21 Tips to Keep Your Shit Together When You're Depressed. A while ago, I penned a fairly angry response to something circulating on the internet – the 21 Habits of Happy People. It pissed me off beyond belief, that there was an inference that if you weren’t Happy, you simply weren’t doing the right things. I’ve had depression for as long as I can remember. It’s manifested in different ways. So, this Cult of Happy article just set me off. It’s bad enough without people ramming Happy Tips at you through facebook. A friend of mine suggested that I write something from my point of view because, surprisingly, I manage to give an outwards impression of having my shit together. So, here it is. My 21 Tips on Keeping Your Shit Together During Depression 1) Know that you’re not alone. 2) Understand that the Happy People are usually acting out of some genuine (albeit misguided) concern for you, that it’s coming from a good place, even if the advice feels like you’re being blamed for your disease. 3) Enlist the help of a professional. 11) Cry.
Burning Man :: Welcome Home 10 Unbelievably Beautiful Places You've Probably Never Heard Of 11 Essentials to Pack for a Smarter Road Trip If you’re hitting the road for summer vacation, make sure you’re toting the right gear for a smooth, smart journey. 1. GPS Device Having a portable one of these helps for adventures taken outside your car, too. 2. An atlas you can hold in your hand is the ultimate back-up plan. 3. Don’t let your gadgets die on you. 4. The cooler, or portable ice chest, was invented in 1951, but things have gotten a little fancier in the 63 years since. 5. Because you never know when you’ll need to snuggle up. 6. This is a must, especially when on the open road. 7. Chances are you’ll require some minor repairs before your car, so be sure to bring a first aid kit. 8. Music is a road trip must, but audio books are a great way to break up the trip and make the time fly. 9. You probably threw these in your drawer and forgot about them, but they can come in handy on a road trip. 10. Keep some quarters and spare paper cash so you never have to go digging. 11.
Increasing Solar Activity And Disturbances In Earth's Magnetic Field Affect Our Behavior And Increase Our Health Michael Forrester, Prevent DiseaseWaking Times Climaxing yesterday, the sun will have unleashed three X-class solar flares. These are the strongest flares of the year so far, and they signal a significant increase in solar activity with more to come. Historically, research has been conducted to link the 11 year cycle of the sun to changes in human behavior and society. Research done in the last hundred years that shows the most malefic effects from solar activity come at the sunspot minima. Solar flares are intense blooms of radiation that come from the release of the magnetic energy associated with sunspots. What is a Solar Cycle? The number of sunspots increase and decrease over time in a regular, approximately 11-year cycle, called the solar or sunspot cycle. Solar Minimum: According to NOAA and NASA, the sunspot cycle hit an unusually deep bottom from 2007 to 2009. Solar Maximum: The Sun’s record-breaking sleep ended in 2010. Twinned peaks Brain storms Environmental cue? About the Author
Top Five Regrets of The Dying For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives. People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learnt never to underestimate someone’s capacity for growth. When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. 1. This was the most common regret of all. It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. 2. This came from every male patient that I nursed. By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. 3. Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. We cannot control the reactions of others. 4. It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. 5. This is a surprisingly common one.
The world’s best secret islands Looking for a romantic spot that's (almost) all yours? Here’s a list from our brand new Best in Travel 2011 guide to reignite your love affair with desert islands, with picks from across the globe. 1. Torres Strait Islands, Australia Image by Killer White Fluff As far as you can go in Oz without falling off the map, the Torres Strait Islands are Australia as it might have been if Europeans had never arrived. Permits to visit outlying islands must be obtained at least one month in advance from the Torres Strait Regional Authority. 2. Image by ajari The idyllic Yaeyama Islands are tucked away at the very southern tip of the Japanese archipelago. Japan Transocean Air flies daily from Tokyo to Ishigaki, which is connected to the other islands by regular ferries. 3. Image by Antoine Hubert Most people have heard of Devil’s Island, but few would be able to stick a pin on a map. 4. Image by hkinuthia It’s easy to see the appeal of tiny Ulleungdo. 5. Image by Fathzer 6. Image by hsuyo 7. 8. 9.
How Do I Become a Volunteer? The Peace Corps offers a unique experience to make a difference around the world and bring the benefits of that experience back home. The personal and professional rewards of Peace Corps service last a lifetime. Deciding to apply to the Peace Corps takes research and deliberation. What Peace Corps is Looking For in a Volunteer Applicant The Right Person for the Right Job How to Strengthen Your Application Find out what skill sets increase your chances of qualifying for Peace Corps Volunteer positions, and how you can strengthen your qualifications without a specialized degree. FAQs Find answers to some frequently asked questions The Application Process On average the process from application to invitation takes from seven to twelve months. Core Expectations In working toward fulfilling the Peace Corps mission of promoting world peace and friendship, as a trainee and Volunteer, we ask that you understand and agree to our Core Expectations. How can I get volunteer experience?
14 Secrets to Expanding Time I obsess over time. Time is our most valuable resource. Nothing else even comes close; money is easy. This fact explains the popularity of Getting Things Done (GTD) and 4-Hour Work Week. Reminding myself of these keys has been critical to maximizing my productivity. 1) 1440 = the number of minutes in a day. 2) Every “yes” is a “no” to something else. 3) Beware of distant elephants. 4) Touch things once. 5) Each appointment needs an end time, not just a start time. 6) A “stop doing” list is as important as a “to do” list. 7) Block time on your calendar for all of the “got a minute” meetings. 8) Block 30 minutes at the end of the day to return important calls and emails. 9) Make time to plan. 10) Slow down, stop, think. 11) Review your to do list and ask not “How can I get this done?” 12) Know the monetary value of each minute. 13) Relaxation is a skill. 14) Sleep is a weapon. Use your life.
A. S. Neill's Summerhill School Perpetual Weekend The Objective: As seen from afar: Numbers that defined our world: Wrangell St Elias NP and Preserve: 13,200,000 acres² (20,587 miles²) Distance traveled: 430 miles (~220 miles on land and ~210 floating) Time: 33 days (25 days on foot and 8 days paddling) Distance on trail: 0 Resupplies: 3 Bears: 14 Other park visitors: 0 Jars Nutella eaten: 5 Gallons olive oil used: 0.7 Hours of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performed: 1.2 Width of tent space space, per individual: 15” Width of foam sleeping pads: 20” On the long, unpaved road to McCarthy, with the bumpin’ sound system. Almost midnight with a great bivy spot at the airstrip When Chuck Norris goes to bed at night he checks underneath for Garry Green. Cisco won the rock-paper-scissors for shotgun seating Garry dropped us off at Tebay Lakes As the sound of Garry’s plane faded, we found we were very, very far from anyone else. At the end of the first day we could look down the Bremner valley and see the Copper River on the horizon.
How I Flew Around the World for Less than $220 | Spartan Traveler 8.7.13 Update: Don’t have time to read this whole post? Here are my top picks for credit cards that give you huge bonuses for signing up: Citi AAdvantage Platinum Visa and the Barclay Arrival MasterCard. Happy travels! This year I flew around the world and visited 11 countries over a period of 6 months. The cost of my ’round-the-world’ ticket? Can you do the same thing? Budapest, Hungary—It’s a question I got more than once: “So, are you rich?” These questions are upsetting because they highlight the dominant perception that travel is a luxury restricted to the wealthy. In fact, for the last 15 months I’ve been living on a stipend that most people would associate with the poverty line in the United States, or about $1200 a month (see 20 things I Learned While Traveling around the World). But international flights are expensive, no matter how cheaply you decide to live once you get to your destination. I couldn’t have been more wrong. My Round-the-World (RTW) Flight Itinerary That’s right.
15 Abilities You Must Have to Get Out of the Rat Race Did you know that FORTY percent – 40% – of young people want to be their own boss someday? That’s a LOT of aspiring entrepreneurs. Millions, in fact. Truth is, only a fraction of those people ever really start a business. Some get comfortable in a lifestyle that they can’t afford to give up. Others realize just how hard it is to be an entrepreneur and never try. Of the few that actually try to start a business, many fail. Be a Salesperson Never underestimate how important it is to be able to sell. Delay Gratification No business is successful on day one. Discipline Discipline isn’t just about working hard, but you do have to do that. Take Risks Build Rapport Note that this is not called ‘Making Friends’ – important, yes, but not the same thing. Be a Leader While you may be a natural born follower, as a business owner, you will have to be able to lead. Be Uncomfortable Nobody thinks that running a business is easy. Inspire To be an entrepreneur you need to be inspired. Focus Understand Numbers