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5 Ways How Positive Thinking Can Help During Addiction Recovery

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People’s perceptions of the world are shaped by the thoughts they cultivate. Those who are pessimistic not only see the world through a fog of gloom but may also be laying the groundwork for future suffering. On the other hand, positive thinking has been shown to affect mental and physical health positively. This approach won’t solve all your problems, but it will help. Those in addiction treatment can benefit significantly from adopting a more optimistic outlook. Continue reading and find out how positive thinking can help during addiction recovery. Hopefully, we’ll inspire you to fully adopt this new outlook on life and stay positive after your crisis.

Think positive on linen as a featured image for a post about ways positive thinking can help during addiction recovery
Think positive always!

How can positive thinking help during addiction recovery?

Developing an addiction isn’t the result of a lack of strength of character, but it takes much more than sheer will to overcome it. No matter how bad things look or how many times you’ve tried and failed in the past, there is always a chance for a relapse. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the problem you’re dealing with before finding the right ways to resolve it. 

Woman smiling and holding a balloon with a smiley face on it
There are plenty of ways positive thinking can help during addiction recovery

Admitting that you have a problem and deciding to make a change is often the most challenging aspect of beginning the recovery process for many people battling addiction. However, even then, it’s very common to start questioning your readiness for recovery and your will to stop using. That’s why, besides strength and perseverance, positive thinking is a crucial element of successful addiction recovery. Further in this article, you’ll find out how positive thinking can help you stay sober.

#1 Positive thinking can help reduce stress during addiction recovery

When things don’t go as planned, we’ve all heard the phrase “think positive!” or “look on the bright side.” Despite how painful the truth is, it deserves to be stated. Stress is reduced, and one’s outlook is brightened due to practicing positive thinking. It is especially true regarding addiction recovery, a complicated process filled with roadblocks and stress.

People who adopt an optimistic frame of mind and live in sober living facilities have better coping strategies for managing stress and challenging situations. They are also less likely to turn to substance misuse to cope with difficult times or thoughts. The good idea is to choose one of the powerful affirmations to return to in case you feel too overwhelmed or stressed.

#2 Positive thinking helps boost self-efficiency

In a nutshell, self-efficiency means believing in yourself, and addicts in recovery have a better chance of succeeding at sobriety when they have faith in their abilities. It’s the conviction that you can achieve the desired outcomes through your efforts. It can alter one’s mood, outlook, and behavior.

Woman wearing a yellow t-shirt looking at a mirror and smiling
Thinking positively will help you gain more self-confidence and learn ways to pick yourself up whenever you have doubts about your recovery

Your mood, actions, and drive can all affect your confidence in your abilities. Therefore, it has potential utility in the field of substance abuse rehabilitation. Positive thinking can help you establish a strong sense of effectiveness. Another method that can help is picking a goal you would like to attain and planning how to get there. For instance, consider what you need to alter and devise a strategy for dealing with difficulties and accomplishing other goals.

#3 Positive thinking can improve the immune system and one’s ability to fight off illness

Positivity does more than make you feel better. New studies show that keeping a positive outlook can help the immune system. As measured by a study, cell-mediated immunity is higher among more optimistic first-year law students. In inverse proportion to the decline in hope, cell-mediated immunity also fell. As a general rule, those with a sunny outlook on life enjoy better physical health due to their decreased susceptibility to viruses and illnesses.

#4 Positive thinking means less depression

Mental health issues and addiction often go hand in hand. Substance abuse sometimes starts as a coping mechanism for the distress associated with mood disorders. However, in some circumstances, mental health issues emerge after several years of substance abuse. A decrease in mood is common in the weeks following rehabilitation, even for those who have not been diagnosed with depression.

Therefore, the question of which comes first – addiction or depression – isn’t important. What matters is finding ways to cope with addiction recovery in a way that won’t affect your mental health. That’s another superpower positive thinking has. Recovering addicts are less prone to experience symptoms of depression if they keep an optimistic outlook on life.

#5 Positive thinking can help you motivate others during addiction recovery

Lastly, positive thinking can help you motivate others going through addiction recovery. Living in a sober facility means spending a lot of time socializing with other residents that are going through the same things. Many pessimistic people under the same roof can negatively affect everyone’s recovery. Negativity, especially during addiction recovery, can spread like a disease.

Pair of glasses in front of a motivational poster on a wooden table
Positivity is contagious, and just one smile or a positive word can change a person’s day

However, the same is true when it comes to positive thinking. If you nurture a positive outlook on life, you are more likely to inspire others to follow you. By being positive, you can influence and inspire your peers to stay sober and enhance their level of positivity. 

The bottom line

We hope this article helped you understand how positive thinking can help during addiction recovery. Always remember that even positive words have more power than you imagine. It’s good to remember when you’re going through a hard time, whether because of an addiction or any other reason.

Meta Description:

Battling addiction is in no way a simple process, but you can make it easier. We’ll let you know how positive thinking can help during addiction recovery.

Author bio:

Lisa Marin is a school guidance counselor who volunteers at Harmony Ridge Recovery Center during her free time. She is a mom of two teenage boys who share her passion for volunteering. So instead of seeing them on the soccer field, you’re more likely to find them in an animal shelter. They are Lisa’s pride and joy, and her favorite part of the year is the summers they spend on camping road trips.

Self Care Is a Lifestyle – 5 Ways to Practice Self-Care at Home

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Self care is – and should be – part of an individual’s lifestyle. Only by taking the time to take care of yourself, rest, and recharge your batteries will you be able to tackle any obstacles that may come your way and overcome any challenges. The reason why we say that self-care is a way of life is that it involves doing things that can only be beneficial to you on a daily or weekly basis. Taking care of oneself shouldn’t be a part-time job or an every-once-in-a-while activity. Indeed, when life gets hectic, and you find it difficult to balance everything out, it is understandable that taking the time for yourself and allowing yourself to catch your breath may seem like a waste of time. Plus, it isn’t recommended to force any of the following practices that involve you taking care of yourself.

Self-care should come naturally and on your own terms, and in your own time. For this reason, if you are the kind of person who hasn’t really prioritized this until now and is having a hard time allocating some moments for themselves, it is essential to take it to step by step and not make out of self-care just another task. But don’t worry – you are not alone. This article is what you need to get you started.

You don’t necessarily have to go to a spa or in a remote retreat in order to make self-care part of your life. The good news is that you can start by doing this in the comfort of your home because self-care is present in the smallest things, from drinking a cup of your favorite tea in the evening while reading a book or watching a good movie to meditating and prioritizing your needs. Slowly but steadily, you will manage to put yourself first. Doing this will make you better prepared to support your friends and family and perform well in your professional life as well.

So, how can you make self-care your lifestyle? How can you practice self-care at home? Here are five ways to get you started:

1. Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Long Relaxing Bath

Taking a bubble bath, putting some music on, and reading a great book can be an incredibly effective method of relieving anxiety symptoms or de-stressing yourself after a day full of work and running from one task to the other. This can be an ideal way of practicing self-care and detaching yourself from any negative thoughts. Taking a long relaxing bath and doing essential skincare are excellent ways of having a home spa day or evening as frequently as you want.

Plus, you can go as extra as you wish. Who says you cannot include scented candles, various kinds of bath bombs, or salts? Depending on your preferences and style, your relaxing bubble bath can look as luxurious as you want.

2. Prioritize Getting a Good Night Sleep and Proper Rest

Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Getting enough rest and making sure you sleep well during the night are crucial aspects of self-care. This way, you ensure that the next day you wake up with your batteries recharged and ready to tackle any obstacles and fulfill your day’s goals with good energy. Otherwise, not getting enough sleep can worsen negative thoughts and feelings, making you more prone to anxiety disorder.

If you have trouble sleeping, there are some things you can do to ensure you get a good night’s sleep. First and foremost, you should never bring your work or assignments to a place dedicated to resting. Another suggestion is to purchase high-quality sheets made from breathable materials and wear ultra-soft and moisture-wicking pajamas that promote complete comfort.

3. Focus On Allocating Valuable “Me” Time

It is of the utmost importance to find the time to treat yourself like you deserve. For this reason, after a day full of activities, responsibilities, chores, and work, it is essential to allocate some “me” time once you get home. Indeed, social life is also crucial for your self-care, and meeting with your loved ones is vital for your well-being.

This being said, personal time can be easily overlooked when you need to fit many things – working or studying, seeing friends and family – into one day’s schedule. So, as important as prioritizing your social life, it is just as crucial to allocate valuable “me” time. This means doing only the things you love in the evening or on some weekends when your energy levels are relatively low, and you need recharging. Don’t be afraid to spend time with yourself.

4. Include Some Form of Exercise in Your Life

Indeed, having to include some form of exercise in your life can quickly transform into a task that you would rather not do, especially for individuals who are extremely busy. But the good news is that exercise can take many forms, not necessarily going to the gym if that’s not really your cup of tea.

Whether you sign up for a beginner’s Yoga or Pilates glass, you start cycling or begin a sport, such as swimming; it is all up to you and depends on your preferences and daily schedule. Regardless of what you choose, the important thing is to make sure you include this in your lifestyle. This means preventing sedentarism, improving your overall health, increasing your energy levels, which all represent self-care.

5. Disconnect From Digital Devices

Nowadays, with so many digital devices available and excessively present both in your professional and personal life, it is vital to disconnect from them every once in a while and focus your attention on your surroundings. So, you should practice digital detox as much as it is possible. For example, during the weekend, you can allocate at least a few hours during the day when you don’t prioritize using your smartphone or other devices.

Apart from listening to some feel-good music when going for a walk or even during chores around the house, you should try to reduce the use of digital devices for your well-being. If the weather is nice, choose to spend some time outside, either by yourself or with a few friends. This way, not only do you practice self-care and take care of your mental and physical health, but it is also an excellent opportunity to get creative. Who knows, maybe you’ll start a new hobby, like painting.

Self care

6 Ways How Words Can Affect Your Hormones And Improve Wellbeing

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Words can have a powerful impact on our bodies, both negatively and positively. Words are spoken, thought, heard, and even seen. All these sensory inputs cause ease or stress. Words have the power to generate negative emotions that will further cause you stress. One aspect that many of us have not thought about is the fact that the lack of positive words that we do not hear from the outside or in our mind, we do not read and do not see, can cause us as much stress.

According to doctors at Best HGH Doctors and Clinics, during times of negative emotions or stress, cortisol levels rise, which can affect various aspects of your life, such as concentration, anxiety, learning, and memory processes. 

1. Improve concentration

One of the enemies of concentration is interruption and distraction. Research shows that it takes you more than 20 minutes to get back to your original level of concentration if you are interrupted even by a simple message. In order to remember how harmful the interruptions are, you can put different reminders either on the phone or on small notes on your desk to remind you to stay focused. Words are useful because with their help you can write a simple message of “stay focused” or “take a break for 10 minutes after 50 minutes of focus”.

2. Have a better memory

A good memory is needed for everyone. Many times our memory is good not because we have not trained enough in our mind but because we have too many words in our heads. The easiest way to get rid of mind clutter is by journaling. Take an A4 sheet of paper and simply start writing any sentence that comes to mind. Don’t bother writing meaningfully. In fact, the more unrelated sentences you have, the more you clear your mind.

Our brain can only support a certain number of words a day. These words depend on the person. Think about it! In one day you hear words, you think words, you say words, you read words. There are so many words! Research shows that one day a book passes through a person’s mind. That means 7 books a week and 30 books a month. Journaling is the best way to get rid of negative thoughts. Journalism can help you come up with new ideas and improve your creativity.

3. Fight against depression

One of the best ways to fight depression and to overcome it is by practicing gratitude. Gratitude is a strong positive feeling that gives you a state of joy. It means taking time to think about the good things that have happened to you so far in your life. Think of the little things you can enjoy in the present and be grateful for the opportunities of the future. One of the processes of depression is to remember the bad things that happened to us, to remember the sufferings of the past. The emotion of gratitude is exactly the opposite, we help our brain to think and to remember happy events from the past.

4. Release anxiety

Anxiety is a destructive feeling that paralyzes your life. It’s not just the fear of something. It is a generalized fear combined with negative generalizations of all kinds. If you read a book from time to time about psychotherapy against anxiety you will start to understand more about this condition. With understanding comes solutions and the power to take control of your life. I highly recommend the books on anxiety and how to conquer it by the psychotherapist Dr. Albert Ellis.

5. Balance heart energy

Often the heart picks up packages of negative thoughts from all around. Yes, you read that right, I wrote thoughts because it has been scientifically proven that the heart has its own brain. As we know, the heart reacts positively to beautiful words. So I recommend that you write a list of positive words at least once a week. Then find out on the internet what resources you can find about these words. You can start with harmony, peace of mind, peace of mind, hope, gratitude, blessing, resilience, and more.

We often ask ourselves and read all sorts of articles and books about the differences between mind and heart. And we wonder which is more important? The answer is both. Both the heart and the mind are important to the human being. Think about it! If your heart stops then you die and if your mind doesn’t work at all you are in a coma at the hospital. You could say it’s better to be in a coma than dead. The perspective I am trying to emphasize is that life is neither dead nor in a coma, so life is lived with both heart and mind working together.

6. Think Positive

We often hear and read about the benefits of positive thinking. But what is positive thinking and especially how to think positively? Simple. To think positively all you have to do is form sentences and questions with positive words. Search the internet for lists of positive words and start memorizing them and getting used to them. Then your mind will do the rest. You will wake up talking about those words in your mind. And you will feel good.

When you think positively, the solutions come faster, you manage to control your anxiety because you don’t worry too much and stay away from sadness. A positive attitude is contagious and helps you a lot in relationships. Research has shown that the productivity and efficiency of a project are ensured by positive thinking.

When you have problems with projects, positive thinking helps you not to give up. When you don’t give up, you manage to find a solution in the end. In order to be able to complete the projects, you have to believe that you will succeed and have the hope that in the end, you will complete the project with flying colors. Confidence in yourself and your abilities, that “I can”, also comes from the ability to think positively.

In conclusion, good and nice words can help you focus better, have a better memory, develop your gratitude and gain against depression, fight anxiety, make sure your heart has good energy, and help you think positively.

Words Can Affect Your Hormones

How to Sleep Better Tips: 5 Apps to Cope with Insomnia

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Sleep deprivation is used to describe an inadequate sleep quantity or quality, including voluntary or involuntary disorders of sleep and circadian sleep rhythm disorders.

Sleep is as essential as food and drink for our human body, yet many of us do not sleep enough. Inadequate sleep quality, insufficient sleep (e.g., travels to a different time zone or work shifts), or disturbances to the sleeping cycle affect the way we work throughout the day, producing drowsiness and fatigue.

A tired person is prone to accidents, impaired judgment, and more likely to make errors. Waking for 24 hours results in reduced coordination between eyes and hands, similar to 0.1 blood alcohol. This is the reason for traffic accidents and work injuries caused by sleep deprivation.

Sleep deficiency may also impair academic performance and could increase the risk of emotional disorders such as depression.

There are several possible causes of insomnia, and many variables may be involved in many cases. Poor sleep may also induce or aggravate other problems of health, thus generating a complex insomnia chain. At a holistic level, insomnia is caused due to a hyperarousal2, which disrupts staying asleep or falling asleep. Mental and physical Hyperarousal may be caused by some circumstances and health problems. So, how can I sleep with severe insomnia? Is there an app that can help me sleep? Do sleep apps help with insomnia? 

Yes, there are many sleep stories apps that will help you to sleep calmly and cope with insomnia. Here, we will discuss five sleep apps that will help you to sleep calmly and adequately.  You can listen to different music using various online services, but they may be blocked in your country. To unblock music, you can use a VPN from the VeePN company. VeePN will helps you the unlimited access to free music anywhere from any country or region. If you want to try VeePNVPN, you can ask them for a free trial.

Apps to Cope with Insomnia

5 Apps to Cope with Insomnia

1. Talk me to Sleep

Relax Melodies helps to reduce insomnia by using more than 100 sounds of relaxation, binaural beats, white sounds, and soothing melodies. Guided meditations to enhance sleep are also available, and the sleep aid app is free for iOS or Android. Options for the purchase of your Relax Melodies content library are also accessible in this app.

Over 100 sounds and guided meditations are available to create a relaxing track with the possibility of adding a guided meditation. You mix and combine as many various sounds and melodies as you want. Some sounds are direct, such as “Rain” and “Cat Purring,” while others are a bit obscure, such as “Eternity” and “Music Box.” Finally, a custom ambiance is created that helps you feel comfortable and calm.

2. Pzizz

Pzizz helps to prevent insomnia by using sound sequences to improve your sleep. You can stay asleep and fall asleep when you wake up and feel rested. Pzizz may be downloaded for iOS or Android, as well as in-app purchasing options.

This sleep stories app has both sleep and nap options, it will continue to play until you wake up. It uses a guided meditation set against a backdrop of different sounds, in a male or a female voice. 

3. Stop, Breathe, Think

Stop, breathe, think, enables you to figure out how you do mentally, physically, and emotionally. Then it proposes meditations depending on your state of mind to reinforce the positive. So, if you choose “Restless, tired, exhausted, anxious,” several excellent guided sleep meditations will be suggested. In addition to Indian and Tibetan meditation traditions, the team behind the app relied on clinical studies to create their meditation tracks. For example, the falling asleep meditation is based on the teachings of Tibetan meditation master Tulku Thondup and utilizes guided imagery that helps you sleep easier.

4. Inscape

Inscape is a sleep stories app for meditation guidance that utilizes progressive relaxation stories, soothing sounds, and ambient music to help you sleep. According to Inscape’s website, by selecting a focus area in-app, you can have sessions to assist you in sleeping if you have insomnia; you may concentrate on the problems you want in everyday life. This sleep aid app is free of charge with in-app buying options but is only accessible on iOS.

5. Sleep By Headspace

Sleep by Headspace is intended to create a “soothing bedtime experience,” as sleep melodies and guided meditations aid you in sleeping and relaxing. Sleep by headspace content called sleep casts uses both sound and visuals to create optimal sleep conditions.

You can relax and sleep by using this sleep stories app, just make sure that it is updated to the current version. Note that only the basic Headspace Meditation course is accessible for free, you will have to subscribe to the complete content library. Subscriptions are offered for $12.99 per month or an annual cost of $94.99. This sleep aid app is free for Android or iOS, as well as in-app purchases.

Music helps to fall asleep better

It is natural to wonder about the best type of music for relaxing and sleeping. Studies have looked at many genres and playlists, and there is no clear consensus on the optimal sleep music. We know that studies have usually utilized either a self-curated playlist or one particularly intended for sleep.

One of the most important factors in how music affects a person’s body is their musical tastes. Effective personalized playlists may contain calming music or sleeping melodies in the past.

The tempo is one factor to consider while creating a playlist. The speed at which music is played is frequently measured by the number of beats per minute (BPM). Most research has chosen BPM 60-80 music. Since the regular heart rate ranges from 60 to 100 BPM11, it is frequently assumed that the body can synchronize with slower music.

Feel free to try various songs and playlists until you discover one that is perfect for you. You may also test out a few playlists throughout the day to see if they might help you relax.

General tips to sleep better

In the end, we discuss some general tips to sleep better.

  1. Do not consume coffee late at night.
  2. Reduce irregular or long naps during the day.
  3. Increase bright daylight exposure.
  4. Reduce exposure to blue light in the evening.

Positive Words Research – How to Sleep Better: 5 Apps to Cope with Insomnia

7 Basic Tips to Enjoy Your First RV Trip: Find out more Now

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The world of RV and motorhomes is having a great boom in recent years, and more so now in times of pandemic. In this article, together with Zervs, we are going to give you 10 basic tips to enjoy your first camper or motorhome experience. Type of vehicle, destination, where to sleep, applications, loading and unloading of water …

Choose the model that best suits your needs.

For this, it will be essential to know how many you are (family, partner …) and the type of trip you are going to do, especially for mobility. The bigger a camper/motorhome is on the inside, the bigger it is on the outside – watch out for this double-decker motorhome.

This is about sacrificing comfort for agility. If you take a well-equipped small van, you will get where you want; If you take the super motorhome equipped with all the luxuries, you will have to take a good look at where you are because it does not fit in many places.

  • Camper: very agile, perfect for two or a couple with 1-2 children
  • Camper with bathroom: agile, perfect for two or a family of 3-4. Total independence. Let’s say it’s a perfect balance because you sacrifice space, but you have everything.
RV Trip

Motorhomes:

  • Basic (2-4 people): wider than a Camper, more space, greater overhangs, and consumption.
  • Medium (4-6 people): everything fits here, a lot of space, and a lot of exterior volumes to move around. Higher consumption.
  • Comprehensive (2-4-6 seats): authentic mobile chalets, comfortable like a house, but very wide and not very agile.

Choose the destination and enjoy the road

Not everything is to go as far as possible and spend hours and hours behind the wheel while the family dozes or plays at the console. You have to enjoy the road, do days adapted to everyone’s needs. You can plan a route and stop at the places that catch you on the way. The journey is the path itself; the final destination does not matter so much.

Plan (a little) where to sleep and what to see

We are not referring to going with the established itinerary and the immovable stages, because the good thing about traveling in this way is that we can ride without plans, and if we like where we are, stay a few more days, or if we don’t like it, go off whistling.

If not, at least, know each day where we are going to sleep before nightfall. Because it is very cumbersome to find a place to spend the night with the night already over. It has happened to all of us …

I sleep, but where?

This is what usually brings everyone upside down, and more if we are neophytes in this world. There are many variables and no one has the philosopher’s stone:

Camping: there are people who go camping, they bet on a controlled environment, 100% safe and with services. Cons: 100% civilized (sometimes ) and you always have to pay.

Motorhome and camper areas: there are more and more, public and private, some better, others worse. They are a balanced option between spending and services.

In some states, free camping is not allowed, but we are not going to camp, we are going to spend the night. In other words, to spend the night, not to set up the stall in the town square. There is a lot to talk about here because each town has its municipal ordinance and each Local Police has its policy in this regard. That is why something that never usually fails, common sense and respect, and if we consult some of the APPs that we put in the following advice it never hurts. Or we ask the one in the van next door if we are not so “millennials”.

Optimize your luggage

Very easy: half of what you are thinking. We fill the suitcase “just in case” and when we return we realize that we have not used even half of our clothes.

Outside of jokes, in terms of clothing, comfortable and all-weather. We are going to travel and there will be changes in temperature, that is, a jacket is not enough, neither is the swimsuit, you never know where we are going to end up. If it can be a soft suitcase or put the clothes directly in the wardrobes, so as not to be with a hard suitcase from top to bottom the whole trip. Flip flops, sunscreen, an essential cap/hat, and a light front is great idea for the night. Do not forget that you are going to be in the field or on the beach.

Ahhh and most importantly, don’t forget the wet wipes, they can get us out of a hurry and save many liters of water. Traveling by camper many people realize that the shower is overrated

As for food, space is also limited, especially since the refrigerator is not the one at home. A first load is fine, but enjoying the local foods and markets in each place we visit is better. Are you going to leave without trying the cheese or the wine of that town? In this way, we also promote local commerce and sustainable tourism.

Each one has its own way of traveling and its pocket size, but gastronomic tourism is gaining followers among AC and Camper users. Many times a restaurant, a bar, or a sale is the perfect excuse to get to “that place”. Not bad, if you can afford it, go from time to time to a restaurant or a typical place to try such a dish. We get out of the van and pay homage to ourselves. At the end of the day, we are on vacation!

Loading and unloading clean and less clean waters

Motorhomes and campervans are mostly autonomous, that is, they usually have everything we need to be able to travel, eat and sleep with our balls … but of course, the water runs out, the batteries sometimes too … and the water tanks have to be emptied dirty and the toilet if we have it.

Clean water: they can carry between 30 and 150 liters of clean water. They are used to wash and scrub. Its use for drinking is not recommended unless we use water purification tablets and we are sure that we have always recharged water in drinking water networks. They are recharged in a tap by means of a hose that we will have to carry with different nozzles. Available in campsites, AC areas, gas stations, or recharging points.

Gray water: is the dirty water from the shower and the sink. It’s soapy water and some grease from the kitchen. The tank is usually sized to clean. They can be emptied at the filling and emptying points of camping and areas or in a sewer, but controlled, never freely. It is recommended not to leave without emptying for a long time, even if they do not fill because especially in summer they can cause bad odors that go up the drain.

Black water:  these are the waters of the toilet and usually contain a chemical that is poured into the toilet in liquid or tablets and neutralizes the bad smell and leaves everything a “nice” blue color. They are sewage and we cannot get rid of them anywhere. ALWAYS empty in an authorized place, in camping, areas, or unloading points. As the last option, we should empty it into a toilet bowl. It is what tends to give the most “disgusting”, but once we get used to it, it is not so bad, if we want to ‘decompress’ in our own water it is the price to pay/

Respect, if you don’t stay home

We have left the most important for the last. It does not matter if five people go in a C-15, that you do 500m at a stretch, that the night always catches you to find where to sleep, that you take the very trunk of La Piquer for the weekend, or that you eat barnacles or chopped sandwiches the whole trip…. all our advice does not matter if you are enjoying your trip.

The only thing that doesn’t matter is respect. Respect for what this itinerant tourism means, respect for nature, and respect for others. It is arriving at a place and knowing that we are guests there who are going to share that space with others and with the people of the place.

Let’s enjoy that place, let’s not occupy a place that is not ours, let’s not block the passage of other vehicles or people with our Camper or accessories and, above all, that when we leave it is not noticed that we have been. Let’s collect all our trash and don’t empty our deposits anywhere.

Top 8 Wedding Dress: From Antiquity To The Present

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The wedding gown of the bride-to-be is one of the most striking examples of reflecting fashion history since ancient times. The bride’s wedding dress took on many features of tradition and time and kept the best. Let’s try to travel through time and reveal the secrets of the history of the wedding dress, – because the dress is always important, and especially the wedding one. It has almost the first place in a woman’s life. You can even find the word “dress” in our list of nice words that start with D. Agree, this makes sense.

1. Antique wedding dress

The traditions of ancient Greece have preserved for posterity two cuts of a wedding dress, which are still relevant today and give rise to trends in wedding fashion.

– Peplos dress is a large piece of white fabric held at the waist by a special belt or bronze pins.

– Chilton dress is a light and elastic dress that has a free cut and today would look like a silk nightgown of a refined woman.

You may have noticed here that the modern workshop prefers free-cut dresses, which emphasize the naturalness of a woman and do not require anything extra. It is as if a modern woman regains her ancestral heritage.

The Roman Empire added to the Greek air cut its limitations in the form of a herculean knot – the so-called “belt of virtue” at the waist of a white tunic. A long wedding coat and, of course, yellow sandals were added to the demanding list by protocol. The bride’s hair was to be adorned with orange flowers.

Before the Middle Ages, the variability of requirements and style for the bride’s wedding dress stopped somewhat. Most likely, it was due to the high price. Ordinary women of that time could not afford to spend a lot of money on a dress for one-day use. The choice fell on the most beautiful attire that a woman has, for example, when she attends church on Sunday. At that time, the wedding protocol did not provide for requirements for the wedding dress color.

A modern woman also allows herself to choose any color, cut of the dress, add handmade lace, or some unique accessories – it all depends on the skill of tailors and the preferences of the future bride. Wedding lace dresses from Ukrainian masters of the Cathy Telle workshop have exceptional taste. So, returning to the colorful wedding dresses. There were added luxurious fur and a pointed headdress with a light train of veils or a crown in the form of a tiara with precious stones.

2. Medieval wedding dress

In the Middle Ages, the fashion for wedding dresses resumed. This outfit began to occupy a special place in a woman’s dreams. On the occasion of a meaningful ceremony, the wedding dress reflected the future couple’s social status and material resources. The most popular at this time is the red wedding dress, which was supposed to symbolize joy and pleasure. Later, other color combinations will replace: from blue and yellow to even black wedding dresses. At the beginning of the Renaissance, different colors symbolized fertility and maturity. At the same time, the white dress was worn by girls of very modest origin with no dowry.

3. Renaissance: wedding dress made of lace and fur

The revival brought a sea of ​​beauty to the wedding. The sacrament of the wedding dress was decorated on all sides with luxurious fabrics and embroidery, gold buttons on a background of snow-white fur. A lush wedding dress is gaining popularity. The bride’s hair is held by a net decorated with pearls, which marks an extraordinary nobility. In monarchical times, it isn’t easy to trace the evolution of fashion trends because the main difference between wedding dresses was the origin of the bride: a simple woman or a noble lady. The noble greatness was emphasized in all possible ways and bordered on assessing “too much.” A simple woman had to wear as simple an outfit as possible. Pretty cruel.

Wedding Dress

4. Empire in a wedding dress

Imperial ambitions were also reflected in the cut of the wedding dress. A long smooth cut to the floor with an incredibly long train (the longer, the better) was to reflect the ambitions and height of the exclusivity of the privileged class. Today, this wedding dress in the Empire style is trendy: a belt under the bust and a free-cut fit for women with any figure. Plus, gloves with embroidered patterns and long plumes emphasize the status of the bride.

5. The bride-princess of the Great Restoration

The crinoline dress replaced the free imperial style, tightening the “wedding bird” in the corset. These dresses have one characteristic and very inconvenient difference – the lower skirt in the form of a framework from metal rings. Comfort is the same, but brides with the dreams of princesses still choose this silhouette.

6. Queen Victoria’s wedding dress

Queen Victoria’s wedding is a separate round in the history of the wedding dress. The Victorian dress dates back to the wedding of Queen Victoria of England in 1840. It is probably the only exact date that the history of the wedding dress has.

Queen Victoria wears a lush snow-white dress with rich decoration to emphasize the royal scope of the ceremony. Bare shoulders hid from the back by a super long train carried by several pairs of bridesmaids. In her floral crown, she sets the pace for wedding fashion for a long time, and brides from all over Europe now choose only a snow-white dress with a silhouette of a princess.

7. Wedding dress of the XIX century

Over time, the Victorian wedding dress becomes more practical. And already in the next half of the XIX century, the lower skirt is not so magnificent. During this period, brides simplify Victoria’s idea and choose a slightly simpler dress with fewer accessories. The main elements are flowers and lace, and the crinoline disappears to the delight of the tailor.

Interestingly, it is at this point that a men’s jacket appears on the catwalk. The dress itself remains long and white. Maybe, this happened due to the division of state and church in society.

8. Wedding dress of the XX century

The industrial revolution of that time also affected wedding fashion. The emergence of new factory production opportunities and new fabrics was reflected in the bride’s dress – leaving corset, shorter skirt.

For the first twenty years of the last century, women wore long wedding dresses with lace and hand embroidery. The lightness of the materials allows you to recreate luxury in loose-fitting clothing. The silhouette waist was not clearly defined then, and the neckline often went “threateningly low.”

Jewelry in the form of sequins and pearls competed with handmade lace and decorative patterns. The richness of the choice of accessories does not bypass the headdress: headbands, tiaras, combs, and veils with feathers. These retro models still inspire modern designers.

In the postwar ’30s, the wedding dress becomes shorter due to lack of fabric – just below the knee. But the main feature is modesty, which again reflects public sentiment. In 1947, Christian Dior returned the length of the wedding dress. After Grace Kelly’s wedding in 1956, fashion trends changed for dresses made of white silk, lace, tulle, and pearls, of course. In the ’70s, we can trace two fashion trends: some choose the image of a princess, others – free and female hippies, in free-cut dresses with soft lines. Remarkable brides felt so at ease that they chose trouser suits as their wedding attire.

In recent years, the replacement of bohemian chic, country, and hippie chic with simplicity, naturalness, and freedom is gaining momentum. These are the main trends of a new wedding dress, which reflect the character and priorities of a modern happy bride.

HEART: Positive Word with Derivatives Improves Mental Health

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It’s hard to trace the exact way positive words and overall positive mental attitude affect our health, but, undoubtedly, the influence exists – and a positive one, at that. In explanation, the scientists tend to refer to the neurobiology concept, in which positive thinking in itself is some kind of placebo medication. The antinociceptive system quite real mediates the placebo effect. It releases endorphins that induce endogenous opiates, catecholamines, and corticosteroids. So, no metaphysics here, though the discussion is yet to conclude. 

Still, the positive mentality intertwines deeply and aims to achieve a healthy lifestyle. As such, as the spearhead of your attempt at a healthy, positive no-nonsense lifestyle, you may try to use the novel health metric – Heart Rate Variability (HRV). It is relatively unknown so far, so let’s explore it. 

The explanation of heart rate variability

The specialists at Welltory wrote an extensive comprehensive article regarding the topic, so, if you have sufficient spare time and enthusiasm, I strongly advise you to give it a read. Otherwise, I’ll try to answer the main questions briefly and concisely, perhaps with excerpts from the main article. 

So, what is heart rate variability? 

Heart rate variability means the phenomenon of the difference in time between heartbeats. That is, the heart is not perfectly rhythmic as a metronome but has a sometimes insensible variation of in-between intervals, measured in milliseconds. 

How to measure heart rate variability? How to measure stress levels? 

Vital stress levels information is obtained from the processed data of heart rate variability. To set up a chain of HRV measurements, we need only two chain links: hardware and software.

Gathering the data

The first one – hardware – means the need to collect the exact readings. Your best option will be to use one of a thousand specialized devices. There is a massive assortment of them in the market, being either standalone or integrated into fitness trackers, ranging from, for example, electrical chest-on straps to optical on-hand appliances. As always, the most rational way is to do one’s research and select what is most reasonable for you depending on the needs, availability, and cost.

Assessing the numbers

Then, some kind of HRV biofeedback app is required to comb through the data with sophisticated mathematical algorithms and present the user with results that are sometimes accompanied by conclusions and advice. 

As with the hardware, the software is presented abundantly on numerous app marketplaces. Consequently, the threat of stepping into such an industry can feel like a sword of Damocles. It is rationally correct to suggest checking out Welltory as your first heart rate variability app in these circumstances.  

The reason is as follows – Welltory is widely recognized as one of the most user-friendly apps on the market that also features a sleep analysis app and meditation tracker for its users. As the icing on the cake, with Welltory, the readings can be taken even with your smartphone’s camera (though the quality of readings is objectively worse than those of specialized devices), and Welltory follows a Freemium business model – its beginners’ functionality is free. 

Anyway, bear in mind – once you feel yourself confident enough, it is prudent to explore the market, finding the ideal fit for you – though there is quite a chance that you will remain by Welltory, enamored by its quality, style, and usefulness. 

What is good heart rate variability? 

Unfortunately, HRV does not conform to the “one size fits all” science. There is not an ideal standard. For example, the normal value of the SDNN measure is considered to be 141±39 ms – and note the sheer extent of standard deviation. Additionally, the rule of thumb – “higher is better” – exists. 

Indeed, high readings of HRV generally indicate the prevalence of the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system over the sympathetic. Yet, the ideal is unique for each human being and can be assessed during times of peace and stresslessness. The app’s algorithms will take care of that. 

Heart Rate Variability

How to improve Heart Rate Variability? 

Since good heart rate variability is a direct outcome of a healthy lifestyle devoid of stress, the tips for HRV improvement are relatively trivial and obvious. In a nutshell, HRV is increased by leading a more healthy life. It includes, for example, getting more quality sleep time. Besides, “Sleep” is undoubtedly among the positive words that start with S. It is a physiological need, but valuable leisure time has a maximum positive effect on your well-being. Other preferred elements of a healthy routine are:

  • always staying well-nourished and hydrated;
  • regular exercise;
  • avoiding bad habits, especially those associated with nasty substances.

Moreover, it is wise to empirically avoid the situations and encounters that are stressful for you since the primary function of stress is to tone up the sympathetic branch of the nervous system, decreasing HRV.

Among those positive words that start with H, “Heart” obviously makes a decent stand, being the integral part of the body that traditionally symbolizes life and love – both extremely positive words as well. This article also showed how intrinsically essential heart readings are to your health and well-being. “Harmony”, “Happiness”, “Health” are no less positive and cannot exist without a healthy heart, mind, and body. 

For conclusion

Heart rate variability is a handy tool and an essential component of a healthy lifestyle, especially in contemporary cities. It provides a great insight into the health status of a person and suggests improvements. 

However, HRV measurements and apps cannot replace an actual physician’s consultation, his sheer weight of experience, and knowledge about your body. Thus, should you feel unwell, even if any app shows you are fine, you should not hesitate to contact your doctor and let him solve it for you? 

Why Is A Good Night Sleep So Important For Mental Health

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Sleep fills us with energy to be able to face the day. But it’s not just about getting a good night’s sleep, it’s about having a good night’s sleep. For this, there must be quiet hours of sleep, without nightmares, and followed.

For example, if sleep is achieved but the person wakes up hours before their actual waking time, or if they wake up several times during the night, the sleep will not be as restful.

Although it is true that you should always go to sleep at the same time, and that it should be at night, scientists and doctors agree to advise a short nap during the day to reactivate our body and our brain. Of course, the nap (in adults) should be around half an hour.

Why we can’t sleep

Nowadays, people do not sleep what they should, television, the computer, or video games, they are the new “dream vampires”. Boy sitting with a glass, holding his face with his hand due to the sleep he has. That makes him not give up during the day, he is sleepy and even susceptible or anxious about daily tasks.

Headaches, dizziness, excessive tiredness, etc., are the side effects of not sleeping well. But many times the problems that we find when sleeping, actually hide other pathologies or diseases that are what make the individual not fall asleep. For example, trauma or situation of stress or nervousness, anxiety, difficulty or breathing problems, etc.

We are going to list some of the most common alterations that prevent us from having a restful sleep:

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Respiratory problems
  • Heart problems
  • Noises (noise pollution)
  • Muscle or skeletal pain
  • A bad mattress and / or inadequate pillow. The mattress should be changed at least every ten years.
  • Bad habits: exercising before bed, eating large dinners, drinking alcohol, tobacco or coffee before going to bed, etc.
  • Not being regular in the schedules: going to sleep and getting up. A bad habit that makes the human body not adapt to these alterations.

There are diseases associated with sleep. Some of them hinder beneficial and correct sleep so that our body can be at full capacity.

Narcolepsy

It is a sleep disorder with low prevalence in the population. Only 0.02 to 0.16 percent of adults are affected. It affects both equally. It is characterized by access to sleep at any time in the daily life of the affected person. The patient with narcolepsy may have difficulty sleeping at night. But instead throughout the day, he has acute drowsiness attacks, which make him fall asleep in any situation, which is why it is especially dangerous. Muscle weakness, hallucinations, etc. are some of the symptoms that can also be suffered from this disease.

Apnea

It is a stop of the respiratory signal while we sleep. It is important to detect it. For this, what is called the sleep test is done. If a person suffers from sleep apnea it can cause headaches, pulmonary hypertension, heart problems, etc. It consists in that during sleep, the airway becomes obstructed, so that the person who suffers from it, remains at least 10 seconds without breathing, with the problems that this can be associated with.

There are different treatments for this disease – from medicines or surgery to devices that help to clear the airway. In some cases, it’s a good idea to get a service dog to help with sleep apnea by alerting when significant sleep problems occur during the night.

Insomnia

Insomnia is the difficulty that a person has to sleep. It can be of three types:

  • Difficulty for a person to fall asleep.
  • Have a person wake up several times during their sleep hours.
  • That a person wakes up time before he really had planned.

Insomnia most of the time is due to stress. Continued stress over time can cause severe or chronic insomnia. To end insomnia there may be several treatments. For specific cases, medicines are prescribed. But the right thing to do is to carry out behavioral therapies, and really see what it is that causes that nervousness that does not let us sleep.

In addition, the patient must carry out what is called “sleep hygiene”, which we will see in the section on tips to sleep well.

Nightmares

Nightmares have been the object of study, the plot of books and movies, and analysis for years and years. It is a sleep disorder that is more common in children between 4 and 12 years old, and that occurs during the REM phase of sleep (that is, when there are images in the dream state and rapid eye movements). Although that does not mean that adults get rid of them.

Centuries ago, on the 18th, people believed that nightmares were due to magic, possessions, or caused by monsters. Today we know that nightmares are due on many occasions, to the reproduction of our fears, reflected and brought to our moment of rest.

Somnambulism

It is a sleep disorder that stands out for “waking up” the motor activity of the individual. That is, the person will be completely asleep, but will be able to walk and perform daily tasks, although his pupil is not really seeing what is real.

It is said to be more common in children and adolescents. But it can occur in anyone who has suffered from this problem in their childhood. There is no really effective treatment for the problem.

Talk at night

Another sleep disorder is that of people who speak in dreams. This makes sleep less restful, since we are putting an additional load on our respiratory system and vocal cords. Usually the person may wake up with scratching and dry mouth.

Bruxism

In times of stress or nervousness, what is known as bruxism occurs at night. Which is nothing more than “grinding” your teeth. Of course, there are people who even have awake bruxism. Bruxism loads the jaw and is especially harmful because it wears down teeth and molars. Those who suffer from it must carry a “discharge certificate” so as not to “grind” their teeth.

Why is a good night sleep so important

Basic tips for a good night sleep:

  • Do not eat a lot before going to sleep.
  • Always go to sleep at the same time. And also get up at the same time.
  • Avoid noise and light.
  • Before going to sleep, do not exercise, try to stay away from video games and computers.
  • Avoid having insects in the room.
  • Make sure there’s no clock noise nearby.
  • Avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, or coffee

Positive Words Research – Why Is A Good Night Sleep So Important

Meaningful Words on Health Impacts of Electronic and Traditional Cigar

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Let’s be frank; both vaping and smoking have negative side effects. But according to health experts, the extent of impact from an electronic cigar and other vaping devices is minimal compared to smoking traditional cigarettes. This is one of the reasons why vaping is gaining more popularity while smokers are declining in number by the day.

The health sector is working hard to provide doctors with information about the health impact of both vaping and smoking so that they can assist patients in making the right decisions.

According to a report by the American Heart Association (AHA), people believe that they are safer while using a vapor cigar. However, another report by the U.S. Surgeon General that was given in 2016 describes vaping as a public concern that calls for other action by all health experts.

What Is an Electronic Cigar?

A few decades ago, electronic cigarettes came into the picture and started changing the way people ”smoke.” Instead of smoking, people inhale nicotine-infused vapor resulting from the burning of liquid vape juice. In a nutshell, an electronic cigar is a device that is powered by batteries to burn vape juice to produce vapor. A cigar vape pen resembles traditional cigars to give users an authentic feel.

So, is an e-cigar better for your health than a traditional tobacco cigar? This question is better answered by looking at the ingredients contained in both.

What Is in an Electronic Cigar and Traditional Cigars?

Basically, the consumable e-juice used in an electronic cigar contains a couple of ingredients. The ratio in which they are mixed may vary, but you will often find them present.

  • Nicotine – This is a common ingredient in both e-cigars and traditional cigars. Actually, it is often present at high levels, making vaping and smoking very addictive. As we are going to see later, nicotine is a major contributor to the health risks of using either an electronic cigar or a traditional cigar.
  • Tar – This is a product of tobacco and its by-products. When you smoke a traditional cigar, tar is one of the ingredients that gets into your body and affects it negatively. Likewise, a rechargeable electronic cigar has traces of tar from the tobacco in the e-juice.
  • Toxins – Whether you vape an electronic cigar or smoke a traditional cigar, you are not completely without risk as both contain a lot of toxins and chemicals. According to experts, hundreds of chemicals are present. The common ones include aromatic amines, benzene, and polyaromatic hydrocarbons among others. Heavy metals such as lead and volatile organic compounds might also be present.

Health Impacts of E-Cigars and Cigars

As mentioned, the presence of nicotine, tar, and hundreds of harmful chemicals in a nicotine electronic cigar or tobacco cigar is the main source of health impacts. Here are some of the impacts.

  • Cancer – Lung and throat cancer are common among e-cigar vapers and cigar smokers according to medical reports. The presence of the chemicals mentioned in either a vapor cigar or traditional cigar might trigger the growth of cancer cells, mostly in the throat, lungs, and airways. If it seems that vaping a refillable e cigar is a better option, you may be surprised. A report in 2017 has revealed that burning vape juice in a refillable e cigar at high temperatures results in hundreds of harmful chemicals that might cause cancer and other illnesses.
  • Respiratory problems – Smoking and vaping are responsible for respiratory problems in people today. It could be asthma, allergic reactions that block the airways, or other health issues. According to doctors, cigars and e-cigars might shorten the life of users because of respiratory problems and other illnesses.
  • Cardio Problems – Users of an electronic cigar or a traditional cigar increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Doctors and health researchers have cautioned the public on these health impacts especially for those who use nicotine-infused products.
  • Oral health impact – Sadly, vaping and smoking harm your oral health; the gums, teeth, tongue, and glands can all experience negative effects from using a cigar vape pen. Usually, the yellowing of teeth occurs because of the large amount of tar in tobacco.
Health Impacts

Final Words

Before looking for electronic cigars for sale or purchasing an ePuffer electronic cigar, you now know all the health impacts associated with the use of these devices. The impacts are even more pronounced when you smoke traditional cigars.

However, you can always minimize these impacts by taking the precautions recommended by medical experts. The best way to eliminate these risks is to quit your electronic cigar or traditional cigar entirely.

Author’s Bio

Anita Casha is a dedicated health writer with an interest in sharing positive and good words with humanity. In this case, she shares positive words on the health impacts of both e-cigars and traditional cigars to enlighten current users, those who are planning to start, and those intending to switch from smoking to vaping. She hopes readers can learn and grow as a result of her meaningful writing.

The Importance Of Mental Health Courses In Universities

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It is fair to say that the importance of mental health courses in universities was neglected until the last three decades, especially among the student population. Only recently have we become aware of how much college life can be stressful and can take a toll on one’s well-being. We watched too many movies like American Pie which made us believe how every day at the campus is a non-stop party and debauchery.

Well, it isn’t, there is a lot of hard work, final exams, and sleepless nights that students need to endure to archive their education goals. Maybe it is time that every university in the nation pays more attention to their student’s wellbeing and at least provides them professional support or mental health courses in universities on this issue. 

Why We Need Mental Health Courses in Universities

1. Finals Are Coming

No matter how passionate one is about his studies, one won’t avoid exam anxiety or stress associated with it. Every failed exam means one step further from completing your studies, and one can feel very disappointed when failing, after investing so much hard work. We begin to understand that education can be very stressful at times and can leave so many emotional scars if not handled properly.

Students need support from their families, teachers, and professional counselors at all times so they can cope with the pressure in their lives. Without a proper support system, each student may succumb to some form of mental illness or a disorder like OCD or some kind of neurosis. 

So many generations of students never had the knowledge about these issues or coping mechanisms that can help them. Thanks to modern technology, the Internet, and an advanced approach to mental health issues, things are starting to change. It is no secret that a large percentage of the student population suffers from anxiety, stress, and depression, and this causes a lot of medical or alcohol abuse.

This is why it’s very important to educate students about the repercussions of constant exposure to stress or pressure without rest or proper relief. Preventive courses are always more effective than subsequent treatment when the psychological damage is already done. 

2. Peer Pressure

It is not only long hours of studying that puts pressure on students, they also suffer from the social life on campus or the lack of it. When one is far away from home and his family, that is stressful enough, but imagine having to ignore that and concentrate on your exams too. In moments like that, one could use some help. There is no shame in turning a write me a research paper mode on, because it would ease your pressure or stress and leave you with more time for socializing or other non-study activities. 

Socializing is a need and a necessity, especially for students who are craving new experiences or connections with people. It is hard for any student to find a balance between his studies and his social life. His academic success may depend upon finding this delicate balance, and his peers may not be always so helpful in achieving this goal.

Partying or socializing can be exhausting, and those who focus on their studies may be ridiculed by their peers or labeled as nerds or geeks. Finding a middle ground may require some professional help from counselors or attending courses on students’ mental health. 

3. Studying Your Fear

Knowing your enemy will help you defeat it, according to all military specialists. This is true for fear or anxiety also, or any form of mental illness that may plague students worldwide. Learning about these issues will help you understand them much better and approach them without prejudices that come with the lack of knowledge. Attending courses at your university can make you more prepared to cope with these problems if they may arise one day. Every student should educate himself about basic mental healthcare for his own good, and his colleagues should be a place of support that enables him to freely access these kinds of information.

There are so many books or articles one can access over the net, but attending university courses feels more intimate, and it makes students feel more related to their school. It creates a sense of belonging or caring for each other, and that is what studying experience should be all about.

Students who are fully aware of this important issue will be better equipped to deal with it if the need arises. That is why early prevention in the form of free courses is so critical in this sensitive period of their lives. Our scholars deserve the best mental health care because they are our young experts who will shape our country’s future.

Mental Health

Anxiety, stress, and other mental illness issues are a plague in our modern society. Perhaps we live too fast, maybe we expect too much of each other, but nevertheless, we have to take care of ourselves. If you are a student who feels a burden by these problems, feel free to check if your college provides any kind of support in the form of free course studies.

Learn more about yourself, your mind, and the best defense mechanisms that will help you cope with any psychological problem. Remember that your health is in your hands and you are the one who has the power and the ability to make changes in your life. This is why everyone should make mental health courses in universities a priority.

Positive Words Research – The Importance Of Mental Health Courses In Universities