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The beginning stage of any relationship is characterized by rainbows, butterflies, and a teeny bit of anxiety. After seeing each other for a while, the butterflies should subside, but your anxiety might not completely go away. It’s easy to worry about reciprocated feelings and the future of the relationship, but if these worries are outweighing the positives of your relationship, you may be experiencing relationship anxiety. Relationships anxiety is a general term for feelings of insecurity when things are going well. These feelings are often unfounded and more related to personal things like low self-esteem, mismatched attachment style, or past relationship trauma.

Here are some of the most common signs of relationship anxiety (and how to cope with them!):

• If you’re wondering if you matter:

If things are going well in your relationship, and your partner is paying attention to your needs and prioritizing you and your time, then you do not need to worry about whether or not you matter to your partner. This might be a sign of low self-esteem. Coping with this can be hard, especially because these feelings are fairly unrelated to your relationship. But, addressing your self-esteem issues can help you feel more confident about yourself and your relationship.

• If you’re questioning your partner’s feelings:

After the beginning stages of a relationship, you shouldn’t doubt your partner’s feelings. They have committed to being in a relationship and are clearly interested in you. Rather than question their feelings, try to take the relationship itself as a testament to their emotions and consider all of their actions as proof that they have feelings for you.

• If you’re avoiding relationship milestones:

Relationship anxiety is often linked to fear of rejection. This fear can cause you to avoid important relationship steps, like having sex, saying ‘I love you’, introducing your partner to friends and family, or meeting your partner’s friends and family in order to avoid rejection altogether. To cope with this anxiety, try to Relish in your evolving relationship and look forward to these milestones as testaments to the strength of your relationship.

• If you’re overanalyzing their character:

If you find yourself obsessing over little things your partner is doing, and reading too much into them, the best way to cope is to ask them if everything is alright. Bringing up a specific incident that is causing your anxiety and sharing how you interpreted it can help you and your partner navigate similar situations moving forward.

For one to start writing a good essay, one needs to follow the following steps.

When one starts a writing career, one needs to know that it is equally frustrating and encouraging. Adventuring new areas and hobbies is tedious. Going through various writing types and getting that one that you are good at is very important for a writer who is just starting.

According to writemyessay.today, to become a good writer, you should know the types of writing that you can adventure on. Below are some of the writings that you can explore.

Essays. Essays are usually short and are non-fictional. Essays are used when going through someone’s experience or addressing a certain topic that is at hand. Writers can publish in various places and various kinds of publications.

Essays are a good place for writers who are starting.

Blogs. These kinds of writers almost look like essays. They contain posts that are almost similar to essays. The difference is that the blog format permits the bloggers to use informal language. Blogs are briefer than essays.

There are various formats for publishing blogs, i.e., WordPress.

Poetry. This kind of writing is perfect for an emotionally driven writer. A lot of non-fictional and traditional fiction writers like to use poetry.

Novella or short stories. This type of writing is also a good starting point for new writers. It has a suitable format that new writers can use when starting their careers.

Unlike traditional novels, short stories have a lower word count. It offers a good platform for new writers to learn how to write in a fiction way.

How to choose a topic

There are also very many ways in which one can think of what to write about.

The way one will select the topic will depend on the writing he is doing.

But these are three tips that one can consider when choosing the right topic for their writing.

Story. To write something that attracts the audience, one needs to make sure that he brings up a compelling character. Whether the story will be non-fictional or fictional, try to think of as many storylines as you can and select the storyline that is more pleasing a d attractive to you. Ask yourself, “what will keep my reader engaged when he reads my story?”

Personal experience. Another way in which one can come up with a storyline is through a unique experience. One’s brain can provide one with memories that he can use to write his story.

Issues. It is one way that one can come up with non-fictional stories. One can do this by examining the community and finding a problem.

One can talk about the causes of the problem, its effects, and how to solve such a problem.

This tip not just goes to the beginner’s writers but also the advanced writers.

How to write better

There are ways in which one can use to become an advanced writer. But moving from a novice to an advanced does not just happen in a click. It is a long process, and one has to have determination when treading that path.

Below are a few tips that one can use.

Read. It is an essential tip of being an advanced writer. A writer needs to read other writer’s work to find new ideas and improve on their work.

Conclusion.

Becoming a good writer involves hard work and perseverance.

If you’re interested in adding a small to medium sized dog to your household and would love to learn about some of the different dog breeds which may suit your home and lifestyle, you’ve come to the right place. Simply continue reading to discover valuable information about some of the most popular small to medium sized dogs.

Small to Medium Dog Breeds:

Chihuahuas:

Chihuahuas usually weigh less than 6 pounds and the average Chihuahua is 6 inches tall. While Chihuahuas are small in stature they have big personalities and are a joy to be around. As Chihuahuas are so petite, they should be housed in homes without small children, who may not realize their strength and may rough house a Chihuahua with too much energy. Chihuahuas either have long coats or short coats and short coat Chihuahuas are an ideal choice for those who are looking for a low maintenance dog.

Brussels Griffons:

Brussels Griffons weigh between 5 pounds and 15 pounds and typically stand 9 to 11 inches tall. Brussels Griffons are known for their cute bearded faces and their large, expressive eyes. Brussels Griffons come in a variety of colors. Some examples of which include brown, black and tan. One of the advantages to adopting a Brussels Griffons is that they are intelligent and relatively easy to train. Due to their small frames it’s a great idea to supervise young children around Brussels Griffons.

Boston Terriers:

Boston Terriers are instantly recognizable due to their black and white tuxedo coats, large ears and eyes. They typically weigh between 9.9 pounds and 24 pounds and stand around 15 to 17 inches tall. Boston Terriers are one of the friendliest dog breeds in the world and get along with other animals as well as human beings. Lastly, Boston Terriers are relatively low maintenance and only require twice weekly brushing and one brisk walk per day. Check out this site to learn more about the the breed.

Pomeranians:

Pomeranians are a small dog breed which are usually 6 to 7 inches tall and weigh 3 to 7 pounds. Pomeranians have fluffy coats and small cute faces. Pomeranians are known for being exceptionally intelligent and are easy to train. Pomeranians also make great compassions as they bond easily with their owners and are loyal and love to watch over their human family members. If you adopt a Pomeranians

Yorkshire Terriers:

Yorkshire Terriers weigh up to 7 pounds and are typically 8 to 9 inches tall. While Yorkshire Terriers are a small, toy dog breed, they behave like larger breeds and are boisterous and full of energy. Yorkshire Terriers also have a keen sense of adventure and love exploring beaches and forest trails. As Yorkshire Terriers are naturally alert, they also make exceptional guard dogs. As they’ll instantly start barking if they hear a potential intruder trying to break into their family’s home.

So if you’re interested in adding a small to medium sized dog to your family, it’s well worth considering adopting one of the popular small to medium sized dog breeds which are listed above! To read more on topics like this, check out the blog category.

Many of us are feeling overwhelmed with too much to do, and too little time to do it all. It’s hard to start and keep up with healthy habits in the middle of a hectic schedule. You know that the better you eat, the healthier you feel. But what about when your daily routine leaves you little time to plan and prepare healthy meals?

These five simple health management tips for busy people can help make it easier to eat well and stay good all day long.

Start your day with exercise

People who exercise are naturally healthier than their sedentary counterparts. However, many people feel the need for a healthier diet and/or a weight loss programme in order to achieve an ideal body shape. The secret of weight loss is not necessarily found in consuming less but rather in burning more calories. Starting your day with exercise is one of the easiest ways to maintain your wellness.

Make sleep a top priority

Nobody has time to feel tired. However, many people neglect something that is essential for their health and wellbeing: getting enough sleep. Sleeping is important not only in terms of health but also for your career success and achieving personal goals and dreams.

Learning to manage your time more effectively will help you sleep better at night. Getting enough sleep supports a healthy immune system, reduces stress levels and memory loss, improves mood and reaction times, and helps you live a longer life.

A balanced diet

It is important to find the right balance between feeling hungry and feeling full. In fact, many people do not realise they are hungry until they feel sick. So, it is important to pay attention to your “food feelings.” When you feel hungry, try to focus on what foods look appetising and nutritious. Eating healthy foods can help you be more energised so that you can stay productive throughout the day.

Prep your meals the smart way

Do you have a tough time fitting meals into your busy schedule? Unfortunately, the solution to this problem usually means eating fast food, pre-packaged snacks or “homemade” frozen entrees. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The solution lies in meal prep.

You can still live by your busy schedule while enjoying delicious, home-cooked meals. Although time-consuming in the short term, this strategy saves time and money in the long run, improves overall health and is oh-so-satisfying and rewarding.

Avoid sitting for too long

The amount of time you sit is associated with a higher risk of chronic disease. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to many chronic health risks, including heart disease, diabetes and even cancer. While we are not designed to sit all day in immobile positions, modern technology has only made this worse. Our bodies become stiff and sore as a result of this bad posture.

Don’t be afraid to get help

As a busy person, you may feel overwhelmed with all the other aspects of your life and not think about taking care of yourself. Take this opportunity to evaluate where you are today with your health and wellness. If you found any areas that need improvement, take charge right now.

For those who are to bust to fit appointments into a busy working week – consider making an online GP appointment to discuss a plan of action with your GP at a time that suits you via video or by phone, any time of the day or night. Your GP can help you formulate a plan of action that will help you achieve your health and wellbeing goals as well as tackle any health issues that might be causing you problems, too.

Conclusion

Health doesn’t magically improve overnight; it is a process. Start small by adding little changes and build success into your daily routine. It takes 21-30 days to start a new behaviour, so be patient, but remember to be consistent. You don’t need special equipment, clothes, or a fitness club membership to be physically active to improve your wellbeing. Soon enough, you will have established good habits that make living a healthier life much easier.

Amazon is one of the biggest companies in the entire world. It is there because of the different people who have contributed their skills to see it grow. When a company can connect people, there is no doubt that it will grow to greater heights. No organization can top the list by having the same culture throughout the years. Cultures need to change things to work better. You cannot transform the cultures once. It is a process. When there are new cultures, people have to master then start applying them slowly. It is not easy to change the cultures of a company. It mostly depends on the workers in the company. Things can be easy only if the company members are team players and are ready to grow. If you want to get personal leadership paper, visit ewritingservice.com.

Transformation Takes Time

There is no way a transformation can happen after a day or night. There is no way people can change their behaviors as fast as you think. It takes so much time for things to change. Trying to change your workers requires you to understand that it will take longer than you think. If you want the results, you will have to be patient. It is difficult to change the culture of a company, but it is not impossible. If you want your employees to do certain things, you will have to lead by example. Do it repeatedly, and they will have no option than to follow your lead. People should know that whatever they do or say affects the company in one way or another. Most HR leaders are not confident enough to say that their workers know their cultures.

Employee Value Proposition

It is what the worker values about working in the organization. One can know the EVP by doing thorough research, not the ones done by HR. Whatever your workers appreciate and their efforts into building their brands is all in the EVP.

Employer Brand

The brand of your employer is what will make people know you. You will have to do everything you can to make it stand out always. The moment you have a perfect EVP, you are on the safest side. To have a brand that makes people want to work with you is not a joke. When your EVP is healthy, then be sure that your brand will be fire. When you learn and know what motivates all your employees, you will empower them to push harder and do great things. You will have nothing to complain about because you will only be getting positive results. When you are working with people, you have to think about the first, then you follow.

Ways of Changing Work Culture

Understanding the Motivational Theory

 

There is no way you can motivate people when treating them poorly. You have to congratulate your workers whenever they achieve something. It does matter if it is big or small; show them that you are happy with their hard work and achievements. When you take the correct path of motivating your employees, you will never regret it. Show them that they matter and you care about the opinions. When you have a close relationship with them, they will try as much as they can to let you down.

At some point of each employee’s working journey, they may need to undertake a form of workplace training. A lot of companies require onboarding training to be completed as part of an individual’s first steps into life at that company. In addition to this, as their role develops, it may become necessary for an employee to further their education. This may also be the case should you change any workplace systems and processes. A team whose managerial staff or company owner values their knowledge within employment may be more motivated, as they will be equipped with the necessary tools to carry out their role quickly and effectively.

Integrated Solutions

Using integrated LMS solutions for HR, and your other employees as a whole, can really help to make workplace training easier. This means that their necessary training can potentially be carried out on the same system that they use to book any holiday dates off of work, or update their personal details. Due to this, there is a high chance that your employee will already have the knowledge needed to navigate this training, removing a potential block from their learning.

Some integrated LMS solutions not only allow for essential training to be scheduled, but may also allow them to search through all training available on the platform, which can allow them to build upon their workplace skills. For employees who work quicker than others, or during quiet periods, this additional training could then be used to enhance knowledge and reduce boredom during their designated working hours.

Outsourcing Training

Some types of training may not be available internally at work. For these to be given, you may need to source a registered training provider elsewhere. One instance where this may be the case would be in relation to practical first aid training. Depending on the nature of your business, budget, and number of employees who need to receive the training, you may be able to find different packages available that suit you. Where your company involves dealing with children, you may also wish to book employees onto specific child-related courses, as the procedures here may differ from that of other adults.

Travel Arrangements

While you may be able to fulfil some training requirements within your workplace, whether online or by having a provider come to you, not all forms of training can be accomplished this way. In some instances, it may be necessary for your employee to travel to a training provider’s location. If this is to occur, it may be down to you to ensure that their travel and accommodation is covered. Thankfully, as long as you keep records of these occurrences, you should be able to claim the costs back within your yearly tax return, which can be incredibly helpful if multiple employees require training throughout the year.

Promoting training for your employees can help you to have a more informed workforce, while allowing them to build upon their existing skills. In addition to this, employees who feel like they have the means of progressing in their career may find more satisfaction within their role as a whole.

With so much going on in our lives, it’s quite common for people to feel a rollercoaster of emotions. All of this results in changing moods and temperaments. While these changing moods are quite stable for most people, others can quickly shift from happy to depressed in a fraction of minutes.

This is why the number of mental health disorders is picking up at a faster rate. In fact, the following statistics might alarm you even more.

• As per various research studies and surveys, mental health disorders are among the primary reasons for causing disability, such as depression, manic depression, schizophrenia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
• More than 20% of Americans (18 years and older) have a mental disorder in any given year. That accounts for around 1 in every 4 adults.

The statistics alone are enough to imply the importance of tracking mood, especially when undertaking a therapy session to manage a mental health condition. But monitoring mood changes can be very challenging manually. Right? But thanks to technological advances, we have a plethora of software solutions that are helping people to track their emotional rhythms regularly.

To those who are still new to the concept of digital mood tracking, here are some of the ways it’s helping thousands of people out there.

Helps identify Mood Patterns

From paper-based logs to digital trackers, the world gradually shifted to digital transformation. Once you start using these mood trackers, you can get an idea of all the moods and changes you felt during the day. You will be able to decode the changes in your mood from excited, hopeful, to frustrated and bad. All of this helps you spot the trends or triggers and track the progress of your mental health.

Remember, your feelings are a byproduct of internal and external factors. It could be anything from the following:

• The amount of sleep you get
• The environment
• Your interpersonal relationships
• Your food
• The amount of physical activity
• Your health
• Your hormonal changes

And a mood tracker allows you to decode what’s causing your mood changes quite quickly. That way, you can easily incorporate healthy ways to take off that extra stress from your life.

Allows You to Incorporate Solutions When Necessary

When you realize about the mood you are in, you can prevent going to any extreme. So, you are always in the driver’s seat. So, you can avoid your emotions taking control instead.

For instance, if you are feeling happy, you will allow yourself to enjoy that moment. And if you are feeling anxious, you’ll do everything possible to manage your life stressors. Like you’ll sit back and evaluate what’s causing the change. Will adding any sort of physical activity help you get better? Or Will taking part in meditation can help you manage stress?

So, if at all the stressors go beyond your control, you won’t feel perplexed. Instead, you’ll take a moment to acknowledge it and move on in a positive direction.

Helps to Decode Red Flags

Mental health improvement is nothing like a physical health condition. You might feel a lot better initially, but it won’t be a linear journey. You will still have your ups and downs. With the help of digital mood trackers, you can track your mood changes and progress. This allows you to take cues as to what is hampering your mental peace. For instance, it might help you notice that you feel emotional or fragile when you are not continuing your regular physical activity.

Without mood tracking, you can’t get hold of such information. Plus, you won’t be able to track all the progress you made. It will help you find your string of bad times and help you evaluate whether you need any professional help or support.

Now that you understand the importance of mood tracking for self-regulation let’s get information about the popular digital trackers that come in handy.

Record Your Emotional Changes Online With Mood Tracker

Logging your mood history using paper and pen might not be feasible. But digital trackers will allow you to write about the changes you experienced during a day and help you track medication intake and physical activity. You can also set reminders for the same.

The idea is to give comfort in every way and allow you to share your charts online, especially if you are taking some professional help. That way, they can monitor your progress easily and prepare your wellness goals accordingly. Not only that, the application has an in-built forum that will help you talk about your issues with the people facing similar problems.

Decode Your Emotions With Daylio

This is an award-winning iOS application that helps people who can’t find time to log in their mood changes daily. With this, you can get things done with two clicks. All you need is to write about your current mood for the activity you are doing at that particular time.

By doing that, you’ll feed the app some information that it will evaluate and provide you with accurate enough charts to make informed decisions for making the right progress.

Use Emoticons to Portray What You Feel Exactly With Moodily

This is yet another option that allows you to write information regarding your mood when doing a particular task. But the best part of using this app is that it comes with 15 different emojis. So, you can practically insert the emoji that’s similar to what you’re feeling at a given moment. It will act as your daily calendar. Also, it’s widely accessible for both Android and iOS users.

Wrapping Up

We are living in an age where avoiding a stressful life is next to impossible. However, many individuals are efficiently managing all these alterations. But, a few others are unable to control the mood changes the way it is supposed to be for a variety of reasons. In such a case, one needs to take some time to analyze what’s triggering such emotional upheavals.

That’s where digital mood trackers come into the picture. They are not only helping to replace conventional mood diaries, but they are also assisting individuals in tracking changes in their everyday life and what’s causing the mood changes.

Not only that, it will allow you to evaluate whether or not you require professional help. So, are you using a mood tracker? If not, what’s stopping you?

Author bio-

Ivar Samson is the head of technology and leads the editorial team at Outreach Monks for the past 2 years. His expertise includes IoT and internet devices along with industrial technologies.

There are instances when you would see some items online that you want to purchase but you are not sure how you are going to get them to arrive safely at home. Some people seem to sell their items but after you pay them, some of them may not be able to give you the items that you have purchased. You need to be familiar with the different ways that you can get your items shipped to you. It is best to know the right tips to follow. It will improve how easy it will be for you to receive your items.

Choose Websites Where Buyer and Seller Protections are in Place

There are some websites that are considered to be safer as compared to others. Some websites will allow buyers and sellers to follow a certain process before they can start getting the right items. Some of the things that you can do are the following:

• Conduct your own background check regarding the website where you would like to purchase second−hand items.
• Check if the website will make an effort to legitimize the items that are being sold before they will be open for bidders or for buyers.
• Find websites that will make sure that they have some fraud protection protocols in place.

It will also help if you would only purchase goods that come with the pictures of the products that you want. If they would only show a random picture that you can find on search engine sites, search elsewhere.

Choose A Trusted Courier

There are some buyers that will require you to set up how you will get your items. For example, if you would like to get the item immediately, you can look for the courier that will be responsible for picking up and shipping the item. There are different couriers that people trust more depending on the area. For example, there are some couriers that are more reliable in certain areas.

There are also some couriers that will drop off their items in certain pick−up spots. This is going to be more ideal for you if you do not want to give your address. You just need to get the items from the pick-up spot after you have paid for it. You can learn more information from the different couriers that you want to contact for this. If you are shipping big items, you can check out LTL Freight for more details.

Do Not Ignore Red Flags

When you are communicating with the sellers, you may notice a few things that will alert you that the item may be a scam. If the seller tells you anything that you do not consider ordinary, take note. You know that you have to be safe. You want to make sure that the item that you are going to purchase will arrive safely at your doorstep. If a seller also tries to sell outside the app, this is another red flag that you cannot ignore. Doing this will make you less protected from what the “seller” may be trying to do.

 

At this point in your college career, you’re probably no stranger to making important life decisions. From declaring a major to figuring out how to choose a career, you’ve made several big commitments that are going to shape your life and career path after college. (No big deal or anything, right?) But there might be one more key decision you need to make: deciding where to move after you graduate.

While some students are fortunate to have a job lined up after college, others aren’t so lucky. Or maybe they are lucky in a way. After all, the world is your oyster when you aren’t tied down by an irresistible job offer.

If you don’t have a job lined up, consider relocating to one of the following metro areas. We based our picks on factors such as cost of living, the number of job opportunities, and average salaries. And, of course, social activities for when things return to normal.

• Austin, Texas

Source: f11photo/Shutterstock

Live music, incredible food, plentiful career opportunities — Austin clearly isn’t a tough sell for many college grads. Young professionals have been flocking to the city for years, thanks to low housing costs, strong job growth, and a thriving nightlife. Once a sleepy college town, the capital of Texas has become a vibrant city that is now home to several major tech firms, including Oracle Corporation, the company that recently won its bid for U.S. operations of TikTok. Other major industries in the “The Violet City” include advanced manufacturing, space technology, life sciences, and financial services.

• San Jose, California

If you’re currently mapping out a career path in the tech industry, there’s a good chance that Silicon Valley is high on your list of dream places to work. In that case, why not put San Jose on your list of potential new hometowns? Known as “the Capital of Silicon Valley,” San Jose boasts a large number of high-tech companies, including big names like Apple, Adobe, Cisco Systems, eBay, Hewlett Packard, and Microsoft. The cost of living is also significantly lower in San Jose compared to San Francisco, so you’ll get more bang for your buck there as a recent college grad (that, and a lot more parking space). After work, head to downtown San Jose to catch a Sharks game (NHL) at the SAP Center or check out contemporary art at the San Jose Museum of Art.

• Des Moines, Iowa

Des Moines is such an underrated city for college graduates. This city is super affordable compared to other metros, with a cost of living that is 10 percent under the national average, and has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation (pre-pandemic). Des Moines is home to numerous major companies like Principal Financial and Meredith Corporation, which means plenty of job opportunities for those who are just starting their careers. And if all that weren’t attractive enough for college graduates, Des Moines has tons of breweries, restaurants, festivals, and fun events that largely cater to the 25-and-under-crowd.

• Denver, Colorado

Source: Creative Family/Shutterstock

Once a rough-and-tumble mining town, Denver has come a long way since its Gold Rush days. Today, the Denver metro area is a cultural hotbed with the second-highest educated population in America. The Mile High City, so nicknamed for being exactly 5,280 feet above sea level, boasts an incredibly diverse economy, with major industries like aerospace, telecommunications, financial services, and biosciences driving the region’s economy.

Recent college grads make an average of $53,010 per year, beating out other metros like Atlanta and Dallas, and you could save even more money on gas by taking advantage of Denver’s extremely walkable layout. Be sure to use some of your paycheck to buy a nice pair of sunglasses — Denver is one of the sunniest cities in the United States, with over 300 days of sunshine each year!

• Phoenix, Arizona

Need a respite from the cold? Pack your bags and move to Phoenix – aka, the Valley of the Sun. In addition to its warm weather, the capital city of Arizona boasts a low cost of living (seven percent under the national average), with the median around $1K per month. Phoenix also offers various transportation options for young professionals, including a light-rail service and bike-sharing programs that make it easy for new grads to get around without a vehicle. If you’re a sports fan, you’ll enjoy catching a Phoenix Suns or Arizona Cardinals game in your spare time.

• Salt Lake City, Utah

Source: f11photo/Shutterstock

The Beehive State boasts an active nightlife, great public transit, affordable housing, and high bike-ability. Salt Lake City also has a strong job market due to its recent tech explosion. Some of the highest-paying careers in SLC are in the data science, programming, and healthcare industries. On top of all that, Salt Lake City is an outdoor lover’s dream. Thanks to its amazing weather, you’ll have plenty of sunny days to hike, bike, and mountaineer.

• Orlando, Florida

With great weather, beautiful beaches, and amusement parks galore, Orlando is essentially a young person’s paradise. Not only does the city have lots of entry-level jobs for recent college grads, it’s also smaller than Miami or Jacksonville, making it easier to connect with professionals in your industry. And speaking of industries, entertainment and tourism aren’t the only key players in Orlando’s economy. Aerospace, aviation, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and biotech also have a strong presence in the city.

If you’re like the thousands of other Americans who were laid off due to COVID-19, you’ve probably been bored out of your mind for several months. If you’re a smoker, this inevitably means that you’re falling into your habit and likely experiencing some difficulty in quitting. After all, when you’re bored, what else is there to do but light one up?

The problem with that is…well, you’re smoking. Smoking isn’t just terrible for your body, it’s also bad for your mental health, your finances, and even your home/vehicle. Let’s take a closer look at a few things you can do instead of smoking. When you feel the cravings coming on, reach for one of these five activities instead.

1. Take A Walk

You’ve sat in the house for long enough, and you’re starting to become a little too friendly with your walls. It’s time to get out and take a walk. You don’t even have to get close to anyone to do so. Visit a local trail, walk around your neighborhood, or just walk around the yard; anything to get your body moving, your blood pumping, and your brain churning.

It’s all too easy to sit on the couch and watch TV and smoke while you eat pizza, but once you’ve packed on the “Quarantine 15”, you’ll wish you hadn’t. Taking a walk gets the blood flowing to your limbs, your brain, and other major organs, which you desperately need if you’re a smoker.

Smoking inhibits not only the body’s ability to breathe in precious life-giving oxygen, but it also compromises your heart’s functionality—increasing blood pressure and putting more stress on cardiac muscles. You must get up and move around, especially when cravings strike.

2. Reach For Something Other Than A Cigarette

Sometimes, the best path to leaving nicotine behind forever is simply to ween yourself off of it and cigarettes slowly. You don’t have to cut out nicotine completely at first. Instead, you can opt for products like tobaccoless chew from Black Buffalo or even Nicorette Gum.

Nicotine addiction is a difficult habit to break. The brain becomes chemically dependent on nicotine, and tobacco companies count on this fact—it’s what keeps you a customer for life, in some cases. Breaking the addiction is a major feat, and only a small percentage of smokers ever manage to do it. In fact, more than half of all smokers admit to trying to quit at least once, but the success range falls somewhere between 6 and 15%.

Don’t feel bad if you can’t force yourself off of nicotine all in one go. That’s a nearly impossible feat to ask of yourself. Start by using less, and not getting your nicotine from cigarettes.

3. Write

Writing can be such an amazing vice for stress, pain, anxiety, and so much more. You don’t even have to write anything in particular at first, just whatever comes to mind. If you feel like journaling, do so; if you feel like creating the next Lord of the Rings, go for it! The possibilities are endless when you pick up a pen or open a Word Document.

Writing has plenty of applications in therapeutic settings, and smoking (and addiction in general) is often linked to some form of unaddressed trauma. Smoking starts out as a way to combat anxiety and pain associated with traumatic events, but quickly evolves into the source of anxiety. Combined with addictive properties, the victim becomes helplessly enslaved to the very thing that’s keeping them anxious.

Writing can help unravel trauma and open up new pathways to recovery. It can help you put nicotine down for good, as well. Give it a try! You don’t need a fancy notebook or laptop; you can write on anything, anywhere.

4. Play An Instrument

Playing a musical instrument has proven therapeutic effects on the human brain. Learning an instrument may even help with such conditions as depression. Maybe you’ve always admired the smooth, classy sound of a cello, or the piping melodies of a brass instrument. Perhaps the guitar has always appealed to the rockstar in your soul, or the piano to the Bach in all of us. Whatever the case, taking up an instrument can help cure your boredom and potentially address your addiction as well.

You’ll notice you feel much calmer when you’re playing an instrument. Your hands and your brain are both fully concentrated on what you’re doing, and your progress will help improve your self-esteem. Focus on learning new things and don’t get stagnant. If you’ve learned basic chords and notes, it’s time to move onto something more challenging to keep your interest.

5. Get Support

Naturally, this last tip is easier to do when we’re not under COVID-19 restrictions, but it still applies. Getting support from a trusted friend or family member when cravings strike can help you say no. You’ll get to catch up with your loved one, have an engaging conversation, and calm the anxiety caused by your withdrawal. Withdrawal symptoms can be incredibly unpleasant, and no one should have to face such a journey alone.