Wow, I get asked this question on a daily basis—there is no one set formula, but there are proven strategies that can work for you.
I was out to dinner with 3 couples last night—and guess how they all met? We laughed as of course it was online! Once couple has been married 25 years and met in the early Match.com years. Couple #2, together 6 years, giggled about Tinder—a second marriage for both. The last couple (guess who) approached six men in 10 days with fun, direct messages—and yes, number 6 was it for me. (oh, after 5 years of not dating post-divorce).
So, is it luck, work or just the right site at the right time?
7 Tips and Tricks:
1. Writing a Dating Profile
For women, the shorter your profile, the better. For men, the more information the better. Think about it: (not that I’m being sexist, just sharing my experiences as an online dating coach for almost 30 years) —Men get to the point quicker and don’t want to read a long, flowery history of your life. Think Men’s Magazines. There’s a reasons editors write in blurbs or bullet points—it’s the attention span. Women, on the other hand, like plenty of information up front.
2. Make it unique.
I’m looking for a LTR with a gentleman who is…………..Ok, I’m falling asleep just typing this.
Here’s one partial profile a male client and I laughed over yesterday and sent her a message immediately:
“……..starts as friends with sparks and becomes best friends with fireworks – Dr Seuss quote “ We are all a little weird and life’s a little weird, and when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual Weirdness and call it love!”
They have a date tomorrow.
3. Oh, those photos
Matter! Action works. Posing not so much. A reader: sitting on the floor at a Barnes and Noble with his favorite books stacked around him. A cook: at her pasta press making fettucine. A swimmer: action shot off a diving board.
A grandpa: teaching his grandchildren how to make tamales. Ok, you must have a lovely head shot too—and we know if its been photoshopped and filtered. Don’t forget to date your photos—June 2023. Christmas 2022. We all want to see the current you.
4. Always send a message even if you are on the fence
What do I mean? Let’s say you are 50/50 on someone—send a message as it does not hurt and worst case, you’ll get a bit more info. No likes, hearts, winks. Waste of time.
5. I’ve been online 5 nights this week and nothing.
Ok, my first question is: How many messages did you send? Generally, it’s “oh I was just looking and there is no one”.
Wrong attitude. Why when I as your online dating coach go online together each week do we find 5-8 singles to message? Zero action equals zero dates.
6. Don’t be shy
Ok, there are no rules here. You needn’t send 3 messages each, then ask for a phone number, then make a date. A Stanford study shows that from the time you reach out to a person to the first date/meet, no more than 5 days should pass or the likelihood of a date drops to under 15%. Whew!
Everyone online wants to meet someone—so be graciously direct! Here’s some examples of first messages:
“Hey Henry, you have an adorable puppy! Bon Jovi is my golden, 2 years old and rocks. I’m into archery too—actually a tournament tomorrow. Should we skip the calls and meet for a glass of red Sunday afternoon? I’m interested—Warmly, Carrie”
“Missy, your photos are so happy and your daughters look just like you. I can’t believe you live in Chevy Chase—you’re my neighbor and you bike and we’ve never run into each other. Would you be up for a coffee this weekend—or a bike ride? Matt”
7. This is NOT a full-time job
Keep online dating fun—but schedule it. I recommend 3-4 times per week, for 30 minutes each time. With one big caveat: during that 30-minutes, send 5 new messages. This gives you accountability….and dates!
Have a happy weekend and fun dating!
Andrea McGinty
Founder, 33000Dates
Founder, It’s Just Lunch (sold)
702-494-7344
Specializing in:
Dating Consulting Services and help with writing an online dating profile
Divorce is a significant life transition that can bring about numerous challenges for both individuals involved. Even though every divorce is different, many people face similar problems during the process. Therefore, understanding these challenges and learning effective strategies to deal with them can help you navigate the divorce process with greater resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Below you’ll learn about nine major problems you might encounter during a divorce. We’ll also explore actions for each situation to help you manage these challenges successfully.
Emotional Turmoil
To start with, divorce might cause you to feel strong emotions like sadness, anger, confusion, and grief. It’s important to remember that this is normal, so you should acknowledge and process these emotions to facilitate healing. If you are looking for a safe space to express these emotions, you may consider turning to friends and family or speaking to a therapist. It’s also recommended to engage in various self-care activities, such as meditation, journalling, or other hobbies, that may help you manage your emotions. Consider participating in a support community where you can relate to others going through similar emotions and hurdles.
Disagreements Between Parents
If you have children, it’s possible that you may have disagreements or disputes with your ex-spouse regarding your children’s living arrangements or their upbringing. In these cases, it may be a good idea to ask legal aid solicitors to step in and offer professional legal advice. Make sure you visit nationallegalservice to find out how National Legal Service can help you deal with various situations, including child contact arrangements and disputes relating to child maintenance. This will allow you to resolve these issues amicably and receive the support and guidance you need during these challenging times.
Co-Parenting Challenges
Co-parenting after a divorce means that you will need to navigate new dynamics and make joint decisions regarding your children. As a result, conflicts may arise when parents have different parenting styles or disagree on important issues. Therefore, it’s essential to maintain open and respectful communication and focus on the children’s wellbeing. You will need to establish clear boundaries and ensure consistency as much as possible. For example, it can be useful to create a shared online calendar to manage schedules, appointments, and other important events. This will help you promote transparency and make sure that both parents can stay informed and involved in their children’s lives.
Financial Adjustments
– Advertisement –
Navigating divorce also involves making significant financial adjustments as households split and new budgets are established. This means that it’s crucial to get a good understanding of your financial situation and create a realistic budget. Consider negotiating a fair division of assets, including property and debts. You will need to rebuild your financial stability, so it’s advisable to acquire new skills and explore new job opportunities. If you need additional support, you could consult a financial advisor or planner, who specialises in divorce so that you can create a post-divorce financial plan that works for you.
Impact On Children
It’s important to acknowledge the impact that divorce can have on your children’s mental wellbeing. Divorce can cause emotional distress and uncertainty in children, so you should focus on helping your children cope with these changes. You should be attentive to their emotions and beware of any changes in their behaviour. Also, it’s best to offer age-appropriate explanations and consider involving them only in decisions that directly affect their lives. To help children feel heard and involved in the process, you may want to plan regular family meetings, where everyone can openly discuss their thoughts and concerns.
Social And Relationship Changes
As a result of getting divorced, you will likely experience changes in your social circles and relationships with others. For example, some friendships may change or fade away, while at the same time new connections may form. Therefore, it’s important to surround yourself with supportive individuals who understand and respect your new circumstances. It can be beneficial to seek out social activities or professional networks that align with your interests and goals. This will provide you with an opportunity to meet like-minded people and build new relationships outside of your previous social circle.
Self-Identify And Self-Esteem
Another major challenge that you may face can be about your self-identity and self-esteem, which can often lead to feelings of insecurity and loss.
It’s important to create a sense of purpose and take actions to rebuild your self-esteem, such as:
engaging in self-reflection
setting achievable and realistic goals
exploring personal interests and passions
pursuing activities or hobbies that you have always wanted to try
rekindling old passions
re-connecting with old friends
investing in your personal and professional development
Engaging in fulfilling activities can be a great way to boost your self-confidence and rediscover aspects of your identity which might have been overshadowed during the marriage. You may also discover new opportunities to grow as a person, allowing you to make the most of your strengths and identify areas for improvement in your life.
Moving Forward And Healing
– Advertisement –
Remember that healing after a divorce takes time and patience, so it’s essential to give yourself permission to grieve the loss of the relationship and the life you had envisioned. Make sure you prioritise your physical and mental health to help you navigate the healing process. It can be beneficial to create a self-care routine, that includes activities that bring you joy and promote self-reflection. Whether you want to try a new exercise class or engage in creative outlets, these activities will help you express your emotions and move forward in a healthy and positive way.
Redefining Your Future
Embracing the process of self-discovery will provide you with new opportunities to redefine and shape your future. Take some time to envision the life you want to create for yourself and be sure to think about your vision for the future.
Consider enrolling in new classes or workshops to expand your knowledge of different subjects and gain new skills. As a result, this will introduce you to new networks and possibilities for personal growth and fulfilment.
Once a close friend of mine asked me, “If you could gain one ability today, what would it be?” Back then, I didn’t know he was asking me one of the 36 questions that lead to love, so I treated it casually and said something silly in response. These questions, as I got to know later, help in intimacy acceleration, even between two strangers. Call it a psychological test about love if you may!
The YouTube channel ‘Jubilee’ has a series called Can Two Strangers Fall In Love With 36 Questions? Russell and Kera were brought together for a blind date. By the end of the video, these interesting questions to fall in love helped them create mutual comfort and a strong friendship. The same thing happened in Big Bang Theory. You probably remember Sheldon and Penny taking this ‘falling in love’ quiz and the kind of closeness they felt after going through the deeply personal questions list.
So, the connection it creates between two people doesn’t necessarily have to be of passionate love that lands them in a romantic relationship. It could just as well be an intense platonic intimacy between two friends or acquaintances. Sounds a little implausible, right? Then let’s dig deeper and find out how modern love acts around these questions to deepen intimacy.
What Are The 36 Questions That Lead To Love?
Do you think a quiz can help you fall in love? Especially with someone you don’t know? That is the premise on which these 36 questions that make you fall in love are based. Popularized by a viral New York Times article and a psychological study on intimate relationships, these questions are the new, innovative way of falling in love with a stranger or strengthening your bond with your partner.
Ever since the study and its popularity from a 2015 essay by Mandy Len Catron in the Modern Love column, ‘To Fall In Love With Anyone, Do This’, these questions have taken the world by storm. Divided into three sections of 12 questions each, this relationship experiment can be way more impactful than you think.
It’s not limited only to strangers. Married couples, partners in new or long-term relationships, and all the people who have a teensy bit of interest in social psychology and developing meaningful connections can give it a shot. In a nutshell, we would say to fall in love with anyone, do this! Later come back to us and take our ‘Are you really in love?’ quiz to see how you feel about that person. In love, at all?
How the 36 questions that lead to love were created
In 1997, Dr. Arthur Aron and his colleagues at Stony Brook University published a paper in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin based on a series of case studies on intimate relations. The idea behind the study was to observe how closeness with a person operates in the human brain and in human attitude, as well as how intimacy between two strangers could be accelerated.
As an accessory to the study, Dr. Aron’s team came up with 36 questions to ask someone to fall in love that would roughly take around 40-45 minutes to answer. Dr. Aron carried out this test by presenting the questions to a heterosexual man and woman, both complete strangers to each other. They answered the questions along with 4 minutes of continued eye contact. The most startling result? The couple got married just 6 months later!
The way these 36 questions that lead to love have been designed is perhaps the most important factor in their success. They are premeditated in order to help people develop feelings of intimacy and be vulnerable with each other, which are key components of love. Read on for the research behind these 36 how-to fall-in-love questions.
The Research Behind The 36 Questions That Lead To Love
What makes people fall in love? For sure, you would want to know the person better, for who they really are. Naturally, it seems incredible that a set of questions can wind up in two people falling in love. In an interview with The Statesman, Dr. Aron shares his thought process while developing these questions that create intimacy. He says that one of the three basics of this technique is “…connecting by revealing personal stuff. It must not be too much too fast. ‘Too fast’ sort of puts them off.
“So what we did is we came up with a set of questions that people ask each other that gradually escalate in personalness. It’s not very hard to answer [the early questions] but then they get more and more personal towards the end.” He adds, “It’s not so much about revealing personal stuff, it’s about the feeling that you are heard, it’s the responsiveness of the other person.” Here are a few things to remember before we get to the magical questions that make you fall in love:
When the subjects of the research gradually moved down the ’36 questions that lead to love’ list, they eventually started to build trust in each other
Another key to the success of this experiment is reciprocity. It won’t work unless both subjects handle each question with absolute honesty
While the questions aren’t guaranteed to make you fall in love, the study shows that they have been adept at creating feelings of intimacy and understanding
The ’36 Questions That Lead To Love’ List
The technique of asking these questions to your significant other, a close friend, or even someone else with whom you want to establish a connection, nudges you out of your comfort zone and subtly forces you to reveal things about yourself that you wouldn’t normally talk about. The questions are ingenious because they help people understand the importance of gradually exposing themselves to self-disclosure.
From your life story to a personal problem or an embarrassing moment to a treasured memory, everything would slowly come up in the conversation. So, if you’re looking for questions that create intimacy to ask a crush or vulnerable questions to ask your partner to deepen the emotional bonding in your relationship, here’s the complete set of ‘falling in love’ quiz with all 36 questions!
Set I
Most people won’t be comfortable talking about their childhood trauma or something that personal with a stranger in the beginning. Keeping that in mind, the first questions of the test were designed as icebreakers, very fun and interesting, to make them comfortable in each other’s presence. If you are not sure how to strike up a conversation with a crush, here are a few safe things to ask her/him that will positively make them take an interest in you:
1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?
2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?
3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?
4. What would constitute a ‘perfect’ day for you?
5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?
6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?
7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?
9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?
10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?
11. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.
12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?
This conversation is bound to bring you and your love closer than ever!
Set II
Now that you have broken the initial awkwardness, it’s time to know some of the very important factors about the person sitting next to you. For instance, their dreams and goals in life, their values and morals, their parameters of success and love, and so on. And, that’s how the second set of questions to fall in love are structured:
13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future, or anything else, what would you want to know?
14. Is there something that you’ve dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven’t you done it?
15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?
16. What do you value most in a friendship?
17. What is your most treasured memory?
18. What is your most terrible memory?
19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?
20. What does friendship mean to you?
21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?
22. Alternate-sharing of something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items.
23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people’s?
24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?
This is the stage where the game hits another level! The questions in this set may look apparently breezy but they are meant to reach your innermost emotions and dig out some delicate feelings and revelations. It talks about your boundaries, your perspectives on certain matters, things that you hold close to your heart, and what breaks you down.
The answers can be a pretty big thing to say in a budding relationship because it’s like you are directly on your tenth date to know something so personal about the other person. Believe it or not, such deep questions for couples have the power to bring them closer when they are drifting apart:
25. Make three true “we” statements each. For instance, “We are both in this room feeling…”
26. Complete this sentence: “I wish I had someone with whom I could share…”
27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for them to know.
28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you’ve just met.
29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.
30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?
31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.
32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?
33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven’t you told them yet?
34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?
35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?
36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner’s advice on how they might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you on how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.
Do The ‘36 Questions That Lead To Love’ Work For Couples?
These relationship-building questions focus on different components of a person’s life, like their relationship with their family, their friendships, how they perceive themselves, etc. These are also particularly helpful on a first date. After all, the 36 questions that lead to love are perfect for people who don’t know how to hold a conversation. This way, you talk about the things that actually matter and establish closeness instead of generating superficial chit-chat.
Gloria, a reader who has been in a relationship for 4 years, shared her experience. “My friend came across this article titled ‘Questions to Make Him Fall in Love’. I personally thought it was clickbait but she persuaded me to try these out on my next date. I did, and what do you know! Shaun and I stayed in the restaurant for 5 hours, just talking and talking.
“And the best part was that these ‘questions to make him fall in love’ didn’t feel like separate entities in our conversation. After the first few, they evolved into queries that I genuinely wanted his answers to. That’s how it started, and look at us now.”
One thing in common among all the dates was that this technique helped bypass the perfunctory questions and answers, and the awkward and superficial part of getting to know someone. Be it platonic or romantic, all relationships require trust, intimacy, and the knowledge that this person likes you. And, if that is your goal, you should totally go with these deep questions to ask partner and see the results for yourself.
If the questions don’t guarantee love, what use are they?
The researchers who formulated the ’36 questions that lead to love’ technique clarify that the questions do not necessarily make you fall in love. Though some people have fallen in love in this process, others have formed a deep, platonic bond, and some have found a comfortable familiarity with strangers. The questions unlock vulnerability and genuineness.
Meaningful questions about friends and family help the other person know more about the intimate relationships in your life, and how much they matter to you. Other questions test how vulnerable and honest you can be with your partner, traits that are usually discovered later in a potential relationship. This creates a sense of comfort, trust, relatability, and intimacy.
Dr. Aron believes that it’s essential to take turns answering one question at a time. In an interview with Brides magazine, he shared, “If you reveal deep things to the other person, and then they reveal them to you, you feel safe about it. You are likely to be responsive because it’s going back and forth. This part is crucial.”
Key Pointers
In 1997, a psychological study was conducted by Dr. Arthur Aron and his colleagues to observe how closeness with a person operates in the human brain and in human attitude, as well as how intimacy between two strangers could be accelerated
They formulated these 36 questions, which create intimacy and a sense of familiarity even between complete strangers
These questions help people understand the importance of gradually exposing themselves to self-disclosure
The questions focus on different, important entities of a person’s life, like their relationship with their family, their friendships, how they perceive themselves, etc., and skip the superficiality of small talk that people generally indulge in
When it comes to the 36 questions that lead to love, it’s not exactly romantic love that is the end goal. Love can be of various types – romantic, platonic, or familial. The end result of the whole exercise is forming a deep connection. A connection that will transcend awkwardness and initial mistrust. If you can bond like that with someone with just 36 questions, why wouldn’t you?
The celebrity crush on your bedroom wall with whom you dream of a Notting Hill ending. The more-than-best-friend whose long hugs make everything okay. The stranger, actually the Greek God, you meet on a vacation and you wonder if you’ll ever run into them again. So many exhilarating stories, and so many types of crushes. These stories can be filled with unpredictable events, thrilling highs, and crushing lows. But the butterflies in the stomach, the goofy smiles, and the sweet memories make the journey worth it all.
The 13 Types Of Crushes You Have Had (Or Will Have) At Least Once!
“All right. It’s a new day. And it’s just a crush. That’s all. Just a little crush. All that worrying I was doing? That was crazy. Crazy! Like my friend the bird here would say, “It was cuckoo!” Everything’s gonna be fine. It’s just a crush,” says Joey Tribbiani to himself after being bitten by the love bug. The crush bug, actually. The next moment, Rachel shows up with a, “Hi, sweetie.” Joey’s mind instantly goes, “I love you.” And there it is – the rollercoaster of emotions when you have a crush on someone.
It’s a rollercoaster we’re all quite familiar with because everyone develops a crush at least once in their life. While the base feeling remains more or less the same, the different types of crushes bring with them a unique experience. So let us explore the types of crushes we all have had (or will have) at least once in our lives. Here goes the list!
1. The childhood crush
Remember Little Manhattan and our sixth-grader hero? He develops a crush on his karate class partner, Rosemary, and suddenly, his heart is a whirlwind of emotions. She’s her first crush after all. “Okay, what’s going on here? What the heck is this? Oh my God. What’s this feeling in the pit of my stomach? Who is this; this amazing creature before me? I looked at Rosemary and just felt so, um, confused. She’s a girl. I’m supposed to despise girls, not feel nervous talking to one, not feel tongue-tied. I mean this was Rosemary Telesco, I knew her since Kindergarten.”
Does Gabe make any sense to you? If he does, you’ve probably experienced something similar with your childhood crush. You were classmates in third grade, or they lived next door and sneaked into your room every day – just to play Scrabble! When you saw your childhood crush’s wedding updates on Instagram, it might have stung a little. But it also gave you a goofy smile – a little secret between you and your sweet old childhood.
Maybe you’re going through a dry spell. Or you just want to spice up your sex life. Should you hook up with that hot gym buddy you’ve always liked a little more than a friend? Or would you keep mum because it will make things awkward at the gym the next day? No matter what, you know you’d love to see those biceps all worked up and that tee ripped open right in front of you. And that, my friend, is your horny crush.
For more expert-backed insights, subscribe to our YouTube channel. Click here.
3. The social media crush
“When I was in college, I had a crush on this girl. I remember being mesmerized by her pictures on Instagram. She also had such a great sense of humor. I read everything she shared and I couldn’t stop smiling at my phone,” shares Jake, a 23-year-old artist from NYC. “Once she shared this Spotify link, you know, and I realized we have the same taste in music. I became really weak in the knees. And I finally texted her!”
Do you also have an online crush? Maybe you know exactly where their sister’s boyfriend’s mother went on vacation last month. Maybe your friends just caught you staring at their Saturday night selfie for the seventeenth time in a row. You find this person irresistibly cute and expect they’ll accept your friend/follow request. Sure, stalking your social media crush may be your favorite sport these days, but make sure you don’t overdo it. You don’t want their conversation starter to be, “Why have you shared my family picnic photo from five years ago on your Facebook wall?”
4. The celebrity crush
The fun part is, even celebrities have celebrity crushes. During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live in 2015, Selena Gomez told the world that Chris Evans was her celebrity crush. “I kind of have a crush on Chris Evans. Isn’t he cute? He’s very cute,” she said to her host, who of course, instantly agreed. So the next time you feel embarrassed for the Edward Cullen poster on your bedroom wall, or texting Zendaya “Happy birthday!” every year without fail, cut yourself some slack. Your celebrity crushes may change as you grow up but these are crushes you can’t deny.
5. The fictional crush
On her first day as a surgical intern at Seattle Grace Hospital, Meredith learns that Dr. Derek Shepherd is her boss. Derek, the guy she just had a casual hookup with. They find each other irresistible and eventually start dating. Years down the line, Meredith still considers Derek as her McDreamy. And if you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan, chances are that, years down the line, you still consider Derek as your own McDreamy.
Crushes on fictional characters are more common than you’d think. Think about it: you’re tired of toxic relationships in real life and you simply cannot deal with the drama anymore. Then suddenly, you meet the most amazing person on screen or on pages of a thick novel. Your fictional crush and you seem to be made just for each other. And that make-believe world, with your ideal match in it, becomes the perfect escape, albeit for a short time.
6. The work crush
“Four years ago, I was just a guy who had a crush on a girl who had a boyfriend. And I had to do the hardest thing that I’ve ever had to do, which was just to…wait. And a lot of people told me I was crazy to wait this long for a date with a girl that I work with but I think, even then I knew…I was waiting for my wife.” Who can forget these iconic lines by Mr. Halpert from The Office? If there’s anyone who knows what it is like to wait for your crush, it has to be Jim.
Thinking about your own work crush while reading this? Maybe you’ll expect wedding bells soon. Or you’ll accept you developed this crush out of boredom in your 9 to 5 job. Irrespective of the possibilities, this is a tricky situation to navigate. Flirt a little and ask them out if you really wish to. But make sure it’s all consensual and both of you are on the same page. Fingers crossed, with some healthy relationship boundaries, an office romance can be super exciting for you.
Imagine you are alone at a housewarming party. All your friends have left with their dates. You wonder if you should get another glass of wine. Just at that moment, you see someone else is also in your situation. They’re alone, awkward, and kind of hot. This crush happens out of convenience. You finally walk up to them and say hi. Soon you’re talking about your favorite songs by The Smiths, or bonding over your mutual love for dogs.
Types Of crushes
8. The rebound crush
After a breakup, especially if the relationship was a serious one, you may think you’ll never fall in love again. But suddenly, after a few days, you seem to be fancying someone new. If you just got out of a relationship and you’re crushing on someone to heal your broken heart, this might be a rebound crush.
It can be a super fun and liberating experience but make sure you are not using it to run away from the pain of heartbreak. A good yardstick to assess whether it’s a rebound crush or a sign you’re moving on, see if, at the back of your mind, you’re always comparing your crush to your ex. If you do, it’s best to back off or at least have an honest conversation with your crush. If your crush likes you back, they will only be hurt if you use them as a distraction to get over your ex.
I have a crush on my professor. I am in love with my boss. Has this ever happened to you? Even if it brings back an embarrassing memory, you’re not the only one. Take our charming, witty, glorious Fleabag, for instance. As she navigates the choppy waters of her crush on a hot priest, his neck (HIS NECK!), and a little arm touch now and then, their friendship gets all the more sexually charged.
You can feel this bubble of sexual tension, even during their deep conversations about life, death, art, sex, and faith. And if you orgasm just thinking about Andrew Scott telling Phoebe Waller-Bridge to ‘kneel’, you know what’s happening here. The unflinching attraction to an authority figure; you know, it may never pass.
In reality, it is quite natural to be crushing on an authority figure. Some people are attracted to a person who is in a position of power and is intelligent and resourceful. The idea of such a relationship can seem super risky and thrilling. However, in some cases, such a crush or relationship can come with a power imbalance. While it is normal to feel attracted to an authority figure, set some healthy boundaries. Make sure there is emotional safety in your relationship. If it creeps you out or makes you uncomfortable in any way, take a step back and seek help.
10. The hate crush
“I have a theory. Hating someone feels disturbingly similar to being in love with them. I’ve had a lot of time to compare love and hate, and these are my observations. Love and hate are visceral. Your stomach twists at the thought of that person. The heart in your chest beats heavy and bright, nearly visible through your flesh and clothes. Your appetite and sleep are shredded. Every interaction spikes your blood with adrenaline, and you’re on the brink of fight or flight. Your body is barely under your control. You’re consumed, and it scares you. Both love and hate are mirror versions of the same game – and you have to win. Why? Your heart and your ego. Trust me, I should know.” – Lucy Hutton from The Hating Game.
In this enemies-to-lovers story, Lucy and Joshua can’t stand the sight of each other at first. As their rivalry heightens over time, their interactions are filled with sexual tension. Does this remind you of your love-hate relationship with your crush? We get it, you can’t stop thinking about this one girl/guy you have always hated. Or, your blood boils up at the mention of their name but you also can’t stop wanting to rip their clothes off.
11. The holiday crush
We all get a little relaxed during the holidays. We loosen up, meet new people and look at the world differently. If you’re on vacation, you may develop crushes on people you meet on the road or at your hotel. A holiday is a break from reality, and this crush makes it all the more thrilling. You just want to have a good time, and you deserve it. Now, things can get complicated if we take these flings too seriously. Of course, you can meet the love of your life on a holiday. But make sure you don’t misread the situation and end up with a vacation heartbreak instead.
12. The stranger crush
It’s a Tuesday night and you’re walking down the street. You glance at someone, and they smile at you. This mysterious stranger makes you skip a heartbeat. You don’t know their name, where they live, or what their interests are. But there is something magical about them. You know you’re falling in love with a stranger. And you wonder if you’ll run into your stranger crush ever again.
After a string of unrequited loves and crushes, you meet someone who changes your life. They show you all the green flags in a relationship. A caring text from them is a breath of fresh air. When you hang out together, you can’t stop smiling. You know you’ve got a crush and a lot of butterflies in your stomach. They make you feel warm, peaceful, and infinite. You know deep down that they’re the one for you.
Key Pointers
When you get a crush on someone, it can be a rollercoaster of emotions
There are different types of crushes such as the childhood crush, the celebrity crush, the stranger crush, the holiday crush, and so on
Certain crushes like a rebound crush or a work crush can be harder to navigate than others
If you decide to act on your feelings with your work crush, make sure they are on the same page and establish some healthy boundaries
If you’ve got a crush on someone, it can be a super exciting ride ahead. A cute text at midnight, or a sudden meet at the supermarket – anything might light up your heart. You get electrifying rushes around them and you feel so alive. However, if you constantly feel overwhelmed, or keep on approaching your crush after being rejected, it is time to dive deep into your own emotional needs.
This piece first appeared in our weekly newsletter, The Fallout. Sign up for ithere.
Saturday will be one year since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and in so many ways, I’m angrier than ever.
The decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has careened the maternal mortality crisis into a full-blown human rights crisis in the country. There are stories—sometimes daily—of patients who have nearly died as a result of an abortion ban. And those are just the stories that have made it to press. So often this year I’ve wondered about all the patient stories that haven’t been written about and the tragedies we don’t know about.
There is also the reality that overturning Roe has upended maternal health medicine in ways that could take generations to recover. Maternity wards are closing, and medical students are refusing to go into obstetric medicine because they worry they could land in jail. As a country, we have yet to grapple with these effects.
And what about the terrifying increase in threats and harassment providers and patients are facing? At what point do our lawmakers finally begin to understand that the attacks on clinics and patients have always been the canaries in the coal mine of the attacks on our democracy?
It certainly doesn’t help that in the year since Justice Samuel Alito’s Dobbs opinion was leaked, we’ve learned what a corrupt clown he really is. Since the decision, story after story has come out about Alito’s ties to big-money interests before the Court, as well as his connections to evangelical power players hoping to leverage the Supreme Court in their Christian nationalist crusade. The ethical breaches are so brazen. The corruption runs so deep. Alito’s skin is so thin, and it’s all just so, so bad.
But beyond just a circus of corruption from the Court, what this last year drove home the most is that Dobbs was a fundamentally lawless decision handed down from a fundamentally lawless Court. The chaos and suffering it has inflicted was intentional. And if Alito and the other conservatives on the Court could do it all over again just for kicks, they would.
Taking pre-workout supplements will help you achieve your fitness goals no matter your fitness level. Many gym goers and fitness enthusiasts use pre-workouts to aid them in their fitness journey.
If you find yourself undergoing training for a long time but still haven’t reached your fitness goal, or if you notice that you are losing stamina, taking a pre-workout supplement might just be what you need. Before you jump into taking one, check out these five things first that you must do before you take a pre-workout.
Identify Your Goal
The first thing you need to do before taking a pre-workout supplement or even before buying one is to identify your goal. One of the reasons why pre-workout supplements are popular is that they can help you achieve your goal faster.
Knowing your goal will help you choose the right supplement to take and achieve its true potential. For instance, if you’re looking to take pre-workout supplements to help you boost your energy level when working out, then you must consider this when you pick a supplement to take.
Another thing that pre-workouts can help you with is improving fat burning during workouts. Thus, if your goal is to lose weight, you might want to buy a pre-workout supplement to help you burn more fat quickly.
Shop Around For The Best Supplements To Take
– Advertisement –
With your goal established in mind, the next thing you should do is shop around for the best supplements. Don’t just purchase the first pre-workout that you’ll see online or at a brick-and-mortar fitness shop.
You must check the Detailed Reviews of Pre-Workout Supplements that you come across. It will help you know which can provide you with a quality result based on customers’ experience.
In a detailed review, you will see the side effects, the good results, and many more that the user has experienced while using that specific supplement.
It’s also best to ask friends or family who have been working out and using a pre-workout supplement for some recommendations. It is also a great way to get an unbiased review from someone you know, which means you can ask questions about the supplement when something comes up.
Eat A Small Meal
Like with medications, expect that supplements can also have side effects. Common side effects that pre-workout supplement users experience are:
Insomnia
Diarrhea
Headache
Dehydration
Tingly or Prickly Sensation
High Blood Pressure
Eating a small meal 30 to 60 minutes before taking the pre-workout will help minimize the possible side effects you could experience with pre-workouts. You need to remember to avoid food with high fiber content to ensure you will get the supplement’s full potency.
– Advertisement –
Although some people take pre-workouts on an empty stomach, it’s not advisable. Imagine drinking coffee on an empty stomach.
You will feel light-headedness, jittery and nauseous. Since pre-workouts have high doses of caffeine, you will also feel the same if you don’t eat before drinking a pre-workout supplement.
Sometimes, you wouldn’t see caffeine on the label but expect that pre-workout supplements added caffeine into their formulation. You must use the supplement according to the recommended dosage on the label.
– Advertisement –
It’s not a good idea to take more than the recommended dosage. If you’re unsure of your caffeine tolerance, you can start taking the supplement at half its recommended dosage and observe. Slowly work your way up until you reach the recommended dosage if you don’t feel any side effects like insomnia, palpitation, and nausea.
If you think caffeine isn’t good for you, you might consider using stimulant-free pre-workout supplements.
Talk To Your Healthcare Provider
Talking to your healthcare provider before taking any pre-workout supplements is highly recommended. It might sound safe, given the fact that it’s just a supplement and not a medication, but some ingredients could lead to serious side effects.
It was mentioned earlier that high blood pressure is among the common side effects of pre-workout supplements. That’s why you must discuss this matter with your healthcare provider before consuming it.
It’s even more vital if you know that you have hypertension or heart problems. This way, your physician can guide you through using pre-workout supplements according to your condition. Additionally, if you don’t know your current health situation, it’s better to thoroughly examine your health before you decide to take pre-workout supplements.
In Conclusion
There are so many things that you need to consider before you start consuming a pre-workout supplement. Always keep in mind that your safety is the priority. Don’t rush into buying and drinking a pre-workout supplement just because all your other gym buddies do it. You must consider the things mentioned above before trying the supplement yourself.
Are you dreading a long journey, whether down the highway or on a plane? Don’t worry – with the proper preparation and some creative ideas to keep you entertained, your journey can become an enjoyable experience!
To help make sure that boredom doesn’t set in during your trip, this article has compiled some fun and exciting pastimes to provide hours of entertainment along the way. Read on for a list of innovative activities to keep your travel adventures lively.
Create a playlist beforehand or make a road trip mixtape to keep your spirits up during the journey
Going on a road trip can be an adventure of a lifetime but can also be tiring and monotonous, especially if you are driving alone. That’s where a playlist or a mixtape can come in handy. You can create a mix of songs that match the road trip’s mood, whether upbeat and energetic or melodic and reflective. Curating a playlist beforehand can also give you a chance to reminisce about good times and help create new memories. The beauty of having a playlist or mixtape is that it can lull you into a peaceful state, help you focus on the scenery or take your mind off the miles, and keep your spirits up throughout the journey. So, next time you plan a road trip, don’t forget to create your ultimate playlist or mixtape to make the adventure more memorable.
Load up your phone with podcasts and audiobooks so you can stay engaged and entertained while driving
Long road trips can be tedious, but they don’t have to be! With today’s technology, you can quickly load up your phone with podcasts and audiobooks to keep you engaged and entertained while driving. Whether you’re into true crime, comedy, self-help, or any other genre, there’s a podcast out there for you. And if you prefer to delve into a good book, audiobooks are the perfect solution. You can even switch between the two to keep things interesting. So why settle for silence or static-filled radio stations when you can have endless hours of enriching content at your fingertips? Load up your phone with your favorite podcasts and audiobooks and hit the road in style.
If you’re looking for an exciting way to pass the time during your travels, why not try online casino games? Not only are they fun and entertaining, but some of them can also offer great excitement. Whether you prefer card games such as Blackjack or Poker, slots with multi-pay lines, or even the most popular live casino games like Roulette and Baccarat, online casinos offer something for everyone. Plenty of websites let you play for free or with real money so that you can enjoy an interactive experience while on the go.
Sites like jackpotcity casino are a good choice because they have a wide selection of games to choose from as well as loads of information about payment options and safe gambling. If you go to the main page, you’ll see they offer online slots, online blackjack, online roulette, online keno, video poker, and more! There’s a mobile casino feature as well as a casino app, so there are plenty of ways to play when you’re on the move.
Take advantage of any roadside attractions – stop at a small museum or park to take a break from the trip
Long road trips can be tiring, especially when you’re driving for hours on end. Yet, did you know that taking short breaks during your journey can actually make it more enjoyable? Roadside attractions are a perfect way to break up the monotony of a long trip. These attractions may include small museums, parks, or even weird and quirky landmarks. Stopping at one of these places not only gives you an opportunity to stretch your legs but can also be a fun way to learn something new about the area you’re traveling through.
So, take advantage of the next roadside attraction you come across and see what unexpected adventure may be waiting for you.
Is Being an Alpha Female Hurting Your Chances of Finding Love After 50?
You can read the blog below or watch it on YouTube by clicking here.
I admit it. I can be quite the Alpha Female who had to learn how to deal with men in a different way.
I’d always gotten along with men, laughing, joking, and just enjoying their energy.
It wasn’t until I heard the words, “You don’t know how to let a man be a man” from two different men that I realized something wasn’t right.
(If you’ve ever heard my story, this was a turning point in my life and what ultimately lead me to becoming a dating coach guiding women on the journey of attracting love with a good man into their life after 50.)
Back to the story . . .I really didn’t know what those words, “You don’t know how to let a man be a man” meant.
Did it mean I was supposed to be a doormat and just lie down and let them walk all over me?
Did it mean I didn’t have a choice or a say in what happened in the relationship?
I remember feeling so confused and actually kind of scared.
I looked back on my relationship with the men I’d dated and made note of a couple of words I’d heard more than once.
Words like controlling, ordering, and emasculating.
And I began figuring out exactly what these meant to men and to my ego that was feeling a bit hurt that I’d been perceived this way.
What I learned was ordering meant asking a man to do something the way you’d ask a woman to do it.
Controlling meant, telling him how to do whatever task you’ve asked him to do.
And emasculating meant, not letting him be who he is . . . a man who wants to do his best to please you.
So, I began trying out words with men to see how they’d react.
And I found what I now call the 4 Magic Words that men can actually hear and respond well to.
What are these 4 Magic Words?
“I need your help.”
So simple yet so hard for many of us to say.
We are so used to being independent that asking for help feels a bit like being perceived as weak.
But you’re not weak.
Nor was I.
But, I have to admit saying those 4 words was not easy at first.
I remember going up to the produce guy in the grocery store and practically choking on those magic words when I asked for his help in picking out a ripe cantaloupe.
What happened though surprised me.
His chest puffed up as he hurried over to the cantaloupes and started to check each one out.
When he found the right one, he looked up at me with the smile of a proud man.
I thanked him for his help and told him how much I appreciated him finding such a fine ripe cantaloupe.
I was so surprised to see his chest puff up even more as he told me, “Always a pleasure to help.”
I tried this experiment again at a different grocery store but this time when the produce guy proudly handed me the cantaloupe, I looked at him and said . . . “This is way too ripe. It’s going to rot before I even get it home. Maybe that one’s better. Or that one over there.”
The smile dropped off his face.
His body literally caved in like a puppy does when you say . . . “No, no, no to it.”
It was painful to watch and I felt terrible because truthfully the cantaloupe was quite ripe and smelled amazing.
I did apologize to him and told him what I was up to which set off a whole litany of stories about feeling emasculated that I won’t repeat here.
What I will share is that I learned 3 important lessons using the 4 magic words . . . I need your help.
#1 Men truly want to help you and make you happy and will do their best to make it happen.
#2 Men, like us, get hurt when they are criticized for what they do especially when they are trying to do their best at helping you.
#3 Men don’t like being told how to do their job.
Since that time, I’ve used the 4 magic words hundreds of times along with “thank you, I so appreciate it!”
And it’s helped me get my needs met by men over and over again.
In fact, when I use them, men always jump hoops to help me.
It really is magic!
I’d love to hear how these 4 magic words are working for you.
Let me know by posting your comment below.
Big hugs ~
Love this article? Sign up by clicking here to receive my weekly blog.
Is Being an Alpha Female Hurting Your Chances of Finding Love After 50?
You can read the blog below or watch it on YouTube by clicking here.
I admit it. I can be quite the Alpha Female who had to learn how to deal with men in a different way.
I’d always gotten along with men, laughing, joking, and just enjoying their energy.
It wasn’t until I heard the words, “You don’t know how to let a man be a man” from two different men that I realized something wasn’t right.
(If you’ve ever heard my story, this was a turning point in my life and what ultimately lead me to becoming a dating coach guiding women on the journey of attracting love with a good man into their life after 50.)
Back to the story . . .I really didn’t know what those words, “You don’t know how to let a man be a man” meant.
Did it mean I was supposed to be a doormat and just lie down and let them walk all over me?
Did it mean I didn’t have a choice or a say in what happened in the relationship?
I remember feeling so confused and actually kind of scared.
I looked back on my relationship with the men I’d dated and made note of a couple of words I’d heard more than once.
Words like controlling, ordering, and emasculating.
And I began figuring out exactly what these meant to men and to my ego that was feeling a bit hurt that I’d been perceived this way.
What I learned was ordering meant asking a man to do something the way you’d ask a woman to do it.
Controlling meant, telling him how to do whatever task you’ve asked him to do.
And emasculating meant, not letting him be who he is . . . a man who wants to do his best to please you.
So, I began trying out words with men to see how they’d react.
And I found what I now call the 4 Magic Words that men can actually hear and respond well to.
What are these 4 Magic Words?
“I need your help.”
So simple yet so hard for many of us to say.
We are so used to being independent that asking for help feels a bit like being perceived as weak.
But you’re not weak.
Nor was I.
But, I have to admit saying those 4 words was not easy at first.
I remember going up to the produce guy in the grocery store and practically choking on those magic words when I asked for his help in picking out a ripe cantaloupe.
What happened though surprised me.
His chest puffed up as he hurried over to the cantaloupes and started to check each one out.
When he found the right one, he looked up at me with the smile of a proud man.
I thanked him for his help and told him how much I appreciated him finding such a fine ripe cantaloupe.
I was so surprised to see his chest puff up even more as he told me, “Always a pleasure to help.”
I tried this experiment again at a different grocery store but this time when the produce guy proudly handed me the cantaloupe, I looked at him and said . . . “This is way too ripe. It’s going to rot before I even get it home. Maybe that one’s better. Or that one over there.”
The smile dropped off his face.
His body literally caved in like a puppy does when you say . . . “No, no, no to it.”
It was painful to watch and I felt terrible because truthfully the cantaloupe was quite ripe and smelled amazing.
I did apologize to him and told him what I was up to which set off a whole litany of stories about feeling emasculated that I won’t repeat here.
What I will share is that I learned 3 important lessons using the 4 magic words . . . I need your help.
#1 Men truly want to help you and make you happy and will do their best to make it happen.
#2 Men, like us, get hurt when they are criticized for what they do especially when they are trying to do their best at helping you.
#3 Men don’t like being told how to do their job.
Since that time, I’ve used the 4 magic words hundreds of times along with “thank you, I so appreciate it!”
And it’s helped me get my needs met by men over and over again.
In fact, when I use them, men always jump hoops to help me.
It really is magic!
I’d love to hear how these 4 magic words are working for you.
Let me know by posting your comment below.
Big hugs ~
Love this article? Sign up by clicking here to receive my weekly blog.
The word lavish describes a love that is rich and abundant. It isn’t a word we use often—especially in marriage—but it paints a picture of extravagant love.
As you read this, I can only imagine the thoughts that are going through your head. You might be thinking you don’t have the time, energy, or motivation to lavishly love your spouse. You might even be wondering what that type of love looks like.
I get it. Most of us are too busy to put extra work or time into our relationships. But what if lavish love was less about work and more about living in the overflow? God’s overflow of love—in us—is like a fountain that never runs dry. And when we allow His love to flow through us, loving our spouses lavishly not only becomes a possibility, it becomes a way of life.
Here’s how to lavishly love your spouse:
1. Fancy Them Again
Remember the honeymoon phase of marriage when you “fancied” your spouse? This British word for “attraction” isn’t one we typically use to describe our feelings, but it reminds us that we were once enamored with our spouses.
Lavish love is willing to revisit the early days, remember the vows that were made, and rekindle the passion you once shared. If your feelings have changed over the years, pray and ask God to fill you with a renewed sense of love and commitment.
Here are a few practical ways to fancy your spouse again:
Let them know they still cause your heart to beat a little faster when they enter the room.
Reminisce about past romantic getaways.
Assure them you only have eyes for them, and you love being married to them.
Remember why you fell in love in the first place, then lavishly love your spouse by reigniting the spark that brought you together.
“See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come. Arise, come, my darling; my beautiful one, come with me.” Song of Songs 2:11 & 13
2. Invest in Their Emotional Treasury
Emotions are part of our God-given design, yet we tend to stifle them, ignore them, and even deny them. In marriage, both men and women have emotional wells that need filling up. While only Christ can fill the need for salvation, husbands and wives can help fill each other’s emotional needs. Here’s how:
Offer words of affirmation.
Words of affirmation are listed as one of the love languages according to author Gary Chapman. But whether words of affirmation are your personal love language or not, everyone appreciates sincere compliments and positive expressions of love.
Thank them.
Everyone wants to be appreciated. Look for opportunities to thank your spouse and let them know how much you appreciate their efforts. This can be as simple as saying, “I see how hard you work for us and I want you to know how much I appreciate it.”
Validate them.
Many husbands and wives do not feel validated by their spouses. Instead, they feel ignored or even dismissed. Validating your spouse requires you to listen to them and acknowledge what they’re saying. It means that even when you don’t agree, you still affirm their wonderful qualities.
“How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful! Your eyes are doves.” Song of Songs 1:15
When you value something, you pay close attention to it. You care for it. You devote time and energy to protecting it. Lavishly loving your spouse includes elaborating on the value they bring to your relationship.
How is your spouse valuable to you? In what ways do they enrich your life? Have you let them know just how valuable they are? These are key questions to ask yourself as you lavishly love your spouse and make them feel appreciated.
Here are a few things you can do to elaborate on their value:
Point out their strengths.
Offer your undivided time and attention.
Esteem them above yourself.
Give them gifts “just because.”
When your spouse sees how valuable they are, your marriage will reach a new level of respect. And respect is essential to lavish love.
“Who is this that appears like the dawn, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, majestic as the stars in procession?” Song of Songs 6:10
4. Be Extravagant in Your Affection
There’s a right kind of affection and a wrong kind of affection. The right kind is considerate, tender, and in-tune with your spouse’s needs. The wrong kind is selfish, hasty, and unconcerned. To love your spouse lavishly, ask God to ignite the right kind of affection between you.
One way to be extravagant in your affection is to take the time to get to know what your spouse desires. Ask them what makes them feel loved and cherished. Try to catch on to their physical and verbal cues. Most of all, let God lead your heart to lavish your spouse with the right kind of affection.
Here are additional resources to help you show the right kind of affection:
“Eat, friends, and drink; drink your fill of love.” Song of Songs 5:1
5. Invest in What Matters Most
One of the best ways you can lavishly love your spouse is by investing in what matters most. What matters most to them? Is it time spent talking about life and faith? Is it doing things together and making memories? Whatever matters most in your marriage, invest in that.
Hopefully, you are both walking with the Lord and are on a spiritual journey together. If not, pray about ways you can invest in sharing the Gospel with your spouse and making sure they know what salvation means.
If you’re both Christ-followers, invest in a couple’s Bible study or join a small marriage group. By investing in your Spiritual growth, you’ll be investing in your marriage. Don’t allow work or other activities to get in the way from devoting time and energy to your spouse. Together, make a list of what matters most and build your life around those things.
Remember, lavishly loving your spouse comes from God’s overflow. Whenever you feel like you have nothing left to give, allow God’s love to flow through you. Before long, it will become a way of life for you, and your marriage will experience lavish love like never before.
Jennifer Waddle is the author of several books, including Prayer WORRIER: Turning Every Worry into Powerful Prayer, and is a regular contributor for LifeWay, Crosswalk, Abide, and Christians Care International. Jennifer’s online ministry is EncouragementMama.com where you can find her books and sign up for her weekly post, Discouragement Doesn’t Win. She resides with her family near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains—her favorite place on earth.
Stress has an impact on every aspect of your life. It is critical to have the knowledge and skills to manage and cope with different situations because they can affect your physical and mental health. Getting outside is one of the simplest ways to improve your mood.
While there are ways to decompress indoors, like playing slots at Thunderbolt casino, engaging in outdoor pursuits like hiking or camping can provide numerous benefits. In addition to reducing stress and anxiety, engaging in these activities can promote physical well-being.
Experiencing nature by leaving everything behind can feel like a spiritual awakening. The sights, sounds, and even the smells of the environment have a calming effect that can help individuals unwind from their everyday high-stress routine.
1. Hiking
Hiking is an excellent stress-relieving activity you can indulge in alone or with friends. Simply immersing oneself in nature and taking in its innate beauty is sufficient.
Walking on the hills gives plenty of oxygen, which improves one’s sense of well-being. Hiking allows us to get detached from our problems and appreciate the beauty of nature. Furthermore, it can boost our immune system and improve our mood.
– Advertisement –
It is recommended that people who are new to hiking spend some time exploring the numerous paths in their area. This will assist you in preparing for your first hike and provide you with a better picture of what to expect. It is critical that you also prepare yourself physically to avoid muscle tension.
2. Going on a Nature Walk
It is widely known that incorporating daily steps into your routine is beneficial for your health. Regular exercise has numerous benefits, such as reducing stress levels, enhancing mood, promoting physical fitness, and boosting creativity.
Venturing outdoors amplifies the advantages of taking a stroll amidst natural surroundings. According to a study published by the NIH, walking in greenspaces can have a meditative effect. Additionally, another study found that jogging outdoors can make you twice as happy as exercising in a gym.
When experiencing stress, going for a walk outdoors, whether it’s around the block, in the woods, through a park, or on a beach, can have a great positive effect.
3. Gardening
Spending time outside and getting your hands dirty can be a great way to relax as well as reconnect with nature. Regardless of whether you are up for the challenge of creating a flower border through your entire driveway or simply want to plant a bush outside your house, any effort you make to get closer to nature can be rewarding.
Engaging in activities such as digging and watering poses a form of physical exercise. Additionally, the feeling of satisfaction that comes from observing the growth of a plant that you have nurtured can be quite fulfilling. Through gardening, you can help promote clean air and enhance the natural beauty of the planet.
4. Take a Stroll BareFoot
– Advertisement –
Observe how the grass gently tickles your toes as you ground yourself and tap into the Earth’s electromagnetic field. Experience the satisfying crunch of last year’s fallen leaves beneath your feet and the sensation of the sand grains beneath your feet as you stroll along the shoreline of a lake or ocean.
It is recommended that you step off the concrete and carpet and allow the soothing energy of the Earth to seep into your body through your feet. This will promote relaxation of the mind as well as the body. Allow your body to connect with nature both literally and figuratively.
5. Kayaking
Kayaking is an excellent outdoor pursuit that can alleviate stress and promote better health. When embarking on your first kayaking adventure, the initial sensations that greet you are the cool, refreshing water and the invigorating scent of the great outdoors.
As you start engaging in this activity, you come to the realization that it is not as effortless as it appears, especially in the initial stages. However, with a few days of practice, it gradually becomes more manageable and enjoyable.
6. Watching the Sunset or Sunrise
– Advertisement –
The sun in the early hours will wake you up and give you a boost of positive energy to kickstart your day. A sufficient amount of Vitamin D can help to relax blood vessels and improve circulation. The fiery splendor of the evening sun creates a relaxing and contemplative mood, helping you get towards a restful night.
Enhance your relaxation experience while observing the sunset by lighting your own campfire. As you enjoy the warmth and glow of the fire, take a moment to mentally release your stresses, anxieties, and concerns by envisioning them rising up into the night sky alongside the smoke of the fire.
Take a break from your worries and allow yourself to relax for a little while. Take a deep breath of the refreshing night air and tune in to the sounds of the creatures that come alive during the night.
7. Cycling
Engaging in cycling is an excellent means of relieving stress and getting exercise. Cycling is more than just a means of transportation; it is an outdoor activity that offers a range of benefits. Cycling offers individuals a feeling of liberation, excitement, and the opportunity to breathe in fresh air.
People living in big cities worldwide are in search of spaces from which they can unwind and take a break from their hectic lifestyles. Cycling is gaining popularity for a good reason. It is an excellent way to alleviate stress, improve fitness, and appreciate the great outdoors.
Conclusion
What are some effective ways to manage stress? Choosing to engage in activities such as exercise, yoga, meditation, or journaling is a positive step in the right direction.
Engaging in these activities while surrounded by nature can enhance their stress-reducing effects. Research has shown that spending as little as 20 minutes in nature can significantly reduce stress levels.
Whether you engage in them alone or with friends, the outdoor activities listed above will absolutely help you unwind.
We hear this question a lot… When is it time to let go? Should I let go? It’s a simple question that requires a complex answer. Every situation is different, but in this episode we dive into this question and give helpful insight backed by research.
If you or someone you know are a victim of domestic abuse, visit https://www.thehotline.org/ or call 800-799-7233.
Relationship Radio is hosted by CEO of Marriage Helper, Kimberly Beam Holmes, and founder of Marriage Helper, Dr. Joe Beam.
Regardless of your situation, what we teach will not only make your relationships better, but will also help you to become the best version of yourself along the way.
Relationship Radio is released every Wednesday and is an extension of Marriage Helper.
Be sure to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review. We love hearing from you!
For more resources about your specific situation, visit marriagehelper.com.
Thank you so much for being a loyal listener of Relationship Radio. Because of that, we would like to offer you 25% off your first month of our Save My Marriage Membership. All you have to do is go to marriagehelper.com/podcast and enter code PODCAST to sign up today!
Losing a loved one is an extremely painful and difficult experience. If the death of a family member is caused by the intentional actions or negligence of an entity or another person, it is considered wrongful death. The surviving family can file a lawsuit against the negligent party and claim compensation for their losses. Wrongful death cases can be filed against a company, individual, government agency, or employee.
By filing a claim, the family can recover the losses they incurred due to the death of their loved one. However, according to the law, the person who files the claim bears the burden of proof. It means you have to prove the defendant’s negligence. But is proving negligence challenging? Kind of. If you get the help of wrongful death attorneys, it can be quite easy. A lawyer can significantly improve your chances of proving negligence and obtaining fair compensation. Proving negligence is hard if you don’t have an attorney by your side.
There are various factors that need to be considered when claiming financial compensation. Surviving families can get compensation for economic and non-economic losses.
Below are various types of compensation that can be recovered in a wrongful death case.
Medical Expenses
The family may get compensation for the medical treatments the victim received before passing away. It covers surgery expenses, emergency room costs, hospital bills, medication expenses, and other medical care directly associated with the incident. It is necessary to collect and document all the relevant medical bills and records to support your wrongful death claim process.
Pain and Suffering
– Advertisement –
Pain and suffering are also called “survivorship claims.” It covers compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering experienced by the victim before passing away. In addition, family members can recover damages for the suffering, pain, and mental anguish caused by the death of their beloved one. This type of compensation can differ depending on several things, such as the nature of the death, the relationship with the deceased, and the impact on the life of the surviving family member.
Funeral and Burial Expenses
Due to someone else’s intention, actions, or negligence, suppose your loved one passed away. Then, the family can claim compensation for the funeral expenses. It covers expenses such as burial plots, funeral home services, transportation, markers, headstones, urns, or caskets, and other cremation expenses.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages may be granted if the responsible party’s conduct is considered egregious, malicious, or reckless and also represents a willful disregard for the safety of others. As compared to other compensation types, punitive damages are not only designed to compensate the family for their losses. Rather, they are implemented to punish the wrongdoer and prevent the same behavior in the future.
The surviving family members may experience a huge loss of economic support if the deceased person is the only person who contributed economically to the family. The family may be entitled to compensation for the benefits and lost income. It covers the retirement benefits, bonuses, salary, wages, and other economic contributions that the deceased person would have offered to the family during their expected lifetime.
The type and amount of compensation that can be recovered in a wrongful death lawsuit are based on several factors, such as income, health, age, and relationship with the deceased. The liability of the defendant and the degree of fault, the impact and extent of the damages suffered by the surviving family, the statute of limitations, and applicable state laws.
Proving a wrongful death case can be a challenging and complex task that requires negotiation skills, evidence collection, and courtroom experience. Dealing with a wrongful death lawsuit alone could be difficult. That’s why it is necessary to consult with an experienced wrongful death attorney in order to get a better understanding of the compensation that can be claimed in your particular situation and to make sure that your rights are well protected in every part of the legal process.
The older you get, the more likely the people you meet while online dating are to have children from a previous relationship. While this dynamic can require extra patience, understanding and a willingness to adapt, it can also be hugely rewarding. To help you navigate this unique journey, here are six rules for dating a single parent…
Open communication is vital
Clear and honest communication is vital when dating a single parent. You should discuss expectations, boundaries, and concerns openly and early on. This will help establish a solid foundation of trust, ensure that both partners are on the same page and stop any resentment building up.
Respect Their Parenting Responsibilities
Single parents are super busy and their primary commitment is to their child, so you need to be aware of this and prepared to fit in where you can. Plans may change or be cancelled at the last minute, which might be frustrating, but getting cross about it won’t help. On the flipside, you know you’ll know your dating a committed and kind person, which will only be good for your relationship.
Be Flexible and Understanding
Flexibility is key when dating a single parent. Understand that their schedule will revolve around their children’s activities, appointments, and school commitments. This could work really well if you’re often busy yourself, value time alone, or enjoy spending lots of time with your own friends and family. There are positives to be found in every situation.
Develop a Connection with the Children
When dating a single parent, it’s important to establish a positive connection with their children. Take an interest in their lives, engage in activities together, and be supportive and understanding. Building a bond with the children can strengthen the overall relationship. However, it’s also important that you…
Avoid Rushing into a Parental Role
While developing a connection with the children is important, it’s crucial to avoid rushing into a parental role. Give the parent-child relationship space to grow naturally. Let the single parent take the lead in parenting decisions, and offer support and guidance when appropriate.
Practice Self-Care and Patience
Dating a single parent can be demanding at times, so practicing self-care and patience is crucial. Find ways to maintain your own well-being and emotional balance. Understand that blending families takes time and that building a strong, lasting relationship requires patience and understanding from both partners.
Looking for a real relationship? Join mysinglefriend now!
U.S. District Court Judge Robert Hinkle didn’t mince words in his barnburner of an opinion striking down Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ draconian anti-trans bill. In his opinion for Doe v. Ladapo, Hinkle wrote: “Pushing individuals away from their transgender identity is not a legitimate state interest.”
On a new episode of Boom! Lawyered, Jess and Imani break down the decision and what’s next for trans rights in the Sunshine State.
Rewire News Groupis a nonprofit media organization, which means that Boom! Lawyered is only made possible by the support of listeners like you! If you can, please join our team by donatinghere.
And sign up forThe Fallout, a weekly newsletter written by Jess that’s exclusively dedicated to covering every aspect of this unprecedented moment.
My parents were married for over 50 years. Although the length of their marriage may cause some to think it must have been easy for them, it couldn’t be further from the truth. It was a struggle, and even though my Dad was a pastor, it didn’t keep him and my Mom from experiencing conflict throughout their married lives, even looking once like their marriage was ending. Thankfully, Mom and Dad stuck it out for the long run, and we, their family, are deeply grateful to God for helping them. 1 Timothy 6:12 describes what my parents accomplished and, as a pastor and wife, the many witnesses they had outside our family:
My purpose in discussing their struggles is not to expose their weaknesses or failures but to encourage struggling couples to hang in there. I also hope it encourages children to be compassionate and understanding concerning their parents’ failures rather than despising them for their shortcomings and faults. Ephesians 4:2 urges us to “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Although my parents struggled in their relationship with each other, it didn’t keep them from being wonderful parents. Mom and Dad were faithful in teaching me to love God, loving and caring for me, and generously providing for my needs.
No finger-pointing, please.
There are different ways to view my Mom and Dad’s marriage issues. One perspective is to be critical of them because they struggled in their relationship, making life extremely difficult for their family and easy to point fingers at their failures. Still, too many adult children are unforgiving towards their parents for several reasons, including marital conflict. Still, Colossians 3:13 urges,
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Another way to look at my parents’ marital struggles is that they were fighters, not only literally in conflict with each other but also in fighting the temptation to give up on their marriage. So, rather than focus on ways they disappointed and let us down, we can look at their strengths, such as enduring their marriage amid personal suffering. Whereas many couples succumb to the pressures, distress, and weariness of a trying marriage, my parents stuck with it, an accomplishment worthy of their family’s respect for hanging in there.
God works all things together for good.
Although it seems like life would have been much better for us all if there had not been conflict between my parents, perhaps seeing them work out strife in their marriage has, in the long run, helped us in ways to face our own marital challenges, ones we might not otherwise have had the fortitude to face. Gratefully, like my parents, we can trust God to work through our difficulties in a way that brings benefits and blessings into our lives. Romans 8:28 assures us,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
4 things we learned through their struggles:
Below are four things God taught us through my parents’ struggles about not giving up and fighting the good fight of faith in marriage.
1. Difficulty isn’t a reason to quit.
Amid my parents’ marital struggles, they taught their children how to stay the course in marriage even when it’s hard. Seeing their struggles and how they worked through differences helped prepare and strengthen our family to commit to our own marriages, especially during tough times. Although most individuals want to point fingers at the wrong actions in their spouses as reasons to divorce, Matthew 19:8 pinpoints the heart of the matter, explaining, “Jesus replied, ‘Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.” In life and especially in marriage, God urges us to,
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
It’s too easy to let our hearts grow cold and hard, but as painful as it can be to suffer in our marriages, God tells us, “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). Mom and Dad taught us that with God’s strength, we could resist hardening of the heart as a couple.
2.Longsuffering for the faith of our family is worth it.
Although it may seem like my parents weren’t thinking of us on the surface, they ultimately put their family’s well-being and future ahead of their own happiness. By being longsuffering in their marriage, they were able to reap the reward of seeing a family intact, of gathering to celebrate their 50+ years together. We witnessed “for better or worse, in sickness and in health, and till death do us part” triumphantly played out in life. When I think of my parent’s marriage, I don’t think of their failures but of their success in running the race, even if, at times, they stumbled and tripped up a bit. 2 Timothy 4:7 explains,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
3.This life is just the beginning.
As much as my Mom and Dad struggled with living together on earth, they believed in the life to come with Jesus. Instead of thinking they had to chase after earthly happiness before it was too late, they realized that their actions lead to eternal results. 1 John 2:25 explains what we as believers in Jesus Christ have to look forward to, “And this is what He promised us—eternal life.” Likewise, following God’s will ultimately brings lasting joy in this life and the life to come. To chase after temporal happiness on earth is to throw away the eternal.2 Corinthians 4:18 encourages us,
“So fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
4. Reconciliation brings long-term rewards.
Sadly, my parents went through a time of separation. Although I was grown, married, and with children of my own during it, it felt devastating. Adulthood does not shield children from the suffering of their parents’ broken relationship. The breakdown of a marriage shakes a family to the core. Family members begin questioning their parents’ foundational teachings growing up, wondering if they are true. During the separation, my parents experienced the hurt it brought to our family, the loss of togetherness, and the absence of joy and peace. As much as they struggled with their relationship, Mom and Dad believed God’s words about marriage. They wanted to honor Him and not take His word on divorce lightly.
“’ The man who hates and divorces his wife,’ says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘does violence to the one he should protect,’ says the Lord Almighty. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful” (Malachi 2:16).
It was important for them to fulfill their covenant with God and to keep their vows to Him. Even though it was difficult, they put His will for their marriage over their own, staying with each other and being faithful to one another and God. With their decision to reconcile came relationship restoration and a renewed commitment to love one another regardless, no matter what, to stick together through thick and thin. 2 Corinthians 5:18 describes,
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.
