6 Bad Postures That Are Ruining Your Health & How To Correct Them!

If you are like the majority of the population, chances are you are suffering from symptoms correlated with bad posture. Catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror, it’s easy to see that I have forward neck/head posture. This is normally caused by a variation of weak neck muscles, seated job positions, incorrect sleeping positions, and prolonged computer or TV use.  But other than the un-esthetic aspect of bad posture, there’s really not much to worry about right?  Wrong.

Over time, poor posture takes a serious toll on your spine, shoulders, hips, and knees. In fact, it can cause a cascade of structural flaws that lead to back and joint pain, reduced flexibility, and compromised muscles, all of which limit your ability to burn fat or build strength.

Worst of all, bad posture can cause nerve constriction. As the spine changes in shape, the resulting movements or subluxations can put pressure on the surrounding spinal nerves. Because the nerves that connect to the spine come from all over the body, these pinched nerves can not only cause neck and back pain but may also cause pain in other unrelated areas of the body.

The following article will explore 6 common bad posture positions that many of us are making and will provide solutions to help correct these postures.

Rounded Shoulders

The problem: The sternoclavicular joints are unstable, therefore the body recruits the pectoris minor muscles to stabilize the joint. This brings the shoulder forward. With the shoulder forward, the upper trap turns on helping to support the shoulder from the neck. There is also a relationship with the thoracic spine & the sternum. The exercise described recruits global muscles to do the work of the postural muscles what happens is that for a short period of time holding through these muscles works then the muscles fatigue and the person falls back into the poor posture.

The fix: Lie facedown on the floor, with each arm at a 90-degree angle in the high-five position. Without changing your elbow angle, raise both arms by pulling your shoulders back and squeezing your shoulder blades together. Hold for five seconds. That’s one rep; do two or three sets of 12 reps daily. Changing posture has to happen by working the postural muscles which are deep to the global muscles.

Forward Neck/Head

The problem: Stiff muscles in the back of your neck.

The fix: Moving only your head, drop your chin down and in toward your sternum while stretching the back of your neck. Hold for a count of five; do this 10 times a day. Be careful not to push too hard or you will risk shifting your vertebra, which can lead to constant headaches.

Anterior Pelvic Tilt

The problem: There is a lack of support through the transverse abs and usually the lower 2 lumbar vertebra are unstable which is why the body tightens up the psoas & iliacus. There is often unstable hip joints due to stretched joint capsules as well.

The fix: Kneel on your left knee, with your right foot on the floor in front of you, knee bent. Press forward until you feel the stretch in your left hip. Tighten your butt muscles on your left side until you feel the front of your hip stretching comfortably. Reach upward with your left arm and stretch to the right side. Hold for a count of 30 seconds. That’s one repetition; do three on each side.

Elevated Shoulder

The problem: The muscle under your chest (running from your ribs to your shoulder blades) is weak. This is often the Levator scapula muscle in spasm, supported by a tight upper trap.

The fix: Sit upright in a chair with your hands next to your hips, palms down on the seat, arms straight. Without moving your arms, push down on the chair until your hips lift up off the seat and your torso rises. Hold for five seconds. That’s one repetition; do two or three sets of 12 reps daily.

Pigeon Toes

The problem: This problem is a bit too complex to sum up in a sentence, however some contributing factors to pigeon toes may be weak muscle support from the glutes, bone deformities, arthritis, and more.

The fix: Lie on one side with your knees bent 90 degrees and your heels together. Keeping your hips still, raise your top knee upward, separating your knees like a clamshell. Pause for five seconds, then lower your knee to the starting position. That’s one rep. Perform two or three sets of 12 reps on each side daily.

Duck Feet

The problem: Again, this problem could be caused my many factors. One contributing factor may be that your oblique muscles and hip flexors are weak.

The fix: Get into a pushup position with your feet resting on a stability ball. Without rounding your lower back, tuck your knees under your torso, using your feet to roll the ball toward your body, then back to the starting position. That’s one rep. Do two or three sets of six to 12 reps daily.

Assess Your Posture Right Now!

Wear something form-fitting and take two full-body photos—one from the front, one from the side. Relax your muscles and stand as tall as you can, feet hip-width apart. Then refer to the fix-it plan (below left) to diagnose your posture problems.

1 / Look at your ear. If it’s in front of the midpoint of your shoulder, your head is too far forward.
2 / Can you see your shoulder blade? That means your back is too rounded.
3 / If your hips tilt forward and you have a belly pooch (even if you don’t have an ounce of fat on your body) and your lower spine is arched significantly, this means you have an anterior pelvic tilt.
4 / Look at your shoulders. One shouldn’t appear higher than the other.
5 / Check out your kneecaps. Do they point inward, causing your knees to touch when your legs are straightened?
6 / See if you’re duck-footed. Your toes will point outward more than 10 degrees.

There you have it! Correcting poor posture while you are young will help prevent further more severe complications in the future.

 

How to Get Rid of Ants Fast Naturally!

During warm weather or rainy seasons, many people discover ants entering their houses and garden areas.

According to the Texas Imported Fire Ant Research and Management Project, ants are social insects and live in colonies that may range in size from hundreds to millions of ants, depending on the species.

There are different types of ants, but the most common house-invading ants include pavement, carpenter, acrobat, pharaoh and odorous house ants.

House-invading ants can get into your food, damage property or cause stinging bites. These tiny creatures can also cause damage to your plants.

Dealing with ants can be very frustrating. Pesticides for ants contain chemicals that are harmful to humans and the environment, but there are some natural, non-toxic ways to control ants. These may take some time and patience, but will provide good results.

Here are the top 10 ways to get rid of ants naturally:

1. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is an effective household ant repellent. Its smell discourages ants from entering your house and scrounging in your kitchen.
According to a 2014 study published in the International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, cinnamon essential oil yields positive results in both repellency and insecticidal activity.

• Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cinnamon essential oil in a cup of water. Soak a cotton ball in this solution and wipe down the areas where ants may enter and dwell. Repeat once daily until all the ants are gone.
• You can also put ground cinnamon and whole cloves near entry points.

Note: Use the cinnamon oil spray strategically in places of ant infestation; do not put it all over the place.

2. White Vinegar

White vinegar will also send an eviction notice to ants on your premises. They cannot bear its strong smell. In addition, the smell masks their scent trails, making them lose their direction.

1. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water.
2. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
3. Add a few drops of any essential oil and shake the bottle thoroughly.
4. Spray this solution around baseboards and other entry points.
5. After an hour, wipe up the ants using a damp paper towel and discard them.
6. Repeat once daily until the ants are completely gone.

You can also use this vinegar solution to clean floors, windowsills and countertops to prevent ants from crawling over these surfaces.

3. Borax

Borax is toxic to ants and helps rid them from your house and garden. Ants are attracted to it and, when ingested, it ultimately kills them.

• Mix equal amounts of borax and food jelly. Put it on a flat plate in the areas where you have ants.
• Alternatively, mix borax with granulated sugar in a 1:3 ratio. Add enough water to get a syrup-like consistency. Put this paste in the areas where you see ants.
• Another option is to make a paste with equal amounts of borax, cornmeal and a few drops of water. Spread the paste in areas where you tend to see ants.

Note: As borax is toxic, keep it away from pets and small children.

4. Lemon

To make your kitchen and other areas of your house ant-proof, try lemon. The smell deters ants and its acidic property masks their scent trails.

• Rub some lemon juice on door thresholds, windowsills and other possible areas where ants are getting in.
• Another option is to put a few drops of lemon essential oil on cotton balls and leave them in cabinets and other areas as needed.
• Scatter small slices of lemon peel around outdoor entrances.

Use these remedies every few days until the ants are completely gone.

5. Peppermint

Peppermint is a natural insect repellent that can effectively keep ants away. Ants hate its strong smell, which also disrupts their smelling capabilities so they cannot detect food sources.

• Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil to 1 cup of water. Spray the solution on all areas where ants are present. Repeat twice daily, until the ants are gone completely.
• Sprinkle some dried peppermint around your doors, entryways and garbage areas to repel ants.
• You can even grow peppermint plants in your kitchen garden.

6. Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE) also works well as an ant repellent. This powder is the fossilized remains of marine phytoplankton.
The microscopic razor sharp edges of DE can cut through the ants’ exoskeletons, gradually causing their body to dry out.

1. Gently sprinkle a thin layer of DE on windowsills, beneath the fridge, under cabinets, in and around garbage cans and any other places where you see ants.
2. Repeat once daily until all the ants are gone.

7. Cucumber Peel

Another age-old trick to get rid of ants is cucumber peel. Ants have a natural aversion to cucumber, as they cannot stand its taste. Bitter cucumbers work best, but you can use normal cucumbers, too.

1. Peel a cucumber.
2. Place pieces of the peel in all areas where you have seen ant activity.
3. Replace them with fresh peels daily.
4. Repeat as needed until the ants are gone.

8. Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper also works as an effective ant repellent. The strong nature of cayenne pepper destroys the chemical signals that ants rely on to navigate toward food, their nest and other places. Without a proper signal, ants will not able to survive and will thus look for new places to go.

• Sprinkle cayenne pepper powder in areas where you notice ants.
• You can also mix equal amounts of cayenne pepper and turmeric powder and sprinkle it across the access points to make an unpleasant barrier for ants.

9. Liquid Dish Soap

Dish soap also works as an effective ant repellent. It can help suffocate the ants, causing them to die. You can try this tip on cockroaches, too.

• Mix 1 teaspoon each of liquid dish soap and baking soda in a cup of water. Spread this solution along areas where ants are coming in.
• Fill a spray bottle with one part dish soap and two parts water, then shake it thoroughly. Spray the mixture over the areas where ants are present. After a few hours, wipe up the dead ants with a wet cloth.

10. Keep Your House Clean

To deter ants from entering your house, you must take extra care to keep it clean.

• Do your best to keep your floors, counter-tops and cabinets clean and free of clutter.
• Keep food containers tightly sealed, especially those used for storing sugar, honey, syrup and other foods that can attract ants.
• Clean up food spills right away, especially fruit juice or sugary foods.
• Make sure to properly cover any food that you leave out on the kitchen counter. You can even place bowls of food on plates containing a little water to prevent ants from reaching the food.
• Clean furniture surfaces and windowsills regularly.
• Never leave dirty dishes in the sink.
• Do not allow moisture to accumulate on kitchen counters and other surfaces.
• Ensure that your garbage cans have tightly sealed lids.
• Look for little cracks and crevices around doors and windows and seal them with caulk, petroleum jelly or any over-the-counter sealants.

 

Home Remedies for Clogged Arteries!

 

Clogged arteries refers to a condition in which deposits of fatty plaque within an artery leading to the heart or brain restricts blood flow. Due to this, the blood carrying oxygen and nutrients cannot reach different body organs and tissues, potentially causing huge damage and preventing organs from functioning properly.
This is a serious condition that is not easily detectable. The exact cause behind clogged arteries is still unclear. However, experts believe it starts with damage or injury to the inner layer of an artery.
Factors that may contribute to or worsen this problem include excessive smoking, a high-fat diet, lack of physical exercise, being overweight, having either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It can also occur due to inflammation from diseases like arthritis, lupus or infections.
Clogged arteries in different parts of the body can lead to health problems like coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease and even a heart attack or stroke.

Most often, clogged arteries do not cause any symptoms until the problem becomes severe. Symptoms may include chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, heart palpitations, weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, anxiety, nausea and sweating.
Other symptoms related to clogged arteries in different types of artery disease are leg pain, cold feet, numbness on one side of your body, inability to move an arm or a leg, and loss of vision on one side only.
As clogged arteries develop slowly and progressively, timely diagnosis is very important. Modern drugs and treatments as well as home remedies can help prevent the condition from worsening and reduce the risk of a serious cardiovascular disease.
  
Here are the top 10 home remedies for clogged arteries:

1. Garlic

Garlic is one of the best remedies for clogged arteries. It helps widen blood vessels and improve blood circulation.
According to a 2007 study done at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, garlic can help relax blood vessels by up to 72 percent more than a placebo. Moreover, garlic lowers bad cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart attacks or strokes.

• Add 3 chopped garlic cloves to a cup of milk and boil it. Allow it to cool and drink it daily before going to bed.

• Also, include garlic in your cooking or take garlic supplements after consulting your doctor.   

2. Turmeric

Turmeric is another spice that can help treat clogged arteries and make your heart healthy and more functional. Curcumin, the main component of turmeric, has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help prevent blood platelets from forming clots.
Moreover, turmeric extracts can lower the level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or ‘bad’ cholesterol,to reduce buildup in the arteries. It can also relax blood vessels and reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

• Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and a little honey to a glass of warm milk. Drink it 1 or 2 times daily.
• Take turmeric supplements. The usual recommended dosage is 400 to 600 mg 3 times daily. However, consult a doctor before taking any supplements.

• Also, include turmeric powder in your cooking.

3. Cayenne Pepper

The compound capsaicin present in cayenne pepper prevents bad cholesterol, or LDL, oxidation. This in turn reduces bad cholesterol levels in the blood, which is one of the main reasons behind clogged arteries. It also improves blood circulation and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Add ½ to1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper to a cup of hot water. Drink it 2 times daily for a few weeks.
• You can also take cayenne supplements, but only after consulting your doctor.

4. Lemon

Lemon is high in vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps improve blood pressure and reduce inflammation of the arteries. Plus, lemon helps lower blood cholesterol levels and keep arteries clear by preventing oxidative damage in the blood stream.

• Mix the juice of 1 lemon in a glass of warm water, along with a little honey and black pepper powder. Drink it 1 or 2 times daily for a few weeks.
• Alternatively, boil 1 tablespoon of lemon peels in 4 cups of water for 20 minutes. Strain and add honey. Drink 1 cup, 3 or 4 times daily for several weeks.

5. Ginger

Ginger is another effective remedy for clogged arteries. It contains compounds like gingerols and shogaols

that have cardiovascular benefits. Ginger prevents plaque buildup or lessens existing plaque by lowering total cholesterol and blocking oxidation of LDL.

• Drink 2 to 3 cups of ginger tea daily. Make the tea by adding 1 teaspoon of grated ginger to a cup of hot water. Let it steep for 5 minutes, strain and add a little honey.
• Alternatively, eat a small piece of raw ginger on an empty stomach daily or take ginger capsules after consulting your doctor.

Note: Do not use ginger remedies if ginger causes gastric upset or heartburn, or you have gallbladder problems or gallstones.

6. Fenugreek Seeds

You can also use fenugreek seeds to treat clogged arteries. These seeds have saponins that can help reduce the level of the artery-clogging LDL cholesterol. Moreover, the high amount of fiber in fenugreek seeds plays a key role in reducing bad cholesterol levels.

• Soak 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in water overnight. The next morning, eat the soaked seeds along with the water on an empty stomach.
• Another option is to add 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds to 1 cup of water. Boil it for 5 minutes, strain and add a little honey. Drink it 1 or 2 times daily.

Follow either of these remedies daily for several months.

7. Red Yeast Rice

Red yeast rice can also help unclog arteries as well as reduce the risk of having a heart attack. It has natural monacolins that can lower the level of LDL cholesterol.
Moreover, it has phytosterols, beta-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, isoflavones and many trace minerals that are good for overall cardiovascular health.

• You can cook and eat red yeast rice like any other white or brown rice.
• Another option is to take red yeast rice tablets in 1,200 mg doses 2 times per day with meals. Always consult your doctor for the proper dosage and appropriateness for your condition.

8. Flaxseed

Flaxseeds are one of the best sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) that can help reduce blood pressure and inflammation. This in turn helps keep arteries clear of obstructions and improves overall heart health. In addition, the fiber in flaxseeds binds with LDL cholesterol and helps clear clogged arteries.
Consume 2 to 4 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds daily to help clear clogged arteries. Add 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseeds in smoothies, soups and juices. You can also sprinkle ground flaxseeds in salads or baked goods.

9. Pomegranate

This fruit is rich in antioxidant phytochemicals that help protect the circulatory system from damaging oxidation, which causes plaque buildup and blood clots in the arteries. Moreover, pomegranate stimulates production of nitric oxide in the blood that helps open arteries and regulate blood pressure.

• Eat 1 to 2 fresh pomegranates daily.
• You can also drink a glass of freshly extracted pomegranate juice once daily.

10. Exercise

Regular physical exercise can also reduce stiff and clogged arteries. A proper exercise routine along with a healthy diet can strengthen your heart and help prevent and manage heart diseases. Exercise is also a good way to lose excess weight and maintain good health.

• Do aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, bicycling and jumping rope to strengthen your heart and improve your cardiovascular health.
• Also, include some cardiovascular exercises in your routine to improve heart health and keep arteries clear.
• Try some deep breathing as well as yoga to feel more relaxed and free from stress.

Consult your doctor about the type of exercises that you can do given your particular condition.

Additional Tips

• Avoid eating junk foods and processed foods. Do not eat fried red meat as it can clog your arteries.
• Stop smoking.
• Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages in high amounts.
• Use meditation to reduce stress.
• Include beans and whole-grain products in your diet.
• Eat more fruits with bright colors, such as oranges, butternut squash, mangos, tomatoes, watermelon and blueberries.
• Enjoy some early morning sunlight to get vitamin D, which helps reduce arterial stiffness.
• Consume 2 to 3 tablespoons of extra-virgin coconut oil daily to help reduce plaque buildup in the arteries.
• Drink 1 to 2 glasses of pure organic cranberry juice daily to protect your heart and improve your health.
• Cook food in extra-virgin olive oil for its positive effects on cholesterol levels and oxidative stress in the blood stream.
• Take 100 to 300 mcg of vitamin B12 per day after consulting a doctor.
• Eat at least 2 servings of cold-water fish like mackerel, tuna, trout, herring and salmon each week.
• Take omega-3 supplements after consulting your doctor.
• Limit your intake of sugar as well as any other food that will raise your blood sugar level.
• Drink 2 to 3 cups of green tea daily to keep the arteries free from bad cholesterol, or LDL.
• Eating a few walnuts daily also helps unclog arteries.

The Secret Reason So Many of Us Procrastinate!

There’s no way of telling just how common the procrastination phenomenon is. But given the well-validated theory of psychological reactance, it’s safe to say that at some point we've all probably been guilty of it—that is, you have probably delayed something which not only would be good for you to do but which you actually want to do.

In such instances, what best explains your (unconsciously) choosing to sabotage yourself?

Simply put, it’s all about free will—or at least what you believe is your inherent privilege to choose freely what feels right to you. Psychological reactance postulates that we all have an impulse to react negatively to any outside influence that threatens our deep-seated, highly coveted desire for personal autonomy. Whether it’s a matter of dignity or pride, or a strong sense of self-determination, when we know we have to do something because someone whose authority is greater than ours has told us to (or maybe ordered us to) there’s something deep inside us that impels us to resist.

This is the case even when there’s really nothing about the task, project, or assignment that we dislike or find intimidating. In fact, the matter at hand might even be something that, if the circumstances were different, we’d much rather approach than avoid. Moreover, as the substantial literature on this subject has demonstrated, such a noncompliant or rebellious impulse exists largely independent of specific personality variables.

Here’s a simple example of this seemingly perverse dynamic: Say someone presents you with two ice cream cones—one chocolate, one vanilla. On your own, you’d choose chocolate over vanilla virtually every time. But if the individual holding out the two cones actually urges you to take the chocolate—maybe even coming uncomfortably close to shoving it in your face—it’s almost guaranteed that it will suddenly occur to you that you really haven’t had a vanilla cone in ages, and that maybe this would be the perfect time to reintroduce a little novelty in your life. After all, you’ve almost forgotten what vanilla ice cream tastes like since for so long you‘ve acted on your preference for chocolate.

Consider, further, that the more adamantly this person might push you to choose the chocolate cone, the more likely you are to dig in your heels and proclaim that—no—if you’re really being given a choice here, you’ve already decided to take the vanilla. And you’ll probably affirm this choice with a conviction that might surprise even yourself—and a certain amount of self-righteous indignation, too.

It should be fairly obvious that there’s something crucial at stake here—and it’s surely not the ice cream. This is likely a situation calling on you (maybe screaming at you!) to assert your free will over the felt pressure put on you by the domineering directive of the person who’s put himself in the (at least momentarily) “superior” position by making you this offer. If the “tone” of his action feels dogmatic or bullying, your sense of yourself—as a self-respecting, self-determining individual—can’t help but be endangered. So if you’re to avoid such an uneasy, uncomfortable feeling of being manipulated, condescended, or dictated to, you’ll likely conclude (whether consciously or not) that you really have no choice but to opt for the vanilla.

Make sense to you?

This is precisely what the whole social-psychological concept of reactance is about—the [universal] desire to think and behave freely with the corresponding tendency to react negatively to another person’s directives.

Compare this to being told that you must undertake something that, in fact, you want to undertake anyway. The fact that there are now “demand characteristics” added to the project or task may, to whatever degree, make it feel less desirable to you. Comparatively speaking, you’re more likely to find yourself procrastinating—maybe without quite understanding why. After all, you do want to do this thing. Still, your largely unconscious resistance may give you pause. And so, governed by such ambivalence, you may literally have to fight yourself to get started on the project, or to complete it.

In the substantial literature on reactance, there’s actually a term known as reactance procrastination. And there are numerous examples demonstrating the phenomenon: Take the case of an alcoholic who knows he (or she) needs to stop drinking. But one of the psychological (vs. physical) reasons they can’t stop is their feeling—despite its blatantly negative effects on their life, which they're well aware of—that they should still have the freedom to drink. This is a rarely acknowledged explanation of why they resist others’ trying to “pressure” them into abstinence. Particularly if, as children, they were abused by their parents, or over-controlled by them (i.e., not allowed sufficient choices), they may feel an urgent inner pressure to proclaim their freedom to drink, despite being vaguely aware that it’s slowly killing them or their protestations to others that they really do intend to stop.

Here’s how one article describes it: “If a person’s behavioural freedom is reduced, or threatened with reduction, the individual feels an increased amount of self-direction in regard to their own behaviour, where they feel that they can do as they like and do not have to do what others tell them. [This situation] also increases the overall attractiveness of that [threatened or] eliminated free behaviour.” And—additionally important in all this—“Psychological reactance may play a [greater] role in procrastination if individuals have rebelliousness, hostility and/or disagreeableness traits.”

Regarding your own possible challenges with procrastination, at least as they relate to reactance, how do you resolve this? It’s mostly a matter of:

1. Becoming more conscious of why you’re feeling a need to hesitate or delay.
2. Reminding yourself that undertaking the task in a timely fashion is really in your own best interests.

Essentially, you’re choosing to do it not because of any outward coercion but because it makes perfectly good sense to do it and it’s well within your capabilities and interests. You can pay adequate “homage” to your ambivalence simply by recognizing it—and perhaps even getting yourself to laugh at it.

You’re no longer a child seeking to establish a separate identity from your parents (your original authority figures) by emphatically saying "No!" Therefore, you don’t want such ancient self-confirmation impulses to get the better of you.

15 Things NOT to Do to Have a Better Life!

Everyone experiences setbacks. The most successful people freely admit they've failed many times. So what separates successful from unsuccessful individuals? The difference lies in how successful people respond to obstacles. Conversely, unsuccessful people allow failure to stunt their progress and growth.

There are many ways to respond when life throws you curveballs. Here are the top 15 things NOT to do in the face of failure:

1. Do look for someone to blame for every event in your life; never think about your own role in circumstances or how you could make things better.

2. Don't ever commit to anything wholeheartedly. Be cynical. Don’t believe in anything completely, yourself included.

3. Do go over and over events, how they should have been, how you should have behaved, how others should have responded. Remind yourself how you blew it. Especially dwell on events that are in the past and that you cannot change.

4. Do catastrophize or minimize anything and everything. Events are “nightmares” or “nothing." People are “ghastly or wonderful." Don’t be moderate or slow to judge about anything.

5. Don't tell anyone how you are feeling. Expect others to know. When your feelings boil over, shout a lot and use words such as “always” and “never” when describing your own and others’ behavior.

6. Do talk about other people behind their back. Spread gossip about others and don’t investigate the reality of events or worry about anyone’s feelings.

7. Do blurt out how you are feeling anywhere, any time, any place. After all, your feelings are your feelings.

8. Don’t set limits on how or when people can speak to you. Let them interrupt what you are doing, swear at you and complain to you publicly. Never confront them about how they are treating you.

9. Do everything as quickly as possible especially when dealing with tricky situations involving others. Don’t ask for extra time or think about how to approach things.

10. Do take everything personally. Hold grudges for as long as possible. Don’t tell the people involved what it is they have done. Build up your resentment as much as you can, stoking it up with reminders of past hurts and injustices.

11. Do be as hard as you can on yourself and others. Find yourself lacking. Tell yourself what an idiot you are. Remind yourself that you’ll never amount to anything and no-one likes you anyway.

12. Do delete this article. After all, who gets good advice from a website? Remind yourself that change is difficult; a leopard cannot change its spots.

13. Do be as grumpy as possible. Do not acknowledge other people if they say hello or thank you and definitely don’t smile or respond to any friendly overtures. Be suspicious.

14. Don't accept compliments. The person isn't sincere, they just want something or are passing the time of day. Just grunt or shrug. Don’t be gracious otherwise they might compliment you in the future.

15. Do eat junk food, smoke and drink when life gets hard. Certainly don’t relax or get any exercise—you simply haven’t got time!

Free Personal Development Resources You're Missing Out!

 

 

1. Mindbloom

Mindbloom.com is a nifty personal development web application. Think of it as a social network for your personal development.  You create a tree with branches representing the elements of your life you want to work on.  It encourages you to nurture your tree through inspiration (sun) and action (water).  There’s a lot built into this tool, so go check it out if you’re curious.

2. Udemy

Lately, it seems there have been hundreds of eLearning websites popping up across the web.  One of my favorites however is Udemy.  The structure is clean, the classes are well organized, and the instructors are top-notch.  Although they have plenty of academic courses available, there are a number of personal development ones worth checking out such as: How to Enjoy Work More, Discover The 1 Thing You Were Born to do in 5 Easy Steps, or Getting Things Done.

3. Gympact

There are plenty of ways to motivate you to work out, but the app Gympact does something quite clever and unique.  They hit you where it hurts…right in the wallet.  The concept behind Gympact is that you set a monetary consequence for when you miss your work outs, typically a $1 or so.  Then anytime you miss a work out you committed yourself to, you pay the fine.  But it doesn’t stop there.  What if you’re a good boy or girl and hit all of your workouts that week?  Well friend, you get a share of all the slacker’s fines that week.

4. TED

Okay, so plenty of you know Ted already, but do you remember the first day you discovered it?  It was amazing right? If you’ve heard about TED but never checked it out, now’s the time.  It’s inspiration on steroids.

5. Stumbleupon

Stumbleupon is another excellent resource for personal development.  I recommend stumbling interests such as: self improvement, personal development, career planning, spirituality, productivity, or motivation.

 

6. The Habit Factor

This is the world’s bestselling, #1 “Goals & Habits App” on iTunes.  It combines the book by the same name with a neat app that helps you track your goals and keep up with your progress.

7. Lumosity

Lumosity is your one stop shop for brain training.  If you want to have an easier time remembering names, learning new subjects, or maintaining focus – this is the place to hang out.

8. Remember The Milk

If you are a list person, this is a must have.  Remember the Milk let’s you manage your lists anywhere.  It will send reminders to your email or text, sync to your calendar and more.

9. Blogs

This one is a bit tricky since there are sooo many blogs out there dedicated to personal development.  Thankfully, others have already done the research for you by listing posts and blogs to checkout.

10. Lifetick

Lifetick is a web application for tracking your goals and keeping you focused.  Their status widgets, charts, and reports make this the dream app for any detail oriented goal-getters.

11. Evernote

Have you ever been out in public shopping, watching a movie, or eating a burger when you were suddenly struck with a brilliant idea?  You hope to hold onto it long enough to make it home where you can write it down, but by then you’ve moved on or forgotten it completely.  Evernote is a handy app for recording written or audio notes on your phone or pc that you can take anywhere.  All your ideas are stored in one place and it’s easy to use.

12. Pinterest

People are always surprised to learn Youtube is the world’s second largest search engine.  But Pinterest works in a similar way.  Just as you can search Google or Youtube for personal development content, you can do the same for Pinterest.  Put in productivity, self-help or personal growth, and you’ll find hundreds of pictures, articles, and posters related to the topic.

13.  Books

The great thing about books is that there are always new ones coming out to help you with your personal development needs.  Over the years, Lifehack has written a number of posts featuring their favorite book recommendations.
We Ask, You Answer: Productivity Books
Your Favorite Productivity Books
10 Inspirational Non-Fiction Books Worthy of Digital (or Actual) Bookshelves

14.  Podcasts

One of the things I look forward to every day is listening to podcasts on my way to work.  Thankfully, there is a wide selection of excellent podcasts in the personal development arena.  For starters you might check out Achieving Predictable Success, Great Work Interview

15. Youtube

It took some time for me to warm up to Youtube. At first it was difficult to find quality videos on the subjects you were interested in, but that’s not the case anymore.  Even in the personal development world, there are many amazing Youtube channels and videos you can follow.  Whether it’s classics like The Last Lecture or How to Have Your Best Year Ever or newer ongoing channels such as TedEd and ZeFrank there’s something for everyone.

16. Ignite

Ignite is a global event run by volunteers where speakers are given five minutes to talk about their ideas, passions, or interest on 20 slides for 15 seconds each.  The format may seem rigid, but the presentations go quickly and you hear only the good stuff as a result.  The best way to find videos put on by this organization is to either go to their website and search, or look up your local ignite organization on Youtube.

17.  Live Happy

Live Happy is more than an iPhone app, it’s a “happiness boosting positive psychology program.” Based on the book, The How of Happiness, the app helps you carry out the concepts taught in the book.  Things such as journaling, giving thanks, or savoring a beautiful moment.

18. Vision Board

Happytapper has created a virtual version of one of coaching’s favorite tools – The Vision Board.  It’s an easy way to give yourself some quick inspiration and motivation wherever you are.

High Alert: Smoking Hookah (Shisha) For An Hour Might Equal Smoking 100 Cigarettes!

Hookah lovers are known for spending hours on end puffing away on their beloved water pipes. But would these enthusiasts spend an hour smoking if they knew it was actually very dangerous? A new study suggests that young people believe that smoking hookah is safer than smoking cigarettes. Because of this, hookah smokers will smoke their pipes for longer. The gentle flavors encourage them to inhale more smoke than a cigarette smoker would.

But a one hour water pipe session could set a smoker back the equivalent of 100 cigarettes.

Few people would claim to enjoy smoking 100 cigarettes, or five packs, in only one hour. Even fewer would claim that they do this regularly with a group of friends.

Most people understand that smoking cigarettes will increase their risk for plenty of long term and deadly diseases like heart disease, stroke and cancer. But few realize that hookah has these exact same long term side effects.

How could an hour of relaxed hookah smoking become the equivalent to five packs a day?

The World Health Organization released a report that found that those who indulge in hookah will take between 50 and 200 puffs during each hour of smoking. This is compared to a mere eight to 12 average puffs that a cigarette smoker will have smoking one cigarette.

Another dangerous fact that few enthusiasts know about hookah is that small water pipes produce higher levels of carbon monoxide than cigarettes. So a person who is smoking hookah from a small, personal water pipe is inhaling more dangerous fumes than someone smoking a regular cigarette.

Additionally, shisha tobacco has more appeal to young as it comes in a variety of flavors, such as apple and strawberry. For people from the Middle East, it is part of their culture, and for many, shisha bars represent another outlet for a cultural experience in the city, just like going to the theater a Chinese restaurant.

Indeed, even though tobacco came from the Americas, the practice of smoking hookah goes back hundreds of years. The pipe and the water pipe are old traditions stemming from the pan-Asian continent before making its way to North America in the mid-20^th century.

While the use of water pipes continues to decline in the area of its origin, new hookah businesses in the United States have targeted young adults and college students. These students have shown a demonstrable decrease in the number of cigarettes they consume. But more than 40%of students in a recent survey said that they had smoked tobacco from a water pipe. Between the pleasant aroma, the varied flavors and the chic cafes marketed directly at young people, young people remain uninformed about the dangers of hookah. Armed with more research, administrators and law makers could help inform young people of the risks of smoking hookah and help prevent the dangerous diseases that are often attributed only to cigarettes.