Zero O'clock

Aug

2022

Do You Wake Up At The Same Time Every Night?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Do you have a hard time going to sleep at night? Or Do you wake up at the same time every night?
You see, the human body is closely tied up with the environment. It has an internal body clock that operates on a 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is composed of several body processes that operate based on the sunlight.

An illustration on how the circadian rhythm works is that the cells in our brain send signals to the body when it is dark that it is time to go to bed. In the same way, it tells us that it is time to wake up as soon as there is light. Another example is the production of the sleep hormone melatonin which are only released by the body at night and suppressed in the morning.

Why Is It Hard To Sleep At Night?

So if the body has a way of adapting to the environment, why do some people still have a hard time falling asleep at night?

Factors That Alter The Circadian Rhythm

Depending on people’s lifestyles, the circadian rhythm can be disrupted. According to experts, disruptions can either be short-term or long-term. Factors that alter the circadian rhythm include:

Jet lag – a temporary sleep disorder that is experienced by people who take intercontinental flights that cross different time zones.
Irregular work shifts – experienced by people with erratic work hours or night shifts in their work.
Unhealthy Lifestyle – experienced by those who have poor sleeping habits, unhealthy eating and sleeping practices
Medications – some medications alter sleep
Stress
Mental Conditions like depression and dementia

Why Do You Wake Up At The Same Time At Night?

Chinese medicine practices break the body clock further with the concept of organ clock. This concept is rooted in the belief of the existence of a vital life force or a qi. The qi is supposed to go around the whole body in 24 hours in a two-hour interval per major organ. This means that each organ in the body is strongest at that specific time.

For example, 1am to 3 am is the time where the liver is said to be doing its work. Its detoxification is at its peak during this time. If you are not asleep during this period, the liver will not be able to do its work properly.

In the same way that if you keep on waking up at a specific time, ancient Chinese medicine believes that it is a signal from your body that you may be suffering from an illness on that organ.

How To Reset Your Circadian Rhythm

Maintaining your circadian rhythm is vital to your health because the body has the capability to heal itself but only if you follow the natural flow. Use the organ chart clock above as guide for the body’s natural rhythm.

TIME	ORGAN	RECOMMENDED ACTIVITY
5:00 AM to 7:00 AM	Large Intestine	Wake-Up, Meditation
7:00 AM to 9:00 AM	Stomach	Breakfast, Exercise, Reading, Work
9:00 AM to 11:00 AM	Spleen	Work
11:00 AM to 1:00 PM	Heart	Lunch
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM	Small Intestine	Nap / Relax
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM	Bladder	Work
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM	Kidney	Dinner
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM	Pericardium	“Me” Time
9:00 PM to 11:00 PM	Triple Burner	Get Ready to Sleep
11:00 PM to 1:00 AM	Liver	Sleep
1:00 AM to 3:00 AM	Gallbladder	Deep Sleep
3:00 AM to 5:00 AM	Lung	Deep Sleep

However, it is difficult for many to follow the organ clock because of work. If this is the case, there are still little things that you can do to reset your circadian rhythm.

Follow a daily routine
Make your room environment conducive for relaxing or sleeping
Avoid drinking caffeine at night
Power off your gadgets when it is near sleeping time
Exercise daily
Avoid naps in the late afternoon

Stay healthy by understanding how your body works.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

May

2022

Feeling Uncomfortable in Life?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Each one of us is supposed to live a happy and fulfilling life. But how come, sometimes, life becomes so difficult? Things continue to happen around us which are beyond our control. We can’t help but feel sad, anxious, uncomfortable and depressed even. So, what do we do when we are feeling uncomfortable in life?

Time for Change

When we start feeling frustrated with the things happening around us, that’s the universe’s way of telling us that it is time for change. It is needed for our growth and metamorphosis as an individual.

When it is time to make a change, the universe will make it so uncomfortable for you that you will have no choice but to leave. When you are not happy in a situation, don’t stay in denial and try to make it work. The world has better plans for you, trust in the process and do your part by aligning yourself with the things that you want. The rest will be history.
– Unknown

Remember that all of us are born with a certain purpose in life. And that an event that angered and frustrated you may not necessarily have the same effect for other people. In fact, it may be taken as a good thing from their point of view. For example, not getting the job that you applied for means someone else got it. And for sure, that event made that person happy.

Why that person and not you? That’s because it is sign from the universe that you are on the wrong path. Just because others became successful in that path does not necessarily mean that you will too.

Of course, you can always just settle, pray and hope that things will get better someday. But that is not how success works. If you continue to stay in this state, you will just wake up one day full of regret wishing that you have made things differently.

What you deny or ignore, you DELAY. What you accept and face, you CONQUER.
– Robert Tew

Success Happens Outside Your Comfort Zone

Remember that success always happens outside your comfort zone. It is not going to come to you out of the blue. You need to come out of your shell and pursue it. Anything that is uncomfortable, especially if it is persistent is a signal for a fresh start.

What does it mean to get out of your comfort zone? Getting outside your comfort zone simply means doing things that you are not comfortable with. These include:

Going to unfamiliar places
Talking to strangers
Doing an extreme activity
Exploring new possibilities
Making changes to your daily routine
Learning something new
Facing your fears

In short, it is all about taking risks. Since we all have different risk tolerance, it varies from one person to another.

Learn and Grow Through Life

Life is all about learning and growing. It is not just about surviving. That is how we increase our mental wellness. It is about adapting to change, listening to signs and following where it leads us. Give yourself time to feel sad and frustrated. It’s okay to not be okay. But don’t dwell on it. Move on and solve the issue at hand. That is how you will successfully navigate this journey called life.

Feature Image by tookapic from Pixabay

Aug

2021

Stop Saying “I’m Sorry for Your Loss”; Say This Instead

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Grief is always a complicated process and its effects are different for each individual. Consoling someone in grief is also a delicate situation. Just saying “I’m sorry for your loss” doesn’t really help that much to alleviate the person’s pain.

There are reasons for not saying this phrase to a grieving person and some suggestions on what to say instead.

Why We Shouldn’t Say “I’m Sorry for Your Loss”

Grief needs more than a cliche

Family members hearing “I’m sorry for your loss” from so many people doesn’t alleviate their pain. It only keeps hammering them about the painful situation that they are in. This provides no consolation at all. It is the most common response to this kind of situation; so much so that it almost loses its sincerity. It has become a programmed response. Painful situations like the death of someone important in a person’s life need more than just a cliche.

It supports the wrong mental programming

Saying “I’m sorry for your loss” also evokes the wrong mental programming by tiptoeing around the subject of death. When you tell someone that they have lost something, it acknowledges that the matter is a personal experience. It also avoids the actual situation. When someone losses something, it usually means that the person did something or did not do what was needed, which resulted in the loss. The real situation is that they are grieving for someone else who died. They will always have regrets; whether they did everything they could, or missed out on the opportunity to express their love and care for that person. Saying the cliche phrase only takes them away from the real situation and does not help in their healing process.

What We Should Say Instead

There are alternatives to the cliche that would be more helpful to people who are grieving. These responses are clearer. They focus on the actual situation of someone dying. The good thing is, they provide the grieving person the support they need to process their situation.

“I’m so sorry to hear about [name of the person who died]. I’m sure you’re going to miss her/him terribly. How are you holding up right now? / What can I do to help?”

“I’m sorry that you are suffering right now. I will be here with you and will help you anyway I can. Is there anything you need right now?”

“I’m sorry for the challenges that might lie ahead of you but I’m here and willing to help you. Would it be okay with you if I call you up next week to check in with you?”

“Please accept my deepest condolences. I can’t imagine what you must be going thru right now but I know it must be very challenging. If there’s anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to call me.”

“I know there’s nothing I can say right now to make things better. I know talking about it will help so don’t hesitate to call me if you need to talk to someone.”

Sometimes, a few words and a hug is all it takes to express our support.

“I know it’s hard…” is a good way to start communication with an aggrieved person as it acknowledges their current situation.
“Let me help” is a very supportive way to show someone you are willing to help them to process their pain.
“I’m here for you” is a powerful way to assure someone that you will support them during this challenging time in their life.
“You have my heart and support” tells the grieving person that you resonate with their suffering and are willing to share their burden.

All these alternative phrases acknowledge the situation while providing the grieving person the go signal for processing their grief. Supportive words like these allow for the grieving person to feel supported instead of being isolated by those around them. This helps make the grieving process an easier burden to bear and leading them to the healing stage much faster.

One thing we can do to lessen the grief when times like these come, is to make sure that we do all we can to cherish our loved ones while we still can. When we know in our hearts that we showed and expressed our love for our loved ones as best we can while they were still alive; we will have fewer regrets. Then facing their death and healing from the experience should also be less harder.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 07.13.2019.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Tom Pumford on Unsplash.

Mar

2021

Reset Your Life Challenge

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Are you happy and content about where you are in your life right now? What aspect of your life do you want to improve? What dimension of your overall wellness do you wish to become better? If you are having problems right now, the good news is that you can actually reset your life or just a specific aspect of your life but you must be willing to make some changes. It won’t be possible if you keep on doing the same things over and over again. So, are you willing to take the reset your life challenge?

The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were at when we created them.
– Albert Einstein

1. Assessment

To improve on any aspect of your life, the first step is assessment. Find out where you are right now in terms of your physical health, emotions, finances, relationships or any other aspect of your life. The only way to go forward is to honestly assess your current state.

2. Be responsible

You are where you are right now because of you alone. You are having problems with your physical health because you have not been taking care of your body. A healthy immune system can fight off any diseases or viruses. Your finances are in a mess because you have not been taking care of them. It is the same in every aspect of your life that is failing. It is not because of your parents, your boss, the government or anything. It is all a product of all the decisions you have made in the past. So, stop blaming others. Instead, be responsible for your life. Stop blaming others. The sooner you will accept responsibility for your life, the sooner you will be able to take control of your future.

You are what you are today because of the choices you made in the past.
– Jim Rohn

3. Visualization

The next step is to figure out where you want to go. How do you see yourself in the future? What is your ideal life? Visualize yourself living that ideal life. You don’t have to worry about whether it is possible or not. That is what dreams are for. In fact, the bigger the dream, the better. It helps to start by creating your own bucket list.

4. Creation of Goals

Now, it is time to create a bridge between your present life and your ideal life. The only way to do that is to make a connection between the past and the present through goal formation. Goals are supposed to be SMART. That’s the only way to achieve them.

5. Launch

Once you have concrete plans, the next thing to do is launch. The sooner you implement your plans, the sooner you can achieve that better life. What are you waiting for? Start now and look forward to a better tomorrow. When the clock strikes zero o’clock later, it is a promise of not just a new day but a new life.

6.Persevere

Once you start, learn to persevere. Perseverance means having the determination to continue despite all the obstacles and challenges that come your way. Don’t quit. Never give up.

Goodluck!

Feauture Photo by David Alberto Carmona Coto from Pexels

Mar

2021

How to Look Expensive on a Budget

Reading Time: 5 minutes

Did you know that how you dress influences how you perform in life? Numerous studies show that how you dress affect your physical and mental well-being. If you look good, you feel good. If you dress well, you will exude confidence and this will simply affect how others perceive you. Whether you like it or not, appearances do matter. Thus, if you want to become successful, you need to dress the part. You need to learn how to dress for success. The good news is that you don’t need to actually wear expensive clothes to look expensive. Here are some secrets on how to look expensive even on a budget.

1.Wear Black

If you have been to Paris, London, Milan, New York and other fashion capitals of the world, you will be surprised that most people in those cities prefer to wear black. Black has been the symbol of power, elegance, luxury, and fashion.

Black is a neutral color. It blends perfectly well with any other color of clothing or accessories because it is very versatile. It will look good on anybody regardless of skin color or body shape.

Black is the most slimming of all colors. It is the most flattering. You can wear black at any time. You can wear it at any age and you can wear it for almost any occasion.
– Christian Dior

Black is simple and modern. You can experiment on different fabrics and styles without hurting your budget. The black pieces that you purchased more than a decade ago can still look good until today. You can wear it 24 hours a day. It works perfectly in the morning as well as the evening. You can never go wrong with black.

2. Wear White

If black is not your thing, then wear white. The color white is the color of perfection. It is pure and it looks clean. A white on white ensemble is simple yet it is chic. You can wear it on the street or you can wear it on the beach. You can match it with any other color. A white shirt or blouse paired with a pair of jeans still looks elegant despite its simplicity. Just add any accessories and you are good to go but don’t forget to wear nude or white underwear.

3. Use a Structured Bag

A bag is very useful. It is not only functional, it also completes an outfit. If you can spare a few bucks and do your budgeting responsibly, a designer handbag can be a form of investment too as long as you stick to the classics. If you visit some designer outlets in some parts of the world, you might get lucky and find your investment bag in outlets at a discounted rate.

On a budget? Fret not. It is possible to find a stylish bag that looks expensive without actually splurging. Forget about those knockoff designer handbags with big logos. Instead, opt for a structured bag. They are chic and timeless. The simple lines and hardware gives the added poise and polish that will complete your look. Use the structured top handle bag in the office and use the cross-body strap for a more casual look on the weekend.

4. Wear Pointed Shoes

Wearing pointed heels or shoes create an elongated effect. It instantly makes your legs longer making you look taller, slimmer and more graceful. They give a sleek, sophisticated and expensive look. It is also easier to dress it up or tone it down. A black pointed heel is a must have in every closet.

Pointed shoes can be paired in almost everything. If you are a woman and you are not fond of wearing heels, fancy flat pointed shoes on formal occasions will do the trick. If you are wearing casual clothing and you want to dress it up a little, pointed shoes will also do the trick.

5.Wear Clothes That Fit You

Fit is the most important aspect of dressing. Well-fitting clothes will complement your body. If you wear something too tight, not only will it make you uncomfortable, it will also make you appear fatter. On the contrary, if you wear something too big or oversized, you tend to be more relaxed. Although it will cover your true body shape, you will end up exhibiting a poor posture. You will come off as sloppy.

Unfortunately, most people buy clothes that don’t fit them, especially if the clothes are on sale. If in case you end up buying one, make sure to visit the tailor first and have it adjusted to your size before you even consider wearing it.

6. Don’t Wear Wrinkled Clothes

Going out looking like you slept in your clothes is a big no, no. If you want to look nice and expensive, you have to make sure that your clothes are properly steamed or pressed. Wearing wrinkled, dirty and sloppy looking clothes gives the impression that you don’t care or you don’t put importance to people that you are meeting. Put it this way, it will turn off prospective clients, your boss or even your date.

Well ironed clothes make them look more expensive than they actually are. Pressing your clothes before going out makes a lot of difference in your overall look.

7.Have a Signature Scent

Have you ever met someone that you are drawn to because they look so elegant and lovely because of their scent? A signature scent is a fragrance of a person that lingers in your memory that it becomes a part of that person’s very essence. Your task is to look for your very own signature scent. The scent need not be expensive. It can be a perfume, a cologne or an eau de toilette. The important thing is that it has to be scent that suits you. It has to be something that you like that will make you feel confident about yourself.

8.Choose the Right Materials

When it comes to clothing materials, choose the ones that are made of natural fabrics like cashmere, cotton, leather, linen, silk and suede. Unfortunately, not all can afford these materials because most of them come with a price tag to match. The good news is that there are some affordable clothing materials out there that look expensive. All you need to do is to look for these fabrics the next time you shop.

9.Add a Statement Piece

A statement piece always works in improving an outfit. You can use a scarf, a belt, necklaces, bracelets or other jewelries. If you have extra cash invest on vintage accessories or a luxury watch. Just choose something that will accentuate your outfit and bring it to life. Just remember not to overdo it.

10. Pay Attention to Small Details

Little things do matter. It is the finishing touches of an outfit that help complete your look. Here are some small details that you should pay attention to that people normally overlook:

Lining should be invisible.
Zippers should not be exposed.
Clothes should be correctly buttoned.
No loose threads on hems.
Threads should be the same colour as fabric.

First Published in Pinoy Smart Living on 01.28.2019.

Feature Image by Pixabay Images

Mar

2021

Things You Can Do Right Now to Reset Your Health

Reading Time: 5 minutes

There are many things that you can do right now to help you reset your health. Keeping our immune system healthy is our first defense from any sickness. Diet and exercise are not the only factor that affect the efficiency of our immune system.

Maintaining our overall health requires us to live a healthy lifestyle. That may sound like a difficult thing to do and it can be overwhelming. So the trick is to start with the small stuff. Check out some of the things you can do right now to start resetting your health.

Boost Your Water

If you’re the type who keeps forgetting to drink their daily recommended water intake of 8 glasses per day, then it’s the first thing you should do upon waking up. For the rest of the day, aim to drink 2-3 liters a day to boost your body’s hydration. Keep a pitcher of water beside you with a glass so you can drink frequently as you work on your desk.

You can also boost your water by adding lemon slices to it. Infuse your water with the flavor of your favorite fruits by adding fruit slices. Of course, you can also drink some hot tea or fresh fruit juices for added health benefits. This is one of the simplest things you can right now to reset your health.

Stay Off Sugar

Sugar is one of the most inflammatory ingredients that you can eat. Try to limit your sugar intake by avoiding sodas, chips and other processed foods. Sugar is in most of the packaged goods that we often buy in supermarkets and groceries so learn to read the labels. If you can’t avoid it, at least choose to get the item with less sugar. This is one of the most effective ways to reset your health. It might be difficult but it will have a major effect once you implement this habit.

Another way to reduce your sugar intake is to reduce carbohydrates, such as rice, pasta, noodles, crackers, cereals, etc. in your diet. These carbohydrates are easily reduced to sugar when processed by your body. Instead, opt for more complex carbohydrates with more nutritional value such as baked or roasted sweet potatoes, nuts, beans, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Eat More Protein

Protein is a more stable energy source that does not cause a spike in your blood sugar levels like sodas can. So try to have a source of protein for each meal throughout the day. More protein in your meal also helps you feel fuller longer so you reduce your hunger pangs. This one of the ways to get optimal nutrition from the food you eat.

Some of the protein-rich food you can add to your diet are beans, legumes, and nuts. You can also keep sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds in your stash so you have some protein to grab when you just want to munch something. Having a bag of these with you while are traveling, also helps you stave off unhealthy sugar cravings. These can also power you up in the meantime ,if you can’t sit down to a full meal yet.

Get More Sunshine

Try to wake up earlier and spend at least 10 minutes outdoors to soak in the warmth of morning sun. We know it gives us Vitamin D but it also helps us calm down and set our mood for the day.

Get your daily dose of sunshine from 6AM to 9AM so you don’t get sunburned. If possible, try to wear clothes that allow you to expose as much of your skin so you can absorb more of it. However, don’t go out in the middle of the day (past 9AM) without any sunscreen as this is not healthy at all. Sunshine is gentler and more beneficial in the early morning hours so aim for that window of time to your daily dose of Vitamin D. This is a habit that you can integrate into your daily routine right away to help your reset your health.

Go For A Stretch

This is best done in the early mornings (and get your sunshine at the same time) or later in the afternoon. Taking a walk or a jog not only helps us stretch some muscles; it’s also a good way to calm down to start our day or to wind down to end our work day.

Walking or jogging can help you fulfill your requirement of at least 10 minutes of exercise daily. If you’re an active exercise, then this can be part of your warm-up or cool down routine. If you can’t go out to do this, then gentle exercise like yoga is a good alternative. You can also try out more active forms of movements that require much equipment such as pilates, barre or HIIT workouts.

Get More Sleep

You can’t wake up early if you can’t sleep properly. It’s important to schedule a time to unplug and wind down after a day’s work. This is signaling your body to prepare for sleep. So turn off your social media apps at least an hour before your sleeping time.

What else can you do to ensure better sleep? Don’t drink water 3 hours before your sleep time so you don’t interrupt your sleep to empty your bladder. Don’t eat foods that are too stimulating so you can fall asleep naturally. Sugar and caffeine are stimulants that you should avoid in the evenings. Also, stretching is a great way to help you normalize your sleep cycle and get a deeper sleep. So do some stretching before bed as well.

Start A Journal

We often think of a journal as a diary of our most private thoughts and secrets and it can be that. But there are some types of journals that we can use to helps us organize our life and maintain our mental and emotional health (read: keep our sanity). All you need is a notebook and a pen to start journaling.

Start a bullet journal to help you schedule your day. Each morning or the night before, sit down and jot down your tasks for the day, for the week even. This way, you can go through your daily tasks with a sense of purpose and not just to get through the day. At the end of the day, you can review what items you have completed. Having a sense of accomplishment is a great way to feel good about your day. Another journal you can do at the end of the day is a gratitude journal. You can do it as a list or write an essay of the things you are grateful for this day. Counting your blessings helps keep you in a positive mindset so you can go to sleep in a lighter mood. Journaling can help you organize your mind right away so you can feel motivated to reset your health and work on your other goals.

Self Care Time

Throughout the day, we may feel the need to take a breather from all our chores and work tasks. Don’t feel guilty about it or think of yourself as selfish for taking some time out to just be alone with your thoughts or to do something on your own. We often forget our own needs and wants to make time for other people. So develop the habit of giving yourself some loving throughout the day.

You can enjoy your favorite food and savor the moment. Be mindful of it’s taste and textures so you can appreciate the moment more. You can give yourself a hand massage and do it slowly; savoring each comforting moment. Sometimes, we just want to sit down and not think of anything. Take 10 minutes to meditate. Just close your eyes and focus on your breathing. If you are doing this at work, set a timer so you don’t end up neglecting your work. If you’re at home, you can take the time to read your favorite book, make some art, indulge in a hobby, water and talk to your plants too.

These are just some of the small things you can do right now to reset your health. Start with one and tailor it to your daily routine. You will find that you feel better as the days go by; not just physically but mentally and emotionally too.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash.

Mar

2021

How to Reset Your Life

Reading Time: 4 minutes

At some point in our lives, we always ask the question: “How can I reset my life?” This feeling of wanting to reset one’s life usually happens when one experiences, or is undergoing, a major life event. Some people may also want to reset their life in order to make a change to their regular routine. Whether you find your life too boring and want it to be more fun; or your current life feels unstable and you want to make changes to find more stability; a life reset is an important process. There are different ways to go about it. Generally, these are the steps on how to reset your life.

1. Make an honest assessment

Before you can move on to the next phase; an honest assessment of your current state of life is very important. This is the time to examine your life, and your life choices, and take a closer look at what the results have been. Where the results bad or unsatisfying? Is your current life comfortable but not fun anymore? Do you want to take on new challenges? Be honest with yourself and don’t think about who or what to blame. Accepting the situation as well as your own faults is the only way you can correct them.

The goal of this assessment is not just to identify the negatives in your self and in your life. It will help you see how and where you can change things. With an honest assessment about your current life situation; you can see more clearly what things you are unsatisfied about. You can determine what decisions you made or did not make, that resulted in the situation you are in right now. This will make it easier to pinpoint where you can start to change things.

2. Envision the change that you want

We used to imagine all kinds of fun and adventures when we were children. Imagining the life you want is an important step in how to reset your life. Just as you were honest in assessing your current life situation; be honest to what you truly want in life. Take the time to think about this and to envision the life that you want. Spend some time in meditation on how you want your new life to be. An important factor you should consider in this step are your thoughts and feelings. Ask yourself: “What thoughts and feelings would the new me have when I am living the life I want?”

Create a vision board or write down your vision for a new life or record yourself as you talk about it. Review your vision board, what you wrote or what you recorded. Try to identify the major keywords you used. List down your goals based on these keywords. Don’t be too strict about it. Focus on your major goals first. Finally, try to summarize your major life goals into a single statement. This will be your vision statement that will regularly remind you of your major life goals.

3. Make your goals SMART

Now that you have your major goals, it’s time to break them down into actionable and measurable steps. Follow the SMART method when doing this. It is important that you break down your major goals into smaller goals to make it easier for you to implement them. Think of your major goals as the destination and smaller goals are what will make up your daily routine. Your daily goals will serve as a checklist that will help you measure your progress towards your major goals.

Having a checklist of smaller goals makes it easier for you to focus on them daily. This makes the process of developing new habits smoother. This also helps prevent decision-fatigue. Decision fatigue happens when you are presented by too many choices. You end up wasting time thinking about what the best choice is. By having a daily routine to follow, you waste less time having to make a choice and gain more time to be productive.

4. Setup your self for success

To make your daily routine even easier to implement, setup your environment so you can focus on accomplishing what you need to do. An organized space helps in maintaining an organized mind. One of the things you can do is to start decluttering your space. Get rid of the things that you are not using anymore. You can also give them away or sell them. Redecorate your space if you have to. Clear away negative energy to freshen your environment. Prepare the things that you will need for your daily goals. For example, prepare your exercise clothes the night before. It will remind you to exercise as soon as you see them when you wake up in the morning. You might consider decluttering your closet as well.

To maximize your productivity, setup your work space so you have all the stuff you need to use without having to waste time looking for them. Be sure to include the things that you love in your spaces but keep them focused on what the purpose of the area or room is. So keep your computer in your workspace and your TV in the living room. Try not to work in your bedroom so you can keep your room a space for relaxing.

5. Stay in a positive mindset

Making any change in life, small or big, always entail challenges. It can be challenging for you personally to start new habits and replace old ones. The process can also be challenging if people around you, or your environment, is not supportive of the changes you want to make. Making change is always a process of trial and error. Don’t be afraid to fail and learn from them instead. By looking at things from a learning perspective, you can keep yourself in a positive mindset.

It is also helpful to keep a gratitude journal so that you can keep track of the positive things that you are experiencing in your daily life. If writing is not your style, just list down at least 3 things that you are grateful for each day. Or just take the time to sit down and say a prayer or meditate on the blessings you experienced for the day. This is one good habit that will definitely be helpful in how to reset your life.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.

Mar

2021

How To Reboot Your Finances

Reading Time: 3 minutes

What stage are you in in your financial life? If you are not happy with where you are right now, the good news is that you can actually reboot your finances once and for all. True, your financial woes will not disappear overnight but it will give you a chance to change your financial future. In the computer world, a reboot means the act of instantly shutting down your computer and restarting right away. The same is true with your finances. You can actually shut it down and restart right away. Don’t wait until next month, next year or when things start going well again. Do it as soon as the clock strikes zero o’clock . So, how to reboot your finances?

1.Abstain from Spending

The first thing to do is halt all spending at once. Unless it is a necessity, stop all unnecessary spending for now. A cup of coffee, a pack of cigarettes or a can of soda may be little expenses but it is actually these kinds of small expenses that is harming your budget. While you are at it, refrain also from using your credit card. Until you have fully understood how credit cards work, it is best to put your card use on hiatus.

Beware of little expenses, a small leak will sink a great ship.
– Benjamin Franklin

2. Track your Spending

The next thing to do is to track your expenses. Why do you need to track your expenses? The main reason why you should write down all your spending is for you to be able to identify where your money is going. Record everything that is going out of your pocket even small ones like a piece of candy, tips or parking fees. Don’t miss anything. Only through knowing will you be able to control your finances and eliminate bad spending habits.

3. Set Financial Goals

Now that you know where you are right now in your finances, the next thing to do is to define where you want to go from here. Thus, it is important to set your financial goals . Identifying your short-term, mid-term and long-term goals are crucial in your journey towards financial freedom. Your goals will help you make better financial decisions in the present. For example, you will not do an impulse buy on a new handbag that you see on the display window of a mall when you have an upcoming spring trip to Japan or New York for example.

4. Follow a Budget Plan

A budget is a financial plan on how you plan to spend your money. Since it allows you to plan your expenditures, following a budget will help you define your limits as far as spending is concerned. A budget will help you know if you can afford something or not. T. Harv Eker, best-selling author of Secrets of the Millionaire Mind introduced the money jar budgeting system. It is a simple money management system that will not only solve your finances but you can actually lead you to wealth accumulation.

A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.
– Dave Ramsey

5. Pay-off Bad Debts

Once you have your budget plan in place, you must first focus on paying off your bad debts. You see, not all debts are created equal. There is such a thing as good debts and bad debts. Good debts are money that you owe that can help you build your wealth over time. A housing loan is considered good debt. Money that you loan to use as capital for your business is also considered good debt. Bad debts on the other hand, drags you down. Examples of bad debts are consumer and credit card debts. Thus, it is important to prioritize paying off bad debts first.

6. Start Investing

Saving money alone is never enough. In order to grow your wealth, you need to learn to invest. As opposed to working for money, investing allows money to work for you. There are so many investment vehicles to choose from depending on your risk tolerance. You can invest in bonds, funds, stocks or stock options. You can also invest in real estate, jewelries, antiques, art pieces, even luxury watches and bags.

7. Raise Your Financial IQ

And last but not the least is you should make an effort to raise your financial intelligence. Financial literacy equips you with the knowledge and skills that you need to be able to manage money effectively. There are many things that you wish you learned in school. Unfortunately, most schools do not teach money management. Thus, it is up to you to fill the gap.

What are you waiting for? Reboot your finances now. Good luck!

Feature Image by Amit Karkare from Pixabay

Mar

2021

Stem Cell: Benefits and Risks

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The use of stem cell in medical treatments and therapies has its benefits and risks. Many of us may have heard of different stem cell treatments in the news. Most of us don’t understand the hype. We are all curious about it because of its potential benefits to addressing major health concerns. Stem cells have great potential in the treatment of various diseases but it also poses certain risks. This field of medicine has also raised many social and ethical concerns.

What are stem cells?

Stem cells are the body’s raw materials. Embryonic stem cells are the cells that divide to form the different types of cells (e.g., heart cells, muscle cells, brain cells, etc.) in our bodies. Some stem cells remain in the bodies of adults. These are stem cells that have already specialised into the different types of cells in the body.

Embryonic Stem Cells

Embryonic stem cells come from eggs that were fertilized at in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics; but never implanted into a woman’s uterus. They are taken from the embryo before birth.

When an embryo is formed; the cells in its early stages of development are stem cells that are undifferentiated. These cells still have the potential to become specialised cells later on. Embryonic stem cells can also be taken from amniotic fluid; and by collecting blood from the umbilical cord when a person is born.

Adult Stem Cells

Stem cells taken from adults are already specialised so they have limited application in medical treatments. If the medical condition concerns a patient’s heart; then only stem cells from the heart can be used in the treatment.

There are also therapeutically-cloned stem cells. This involve using a person’s DNA to clone one of their organs (such as the heart) for use in transplanting a new heart for the patient.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

In this method, scientists alter adult stem cells so they act like an embryonic stem cell. In this way, adult stem cells which are already specialised, can be reprogrammed into other types of body cells (e.g., heart cells can be reprogrammed into lung cells, etc.) eliminating the need for using embryonic cells. This area of research is still undergoing further studies.

Potential Benefits

The hype around stem cell therapies is largely due to its potential in treating various medical conditions. The study of stem cells can help medical researchers and doctors in many ways.

Understand how diseases develop.

Scientists can monitor the development of stem cells into specialised cells. This can provide better understanding of how diseases develop and under what conditions they occur. It can also give clues on how to prevent and treat diseases.

Regenerative medicine.

Stem cells can be programmed to form different specialised cells to regenerate diseased tissue or repair damaged tissues. For example, stem cells can be used in heart transplants without having to wait for a heart donor.

Testing new treatments.

Testing the safety and effectiveness of new medical treatments is a long process. The process also poses a lot of risks for the individuals who participate in the testing. Instead, researchers can use different types of stem cells to test for safety and efficacy. A new drug for treating a nerve disease can be tested on stem cells specialised or programmed as nerve cells.

Potential Risks

Although stem cell therapies look promising; being misinformed or uninformed of their potential risks is dangerous. The stem cell field is still developing. Most stem cell therapies can be labeled as under the research and testing phase. There are also many issues and controversial concerns that add to the hype on this topic.

Clinical Issues.

There are no guarantees as to the success of new stem cell therapies. Most of these therapies are still experiments and do not have established methods or guaranteed results. Aside from this, it is also difficult to find suitable stem cell donors for different patients.

Storing a patient’s embryonic stem cells is also a difficult process. Stem cells stored and cultured have the potential to mutate and cause them to behave like cancer cells. This will make them useless for medical treatment. Cultured stem cells may also get contaminated with viruses which could be transferred to the patient.

Ethical Issues.

Embryonic stem cells come from IVF embryos not implanted in a woman’s uterus. This raises ethical concerns. One question is whether it is right to create embryos for therapy and destroy them in the process. Is it right to view embryos as commodities instead of a potential human being? There is also the question of when does an embryo become treated as a person; and not just a source of stem cells.

Social Issues.

Educating the public about stem cells, its potentials and risks are a major concern in the field. Commercial clinics carry out most of the research in this field. Therefore, the medical community cannot validate their results. Thus, they can abuse the results of their research. They can fool patients into paying for expensive treatments that claim desirable results.

Be safe and informed

As mentioned above, stem cell treatments has its benefits and risks. As the field of stem cell research is quite new; it is safer not to rush into any treatments that claim to treat or cure certain medical conditions. Luckily, different countries have imposed stringent regulations governing this field of research. This should help you decide if you are ready to take on stem cell therapy and its benefits as well as handle the risks involved.
If you are looking into stem cell treatment offered in different countries; it is best to consult the regulations they have in that country. If you feel that the regulations are not reliable, then it is better to look somewhere else.

Still, prevention is better than cure. A well-balanced life, an attitude of gratitude, a positive mindset, having fun, loving oneself, and not taking life too seriously are just some of the best ways to keep ourselves healthy and happy.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Louis Reed on Unsplash.

Mar

2021

How to Find a New Hobby

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Are you thinking of how to find a new hobby? Maybe you already have one but you want to try something different. Here are some ways to discover, or rediscover, a new hobby to indulge in. Hobbies not only help you combat boredom; they are also a fun way to help you focus on your goals. Plus, they can help you unleash your genius.

Go back to your childhood

What hobbies did you have before you started working? What activities did you enjoy most during school activities? Go back down memory lane and list down the things that you enjoyed doing then. You might recall a particular hobby that you were fond of. In fact, you might remember that you still have your tools or materials. If this is you, then you can easily take up that hobby again.

Take a self assessment

Your interests might have changed and you may no longer be interested in pursuing the same things you did when you were younger. Take a self-assessment. Make a list of the topics you like talking about with friends and family. Write down the activities that you enjoy doing on your own or with other people. From this list, review each item and cross-out those that you don’t really want to try out again. Whatever is left should be the things you can pursue as a hobby.

Ask your friends

If you want a new perspective and learn more about yourself in the process; then get together with a group of friends (or talk to them individually), or have your friends make suggestions. Ask them what hobbies they think you should have based on how they know you. You might be surprised by their suggestions, and even more surprised by how your friends see and think of you. This is a quick and easy way to find a new hobby.

Try out new things

Finding a new hobby can be an adventure in itself. If you don’t want to write down lists, go down memory lane or call up your friends; then why not start trying out new things? There’s tons of tutorials for various DIY projects online. You only need to choose one and see if you enjoy it. If not, move on to the next until you find one that you want to stick with. This is definitely a fun way to find out a new hobby for yourself.

Transform what you do

Perhaps you don’t really have time to indulge in a hobby. In this case, why not make a hobby of what you already do? Yes, you are doing what you do to earn an income but you can start enjoying it even more if you think of it as a game. Try challenging yourself and giving your self a reward for accomplishing the challenge. Wouldn’t that make work as fun as pursuing a hobby? Just make sure the rewards you give yourself are helpful instead of distracting you from work.

These are jus some of the ways you can discover a new hobby that you can enjoy. Having a hobby helps you to find joy even during tough times. It lets you breath and re-energize yourself so you can take on more of what life has to offer. What other tips do you have for finding a new hobby?

Feature Image: Original Image by press ? and ⭐ from Pixabay.