6 Critical Signs It’s Time to Deep Clean Your House

Spring Cleaning isn’t the only time your home needs a good deep cleaning. You should deep clean your house periodically throughout the year. Although you dust and wipe the counters down each weekend and fold the laundry, all those cracks and hard-to-reach places need cleaning every so often as well.

Have you been looking at your home lately, wondering if it’s time for a deep cleaning? Are you not sure what to deep clean in your house or where to even begin? How will you know if it’s time to scrub down your entire home?

In our guide below, we list several signs your home will give you when it’s time to complete a deep clean. Continue reading below for everything you need to know about how to deep clean your house and know when it’s time!

1. Your Home Is Making You Sick

When a home becomes filled with dust, dirt, or even mold, it can begin to make its owners sick. Are you constantly sneezing when you’re inside your own home? Do you feel as though your allergies get worst when you’re home?

This could be due to a dust mite allergy or an allergy to mold. Although dust on the bookshelf might seem harmless, it could be the reason for your stuffy and runny nose. If mold is growing in the home, then you might not be aware of it until the problem worsens.

Deep clean your home on a regular basis to ensure all dust is removed and to spot signs of mold in the home.

2. You Avoid Specific Rooms 

Do you notice yourself avoiding specific rooms in your home? Do you dread going down into the basement to find something or in the garage? Do you keep a certain door or two in your home always shut to avoid looking inside it?

This might be a sign it’s time for deep cleaning. What lingers behind those closed doors? Are there boxes piled high to the ceiling?

Why give up the extra space those rooms provide you when a deep cleaning could be your answer? It’s time to get into those rooms and tackle the mess. The result could be a new office space, an additional or guest bedroom, and more.

3. The Walls and Carpets Have Stains

When spills happen in the home, you make sure to clean up the spill, but spills sometimes stain areas surrounding them as well. For example, if a drink spills on the floor, you clean up the floor.

What you might not realize, however, is that it also splashed on the wall, behind the trashcan, on the refrigerator door, and on top of your cabinets. Take the time to look around your home for any stains on the walls, carpets, and a few other places.

If you notice a few stains, even small ones, you’ll want to complete a deep clean to have all stains removed. Don’t forget to check the ceilings as well. Any signs of leaks or water damage stains could also be signs of mold.

You’ll want to have these cleaned, repaired, or checked out as well.

4. Stubborn Dirt Won’t Wash Away

When conducting a deep house cleaning, you’ll want to touch all rooms in the home. Then, it’s essential to look in all those places you don’t normally look at. There might be more of those places than you think.

For example, look in the window tracks, on the baseboards, and under the cabinets. There’s a good chance that there’s built-up dust or dirt in all of these places. If you can’t see to get these areas to come clean, it might be because the dirt has settled there for too long.

In this case, you’ll need to break out all your tough cleaning products and prepare to do a deep clean. There are some tips and cleaning hacks for removing stubborn dirt from these places. Be sure to do a bit of research to make the cleaning process easier for you.

5. You Haven’t Done a Deep Clean in a While

One sure sign it’s time for deep cleaning is if you haven’t done a deep clean in a long time. When’s the last time you remember scrubbing the baseboards, cleaning the window screens, and decluttering?

To start, you can make several piles of all items in a room. Make a pile of things to donate or sell, one of the items to keep, and one for stuff to throw away. This is a great way to get a lot of stuff out of the house.

Once you’ve cleared up some space, you can then begin to organize and clean!

6. The House Still Feels Dirty After Cleaning

If your house still feels like it’s dirty even after you’ve completed your normal cleaning routine, then a deep cleaning is most likely in order. No matter how many times you wipe down the counters and dust the fans, something still feels dirty to you.

At this moment, you might even want to consider hiring professional cleaning services to come in and complete a deep cleaning for you. The end result should be a refreshing feeling and a home that smells, feels and looks clean.

Do You Need to Deep Clean Your House?

Is your house screaming for a good deep cleaning? Use this guide to determine if it’s time to deep clean your house. Once you’re able to get your home deep cleaned, you’ll be left feeling refreshed and your home will appear brand new!

If you’re interested in more posts on real estate and home or a few other topics as well, then don’t forget to keep checking back on a daily basis.

How to Fix a Dead Bedroom and Enjoy Intimacy Again

Did you know couples are having less and less sex? One in four couples only has sex once a month, while one in five only has sex twice or thrice a year.

It gets worse – a dead bedroom isn’t something couples can solve in an instant. Around 40% of such cases end up lasting one to five years. That doesn’t mean it’s impossible, though.

The key is to not treat a dead bedroom as a problem. Rather, see it as a symptom of an underlying issue. That way, you can treat it at its roots, which is more effective for both parties.

Read our tips below to learn how you can get intimacy back.

1. Fix Your Relationship Issues

Sometimes, the root cause of a dead bedroom is hidden relationship conflict. When you have resentment against your partner, you won’t likely get in the right mood.

In many cases, the issue is still fixable. You only have to learn how to communicate with your partner.

First, sit them down and talk about what you feel about the lack of intimacy. What does it make you feel? And what do you need to resolve it?

Encourage your partner to talk, as well, and let them know you’re all ears for what they have to say. It’s important for both sides that you will receive the other’s concerns with an open mind. It’s not the time to point fingers and become defensive.

You might have to ask a lot of questions before you get the other to open up, though. Ask how they feel about you in terms of attraction or ask if they’re having self-esteem issues. Don’t forget to ask if they’re harboring resentment or negative feelings, as well.

As you talk, you might be able to pinpoint the exact reason/s for the dead bedroom. One may be undergoing a mental issue or they may be feeling unloved and so.

Once you get to the cause, it will be easier for both of you to form a solution. You can compromise and meet halfway – at a point where you’re both comfortable. You can bring up counseling or going to the doctor to fix a medical issue, for example.

2. Learn to Communicate in the Bedroom

Communication has a place inside the bedroom, too. Once you become more open with each other about your feelings and thoughts, you can bring that openness to the bedroom.

This way, you’ll be able to communicate about what turns you on. You might also learn new things about what your partner likes.

Learning how to be open about your sexuality will allow you to explore new things. It keeps the excitement alive, and you get to enjoy the experience more.

3. Do Something New to Liven Up Your Dead Bedroom

One thing that may be missing in your bedroom is excitement. Doing the same things over and over again can make them feel like a chore. The intimacy goes away and in the end, one or none of you may be looking forward to it.

Doing something new can be the spark you need to liven up your dead bedroom.

You can agree to try out new positions, for example – something you’ve only seen in the movies. If both of you feel more daring, you can visit a sex shop and buy something you can use in your bedroom.

When you’re feeling more comfortable, try to talk about your fantasies. Explore each other’s fantasies in turns so no one will feel left out.

Communication is the key here as you both have to agree to each other’s boundaries. Don’t try to force your fantasy upon your partner if it makes them feel uncomfortable. Don’t force yourself, too, to try something you’re uncomfortable with.

It should be an enjoyable experience for both of you. Conversely, you shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss something new only because you’re not familiar with it.

4. Consider Going to Sex Classes

You can also learn new stuff by going to sex classes. It sounds awkward, but there’s a lot you can learn from here if you give it a chance.

You’ll have teachers who know what they’re doing teach you about new techniques, for example. You won’t get these from porn, as they don’t often use natural positions in the videos, anyway.

You will also learn how to play in the bedroom and how to fulfill each other’s wants. You’ll learn the how’s of sex and not only how to have it.

5. Set Some Time Aside

If intimacy isn’t coming to both of you naturally, then you must set aside time for it. This may make it sound unromantic, but for many, it’s an intimate gesture.

Setting aside time for it may mean going on a staycation for a weekend or having a date night at your favorite restaurant. It can be as simple as going home earlier than usual and then tucking the kids in early.

Many couples find having a sex schedule works, so it’s worth a try, as well. You can talk with your partner to decide on a day that works for both of you. You must both agree that you will stick to it, no matter what.

That may mean refusing your friends’ invitation to go out that day or dropping the kids off at their grandparents’ so you can have time for yourselves. Scheduling it gives you time to take care of possible hindrances.

Sex doesn’t have to be spontaneous all the time. And having a schedule doesn’t make it any less romantic. The more you stick to your schedule, the more you’ll feel connected and desired.

If it doesn’t work, don’t worry too much about it. Other solutions might work better for you and your partner.

6. Create a More Fitting Mood

If it’s hard for you both to get into the mood, then create that mood yourself. Get away from the messy house and your screaming kids; plan a date night away from your stressors.

Alternatively, you can stay in the house and let your in-laws watch over the kids at their house. Clean the house and put on some soothing music. Digital services like Spotify can help you as it has premade playlists you can use.

You can order take-out, but if you want to take it further, you can try to make a meal yourself. Dim the lights, bring out the wine or champagne, and light some candles.

This is only an example of what can create a romantic mood. You know your relationship best, and you should know what makes the other get into the mood. So, you can get creative and plan a whole date night around it.

7. Manage Your Stress

Sometimes, there’s no other underlying issue other than the everyday stress. It can get the best of us, but if you want things to start turning around, you have to do something about it.

It puts us out of the mood and it makes us unable to perform. If both you and your partner are experiencing extreme stress, it may be the cause of your marital problems.

Learn how you can manage your stress and then encourage your partner to do the same. You can even do some stress-relieving activities together. Not only will this help you let go of stress, but it will also bring you closer.

Try exercising, meditating, and yoga. You can also do some relaxing activities like going to the spa, having a massage (or giving each other one), or watching your favorite TV show.

Take some time off to unwind; you may even find a hobby that will help you focus on something you enjoy. This may put you in a better mood, in general.

8. Start with Small Gestures of Affection

After talking it out with your partner, jumping to sex right away might make it feel like a duty. This won’t fix the issue and the result will still be the same.

Intimacy has to be there to make the experience worthwhile for both parties. It has to be enjoyable, which we’ll cover later.

That’s why it’s worth starting small and rebuilding your trust and connection with each other. You can start by holding hands more often, giving more compliments, and paying more attention to each other.

Small gestures like putting the kids to sleep or washing the dishes is a good start, too. It will make your partner appreciate you more. And appreciation might turn into affection.

Even putting down the phone and having a heartfelt communication for 15 minutes each day can do wonders for your relationship.

As you connect better with your partner, affection and intimacy will come naturally. You can increase your affection over time – from holding hands to snuggling on the couch. In time, reviving the dead bedroom will feel like the most natural thing to do.

9. Try Libido Enhancers

There’s no shame in getting a little boost from outside sources. If it’s the cause of your dead bedroom, then try some libido enhancers.

You can try natural sources first, like foods that can enhance your low sex drive. Aphrodisiacs, as we call it, have long been in use in human history. Some of these are readily available in your kitchen.

In general, people believe that foods resembling human genitalia can increase sexual desire and pleasure. Foods like cucumber, carrots, eggs, clams, and oysters come to mind.

Some people also believe that bananas, avocados, chocolate, and pomegranate have aphrodisiac qualities, too. These aren’t based on scientific evidence, however, and are only cultural. Regardless, they’re worth a try if you’re struggling in the bedroom.

Chilis and other spicy foods are also worth a try as they make your body feel hot. They increase blood flow and might boost your libido, as well.

You can also try herbal remedies, like red ginseng, fenugreek, and ginkgo Biloba. You can eat some of the herbs or prepare them as tea. You can get them in pill form, as well.

Speaking of pills, you can also try other supplements that might help you. Look for reviews online and see which one you can try. For instance, you can check out a few Viril-X reviews here.

10. Go to a Sex Therapy

Sex therapy is one of the best ways to find out the issue and find a way out of it. Sometimes, you can’t communicate the issue well.

Going to a counselor or sex therapist will allow you to get down to the root cause. They can help each of you get more comfortable in communicating your feelings.

Some issues, you can fix yourself, like stress, and having no time. Others, however, need therapy to help you get through it.

Examples are low self-esteem, trauma, negative connotations about sex, shame, and such. Anxiety and depression are also psychological factors in a dead bedroom. They require serious intervention, too.

In other words, a sex therapist won’t only help you open up when you find it hard to do without a third party, but they will also help you deal with whatever you need to deal with.

11. Go to Your Health Provider

Sometimes, there are medical reasons why you have a dead bedroom. You or your partner may have sexual dysfunction that none of you is aware of. In this case, you won’t find a solution on your own no matter what you do.

You also have to consult a doctor when nothing’s working. Your hormones may be dropping, for example. You might have to take some medications to solve that.

If you’re on medications, then it might be the cause of your low sex drive. Talking to your doctor will allow you to find solutions to counteract that side effect.

Get Your Partner On-Board

No matter what you do or willing to do, it won’t matter if your partner’s not willing to fix your dead bedroom issue. They have to be willing to try new things, go to a therapist, or at least talk it out with you.

Otherwise, there’s a serious problem in your relationship you must address first. But don’t stop with bedroom intimacy! If you need more relationship tips, check out more on our blog right here!

Football Betting Guide: How to Bet on NFL Games

Wagering coin on a pigskin challenge makes the game more interesting. However, it’s more fun when you win. A few helpful NFL betting tips can give you an advantage over guessing.

Today, NFL betting is almost as popular as watching it on TV. Around the world, millions of people enjoy betting on games every Sunday. Some people even bet a considerable amount of coin.

However, there’s more to sports betting than picking your favorite team and making a bet. If the world of sports betting seems a bit confusing, you’re not alone.

For a football betting guide to get you started on the road to victory, read on.

Getting in the Game: A Football Betting Guide

Recently, a growing number of states have legalized sports betting. If you’re like many people, you probably want to get in on the action and are wondering how to bet on football.

There are a few different ways to bet with sportsbook sites, such as DraftKings.com, Bet365.com, and PointsBet.com. For example, you can bet on a single game. “Betting against the spread” is one of the most popular NFL bets.

With every match, one team is better than the other. The spread is the sportsbook’s way to even the odds.

Know the Talk, So You Can Walk the Walk: Betting Terms

As you learn more about how to bet on NFL games, you’ll discover that it’s all about the odds. Various betting terms help to explain some of the logic behind odds.

To win a “point spread” bet, you must “cover the spread.” The phrase “cover the spread” means that the favorite team must win the game, and they must win by a certain number of extra points. Those extra points are the spread.

The spread compels bettors to place wagers on both teams. In a sense, it gives points to the underdog.

You can also “back the money line.” The money line wager is the easiest NFL bet to understand. It means you’re simply picking who will win the game.

The sportsbook determines the odds of the bet based on the probability of the outcome. The odds also determine your payout.

Additionally, you can bet the “total.” When you bet the total, you’re not betting on either team.

Instead, you’re betting on how many points both teams will score. This wager is also called “over-under” betting.

If you want to get fancy, you can bet a “parlay.” A parlay involves more than one event.

For example, you could bet on your team to cover the spread with an over-under of 50 points. If your team wins, and the combined score is over 50, you win.

You can also make a proposition, or prop, bet. You can also make bets on an individual player’s performance or what team will win an award.

One of the most popular prop bets that you can make is on who will win the Super Bowl. However, you can even bet on the outcome of a single play.

Diving Deeper Into NFL Bets

It’s helpful to understand some of the finer points of various bets. By knowing a little more about wagers, you’ll better understand sportsbook odds.

Sportsbook odd specialists calculate odds based on the advantages or disadvantages of a particular team. They found those odds according to the forecast margin of victory or defeat.

The favorite team is the one that the odd specialists believe will win. Therefore, the sportsbook will establish how many points the favorite team needs to win by to even the odds.

The underdog is the team that the odd specialist forecasts will lose. Of course, the underdog will win if they win the game. However, the underdog will still win if they do not lose by more than the advantage afforded to them by the sportsbook odd specialists.

In an over-under bet, you’re betting on the total score for the game. When you make your wager, you’re betting on the overall score over or under the total forecast by the sportsbook.

As you can see, the money line is the most straightforward bet. However, you’ll win less for making a money line bet on the favorite team, since it’s more likely that they’ll win.

Next comes the fun part – figuring out how to win. You could go online and follow websites that tell you information about upcoming games.

Some sites track and share football betting tips about the money line, the point spread, and the point total. These sites are highly influential. They’re so influential that they can change sportsbooks odds.

Creating Your Football Betting Playbook

The value of bets on one team over the other can give you a clue as to who might win. Many bets coming in from fans, for instance, will tell you who’s the crowd favorite.

However, many large bets from heavy hitters can indicate that expert gamblers have uncovered a reason why they believe one team will win over the other. For instance, a player on the favorite team may have an injury that might affect the outcome of the game in favor of the underdog.

It’s important to remember that betting on sports is for entertainment. It’s challenging to pick winners consistently. Despite this fact, sportsbook odds are uncannily accurate.

Oddsmakers develop results by analyzing trends. They crunch raw numbers to determine which team has an advantage.

You could track every stat available on every team to develop your system. However, this kind of monitoring of the NFL is more than a full-time job.

Instead, there are many sites that can help you track team analytics. For instance, online sports gambling tips sites provide information, such as:

• Defensive performance
• Home field advantage
• Offensive efficiency
• Plays per game
• Turnovers
• Win probability

You can use these figures to do some math and predict who you think will win.

If all this sounds like a bit much, there is another alternative. You can find a site that you trust to supply you with free NFL picks. It’s a great way to gain the advantage of analysis without all the hard work.

Enjoy the Show

Hopefully, this football betting guide taught you what you need to know to get started. However, remember that sports betting is all about having fun.

In moderation, it’s an affordable form of entertainment. It’s a way to enjoy the game and make the experience more intense.

Sports betting is also convenient. Make your bet, and you’re in the game. Now that you understand a little more about sports betting, you’re ready for some weekend fun.

For more informational articles check out the rest of our site.

How to Save for a Car: Smart Methods for Every Budget

Can you imagine life without a car? After all, most people spend more time behind the wheel of their car each day than they do at home.

When it comes time to buy a new automobile, money can quickly become an issue. That’s because even a cheap car can cost thousands of dollars, and you might not have that kind of cash just lying around the house.

This article takes a look at how to save for a car when money is tight. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on the best way to save for a car when you need a new ride as soon as possible.

Take a Look at Your Finances

Before starting the process of shopping for a car, you’ll need to take a good long look at your personal finances.

Do you have healthy spending habits? What do the rest of your bills look like?

It’s important to be honest with yourself and decide if this is even a good time to be making a major purchase. After all, there’s nothing wrong with taking the bus or using Uber or Lyft until you have the cash for a purchase or can afford to make monthly payments.

Decide How Much You Want to Spend

Taking the time to honestly assess your finances will help you understand how much you can afford. This is extremely important for determining how much you should consider spending on a car.

Just keep in mind that don’t have to spend the full amount that you can afford. Consider how much driving you do on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis, the amount you’ll spend on gas each month, and then shop for a car that meets those specific needs without breaking your bank account.

Create a Car Budget

The next step is to create a realistic car budget. Even if you already have a monthly budget for your monthly living expenses, it’s still a good idea to create a separate budget specifically designed to help you manage the purchase of a new car.

This process will be much easier once you’ve studied your finances to determine how much car you can afford. This includes the overall purchase price of the car as well as the amount you can afford for the monthly payments to be.

The more disciplined you are about sticking to your budget, the less you’ll have to worry about having the money to purchase a car when you need it. Plus, it will reduce stress because you’ll be automatically setting aside money each month, so that’s one less thing to think about.

Reduce Unnecessary Spending

Cars are expensive. And when times are tight, it’s often necessary to cut spending in other areas.

Do you spend a lot on entertainment? What about eating out?

When it comes to saving for a car, you might need to reduce spending in these areas in order to create space in your personal budget in order to make this major purchase more manageable.

Remember, trimming a little bit here and there can make a significant difference in the long run. Besides, having a new car will be a much more important contribution to your lifestyle than wasting money on movies or eating out several times a week.

Get a Side Hustle

Are you needing a new car but you’re a bit short on cash? Sounds like you might need to pick up a side hustle.

A side hustle is just a job you do in your spare time outside of your full-time employment. It’s no secret that more and more people are having to work side gigs in order to make ends meet. In fact, many people say that we now live in a side hustle economy.

The key is to find a side hustle that will generate as much money as possible while investing a minimal amount of time and energy. Need ideas for a side hustle? There are a million possibilities, such as becoming a virtual tutor or walk dogs in your neighborhood.

Keep in mind that those are wasted hours anyway, so you might as well make some fast cash to help pay off that car you’ve had your eyes on.

Apply for a Payday Loan

Another great idea is to take out a payday loan. This is especially helpful if you’re needing that new car ASAP.

The process for applying for a payday loan is relatively quick and simple, and you could be approved for the loan in a matter of hours.

This is a great way to get a car fast without having to spend months saving every penny while taking the bus to work or driving your old junker around town.

Check out these reasons for getting a loan with bad credit.

Open a Separate Savings Account

Once you start saving money, you’d be wise to keep it someplace where you won’t be tempted to touch it before you’re ready to purchase a car.

Here’s a good idea: open a savings account. This account should be used strictly for saving for your car. The key is to add a specific amount of cash to that account each month. This might take a little disciple, but you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised how the balance can grow in just a short amount of time.

Sell Your Old Car

It’s also a good idea to go ahead and sell your old car. Fortunately, there are now plenty of great ways to spread the word and get the best offers possible.

Take advantage of social media and websites like Craiglist and eBay so that the selling process will be quick and easy.

Downsize Your Lifestyle

If you currently cannot afford a new car, this might be a good time to take a step back and assess your lifestyle. Perhaps move into a smaller house or less expensive apartment. Have a yard sale and convert as much unneeded stuff into cash as possible. After all, every dollar counts.

A Guide to How to Save for a Car When You’re Broke

In today’s world, it’s crucial to have a reliable form of transportation. Fortunately, these tips on how to save for a car will help get you back on the road in no time.

Keep scrolling to find more great tips and advice on our blog.

What Is the Best Lubricant to Use?

There are many reasons to introduce lubricant into your sex life. It might be because your vagina does not produce enough natural lubricant for comfortable penetration.

It might be because you are experiencing menopause, which can lead to vaginal dryness.

Perhaps you are trying to incorporate anal sex into your love life, and need a safe and pain-free way to do so. When asking “what is the best sex lubricant?”, there are multiple answers.

The right answer depends on why exactly you are looking to purchase some. With that in mind, here is your guide on how to pick the best lubricant for a comfortable, safe, and rewarding sex life.

1. Lubricants to Avoid

First off, it’s worth emphasizing that not all lube is created equal. Many products and substances that are commonly used as lube can have unwanted side effects.

For example, all oil-based lubricants tend to erode latex and cause condoms and diaphragms to break.

This is even true of plant-based oil lubricants. In addition, household products such as Vaseline should never be used as a lubricant, as they can cause unpleasant allergic reactions.

2. Water-Based Lubricant

When wondering what is the best natural lubricant, your best bet is to opt for water-based lubricants with natural ingredients.

Expert sellers of lubricants and creams such as Pure Romance have an extensive selection of safe, natural, water-based lubricants for all types of bodies.

Water-based lubes have no unnecessary chemicals, so there is no risk of irritation or condom erosion.

They are cheap and highlight effective for all kinds of penetrative sex. However, it does need to be frequently applied throughout sex.

3. Silicone-Based Lubricant

A silicone-based lubricant is an ideal option for those who are planning longer sex sessions. It only needs to be applied once, and will not lose its properties after a few minutes.

This also makes silicon-based lubricant ideal for shower sex, as it will not wash away easily. However, this also means that it can be rather tedious to clean up after you are done.

4. Estrogen Cream

When asking “what is the best lubricant for menopause-related dryness,” estrogen cream is often the answer.

Although not specifically a lubricant per se, estrogen cream is often prescribed to reverse the vaginal dryness that often accompanies menopause.

It can stimulate your vagina to continue producing the vaginal and cervical fluid needed for penetrative sex.

However, this should only be considered if your body reacts well to estrogen. Always consult a doctor before considering using estrogen cream.

5. Best Lubricant for Anal Sex

If you’re a man or a woman wondering what is the best lubricant to use for anal sex, then there are several answers.

As a rule, water-based lubricant is the most widely-recommended. Other lubricants are generally not as well-suited to anal penetration.

Never, ever use oil-based lubricants for anal sex, as these can increase your chances of HIV infection and cause irritation and damage to your anus. When in doubt, always go for a water-based lube.

Improve Your Health and Your Sex Life

Picking the best lubricant for you is just one step to ensuring a fulfilling and healthy sex life, whatever your age.

If you want to learn more about building a healthy and enjoyable sex life, make sure to read our Love Section for all of the expert advice you could ever need.

9 Guaranteed Ways to Help You Stay Cool Under Pressure

Anxiety is the most common mental illness among adults in the United States. In fact, about 18% of adults in the country live with the effects of anxiety every day.

Anxiety disorders occur with varying degrees of severity, but even the mildest forms can disrupt your day to day life. If you suffer from anxiety, whether occasional or chronic, it can feel like there’s no escape. But there are things you can do to stay cool under pressure!

By employing a few of the following techniques to stay calm and focused, you might find that your days of stressing out are a thing of the past.

Let’s get started!

1. Focus On Your Breathing

Your breath can have a huge impact on how you feel both mentally and physically. When you start to feel stressed, put all of your focus on your breathing.

We typically take much more shallow breaths than we really should. Taking deep, intentional breaths will tell your body to stop producing the hormones that cause stress.

Breathe in through your nose and into your stomach. Hold the air in your body for at least five seconds, then gently breathe out through your mouth.

2. Make a Gratitude List

When you’re trying to remain calm, mindset is everything. Anxiety is a vicious cycle. You begin to feel anxious, and that feeling causes you to imagine the worst-case scenario, which increases the intensity of the anxiety.

Instead of allowing this cycle to begin, focus on the positives. It can be extremely beneficial to make a gratitude list in low moments. With pen and paper, physically write out the things you’re grateful for, big and small.

Staying positive will not only reduce stress in the short term but can lead to improvements in your overall mental health in the long run.

3. Enjoy Nature Often

Many of us don’t get outside nearly as much as we should. Getting just a few minutes of sunshine in your day to day life can do wonders for your mental health.

Sitting outside is enough to boost your mood, but to get maximum benefits, get some exercise while you’re enjoying the fresh air. By exercising at least 30 minutes a day outside, you’ll receive double the mood-boosting benefits!

4. Don’t Neglect Sleep

Quality sleep is the foundation for good health. You should be getting between 7 and 9 hours of good sleep per night. Anything less, and you put your health in jeopardy.

Lack of sleep can negatively impact your physical health and is a major contributing factor in both depression and anxiety. In today’s fast-paced society, it’s easy to put sleep on the back burner. But prioritizing sleep is one of the best things you can do for yourself if you experience anxiety.

5. Keep Positive People Around You

It’s said that we are a combination of those closest to us. And while we shouldn’t allow that to limit our abilities and aspirations, it’s true that the people you surround yourself with have an impact on how you feel.

By surrounding yourself with negative people, you put yourself at risk of being dragged down. If someone in your life makes you feel less than or is a constant source of stress, you need to consider cutting them out.

It can be painful to break free of people close to you, but finding friends that uplift you rather than bring you down can change your life.

6. Don’t Demand Perfection

We are our own biggest critics. Many of us think more negatively of ourselves than we ever would of others. For people with anxiety, feelings of perfectionism are common.

It’s difficult to break the cycle of negative self-talk but to stay calm under stress, it’s imperative that you do. You’re not perfect – no one is, and that’s okay! Always work toward improvement instead of striving for perfection.

7. Practice Yoga and Meditation

If you struggle with mindfulness, practicing yoga and meditation can help you stay calm. Over time, meditation can actually change the chemistry of your brain, making you a calmer, more stress-free person.

You don’t have to meditate for hours. Simply sit in a comfortable space with some incense or pre rolled joints and concentrate on your breathing. You’ll feel better in no time!

8. Loosen Up

A common side effect of stress is tightness in the face and other areas of the body. When you feel anxiety coming on, take a quick survey of how you feel physically and make a conscious effort to relax any muscles that might have tensed.

Unclench your jaw, relax your forehead and hands, roll your shoulders back, shake around a little if you need to! It might sound strange, but telling yourself that you’re no longer stressed by relaxing your body can make your mind calm down.

9. Look at the Big Picture

We encounter stressful situations every day. Now, you shouldn’t make the situation worse by telling yourself that what you’re feeling is wrong.

That said, more often than not, we get caught up in small stressors, which exacerbates the issue. In these instances, it can be helpful to remind yourself of the big picture.

Is this problem going to matter tomorrow? Next year? Ten years from now?

Stressing about a problem does nothing to help the situation. Let go, remind yourself that it’s not the end of the world, take a deep breath, and move forward.

Stay Cool Under Pressure with These Tips

Sometimes staying cool under pressure can feel impossible, especially in situations you find particularly stressful. But by making a conscious effort to ground yourself and calm down, you can find your way through these situations with minimal mental distress.

For more tips on improving your mental health naturally, be sure to take a look at our blog!

How to Win at Slots: The Complete Guide for Beginners

Slot machines can be as much as 85% of the casino industry’s revenue. People turn to slot machines because they’re so easy to play and they’re fun.

There’s a reason why they make so much money for casinos. It is very easy to just keep clicking the spin button when you play online slots. The next thing you know, you’re out $50 in 30 minutes.  There are ways to make money playing slots, even when the odds aren’t always with you.

Read on to find out how to win at slots and learn how these games really work.

Always Have a Budget

One of the best ways to lose money playing slot games is to not keep track of how much you spend on slot games. You should always have a set budget for slot games and stick with it.

How much should you spend on each bet? You should spend no more than 5% of your budget on a spin. If you have a $20 budget and you want to spend $3 on a quarter slot game, you should consider playing penny slots to make your budget last.

Understanding Basic Slot Terms

Slot games have two important factors that you need to know about.

The first is the RTP, which is return to player. The RTP is the percentage of money that’s given back to players in winnings. Typically, a game that has an RTP of 95% or above is good.

The second term is payline. This is how the symbols have to line up in order to win. Some games will only have a few paylines, while others will have dozens.

Choosing Online Casinos and Slot Games

Your biggest decision is to choose a way to play online slot games. There are a lot of online casinos that have a broad selection of games. These casinos will set themselves apart by incentives.

There are casinos and games that offer plenty of bonuses and match bets that you can use to extend your budget and get started playing with the casino’s money.

The Probability of Winning and Your Slot Strategy

Have you ever walked around a casino floor and played a slot machine because it hasn’t had a payout in a while? That’s one of the most common mistakes that gamblers will make.

They think that because a game is cold, it’s going to pay out eventually. That is known as a probability fallacy. What you need to realize is that probability never changes.

It’s like tossing a quarter 100 times and the first 15 are heads. You’d assume that the probability for the 16th coin toss to be tails would be 70%. The probability remains at 50-50 for the 16th coin toss and every single coin toss.

As you get started playing slot games, you’ll realize that your odds of winning won’t ever change. That little bit of extra knowledge will make you a much better gambler.

How Slot Machines Really Work

If there’s one thing that the casino industry understands, it’s how the human brain is wired. Think about it, the industry is worth billions and billions of dollars.

That didn’t happen because of luck or because of some storyline that parallels what you saw in a mafia movie. That happened because the casino industry continuously invests is research to understand its customers. The more they understand their customers, the better products and services they can provide, which results in more money.

Here’s a great example. You just learned about paylines on slot machines. It may seem that the more paylines there are, the more fun a slot game can be for players. It becomes challenging for players to figure out the odds.

What happens is that when a player loses, the machine goes quiet. That’s not fun for players. Now, when you hear “ding-ding-ding,” it’s a good sign that you won something.

That is a form of positive reinforcement that says you won something. That positive reinforcement makes you want to keep going, but you don’t really know how much you won.

You wound up spending $3 and only made $1.50 back. So, even though you won, you really lost.

What’s a Random Number Generator?

You do need to understand that while slot machines tilt the table towards the casino. That doesn’t mean that you’ll never win money. You just need to be aware of how it all works before you spend your money.

One important thing that you need to learn is that the most reputable slot games will operate only by using a random number generator. This is a computer chip inside slot games that will make calculations and deliver random numbers at all times, whether someone is playing a game or not.

Since the generator is constantly moving, it’s impossible for a casino to manipulate a game. What the casino will do is decide the probability of the game.

There are casino games that don’t use a random number generator. These are the ones that you need to avoid because the casino probably will influence the final result against you.

Always Play for Fun

Out of all of the slot machine tips listed here, this is the one that you need to remember. Slot machines and online games are meant to be forms of entertainment.

You need to be having fun playing. If you’re stressed out about your bankroll or if you’re not winning, take a break and don’t play.

Having fun is your priority, and making money playing slots is a bonus.

Learning How to Win at Slots

Slot machines are deceptively complicated machines. They’re based on psychology and statistics to make money for casinos. That doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun.

Once you learn how these games really work, you can learn how to win at slots. Learn the basics like RTP and paylines. Understand what probability is and how slot games utilize it.

Remember, always have fun playing slot games. That’s what they’re really all about.

For more entertainment news, check out the home page of this site.

Know When to Fold ‘Em: When to Fold in Poker

The chances of getting two aces or a pictured pair in your first hand is a mere 2.1 percent. If you hold out for that kind of deal, well, your poker game will never get started.

But you might do this out of confusion — particularly, you’re not sure when to fold in poker. So, you wait for a great hand, or you hold on for far too long. The pros know when to fold while gambling, and, now, it’s your turn to learn.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When to Fold in Poker

Winning is, of course, the best part about playing poker. But you won’t be able to rake in the chips after every round.

You will have unlucky deals, so learning when you should fold will help you decide to bow out. And, in doing so at the right moment, you’ll earn more in the long run — no need to up the ante when you have a terrible hand.

Now, let’s determine when you should fold while gambling.

1. No Signs of Improvement

If your hand hasn’t gotten better through a few rounds, and you’re running out of chances to build on it, it is probably time to bow out.

2. Lousy Hand and Impending Bet

Next, you should fold if you know you have a bad hand, and the time has come to bet to stay in the game. You’re better off folding now, rather than losing more money.

3. Calling a Big Bet Feels Questionable 

If someone at the table seems super confident — by calling a big bet, in most cases — you should bow out. Sure, they could be bluffing, but it’s not worth challenging it while holding a subpar hand yourself.

4. Things Are Getting Too Expensive

Finally, when the game gets too expensive to justify, there’s no shame in bowing out. That’s especially true if you have a subpar or even average hand.

Timing Is Everything

Once you decide it’s time to fold, you have to do so at the right moment. You can’t just drop your cards in the middle of another person’s turn.

Firstly, you should subtly look at your cards — a major strategy for blackjack, among other poker games. When you place them on the table to fold, make sure no one else can see them then, either. The dealer will not be pleased if you make your cards visible.

Wait for your turn to make any move like this. It can be tough to wait through everyone else’s calls, raises and folds. But only when the dealer gets to you should you fold your hand.

Online, of course, the rules are slightly different. You can fold as soon as you see your cards. But playing in person requires finesse with folding.

Fold and Improve Your Game

A well-timed fold is just one of the skills that successful poker players have to learn. With this trick in the pocket, though, your strategy will be better — and you’ll open yourself up to honing even more skills for your next game.

How do you know when to fold? Let us know in the comments section below.