Supporting change – image thanks to bipolarcaregivers.org

Watching a loved one go through a crisis, at any age, is painful and confusing, particularly if it changes the dynamic of your relationship and you are unsure how to cross the divide and help them. For the person experiencing that crisis it is like an earthquake has happened and they are left clutching to any small piece of solid ground they can find as their lives shift and fall apart. It can feel quite scary for those involved as they begin to question their lives and even their own mind. But a crisis doesn’t have to be a negative experience or an end. If given the right room and support you can both come through the process transformed and stronger for facing change together. If you are in crisis or know someone who is, read on for some ideas on how to give change a chance for a more positive outcome.

• Rebadge it – the word crisis has negative connotations around breaking, falling apart and pain. This often overspills into personal relationships as you both try and cope with the fear and insecurity that change can bring. However a crisis doesn’t have to be about a break if you can see the process as a positive transformation. Transformation is part of life and so a positive step you can take to support a period of crisis is to focus on the positive aspects of change and transformation so that it can bring you closer together.
• Let go – your instincts might be to hold on tight to the loved one going through this period of change and try and be there for them at all times. Sometimes though this can do more damage than good. This is a time of self-reflection and exploration and this can only be done positively if your loved one is given the space to do it. Try and avoid putting any timescale on it or imposing your boundaries; allow your partner to lead the way and support them by letting go with compassion. You can then be there for when they feel they are ready for your support.
• Stay healthy – this is important for both of you. It is easy at this time to fall into negative health patterns such as drinking and drugs to try and escape the reality of the situation. This can be very dangerous however as this can lead to feelings of dependency and substance abuse. If you think you or your partner might have dependency issues you should consider drug and alcohol rehab so that you can face this process without any barriers. For strength of body and mind you could take up a relaxing hobby such as yoga, which when practiced together has the added benefit of bringing you closer both body and soul.

Remember this is an important period of your lives together and could be the defining moment of your relationship. Change is inevitable but when approached with an open mind, heart and inquiry it can build strength and resilience that is both joyous and everlasting.

There’s a misconception that the only people who can launch an app into the mobile app stores and make money are the tech geniuses. This is not correct. Plenty of people without technical expertise have made an app and brought in some extra money! What’s more important that your tech savviness is the quality of your idea and how determined you are to make it a reality! Here are a few considerations to get you going on the way to app success.

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What’s Your Crazy Idea?

First thing’s first: what is your crazy idea? OK, it doesn’t have to be crazy, but it should be original. And if not original, then at least a big improvement on an idea that has come before. If you think of an app that you would love to have but which doesn’t yet exist, you might be onto something good. So get your thinking caps on!

Is There a Market?

Of course, you’re only one person. If you think it’s a good idea then you’re guaranteed to have…at least one download. Do other people think it’s a good idea? Before you put the time into developing an app, conduct thorough market research to determine whether there’s a need or desire for your idea. It’ll save a lot of time and effort if you discover there isn’t before you get to work.

Now Don’t Get Carried Away…

Once we have our light bulb idea, there is sometimes a tendency to get carried away and make our original idea just the starting point for our app. Before we know it, we have an app with feature after feature that has…virtually no use to anyone. Don’t go overboard when it comes to planning what will be included in your app and the design. Think small. People download apps like crazy anyway so you don’t have to oversell it; if it’s a good idea, they will come.

Into Development and Killing the Bugs

If you have technical skills, you may be able to develop the app yourself. If you don’t, you’ll want to get an app development team on board to help turn your ideas into a reality. Once the app has been built, you’ll want to test it thoroughly for bugs and other errors using the tools listed on https://www.qasymphony.com/blog/100-plus-best-software-testing-tools/. Apart from design and features, your app’s reliability will be the biggest factor in determining whether it’s a success.

Ready to Launch

Once you’re ready to launch you’ll need to set up accounts with the stores. Take a look at https://blog.kissmetrics.com/11-mobile-app-pitfalls/ and then launch. Once it’s out there, you won’t be able just to sit back – now’s the time to evaluate how people are interacting with your app and whether you can improve any aspects. You can do this by monitoring analytics and feedback from your users. Then it’ll be over to you to look at rolling out more features to keep interest in your app alive after the initial download. Your app should always be evolving!

It’s safe to say that most of us have ambitions in our lives. Even if you don’t recognize them as ambitions, you probably still have daydreams and thoughts about what you want to do with your life and what you hope to achieve. However, for far too many people these ideas remain just that: dreams. There are plenty of reasons why such a great majority of us give up on our ambitions or don’t even pursue them at all in the first place. Read on for a few example of these and what you can do to get over them – so your dreams can become a reality.

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Money is the lifeblood that governs the world and our modern way of living. We owe it a lot for the things it enables us to do – but it can also stand in the way of many opportunities. With money being finite for the vast majority of us, a lot of people live in fear of running out of it. If your dream is to start your own business, for example, you will know that you require a certain amount of money to do that with in the first place. As there is always a risk that your business may not become fruitful, the fear of losing your money may stop you from following through with this plan. No one wants to go from being financially independent to wondering where your next meal will come from, especially if you have a family to provide for. However, financial help can sometimes come from unexpected places. Take a look at the J.G. Wentworth structured settlement review and see if you could access a lump sum of money by selling off your structured settlement. You may also be able to make some certain lifestyle changes that result in you having a lot more cash left over at the end of each month – cash that you can put towards investing in your dream.

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Humans have competed for centuries, and this natural trait goes right back to when we were primates. However, the apparent difference is that now we are competing for jobs and material success, rather than for food or a mate. The principal remains the same though, and it is commonly accepted that no one wants to fail. Consider, though, how much attention you pay to another person’s supposed ‘failures’? It probably isn’t nearly as much as you pay towards your own. If you are ever worried that other people will judge you on your failures, simply remember that they are probably far too busy thinking about themselves to care! Plus, if you view your failures as learning curves, you will stop fearing them so much, and that’s when you can make real progress.

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Despite all the competition we see in society today, many of us have still managed to become inherently lazy. Technology like television and video games have helped to spawn a whole generation of sofa-dwellers, meaning a lot of people are reluctant to get up and make stuff happen. Overcoming your laziness will require a few lifestyle changes, so try and make a point of waking up early and exercising, among other things. You will start the day feeling more energized, and this will help fuel your motivation to get out there and achieve your goals.

We all have to deal with a lot of pressure in our day to day life, and over time this leads us to prioritize other things ahead of our personal wellbeing. Of course, there are some responsibilities we have to take on; caring for sick relatives, handling a project at work, and honoring any other commitments we have made. But how long can you keep putting everything else first before your health is impacted?

There is a reason why airline safety dictates that you should put your own gas mask on first before assisting others; you can’t help others if you don’t help yourself. Here are a few ways you can take a little time for yourself, without dropping the ball on your other commitments.

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Your free time can vary per day, so make a plan to do between 15 and 60 minutes of exercise per day. Shut the world out by focusing on yourself, your routine, and your breathing. You can set aside some time first thing in the morning, just before you go to bed, or even in the afternoon before you start dinner. As an added benefit, exercise will give you more energy to cross things off your list. This will be better for your body than increasing your caffeine intake or taking something stronger (if you have any queries about energy and performance enhancements, get your questions answered here).

Delegate

You can’t take on everything at once. You will burn out. When you do, there will be no one who knows how to take over, because you’ve taken on a bulk of the work. The best way to make sure you have more time for yourself is to let someone else take on some of the load. If you’re caring for a sick relative, call in another family member to take shifts, or get some professional help. Form a support network of people who can take care of your children in case of an emergency, such as a spouse, neighbor, or regular babysitter. Ask for help at work if you’re struggling with a project, or turn down an extra assignment if you’re not required to do it.

Rekindle your love for your hobbies

There was a time when you read a new book every week, went shopping every weekend, or took pride in cooking a new dish for your family. Hobbies aren’t just a good way to pass the time; they are a way for us to relax and relieve stress. When was the last time you met a colleague for drinks and didn’t talk about work? When did you last go on a coffee date with your partner? What was the last book you read from cover to cover?

As with your exercise, set out some time each day to rekindle your love for your hobbies, even if you just take a book with you to read on the bus to work.

Finally, remember that you are important.

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We all know sufficient sleep is important. However, some jobs disrupt normal sleep cycles or make it so workers cannot adopt a regular sleep schedule. Adaption is one’s main tool against inconsistent sleeping patterns. Don’t accept unstable sleep; a number of apps, therapies, and professionals are ready to help those counterbalance the demands of work. Here’s how to make the most of irregular sleep.

Airplane Pilot

Pilots must be alert to operate a large aircraft. Moreover, flights get delayed, there are layovers, and flights pass through multiple time zones. It’s incredibly difficult for the body to grow used to such change. However, pilots can compensate for the irregularity by taking naps whenever they can. Some trust they will feel a lot better after a ‘power nap’ consisting of about one hour.

CEO

Businesses may have normal operating hours but those in charge know that business never sleeps. Chief executive officers often sacrifice winks to put in more effort towards marketing, speaking with clients, forging partnerships, etc. CEOs can become especially manic during periods of great revenue production or losses of investment. Such intensity should be diluted with regular days off and vacation time.

Production

Those involved in varieties of production, whether it be toys, cars, furniture, etc, work long hours and do not enjoy sufficient rest. In many cases, it’s lucrative to work longer hours and shifts that last more than 12 hours. What’s worse, such workers begin to condition their mind to stay active during odd hours. Those who constantly modify working hours can benefit by learning methods of meditation and relaxation. That way, when they do finally get to rest, they can fall asleep.

Police

Police, firemen, 911 dispatchers and other emergency workers often work swing shifts which disrupt regular sleep. Moreover, these jobs involve intensity and in some cases life and death situations, so one could imagine how it may be difficult to just go home and fall asleep. Some seek professional counseling as well as medical solutions to treat symptoms of insomnia.

Doctors and Nurses

Nurses are known to work swing shifts and long periods at a time. Doctors do the same and some are ‘on call’ after they leave the hospital, needing to go back in the event of an emergency. What’s even more alarming is that these are parties responsible for the well-being and safety of others. Therefore, it’s of the utmost importance that those in healthcare get sufficient rest. Learn more about sleep friendly apps.

Food Prep

Food prep workers can work very odd hours, some starting work in the middle of the night to have food prepped and ready for the early morning hours. Food prep jobs that influence sleep span from food truck delivery people to those such as cafeteria and diner workers. Such jobs can be trying for those who must get up very early yet keep more normalized hours as well to tend to children, spouses, households, etc.

With the phrase ‘middle aged’ meaning different things to almost everyone, it can be difficult to pinpoint an exact age in which being ‘middle aged’ is supposed to start. With recent studies showing that the majority of us see middle age starting at around 55, this completely contradicts previous research that suggested the start of middle age to be at 36.

But regardless of when you perceive middle age to start, there are certain stereotypes that are generally always associated with this age group. From being health-obsessed to not liking change, the stereotypes of middle-aged people are often more negative than positive. But recently, they’ve been seriously challenged with new research suggesting middle aged people are even more tech-obsessed than the younger generation! So, if you see yourself falling into this ‘tech-obsessed’ middle aged category and want to freshen up your smartphone’s selection of apps, here are some of today’s best options specifically targeted towards people of your age.

Vouchercloud

We all love a discount but, when it comes to restaurant and excursion vouchers, the hassle of printing them can be enough to put people off altogether. But, with Vouchercloud, you’re able to quickly download a huge array of vouchers straight to your smartphone, allowing you to simply show your phone screen with the voucher displayed when it’s time to redeem it.

From restaurants to garden centers to day-trips, Vouchercloud adds new discounts every single day so it’s worthwhile to regularly check. But, before downloading a voucher for a day trip, make sure to check the weather first as no day trip is as fun in the rain! Take a look at this link to discover a weather app that’s both accurate and user-friendly.

WebMD

There’s no denying that, as we get older, we’re more prone to illness. WebMD offers an innovative symptom checker app that enables you to input virtually any symptom you have and learn more about what it could mean.

Also offering detailed first aid information and a list of important medical terms you might need to know in the future, WebMD is certainly worth a download!

Pillboxie

Along with illness often comes medication and our memories may not be quite what they used to be as we increase in years. But luckily Pillboxie does all the remembering for you, ensuring you never miss a pill again!

Simple to use and extremely effective, all you have to do is set it up with your medications and the times at which you should take them and voila! You’ll have created your very own pill-taking alarm system that will remind you every single time a dose is due.

Just because you’re middle aged, it doesn’t mean you can’t be tech-savvy. Simply owning a smartphone is probably enough to impress the younger generation and, with the above apps downloaded and ready to use at the click of a button, you’re sure to put all the unnecessary stereotypes to rest and enjoy having fun!

A self-confident teen is one who can say no to smoking, drugs and alcohol with ease, has the clarity to see and work on their personal goals and who will grow up to be a well-balance adult. Low confidence can lead teens to make bad decisions that can affect the rest of their lives.

Why Self-Confidence is Vital for Teens

Self-confidence is the belief in your own ability to be successful in your endeavors. Your teenager’s self-confidence is linked to her self-esteem, which is how good she feels about herself, and how she feels she is a worthwhile person. Just because your teen has a high self-esteem, doesn’t necessarily mean she is confident. Her level of self-confidence can vary throughout her life, particularly during the major life changes and challenges of adolescence. Many teens struggle with low confidence during early adolescence. Self-confidence is vital for teens because it makes them feel secure, make informed decisions and avoid situations that are not right for them. Here are some tips for you, as a parent, to instill a strong sense of self-worth in your child.

• Offer opportunities: Give your teen the opportunity to try different things such as traveling, learning to play an instrument, and different sports and hobbies. This will help her realize what she enjoys doing and what she’s good at.
• Color-in confidence: Relaxing mandala coloring books, such as Coloring Book for Me & Mandala can help improve confidence and self-worth in your teen.
• Positive praise: Praise your teens for her actions and accomplishments. If a game or a test doesn’t work out quite as she’d hoped, praise her efforts.
• Be a role model: There are many ways you can instill confidence in your teen by being a role model. For example, you could discuss with her what you are going to do to try and succeed at a particular task. If you are unsuccessful, you can be the model of resilience by talking about how you can make it work next time.
• Be patient: Neurological research shows that the reason your teen sometimes may appear fickle or impulsive is because sometimes they have difficulty thinking rationally, because the connections between the emotional part of the brain and the decision-making part are still under development, so be patient with them when they make mistakes.
• Instill persistence: When your teenager makes mistakes, and she will, show her ways she can learn from them. Explain that often things don’t work out at the first attempt, and offer suggestions on how she can find ways to keep trying.
• Ask for their opinion: Often, teenagers have a lot to contribute and can offer insightful suggestions. Let your teen join in family discussions and plans and listen to her opinion without being judgmental. You’ll find she really appreciates being asked to join in.

As a parent, you can give your teen a safe environment to live in and lots of good opportunities for grown and development. This will help her become a confident and successful individual.