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International Development & Humanitarian Organization Fulfilling Its Promise of Sustainable Growth & Development of Communities

By
Elizabeth Williams

There are hundreds of non-profit and non-governmental organizations across the globe that are working to create a balance between the rich and poor communities. Some of the most notable ones include Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Open Society Foundation, the Giving Pledge, MacArthur Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, and many others. These non-profit organizations are working to establish a smooth flow of wealth from the First World to the Third World. Even though the people running these organizations are attending to the needs of struggling individuals, they do not really understand the conditions that these people have to live through every day.

There is one organization that has been founded by a person who himself has lived in the Third World and has experienced the challenges that people in weak nations have to survive – International Development & Humanitarian Organization (IDHO).

Hussein Abdi Abdullahi, the founder, and CEO of IDHO, was born in Mogadishu, Somalia when the civil war broke out in the country. His father, thinking about the safety of his family, decided to move to Kenya. Things were not ideal even there, and the young Hussein had to send his entire childhood in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya at Garissa county.

His first-hand experience has helped him establish the vision of his organization, and it is what helps him cater to the needs of his fellow Africans living in countries located in the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia, and Kenya.

Building the Foundation of the Non-Profit Organization

International Development & Humanitarian Organization was founded on October 22, 2016. It is headquartered in Washington. The concept of this organization was brewing in the mind of young Hussein when he was in living in the refugee camps. After surviving through the worst of the time, he was determined to make lives better for his fellow Africans who were struggling to make ends meet.

Hussein and his family got resettlement in the United States after living in the camps for 17 years. Hussein started working on his idea. He graduated from school and acquired certification, pieces of training, and even completed diplomas in the field, including sustainable development, child victims, justice, community development, and leadership.

He founded IDHO with Kristine Lynch and laid the foundation of this organization on the concept, “community development begins from people.” He has always been a firm believer that for a community to prosper in the world; they have to polish their biggest asset, the youth. Preparing the youth by equipping them with the right skills can help weak nations stand on their feet. Hussein is an advocate of youth empowerment, and also focuses on programs that encourage female education in parts of Africa.

Understanding the Needs of the People

What makes IDHO stand out among other philanthropic organizations is the fact that it has been established by a man who himself has experienced all the problems. However, Hussein visited East Africa in the Ogedan region to evaluate and assess the needs of the people. It helped him create and launch programs in these areas that addressed urgent needs.

Hussein works hard to keep up with the vision of his organization, which states, “to establish self-sufficiency and to promote social progress in a post-war torn region.” He works to empower individuals through his organization. By offering humanitarian, social, and development services, including health and hygiene, sanitation, education, and gender equality, Hussein is building ground for sustainable development and growth.

He aims to create a system in the East African countries that empower youth and helps them acquire the necessary skills that can help them excel in their lives. These countries need their younger generation to excel in the field of education and technology, as it is the only way they can develop as a community.

The philosophy of IDHO, “development comes from the people themselves,” and its mission, “to provide the essentials of basic education and healthcare services to the Horn of Africa to bring sustainability in which all Africans can thrive,” all support Hussein’s idea of holistic community development.

Hussein’s dynamic approach towards community development makes him an advocate of the sustainable growth of weak nations. By encouraging female education in East African countries and by offering quality education, healthcare, and sanitation to the people, he aims to build a better, stronger, and powerful Africa. 

 

CARING FOR YOUR CAT

By
Elizabeth Williams

As cat owners, we can have a huge impact on our cats’ health and wellbeing.

What it requires is for us to undertake some routine but preventive healthcare at all the stages of a cat’s life – from when they are kittens right through to old age. It offers the best way of preventing any problems arising in terms of illnesses

Vaccination

There are feline diseases that can be very serious and sometimes deadly – even with treatment. To prevent a cat from contracting these types of diseases requires vaccinating throughout a cat’s life.

The time to vaccinate starts with the first vaccination when a kitten is just eight weeks of age. This is followed by another vaccination at 12 weeks. There is a possibility that a 16-week vaccination may be needed. To stay immune, adult cats need an annual booster.

Desexing

Desexing reduces the number of unwanted kittens. It also prevents pets from fighting, spraying, roaming, and night prowling where they should not. These are common behaviors in males. Cats can be desexed whatever their age. But the best time is when they are between five and six months old. This is cats are approaching their sexual maturity but before a female’s first ‘heat’.

What happens in both girl and boy cats is a day procedure that is performed under general anesthesia. The cat is admitted early in the morning and discharged the same day in the evening. The procedure involves removing the ovaries and uterus in girls and testicles in boys.

Worming

The commonest intestinal worms affecting cats are hookworm, roundworm, and tapeworm. Worms are a common cause of pet ill health in pets and can often result in vomiting, loss of appetite, and diarrhea.  

To protect a cat, common worms can be controlled with a worming treatment. It’s a good idea to find the best cat dewormer.

Kittens need worming every two weeks until they reach 12 weeks of age. After that, they should be treated monthly until they reach six months old. After that, all cats require worming every three months if protection is to be effective.

Fleas

Fleas, if they are about, will find their way onto a cat’s coat. Once they are on board they are likely to invade your home too.

There are some excellent flea control products on the market. They are safe and effective as well as being easy to use.

Administered in various ways, the flea control products you should use are those specifically designed for cats. Some of the common flea control products that are made for use with dogs can be extremely toxic when applied to cats!

Heartworm

Heartworm is spread when mosquitos bite. An affected cat will be infested with long thin worms that can be as much as 30cm in length!

These become lodged in the cat’s heart and other vessels that feed on the surrounding blood. No treatment is approved for feline heartworm disease so it is essential to prevent it in the first place.

To protect a cat from heartworm use a monthly ‘spot-on’ on the cat’s skin. Kittens should start with prevention from just 12 weeks of age. 

Why Is Sexual Health Important? 3 Reasons You’ve Probably Never Considered

By
Elizabeth Williams

Why Is Sexual Health Important? Learn five reasons you’ve probably never considered on why sexual health and wellness is essential in this brief guide.

We all know the importance of dealing with our mental health and we all go for a medical checkup when we need to. But many of us forget about our sexual health because sex is often something done spontaneously or in the moment.

However, having regular sexual health checkups and thinking about our sexual health is very important for improving our sex lives and making them more fulfilling.

Want to know why is sexual health important? Here’s why.

  1. Stops You From Catching STIs

The most important reason why sexual wellness is so important is it can prevent us from catching STIs.

The dangers posed to the LGBT community by AIDS and HIV, which can prove fatal and became a pandemic, is one extreme case of why sexual health and contraception are important. But other less serious sexually transmitted infections can ruin your sex life.

The common STI Chlamydia can cause pain when urinating, bleeding after sex for women and unusual discharges, and pain in the testicles for men.

Imagine how painful and awkward it can be to have a one-night stand and to then be in so much pain afterward. You would also have to track down your partner and tell them.

You can prevent this by always wearing a condom even if your genitals have only brushed against each other and you haven’t had sex. This is sexual health and wellness 101.

  1. Improves Your Chance of Starting a Family

Keeping an eye on your sexual health can ensure that when it’s time to start a family you are all set.

For a man, this can include check-ups on your sperm count to ensure that your sperm count is high enough to get a woman pregnant. For a woman, this could be regular checkups on your ovaries and to make sure that you are having a regular period.

  1. Great for Mental Wellbeing

Our sexual health is related to our mental well being. If we don’t have regular checkups or use condoms it can lead to us being worried about engaging in sexual activity.

If we don’t practice safe sex we can also find ourselves in tricky situations involving unwanted pregnancy. To avoid this anxiety always wear condoms (unless you’re trying to get pregnant with a long-term partner) and try to speak openly about what you want from your sexual encounter.

Why Is Sexual Health Important? Because It Affects Your Whole Life

Sexual health is important not just because it protects us against STIs and unwanted pregnancies but because not checking on our sexual health can have a damaging effect on our physical and mental well being.

If you don’t take care of your sexual health then you could be putting yourself at risk and this could lead to you feeling paranoid and anxious during sex. It’s always better to be safe by having regular checkups and using a condom.

Interested in learning more about why is sexual health important? Then check out the rest of our site.

What to Do If You Are Too Shy To Find A Partner?

By
Elizabeth Williams

Finding a partner can be challenging for many individuals. Before breaking the ice, we usually feel uncomfortable and intimidated by the other half. Especially for naturally shy people, meeting someone can seem to be a real tough nut to crack. It doesn’t have to be that hard.

If you’re looking for meeting someone interesting that fits with your personality, you should start from the right attitude, not the right place. Many people ask questions like ‘where to meet a real romantic guy?’ or ‘where to find older women?’. There is no specific answer to that. Usually, you meet people spontaneously, and the location does not really matter. If making new contacts stresses you out, below we pointed out some essential tips on what to do if you’re too shy to find a partner.

Play open cards

What people appreciate the most is other people’s transparency. If you find it hard to start the conversation, communicate it. Acknowledging someone that you’re shy shows a high level of self-confidence and people like it a lot! Besides, the other person may as well feel a bit insecure and intimidated by the situation. Being honest can make a great ice breaker and lets you both feel more comfortable.

Be yourself

The worst thing you can do is to pose to someone you’re not. For how long would you be able to lie to the other person? Being yourself is the key to success, especially if you want to keep the relationship long term. Even if you’re shy, present yourself with confidence and respect to other people. Another good tip – being kind never fails. Treating her politely, opening the door, listening to her, asking how she feels, simply being a gentleman is what girls love about men. Remember that it works both ways. Among all the things ladies do that men can’t resist, being kind is always on the podium. 

Stay positive

It’s absolutely fantastic how a good attitude can bring people to you. It works like a magnet to many individuals and makes you automatically much more attractive. The correlation is pretty simple – happy people are sexy people. If you want to create a positive vibe, show the other person your great attitude and a happy relationship you have with yourself. Whenever somebody checks you out, they will have the positive insights that you’re a confident and satisfied person who enjoys life. It builds up a great first impression and allows the conversation to run smoothly.

Work on your body language

Obviously, the first impression is physical; that’s why you should work on your posture, gestures, and facial expression. Body language does great work for the majority of communication between human beings. Making eye contact gives the first the other person clear signals of your interests, It’s a gentle way of bringing someone’s attention, assuming that you’re not staring at her/him like a psycho. The innocent but confident look gives you clear information if you should come over and start the conversation. 

Make her/him laugh

We all are simple creatures in this case. People with a sense of humor are considered much more attractive for a simple reason; everybody loves to laugh! Start a conversation with an innocent joke; it can even be making fun of your shyness. The person will appreciate the distance you have towards yourself and the ability to create a fun vibe, which surely will help to break the ice.

No pressure!

Talking to the person you like can end up in two ways – you either get accepted or rejected, and there’s nothing you can do about it. A very common mistake people make is the vast pressure they put on themselves. Even though talking to people you feel attracted to is a big challenge, please, do not treat it as your ‘be or not to be’. We’re all different humans, who sometimes want different things. Don’t fear rejection. Being said ‘no’ doesn’t make you any worse. Just get some distance and treat it as an overall experience.

The bottom line

As you can see, being too shy does not exclude you from meeting people. It’s the attribute you can use while talking to someone. It’s always appreciated if you bet on honesty. Remember that all barriers you have are placed in your head. Don’t compare yourself to others and don’t act like someone you’re not. Simple as it is, being yourself is always the way. I hope you will find these tips useful and meeting new people will soon become a very cool experience to you.

Taking care of your health during the lockdown

By
Elizabeth Williams

As the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders continue forcing many to spend more time indoors, it is pretty easy to succumb to unhealthy habits. This is why maintaining your mental and physical well-being is really important now. The negative physical and psychological effects of having a sedentary lifestyle can easily creep into your life and these are well documented. That’s why you need some ideas on how to maintain your physical and mental wellbeing. Hopefully, you can get some inspiration and stop feeling quite helpless as the effects of the lockdown continue to bite. 

Ensure You Exercise Regularly

This is probably the best time for you to engage in-home workouts. Science shows that exercise aids in maintaining physical as well as mental health. You have a lot of options when it comes to exercising. You can try out some online videos to guide you in activities like Yoga, Zumba, and other fun exercise routines. Alternatively, you can take to riding your bike a few times each week to stay fit. At least you now have the time to take that dusty bike out of your garage.

Order Your Medication Online

It’s a reality that millions of people are living with medical conditions that require a regular intake of medications. This means that an essential aspect of taking care of their health is concerned with ensuring they never miss out on their prescriptions. Unfortunately, the problem during this lockdown period is that many people may run out of certain critical medication simply because they can’t go to the local pharmacy at certain times. To prevent, this you can order you medicines online from reputable online shops like the Canadian Pharmacy. At least you don’t have to worry about breaking the lockdown restrictions or putting yourself at risk of getting infected by going out to buy your prescriptions.

Maintain a Healthy, Balanced Diet

The trick to maintaining your health during this lockdown period and at any other regular times is eating well. To keep illnesses at bay, ensure you are eating foods that help to boost your immune system. Avoid relying on comfort and convenience foods and look to some of the natural ingredients in your pantry to prepare nutritious meals. Your meals should also include lots of fruits and vegetables, as well as other essential food groups to ensure you’re getting a healthy dose of minerals and vitamins.

Stay Connected to friends and family

Just because you can’t go out to meet friends and loved ones or work colleagues doesn’t mean you can’t stay in touch with them. Call your friends and the people who matter in your life regularly using video whenever it is possible. And while you’re at home, try to talk to the people you live with respectfully so as to avoid conflicts that can contribute to stressful situations. 

It is really important to ensure you are leading a healthy lifestyle during this pandemic period. Try to engage yourself in activities that will break the sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, eat healthy foods and ensure you always have the medications you need by ordering online. Lastly, stay connected to your friends, work colleagues, and family to build strong relationships. 

White Volvos and the Frequency Illusion

By
Elizabeth Williams

The other day I collected a new lease car from my dealer, a white Volvo saloon.  It was not really a model I knew much about but it was just for the Summer and on a good package.  Before I collected it I remarked to my wife that I seldom see Volvos in our neighborhood.  

Now, white Volvo saloons are everywhere I look, there is even one that parks across from my apartment.  I swear to God it wasn’t there last week.  I parked at the beach yesterday and almost tried to unlock the wrong car when I returned, another white Volvo saloon just like mine!  Is this possible?   In traffic jams, my field of vision is filled with white Volvos. 

So I ‘Googled’ it.   I am by no means unique in experiencing this strange phenomenon, it is called The ‘frequency illusion, also known as the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon or the ‘recency illusion. It happens when you learn about something for the first time (for example, a song or a fashion trend or a Volvo car) and suddenly start to see it everywhere.

The amusing name for this experience “Baader-Meinhof,” is borrowed from a German terrorist group. Back in the 1990s, a reader of the St. Paul Minnesota Pioneer Press noted that, out of the blue, the paper made several mentions of the seemingly obscure group; the reader called this  the “Baader-Meinhof phenomenon.” The name stuck.

You might see the item in question so often that you start to wonder if there is some sort of conspiracy! Fortunately, even if this illusion might make you question your sanity, there is a simple explanation. The automobile or fashion trend has always been there.- you just were not aware of it before. You only notice it once you know about it.  

This is something that has fascinated me in one form or another for some time.  A couple of months back the daughter of a close friend went into hospital to have her breast implants replaced – they have a life span of around 10 years apparently.   After she told us about this everyone I met (including my secretary) seemed to be having a similar procedure. I even listened to a fascinating radio program on that very topic Furthermore really good article about breast augmentations I saw on Facebook the other week clarified a lot of points on the topic.  I guess I hadn’t paid much attention before to the lifespan of breast implants and now a close friend mentions it and it lodges in the front of my brain.

A similar version of this syndrome occurs when you get a baby or pet for the first time.  Suddenly and quite mysteriously, new aisles open up in supermarkets that weren’t there last week, but now they reach out to you with a cornucopia of baby milk supplements, nappies, or indeed, tasty pet treats and pet toys. 

 This illusion was first noted by Stanford linguistics professor Arnold Zwicky coined the former term in 2006 to describe the syndrome in which a concept or thing you just found out about suddenly seems to crop up everywhere. It’s caused, he wrote, by two psychological processes. The first, selective attention, kicks in when you’re struck by a new word, thing, or idea; after that, you unconsciously keep an eye out for it, and as a result, find it surprisingly often. The second process, confirmation bias, reassures you that each sighting is further proof of your impression that the thing has gained overnight omnipresence.  

As an amateur psychologist, I am delighted to pinpoint new ‘tricks of the mind’. And that after a while white Volvo saloons will once again fade into the background.

David Miller FRSA

3 Ways to Improve Your Life from the Comfort of Your Home

By
Elizabeth Williams

The recent events in our world have brought about a time for self-reflection and looking at what is really important in life. All the driving ambition, the run for career advancement and moving up the corporate ladder has sort of faded and been moved to the wayside as a new reality has swept the planet. More and more, people are re-evaluating the quality of their life and are focused on how they can change and better themselves. With the daily distractions of working at the office, struggling with long commutes and running through frenetic days long gone, the focus has turned inward as we reflect on what we value and how we are living day to day. We are looking for ways to improve our lives from the comfort of our own home.

Grow Your Own Vegetables

As our movement is now restricted and shopping trips to the store are deemed potentially unsafe, there is a resurgence in planting and growing our own food. Nurseries and garden stores report that they are nearly sold out of seeds, gardening supplies, and vegetable plants. Back yard plots of grass are being tilled and turned into productive plant beds. Growing your own food lets you take some control over your life. It puts you in connection with Mother Earth and the soothing rhythms that come with growth. Best of all, you can produce delicious, nutritious organic produce for you and your family. At harvest time, you can even leave extra produce on a table out front to share with your neighbors.

Look for Natural Alternatives to Over the Counter Drugs

If you look into some over-the-counter medicines, you’ll find a list of side effects that will make your eyes widen with surprise. For this reason, people are seeking natural alternatives that help them better manage pain, soothe anxiety and help with chronic conditions. Many individuals are finding that medical marijuana can improve their quality of life in a gentle, natural way. If you live in the state of Missouri, you can go online and get your medical marijuana (MMJ) card in minutes. All you have to do is answer a few questions and you’ll be connected to a qualified doctor who can talk to you about your condition. To get access to a medical marijuana card Missouri, residents will need to fill out a few online forms and the card will be sent via mail.

Learn How to Cook Delicious Meals at Home

One of the best ways to improve your happiness and well-being is to learn how to cook delicious meals at home. With more of us working from home now, there’s time to prepare and cook nutritious dinners without having to rush through everything at the end of the day. It will be a great feeling to harvest fresh vegetables from your garden in the morning and create amazing dishes and soups with the food you have lovingly grown. Lots of us have favorite recipes, but it’s fun to broaden your cooking skills by experimenting with different ethnic cuisines. You can find great videos online where you can learn from grandmothers and other folks who can teach you how to prepare authentic, local ethnic meals. The variety of tastes and experiences will bring lots of magic into your daily life.

Save Money: How Can I Save More Money On My Monthly Costs

By
Elizabeth Williams

Are you trying to do your best to save money every month but you aren’t sure how? Read this article to get the answer to, “How can I save more money?”

How can I save more money?

This is a common question for almost every family around the world. Being able to save money means being able to invest in the future, being able to do things that are fun with the family, and more.

Continue reading this article for the best tips for saving money.

Reduce Subscriptions

If you’re paying for subscriptions that you never use — that’s no good. Why do you still have those subscriptions? Is it just because you might use it at some point?

Instead of keeping subscriptions that you might use in the future, go ahead and shut those subscriptions down, and you can always resubscribe when you’re actually going to use them.

Say No to the Gym Membership

Is there a way you can work out at home? If you can work out from home, you can save money on gym fees and gas. You might even reduce your costs on food or fancy smoothies.

If you like the gym environment, there are different workout apps that allow you to take virtual classes, so consider these since they are a less expensive option.

Find Better Deals on Prescription Medication

One thing you can’t do without is your prescription medication. Look on sites like the PricePro site and see what you can find out about getting a better price on your medication. Stay well and keep some money in your pocket at the same time.

Look for a Less Expensive Place to Live

Your housing budget takes a big chunk of cash each month. If you’re spending money on housing and you can’t take a minute to breathe, you might want to look for a house that is more suited to your budget.

Finding a less expensive place might mean going to a smaller home or a less-than-fancy neighborhood.

Don’t Opt for the Fanciest Car

There are a lot of nice-looking, safe cars. If you are driving a luxury vehicle, this could be a great place for you to save. Luxury vehicles might be nice to drive, but they aren’t necessary to get from point a to point b.

Instead of driving a Lexus, choose to drive a Toyota or a similar vehicle. You’ll save a lot of money on the car payment and you’ll save a lot of money on car insurance. Besides those points, don’t forget about how much more expensive paying for maintenance on luxury cars are.

If you have two fancy cars, then downgrade them both to something nice that works and keep the difference for something else you enjoy.

How Can I Save More Money? – Now You Know

Now you know the answer to the question, “How can I save more money?” and you can start working on building a nest egg for your family.

Do you want to learn more about personal finance and other hot topics? Keep reading our blog to get the information you need to succeed.

Here’s an Easy Guided Meditation for Self-Reflection

By
Elizabeth Williams

We’re living in unique circumstances. None of us thought that we’d be confined to our homes, unable to travel, commercial spaces closed, and businesses halted.

It’s a wonderful time right now to be able to reflect on what gives our life deeper meaning and assess the things in our life. We often don’t do this enough or as often as we should, because it can be easy to be caught up in everything that’s happening in our life. Sometimes, it’s even difficult to find a few quiet moments to spend on our own.

But then, now that you do have time, spend at least 10 to 15 minutes once or twice a week on self-reflection and meditation. This is a process that can be linked together because there are certain aspects of it which intertwine, such as having to spend a few quiet moments alone just to reconnect with yourself. These two processes give us a chance to reflect on our thoughts and what brings meaning to our lives to understand better what we value most.

How Guided Meditation and Self-Reflection Go Hand in Hand

Meditation, whether guided or not, is a practice that helps you reconnect and focus on the mental side of things, just like self-reflection does. Guided meditation is an introspective tool, and possibly, the only practice out there that can help you tap into the power that lies within your subconscious mind.

Guided meditation helps you to not just develop an awareness of yourself, but it gives you a greater sense of connection with the world around you. It brings a sense of inner peace and balance, two qualities that go a long way toward your self-reflective process, because of the mental clarity you gain from meditation, which will help you understand what may be holding you down.

Guided meditation is such a useful practice for self-reflection in this instance because it teaches you how to focus your thoughts and view the world with a renewed sense of clarity. It helps to calm the quiet chatter in your mind and drown out the “noise,” so you can think clearly in a way that may have been a struggle before. By utilizing the techniques that you learn in a guided meditation session, you can develop a regular connection between your mind and your body, and being mindful of your thoughts is exactly what you need to reflect upon your life successfully.

How Guided Meditation Can Provide Deeper Self-Reflection

 When you start to think about your belief system and reflect upon it, it can sometimes prompt you to question yourself. Self-reflection helps you re-evaluate your priorities, thinking about what may need to be changed. It’s a chance for you to see if your life is where you want it to be, or if it has perhaps veered in a direction you didn’t intend it to go.

Guided meditation is a useful tool for self-reflection because:

  • It enhances your listening skills and concentration – Following the guided cues that are leading you through your meditation process is going to require that you listen and concentrate. Doing this over time sharpens both these skills, and eventually, it makes it much easier for you to listen to yourself and focus on what matters most when you’re immersed in a reflective process.
  • It increases your discipline – The struggle that a lot of people face is not being able to sit quietly enough or long enough to successfully complete a self-reflective process without getting distracted. This is exactly why guided meditation can help because it’s an exercise in discipline. Meditation is something that requires you to sit alone in a quiet space, uninterrupted for an extended period. Once you learn how to block out the noise and focus on your thoughts, you find that self-reflection becomes a much easier process.
  • It makes you more mindful – Being aware of yourself is a big part of successfully self-reflecting. Being mindful requires that you become aware of your surroundings, of the things that are happening, and being present at the moment, so you’re tuned into the little details. This can only be done if you can focus clearly when you need to, which is a skill that can be strengthened over time through the techniques you’ll learn in a guided meditation.
  • It increases tolerance and patience – It isn’t always easy to sit in the same spot for a prolonged time without doing anything, but if you regularly practice guided meditation, this soon becomes easier and easier each time you do it. When you learn to patiently sit in one spot and do what you’re supposed to be doing, you can learn to be more patient and not be too hard on yourself when you reflect upon your life. Reflecting upon your life can sometimes lead to instances where you can be too harsh on yourself if things aren’t happening the way you think they should be. By learning how to be patient and tolerant through guided meditation, you’ll learn to accept and see situations as they are.

How to Start the Journey Toward Guided Meditation

Everyone (yes, literally everyone) can get started meditating because you don’t have to be an expert to do it. Guided meditations are the best tools out there for beginners because you won’t be doing this alone. There will be aids and cues to follow along, leading you through the entire process from start to finish, telling you what to do every step of the way. That’s why they are such powerful tools. All you need to begin is:

  • A comfortable area in your home where you can spend a few minutes alone in quiet without being interrupted.
  • Find a position that you feel comfortable sitting. Spread some calming balm, oil, or creams such as zilis ultra cell at places where you feel aches and pains. Doing this can help relieve your muscles and bring more calmness to your body.
  • You can also add a diffuser to diffuse essential oil scents that are beneficial for feeling calm and focused, such as lavender, ylang-ylang, tangerine, or chamomile.
  • Get a guided meditation aid like an audio or visual guide, an app, written instructions, visualization aids, anything that you prefer to help you get started. Choose a length of time that works for you and begin. Starting with just 5 minutes is actually really good already.
  • Learn to relax and immerse yourself at the moment, without thinking about what errands or tasks you need to attend to next and be in a hurry to finish.

A 5-minute guided self-reflection meditation is all you need to create a healthy state of mind, and bring awareness to yourself, your goals, priorities, and meaning of your life.

Is Biking Good Exercise? 4 Key Health Benefits to Know

By
Elizabeth Williams

How are you spending lockdown? You might have been furloughed or laid off but that’s no excuse to sit inside all day. There’s no better time to get on your bike. Getting out of the house for some much-needed exercise is important.

But why is biking good exercise? What benefits can it bring you compared to other forms of exercise such as going for a walk or doing pushups in your living room?

Here’s everything you need to know about cycling for fitness.

  1. Get a Breath of Fresh Air

When you’re out on your bike, you’re breathing in the fresh air and feeling the wind against you as you race through the landscape. This is not only good for your physical health but also your mental health.

Fresh air revitalizes your whole system as opposed to exercising inside in an indoor gym, which is likely to be an air-conditioned environment.

  1. Increased Vitamin C Metabolism

According to research, exercise causes a transient increase in circulating ascorbic acid in the body. Increased vitamin C metabolism means your body will be better equipped to maintain its functions. So the more you ride your bike, the more you’re empowering your body to metabolize vitamin C.

There are a number of precautions you must take if you exercise outside. If you live in a hot area, you must remember to keep hydrated. Drink lots of water before your bike ride and make sure you take a bottle of water with you.

In a colder area, be sure to dress warmly, although you will soon warm up as you ride and start to sweat.

  1. Strengthen Your Legs

Cycling can boost the muscles in your legs. If you really want to work on your thighs and leg muscles, a bike ride, combined with going to the gym, can do wonders.

Some of the muscles it tests include your hamstrings, glutes, and calves. You will also boost your stamina so that you can gradually ride longer distances without feeling exhausted or out of breath. Before you know it you’ll be ditching your car and riding your bicycle everywhere.

  1. Get That Heart Racing

Cycling is good for your cardiovascular health. When you jump on it and start peddling, your heart starts racing, which helps strengthen its muscles and improves blood circulation. With a stronger heart, you’ll be able to fight off heart conditions like stroke.

If you feel lethargic or down, getting out on your bike is a great way to revitalize yourself. If you’re wondering about what bike to get, be sure to check out The Winning Bike site for some reviews and buying tips.

Is Biking Good Exercise? Yes

So, is biking good exercise? Absolutely.

Getting on your bike and exploring the great outdoors makes you feel less trapped, while at the same time boosting your vitamin C, your cardio, and your ability to ride long distances.

Keep reading our blog for more health and fitness advice.

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