protecting your home and garden this year, you might want to check out some of these clever gadgets, which can be the perfect remedy for your home security problems:

Ring Video Doorbell: The Ring Video Doorbell is no ordinary doorbell, it allows you to answer the door without opening it. There are motion sensors on the doorbell, and you can download an app on your phone so that when someone rings the bell, you will get a notification from the app and you can see who is at the door. It also allows you to talk through the doorbell to whoever it is. This is ideal for if you have a parcel coming and you don’t want it given to the neighbor or if you have a friend coming over but you are running a bit late.

Yale Smart Home Alarm: Arm and disarm your alarm from your smartphone. You can also add a power switch to all of your appliances as well as on your front door, so that if you leave the house and panic that you haven’t locked the door or turned off the oven, you can do it from your phone! This is a high end item, and you can review a ton of different security systems at Homesecuritysystem.co if you are unsure of which one to pick for your price range and needs.

Nest Cam Indoor: Place the nest cam in your home in a certain place and you will be able to see a 24/7 live stream of anything going on in that part of the house. If there is any odd activity or weird noises, your phone will notify you so that you can see what’s happening.

Dummy Camera: If you don’t feel like shelling out the dough to kit your home out with full CCTV, you can bluff by hanging up a fake camera outside of your home. It is far cheaper and any potential thieves won’t be able to tell the difference, meaning that you are much less likely to have your home intruded by anyone.

Fake TV Light: If you are ever out of the house but you would like to mimic occupancy to deter anyone from coming near the home, you can use this gadget to make it look like the TV is on. The TV light mimics the color changes of a TV, and you can pre-set the light to come on at certain times.

Cam Safe: If you’ve ever seen on Pinterest those secret compartments behind a light switch, then you may like this gadget. The idea is to take every day objects in the home and make them into secret compartments to store your valuables. It could be as random as a can of Coke or a packet of chips. It will allow you to keep your valuables in the home, in a place where no criminal is ever going to look for them. You can even keep it in the fridge if you want to make it even more convincing.

Stay safe and secure this holiday season with the above gadgets!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Dec14

Top Cat: Keep Your Feline Feelin’ Fine

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Top Cat: Keep Your Feline Feelin’ Fine

A lot of people choose cats as pets because they are independent and don’t require as much direct care and attention as dogs. But there is plenty that you can do to ensure that your feline friend stays at their healthiest. Getting into good daily habits with your cat is important, just as it is for your own health. So, let’s talk about a few of the ways that you can help your cat to live a happy and healthy life.

Brush Them Every Day: Brushing or combing your cat on a daily basis will help to cut down on the number of hairballs that develop in their digestive tracts. If you find it difficult to get your cat to cooperate with the brushing process, you should try combing them before a meal so that they will always associate it with a treat. Get into a regular routine and your cat should begin to accept brushing rather than fighting against it!

Don’t Give Them Too Much Dry Food: Cats rely on meat as the foundation of their diets and this should always be included in their main meal of the day. Dry food which contains a lot of carbohydrates is not usually good in large quantities as it can lead to them becoming obese and increasing their odds of developing conditions like type-2 diabetes.

Remember: Cats DO Get Thirsty: While cats may not have the same level of thirst as dogs, you still need to be aware of when they need liquids. Cats tend to get a big percentage of their fluid supply from their food, but you should always ensure that they have access to fresh water so they can drink whenever they need to. Elderly and nursing cats tend to need more water than others, and you should watch out for symptoms including lethargy, sunken eyes, and panting.

Keep Them Flea-Free: If your cat is scratching, chewing their skin, or seems restless, chances are that they have fleas. Watch for any signs of movement in their fur to make sure. There are plenty of products out there that you can use yourself if you think that your cat has fleas – visit this website for some of them. Make sure to de-flea your home as well to prevent a full-blown infestation.

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Prettyyy

Train Them to Use a Scratching Post: To protect your cat’s nails and your furniture, train them to use a scratching post. You can’t expect to put one in your home and your cat will know what to do instantly, so put it in the center of your room and try balancing some treats on the top. Once your cat is used to it, you can then move it to a less obvious position.

Choose a Feline-Friendly Vet: Developing a lasting relationship with your vet is important for your cat’s health, so make sure that you choose one who is experienced in dealing with cats rather than one who specializes in dogs.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Dec8

Taking Control Is A Leisurely Stroll

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Taking Control Is A Leisurely Stroll

Feeling as if you don’t have control over the events going on in your life can be very frustrating. If you’ve lost your job, aren’t earning what you’d like, or are simply struggling to use your time well, it can be hard to feel like you’re a true adult. In reality, everyone has a hard time with these parts of life, and the way you handle them can make a real difference. To make this nice and easy, this post will be exploring all of the little areas which you need to take control of when you’re first starting out in adult life:

The Little Things:

The Modules Of Adulthood: Buying a home, having a family, and achieving your other goals will seem very daunting when you think about them together. To make this a little easier, some simple splitting can help you a lot, as this will give you the chance to handle each piece on its own. This makes the big jobs little, giving you some breathing room and a chance to think at each stage. When thinking about this approach, the Agile development methodology can be very helpful to use as a template.

Using Outside Support: When you’re doing something for the first time or when you don’t have the skills, it almost always benefits you to hire a professional. An experienced moving company, for example, will have a much better chance to achieve a home move successfully than you will on your own. There are loads of professionals out there, making it easy to find someone to help you with whatever you’re struggling with.

Time Management:

Why Is It Important? Being able to follow the passage of time accurately without looking at a clock takes many years, and a lot of people will struggle to be able to do it. Of course, when you’re working, at school, or dealing with other adult commitments, you’ll have to make sure that you have a tight hold on your time. One of the best ways to achieve this is through some strict routine. As time goes on, it will become a lot easier to follow your preferred cycle, and a lot of people will find it becomes habitual.

The Constant Battle: When you’re trying to control a busy life, it can be hard to make sure that you have enough time for all of the jobs that you have on your plate. To solve this for you, it can be a good idea to start looking for some ways to assess your workloads. For a lot of people, the biggest problem is underestimating the time something will take. So, as a backup, having some extra time can always be a good idea, even if you don’t end up using it.

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 Daunting tasks turn easy when you break it up!

The Bigger Picture:

Your Career: Being stuck without an idea of what you’d like to do with your life can be very hard. Along with this, finding yourself in a job that won’t go anywhere can also be unpleasant to live with, and a lot of people will strive for the chance to have a fulfilling career. One of the easiest ways to achieve something like this is through planning. Right up until retirement, you should have an idea of where you would like to be at each stage in your life.

Your Family: Unfortunately, there are some parts of life which can’t be planned, and your family will be one of them. Most people never set out to find their partner or to have children; these things are surprises. To make them easier when they come, it can always be very helpful to have some preparation in place. Money is what you’ll need the most to fuel a growing family, so it’s a good idea to save up long in advance for this part of life. Along with this, having some knowledge under your belt can add a lot of ease to your job as a parent or partner.

Your Other Goals: Finally, it’s time to think about the other goals in life, and how you’re going to find ways to achieve them. Unlike the time you spend on your career, your hobbies and interests will need your spare time, making it hard for a lot of people to get the chance to indulge in them. This is a shame, though, as making time for something like this is often a simple matter of using time currently dedicated to something like TV.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start working harder on the time you put into the control you have over your life. When you feel like your destiny is out of your hands, it can be hard to feel safe and secure in life. Thankfully, though, it doesn’t have to be this way, and most people have the skills to make the changes that they need all by themselves.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Dec1

Why You Should Encourage Your Kids To Study Abroad

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Why You Should Encourage Your Kids To Study Abroad

There are lots of reasons parents should encourage their children to study abroad. This article will offer an insight into the situation and help to identify all of the benefits. Hopefully, this post will answer your questions and highlight all the reasons your loved ones should travel for their education:

Learning about a new culture:

One of the best things about studying abroad is that your kids will experience a new culture first hand. This should help to turn them into well-rounded individuals with empathy for alternative ways of life. It could even encourage your child to adopt parts of the culture themselves.

Meeting a varied group of friends:

It’s vital that everyone has a varied group of friends if they want to understand the world with a better perception. Studying abroad could help to knock down some of the barriers that might prevent your loved one from following things that happen around the world while ignoring propaganda.

Getting a better level of education:

There is no getting away from the fact that some universities and colleges in foreign countries perform better than those at home. So, by sending your kids abroad; you could ensure that they get the best education possible.

Now that you know about some of the main reasons why you should encourage your kids to study abroad; it’s time to research schools and universities in some of the most popular locations. Put a plan in place as early as possible because there are many things to consider when putting your child on a plane to a new country.


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Nov29

Are You Cut Out For A Career In The Medical Field?

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Are You Cut Out For A Career In The Medical Field?

These days, if you cast your eye around for in-demand careers, it’s likely you’ll find plenty in the medical field. By ‘medical field’ we’re talking about all of the different careers and jobs in hospitals and other places of work related to medicine. So, that’s already a pretty broad stretch of jobs!

The reason they’re so in-demand is that people always need medical assistance. The population is getting older and older, which means more people are in hospitals and getting medical treatment. Therefore, healthcare institutions need all hands on deck, and they’re constantly looking for new employees.

Immediately, this might strike you as a great career move. After all, one of the hardest things in life is trying to find a job when there aren’t many available. Within this field there are plenty of jobs going, whether you are looking to build a new medical practice or join an existing team, there’s every chance that you’ll find work easily. However, things aren’t quite that simple in the medical field. These types of jobs possess certain challenges that you might not be cut out for. So, before you start aligning your career path, answer these questions to see if you’re a good fit for a medical job:

Do you like working long and unpredictable shifts?

Doctors, nurses, surgeons, consultants, and any other medical professional will not have a typical working life. They don’t always get the classic 9-5 shifts every single day. More often than not, particularly when working in a hospital, the shift patterns are sporadic. You could be in for some hours in the early morning or late at night, and this could completely change the next day/week. If you want to pursue a medical career, you need to enjoy this element of unpredictability. But, if you’re someone that loves a strict schedule and wants to work 9-5 Monday-Friday, then this is definitely not the right career move for you.

Are you prepared to study…a lot?

If your answer is a resounding yes, then this is the right career path for you, and it could be time to start looking for those open residency positions. With some careers in some industries, you can get away without studying much or having a lot of educational qualifications. Here, it’s the complete opposite. Take a look at your standard hospital and you’ll find that every single job requires a degree or qualifications of some sort. Nurses need to undergo RN courses to qualify for work, doctors have to study medical degrees, and so on.

Then, you have further studying to advance your medical career. A nurse can study a 100% online RN to BSN program while they work, to gain more qualifications to be able to perform more jobs. A doctor can go back to university and train to become a surgeon or specialist doctor, and so on. No matter which way you turn, education is at the forefront of your medical career. So, if you’re not prepared to study, don’t even think about it.

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Ready to hit the books?

Can you cope well with pressure?

This is a simple yes or no answer question. If the answer is yes, then you may fare well in this line of work. If the answer is no, well, you might want to look at a different career path. Every type of medical job will be conducted under immense pressure. You may have strict time constraints, which means that you’re rushing around in an emergency situation. Or, you have certain rules and things that you need to pay very close attention to, for the patient’s safety, meaning you’re under even more pressure. If you’re the type of person that thrives under pressure, then you might have found the ideal career option.

Are you able to handle stress?

Similarly, are you able to handle intense periods of stress? Everyone gets stressed, it’s just part of life. However, there’s no denying that some people cope better than others. For anyone out there that knows how to handle and manage stress by meditating or finding ways to relax, then you’ll survive a career in the medical field. It’s no secret that working in medicine is extremely stressful. It goes back to the point about pressure. Being under intense pressure day after day is bound to cause stress. But, if you can manage it, then go for it!

Are you a people person?

If you’ve gone through all of the previous questions and still think that you’re cut out for a job in the medical field, then this is your final test; are you a people person? Do you like talking to other people and being around other people? Is this something you’re confident at doing, or do you always shy away from others? Naturally, working as a medical professional, all of your daily tasks will involve interactions with other humans. You’ll work as part of a team and need to be good at working with others. But, most importantly, you need to be excellent at talking to patients – which can sometimes be more difficult than you think!

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Are you a team player?

If you answered yes to all five questions, then woohoo! A career in the medical field could possibly be for you. If you are interested in the medical field, or even public health in general, then you may be interested in this public health education degree. It’s a big decision to make, but you should always make sure to follow your interests when it comes down to it. Don’t let the downsides of a field push you away from your passions.

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Nov23

Fed Up With Car Failures? It Could Be Time To Upgrade!

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Fed Up With Car Failures? It Could Be Time To Upgrade!

Our cars really are our ticket to independence, and having your own vehicle gives you the ability to go where you want, when you want. If you’ve been driving for a while your car probably feels like an extension of you, and so when things go wrong it can spell disaster. If your car is giving you trouble and it’s reaching the end of it’s life, here are some things to consider:

Reasons For Upgrading:

There are plenty of reasons why a newer car is a good investment. First of all, if you’re considering scrapping your car it’s likely to be because it’s unreliable. Newer cars are generally more reliable, as all of the parts are less worn. Plus, it’s easier and cheaper to find the parts to replace them if they go wrong, too. In more recent years pollution and car emissions have become a hot topic, and car manufacturers have taken this on board. This means newer cars tend to be more environmentally friendly – not just through electric or hybrid models, either. New cars also have better safety features, so if you are unlucky enough to be involved in a crash, you massively improve your chances of surviving or, at least, avoiding serious injury.

Choosing Your Next Car:

There are many factors to consider when you’re buying your next vehicle. You should never just rush into it and choose something based solely on price or looks. When shopping for a new car, make a list of “must haves” and “nice to haves” for your new vehicle with safety being paramount. Keep in mind that extra features in a car will have an impact on the price and that might not be within your budget so be reasonable and practical. This could include more cost effective upgrades like Private Number Plates to personalize your car or a subscription to satellite radio. The most important thing is that you have a safe vehicle to get from Point A to Point B.

Keep an open mind as you consider different options for your car as they might not check every box you have. Then, you can utilize sites like autoeasy.com/cars to give you options for cars that fit most of your preferences. It will help simplify the process because, let’s be honest, car shopping can be really frustrating sometimes! Of course, you should run some quotes through comparison sites to check out how much insurance will cost and if it’s affordable for you. If you have a very specific model in mind you might struggle finding one local, but luckily companies like Shiply do vehicle delivery. This is useful as you don’t need to travel or sort out insurance costs for driving it back, you can sort everything from the comfort of your own home, instead. And who doesn’t love online shopping?

As you consider your next car, it’s beneficial to research any common problems that that specific vehicle might have as well as a solution to the issue. Then, you will have the knowledge and a shop ready to go should your car need repairs. For example, you could enter a search for “volkswagen t-roc air conditioning service” (or the issue for your car) to find a body shop that specializes in that repair. It’s always a good idea to have a local shop on standby!

How To Get Rid Of The Old Model:

If your car is an older model, and either something major goes wrong or a few things all go at once, you can find yourself in the position where the costs of the parts and labor can be more than what the car is worth. In this case, it makes the most sense to scrap your car for cash or find a car yard that does trade ins, and then put the money towards a newer vehicle. If your car is particularly well maintained or a rare model, you could even sell it and make some good money, as collectors will be prepared to put in the cost of parts.

If it’s long past its best you could have it scrapped – just make sure that you choose a licenced car scrapyard. This prevents the vehicle from being unlawfully sold, where it could potentially end up in criminal activity while still registered to you!

A new car makes an excellent gift to yourself this holiday season – especially if you are in desperate need of a new one. Hit those holiday sales and drive away in your dream car!

Nov21

Black Friday Shopping Do’s And Don’ts

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Black Friday Shopping Do’s And Don’ts

Hello everyone and happy Tuesday! I can’t say that I’ve ever gone Black Friday shopping before and have no real desire to, either. BUT, after working retail for four years, I’ve grown savvy to some pro tips that will get you through the madness with some great deals and your personal safety/sanity still intact. Take a look:

DO:

Know your sales: Most stores do the same Black Friday sales every year. PacSun does, The Body Shop does, Claire’s does, Piercing Pagoda does (All stores that I’ve worked at.). Investigate the sales from year’s past and see if you notice a pattern. That way, you can determine if it’s even worth it to go out and hit the shops. Most stores won’t give you their Black Friday sales info before the day – but it doesn’t hurt to ask, either!

Know your sales Pt. 2: Normally, Black Friday sales don’t end on Black Friday. At PacSun and The Body Shop, their sales didn’t end for a solid month. If you don’t get to the stores on the actual day, I wouldn’t sweat it too much – especially because Cyber Monday is still a thing.

Cyber Monday Savvy: And speaking of Cyber Monday, get hip to it. In some cases, Cyber Monday sales are even better than Black Friday deals, especially if the stores you prefer to shop at have a stronger online presence. Do your research of sales from the past as mentioned in the above sections and make your decision on which day to shop. Or throw caution to the wind and shop on both!

Get there early: If there’s something that you really want, I’d recommend staking out at that specific store front at least an hour before opening. That way, you can get in, grab the item, and get out. It also doesn’t hurt to see if you can put items on hold prior to the Black Friday date so that you can purchase them with the sales and you don’t have to run into the store like a madwoman to get it.

Let it go: If you find yourself in a stand off for the last of something, just let it go. People are literally crazy and I’d rather leave the store in one piece than get the last of something that I’m sure you can buy at a later date.

DON’T:

Be that person: Black Friday is, by definition, a crazy time. Please have some respect. At the mall that I worked in, the store manager of Victoria’s Secret got punched in the face THREE YEARS IN A ROW. That’s pure insanity. You are all better than that. Don’t be that person.

Go in willy nilly: It’s essential to have a game plan during Black Friday. What items do you want? What stores are a must to go into? Can you and whomever you’re going shopping with divide and conquer to get everything on your lists? Devise a plan and stick to it so that you can make the most out of your Black Friday shopping extravaganza.

Buy in excess: Yes, it’s great to get a good deal. BUT do you really need everything that you’re buying? It’s nice to see all of the money that you saved, but don’t buy stuff just for the sake of buying it on Black Friday. As I mentioned before, check the deals. Some stores already have their sales going on now. Think of what is really necessary to purchase and try and do it beforehand, if you can. Being involved in all of the Black Friday hubbub can make you feel inclined to overspend so DON’T FALL FOR IT!!

Black Friday is not everyone’s cup of tea. It certainly isn’t mine! But that doesn’t mean that I don’t know a thing or two about how to shop during it. Use my pro tips and have the best Black Friday shopping experience yet! What are some of your Black Friday do’s and don’ts? What are some of the best Black Friday deals that you have scored? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov17

Winter Wonderland Guest Bloggers Series

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Winter Wonderland Guest Bloggers Series

Hi everyone and TGIF! I know it’s kind of early to start talking about a winter guest bloggers series BUT Lil Red loves to plan in advance so we’ll consider it perfect timing, instead. As the weather changes from cold to colder, lifewithlilred will become a toasty, warm safe haven for some holiday fun. I want all of your gift buying guides, DIY ornaments, and how many Christmas cookies you can eat in one sitting. Your favorite White Elephant present will also do just as well, if you don’t feel like playing Chubby Bunny “holiday style”!

I am hoping to get this holiday party started around the second week of December. If you are interested in being a guest blogger for my Winter Wonderland series, then shoot me an email with your post ideas at: sarah.mush6794@gmail.com !

THANKS!! ❤

Featured Image By: FunnyBeing

Nov16

Why It’s Never Too Late To Learn How To Play An Instrument

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Why It’s Never Too Late To Learn How To Play An Instrument

“I should have learned to play the guitar, should’ve learned to play them drums”, so sang Dire Straits in 1985. While a total lack of musical knowledge or awareness hasn’t been an impediment to many people working in the music industry today, many of us regret either not having learned or abandoning the learning of a musical instrument. Today, we’ll look at why it’s never too late to pick up an instrument, the pedagogic and psychological benefits, as well as looking over some great instruments for neophyte musicians. Learning a musical instrument is more than just a fun hobby, it’s a valuable skill that has numerous cerebral benefits as well as being a cool trick to bust out a parties!

It’s literally never too late:

Virtually everyone benefits from some sort of creative outlet and while we’re all just sort of expected to find the right one in our teens or early twenties, many of us don’t find the right mode of self-expression until they get into middle or even old age. There are few subsets of people for whom the dexterity and mental faculties to play an instrument are prohibitive. If, for example, your arthritic hands make playing the guitar or piano problematic you may benefit just as much from learning the harmonica or the panpipes.

Getting over the learning curve:

The landfills are littered with guitars that were discarded because their owners deemed it “too hard”. Most of them were impatient children or teenagers (We all knew someone at school who quit their guitar lessons because they didn’t become a virtuoso within a month.). As an adult, you may surprise yourself with how well you navigate the learning curve. While your older mind may be set in its ways, you will have learned the value in persistence elsewhere in life.

For most instruments, unlocking the fundamentals is a huge step in smoothing out the steep learning curve. In guitar playing, for example, much of your musical vocabulary is formed by mastering the ‘barre chords’ – moveable chords. When one has the measure of these, they can play any minor or major chord from a good root position. It takes time to master, but it unlocks so much of the instrument’s potential when you do. When this obstacle is hurdled, a player has the inside scoop in learning to cover their favorite music and even learning to write their own.

Cerebral and psychological benefits:

When playing (or even listening) to music, multiple areas of the brain become active. Musicians may look calm and composed but there are firework displays in their neurons. Processing music is actually an incredibly complex mental process, giving our brains a great workout that most of the time we’re not even aware of. It keeps our brains young and aids cognitive dexterity.

Finding the right instrument:

Hopefully, you’ve been moved to consider taking up a musical instrument, but you may wonder which are the best or most accessible ‘starter instruments’. String instruments such as guitar, violin, piano, cello, and bass are fairly accessible for new learners, as are the flute and clarinet. The saxophone presents a slightly steeper learning curve but it’s so ubiquitous in so many forms of music, that learning to master it opens up a lot of doors. Once you have met the basics, it will be exciting to experiment with your sound and additional equipment. For example, you might want to buy premium guitar accessories like pedals to introduce a whole new style to your playing.

There’s no such thing as the wrong instrument. Even learning an instrument that you don’t stick with tends to be a gateway to learning more. And isn’t it always fun to try new things?!

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