Mental health is one of those things where one would need to help themselves. Others can have very little to no influence on how one feels, leaving them to deal with their own thoughts. That being said, keeping a check on one’s mental health is not difficult. It’s all about realizing what matters most and giving it more time. There are no universal tips that work for everyone. To know what works best for an individual, one must give it a try.
So, here are a few tips that can help wade through the difficulties in life with ease.
Workout or practice yoga every morning
Do not belittle the power of yoga or a heart-pumping physical workout. Some form of physical exercise should always be a part of one’s daily routine since it greatly helps relieve stress and helps one stay calm and balanced when faced with stressful and challenging situations during the day.
Bring awareness
Practicing meditation will help one become mindful. Bringing mindfulness into the activities performed daily will further help bring more peace and balance. Studies have shown that mindfulness can help cope with depression, substance abuse, anxiety, and eating disorders, among others. Improvement in any of these aspects of life naturally leads to better mental health.
Break the monotony
A monotonous life sounds boring. Moreover, living life in a set structure restricts cognitive functioning and can lead to an added level of stress. Research has revealed that monotony is associated with reduced performance and quality of work, which is linked to high levels of stress. Doing something as simple as changing the jogging route or taking a walk in a different park to break the monotony. One can also break the monotony by planning a weekend road trip or hike to someplace beautiful.
Eat healthy food
What we eat affects our physical as well as mental health and well being. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, beans, cereals, grains, fish, and unsaturated fats can alleviate depression and bring mental balance. Diets rich in vitamin B, magnesium, vitamin D3, and omega-3 fatty acids (such as fish) can assist in keeping the mind healthy.
Say no to drugs and alcohol
While it is the most prevalent method of dealing with stressful situations in the world today, popping pills and drinking only make situations worse. And it is especially so among people who are already in a negative mental state.
Do more of what you like
Not everyone is lucky and persuasive enough to be able to turn their hobby into a lucrative career. But, it’s important to not drop what we like just for some mental sanity. If one feels like playing a musical instrument, or painting, or engaging in similar activity that brings some amount of stillness and peace within, then go ahead and find some time for those activities. This way, one won’t feel overwhelmed with a lot of stressful work during the week.
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Few tax benefits you didn’t know existed
Read moreWhile we all are worried about filing the tax returns with the best possible audits, most of us are also taking a closer look at the tax benefits and deductions. Tax deductions are important for taxpayers as these amounts can be directly deducted from the gross income. Right from getting the best investments to saving the receipts of health insurance premiums, smallest of these expenses can save you a lot more during your tax filing. Let us take a look at some of the tax deductions or benefits that you did not know that existed.
Health insurance premiums
Medical expenses can cost you a fortune and therefore, there are provisions that help in saving tax with the health insurance premiums. The taxpayer needs to itemize the medical expenses and mention the same during the tax auditing. In order to benefit from the health insurance premiums, the deductible medical expenses should be more than 7.5% of the gross income. If in case the taxpayer is self-employed and has paid for his or her medical expenses themselves, then the complete premium paid can be considered for claiming the tax benefit. The amount so deducted is considered from the gross income and not as an exclusion under itemization.Sales taxes
Sales tax can also be deducted from the federal income tax. This provision can be a big money saver in the states that do not have arrangements for their own income tax. If you are claiming your tax benefit under the sales tax, then the item needs to be mentioned under claim deduction. One can refer to the official website of IRS to know more about the savings on big purchases and tax benefits under the sales tax.Charitable gifts
These gifts make for a great money saving option under the federal income tax. It is useful to save the receipts and itemize them once the tax audit takes place. For instance, if you are baking cakes and using the funds to pay for a charitable organization, the cost of ingredients can be used as tax deductions.Investments
Investments are one of the core benefits of tax refunds. Some of the tax deductions under investments include individual retirement agreements, capital losses, the sale of a home, etc.Other tax benefits are:
- Cost of the babysitter
- Lifetime learning credit
- Unusual business expenses
- Self-employed social security
So, if you are looking for more information on tax benefits and deductions, visit the official website of IRS for a detailed list.
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4 simple yoga poses to tighten your neck skin naturally
Read moreNot many consider their face and neck as target areas while exercising unless their loose neck skin starts interfering with their youthful appearance. If you are looking for ways that can help you tighten neck skin, here are some effective yoga poses that you can try.
Yoga pose 1
You can start with a pouting stretch, as it helps tighten neck skin. To do this, you need to stick out your lower lip until it forms a pout. Then lower your jaw while keeping your face still, and your lower lip stuck out. Try to hold the pose for a few seconds and repeat the same it about ten times.Yoga pose 2
While doing this yoga pose, you need to keep your head level with the floor and lips closed and relaxed. Then you need to drop your jaw and push your lower jaw forward. Try to maintain this pose for a count of 10 breaths and repeat it at least five times. With this yoga pose, you can tighten neck skin quickly.Yoga pose 3
This is indeed one of the best yoga poses when it comes to firming the neck skin. For this move, you simply need to tilt your head back. Take your head back to a position so that you can look up at the ceiling comfortably. Hold the pose while keeping your lips closed and do a chewing movement. While holding the pose, you will be able to feel your neck and throat muscles tightening. Keep your head tilted for about 20 breaths and then bring it forward for a few deep breaths. Perform this yoga pose every day for about ten times.Yoga pose 4
This yoga pose also requires you to tilt your head back and keep your lips closed. However, in this yoga pose, you need to bring your lips in a kissing position while keeping them closed and continuing to look up at the ceiling. Repeat this pose five times to tighten neck skin.