Drinking Water Helps Your Body In Many Ways

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Water is the most beneficial thing that is so easy and so free and yet so easily overlooked. Our bodies are made up of about 70% water and our brains, a whooping 90%. If most of what we are is water then it’s completely obvious that it is vital to our functioning. To be reminded how necessary water is so that you can do your best to consume it, here are some points:

Brain juice

Drinking water increase the brain’s temperature and washes away toxins and dead cells. It enables cells and chemical processes that regulate stress and anxiety to function properly. Our brains are the first to feel the effect of dehydration and this is manifested as poor concentration and light-headedness. It is also harder to memorize and recall things when poorly hydrated. Dehydration has also been found to trigger headaches and migraines in some individuals.

Weight loss

Most of us are interested in dropping some pounds and drinking enough water is key to the process. Water removes by-products of fat, reduces food craving. It increases your metabolic rate which means faster burning of calories. While it can create the filled-up feeling, it has zero calories!

Skincare

We spend a bunch on moisturizers but moisturizing is not just a surface phenomenon. Drinking water keeps your skin supple, silky and glowing from within. Another great way of using water in your skin care is not wiping off after a shower then applying your moisturizer. This seals in the water while your skin absorbs it.

Immune system boost

A person who is big on drinking water is not as likely to fall ill as one who isn’t, all things considered. Because water gets rid of harmful chemicals called free radicals which are by products of your body’s metabolism, it keeps you in tip-top shape.

Keeps your bowel moving

Since constipation is linked to dehydration in the colon, you need to ensure you consume lots of water. When your body is properly hydrated, less water will be reabsorbed from the colon and this will keep your stool soft and easy to evacuate.

Temperature regulation

Water is stored in the middle layer of the skin which is known as the dermis and this comes to the skin surface as sweat when the body heats up. While it evaporates, it cools the body down. Scientists have observed that when there is too little water in the body, heat storage increase and one’s ability to tolerate heat strain dips.

Prevents kidney damage

The kidneys are two bean-shaped organs in the abdomen that regulate fluid in the body. Insufficient water can cause a build up of calcium in the kidneys and lead to kidney stones and other problems. Without our kidneys functioning properly, they’ll be a build up of toxins in our bodies which is very dangerous.

Prevents hangovers

Most of us are aware of that unpleasant feeling that comes the morning after a night of going wild on alcohol. Alcohol makes you lose more water when you take it and lead to dehydration. A great way to reduce hangovers is to drink a glass of water between drinks.

 

Article by Vital Guidance

Strategies For Resolving Conflicts Foster Growth

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If there is human interaction, conflict shall eventually come up. It is an inevitable part of life that arises due to the clashing of different ideas, goals and needs. Conflict can be mild or it can result in intense personal animosity and stand in the way of productivity and everyone’s well-being. The fact that conflict exist is not really a negative thing because when it is resolved effectively, you can get rid off the problems that brought it to the surface and in the long run, foster better growth in different spheres.

Since effective conflict resolution appears to be an important assert to having a good social life, you have to learn some of the strategies to implement.

Lay out ground rules

You can reduce the frequency of potential problems by informing members of the household or workplace by making it clear each person’s boundaries. If you give people the room to define what is and isn’t appropriate, they will.

Don’t ignore conflict

Personality plays a vital role in how we tackle conflict and some people are not big on confrontation. In minor problems, it might be best to ignore the issue and it fades away on its own but you will be able to sense an uneasiness build when this is not sufficient. The resentment and contempt that builds when you avoid attacking an issue head-on can cause severe damage to relationships.

Use compliments

When addressing a problem, it’s best not to jump right into it with an accusatory tone because this will put the party on the defensive. You have to be willing to listen to the person’s perspective and the only way the person will openly communicate is if they feel comfortable. You can achieve this by complimenting them. You want to demonstrate that there is no hero or villain, you are attacking the problem not the person.

Emotional awareness

You have to be conscious of your moment-to-moment emotional experience and be on the lookout for that of others. Emotional awareness allows you to understand what is really disturbing others and to understand your issues and reactions. It allows you to communicate clearly and effectively and you will find that you’re are more able to influence others.

Be forgiving

If you are unwilling or unable to forgive others, resolving conflict will be impossible. Resolution lies in releasing the urge to punish which will only serve to drain you. It is vital to know when to let something go. If a conflict is going nowhere, you can choose to disengage and move on.

Mediation

In some cases, you can involve a trained, neutral third party to help come to a consensus. Instead of imposing a solution, a professional mediator encourages disputing parties to explore the reason behind their clash. Through guidance of opposing parties together and separately, seek to discover a resolution that is sustainable and voluntary for everyone.

Act decisively

Once a solution has been agreed upon, don’t wait and leave the team lingering. Ensure it is implemented immediately before minds change and you return to square one.

 

Article by Vital Guidance

Toys That Aid Learning & Creativity In Kids

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Chances are you’ve happened upon a kid with an intense look of glee, concentration or adorable frustration while playing with a toy.  This just shows how deeply they are affected by these play things.  Many adults tend to view toys as just play things and temporary baits to keep young ones distracted, but we fail to realize that play time is one of the many ways a child learns. Playing offers kids a safe avenue to experiment and act out their curiosities about the real world without placing themselves in any danger. Experts say that games and toys stimulate make-believe play, motor and cognitive skills are vital for children at all stages of development. Here are some examples of some toys that’ll turn playtime into a fun learning experience:

LEGO BLOCKS

Lego blocks are the ultimate construction for a simple reason: they are only limited by imagination. Lego blocks give kids an avenue to turn abstract thoughts into physical creations and constantly challenge them to think differently to come up with new designs. Other construction toys include Lincoln logs, Duplo and Playdough.

MUSICAL TOYS

Musical toys play soothing melodies that can stimulate your child’s brain development. Children of all ages enjoy games that have catchy tunes, introducing them to these at a young age nudges them to identify familiar tunes and stems brain activity. New technology now allows kids to play music on video games and toy instruments that mimic real ones, this paved the way for learning to play real instruments in later years.

REALISTIC TOYS

An interesting way of helping kids learn through toys is by getting them realistic toys of every-day items that are just their size, something like a toy broom! Use it to teach them how to sweep and keep the floor tidy. Another idea is getting them a little rake which then can use to “play” or help out in the garden. Why not get them a small version of cooking utensils like a mini little pans, measuring cups, and some small bowls? They can help with their small appliances while also having fun.

With these options you will be teaching them daily activities and giving them some vital guidance on them.

THEME SETS AND DRAMATIC PLAY

Themed play and dramatic play provide kids with an opportunity to interact with real world items and become familiar with them. Toys such as grocery store cash registers, ATM machines, play food sets, and play doctor sets are all fun and educational. Theme sets help kids to understand the world and motivate them to learn more.

STUFFED TOYS AND DOLLS

Have you seen a child tenderly caring for a teddy bear or toting around a stuffed animals? Children usually become very attached to their stuffed animals, and this creates a safe environment for learning how to deal with basic emotions and relationship skills when they talk to their toys. Puppets are classic fun. Best of all, these toys provide children with an easy way to act out all their favorite stories.

Article by Vital Guidance

Factors To Keep Your Marriage Moving In The Right Direction

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Marriage isn’t easy.  It may be one of the most vital relationships you will ever have but it’s something that both husband and wife need to work for if it’s going to succeed. There is no shortcut to a solid and healthy marriage, no cheat sheet that makes it easy and effective. There are, though, a number of factors that will make it much easier to keep the relationship headed in the right direction.

Here are five ideas that are worth following:

Listening
This one should be obvious, but as marriage is the domain of two parties – and often two parties with different ideas and skill sets about certain topics – the ability to listen is really critical. Listening doesn’t just mean hearing, either. There is a difference between passive and active listening and when it comes to marriage, active listening is the way to go.  Make sure you are immediately tuned in to what is being said, focus on the words not the noise, and actually think about the topic at hand. Those are the key points that will put you into good listening territory.

Advice vs. Venting
As a husband or wife you want to do everything you can to help your partner. That is why when they come to you with a problem your first instinct is to solve it. It took me about 10 years of marriage to realize that solving the issue isn’t always what my wife wants. Sometimes a problem doesn’t need to be solved, it just needs to be vented about. My new strategy is simply to ask at the beginning of a conversation what type of problem this is; something that needs solving or something to let off steam? This has resulted in a much better flow of information between the two of us and a happier relationship.

Stop Interrupting

This is another area I personally have had a problem with in my relationship. As someone who problem solves for a living – and who just likes to talk – I have a habit of interrupting my wife’s stream of thought to get my point in. I don’t mean anything by it, it is just me saying what I am thinking, but it comes across as rude and like what she is saying isn’t important. Instead of thinking about what to say next, just listen. This will stop the interrupting and actually help with prior points on this list.

Argue politely

This isn’t an obvious idea to get your head around but it is vital to a happy marriage. There is nothing worse than arguing dirty. Topics in this category include bringing up the past – NEVER EVER do this – or using blame statements in an argument that start with phrases like “You did” or “You should”.  Instead, disagree with class, bring the words around to yourself, using statements like “I did” or “I should”. Not only is this less provocative, it will also allow you to focus on your issues and may see your spouse’s point of view.

Never go to bed mad

Going to bed while angry is one of the worst thing you can do in your marriage. This means that no matter what happened the day before, no matter how small or big the problem was, the argument is going to carry over into another day.  End that trend now by agreeing with your partner that you will simply never go to bed upset with one another. The argument doesn’t have to be solved that night, sometimes that is not viable, but pause the fight and find a common ground that will allow you to smile with each other. You will be amazed what a quick difference this makes to your marriage.

You can learn more about keeping your marriage healthy with the book Vital Guidance:  For A Lasting Relationship.

Article by Steve Wright

How To Decide On Your First Pet

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Have your kids been begging you for a pet, or are you lonely and need a furry companion? More and more, People are considering pets as family members, and owning one is extremely rewarding. Here are some vital points to consider before getting your first pet:

What type of pet suits you?
It is a common question – are you a dog or a cat person? However, there are other furry animals you can get as pets. Hamsters, bunnies and exotic birds also rank as favorite pets. You should work with what you can afford. Some pets are relatively low maintenance and have few running costs. You are responsible for the pet’s care, so getting one which suits you would make it less cumbersome. Look out for personality traits; some pets are friendly while others only like to be touched by their owners.

Ask the important questions
Before you get your first pet, seek vital guidance from pet owners or the veterinary doctor in your community. They have first-hand experience with pets. Pet care requires a great deal of knowledge. Ask about grooming, behaviors, training, feeding, and safety tips. One of the necessary training is potty training. There is no single, guaranteed method for success in potty training. You have to invest time and effort into it. You may also find tons of information on the internet about potty training.

Commitment
Pet ownership is usually a long-term commitment. Some pets have a life span of 10-15 years and require a lot of attention. Dogs get to be clingy and want to be with you all the time. Solitude can lead to several behavioral problems. If you can’t devote a lot of time to your pet, you can put it off till you can make adjustments to accommodate them.

Costs
Food, grooming, toys, veterinary care, and treatment are unavoidable. These expenses can cost a lot of money, depending on the procedure. It is advised to consider what you can afford in the long run.

Your lifestyle
When getting your first pet, consider your lifestyle. Time and effort go into owning a pet. If you travel a lot, getting a pet might not be ideal. It is a horrible feeling to get home after a long trip to find your pets dead or sulking away from you. They need you to play, feed, and interact with them regularly.

Spaces
Pets need their areas. Some animals are territorial by nature. If you are getting a hamster or bunny rabbit, you have to get a cage and put leaves or barks to make them adapt to it more natural. Dogs and cats can get a corner allocated to them and organized with their beds and toys.

Allergies
Be sure that you do not have any allergies towards fur and animals. Spend some time at your friend’s house with a pet to find out.

Finally, get a veterinarian you can rely on for your pets’ medical concerns. With your pet, you have a new best friend for life.

Article by Vital Guidance

Four Common Ways To Save On Auto Insurance

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Insuring a car should be a relatively easy and painless process. The process should happen quickly and without much variance in cost and coverage. It should feel like something you can do yourself and still come out on top.

However, the truth is that the world of car insurance is a pretty messy thing. It is a place where, without vital guidance steering you in the right direction (pun intended), it’s easy to get lost and make costly decisions.

Here are four common car insurance mistakes that you can avoid by following the vital guidance of those that are in-the-know about car insurance:

Not shopping around

The most straightforward error to make when buying car insurance is not shopping around. This tends to be a problem, especially for first-time car insurance buyers as they often go down the same route as their parents and use their company.

While it is easy to assume that all car insurance companies are the same, car insurance is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution. Shop around and look at several competing quotes to find the right fit for your situation.

Buying minimum coverage

Buying the minimum coverage can be an easy decision but not always the best route for many car owners. It’s as simple as seeing a low number on a page full of much higher numbers and grabbing that quote without a second thought. Life is already expensive enough, so why pay more than the minimum for something you (hopefully) won’t ever need.

While there are some situations where this theory works, there are more situations when it’s a huge mistake. For example, owning an old car and paying low insurance may be ok. However, if you own an expensive car, buying the minimum coverage may not be the best way to save on insurance cost because the minimum coverage may not be enough to repair damage from an accident.

Not considering customer service

Selecting an insurance carrier with great customer service is another area that you won’t realize is important until you need something done.

Sure, a company might be quoting you half the price of another, but what is that company like when an accident happens? Maybe they have a history of being slow to respond. Perhaps they don’t work on getting a loaner car for you. Maybe the repair shop they work within your area is known for its slow service. Look around at reviews online to see if the company is trustworthy to take care of your potential claims.

Not understanding the coverage

Research, research, research.

Ask all the questions you can, before thinking about things and asking a dozen more. Coverage is the most critical part of car insurance, yet it is incredible how few people can confidently talk about what their coverage provides. It is ideal to get some vital guidance on what your coverage is and, perhaps more importantly, what it is not.

Article by Vital Guidance