Habits are the pillars our life is built on. You may not be aware of it, but 80% of all the actions you do daily are actually habits. I’m sure you heard this term before, and you think that the habits are these great actions that only those who are worthy can do. But it is not like that at all, and even you can create some healthy habits that will change your life.
What are habits?
But first, let’s talk about habits, how they work, and how you can build good ones and break bad ones. Habits are actions that your brain is used to do. I’m sure that you do some of them already, like brushing your teeth in the morning, feed your pet at certain times, and even driving. These actions can take place without you being conscious about it. At the same time, habits will leave you with a certain feeling when you don’t do them. For example, if you don’t brush your teeth in the morning, you will feel dirty all day.
How to build them?
Building a habit is easier said than done. Scientists say that it takes from 21 to 90 days to build a habit that sticks. Of course, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Similarly, the easier to do it, the easier it is to maintain it. Let’s say you and your friend want to build the habit of going to the gym. You went to the gym in high school too, but your friend never stepped into a gym before. I think is obvious who will build it easier.
How to break a bad one?
There are two ways you can break a habit. You can either stop doing it or build another one.
Let’s say you want to quit smoking. You can just stop smoking. Although we know that this is hard, and it takes a lot of willpower.
On the other hand, you can analyze why you smoke. Maybe you only do it when you are with your friends who also smoke, maybe you do it when you’re stressed, or you smoke when you’re bored.
The thing is, if you know why you smoke, you have a chance to come with a plan. If you only smoke when you are stressed, do something else instead. Buy some stress relief toys, go to the gym and blow some steam, listen to calm music, or meditate. This way, your brain will think this is a new pattern, and the longer you do it, it will make it a habit, breaking the smoking one.
My top 5 Healthy Habits
Now we know what habits are, how they work, how to build them, and how to break them. Now let’s see my lift of healthy habits that will change your life.
Meditation
Meditation is a great habit and is easy to build. I’m sure you heard many people talk about it, and you want to do it. We have a whole article covering this topic right here (Start Meditating!). The meditation calms your mind, makes you live more in the present, relief stress and it helps with anxiety. It is a great way to start your day, and the good part is that it only takes 10 minutes a day! So what are you waiting for?
Reading
If you already built this habit, good for you! If you didn’t, then you should. I was one of those kids who thought books are for losers. But the thing is after I read “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki, my mindset shifts. Mr. Kiyosaki is not writing books about the benefit of reading; he writes about the benefits of having a financial education. And when I learned that I can acquire this type of knowledge by just reading books, a whole new world opened to me, and I’m sure it will open for you too.
Going to the gym
You need to keep your body in shape. That is absolute. Maybe you are young and feel fit, maybe you don’t have health problems. Bu this is now, and no one can guarantee that you will feel the same in the future. Even one time per week can make a huge impact on your health! And as an addition to your health benefits, you will see a boost in your confidence, your stress levels will be lower, and you will be more secure. In conclusion, you’ll be a better human being!
Start cooking
This is a fun habit that will benefit you in the long run. First, any adult should know how to cook more than just scrambled eggs. Second, you save a lot of money if you cook your food at home instead of buying it. Third, it’s a sexy skill to have, and if you already have a partner, you can surprise them from time to time with a delicious meal, which trust me, will be a gesture very well received! Fourth, is fun! Just start cooking!
Cold showers
I know this may be odd, but cold showers have a lot of benefits! It will boost your immune system. Therefore, you will get sick rarely. It will wake you up in the mornings when you feel sloppy. And in my opinion, the most important thing is that you will do something that is uncomfortable. Each time you do that, you will build your willpower. This willpower can break habits that are incredibly difficult, like binge eating. It’s hard at first, but you get used to it the often you do it. We even have an article on “How To Take Cold Showers“.
These are my top 5 healthy habits that will change your life for the better. You will not feel it instantly, but the more you do them, the happier you will be. A last piece of advice for you is to not build them all together because that would be impossible. Tackle them one at the time, wait to see how you feel, and build it until you will feel bad if you don’t do a certain task (that is how you know you built it).
In the end, I want to wish you good luck with your transformation! Take your time and don’t focus on the destination! That is just one part, while the journey is the whole process! Learn to love the process and you will be invincible!
Teas were firstly discovered in China, nearly 5000 years ago. For thousands of years, different types of tea provided us with health and beauty benefits. First of all, it is important to establish what tea actually is. Almost all tea leaves come from a type of plant called Camellia Sinensis which originated in Asia.
If you are a newbie you will be surprised to learn that the reason why I said “almost all tea leaves” is because herbal and flavored teas aren’t actually teas. Herbal and flavored teas, sometimes called tisanes, are beverages made from the infusion of herbs, spices, and flowers.
Tea is actually an aromatic beverage prepared by pouring boiling water on top of the leaves from Camellia Sinensis. The types of teas are determined by the amount of time the leaves are processed for. This is how you create green, black or oolong teas.
Studies have shown teas can help with many medical problems but can be used as a tool for beauty as well.
Health Benefits
Tea contains antioxidants.
Our bodies create chemicals called free radicals that attack us from the inside. They are found anywhere, from the food that we eat to the air that we breathe.
So how do we fight them? With antioxidants. Most teas contain these antioxidants, called catechins. The most familiar ones are vitamin C and vitamin E.
2. Teas may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Studies have shown that people who regularly consume a minimum of three cups of black tea a day, reduce the risk oh a heart attack or a stroke.
According to Harvard Medical School, studies have shown that tea and coffee drinkers are at lower risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
3. Teas may help with weight loss.
Catechins and caffeine, both found in teas are each believed to increase energy metabolism, which may lead to weight loss.
According to Prof. Richard Bruno, lead author of the new study at Ohio State University in Columbus, “This study provides evidence that green tea encourages the growth of good gut bacteria, and that leads to a series of benefits that significantly lower the risk of obesity.”
4. Teas may boost your immune system.
An experiment, done by the National Academy of Sciences, has shown that the immune system blood cells from tea drinkers responded five times faster to germs than coffee drinkers.
There are many other benefits related to drinking tea, like:
May help protect your bones
It may help to fight cancer
It may soothe the digestive system.
Like any other product, you have to be moderate when consuming tea. Anything in excess is not good for you.
Now, let’s talk about the types of teas.
Green Tea
Green teas are actually one of the least processed and are not fermented but steamed. These have a high concentration of catechin called EGCG. Those are natural antioxidants that have many health benefits like helping prevent cell damage.
Its antioxidants may interfere with the growth of the bladder, stomach, lungs, etc. Green teas may also help with the cholesterol levels, they reduce the risk of strokes, neurological problems (like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases) and help counteract oxidative stress on the brain.
Black Tea
During the processing stage, black tea is fermented and is heavily oxidized. The level of this process determines the dark color of the tea. Black tea is rich in polyphenols and catechins that may improve your overall health.
Theaflavins, along with thearubigins and catechins are actually polyphenols found in black teas.
Pu-erh Tea
It is one of the most famous teas in China made from fermented and aged leaves. Pu-erh tea is cultivated exclusively in the Yunnan province in China. Unlike the other types of tea, the processing of Pu-erh tea differs from the other ones and it’s divided into 2 stages.
During the first stage, the process is similar to the processing of green tea. During the second phase, the process of fermentation or “aging” begins under high levels of humidity.
Also, it comes in black and green varieties and has many health benefits. Pu-erh tea is known for reducing cholesterol levels and improving heart health.
Pu-erh tea contains caffeine, although not as much as the other types of teas out there.
Oolong Tea
Oolong tea is not as popular as the other types of tea, although it is rather known in Asia. Even though it comes from the same type of plant, the differences occur when it comes to harvesting and the processing phase, being partially fermented.
When it comes to the number of antioxidants, oolong tea is placed somewhere between the green tea (with high levels of antioxidants, called catechins) and black tea ( rich in theaflavins and thearubigins).
Similar to the other types of teas, oolong tea has many health benefits, including reducing cholesterol, helping with weight loss and reducing the risk of cancer.
White Tea
White tea is one of the teas which come from the same plant: Camellia Sinensis. It is one of the purest types of tea out there, being the least processed type of tea.
Being one of the freshest, you will be surprised to find out that this type of tea isn’t actually white, but rather golden. Its leaves are actually left to dry naturally in direct sunlight or in a room with a controlled climate, leaving a sweet, delicate flavor.
White teas are known to have the most antioxidants of all teas. This is due to the fact that it is the least processed type of tea. As I mentioned before, antioxidants help to boost your immune system and help you protect your body against free radicals.
Beauty Benefits
When it comes to beauty, you may be tempted to find any way to improve your skin. We usually spend a lot of money on products but did you know that you can actually use tea instead of those expensive products?
Here are some beauty benefits of tea:
Tea reduces puffy eyes and dark under-eye circles. The caffeine contained in tea shrinks the blood vessels around the eye.
It calms the skin after shaving.
You can treat your dry lips with tea.
Green teas are known to be used in many skincare products for anti-aging.
Tea moisturizes the skin.
Oolong tea can help to fight acne.
Soothes sunburns.
Green tea reduces bodily toxins, which encourages glowing skin.
This is it, guys! I hope you enjoyed our article on all the types of teas and the health and beauty benefits!
So you just got out of high school and you go to college and there are a lot of student associations. Should you join them? Should you don’t care about them at all? Is it worth the time or are they just a loss? Well, here are some reasons why you should become a member of a student association.
[Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may include affiliate links. This means that I get a commission if you purchase the product through my link at no extra cost to you.]
It is a great way to make friends
The thing is, you may already have some friends with you at the university. But if you don’t follow the same courses or you are not even in similar majors, chances are you will not see your friends so much. They will hang out mostly with their colleagues while you will hang out with yours. Most of the time, student associations are unique to each university. For example, if you study engineering, your association may be called Engineering Student Association.
This means that in your university association will be students that study the same subject that you are, and the people are not only the ones from your class. In a group of people that big the diversity of personalities is enormous. Therefore, you will find people that have the same interest that you have, and maybe gain some incredible friends!
Tips & Tricks for your university game
What is that supposed to mean? I already tell you that in a group so big, you will meet people that are older than you, and already pass the exams you will struggle with. Of course, you can ask them without being a member of their association what are the tips and tricks. However, you will have to find them, and they should be busy, so they can’t talk to you. And even if these requirements are fulfilled, you cannot be 100% sure they will talk to you. After all, they don’t know you.
It will be way easier for you to enter the association, meet the member at the meetings, and create some network. By socializing, you will get the people’s trust, and from that point, you will not have to worry about awkwardness.
Learn stuff from student associations that the college doesn’t teach you
The thing is, you will not learn something useful for your day-to-day life in college. Therefore, you will have to take your knowledge from somewhere else. Sure, you can ask your parents, but their knowledge is limited to their experience. In an association the diversity is big and the experience of all that people are vast. So by making some connections with your colleagues, you will learn a lot of things you didn’t even know about.
Not only that, but through the year, you will take part in a lot of projects. Projects that require work from you. Therefore, you will learn to organize events, talk to people, negotiate with firms. For that reason, you will get experience in some important tasks you will need to do eventually at your job. So don’t sit around and watch Netflix all day, when you have a big opportunity ahead.
You will have fun
Student associations are not like the fraternity you see in the movies. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t have fun at all. Sure, you will have to work a little bit, but this doesn’t mean that the fun is not there. You will organize parties and you will attend them. These are celebrations for completing a tough project, making a deal with a firm or simply celebrate the birth of your local group. Each way it is, you will have a blast, and that I can tell you for sure.
Take their advice
The thing is that your associates will have more life experience as you, and may have been through some ugly stuff that you can learn a lot from. So, as you become friends with other people try to listen to what they have to say. Some of them may talk about their work and how they got the job. Others may talk about the new blog they are writing, which already makes him/her some money. Others may talk about how they got out of a toxic relationship. In conclusion, it doesn’t matter what kind of person are you talking to, learn as much as you can from other people’s experiences and become a better person without having to go what they have gone through. It may save you a lot of pain in the future, and who wants to suffer where it could be avoided?
Learn to work in a team
In an association, you will have to spend time with other people on projects. Therefore, you will upgrade your teamwork. You will learn how to delegate people to do a certain task, how to communicate effectively, and to be a good player overall. A good member of an association is one that can do a lot of stuff, so go there and become an essential piece of the puzzle! But if you don’t put in the work, you will not achieve anything. If you have a problem getting out of your comfort zone check our article on “How to build discipline“.
In the end, it is your choice if you want to become part of a university association. The truth is you don’t need one to succeed in life. And if you are a sociable person and a hard worker, who goes to volunteer from time to time, you will get the same benefits. But you will miss the opportunity to meet new incredible people and take part in projects that may brighten your day or even your whole college career as a student.
Going through teenage years I’ve always had acne and scars left from popping my pimples. It becomes a toxic cycle. You can see it and you can feel the pain of having a pimple and you get frustrated and you pop it. So now you are left with a little wound and a possible scar on your face. And your situation becomes even worse after that. Therefore, I introduced a daily skincare routine at home, in my day-to-day life.
Having a skincare routine is really important especially when you have a sensitive, pro acne skin. According to….. the skin’s job is to keep things out. Therefore, when you apply various ingredients on your skin, a very small amount actually penetrates the skin. So not only it is important to use some sort of products, but their order is even more important.
Did you know that the changing of seasons may affect the way in which your skin reacts to the changes in temperature?
According to Ann Lee, a cosmetic chemist, people with sensitive skin might be experiencing a burning sensation that lasts for several days (or even weeks) during the transition between seasons. This is why it is essential to adjust your skincare products according to the changes in temperature. Ann Lee advises using essential oils, serums, and creams to help nourish the skin.
[Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may include affiliate links. This means that I get a commission if you purchase the product through my link at no extra cost to you.]
My skincare routine
1. Cleanser
There are many types of cleansers, like gel cleansers, cream, foam, clay, oil, micellar, powder, etc. It is essential to adapt the cleanser to your skin and not the other way around. I’ve personally tried several types of cleansers but the only one that seems to work best for me is the foam cleanser.
The foam cleansers are lightweight and start as a gel or a cream and transform into a rich foamy consistency product. This particular cleanser works best for oily skin because it removes the excess of sebum from your pores.
Other types of cleansers:
cream or lotion: work best for dry, red skin. Cream cleansers are usually thick and gentle and have the purpose of moisturizing the skin without stripping off the natural oils.
oil: if you have sensitive skin, the oil cleanser is a gentle way of getting rid of impurities, without drying the skin.
powder cleansers: they gently exfoliate the skin as they cleanse. Dr. Dendy Engelman, the dermatologist at Manhattan Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, recommends using the powder cleanser at night, after removing the makeup: “The particles in dry powder allow for more exfoliation than liquid cleansers.” This is why she recommends using it for oily skin.
For every skin type exfoliating at least one time, a week is necessary in order to remove the dry skin cells. If you don’t remove all of the impurities, it can cause your pores to be blocked. Therefore, it can cause breakouts, pimples, and blackheads. And trust me, I’ve been there. You don’t want that.
According to American Academy of Dermatology, exfoliation leaves the skin looking brighter with immediate results. Also, long-term exfoliation can increase collagen production. Collagen represents the key to glowing skin.
However, if you have sensitive skin with inflammatory acne, you should consult a dermatologist before applying this method.
3. Toner
I first started using toner a few months ago when I noticed that I was so busy that I didn’t take care of my skin at all. Therefore, my face had to suffer.
So I started experimenting with different products and routines that I’ve learned from other blogs and I finally found a way of taking care of my skin and allowing myself some me-time before I went to bed and after I woke up. So what is a toner you may ask?
Basically, it is that step of the routine, after applying the cleanser which removes the rest of the impurities left behind and prepares the skin for the moisturizer. Essentially, the toner removes the dry skin, it closes the pores and tightens the cell gaps in order to reduce the penetration of impurities.
A helpful trick that I’ve learned is to not use pads to apply the toner. It is a gentle way that works best if you use your fingers to apply it. Also, avoid toners with alcohol because it dries out the skin.
4. Moisturizer
It is important to adapt your moisturizer to the changes in temperature. For example, a moisturizer can be really helpful when your skin feels dry. This happens especially during winter.
When your skin becomes dry, your body produces more oil. The excess of oil can clog your pores. Therefore, it can lead to more breakouts. Choosing the right moisturizer for your skin can prevent your skin from becoming dry.
When dealing with warmer weather, try sticking to a lighter moisturizer to avoid clogged pores. For colder weather choose a heavier formula.
This is it, folks! This is the basic daily skincare routine that I use at home. If you have problematic skin, contact a dermatologist.
“The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” by Robin Sharma was one of the first self-development books I have ever read, and it’s amazing! It was a game-changer for me, it inspired me, and the wisdom this book possesses is incredible. And as a result, it changed my life for the better!
The book has two protagonists, Peter Franklin and his friend, a corporate lawyer, Julian Mentle who is the monk who sold his Ferrari, and went to India after he survived a heart attack while he was in court. In India, Mentle met some sages that taught him the rituals for a balancing inner and outer life.
[Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post may include affiliate links. This means that I get a commission if you purchase the product through my link at no extra cost to you.]
The whole book consists of a dialogue between the two friends, in which Mentle explains the rituals he went through, and how we can apply them in our life.
First, the book starts with a fable: Imagine you are staying in a beautiful garden. You notice that in the middle of the garden is a light tower. From the light tower, a sumo fighter comes towards you. He wears only thin underwear. Therefore, it is hard to look at him. Next, the sumo fighter sees a clock on the ground, and stumbles upon it and falls down. The beautiful scent of the roses is powerful. As a result, the fighter wakes up. He sees on his left a road paved with diamonds. He follows the road happily until he gets out of your sight.
It’s a weird story, but every aspect has a powerful meaning, which I will explain right now:
The garden
The garden is the symbol of your mind. You work as the guardian of your garden, and everything you let inside affects it in some way. That is why you should let in only positive thoughts! If you plan only positive thoughts and take care of them, you will have a beautiful garden. And, as a result, you will nourish a beautiful mindset that will help in the worst situations. The quality of life is determined by the quality of your thoughts. There are no mistakes, only lessons. And your fails are the only ways to improve yourself! Grow your garden, and you’ll be fine!
The Light Tower
The light tower is the symbol of purpose. The purpose of life is a life with purpose! Read that again! This chapter explains that if you don’t know your purpose, you need to find one. You can’t hit a target you don’t see, and you shouldn’t even try to consider it. If you are going through life without a plan or without goals, you need to read this book. Finding what you want to accomplish in life, and then accomplishing it gives you endless satisfaction. Set your goals! Professionally, personally, and spiritually!
The Sumo Fighter
A cartoon sumo wrestler with an angry expression.
This is the symbol of kaizen, which is a Japanese philosophy. It means improving and cultivating yourself. The sumo fighter got massive physic by disciplining himself, training hard, and eating right. Self-control is the DNA of life control! Improving every day, it what life is about. Therefore, try to practice kaizen, take control of yourself, and become the person you want to become!
The Thin Underwear
The weirdest symbol, but, in my opinion, the most valuable. This underwear symbolizes their habits. In other words, the simple stuff you do each day. A thread is not powerful. But two resist more than one, and three more than two! A million threads can’t be ripped apart so easily. So, this means every habit that you have builds you up, or tears you down! The more you work your willpower muscle by doing stuff you find uncomfortable, the more you evolve as a human being!
The watch
The watch obviously symbolizes the time. Time is the most valuable resource you have! Therefore, you need to use it at the maximum. In other words, simplify your life! You know that some things are way more important than other ones. Spending time with your daughter beats that game you want to watch. The thing is, we all have the same amount of hours in the day. The ones that succeed in life manage theirs better. So start plan your days to work on your priorities! Because if you don’t, you will work for another one’s priorities. And no one wants that!
Roses scent
They are a symbol of helping others. Do you remember when I said that the quality of life depends on the quality of your thoughts? It depends on what kind of impact you have on others too. Serve your community selflessly. Help people in need. By helping others, your life will touch peaks you didn’t even know existed! Trust me when I say this. It is easier to be bad to people and to don’t care about them. But most certainly, nothing will benefit you more personally and spiritually than helping others!
The diamonds
The last symbol in “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” is the diamonds, and they play the role of the present. You will live a happy life nowhere but in the present. The past is a place where regret and disappointment lies, and the future is a place for hope, but at the same time, uncertainty, anxiety, and fear. But the present is the moment you have, the one you can control. Is the time you can make up for the past, and the one where you can model your future. Stay in the present. Live with the ones you love in the present, and you will live a happy life!
Maybe “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” will not completely change your life, will not solve all your problems, and is not a guide on how to achieve enlightenment. But it will improve your life, will give you an answer to your problems, and after applying the concept in the book, you will be a better human being.
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