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Jersey Mike’s Raises Over $15 Million During Annual “Month of Giving”

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Jersey Mike’s Subs and its customers across the country raised a remarkable $15 million for over 200 charities nationwide. The company set a goal of raising $8 million, but donations just kept coming in. Before they knew it, they’d raised almost double that amount during the company’s 11th Annual Month of Giving in March.

The sandwich company known for its fresh homemade bread gave donations to hospitals, youth organizations, food banks, and more. Jersey Mike’s locations around the country accepted gifts throughout the month of March. On March 31, its annual Day of Giving, over 1,900 restaurants gave 100 percent sales to local charities.

Jersey Mike’s raised over double its fundraising efforts in 2021 compared with 2019. Two years ago, the company donated $7.3 million to local charities during March. They couldn’t believe the outcome of this year’s donations, given financial strains due to the pandemic. The results mean even more this year since the pandemic led to Day of Giving celebrations being canceled in 2020.

A Decade of Doing Good Deeds at Jersey Mike’s

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Learn how entrepreneur Mark Cuban helped a teenaged immigrant collect clothing.

Since the company started Month of Giving in 2011, Jersey Mike’s has raised over $47 million for local charities. You can find out more information about Jersey Mike’s Month of Giving here.

Peter Cancro, Jersey Mike’s Founder and CEO, says the following:

“We really hoped to do well this year after the disappointment of having to cancel last year’s Day of Giving, and the outpouring of support from across the country is truly inspiring. We are filled with gratitude and admiration for our customers, franchise owners, and team members who have helped these charities in such a big way, now, when they need it more than ever.”

Jersey Mike’s believes happiness is only real when shared with others

Cancro bought his first sub shop when he was just 17 years old. He gives credit for Month of Giving’s success to two local business owners in his hometown, Point Pleasant Beach.  Jack Baker of Baker’s Lobster Shanty and Bob Hoffman of Hoffman’s Ice Cream gave him advice he’ll never forget.

They both shared with him the importance of giving often and unconditionally to those around him. In fact, Hoffman impacted him so profoundly that Cancro featured him in a Jersey Mike’s Day of Giving commercial.

“Giving…making a difference in someone’s life” has been Jersey Mike’s mission since the company’s inception in 1956.

Jersey Mike’s has a long history of giving back to local communities and charities whenever possible. In fact, their website lists various charitable campaigns and fundraisers they’ve been involved in since 2007.

Notable charitable donations from Jersey Mike’s

Here is a timeline of these efforts.

jersey mike's

2007

At the first annual Life of Riley Foundation golf tournament that year, Jersey Mike’s raised over $14,000 for the organization. The foundation raises awareness of and funds research for pediatric brain tumors and helps families whose children have these tumors.

2008

In 2008, Jersey Mike’s Middle Tennessee stores raised almost $17,000 for the Michael Stanley Child Life Fund. The donation helped to sustain the Child Life Services program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital.

Also, in 2008, the company gave $25,000 to Interfaith Neighbors. The nonprofit organization that assists working poor families and elderly residents of Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Jersey Mike’s Subs gave over $40,000 in media placement, cash, and food donations to Autism Speaks. The donations helped support the organization’s 6th Annual Carolinas Walk Now for Autism event. This donation and other funds provided by the community helped raise over $450,000 for autism research and family services.

2009

In 2009, Jersey Mike’s raised more than $50,000 for Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). In many cities, Jersey Mike’s store owners even invited members from local Boys & Girls Clubs into their stores. They shared stories about running a business and even let the young boys and girls make an authentic sub sandwich. “Many thanks to Peter Cancro and Jersey Mike’s – this support enables us to continue to fulfill our promise of helping young people reach their full potential,” said Cyndi Court, executive vice president, BGCA. “We also appreciate the time the Jersey Mike’s store owners spent with our members. It is a learning experience the children will never forget.”

2010

In 2010, Jersey Mike’s locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area raised $50,000 for Wipe Out Kids’ Cancer (WOKC). The local Dallas nonprofit aims to raise awareness about cancer in children. They have the hope that one day all children can live cancer-free.

2011

Jersey Mike’s raised over $600,000 for 66 different charities during the first annual Month of Giving in 2011.

2012

In 2012, the company raked in almost $858,000 for 74 different children’s charities nationwide for the Month of Giving.

2013

The company saw a massive increase in donations for the Month of Giving in 2013. That year, Jersey Mike’s raised an “unprecedented $1.7 million for 86 different charities nationwide.”

2014

During the 4th annual Month of Giving in 2014, their fundraising efforts led to $2.1 million in donations.

2015 and 2016

In 2015, this went up to $3 million in donations. The following year, the company raised over $4 million in donations for 180 different charities. Almost all the contributions – $3.4 million – came from the Day of Giving on March 30. That day, 100% of proceeds nationwide went to the charity partner.

2017 through 2020

The company doesn’t list totals from the Month of Giving in 2017 or 2018. However, the event is a success, as Jersey Mike’s raised $7.3 million in 2019 and $15 million this year.

Final thoughts on how Jersey Mike’s raised an unprecedented $15 million for Month of Giving

Since 2011, the popular sub sandwich restaurant Jersey Mike’s has hosted a Month of Giving. During the month of March each year, the company gives out coupons that help drive sales. The sandwich shop then donates the proceeds from this event to charities nationwide. This year, the company reached a new milestone, with over $15 million raised for local charities worldwide.

If you have been craving a sub sandwich, Jersey Mike’s is the place to go. Not only do they make delicious food, they give back to the community whenever possible. The CEO says they don’t give to get tax breaks or praise from people, but because they genuinely want to.

Psychology Explains How Curiosity Helps You Achieve Goals

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Many people have big dreams and goals in life, but not everyone has the traits necessary to achieve them. If you’re trying to build some of those characteristics to heighten your chances of success, begin with curiosity.

Curiosity is a fascinating trait. It refers to a desire to find truth or secrets in everyday activities and live life. It makes you curious, interested, and easily engaged. It’s no wonder, then, that it may also be the key to your goals being fulfilled!

Here are six ways curiosity helps you achieve highly-ambitious goals.

1.    It Gives You A Sense Of Purpose

curiosityCuriosity makes you explore the world around you, allowing you to learn more about your opportunities, life possibilities, and general future. As a result, you’ll develop new hobbies and interests that may give you a sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Curiosity and purpose go hand-in-hand, and in an ideal situation, they’d be a never-ending cycle of positive thinking and forward momentum. When you’re passionate about something or feel like something gives you purpose, you’re more likely to become even more curious about it, and that builds your passion even further. It’s, for once, a positive form of a cycle!

Studies show that having a sense of purpose is incredibly good for your wellbeing, as it helps with your self-control and self-regulation, which are vital components of goal achievement. The more curious you are, the more compelling the world becomes, and the more meaning you may find in your endeavors and interests.

2.    It Makes You Work Better With Others

Achieving highly-ambitious goals is usually something you can’t do entirely alone. While the main effort and the responsibility for achievement are yours, you’ll often need many other elements to get to success. You’ll have to work with like-minded people, collaborate with others, and seek knowledge and wisdom from experts.

Many people with big dreams become very proud of them, which is fair, but they may take it to a weak point. Believing that you have to “go it alone” for the achievement to matter is simply untrue and very stubborn. By nature, human beings want to support and help each other, and everyone needs a little assistance sometimes!

Curiosity makes you a better team-player, thus allowing you to achieve your goals thanks to the support and aid from the people around you. Here’s how:

·         You’re Better At Collaborating

Have you ever heard of the rules of improv comedy? When responding to others, you have to say “yes, and” to keep up the flow of the collaborative improvisation, always building off the other person instead of shutting down their ideas. That’s what collaboration is all about. Curiosity makes it, so you naturally want to say “yes, and.” You want to explore new possibilities and build off others’ novel thoughts, making you a better team-player overall.

·         You’re Better At Forming Dialogue

When you’re curious, you are less likely to be judgmental or accusatory when you see someone doing something in a way you think is incorrect. You would, instead, be curious about how the other person thinks, and you can ask them about it politely and with genuine interest. Those people will be happy to engage in productive, positive, and meaningful dialogue with you to give you new ideas and open your mind while showing your trust in the other person’s process.

·         You’re A Better Leader

Working with others sometimes means working in a positive above them, as a leader or manager. When you have very ambitious goals, it’s only natural that at some point, you’ll wind up in such a position. The best leaders are those who don’t fool themselves into thinking they’re intellectually above their team. They’re curious! They’re interested, eager to understand their team, and are very welcoming and flexible when introducing new thoughts and ideas. This encourages a team to be more creative, so your curiosity drives them!

3.    It Boosts Performance

Curiosity has been known to boost performance in many different fields. No matter where your goals lie, it’s likely that being curious may be able to help. On the surface, here are some areas of performance that being naturally curious can boost:

·         Academic Achievement

When you’re curious, you’re likely to put more effort into learning about different subjects. Of your own volition, you’ll be more willing to study, remember lessons, and do projects for academic success. This carries forward into other areas of your life, too, according to studies.

·         Improved Participation

Curiosity can help you participate in activities in a learning environment with higher enjoyment and positive thinking. It increases your desire to learn, so you’re more eager to join things you may have previously found tedious or boring. Alternatively, that curiosity may make you want to participate to see what will happen or try it out.

·         Work Performance

Many people’s goals lie in their career paths. When you’re curious, you’ll be more interested in progressing in that career. According to research, you’ll be more involved, work harder, and engage more with your work, leading to improved performance.

peace quote4.    It Opens Your Mind

Few goals can be met without an open mind. The world’s reality is that it’s so much broader than a single human brain can comprehend without seeking to expand itself. The sooner you realize that the faster you’ll arrive at your goals. Curiosity can help significantly with that, and here’s how:

·         It Makes You Find Innovative Solutions

Being curious means, you’re willing to look everywhere to solve problems, which is a crucial skill for achieving goals. You’re able to find methods to overcome hurdles in unexpected but effective ways, and you’re willing to try new and surprising things to achieve that solution.

·         It Shows You Opportunities

The world is full of unlimited chances and doors, but most people ignore a good portion of them in favor of more conventional opportunities. The ability to see all the possibilities that others don’t deem worth pursuing is precious when you have highly-ambitious goals. Curiosity can open your mind to a world of doors to open, and you’ll be happy to try each one, even if it seems strange!

·         It Expands Your Bubble

No one naturally knows about everything, and most people’s knowledge is limited to their personal experiences or the experiences of those they’re closest to. This can hinder progress towards goals, as the most extensive plans often involve a need to be cultured. To learn about things foreign to you, curiosity helps to expand your bubble. You’ll want to explore other cultures, mindsets, and ideas that you’ve never had access to before. Instead of shunning the unfamiliar, you will heartily welcome it.

·         It Helps You Face Your Fears

Everyone has some fears in life, but these fears can stop you from moving forward towards highly-ambitious goals. Curiosity helps you face these fears by making you intrigued by the unknown wonders that may lie beyond your apprehension. You’ll feel spurred to take action, even if it’s difficult, all because you’re curious about what will happen if you do!

5.    It Makes You A Better Person Through Improvement

Highly-ambitious goals don’t need you to be the best person you can be, but it certainly does help. When you experience personal growth, you learn to tackle problems better and prevent predictable issues that may arise when you chase your dreams. Being a better person means that your old hang-ups can’t hold power over you as you progress.

Curiosity can help you become a better person by pushing you to chase down self-improvement. Here are some ways that it does this:

·         It Increases Your Self-Awareness

Being self-aware is a crucial part of positive social interaction and everyday lifestyle choices. If you’re not in tune with yourself and your behavior, you’re more likely to do things that harm others and yourself. Curiosity helps self-awareness because it forces you to keep asking questions. You’ll challenge yourself and your actions, always seeking to discover the truth behind them.

·         It Keeps You Humble

To improve, you have to recognize your weaknesses and know how much you have left to grow. Curiosity can help foster this humility, as you have to put aside your pride if you genuinely want to find out more about a subject or discover how you can be better.

·         It Makes You Mindful

Curious people are more in touch with the world around them. They are drawn in by seemingly innocuous or unimportant features in the present. Being curious means knowing how to stop and smell the roses, as those roses could hold all sorts of secrets that you desperately want to explore and uncover! This is a crucial feature of mindfulness, which is an important trait that allows you to live your best life in the current moment.

6.    It Boosts Positive Thinking

Few people can successfully meet highly-ambitious goals with pessimism. Positive thinking and grounded optimism are often crucial to making good progress. When you’re always thinking negatively, you can form self-fulfilling prophecies. It’s like that saying goes: whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.

Research has long indicated that individuals with high levels of curiosity tend to be happier, more positive people. This is likely because:

  • They have lower levels of anxiety thanks to years of just going for it
  • They’re more satisfied with life as they tend to have fewer regrets
  • Having more novel experiences that make them feel better and happier
  • They learn more things and feel more accomplished as a result
  • They have better social relationships and therefore have more social support

In other words, curiosity feeds positive thinking, which feeds curiosity again! The power of interest is such that it can form numerous healthy cycles that are easy to perpetuate, and optimism is just one way that it achieves this.

curiosityFinal Thoughts On Some Ways Curiosity Helps You Achieve Highly-Ambitious Goals

They say that curiosity killed the cat, but few realize that this famous saying finishes with “but satisfaction brought it back.” As it turns out, curiosity is more likely to bring you back than metaphorically kill you. So go ahead and chase after your goals with zeal! You’ll find that your chances of success are heightened when you dare to ask questions and experiment.

Science Explains 3 Ways Exercise Improves An Aging Brain

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If you are researching ways to keep your aging brain agile, don’t overlook exercise! That idea makes perfect sense.

Exercise is probably one of the most recommended solutions for every physical and mental health-related problem globally. This is for a good reason! The research into exercise’s benefits is wide-ranging and detailed, showcasing its effects on fitness, disease risk, positive thinking, and more.

But what about the brain? Specifically, what about cognitive decline? Anyone who has seen the effects of mental impairment due to age knows that it often seems and feels unstoppable, so it can be a little strange to think that exercise can prevent it.

So, can exercise help aging brains stay healthy? Research says so! Here are some findings that provide insight into the complex subject of cognitive degeneration and its links to physical activity.

1.    Exercising Helps Aging Brains

aging brainsFor a long time, people have touted exercise as a simple, foolproof solution to the ever-approaching threat of cognitive decline and the effects of an aging brain. For the elderly who are already dealing with some brain aging, this appears to be true.

A randomized control study titled “Acute Exercise Effects Predict Training Change in Cognition and Connectivity,” published in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise journal in 2020, provides positive insight into this subject. The National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging funded this study. Here are some details regarding the paper:

  • The trial was relatively small, involving only 34 elderly individuals aged 60 to 80.
  • All participants were not regular exercisers but were otherwise healthy during the experiment.
  • Multiple trials involved brain scans, working memory tests, and physical activity.
  • The study built on previous research regarding the mental boosts provided by exercise, especially given the contradictory results of earlier experiments.

The study’s methods were as follows:

  • Participants rode on a stationary bike twice, once each on separate occasions. The first occasion involved light resistance, and the second involved more strenuous workouts. Both rides lasted 20 minutes.
  • Before each bike ride and after, participants underwent memory tests and brain scans.
  • The brain scans sought to concentrate on regional activity bursts in the brain, specifically in areas known to share and collect memories.
  • Researchers administered working memory tests, giving each participant a flashcard-type quiz on a computer screen. The trial involved rotating adult faces – eight in total – that switched every three seconds. Participants then matched two cards to one previously seen.
  • The same participants were split into two groups and assigned 12 weeks of regular exercise training and a stationary bike. The exercise involved 50 minutes of pedaling thrice weekly.
  • One group was told to do lighter workouts, while the other was told to do moderate-intensity workouts.

The study results:

The results of the study were simple but obvious. Participants experienced noticeable cognitive benefits from just one exercise session. Those benefits seemed on par with those achieved by participants who performed regular exercise over more extended periods. This provides a positive outlook for those who don’t exercise regularly or simply can’t. Here are some specifics about the results:

  • Some participants had significant regional connectivity in their brains between the prefrontal and parietal cortices after just one exercise session. The areas mentioned are responsible for memory and cognition-related functions. Others did not experience this change.
  • Those who had the regional connectivity improvement also performed with more accuracy on the memory tests conducted.
  • The improvement in the aforementioned regional connectivity experienced benefits for only a short time, indicating immediate but brief benefits.
  • With long-term exercise, most participants experienced the aforementioned regional connectivity benefits. But it was no different to the one-time, short exercise benefits.

Takeaways on helping aging brains:

  • The benefits to short exercise are clear, but they are temporary, necessitating regular action to continue providing effects.
  • Benefits of long-term exercise routines are more consistent, but they’re not better than short exercise.
  • Both short and long-term exercises have similar cognitive benefits to aging brains, but long-term exercise routines allow for the benefits to last.
  • Further research is necessary to understand why not everyone can benefit from exercise sessions.
  • Further research that includes those with beta-blockers and chronic health conditions will likely have different results.

happy life meme2.    Moderate Exercise Is Best

Simple exercises are great for those with mobility issues and are an easy way to get exercise into a busy routine, but they’re often too gentle for tremendous results. And, of course, intense exercises are fantastic for strength-related results, but they’re less convenient and may not even be possible for those with aging brains. Moderate exercise is, therefore, the apparent winner for those who want to work out to fight cognitive decline.

Luckily, it turns out that science indicates that moderate exercise is the most effective way to keep an aging brain healthy as time goes on.

These findings are central in a study called “One-Year Aerobic Exercise Reduced Carotid Arterial Stiffness and Increased Cerebral Blood Flow in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment,” published in 2021 in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. It built off of a study from 2020 titled “Brain Perfusion Change in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment After 12 Months of Aerobic Exercise Training” in the same journal.

About the study

The study revealed that moderate-to-vigorous physical activity has positive effects on a slowly aging brain in two ways that simple, relaxed exercise is not. Before we delve deeper, here are some details regarding the paper:

  • The study is a randomized controlled trial with 48 participants aged 55 years to 80 years old with specific symptoms of an aging brain.
  • The study lasted for a year and split participants into two groups.
  • One group of participants underwent a regimen involving moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise. They were to perform it for 30 to 40 minutes, thrice to five times weekly.
  • Another group of participants underwent simple, non-cardio stretching and toning workouts. They were to perform it for 30 to 40 minutes, thrice to five times weekly.
  • The study aimed to determine how cerebral blood flow and central arterial stiffness were affected by aerobic exercise training in elderly individuals with beginning signs of cognitive decline, specifically amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
  • The team monitored both groups over the year.
  • CVLT-II and D-KEFS, both standard and commonly used neuropsychological tests, were used to measure improvement and change.

The findings:

Findings were reasonably straightforward, indicating that the group that performed moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise enjoyed much better benefits to their brains than those who did stretching. Here are some more detailed findings:

  • Participants who did moderate-to-vigorous exercise benefited from increased cerebral blood flow to and in their brains. They also experienced a lower level of central arterial stiffness, which refers to the blood vessel stiffness in the neck.
  • When oxygen consumption, a standard indicator of overall aerobic fitness, increased in participants, their benefits increased.
  • Those who stretched and did gentler exercises did not experience any of these changes at all.
  • According to researchers, no participants experienced improved executive functions or episodic memory, which may take longer than a year of exercise to develop.
  • Gentle stretching does have physical well-being benefits but likely is not as crucial in maintaining the health of an aging brain.

3.    In Middle Age, It May Not Matter

It’s commonly said that the sooner one begins exercising, the more positive the benefits will be when you grow older. Unfortunately, this may not be the case, according to a 2021 study involving 2,000 women.

The research paper, “Longitudinal Assessment of Physical Activity and Cognitive Outcomes Among Women at Midlife,” was published in JAMA Network Open. Here are some details regarding the paper:

  • The study lasted over the course of twenty years.
  • The participants were 2,000 middle-aged women with an average age of 45.7 at the beginning of the experiment.
  • The study aimed to assess whether physical activity could affect women’s cognitive outcomes in later life in a longitudinal manner.
  • The areas of cognitive ability measured were verbal memory, processing speed, and working memory.

The findings:

The study had interesting findings that were contrary to what was likely expected. Most people generally agree that exercise provides neuroprotective benefits, but the results of this study indicated that it has little to no effect. In fact, the study authors suggest that the common belief stems from reverse causation instead of any actual concrete evidence.

Naturally, as with all areas of research, this study has its limitations. This study specialized in self-selected exercise and its ability to slow neurodegeneration and cognitive aging. It is still possible that increasing physical activity, using specific exercises, or uniquely adapting physical activity type may have different effects on aging.

The current goal following this study lies in learning to stall cognitive aging beginning in the middle ages of one’s life. For now, there is no confirmed way to do so, but physical activity still provides plenty of well-being benefits that are useful regardless. Even if it doesn’t prevent the aging of a brain, its other effects are well-worth exercising for.

aging brainsFinal Thoughts On Some Ways Exercise Can Help Aging Brains Stay Healthy

Let’s get one thing straight. All exercise, no matter what kind, if done without physical injury, benefits you in some way, shape, or form. This can be via increasing positive thinking and mood, improving fitness, helping the cardiovascular systems, and much more. But just because exercise is always good for you, that doesn’t mean it’s always assisting every part of the body.

The brain is a complicated organ, and cognitive degeneration is a complex topic. Then, it makes sense that only specific kinds of exercise may be the most beneficial to an aging brain, especially in the fight against degenerative disorders and other forms of mental decline and impairment.

As you age, you should be doing some exercise to give your body the help it needs to maintain a healthy and positive state. But if you’re interested in fighting the aging of your brain, try to tailor your exercise choices. For example, opt for moderate-to-vigorous aerobics such as brisk walking. Give your doctor a call if you need more advice on cognitive health.

12 Couch Exercises That Melt Fat Faster Than Going to The Gym

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If you don’t have a gym membership, these couch exercises can help burn fat and offer a great workout. You don’t need to travel to the gym to use weights or any equipment; you just need your couch to get started. For example, the Lindyn couch provides the perfect sturdy and stylish surface for exercises like tricep dips or elevated planks. Many of us have been stuck at home due to the pandemic, and with gyms closed, we had to get creative. Some people started using bags of rice as weights, or even their dogs!

In this workout, you’ll use your couch as a weight, a squat bench, a gym mat, and more. Best of all, the exercises will give you a full-body workout, so you’ll feel the burn! If you’re ready, we’ll go over the various activities below, step-by-step.

These 12 Couch Exercises Help Melt Fat

Whether you want to lose weight, improve your heart health, just feel great, give these moves a try.

1 – Side-lying leg lift couch exercise

How to do it:

  • First, lay down on your right side, with your legs stacked on top of each other. Place your left hand on your hip.
  • Use your right arm to keep your chest elevated and support the rest of your body. Make sure you don’t lean forward or backward.
  • Holding your body stable, lift your left leg as high as comfortably possible, then bring it back down.
  • Repeat this for 10 seconds, then switch sides. Do the exercise again with your right leg.

couch exercises

2 – Couch squat exercise

How to do it:

  • Stand in front of your couch with your feet shoulder-width apart. Keep your chest up and back straight.
  • Then, squat until your butt hits the couch, stand back up, and squeeze your glute muscles.
  • Repeat for ten reps. You can make this more challenging by adding barbells or doing multiple sets.

couch squat

3 – Split lunge couch exercise

How to do it:

  • Stand in front of the couch, and place your right foot on the edge of the cushion. Keep your head parallel to the floor and your back straight. Keep your hands stretched out beside you for balance.
  • Lunge with your left leg, going as low as you can. Make sure not to bend your knee over your ankles.
  • Do this for 10 seconds, then repeat with the other leg.

couch exercise

4 – Russian twists couch exercise

How to do it:

  • Sit on the edge of the couch with your spine straight and grab a pillow. Keep your legs stretched out in front of you, parallel to the floor.
  • Twist from side to side for 10 seconds. Make sure to turn your body at least 90 degrees as you’re twisting to get the best results.

russian twist seated

5 – Leg scissors couch exercise

How to do it:

  • Sit on the couch, leaning your upper back against the cushion. Stretch your legs out in front of you.
  • Rest your hands on the couch for balance, and move your legs up and down in a scissor motion. Make sure your feet don’t touch the floor.
  • You should feel this in your abs and upper thighs. Repeat for 10-15 seconds.

leg scissors

6 – Sofa front squats couch exercise

How to do it:

  • Go to one end of the sofa and get into a squat position.
  • Lean down and pick up the sofa, keeping your chest lifted and head parallel to the floor.
  • Bring the sofa back down, squatting as low as possible. It should feel like you’re sitting down in a chair.
  • Squeeze your glutes as you come up. Repeat for 10-15 reps.

squat lift couch

7 – Side lunge couch exercise

How to do it:

  • Stand in the middle of your couch with feet together and hands at your sides.
  • Lunge to the right, keeping your back straight and head lifted.
  • Lunge all the way until you’re touching the couch, then move back into starting position.
  • Then, lunge to the left, repeating the exercise for 10 seconds.
  • Bring your hands together as you’re lunging, and make sure not to sit on the couch. You want to touch it at the peak of the lunge barely.

couch exercise

8 – Couch squat jump

How to do it:

  • Stand in front of your couch with your feet shoulder width apart and back straight. This is just like a regular squat, except you’re jumping when you come up.
  • As you squat, bring your hands up in front of your face.
  • Then, as you come back up, quickly bring your arms down to give you momentum as you jump.
  • Repeat for 10 seconds.

squat jump

9 – Glute bridge couch exercise

How to do it:

  • Lay down on the couch with your knees bent and feet flat on the sofa.
  • Please keep your hands at your sides, then raise your hips until they form a straight line with your knees and shoulders.
  • Hold the bridge for a few seconds and squeeze your glutes at the top.
  • Then, lower your hips back to the starting position.
  • Repeat for ten reps.

glute bridge

10 – Crossed leg dips couch exercise

How to do it:

  • Rest your elbows against the edge of the couch. Keep your feet out in front of you, bending your knees, and cross your left leg over your right.
  • Then, dip your butt and hips down as far as possible. Repeat for 10 seconds, then switch legs.

crossed leg dips

11 – Donkey kicks

How to do it:

  • Get on all fours on the couch, keeping your arms straight and spine aligned.
  • With your back parallel to the floor, raise one leg up and out. Repeat for ten reps, then switch legs.

donkey kicks

12 – Side plank couch exercise

How to do it:

  • Rest one arm on the armchair of the couch. Keep your other arm either at your side or lifted above your head.
  • Then, stack both your legs on top of each other, raising your hips. Hold for ten seconds, and repeat on the other side.

side planksFinal thoughts on how these twelve couch exercises can help melt fat

If you don’t have access to a gym, these couch exercises are a great alternative! You can do pretty much everything at home that you’d do in a gym. Plus, it’s free, and you don’t need any fancy equipment to get started.

Exercising regularly helps you achieve the following outcomes:

  • Shed extra pounds
  • Boosts your immune system
  • Improves your blood pressure
  • Reshapes your body
  • Increases your lung health
  • Boosts your self-esteem
  • Helps to preserve cognitive function

So get to that workout, right from the comfort of your house. If you try these exercises, let us know how you like them in the comments!

10 Things That Happen When You Spend More Quality Time Together

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One of the things that most couples complain about is not having enough quality time together. Life is chaotic on a good day, so how do you make time for the one who stole your heart when there’s so much chaos all around? Relationships are much like flowers; if you don’t water a flower, it will die.

If you don’t nurture your relationship, then it can’t bloom into something beautiful. Rather, think about what happens to your plants if you forget to water them for one week, two, or even three.

Eventually, a plant that isn’t given the water it needs will wither up and die, and the same thing will happen to your relationship when there is no time for nourishment.

Ten Positive Things That Happen When You Spend More Quality Time Together

There’s a saying that people have time for the things that they want to do in life. How many times have you moved heaven and earth to do something important to you? When it comes to your spouse, it’s just as vital that you make time for them.

Thankfully, spending quality time does come with many benefits you may not realize, and here are the top ten positive outcomes.

quality time1. Quality Time Can Deepen Your Connection

When you carve out a particular time for you and your partner, your connection with one another will deepen. The more time you spend together, the freer you feel to share your soul. You don’t always have time to talk about your day or all the things going on in your life when the kids need to be fed, and the dog needs to be walked.

Make time for each other and watch and see how it enhances your relationship. Try having dates once a week, for a month. At the end of this time frame, your connection with each other will grow, and it will be better than when you started this trial.

2. You Remain Best Friends

When you first become a couple, most people are more interested in the physical aspects than the friendship part. However, friendship is the basis for making it for the long haul. You won’t go far in your union if you’re not friends.

Your best friend is the one you run to and share all your secrets; your spouse or partner should be that person. Sure, having other friends is okay, but your partner gets you on a level that others cannot. The more time you spend together, the more your friendship will deepen.

3. Communication Skills Grow

Communication is a huge issue when there’s not enough quality time. You want to share your life, but something is always in the way. Sometimes, it just seems easier to hold everything inside rather than troubling them with your problems or feelings.

When you don’t get enough time together, you’re more apt to keep things from them that they should know about. When you make a point to spend time with each other, then your communication skills enhance naturally.

4. Intimacy Improves With Quality Time Together

When a couple grows apart, often the first place that you will notice it is in your intimacy. Sure, sexual relationships are essential to any union, but intimacy involves many facets. For instance, holding hands, kissing, hugging each other, and just being close is all something that can wain when you don’t have enough quality time.

5. You Have Fun Together

When it the last time that you and your spouse sat down and belly laughed at a joke or meme? Your union needs this fun because your life cannot be about work and responsibilities. When you belly laugh, you release endorphins that help calm and relax you, and according to National Health Institute, you can also improve your mental and physical health.

6. Quality Time Builds Trust

If you’ve been together for many years, you may find it hard to trust this person. Sometimes other people get involved in your relationship, and it destroys the foundation that you started on. When you spend time cultivating your connection, it will improve or build better trust between you two.

Consider the gardening process. Many people believe that plants only need water, and they don’t bother feeding them. However, a plant is given special nutrients, and food will always outgrow the one relying on water and sunshine.

While both plants may live, the one given those extra nutrients will thrive because it’s being enhanced. What are you doing to strengthen your relationship so that you can build trust and reinforce your bond?

7. Leads to Fewer Disagreements

There will always be disagreements in life, but there’s no reason for a couple to have serious arguments. When couples get into verbal disputes that escalate to calling names and even throwing things, it can destroy your relationship. Thankfully, having quality time with each other will lead to fewer disagreements, as you will both be on the same page.

pop meme8. It Allows Growth

Progress occurs in many areas of any relationship. Any couple together for any time should be growing and not stuck in the same place. As you gain wisdom from experiences, you become wiser, and your dreams and plans change over the years.

It’s essential that you grow together as a couple and that your visions and dreams for the future align, and spending quality time is one way to accomplish this goal.

9. Increases Awareness of Each Other’s Lives

Your spouse should be the first person you run to with anything in your life. If a coworker upsets you or a lady at the supermarket takes your parking spot, they should be the one you tell all the things that happen in your life. When you spend more time together, you’re naturally developing an increased awareness of each other and the occurrences in your daily grind.

10. Quality Time Enhances Loyalty

You may say you’re already loyal to the one you love but try spending more time together and see how that loyalty deepens. If someone says anything about them, you’re ready to defend them. Additionally, the old saying that you would take a bullet for someone is also the type of loyalty that develops with more time.

Ten Ways to Spend More Time in Sync

Now that you know why you need to spend more time with each other, you may wonder how and what you can do. Time is limited if you’re doing a weeknight date, so you want to plan carefully. Here are some great ways to spend time together and enhance your connection.

  1. Try couples yoga classes
  2. Join the gym
  3. Take cooking classes
  4. Join a book club
  5. Find a support group with others in similar situations in your area
  6. Make a date night at least one night per week
  7. Try something adventurous like ziplining or whitewater river rafting
  8. Take weekend getaways without the kids
  9. Try a new sport
  10. Invest in a boat, four-wheeler, or some other recreational vehicle

You can do other things to strengthen your union, such as buying flowers, candy, and gifts just because. You don’t need a special occasion to make your loved one feel special. Also, don’t let birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, or other special events pass you without a gift, card, or acknowledgment.

While it’s essential to include your children and other family members in some things, you and your partner need private time that’s meant for only you. Remember, before there were children and all these responsibilities, two people fell in love and had fun together.

quality timeFinal Thoughts on Why Quality Time Matters

You probably read through this list and thought it all sounded great, but you didn’t know how you would be able to fit this all into your schedule. The good news is that you don’t have to do anything spectacular that costs tons of money to spend time together.

Did you know that sometimes the little things mean the most? Why not take a walk outside briskly in the evening, holding hands? You could invest in an excellent porch swing to sit outside and talk the night away. Neither of these things will break the bank, but they will do wonders for your relationship.

If you’ve been going through a rough time, it’s, even more a reason to spend quality time together. If you get down to your issues’ crux, you will likely find that it’s because you don’t have enough time for each other. When it comes to your date night, you must remember that laundry, dishes, and all these other cares of life will be there in the morning.

However, neglecting the one that loves and cares about you for too long can cause an irreparable rift. Make sure you grow together and not apart, and you can be one of the couples that makes it to a 25th or even 50th anniversary.

20 Photos That Perfectly Capture the Seriousness of Climate Change

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Whether you are ready to admit it or not, climate change is real, and it is dire. It is changing the world around us more and more every day.

This drastic change in the climate ruins the air we breathe, causing serious respiratory illnesses and other diseases. It kills land and marine animals, hindering the ecosystem, and it destroys the form of wildfires and flooding. Plus, in some climates, it causes bodies of water to dry up completely.

If something doesn’t change soon, the destruction and devastation will only get worse. Entire animal habitats will disappear, and homes and buildings will be destroyed. Luckily, it isn’t too late to stop further damage from occurring and to save the earth.

Photos that Capture the Seriousness of Climate Change

These compelling images would convince anyone…we have a lot of work to do!

1. Wildfires Are Leaving the Air Heavy with Red and Orange Smog

This photo was shared on Twitter by a user who lives in Colorado. She explained how the wildfires in Colorado result from climate change.

The winters there are becoming warmer each year, making it impossible for all of the beetles to freeze. Since the beetles aren’t freezing, they are killing the pine trees, leaving them dry. With the dead, dry pine trees, the fires can start and spread rapidly.

2. Breathing will Become More Difficult

This Twitter user shared a photo to show how the air looks around his home. He warns that if it isn’t taken seriously now, this is the way it will look all the time. Sometimes it’s hard to realize just how bad it is until pictures like this one are shared.

Expect a rise in case counts of asthma, allergies, COPD, and other lung-related diseases.

3. Firefighters Put Out Smoldering Debris While Smoke Rises in the Background

This image is another one shared on Twitter. It demonstrates the seriousness of our changing climate. Firefighters are putting in quite a bit of work to extinguish the fires.

The post that this photo was shared in says that the effects of a severely changing climate are financially impacting the nation. With the costs of the damage, repairing the damage, and the labor put in, it is catastrophic to the economy. Beyond that, we are placing our first responders in harm’s way by sending them into these dangerous situations.

4. Ocean Animals Are Dying

All over the world, animals are dying due to the changing climate, as pictured here. In the Southern Ocean, penguins, seals, whales, and much other wildlife are dying. Their homes are being destroyed due to rising water levels and warmer water temperatures.

5. Firefighters Are Risking Their Lives

Each time a wildfire ignites in our country, firefighters risk their lives to save people, homes, businesses, animals, and our country. One Twitter user shared this image and called out those who say climate change is a hoax. As this picture shows, states like Colorado, Oregon, and California place first responders in extreme danger.

6. Families Are Displaced

The wildfires caused by a change in the climate are displacing families. They are being left with nowhere to go and no home to even try to repair. The fires are wiping them out and leaving families devastated.

7. Polar Bears Are Losing Their Habitat

This picture was shared in an Instagram post and captures the serious effects of climate change. A photographer named Patty Waymire took this photo at Barter Island, Alaska. Instead of photographing polar bears in the snow or on ice, she was surprised to photograph them in this way.

There was no snow in sight and little to no ice on the water. While the beach used to be covered in ice, it is now sandy and warm. If this continues, polar bears will have nowhere to live or hunt for food.

8. There is No Ice

As explained before, there is little to no ice left on the water in this part of Alaska. The ice is important, as it’s where Mama Polar Bears will give birth to and raise their cubs.

 

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A post shared by Polar Bear (@polarbear_love8)

9. Cruise Ships can Navigate Previously Impossible Waters

 

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A post shared by Windstar Cruises® (@windstarcruises)

In the past, the Northwest Passage was full of ice, and cruise ships could not make the journey. Now, with much of the ice melted, the ships can travel through. This is only possible because of climate change, but it is not beneficial to the environment.

It is clear when looking at this photo that this part of the world already sees the impact. With ships now navigating these waters, the wildlife will likely be further disrupted.

10. Entire Villages Must Relocate Inland


As water levels continue to rise, more and more land is lost. This is causing many homes to become uninhabitable and entire villages are having to relocate. In this shocking image, you can see how serious it is, as the water is already engulfing the homes.

11. Erosion is Ruining Lake Dunes

 

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A post shared by Angavin (@ammore75)

The great lakes around Michigan are experiencing massive erosion that is ruining the dunes. Since the weather is warmer, it’s causing intense storms and waves that cause intense damage along the shoreline. It is ruining buildings, dunes, bluffs, and even the lake bed itself.

The lake bed’s damage occurs when massive waves batter the shoreline and dig into the lake bed. It’s causing the water to become deeper in those areas, allowing even bigger waves to make their way to shore.

12. Homes Destroyed in the Great Lakes Region

This image is another one revealing the harmful impact climate change is having on the Great Lakes region. The home is threatened by erosion because there was no way to save the dunes or the home. As erosion continues, it is difficult to predict how far back the shoreline will be in the future.

13. The Difference in 100 Years

 

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A post shared by Vincent Melançon (@nape_maikan)

We found this picture on Instagram. It shows the Pedersen Glacier in Alaska. A photographer captured the top image 100 years before the photo on the bottom.

The difference between these two images is sure to convince you of the seriousness of a changing climate. Where there was once water, ice, and glaciers, there is now an empty field full of grass.

14. Flooding is Destroying Cities

Cities are becoming flooded to the point they are unnavigable. If the climate continues to change, this flooding will only get worse.

This scene shows Venice, Italy. There, floods are ruining homes, businesses, and people’s livelihood. Plus, think of all the historical buildings and artifacts that are destroyed in the process.

15. Coral Reefs are Disappearing

 

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A post shared by Coral Reefs (@saveourcoast)

With the change in the climate that has already occurred, coral reefs are disappearing rapidly, as these pictures show. This is tragic because coral reefs are the habitat of nearly 25% of marine animals. With no habitat, there is no way of knowing what will happen to these species.

16. Lakes Are Drying Up

 

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A post shared by ℤ (@dezabedrosky)

Photographers took these pictures just six years apart. Aculeo Lake, located in Chile, completely dried up due to rising global temperatures and lack of rainfall. What was once a 20-foot lake threatens to  become a giant crater, instead.

17. Beautiful Bodies of Water are Disappearing

 

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A post shared by Lizelle (@zellie_wilbers)

As shown before, lakes are drying up due to climate change, but this picture shows that other water bodies are drying up, too. This photo shows the Theewaterskloof Dam in South Africa, which serves as an important source of clean water on SA’s western cape.

18. Glaciers Are Melting

The Grinnell Glacier is located in Glacier National Park in Montana. What was once a giant glacier is now more like a lake with ice in it. While the park is still beautiful, the effects of a changing climate have taken a toll.

19. Huge Waterfalls are Turning into Small Streams

 

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A post shared by Bertram Quadt (@wykradt)

Located on the Zambezi River in Southern Africa, Victoria Falls is home to many plants and animals. It was once a heavily flowing waterfall but has dried up into only a small stream during part of 2018. This isn’t just sad for the beauty aspect, but for all the species that call it home.

20. California Lakes are Experiencing Extreme Changes


Lake Oroville in California normally requires a bridge to get across. Sometimes, however, it becomes so dry that it has no water at all.

Then, just as quickly, it’ll become so full that it overflows, and homes have to be evacuated. This shows the drastic weather patterns that are developing due to climate change.

Final Thoughts on Photos That Perfectly Capture the Seriousness of Climate Change

Many people still deny that climate change is happening. These pictures prove it. They prove how serious the problem is, and they enlighten us as to what could be coming in the future.

While much damage has already been done, it is not too late to make the future better. With lifestyle changes and awareness of the dangers of polluting the Earth, it is possible to stop the deterioration.

8 Benefits of Rice Water for Skin and Hair

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Rice is more than an inexpensive, versatile, and nutritious food. You can use rice water for skin and hair benefits, as well. Rice water is starchy water left over after you soak or cook rice, so it’s easy to find and make.

This liquid can improve skin conditions, repair your hair, and more. Rice water for skin and hair is a beneficial home remedy that contains many vitamins and minerals.

Adding rice water to your skin and hair care regime will naturally enhance your skin and hair, free of all chemicals. Learning about the benefits of rice water for skin and hair will help you understand how it can help you.

Why Is Rice Water Good for Your Skin And Hair?

Using rice water for skin and hair is beneficial because it is full of nutrients, promoting the health of skin cells. It also contains triglycerides, lipids, and starch, which can enhance skin health.

Additionally, rice water contains carbohydrates, inositol, and phytic acid. These substances help with achieving and maintaining glowing skin. The water also has high amounts of antioxidants that neutralize free radicals.

With all of these vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, rice water for skin and hair is one of the best options. While most skin and hair products contain harsh chemicals, this technique is all-natural with no damaging components.

Eight Amazing Benefits of Rice Water for Skin and Hair

Here are eight surprising benefits of rice water for the face, skincare, and healthy hair.

rice water for skin1. Rice Water Can Lighten Your Skin

If you have age spots or dark patches of skin caused by pregnancy, hormonal changes, or sun damage, rice water can help. The dark spots fade when you use the liquid as a skin rinse, and your skin texture evens out. You can use rice water for a face-lightening effect.

When your skin is healthy, it’ll glow like it wouldn’t otherwise. Rice water can help naturally brighten your complexion as it has essential enzymes that remove dead skin cells.

2. Rice Water Can Help Treat Dry Skin

Dry skin is uncomfortable and might make you self-conscious as it causes flaky skin. If your skin has damage from sodium laurel sulfate, an ingredient found in many skin and hair care products. Rice water can help. The water eases dry and damaged skin by providing essential nutrients and vitamins.

Rice water gets rid of dead skin cells and promotes cell growth. This process will make your skin smooth and free of dryness. It also helps balance pH levels, making your skin healthy again.

3. Rice Water Can Help With Eczema, Acne, Rashes, And Inflammation

Since rice water helps your skin maintain healthy pH levels, it can help with uncomfortable skin conditions. Research shows that the outermost layer of your skin protects it from microbes, but your natural barrier must maintain specialized lipid cells. If those cells are compromised, you can develop dermatitis, rosacea, and other skin conditions and rashes.

Additionally, rice water can help ease the discomfort of eczema as it clears up outbreaks. It can also help clear up acne and pimples. Using this liquid on affected areas twice daily can clear it up quickly and prevent it from returning.

This natural treatment results in healthier skin with decreased irritation and inflammation because the starches help repair damage. The healthy starches also help strengthen your skin barrier, preventing further issues.

4. Rice Water Can Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage

Studies show that rice water can protect the skin from UV rays. When used with plant extracts, it can be used as sunscreen, allowing you to skip the harsh chemicals in other products.

Rice water can provide a cooling sensation to your skin after sunburn. It also promotes healing when your skin has been damaged by the sun, decreasing your chance of developing wrinkles and dark spots. This water relieves red, inflamed, or itching skin caused by sun damage.

5. Rice Water Is Known To Have Anti-aging Benefits

Everyone has to deal with aging, but you can slow the process by using rice water for the skin. Using this water each day can help you look younger and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

Your skin contains elastin, making it soft and supple, giving it a youthful appearance. As you age, the elastin becomes less effective, leaving you with wrinkles and sagging skin. Rice water can help with this, as it contains antioxidants that fight the skin and elastin-damaging free radicals.

Rice water also increases the collagen in your skin, reducing and preventing wrinkles. It also contains other vitamins and nutrients that slow the aging process, including:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Allantoin
  • Vitamin E
  • Flavonoids
  • Phenolic compounds
  • Ferulic acid

6. Rice Water Reduces Skin Oiliness

Oily skin can cause just as many issues like dry skin, so it is essential to take care of it. Too much oil can clog your pores, causing painful pimples and acne breakouts.

If you use rice water on your skin, the healthy starches in the water will help tighten your pores and eliminate excess oil. It also decreases the shine on your face that too much oil causes.

rice water for skin7. Rice Water Helps With Damage Hair

Your hair builds up toxins, causing it to look flat and dull. Using rice water for hair provides many powerful antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins that return your hair to its original, healthy state. It detoxes your hair and removes damaging chemicals and toxins.

Rice water also increases the elasticity of your hair. More elasticity makes your hair less likely to break off, get damaged, or split. This benefit helps everyone and is a must for people that use styling tools that pull, curl, twist, or crimp your hair.

Additionally, if you have split ends or frizzy hair due to damage and dryness, rice water helps with that, too. It softens your hair and reduces friction on the surface of each strand.

8. Rice Water Helps Treat Dandruff

Dandruff is uncomfortable and can result in itching, burning, and flaking. Plus, it can also be embarrassing. As you constantly scratch your head and shed dandruff flakes, the problem becomes apparent to everyone.

A lack of oils in your scalp typically causes dandruff, which is worse if you have dry hair. It can cause scalp inflammation, too, making it even more uncomfortable and painful. Rice water can help ease the problem and return your skin to a healthy state since it may reduce irritation.

How to Make Rice Water in Three Easy Steps

Rice water is easy to make, and you can choose from three methods.

1. Soak It

Soaking the grains is the easiest and fastest way to make rice water for the skin. Rinse uncooked rice grains in water until the water runs clear. Then, put the rice in a bowl and soak it in water for at least thirty minutes.

While the grain soaks, stir gently and press down with your fingers to release all the beneficial properties. After thirty minutes, strain the water and store it in a container with a tight lid, keeping it in the refrigerator for up to one week. You can also store this liquid in a tightly lidded spray bottle.

2. Ferment It

Fermented rice water is more potent than others and offers additional benefits like conditioning. Rinse the rice with water first, and then put the rice into a glass bowl filled with water.

Let the ingredients soak for two days, triggering the natural fermentation process. Store the fermented rice water in a glass container in the refrigerator with a lid.

3. Boil It

If you want to boil the rice water, follow the instructions for cooking it. Once the rice is done, strain the water and transfer it to a glass bottle. Leave the lid off of the bottle while the water cools down. Then, put the lid back on and refrigerate it.

How to Use Rice Water for Skin and Hair Care

  • Hair Rinse: Saturate your hair with rice water and leave it on for 10 minutes before rinsing it.
  • Facial Cleanser or Toner: Use a cotton ball to smooth the rice water over your face and neck, rinsing if desired. Washing the face with rice water is one of the easiest applications.
  • Bath Soak: Using rice water as a bath soak can offer relief to your entire body. A bath soak is especially beneficial if you are sunburned or experiencing an eczema flare-up.
  • In a Spray Bottle: You can spritz your hair or face as necessary if you keep rice water in a spray bottle. Let it air dry on your skin rather than dabbing or wiping it dry.
  • As a Hair Mask: After washing your hair, saturate it with rice water and put it in a towel for at least twenty minutes. Rinse the rice water hair mask with cool water and let it dry naturally.

rice water for skinFinal Thoughts on Benefits of Rice Water for Skin and Hair

Now that you know this grain is much more than nutritious food, you’ll keep it on hand. This natural beauty treatment benefits you in many ways. But the best part is that you won’t have to use harsh chemicals.

Rice water for the skin helps you look youthful, healthy, and radiant. Plus, you may make your hair appear shiny and full. Regardless of what you ultimately decide, it is well worth your try.

25 Ways to Tell If Someone Special is Paying Attention to You

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It’s not always easy to know if someone special is paying attention to you and is interested in something more than friendship. If only life were as cut and dry as dating on the internet, where you can hide behind a screen and pour out your heart.

In the real world, you need to rely on subtle clues from body language.

You’re at a social gathering, and an exciting person approaches and comments on your hair. Could they be hitting on you, or do they just like your hair? It’s hard to figure out the difference between someone being a lovely human being or if they’re giving you some much-needed attention.

25 Ways to Know If Someone Is Paying Attention to You

If you’re unlucky in love or don’t have much experience in the field, then you may not know if someone is into you. You certainly don’t want to make a fool of yourself, so it’s best to look for these subtle clues before you say or do anything. If you’re flattered at their advances, then you can flirt back, as it helps them to know if you’re interested.

However, if you find yourself unattracted to them, then you can ignore them and move right along. Watch for the following signs.

paying attention1. Asking Lots of Questions

They seem to be a chatterbox that has more questions than a five-year-old. They want to know more about you, and they’re trying to dig for information. Be careful, it could be a narcissistic person just wanting to get in good with you, but it could be the person you’ve been waiting for too.

2. Body Contact

Has this person accidentally brushed into you? Did they walk past you more times than necessary so that they could touch you? Oh, they won’t do this on purpose yet, but they are eager to feel your soft skin or smell your fragrance.

3. Dilated Pupils

It might seem strange that you would look close enough to see someone’s pupils, but did you know that your pupils dilate when the brain likes what it sees? Who knew body language could be stimulated and acted out as a brain command?

4. Full of Compliments

You can brush off a compliment or two as just being nice, but when this person seems to talk constantly about how wonderful you are and look, then it’s a big sign. This person is paying attention to you and wants you to reciprocate.

5. Their Eyes Meet Yours

When you think someone is attractive, your eyes can’t help but wander towards that person. Your subconscious brain can do this without you even realizing it. If someone can’t take their eyes off you, then it’s a sign that they like what they see.

6. Gestures of Affection

Did they hold the door for you, get you a refill on a drink, or pull out a chair on your behalf? Little gestures of affection can go a long way. This person wants you to see their good manners, and they’re interested in you.

7. Lip Licking

Okay, so this is one of the more apparent gestures, but if someone is paying attention to you and likes what they see, they may lick their lips. Again, they’re probably not doing this for a show or to gain attention, but their brain is causing them to make subconscious moves because it likes what it sees.

8. Nervous and Jittery

If someone is crushing on you, then it’s only standard for them to become nervous or jittery in your presence. They may talk at a fast pace, put their hands in their pockets, or go through their purse.

It’s also not uncommon for them to fidget with their cell phone and act like they have important business to take care of. The truth is that their heart is beating out of their chest, and they don’t know how to control it.

9. They Want Your Digits

If someone asks you for your phone number, it’s a pretty good indication that they are into you. Now, you may not be ready to give out those numbers just yet, so this bold move might catch you off guard.

10. Social Media Stalker

If you just met this person and they start following you on social media, then it’s a sign they’re paying attention to you. Now, if they start commenting on all your pictures and posts, then it’s the most significant sign you will get that they’re crushing bad. They’re begging for you to notice them.

11. Making Plans

What if this person starts making plans and including you in them? Well, if they see you in their future, they might have no issue being a bit presumptuous and including you in some activities.

12. Coffee Date

Did they ask you if you would like to get coffee or drinks sometime? They may be interested in having some good conversation, but the chances are that they are into you for more than drinks.

love13. Share Future Goals

Whether you know this person or not, someone that starts telling you all their hopes and dreams is suspect. They probably want to see if your futures can align. Go ahead and give them a little bit of bait and see how far they drag your line. Remember, there are lots of fish in the sea, and you could be about to reel in a big one.

14. Hanging on Every Word

It doesn’t matter if there are 100 people in the room. When you speak, this person is all ears. They laugh at your jokes, even if they’re not that funny. This person is interested in what you have to say.

15. The 411 on Your Past

So, anytime a person is interested in your past relationships, it’s probably because they want to see what your future looks like. They want to know if you are more of a person who dates around or looking to settle down.

16. Kindness is Key

Everyone should be kind, but this person seems to be going out of their way to be kind to you. They want you to know how sweet, pleasant, and charming they are.

17. Honesty

If someone starts telling you about their love life, their triumphs, and devastations, then it’s because they want you to know them. They’re trusting you and cross a privacy line to see how you react.

18. Friendly with Your Friends

Not only does this person seem friendly to you, but they want to get to know your friends. If they seem genuinely interested in hooking up with your group, then they’re trying hard to win your affection.

19. All Smiles

They can’t help it; every time they look at you, they are beaming. There’s something about you that they can’t help but smile at because they like what they see.

20. Good Impressions

No matter where you two cross paths, they always try to make a good impression. They want you to know that they’re a stand-up person that you can’t live without.

21. Toe Tendencies

The next time you’re around this person, watch where their toes are pointed. Their toes might be pointed right at you if you have their attention. An article in Cosmopolitan about body language states that the toes point in the direction the heart wants to head.

22. Your Opinion Matters

If someone asks your opinion about important things, then they trust you. If they ask your opinion about their future or significant purchases, then they might be into you.

23. Mirroring Your Movements

If a person is engrossed in your conversation, then they may mirror your movements. If you cross your arms, they’ll cross their arms. Additionally, they’re not doing this on purpose, but they are just so into you they can’t help themselves.

24. Introduction to Their Friends

If someone is paying attention to you and likes what they see, they will likely want to introduce you to their friends. Now, if they’re with their family and want to introduce you, then they’ve got it bad for you.

25. Adjusting Their Gait

It’s never romantic when someone dashes ahead of you or your friends. When someone is interested and you’re walking about, they will match their gate with yours. They don’t want to risk missing one word you say.

paying attentionFinal Thoughts on Discerning When Someone Is Paying Attention to You

If there’s so many fish in the sea, why does it have to be challenging to find the right one? Why is it that people always tend to latch onto the sharks that want to do nothing but cause destruction? Alas, there are some great people out there, but you need to be open and receptive to their advances.

When you like a person and think they may want you to, then make your move. Since you’ve noticed they’re paying attention to you, then show them a little attention in return. What can it hurt anyway?

20 Signs Reveal That Someone Has Night Eating Syndrome

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You’ve heard of anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating, but have you ever heard of night eating syndrome?

It’s a relatively new member of the eating disorder group that is starting to gain attention. Unlike some of the other conditions, this one has more to do with signs of a severe mental illness than just a problem with food.

According to the New York Times, Dr. Albert Stunkard gets the credit for discovering this condition back in 1995. According to research, it’s a combination of three disorders: mood, eating, and sleep. The person who has night eating syndrome is fully awake and aware of their surroundings. These individuals are not sleepwalking, nor are they doing things while in a sedative state.

Instead, most of these individuals feel that food will help them get back to sleep, which is where their sleep disorder comes into play. It’s not uncommon for someone under high amounts of stress to work right through their lunch, and they catch up on all those lost calories when the night comes.

Another common scenario is that you may be on a very restrictive diet that leaves you hungry in the evening. You have all the willpower in the world while you’re busy at work, but you binge at night when all you can think about is food. Others find that their depression is worse in the evenings, and there’s nothing that soothes depression-like high-calorie sweets and junk food.

Facts About NES

night eating syndromeAccording to Anorexia Nervosa & Related Eating Disorders, night eating syndrome affects around two percent of the population. Unlike bulimia and anorexia, which are often used to fit into societal norms by women, NES is equally present in both genders.

While there have been many studies conducted on this eating disorder, one was particularly interesting conducted by JAMA. Researchers discovered that people with NES have only eating about one-third of their daily calories by dinnertime, or 5-6 pm. Oddly, those who don’t have night eating syndrome have already consumed more than 75 percent of their daily calories.

There is a direct link between substance abuse, self-inflicted harm, and night eaters. Those who binge eat in the nighttime hours are also more susceptible to having an addiction problem. It’s often found that those in recovery use food as a tool to cope, and they trade one addiction for another.

The same can be said of those that engage in self-harming activities, like cutting. The cutting results from intense anxiety that they cannot control, so if they try to manage their stress less aggressively, they may turn to food. Since both depression and anxiety seem to be the greatest during the evening hours, it stands to reason that eating would increase when stress is at the highest levels.

A Connection to Stress

Stress seems to be another significant consideration for those suffering from this eating disorder. For instance, a study was conducted by The Journal of Adolescent Health that showed some interesting results. College students and those under a significant amount of stress are at a higher risk of developing this condition.

Students typically stay up late trying to cram for tests and don’t get adequate sleep, which puts them at a higher risk for NES. The same could be said for those who work long hours and come home unable to sleep due to their mind racing and unable to relax from the day’s angst.

Symptoms of Night Eating Disorder

If you think you have symptoms of NES, then many signs indicate this condition. However, keep in mind that not every person will have all of these. The diagnosing criteria are that you have 2-3 with a prevalence that lasts a month or longer. Here is a checklist that you may have this eating disorder.

1. You have a lack of appetite in the morning.

2. You notice you have uncontrollable urges to eat during the evening or night.

3. You believe that eating will help you sleep.

4. You have ongoing issues with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues.

5. You experience frequent sleep disturbances.

6. Others notice food missing from the kitchen that you know you took.

7. You find messes in the morning and vaguely remember making them.

8. You hoard food to make sure you have enough.

9. You’re gaining unexplained weight.

10. You have a feeling of no control over your behavior.

11. Your eating habits bring deep shame to you, so you hide them.

12. You’re overweight and have other medical issues like high blood pressure.

13. You have a negative self-image due to weight issues and a lack of self-control.

14. You have a history of substance abuse problems.

15. You constantly binge on high-calorie snacks and crave sugars and starches.

16. 25 percent of your daily caloric intake is eaten after dinner.

17. You frequent restrictive diets to lose weight.

18. You’re prone to self-medicating from bottled-up stress.

19. You frequently eat large portions in short periods, similar to binge eating.

20. You engage in other eating disorders.

picaThe Mental Health Fallout

There is an element of shame that comes with this disorder, so many people choose to eat in secret. You may find that it’s easier to binge when everyone else in the house is in bed. You may also discover that it’s better to hoard or hide food so that you are sure to get all you want.

It’s possible that a child who suffered from neglect, like those in the foster system, can grow up thinking that they need to hoard. Hoarding food is a preventative measure for someone who feels they won’t get enough or is in danger of going hungry. The binge eater uses foods as medicine for underlying issues such as depression, anxiety, stress, or other circumstances out of their control.

Predisposing Risks and Factors

There is plenty of research that links genetics with eating disorders. The Mayo Clinic addresses this issue in one of their articles. The biological factors cannot be denied in binge eating.

If your parents have issues with eating disorders, it makes a child more susceptible to such behaviors. Additionally, there are mental health components in all these illnesses, specifically night eating syndrome. Having depression and anxiety, and other mental health disturbances can increase your chances of developing something such as night eating syndrome.

Those who have a poor relationship with food and have a history of yo-yo dieting or using restrictive methods may be susceptible to NES. Dieting can change your brain chemicals, and if your body isn’t getting the pleasure receptors caressed as it wants, it can cause binge eating.

The most common age of this and other eating disorders are in the 20-30-year-old crowd, though they can occur at any age.

Prevention and Awareness

It would be nice if there were an herb you could take or some exercise you could do that would keep eating disorders at bay. However, there are some strategies that you can employ to teach your children how to develop a good relationship with food.

One of the best things you can do as a parent is to avoid dieting and talking about dieting with your child. Keep your weight struggles private, at least the bulk of them. Your child needs to develop good family eating habits as it can help to forge a good relationship with food, so never underestimate the power of the family mealtime.

Teaching your kids to eat a well-balanced diet should be done in word and deed. Another significant issue today is the body image that is touted as acceptable. Women usually have more of an issue with this than men, but news and other media outlets parade women to have a perfect figure when they’re half-starving.

As parents, you must correct any misconceptions and help them to avoid the attraction of these dangerous ideas. Sure, you may lose a great deal of weight with a condition like anorexia, but this disease does so much damage to your heart that it could end your life prematurely.

Finally, it’s essential to love the skin you’re in. You may never be a stick figure with the perfect body, but it would be a boring world if everyone looked the same. Eating disorders may cause you to gain or lose weight, but they all stem from the misconception of not loving your body or feeling that you fit in. Of course, there are also psychological aspects.

night eating syndromeFinal Thoughts on Night Eating Syndrome

There is no magic pill that you can take, and night eating syndrome will go away. Instead, counseling and addressing the mental illness aspects is crucial. These behaviors are often seen in people with obsessive-compulsive disorder as their need to eat soon becomes a compulsion.

Various therapeutic approaches seem to be the most helpful, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Retraining the brain and having a better relationship with food is the key to reversing this issue. Looking at your body differently and learning to manage your stress levels can help manage this condition effectively.

Eating disorders of all varieties are hard on the body. Putting on too much weight from NES or binge eating can cause high blood pressure, fatty liver disease, and type II diabetes. You need to address the underlying issues that you’re trying to self-medicate away.

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