No more large meals, you exercise daily but still can’t lose weight. Your efforts are not rewarded and you can’t see what you’re doing wrong? Sounds like a desperate situation but there are other things you should consider before blaming the fate.

Image courtesy of dotbenjamin

Not enough sleep. You feel tied, angry and don’t have enough energy? When you don’t sleep enough body functions change and fats are being assimilated easier. More to it, when we’re tired we can’t fight stress and we could be tempted to go for a snack in the middle of the night, which could lead to a chain reaction system. Try to sleep the right way.

Stress. For most of us stress acts like an appetite stimulus while metabolism functions decrease. Under stress the body releases hormones like cortisone which are responsible for fats on your abdomen. How about a pet or ways of fighting stress?

Pills. There are pills like antidepressant, sleeping pills, birth control pills or steroids could be responsible for the extra weight. They could lead to an increased appetite or the way fats are being ’stockpiled’. Check with your doctor (if it’s a good doctor) and make sure the pills are right for you and ask if it’s all right for you to stop the treatment.

Age. After 30 years, your metabolism slows down even if your lifestyle is the same. To make sure nothing changes, you will need to put in some extra effort with daily exercises and make sure you have a healthy diet.

Thyroid problems. You feel tired, have headaches and you can’t focus? See your doctor and make sure everything is all right with your thyroid which can cause a slow metabolism.

Any more tips other than eating less chocolate and more salad? Any trickier ones?

According to the SAMHSA (United States Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration) in 2006, 23.6 million people aged 12 or older required treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol problem.

Of those that received help treatment broke down as follows: abuse treatment was received by 2.5 million people followed by 1.23 million people treated for addiction to marijuana, cocaine addiction patients fell just under the 1 million mark and pain relievers, stimulants, heroin and hallucinogens were each responsible for about 500,000 addiction treatments.

Of those people that needed treatment, only 2.5 million got it at a specialized treatment facility. Specialized treatment centers can range from outpatient facilities to residential drug and alcohol rehab centers. Most offer extended care for those suffering from addiction.

Treatment philosophies vary but include a variety of components all with the aim of developing an effective addiction treatment program.

One such specialty treatment center is Cliffside Malibu. Cliffside is a residential center that offers an alcohol rehab center, drug rehab and extended care. Treatment is individualized to meet each patient’s specific needs and goals and residents are assigned a primary therapist who will manage all aspects of therapy such as one on one therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy and family programs.

The center is staffed with a range of qualified professionals that include doctors, a psychiatrist, psychologist, equine therapist, personal trainer, spiritual advisor and other all with the sole goal of aiding in development and maintenance of an individualized addiction treatment program.

In keeping with a concept of holism in theory and practice Cliffside Malibu also includes the services of herbologists, massage therapists, acupuncturists and holistic medicine practitioners. Outdoor activities include horseback riding, surfing and hiking to help ensure a healthy and active aspect to alcohol and drug rehab treatment programs.

Recovery from addiction is a necessity and while the rehabilitation is the responsibility of the patient, having the right support is crucial and can make the difference between failure and success. Recovery is difficult and challenging but those who chose to seek help from professional addiction recovery centers are putting the odds in their favor to have the sober future they deserve.

Planning on buying a pet in the near future? I am, so I started looking for tips on buying or adopting pets and found some really great things to think about before actually doing it. You need to take everything int consideration before buying a pet ranging from what breed you want, to the lifestyle that you lead.

Here are the key elements of choosing a pet.

1. Future Pets

Will you be adopting another pet in the near future? You might want to make sure the pet you’re getting now will be compatible with the future pet. Some animals will not take to a new comer in the future. It all depends on the temperament of the animal.

2. Children

If you have children make sure the pet you get is ‘kid friendly’. Some animals will not react well to the constant pulling and shoving that kids will do. Planning on having children in the near future? Take the same considerations when buying. Some animals will react unkindly to having a new ‘baby’ in the house and may never warm up.

3. Living space and lifestyle

Take into consideration your living space. If you’re living in a city apartment with no backyard, a big dog might not be ideal or it may not be fair to the animal. If you travel a lot, a dog might not be that good of an idea either. Dogs need companionship, so a cat might be a better choice. Is your apartment full of expensive carpets and leather chairs? A cat might not be the right choice for you since most love to claw.

4. Animal’s origin

Does the puppy come from a puppy mill? Does the animal come from a tattered background of abuse? It might seem like a good idea at the time, it might even seem like the right thing to give the poor animal a good place to live. However, pups from puppy mills are easily replaced, and buying one there will only fuel the owner’s bank account.

Finally, if you really want to adopt the abused pet know what you are getting into. Some animals lash out, some animals will turn inwards. Simple things such as raising a hand to get a glass can trigger the animal to either attack or pee on the floor.

5. Research

Look up information on the breed that you want. This will help you decide whether you will be compatible with the animal. There are some breeds of dogs that I would love to have but shouldn’t adopt because they need a certain type of owner. For example, some breeds need a strong willed master so that they won’t take over the household. It may sound funny, but you will not be able to train a dog that won’t listen to you.

This is anything but an exhaustive list of what to consider before purchasing or adopting an animal. They are more a list of the most important tips that I came across while researching online. Pets do need to be compatible with everyone who lives in the household as well as the household itself.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, knowing where the animal comes from will green light any problems you might encounter in the future. Choose wisely, a pet is a companion for life!

photo by redmond.ridgeback

It is easy to get caught up in life and not stop and savor the important moments. It is even easier to not realize that there are steps that can lead to a happier and healthier you.

It is not always about the big changes in life, like winning the lottery, but also the little, seemingly insignificant, things that will help achieve a more optimistic view on life and a better preparedness in tackling life situations.

Get rid, or limit time with, negative people
Realizing who is bringing you down in life may not be entirely easy yet this can help you tremendously. We feed off of other people, thus creating a circle of either healthy or unhealthy, positive or negative outlooks on life.It may not always be possible to cut out someone in life, for example your mother, but limiting time with that person, or preparing yourself for the negative can help. When you know you will be spending a couple of hours with your mother who degrades you and makes you feel worthless prepare yourself to take everything with a grain of salt. Make a list of what you expect her to say and write down the opposite next to it. Consult this list after seeing her.

Get a job that you enjoy
If impossible, a hobby. Having a job that you dread is known to cause depression and a feeling of just wanting to get through the next day as quickly as possible. Getting a job you enjoy is obviously the best thing for you but, let’s be real, this is not always possible.

One way to deal with this is to find something you enjoy doing at work. You may not like what you do, but there may be something, like lunch socialization, that you look forward to. Find this, and focus on it. Also, picking up a hobby or activity outside of work that you truly enjoy can help ease the tension of working somewhere you hate because you have something to look forward to once work is over.

Put money away
It doesn’t have to be a lot of money, even 10$ or 20$ a week can help. Having money set aside is always good for your health because one of the most stressful parts of life is not having enough. Although it would be ideal to put hundreds away each week in case of future emergencies or purchases, this may not always be possible. Even knowing that you are accumulating 10$ a month can help ease some stress.

Make “time away” with someone special
Stress and negativity can ruin the best things in life, for example, your marriage or your most cherished friendship. Sometimes we get caught up and forget to make time with the people who mean the most to us. Jobs and money will always be around to strive for while people are not so permanent. Do not regret not spending enough time with your mother or father in the future because you are too busy now. Also, this time can be a “de-stressor”, or a time to vent the stresses in life and get feedback from others. Take advantage.

Buy yourself something
It can be something small, like a box of your favorite cookies, or a good book that you’ve always wanted to read. Buying something for yourself, OR even others, is a good way to remind yourself to take care of yourself.

Tell someone you love them
Loving, and being loved back, helps maintain health and happiness. It reminds you that you are not alone and you have support.

Travel to see the world
See new places and cultures, maybe even incorporate some part of the way they live into your life. For example, a form of mediation or a new food that you truly enjoyed. Remind yourself that you control your life and that life does not control you.

Remember to play, laugh and smile
Children can be the best ways to remind ourselves how to live and be happy. Play with your children, relearn from them what you may have forgotten, that life is not only about getting through each day at a time.

It is difficult to find a moment to yourself in a world that is so fast paced and chaotic at times. It seems that no matter how hard you try, there is always something going wrong to stress you out. Taking time out for yourself is needed in order to slow yourself down and to remind yourself that you too are important.

To take care of yourself and to love yourself and those around you before you are looking back with regrets. Play, laugh and smile now because “now” is sometimes more important than tomorrow.

If you liked the article please give it a vote on Digg. Thanks

photo by JonSpot

I wish to say a warm Happy New Year for all the readers of SocialPacks.com and may 2008 bring the best you’ve wished.

I’ve just got back from my vacation and will resume work right away. This means I am going to resume writing for SocialPacks. Is there anything specific that you would like me to cover?

I want to remember everyone that I am not a specialist whatsoever, don’t have a psychology or happiness diploma but I try to present things from my own point of view. It may be unique and some of you may not agree, this is why I am asking you to add your thoughts and comment on SocialPacks articles.

Again, Happy New Year and let’s start 2008 with the right foot.

No matter if you are a teenager or just married, you can be certain that your parents are still considering you their child, and would do anything to help you further. However, most parents think they should get involved in their children’s lives even when they shouldn’t, just because they feel (and are) responsible or because they need to be in control.

These can all lead to battleground instead of quality, peaceful family time and before it happens there are a few things you can do improve your relation with your parents.

photo by ktpupp

Discuss your problems

Young people are always very quick at taking radical measures when problems occur and this may not be the best option. If you don’t like the way you’ve been treated or you want your parents to do something your first move is to discuss your problem with them.

If you don’t, and choose a quick option like leaving home to get the stress away, the only results you will get is having your parents worried, maybe the Police on your trails and so on. Why you did it may never get discussed and you and your parents go back to square one. Here are a few tips on how to talk to your parents.

1. Comfortable and relaxed. Make sure you or your parents are comfortable and relaxed before you start a conversation about your relation. If you find them in a bad time the result is obvious, and you may not like it.
2. Focus on your discussion. Don’t watch TV, cook or play a video game while you are supposed to discuss important relation issues with your parents. Don’t be sarcastic or roll your eyes, show them respect instead and you will get respect.
3. Be calm. Using a warm voice tone in a discussion is always much more productive than one where people are screaming. Being cool when the discussion gets heated up, shows maturity and allows you to think well before giving an answer.
4. Explain. The thing parents hate is hearing “because I want to” or “because I say so” instead of the reason why you want or say so. Explain to them why it should be your way, otherwise your parents will think that you are against everything the say, no matter what it is.
5. Don’t interrupt. No one likes to be interrupted when they speak. So, unless you want your speech to be interrupted don’t do it.

Understand your parents

This is the life cycle with most of us becoming parents one day, and believe it or not we could face the same problems. You should understand that a responsible parent wishes only the best for you, but saying it may not be perfect: too much love, over-protecting and so on.

1. Moving out. Seeing their child go to college or moving to another state/city is very hard for a parent. This is why you should keep communication channels, like phone calls, emails, post cards, open. Pay them a visit from time to time to remind them how important they are, even if there are thousands of miles in between. Moving out is also a solution to show them you can do it on your own, too. It’s a sign of maturity.
2. Set goals together. Though this may sound hard at first, or after having a fight with your parents, will bond you together extremely good. This can lead to a lot of fun, depending on the goal and can teach both of you that each person should have goals to pursue. Sometimes parents only need a small thing like this one to understand that they are part of your life.
3. Everyone may have a bad day, including you or your parents be it at school or at work. It takes just a few minutes of talking or maybe a joke to get the tension away. If you see your parents stressed out, talking to them always helps.
4. Why rules? Your parents may have rules for coming home at a certain hour or want to know who you go out with. They don’t do it to have full control of your life but because they fear for your life, in a world where gunshots at the mall, drugs or alcohol have become a normal thing. When you will be a parent you will have the same fears for your kid and trust me the first thing you can do is not hiring a bodyguard but setting rules.

You may not believe it but your parents were once teenagers, too, living in a world that was so much different than their parents’ and one of the main reasons they’re afraid you’ll make mistakes is because they probably did.

If you feel like none of the above would be helpful (and I haven’t covered relations with parents that have their own problems, like alcoholism or drugs) you should look for counseling, maybe a psychologist. There is no shame in seeking help, because it’s actually about your life and your future.

I would be interested to know what you experienced with your parents and how you dealt with them. Feel free to comment below.

Getting the attention of someone you find interesting can be a difficult task. Flirting is an extremely difficult art that will only get better with practice. However, the following tips will help you to be all you can be next time a good looking hunk or beautiful woman walks into the room.

photo by ahanki

1. Smile and the world will smile back. Smiling is important as it sends off a particular signal. Smiling tells people that you are approachable, happy and non-threatening. Frowning will only attract others who are just as unhappy as you. Researchers have shown that smiling is contagious and that by smiling, even when unhappy, will release the neurotransmitters involved in happiness. So, not only will you feel happier, you will spread happiness through smiling. If that mysterious and interesting figure starts to smile because of you s/he will attribute the happiness to you and may even approach you.
2. Eye contact has also been proven to have a powerful effect when flirting. Studies have shown that when complete strangers were told to stare into each other’s eyes for a few minutes that each reported they were attracted to the person at the end of the session. This is because staring into each other’s eyes dilates the pupils and simulates arousal.
3. Be confident. Confident people attract confident people. Confidence will also help you get what you want as you will be more certain about what you want. Your body will radiate and you will start more conversations with people. The more people you meet, the more likely you will find someone you click with.
4. Don’t be too serious. No one likes a downer. If that special someone doesn’t notice you don’t take it personally! There are others, billions of others! Getting down because flirting didn’t work will leak into your confidence and make it more likely that you will fail the next time. If s/he doesn’t notice you then s/he was not worth it! Move on with a smile.
5. Listen and question. Once engaged in a chitchat listen to the other person and question them on things they confide in you. People like talking about themselves and questioning your flirting partner will indicate that you really are interested in them! Besides, this will be an opportunity to see if this person is really all that interesting.
6. Don’t get away too much information. There are some things that are just not appropriate for the first talk, for the first date, even the first year! No one wants to hear about the ex or about the parents. Don’t wait to long in a relationship to discuss the important stuff, but don’t lay it all on them during the first night.
7. Wear the right clothes to attract the right person. Sure, that strapless shirt and mini skirt is sexy but do you really want to attract people on the basis on what body parts you’re letting them gaze at? Real relationships have to have an element of mind as well as body: sex and intelligence.
8. Do not use the cheese. Leave the cheesy, corny pickup lines at home. Talking honestly about how you feel will always be more sincere than those pickup lines found at the joke website. Improvisation requires a little confidence mixed in with a little intellect and a dash of emotion. Dazzle the person with your wit and creativity.
9. Buy them a drink. This will draw their attention. However, do not buy them what you are drinking. This will come off as controlling and selfish. Instead, buy them another of whatever they are drinking.
10. Follow your gut. Instincts are usually right about people being “off”. If you get a bad feeling about how someone is looking at you, or is talking to you, leave. It is always better safe than sorry.

Relationships are not easy to start and even harder to maintain. However, that feeling of someone special caring about you and you caring about someone special is worth all the effort you go through to get there! Remember that flirting is a game. Have fun and don’t be too serious. You will find that someone special, so keep up a smile and be confident!

There’s so many times in life that we sit back and realize that despite using our time well, there’s still a lot of spare time we have. Just in case you’re not one of those who find that kind of time then there are two possibilities. Either your time is mismanaged or you really work 24/7. Being busy at all times may make you seem very involved in your work and other chores, but honestly does it spell out productivity.

What is productivity and is my life productive?

If you’re working in regular office jobs there’ll be times you’ll hear the word productive. The company gauges you on your productivity. It refers to the amount of work you can complete in a specified time. So each month you’ll be judged on your average handling time, attendance, discipline, timeliness, sales conversion and the likes. All of this is calculated and the company decides how productive you are for them. Truth is all of us strive real hard to be amongst the most productive employees at our work place. If this is true then why is it that we don’t gauge our personal life’s productivity?

The missing link

If we are so ready and willing to please at our work places which is just one aspect of our existence then why do we take things for granted around the people who matter the most. This is true in so many people’s lives. You’ll wake up, dress well and be willing to go that extra mile to finish your work and please the superiors. You create an impression amongst your colleagues and you’re well liked and appreciated at work. But is this the same at home? Do you make the same attempts to make sure your contribution and productive on the personal front match that of your workplace. At home you’re so relaxed because you can support on your family unit. You know that anything you leave undone or incomplete will be taken care of by someone around you.

The tell tale signs

This is how it is for most of us. If we’re expected to stay a little longer at work and finish a task, we may complain, but we’ll still complete it. However if your visiting your spouses family or have just gone out, why do we get agitated when expected to stay a little longer with the family? Why do our thoughts revolve around, how will I wake up in the morning, or I’m really running late, instead of just enjoying the moment?

The family cushion

Yes many times that’s what it really becomes. Each of our families however different they be, are the stronghold of our existence and that’s why we are here today. Every too often, we take this very family for granted. It’s our safe zone where everything we do is forgiven and everyone around you is making adjustments including you. A family is strong enough to survive anything and that’s why we just keep pushing the limits so often, what we don’t realize is the more we push, the, more they adjust. Friends and family make suggestions, but they don’t really complain even if they are hurting.

Review your productivity

Apart from the work front, you have a life, a very real existence and isn’t that what you’re working so hard for. Your attempt to strive for the better isn’t wrong but your negligence is. Do not neglect the people closest to you. Make yourself as useful around the house and be as involved in the lives of those around you. It’s a lot more rewarding and adds a beautiful meaning to your life. Let your productivity not just soar at work but let your life’s productivity be optimum. This isn’t as difficult as spending long hours at work. Spending family time, helping with household chores, dropping the kids to school, going to the fair with them, eating together at dinner, talking after along day, inquiring about friends and relatives, helping with the gardening, grocery shopping and even cleaning around the house builds your productivity at home.

So next time, don’t just sit back. Get up and do what it takes to make a difference

In everyday life even when things seem just right or lets say perfect you may still find yourself in a position where getting out of bed and getting started seems a mammoth task. This isn’t really because you’re physically tired though that’s an accepted situation which can happen to the best of us from time to time, but I’m talking about sheer lack of motivation to go about doing anything.

When you don’t feel the urge or need to do anything despite there being enough to do around you, you simply have lost your motivation somewhere. This could be more of a mental setback than anything else. You first need to sit back and analyze the situation and know what has caused you to lose hope or momentum, whichever way you put it.

1. How to analyze yourself
   The best thing, is take a break, a very short one if need be. This will help you unwind and best thing your head won’t be filled with thoughts related to your line of work. When you get that off your head, you’re free to introspect and focus on your thoughts. This can work wonders, because with nothing else to worry about you can be attentive to your inner needs. You’ll get the time and opportunity to look into yourself and find out what it is that’s missing. You can ask yourself all the necessary questions and seek answers.
2. Don’t give up
   There could be times when despite all the thinking required, you still don’t find any answer at all or maybe what you think about isn’t satisfactory. Don’t let this get you down. This is only a momentary lapse and this phase will soon pass. And quite honestly it’s absolutely fine if you don’t have all the right answers because if we knew it all we wouldn’t be who we are.
3. Re-plan
   At times like this when you can’t seem to find that much needed motivation, go a little further back and a little into the future and think why the plans that you have made are not working. If this is what is troubling you it’s time to be a little more realistic and revise your plans. This can work very well for you, because with a whole new approach you’ll be opening more doors and finding that much needed opportunity. Don’t compromise on your dreams, just find the right approach.

Once you’ve taken care of the above factors, there’s not much left to worry about. When it comes to motivation it’s true that you can find it in everything. A hard working colleague, a friend who is organized and manages to keep up a smile even at difficult times or even from little events that happen in and around your life.

But sometimes even this maybe short lived because euphoria and motivation are not really the same thing. The secret is to find your inspiration and identify your calling because it’s important not to lose inspiration. Keep your spirits high by doing the things that inspire you and don’t let daily troubles get you down. If it’s a favorite film, a good looking actor, an exciting football game, a good looking model, a morning activity like jogging and keeping fit and so on and so forth, the list is endless, don’t let these things become an event of the past.

Inspiration and willingness

Motivation is as much a factor that’s present within you as much as it is around you. If from within, you don’t feel the need to be motivated then no amount of outward motivation can get you up and going. Motivation may be inspired from great leaders like Buddha, great warriors like Alexander or great human beings like Mother Theresa. But that’s only half the job. You may like them, respect them but they’ll never inspire you enough if there’s no willingness within. So don’t wait and sit back for motivation to creep back into life. Find your motivation and let it work wonders for you.

And a few examples

If you’re low on motivation, enroll in meditation session, listen to a discourse, read an inspirational story but remember that all of this things didn’t come about in one day and are not mere feel good factors. There’s a lot more truth and history to them than we’ll ever know. So find your motivation, do the hard work and seek the inner truth, that’s what’s going to keep you going. Your true motivation lies in your everyday life and how you lead it.

The choices are yours and you don’t need to be highly educated, qualified or learned to identify where motivation has its roots. It’s different for each of us. So go find your inspiration today and live this motivated life.

You know it and I know it that the Holiday season is very close, with Thanksgiving coming up and then Hanukkah or Christmas shortly after, you might be on the verge of cracking. Stress and worry might be creeping up on you.

Chances are, this will only get worse as the dates grow closer so I you may want to take a look below for a few tips that will help you relax and make the most of your Holidays because this is the time of the year when you shoud feel the peace in your soul rather than your heart pumping faster and faster.

1. Get enough sleep
   The less sleep you get, the less able you will be to cope with stress and anxiety. This creates a vicious circle as with more stress and anxiety the less sleep you will be getting! As days go on, you’ll be more tired, more stressed and the consequences are that more and more things will not get done. This can be nipped in the bud from early on, sleep the right hours a night.
2. Eat right
   You will need your energy to get through this eventful time so don’t skip meals and eat lots of energy filled foods. Keep away from alcohol and sugars that will make you more tired in the end.
3. Do not overdo and set your limits
   There is only so much one person can do. If you are in charge of getting the family together, cooking or decorating you might feel like you are drowning in responsibilities. Set your limits before starting any one thing. For example, you need to call your family and friends to invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner. Set a time limit to how long this task will take. Family and friends love to talk, simply remind them of how busy you are and that you will have plenty of time to chat during dinner in a few weeks.
4. Split the work
   Bring in your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, children, friends. Ask them to pick a task that they think they will be able to do. Not only will this alleviate the burden on your shoulders, by giving them the option to pick a task, but your partner(s) will not feel pressured into helping you thus reducing resentment.
5. Do not spend too much money
   Money restraints generate a lot of stress. Budget well and keep to the budget. This will reduce your stress during and after the holidays. Many know how much stress is caused by getting that credit card bill the month after Christmas. If you don’t spend more than you budgeted for, paying your holiday bill will be smooth and void of stress.
6. Do not get stressed if your plans aren’t working out as planned
   Some things you just can’t avoid and I’m thinking of cancellations right now. Plan ahead for possible complications and if something happens that you were not prepared for, breath, relax and know that stressing out will not solve the problem. It is only with a clear mind that you will be able to work through any complication.
7. Finally, cooking for the holiday stressing you out?
   Have a buffet! Have your family and/or friends bring something for the big day. Keep track of who brings what so that you don’t have fifteen salads and no cookies. The atmosphere will be warm and you’ll get lots of food on the table so everyone should be happy.

Following these tips will reduce your stress during and after the holiday season. The most important tip up there is the fact that you shouldn’t skip out on sleep or food because this is what gives you energy. You are not Superman or Superwoman and more importantly you don’t have to do it all.

By organizing and splitting the work you will enjoy the holidays as they should be enjoyed: by not worrying about, if everything is perfect.

[photo by danusunt]