Enjoy a Relaxing Weekend

People always wonder what to do on an utterly boring and dull weekend with nothing to do and no money to spend. Here's a solution to your dreadful problem! courtesy:wikihow.com



Instructions

Eat a nice hot breakfast such as frozen waffles, pop tarts, pancakes, you name it! Along with that, a cup of hot tea or coffee is recommended. Also, orange juice is a great morning drink, because it will give you all the energy you need for the day of relaxation!

Take a long, hot shower or bath to get you up and awake, then either get in a clean pair of pajamas or a comfortable outfit such as sweatpants and a sweatshirt

Get on the computer, watch your favorite show, listen to music, etc.

Eat again then relax and do whatever suits your interests. Some interesting ideas are to meditate, read, do your hair, dress up for fun, whatever your heart desires!

If you're home alone, then let loose and be yourself completely. Do something silly or stupid, scream, release all the week's stress in some just plain dumb ways. You'll feel much better.

If it's raining outside and your parents or whoever agrees, go walk in the rain; or if you dare, dance in the rain! Just have fun.

Get something to look forward to. Think about that long assembly that gets you out of school/office on Monday or your favorite movie being aired on TV.

Use Headphones Frequently Without Risking Hearing Loss

MP3 players, portable CD players, Walkmans-many of us use headphones on a daily or semi-daily basis. But improper, excessive headphone use can lead to temporary hearing loss or even permanent ear damage. Here are some pointers on how to avoid those kinds of problems.courtesy:ehow.com



> Always make sure that the sound output coming out of your headphones is set at a moderate volume. What exactly does "moderate" mean? You should be able to hear someone nearby if they call out to you.

> Pay special attention to the volume level when you're listening to music, especially music that's especially percussion- or bass-heavy. This kind of music can cause serious hearing damage if played in headphones at excessive volume.

> If possible, avoid "ear buds" or other headphone styles that penetrate inside the ear. Instead, choose headphones that rest on top of the ears. This style is less obtrusive and less likely to cause hearing damage.

> It's not a good idea to use ordinary headphones while on airplanes, trains, or while you're near loud machinery. Such environments contain a high level of ambient noise and will incite you to turn your volume up to dangerously high levels without even noticing it. If you must use headphones in such situations, use the "noise canceling" type.

> Use headphones in moderation. Even if you are listening only to the spoken word (such as a talk radio station or an audiobook) try not to use your headphones for more than 90 minutes a day.

Quickly Calm Your Nerves

There's little argument that to stay healthy and happy, you must eliminate undue stress and calm your nerves. Those who are "on edge" rarely have positive relationships, as stress almost always has a negative effect on our interactions with each other. Instead of accepting stress and actually becoming accustomed to living life this way, begin the promise to calm your nerves as soon as you realize you need it. For some people, a warm bath in a candlelit room is enough to bring down their stress levels. But for many, a more intensive regimen is necessary. It's not in your head. It is a medically acknowledged problem.courtesy:ehow.com



Some of the most familiar techniques incorporate one or more of the following into your life:

> Yoga

> Tai Chi

> Music

> Exercise

> Meditation

> Hypnosis

> Massage

The prestigious Mayo Clinic has noted how essential it is to calm nerves, noting that relaxation isn't just about peace of mind or enjoying a hobby. Relaxation is a process that decreases the wear and tear of life's challenges on your mind and body.

Practicing relaxation techniques can improve how you physically respond to stress by:

* Slowing your heart rate

* Lowering blood pressure

* Slowing your breathing rate

* Reducing the need for oxygen

* Increasing blood flow to major muscles

* Reducing muscle tension


Here is what the Mayo Clinic recommends for calming nerves, based on their latest findings:

> Autogenic relaxation. Autogenic means something that comes from within you. In this technique, you use both visual imagery and body awareness to reduce stress. You repeat words or suggestions in your mind to help you relax and reduce muscle tension. You may imagine a peaceful place and then focus on controlled, relaxing breathing, slowing your heart rate, or different physical sensations, such as relaxing each arm or leg one by one.

> Progressive muscle relaxation. In this technique, you focus on slowly tensing and then relaxing each muscle group. This helps you focus on the difference between muscle tension and relaxation, and you become more aware of physical sensations. You may choose to start by tensing and relaxing the muscles in your toes and progressively working your way up to your neck and head. Tense your muscles for at least five seconds and then relax for 30 seconds, and repeat.

> Visualization. In this technique, you form mental images to take a visual journey to a peaceful, calming place or situation. Try to use as many senses as you can, including smells, sights, sounds and textures. If you imagine relaxing at the ocean, for instance, think about the warmth of the sun, the sound of crashing waves, the feel of the grains of sand and the smell of salt water. You may want to close your eyes, sit in a quiet spot and loosen any tight clothing.

Instantly Change Your Mood

Do you ever just wake up in the morning in a BAD mood?

Or maybe you stub your toe, spill your coffee, or burn your toast. Doesn't it seem that once one thing goes wrong, the whole day goes down hill?



The truth is that the reason the rest of the day goes wrong, is because of your bad mood. In other words, when you become angry about something that happens, you spend time focusing on it. And where attention goes, energy flows. This energy attracts other bad experiences. That's why it's so important to change your mood, ASAP!

Ways to Lift Your Mood:

> Breathe: nice and deep, in through the nose, out through the mouth. Take 10 long, deep breaths to get the oxygen flowing though your body and begin to relax your muscles. Sit cross-legged on the floor or lye down if possible. Continue breathing deeply.

> Listen to music: Now, I don't mean the sappy music that always makes you cry. I mean something upbeat and happy. Music that makes your toes tap.

> Laugh: Laughter really is the BEST medicine because the easiest way to turn that frown upside down is by laughing. Watch a sitcom, rent a movie. Just remember to laugh out loud.

> Find a happy thought: Just like Robin Williams (as the adult Peter Pan in the movie "Hook") needed to find his happy thought in order to fly, so do you. You can begin to rise above this bad mood if you will shift your focus from what's bothering you, to things and people that make you happy. Find a happy place, real or imagined, and picture it vividly in your mind -- the colors, the scents, everything about it. Focus on that for a minute or two while you continue to breathe deep.

> Have an attitude of gratitude: Begin with something simple and obvious, like "Thankfully, I don't have to live with my boss, I can leave him at the office and feel sorry for his wife!" or "Thank God I am in this room with the door locked for at least 5 minutes of peace!" Whatever works for you. The funnier you can make it, the faster it will lift your mood. Even things like, "It could be worse, I could be in jail in a foreign country," or "I could be living on the street, or sick and in the hospital with some terminal illness. This is really not that bad."

> Spend time with your pet: Is there anyone in your life that gives you more unconditional love than your pet? If you have a pet, you know the healing effect an animal can have on you.

> Call a friend: Now, you need to be careful with this one. You should have a good-time friend, someone that's fun and makes you feel good. This is the friend to call. You aren't calling to complain, you're calling to hear all of the wonderful and fun stories she has to share. Soon, you'll be looking up.

Remember, things could ALWAYS be worse. You could be uglier, shorter, or heavier than you are now, I am certain.

Start listing all of the good things you have to be thankful for, like being able to see and appreciate beauty, hear music and laughter, smell roses, taste good food, walk, run, dance, drive a car, talk to friends, look up good articles on the internet, etc., etc. Keep breathing deep and choosing to think of the positive instead of the negative.

In just moments, even though your circumstances may not change, your mood will. You will have succeeded in changing your thoughts, relaxing, and taking control of your mood. You will no longer allow that particular person or situation to ruin your day. You will have taken your power back, and with it, your good mood!

Make Home Almost Like Heaven

Life is to be enjoyed, and you spend so much of it at home. Here are some tips to make it better.



Sound: Keep your voice down, as in, don't yell at the kids (this is a real challenge for me but I'm making up for it in other ways)--

Play music. This completely changes the mood in the house more than anything else. It adds joy, or melancholy, or whatever mood of the piece you're playing.

Dance in the livingroom, or wherever the tunes are. Enjoy your rhythm with your family and friends spontaneously, whenever you want.

Smells: Buy lilies, which are my personal favorite, because they will last at least a week and often more, and will fill your house with a beautiful smell. There are other options for other noses, but there is nothing like flowers.

Bake bread. Lest you keel over with this seemingly overwhelming idea, I guarantee you that if you read a couple of articles on easy breads like no-knead rustic or quick-rising white, & then experiment a couple of times, you'll be baking in no time. This will not only make your house smell wonderful, but you'll be able to eat it too.

Sight: You don't have to have fancy furniture, or hardly any furniture, to make a house nice. What you do have to have is light, color, air. Let your spirit inform you of what color a room needs to be and then paint it. Don't be afraid of white, or red, or any other color, since it's for you.

If you need something to sit on, an ugly piece covered with a cloth, in a white drape, will go with anything and it can be washed. Or a beanbag chair. It's not about the furniture. If your budget includes that Roche Bobois piece for $10,000 that I've been drooling over for the last 15 years, go for it. Can't hurt.

Remove heavy drapes or window blinds if you possibly can. Replace with obscured glass if you need privacy. Open the windows in the summer and let breezes waft through your rooms, if you have a breeze.

Paintings or art for your wall are personal choices and if they make you happy to look at them, they don't need to be expensive. You can make some yourself. You don't need frames.

Honor your kids by hanging their art in the livingroom.

Stuff: Organize. Okay I'll admit it: this is hard for me. But it really helps to create a wonderful atmosphere when you have a place to put things, and you do actually put things away. It's so much more pleasant when the coats are in the closet and not on the hall floor.

Adult bedrooms are really important. It's where you need the most tranquility. Don't trash it, don't let the kids trash it, don't let anyone trash it. Change the sheets at least once a week or more, make the bed every morning; it's not that hard and takes a second. Don't let the dog (at least my dog) sleep on the bed.

Self: It can be fun to dress up when you're cooking, a la June Cleaver. Pie-baking dresses look good and are funny. Apron collections are cool and practical if they have bib fronts. And there are lots of other costume options too, for other occasions. Glamor girl, for when you go out, perfect mom, for school meetings, etc. Use your imagination.courtesy:ehow.com