IN OUR BAG YOUR AIRPORT LAYOVER

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HOW TO DRESS FOR HOLIDAY DINNER TRAVELS

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47TH HONOLULU MARATHON

On Dec 8th, 26,000 runners and walkers lined up on Ala Moana Boulevard for the 47th Honolulu Marathon, sponsored by Japan Airlines. Nearly 20,000 of those were there for the full 26.2mile event, and the rest for a shorter 10km race, both finishing in Kapiolani Park. This is the 5th largest marathon in the US and provides $150M in revenue for the local economy. Yesterday’s temperatures were warm and humid and this course is known to be difficult due to several challenging hills.

This race has unique elements that include: not having a time limit, allowing participants to run or walk at their own pace. Everyone is greeted at the finish line with a finishers medal and finishers shirt.

PHOTO CREDIT | Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images for HONOLULU MARATHON

PHOTO CREDIT | Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images for HONOLULU MARATHON

Titus Ekiru (winnings included $50,000 in prize money and time bonuses) and Margaret Muriuki, both of Kenya, were crowned champions of the 47th Honolulu Marathon in Waikiki today.  Ekiru, who won the race last year, was timed in 2:07:59.02, the fastest-ever time in the state of Hawaii.  Muriuki ran 2:31:10, a personal best.

The top American was Renee Metivier of Bend, Ore., who qualified for the 2020 USA Olympic Trials by running under 2:45:00 (she was timed in 2:43:18).

PHOTO CREDIT | Photo by Ezra Shaw /Getty Images for HONOLULU MARATHON

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WHY WRITING IS GOOD FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH

People write for several different reasons. To some, they write because they need to express themselves, as well as share their thoughts with others. Meanwhile, to others, they write because the art of creating, writing, and documenting their ideas please them, and a lot more.

Whatever the reason may be for taking the pen or placing the fingers to the keyboard, research reveals that writing offers a lot of benefits in our mental health. So, to know more about this effect, here are some of the many connections between writing and mental health.

Understanding Excellent Mental Health

Your mental health affects the way you think, behave, and feel in daily life. Also, it influences your capacity to cope with pressure, build relationships, overcome challenges, and recover from different hardships and setbacks in life.

Strong mental well-being is not merely the absence of any mental health problems. Being emotionally or mentally sound is way more than being free of anxiety, depression, stress, or other emotional concerns.

Instead of mental problems, strong psychological health attributes to the presence of excellent and positive characteristics. So, in what ways can writing help us mentally and physically? Here is how.

Writing Can Help Organize Your Thoughts

Journaling or writing provides an opportunity to establish the thoughts and feelings you have in one place, which might help you to build connections or make more sense of a particularly disorganized situation, day, or set of emotions. Also, writing things might help you more efficiently determine and create solutions and improve your problem-solving skills.

Writing Can Help You Overcome Tough Memories

If you are holding onto difficult or traumatic memories that remain to cause you sadness, journaling, or writing can aid you to begin to act through them by delivering emotions in a writing app and involving both of the brain's hemispheres.

Writing Can Boost Your Mood

Those people who practice journaling and effective writing often report reduced negativity and elevated moods. This effect is because writing offers you a channel to release your emotions and work through unfavorable moods and feelings constructively.

In particular, expressive writing or the action of writing down emotions and feelings resulted in reduced stress levels and enhanced well-being.

Writing concerning the feelings you endure and strive to determine as to why you have such, can considerably help in dealing with the agony and accepting the results experienced.

Writing Can Help You Learn Emotional Intelligence

Painful emotions can eventually lead to depression, but writing can help you overcome extreme sadness by exercising your emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a skill that we can learn, and making writing as a habit is one of the most effective means to exercise it. You can use it in the very same manner as mindfulness; when you describe a specific happening or thing that you see at the moment or replacing a past negative emotion with a new one.

Writing Can Improve Self-Awareness

Journaling or writing can be a useful approach to enhance your self-awareness, and therefore, can improve your understanding of why and how you may respond to a situation in a particular way.

By cultivating a bigger level of awareness, then you will be capable of understanding your emotions, which can stop yourself from responding negatively.

To Conclude

Many people are not aware of the benefits of writing, and that is why some are having a hard time dealing with hardships in life because they do not have a channel to express their emotions.

Writing is food for your mind. When you feel emotionally and mentally drained, writing the things that trouble you can help you organize your thoughts, and promote a peaceful mind.

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ARE PSYCHICS REAL?

Psychics have been using their powers to help people for thousands of years. Science still hasn’t been able to figure them out, and therefore people sometimes like to dismiss psychics as quacks or frauds. But there is so much evidence out there that psychics are real. From people with prophetic abilities to psychics who can locate missing people, we know from experience that there is something to it. Psychics are definitely real.

How can we tell if someone has real psychic abilities?                                                              

Sadly it is true that there are some frauds out there masquerading as real psychics. How can you tell difference? There are best practices that you can follow in order to evaluate a psychic before you begin working with them or at least within the first few minutes of speaking with them.

If a psychic is trying to scare you, it’s probably a scam. If they are trying to sell you something or they are promising you the world, you should be careful. Check out our tips on avoiding psychic scams and frauds. Once you understand how psychic abilities really work, you will easily be able to tell apart the real psychics from the fakes.

What kinds of questions can a psychic answer?

The key to having a successful experience with your psychic is finding the appropriate skill set and personality for you. A psychic can answer any kind of question, but some will be more effective in certain areas. If you are seeking advice and insight about a love relationship, work with a love psychic. If you are seeking to make a connection with a loved one that has passed away, work with a medium.

Once you do your homework and learn the basics of the different kinds of psychic abilities, you will recognize what will best serve you. Also, be sure to take the time to read through the bios of the psychics you are considering working with. Psychics are often able to combine multiple kinds of psychic abilities for maximum effect. Also, definitely read the customer reviews that have been posted about your psychic. To explore more about psychic reading visit https://www.psychicguild.com/ and share your experience with others. Someone may have extraordinary gifts, but if their personality doesn’t jive with yours, you won’t have the best possible experience.

A successful psychic reading requires you to be open-minded, calm, and willing to receive. This is best done with someone who you feel you can place your trust in. When you begin your session, the psychic’s comments should resonate with you right away. They will know things that you haven’t told them and see things that others can’t. This is how you will know right away that they are real.

Are online psychic readings legit and how do they work?

Online psychic readings are the same as any other kind of psychic reading. Although it is nice to be in the physical presence of your psychic, it is not necessary for them to complete their work. Because psychics work in extra-sensory energetic fields, they can accomplish their work from anywhere.

The great thing about online psychic readings is that you can choose from the best of the best. Because location and proximity isn’t a barrier for you, you have a much bigger pool of professionals to choose from! Psychics can work with you via telephone, chat, video chat, or even email. Once you begin communication with your preferred psychic, they immediately tap into your energy field.

I’m still not sure if psychics are real - what should I do?

If you’re curious but still on the fence, go ahead and try a free psychic reading first! That way you risk nothing and if you discover its not for you, you haven’t lost anything but a few minutes of your time. There are lots of free offers for first-time customers from the best psychic websites on the internet.

When you get your chosen psychic on the phone, keep the following tips in mind:

●      Use the first few minutes of your free session to see how your connection feels. You can always terminate if you are uncomfortable.

●      Don't volunteer too much information during your session. See what they can figure out on their own. When you see their abilities at work it will reassure you of their abilities.

●      Make sure the psychic is asking specific questions instead of general ones

●      Test your psychic! Only answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to their questions!

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ARGUMENTS ON WHY COLLEGE ATHLETES SHOULD BE PAID

Coming up with a good quality argumentative essay is not easy, especially if it is your first attempt. To put your worries at ease, we at AdvancedWriters are providing you with a well-written sample essay that is well researched and detailed. The topic is an argument on why college athletes should be paid.

College sports is something that is very popular in America with sports like football and basketball being televised and drawing in huge crowds. This is something that brings in a lot of money for television networks. Over the years, there have been plenty of debates on whether college athletes should be paid when they play or not because of how valuable their teams are. Below is a list of valuable college football teams. 

Source https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/09/11/college-footballs-most-valuable-teams/amp/

There are two main reasons why college athletes should be paid. The first reason is college athletes put their bodies on the line and risk injury to entertain people. College athletes are young and full of enthusiasm and this makes the games very competitive because they play with heart and passion. While this is something admirable, football and basketball are contact sports. Many college students do suffer serious injuries, and some can be career-ending.

This can put their scholarship aspiration to a complete stop because they have put their bodies on the line and not being paid for it. Serious injuries to the knee, for example, can leave someone crippled for life. A concussion, for example, can cause serious brain damage, depression, and even dementia at a very young age. Since there are serious health risks when college athletes train and play on game day, they deserve to be paid.

The second reason why college athletes should be paid is college sports games bring in a lot of money.  Below is a diagram which shows the average revenue for schools by sports.

https://amp.businessinsider.com/college-sports-revenue-2016-10

There is no doubt that a lot of money is made from college, but many believe that paying the athletes will make them become complacent and make it less competitive. Instead of playing for pride, college athletes might start playing for a paycheque. Fans love to see the passion and feel the money will ruin that, but this is not true.

Many major corporations in America are making millions off college athletes by asking them to wear their brands without pay during games. These players feel used by these corporations, and no one can blame them for feeling that way. Stopping them from being paid is a way to make sure that purity is preserved, and it remains competitive.

The third reason why college athletes should be paid is it makes them fitter and healthier. When students are earning while they play, they will not need to look for part-time employment to support themselves. This lets them focus more on education and getting better marks, which is good for the school they are attending.

The fourth reason why college athletes should be paid is the funds can provide relief to families that are struggling financially. Not all students come from families that are financially well off. On top of paying for their child’s tuition, they need to buy sports gear for them to play in. A family might sometimes have to rely on loans just to get their child through college. When a college athlete is paid, they can ease some of the financial burdens on their family and pay for their own tuition and up keeping rather than rely on their family.

The last reason why student college athletes should be paid is it motivates them to play. Many college athletes never make it as professionals in their respective sports. In fact, only 2% of college athletes end up making a career in the sport they are playing in. This is because they prefer to become a pro in the field they are studying as play for their college team to socialize and be fit. 

Overall giving students a huge amount of money while they are not ready for it is not a good idea as they can be targeted by predators who want to use them for their money. No one wants to be a victim of fraud, but since college students can sometimes be naive, they can leave themselves exposed to people who do not have their best interests at heart. On the other hand, not being paid while you are doing a job is wrong. Everyone deserves to be paid for a job, especially one that has serious health risks like basketball and football. Some of the money a student might earn if paid can be used to pay for the best medical treatment when they suffer serious injuries.

References:

• CollegeXpress Student Writer (2017) Should College Student-Athletes Be Paid? Both Sides of the Debate. [Online] Available at https://www.collegexpress.com/articles-and-advice/athletics/blog/should-college-student-athletes-be-paid-both-sides-debate/ [Assessed on 01 Dec 2019]

• Abigail Hess (2019)Majority of college students say student-athletes should be paid, survey finds [Online] Available at:https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/11/student-athletes-should-get-paid-college-students-say.html [Assessed on 01 Dec 2019]

• Chris Smith (2018) College Football's Most Valuable Teams: Texas A&M Jumps To No. 1 [Online] Available at https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrissmith/2018/09/11/college-footballs-most-valuable-teams/amp/ [Assessed on 01 Dec 2019]

• The perspective (2019) Three Reasons Why College Athletes Should Get Paid [Online] Available at https://www.theperspective.com/debates/sports/college-athletes-get-paid/ [Assessed on 02 Dec 2019]

• Times Staff (2019) College athletes should be paid[Online] Available at https://sjcctimes.com/12832/sports/college-athletes-should-be-paid/[Assessed on 02 Dec 2019]

• Editor in chief (2019) 14 Should College Athletes Be Paid Pros and Cons [Online] Available at:https://vittana.org/14-should-college-athletes-be-paid-pros-and-cons [Assessed on 01 Dec 2019]

• Steve Cameron (2019) The NCAA brings in $1 billion a year — here's why it refuses to pay its college athletes [Online] Available at:https://www.businessinsider.com/ncaa-college-athletes-march-madness-basketball-football-sports-not-paid-2019-3 [Assessed on 02 Dec 2019]

• Cork Gaines (2016) The average college football team makes more money than the next 25 college sports combined [Online] Available at:https://amp.businessinsider.com/college-sports-revenue-2016-10 [Assessed on 02 Dec 2019]

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ROCK THIS SLEEP STYLE OVERNIGHT TO BREAKFAST

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BERGAMOT BEAUTY

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THE PICK ME UP

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ATHLEISURE MAG | #47 NOV 2019

This month’s cover and back cover is EDM DJ/Producer and Entrepreneuer Marshmello. We headed out to Bethlehem, PA to the ribbon cutting of Stuffed Puffs plant where he and his manager are equity partners in this sweet treat! We catch up with him on his successes, music and more. In our feature, Something You Should Know, we sit down with Chef Elizabeth Falkner and No Kid Hungry’s Jenny Dirksen to talk about initiatives of this program, holiday meals and more. You can also hear this interview later this month on our podcast show, Athleisure Kitchen which is available on Spotify, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcast and wherever you enjoy listening. We also spent time at the 14th Annual StarChefs International Congress which was a weekend filled with food demonstrations, panels and more for the culinary community. We have a number of interviews in this piece from Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli (of Don Angie), Emily Hyland, Ben Turley and Brent Young of The Meat Hook and you can also listen to the Managing Editor of StarChefs, Will Blunt later on this month on Athleisure Kitchen. We sat down with one of our faves from The Hills and The Hills: New Beginnings’ Whitney Port to find out why she decided to come back to the reality show in it’s reboot as well as what she’s up to, how she takes time for herself and more. In this month’s The Art of the Snack, we head to Midtown East’s Chola which is known for it’s savory Indian cuisine. We also have our Holiday Gift Guide (there is an additional one that will be in the Dec issue out later this month).

As usual, we have our monthly roundups including our 9LIST (Athleisure Mag’s picks that we’re loving this month in style, beauty and fitness) featured roundups. This month’s 9LIST STORI3S (picks supplied by celebrities) gives us insight into Celebrity Trainer, Nutrition Expert, Best Selling Author, TV Personality and Gym Designer – Harley Pasternak. This month’s 9PLAYLIST (9 songs that our celebs are loving this month) comes from, LaLa Anthony of STARZ’s Power. As always, you can enjoy Athleisure List (Crown Plaza HY36 and Murray’s Cheese Mac Bar), The Pick Me Up, Bingely Books, Bingely Streaming, Style Files, Rock This Sleep Style Overnight to Breakfast, Athleisure Beauty, How to Dress, In Our Bag, #TRIBEGOALS and Bergamot Beauty. 

Read the Nov Issue of Athleisure Mag, Issue 47.

HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON A HONEYMOON IN COLOMBIA

A honeymoon can be the best travel experience for anyone as it entails a new beginning with a partner who you love and cherish above all else. It can be a trip to any part of the world, but the places that have a rich history can make your trip even more memorable. Such a destination is the romantic country of Colombia. It encompasses deserts, beautiful and exotic hotels, restaurants and paths telling a story about the past, including colorful streets to take the most remarkable pictures.

It’s a great thing that you’ve funds ready to have a good time but have you thought about how you can save money when you get there? Probably not. Don’t worry as we’ve compiled a few tips below for you to save money while you’re on a honeymoon in the gorgeous country of Colombia.

Go By a Budget

When you reach your destination, it can be all about resting on beaches or visiting historical places and dining at the best restaurants. However, if you sit down with your partner and plan a tiny budget that can have you spend under your limit, it’ll only be best for both of you. A honeymoon budget doesn’t have to be a strict one that has too many restrictions for you to have fun. You and your partner can jot down a roof on every future cost including food, shopping, activities and hotel expense. Make sure that these limits will be easy to follow without ruining the mood.

Try For Deals and Discounts

Provided that you’ve already booked a weekend stay at a hotel, which is cheaper than the crowded weekdays, you can do many more things to save during your trip. For starters, most accommodations provide special discounts for newly-wed couples, so be sure to announce that you’re one. You can try to do things that are both fun and money-saving for your honeymoon. You can visit beaches, travel and relish various scenic places, take a bus than pitching an expensive ride, go to restaurants that provide season’s deals or special offers to newly-weds.

It’s not compulsory that can only have a good time when you go on expensive ventures. You can search the internet or ask around to find exotic activities that are both cheap and adventurous. The country of Colombia has a lot in store for you, including its beautiful islands, San Andres and Rosario Islands. Not to mention the ancient and charming towns that are too picture-perfect, Cartagena and Barichara are one of the most romantic places in the world. These sites are not only mesmerizing, but they won’t have you laying out over expensive restaurants and are an excellent way to have fun without spending extra money.

Don’t Bring All Your Cash

If you want to save money, a good tactic is to leave some of your cash in your home country. Honeymoons are exciting ventures that even the slightest party event would have you spending loads on drinks, food and expensive fees with your significant other.  When you have less money in your hands, you will likely spend less. However. If you become short on cash you can always ask your family back home to send some you more. You can tell them how to send money to Colombia so it is easy for them and convenient for you to receive as a cash pickup or a direct deposit to your bank account.

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HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND MONEY

Maintaining your health is very important if you want to live a long and prosperous life. However, you need to do more than eat well, exercise, and get a full night of sleep. You need to consider your finances. When people are worried about money, they lose sleep, increase their stress levels, and their health deteriorates. Use the tips below to ensure that you can remain physically and financially healthy.

Consider Your Overall Budget

Your financial health starts with a budget. When you are creating a budget, you can see how much money you make, how much you have spent, and how much is left over. You might want to begin removing items from your budget that you believe are not necessary, and you can trim parts of your budget that are too high.

You may want to cook at home more often. You can take fitness courses on the TV instead of joining a gym. You can swim at a public pool or run in a public park instead of using the treadmill at the gym. You might cut your streaming services down to just one, and you can find a cheaper cable service.

You can reduce your grocery budget by cooking many of the processed foods you once bought in packages. Plus, you might want to start searching for cheaper fuel for your car. Use the map app on your phone to find the most efficient route, and ensure that you have followed along with your budget as you manage your lifestyle each month.

Start Saving

You can start saving money if you have some left over at the end of the month. When you are saving money every month, you will have some cash to fall back on. You might save money for a specific purchase, or you could save money because you want to get a dividend at the end go the year.

You can open an account with your bank, or you could use a savings app. The savings app will round up all your purchases, and that money will be deposited in an account associated with the app.

Invest Your Money

You might begin to invest your savings in different accounts that were created by your broker or financial advisor. Hiring a broker or financial advisor helps you a lot, or you could meet with someone in your local bank branch who will help you. As you begin to invest, you will see your nest egg grow over time.

When you are investing, you should try to diversify your investments as much as possible. When you do this, you can protect your savings. You need to remember that most people who are investing are trying to invest for retirement. However, you might invest your money because you want to make a large purchase in the future. Investing helps you retire, and you can use these investments in the event of an emergency.

Plan For Emergencies Large And Small

You can plan for an emergency by saving your money or investing, but there are times when you may not have enough money saved yet. Because of this, you should consider what your other options are. You want to know that you can manage an unexpected emergency, like an unplanned medical bill or critical home repair, without unraveling your financial well-being. 

A short-term loan from a payday loan organization may help you handle the expenses from unexpected emergencies if you do not have enough money saved. You should incorporate your loan payments into your monthly budget and should plan to pay the loan back as soon as possible to avoid late fees. You know you may have options, and you can continue with your special savings and investment plan.

Conclusion

You need to reduce your stress levels as much as possible, try to eat healthy, and upgrade your financial well-being. When you do the things listed above, you will notice a difference in your overall outlook on life and your lifestyle. You can trim your budget so that you are not spending too much money on food, or you can take out things that you do not think are worth the money. Additionally, you can use a loan to pay for an emergency when you do not have any money saved up yet.

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HOW TO AVOID ILLNESS AND OTHER MEDICAL CONSEQUENCES WHILE TRAVELING THIS CHRISTMAS

A record-breaking 112.5 million people – more than a third of all Americans - are expected to travel this holiday season, including 102 million who will take their trips by car. Nothing ruins a long-awaited vacation faster than getting sick or being in medical distress.  We turned to Dr. Niket Sonpal, an NYC internist and gastroenterologist for some tips on how to avoid health consequences will traveling.

Avoid Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein Thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot (thrombus) forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. Deep vein thrombosis can cause leg pain or swelling, but also can occur with no symptoms. For travelers, this can happen on long haul trips where you are not moving. Dr. Sonpal recommends if you are flying or on a train, to move around the cabin to get the blood flowing in your legs. If you are driving, take a break at a rest stop and walk around. Compression socks are also another option to prevent DVT.

Don’t Get Nauseous

People can experience motion sickness on virtually any mode of transportation. To combat this, Dr. Sonpal suggests Dramamine® Non-Drowsy Naturals, Dramamine®'s first non-drowsy formulation. It contains the clinically tested ginger dosage required for preventing and treating motion sickness. Other sources of ginger, including candies, gums, or ginger ale, may not contain a full clinical dose. For someone who is already experiencing nausea while traveling, it is a good idea to keep Emetrol on hand which is an over the counter nausea medication that does not cause drowsiness.

Avoid Bloating on a Plane

If you get gassy on a plane, you’re not alone! Dr. Sonpal explains that, “As the pressure around you decreases, the gas in your belly isn’t constrained as much and it expands. This can make you feel bloated or become distended.” It is essential to avoid foods that cause gas or have salt. Skip the tomato juice in flight and stick with non-carbonated water. Avoid alcohol, cruciferous vegetables, dairy and high sodium snacks such as salted peanuts or pretzels. Foods that are protein packed, magnesium-rich and high in Vitamin C are good options.

Sanitize Your Surfaces

Planes and trains are a breeding ground for illness.  The former are awful due to re-circulated air. Most travelers would be appalled if they really knew how germy their tray tables are! Dr. Sonpal suggests sanitizing wipes for your tray table, seat belt clip and hand rests of your seats on planes and trains. When you exit a restroom on a plane or train and touch the door handles, be sure to use hand sanitizer even if you already washed your hands.

Get Your Shots Before Traveling Abroad!

Before you even book your trip, make sure you’re up to date on your shots. If you’re traveling to an area where you’re at risk for picking up an illness like malaria, you might be prescribed preventative medication. Dr. Sonpal suggests that, “People should use the CDC website for recommended vaccines for travel abroad or see a travel clinic. The health risks posed to Americans vary based on the country they are traveling to.”

Don’t Touch the Ice!

When traveling to a different country, most people are very cautious about only drinking bottled water.  Many folks forget that ice is simply frozen water and put it into their soft drinks or alcoholic beverages. Contrary to what one might think, freezing water does not kill bacteria. The only way to be sure it is safe is if you boiled the water and then froze it.

Avoid Jet Lag

Even a relatively short time change from EST to PST (3 hours) can cause jet lag. With some international travel from the United States, the time difference can be as much as twelve hours. If you're traveling east, try going to bed one hour earlier each night for a few days before your departure. Go to bed one hour later for several nights if you're flying west. If possible, eat meals closer to the time you'll be eating them at your destination. Dr. Sonpal suggests that you set your watch to the new time before you leave. Once you reach your destination, try not to sleep until the local nighttime, no matter how tired you are.

Essential Medicine/Supplies to Travel With

Dr. Sonpal stresses never to check your medication with your baggage, always keep it in your carry on. Have a fresh re-fill on prescription medication with extra doses in case you get stuck at your destination. In addition, here are some essential over the counter meds/supplies to travel with:

Benadryl- For allergic reactions such as insect or bee bites.

Pepto Bismol- For diarrhea

Laxative such as Dulcolax

Anti-biotic ointment such as Neosporin

Common cold/sinus remedies such as Mucinex or Claritin

Pain relievers such as Tylenol or Motrin

Anti- Nausea medication such as Emetrol

Motion Sickness medication such as Dramamine. If you are the driver, be sure to take the non-drowsy version.

Electrolyte tablets for dehydration

Hydrocortisone cream to relieve itching from rashes, bites, poison ivy etc.

Aloe to soothe sunburned skin

Band-Aids

Digital Thermometer

Nasal Spray to prevent clogged ears while flying

Tweezers

Eye Drops

Epi-Pen if you are prone to severe allergic reactions

How to Find a Reliable Physician if you are Traveling Abroad

The US embassy in your destination country (http://www.usembassy.gov/) can help you locate medical services and will notify your family and friends in the event of an emergency. When selecting a doctor, make sure that he or she can speak your language. The following resources provide lists of doctors and clinics that can care of travelers:

The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (www.iamat.org; membership required, but it is free)

Joint Commission International (www.jointcommissioninternational.org)

The International Society of Travel Medicine (www.istm.org)

Travel Health Online (www.tripprep.com; gets information from various sources so quality is not guaranteed)

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GREAT REASONS TO TRY ARCHERY OUT AT LEAST ONCE

Are you in the mood to try something new? If you are, then there are so many amazing things that you can do, including archery. If you want to channel your inner Legolas or Green Arrow, then this is definitely something you should consider!

Archery is an ancient art form that is still a popular practice today. In the past, archery was mainly for fighting and hunting. However, in the modern era, it's more for recreation and sports.

Archery is held in high regard in different places around the world. As a matter of fact, the Kingdom of Bhutan considers it as their national sport. 

Why You Should Try Out Archery

There is more to archery than holding a bow and arrow. The most popular archery discipline is Target Archery. It has been part of the Olympics since 1900. However, there are other disciplines, such as the following recognized around the world:

●      Para-archery

●      3D Archery

●      Field Archery

●      Ski and Run Archery

●      Flight and Clout Archery

If you look beneath the surface, there are actually so many fantastic reasons why you should give archery a try. If you want to give it a go, take note of these:

It’s For Everyone.

Regardless of gender, age, orientation, and many other factors, archery is open for all. It does not discriminate. It’s something that anyone can get into even the people with disabilities (PWD). It’s so inclusive that even those who have never held a bow in their lives can try it.

Archery is something that you can either enjoy by yourself or with a group of people. If you head down to your local archery club, you will undoubtedly run into people of all ages and from all walks of life! If you are up for some team activity, then you should sign up as soon as possible!

It’s A New Kind Of Workout.

If you are tired of doing the same exercise routines, perhaps you should opt to make archery your new workout habit! It's a far cry from the usual fitness trends that you might find yourself trying.

While it might look like a stationary activity, the truth is, there are a lot of movements involved in archery. On average, you can burn about 100 calories in 30 minutes, but this depends on your weight and other factors. The longer you do it, the more calories you will be burning! 

It’s Reasonable And Affordable.

If you haven’t tried archery before, you might think it’s inaccessible sport reserved only for those with plenty of money. However, if you are in it for fun and recreation, then it’s something that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

If you do get into archery and commit yourself to it seriously, check out the recommended gears by https://thebowguy.com/best/bow-release/.

It Helps Improve Focus And Coordination.

Archery is not just about using a bow and arrow to shoot a target. It's not just about the physical side of things. There are so many aspects involved, including your ability to focus and your dexterity. When you try archery for the first time, you will realize the amount of work that goes into perfecting your aim.

If you wish to be an excellent archer, then you have to work on strengthening your mental fitness. When you are mentally healthy, it helps your attention and focus. These traits are important when you are working on your movements.

It Makes You More Patient.

Mastering the art of archery does not happen overnight. It takes practice and patience. Even if you are a beginner, you will learn how to appreciate the beauty of waiting for the perfect timing.

Archery focuses on precision, so your patience goes a long way!

You Can Play It Anywhere.

Archery is something that you can enjoy any season. You can play it both indoors and outdoors. Depending on your preference, you can try archery for the first time either way! It's all up to what you are up to! Check out an archery club near you to find out about their facilities and what their offers are for a newbie like yourself!

Archery For Beginners: First Time Archers

If you want a fun and relaxing activity that helps in boosting self-confidence and control, then don't forget to add archery to your list. At first glance, it might seem like an unconventional choice, but once you try, you just might have the surprise of your life!

If you are up for some challenge, then go for it! Archery combines all the elements of what you are looking for! You are not only getting physical and mental benefits but an exciting overall experience that's unlike any other!

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CBD OILS, TINCTURES AND CREAMS: HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT METHOD FOR YOU

There is a high demand for CBD products in the market today, and everyone swears by their efficacy. CBD addresses many ailments, and everyone of any age can benefit from CBD products.

The number of CBD products out there can be vast and, therefore, confusing. There are CBD products that work more than others in addressing specific ailments because of their differences in concentration. But before purchasing one, you should ask yourself some vital questions, such as where you are going to use CBD products, so you will know the right item for you.

Below is a guide to different CBD products and where they are best used for:

1. CBD Tinctures

CBD tinctures are sometimes referred to as CBD Oil. These are quality CBD oils with a CBD extract that you can take sublingually. CBD liquid usually comes with a medicinal dropper and is put inside a bottle. The liquid inside has two properties:

●      CBD Extract

The CBD extract gives the product its therapeutic properties and is the reason behind its medical potency. It provides the phytocannabinoids and terpene components.

●      A Carrier Oil

The carrier oil is the thinning material that helps in delivering the CBD extract to the cells. These oils often include hemp oil or coconut oil, which help in the absorption of CBD into the body.

Effectivity of Oil-Based Tinctures

CBD tinctures are fast-acting and long-lasting. They are more effective when taken sublingually and held under the tongue for several minutes before swallowing. Sublingual application takes 20-40 minutes to take effect, which can last up to 6 hours.

The goal is to get the CBD into the bloodstream where it can then bind with the different endocannabinoid receptors in the body for it to take effect.

2. CBD Topicals and Rubs

Ingesting and inhaling CBD is not the only way possible to have the full effects of CBD. There are endocannabinoids receptors throughout the body, including the skin. With the aid of the receptors on the skin, applying topicals can help ease sore and irritated areas and can provide skin relief.

CBD topicals help with pain relief and are available as balms, creams, and salves. These products are made to help you in specialized ways like:

●      Relieves Muscle Soreness

 CBD is known as a substance that has anti-inflammation properties, and it can help ease muscle soreness as well as muscle pain when applied topically.

●      Acts as a Therapeutic Massage Oil

 CBD can have tremendous therapeutic benefits when applied to the skin as a massage oil. It will help melt away stress and ease muscle tension.

●      Treats Skin Conditions

 CBD is a good treatment against certain skin conditions that cause inflammation, such as acne, and blemishes.

3. Oil-Based Capsules

CBD capsules come in pill form and are swallowed just like any pill or vitamin. These capsules may be soft gels, two-piece capsules, liquid or powder.

Here are the properties of these capsules:

●      CBD Extract or CBD Isolate

There is a high concentration of CBD in the capsule, and it is the key to the overall quality of the pill. High-quality capsules should include an infusion that comes from a high-quality CBD hemp plant source.

●      Oil Carrier

The oil carrier increases the ability of the capsule to be actually absorbed in the body. Carrier oils are needed to help the cannabinoid bind to fat and make the absorption process easier. Common carrier oils are coconut, MCT oil, and hemp.

Benefits of CBD Capsules

CBD capsules offer a variety of benefits. For one thing, the dosage is easy to discern and there is no guesswork. It is also easy to take because you can just swallow the pill. Although it is small, the effects are also long-lasting.

Efficacy of CBD Capsules

When CBD is taken orally, the liver’s enzymes destroy most of the CBD and a little amount of it enters the bloodstream to be actually used. This process is called bioavailability. Despite this downside, there are quite a few benefits that make ingesting capsules highly advantageous.

Capsules are often the quickest way of taking CBD. The effects last longer, and the benefits associated with the pill or capsule forms are high.

Final Thoughts

There are many CBD products in the market today, which means that there are many ways for people to enjoy them. One way of knowing the right CBD product for you is knowing where you are going to use it for.

CBD can be used as a therapy for relaxation as well as a serious medication for ailments. Different CBD products have different concentrations and intensities of CBD, which differentiates them from one another.

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HOW DOES CBD MAKE YOU FEEL?

There is plenty of information circulating about CBD nowadays, and it’s not surprising why. The popularity of CBD is evident in the way it is used in various products—from health supplements to vaping oils, skincare products, and even CBD gummies! But what is CBD in the first place?

CBD 101

CBD is a compound from the Cannabis sativa plant. Although the benefits and effectivity of CBD are still being studied, some researchers claim that the compound is particularly useful in relieving anxiety and pain. The FDA has also approved the use of CBD as an ingredient for drugs to treat Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, both severe and rare forms of epilepsy.

There are many possible uses of CBD. Some CBD users claim that it can help alleviate or treat:

●      Acne and other skin conditions such as psoriasis

●      Arthritis, inflammatory and nerve-related pain

●      Anxiety and depression

●      Cardiovascular disease

●      Diabetes and obesity

●      Mood and sleep disorders

CBD, taken as a supplement to treat or prevent different health conditions, seems promising. But some people are also wary of CBD because of its possible side effects such as dryness of mouth, drowsiness, fatigue, irritability, light-headedness, and nausea. Also, it should not be taken along with certain medications. Avoid taking CBD with antidepressants, antibiotics, antihistamines, calcium channel, and beta-blockers. It also mustn't be taken when you are on steroids, anti-epileptics, anesthetics, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If you are interested in taking CBD supplements, you should know how it can affect you physically and mentally. Keep in mind that CBD impacts people differently, so that how another person’s body reacts to CBD could be different from yours. The points below explain how CBD affects you body.

1. There is no “euphoric” high with CBD

Although CBD is derived from hemp and cannabis, taking CBD-infused products will not get you high. Another cannabinoid, THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the compound that produces a heightened sensory perception.

The common misconception is that since THC and CBD come from the same plant, both can alter the state of mind of the user. CBD can be extracted minus the THC, so there is no need to worry about any psychoactive effects. CBD can be legally obtained in many states and some countries since the compound has less than 0.3% THC, which is not sufficient to produce a “euphoric” high.

2. CBD can improve your mood

It would be wrong to say that a person will not feel anything after taking a CBD-infused product. CBD does not give the blissful effect that marijuana is famous for. There is no worry about feeling disoriented when taking CBD since it will not make you intoxicated like alcohol or marijuana. Although it will not alter your state of mind, CBD can make you feel less anxious. CBD works on the endocannabinoid system to reduce anxiety levels and make you feel more balanced.

3. CBD can alleviate pain

One of the most known use for CBD is to relieve pain. CBD can be very beneficial to people suffering from chronic pain. Taking CBD helps regulate an endocannabinoid called anandamide, which helps inhibit pain. Studies show that ingesting CBD or applying it topically can help alleviate inflammatory pain and provide relief from muscle pain. When you feel less pain, you feel better, and your mood improves, too.

4. CBD can make you feel hungry

If you’re worried that taking CBD will increase your appetite and gain more weight, remember that CBD does not contain THC, which induces hunger pangs and bingeing. However, CBD can boost the appetite, which benefits those who have lost their appetite due to illness or stress. CBD promotes a healthy appetite by helping the body overcome pain and anxiety, thus allowing the person to eat well and boost their immune system.

5. CBD can help you relax

Our day-to-day activities can expose us to a lot of stress. The problem with stress is that it can hinder you from functioning properly during the day and also prevent you from getting quality sleep. CBD puts your mind in a relaxed state without feeling loopy. CBD helps calm your nerves, so you feel more comfortable and focused on performing your daily activities.

Conclusion

The effects of CBD will vary from person to person because the endocannabinoid system of every individual is unique. While CBD may not wholly cure anxiety or chronic pain, it helps your body and mind cope with it naturally. Although the health benefits of CBD are still being studied, there is no harm in trying CBD products from reputable providers to help manage pain and stress.

PHOTO COURTESY | Shutterstock

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HOW TO GET RID OF HOLIDAY HANGOVER FACE

Tis' the season to be jolly. You partied and drank too much the night before and perhaps the one before that. Today, you have a business meeting or brunch with the inlaws.  Although you might feel like you want to crawl into a hole from your hangover, you can’t afford to look like you have one.  What is your skincare SOS game plane? We turned to Dr. Manish Shah, a Board-Certified Denver, Colorado Plastic Surgeon for some tricks that will have you looking fresh as a daisy even if they don’t cure that queasy feeling and headache. 

Remove your makeup the night before

This is a tough one. If you come home stumbling at 3am, this is probably the last thing on your mind. If you can manage to do it, you’re one step ahead of the game. If going to the sink is too much effort, use cleansing cloths such as  e.l.f. Cosmetics Hydrating Water Cleansing Cloths.  They easily remove makeup and help nourish the skin with purified water. Infused with aloe and Vitamins B & E, the materials cool on contact and soothe and moisturize skin.

Hydrate

The number one thing alcohol does is dehydrate your entire body, including your skin," says Dr. Shah. "When skin is dehydrated it looks sallow, fine lines are more noticeable, and pores become obvious."

Dehydration is the main reason your skin looks terrible when you wake up. While drinking water is wise, the effects of that internal hydration won't immediately show up externally, says Dr. Shah. For a quick fix, he suggests a sheet mask that contains hyaluronic acid, a molecule that draws moisture to the skin. Try: Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery PowerFoil Mask

Put your face on ice

Skin redness can be caused by alcohol dilating your blood vessels. One way to reduce this is to put a cold compress on the affected area for a few minutes. But be warned, extended periods of drinking can cause permanent redness and skin damage.

Jade Rollers or Massage

You can use any jade roller (put it in the freezer for a few minutes for a cooling effect) or even just your fingers. Dr. Shah says that the goal is to energize and lift the skin by promoting lymphatic drainage (aka de-puffing).

De-Puff Your Eyes

After a night or two of drinking, the eyes become bloodshot because tiny blood vessels on the eye surface become red and inflamed.” Also, the diuretic effects of alcohol can lead to dehydration, which tells your body to hold onto more water weight. That fluid retention also prompts next-day puffiness.

You can purchase a product such as Skyn Iceland hydro cool firming eye gels.  If you don’t have something like this in the house,  you can substitute chamomile tea. Steep the tea bags in hot water, take them out until they cool, and put one on each eye for 10 minutes.

Exfoliate

Dr. Shah recommends giving your skin a good but gentle scrub. "Exfoliate off sallow, alcohol-damaged skin cells. You do not need to break the bank to do this. Dr. Shah suggests: St. Ives Invigorating Face Scrub – Apricot. This product can be found online and at most drug stores. 

Seal Your Skin With A Spritz- And Not Champagne

After you have done all of the “damage control” you can give you face a final spritz of moisture with a product like Fresh Vitamin Nectar Antioxidant Glow Water.  This energizing spray is packed with skin-brightening nutrients derived from citrus fruit, plus a blend of magnesium and zinc, to help snap sleep-deprived and hungover skin into shape. 

Dr. Shah cautions that he does not endorse habitual binge drinking or alcohol abuse. These tips are for those who have overindulged on occasion. Aside from the obvious mental and physical effects of alcohol abuse, it can also cause harmful long term consequences to the skin which cannot be “fixed” by the tips given above.

Dr. Shah is not paid or in any manner affiliated with the products he mentions.

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5 TIPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE LIFE

In this day and age, it is very important that we humans do as much as we can to keep our planet safe and healthy. Most people who are eco-friendly have started leading more sustainable lifestyles.

Leading such a lifestyle can be a difficult task, especially when you don't even know what the term truly means. It is not as simple as just switching a couple of things in your diet or changing your light bulbs, leading a completely sustainable life will take a lot more effort.

To lead such a life means that you live your life responsibly to ensure that future generations can lead a healthy life. It is a type of mindset that understands that the resources we have on this planet are not infinite.

There will come a day when we deplete some of the most important resources of our lives and we have to make sure that day is as far from today as possible.

1. What sustainable living looks like?

It is important to ensure that the message about sustainable lives is correctly spread.

To live such a life does not mean that we have to quit every single luxury of our lives and to give up on comfort, it simply means that we should start being wary of the things we throw away, on the number of resources and energy we consume every single day and how to reduce those expenditures.

The ability to renew the resources we use and to consciously understand the impact we do on the planet is crucial.

Here are some of the things you should be aware of if you want to lead a sustainable lifestyle.

2. Reduce your overall energy use

One of the biggest waste of energy on this planet comes from the unnecessary use of appliances, according to this website.

When you exit your kitchen make sure that everything you won't use anymore is turned off including all the lights. If you are leaving your home, there is no need for the television set to keep running as loud as possible.

You could also consider getting more energy-efficient appliances at home. Sure, it might be pretty expensive to replace your clothes washing machine, but with an energy-efficient one you will save up a lot of money over the years and you are also leading a more sustainable life.

The more energy you save, the better it is for the planet and the better it is for your electricity bill.

Another huge energy spender is the heating system in our homes. You can get a quality thermostat installed for just a couple of dollars that can properly regulate the temperature inside of your home.

A more modern thermostat can be adjusted to lower the temperature inside if you are not home and to raise it when you get home. You can also use an application to warm up your room just before you get home.

By properly managing the temperature at home, you are saving up a lot of energy.

Most people during the winter just crank up the thermostat to maximum and then walk around inside in shorts and shirts. Instead of spending so much energy to keep such a high temperature sustained inside of your home, you can just put on a few layers of clothes on yourself and lower the thermostat.

The same thing applies to hot summer days too. Why should your air condition unit spend so much power to make your room so cold that you have to wear additional clothing when you can just open up a window and take off a layer of your clothes?

You could also save up additional energy during the hot summer days by putting your clothes to dry out in the sun instead of in the dryer. Not only will you save some money by doing this, but your clothes will also smell more natural and will be softer to the touch.

If you cannot force yourself into the habit of constantly turning off the lights in your room, you could consider installing LED lights instead of incandescent light bulbs.

On Energy Focus you can read more about what makes this lights eco-friendly. Not only do LED lights shine brighter, but you can also pick the colors they light up in, they last longer and they spend 10 times less energy than regular bulbs.

So not only are you saving up on energy, you are making your life more comfortable.

3. Avoiding using unnecessary plastic

Plastic is one of the most polluting materials on the planet and we use it every single day. To avoid polluting our environment, you could start using paper or canvas bags next time you go to the market.

You can also avoid using regular plastic bottles since you can get a stainless steel water bottle that will last for years.

According to waterbottle.io, a stainless steel bottle can keep your drinks colder or hotter for much longer than plastic bottles.

4. Start drinking coffee at home

Instead of wasting time and money every single morning to get a cup of coffee before going to work, you should consider getting a coffee maker.

Coffee from most coffee shops is much more expensive and use plastic disposable cups that damage our environment.

Using a coffee maker at home is a much cheaper alternative and may even a tastier, as suggested by GiftWits. If you want to achieve the same taste as most coffee shops, we recommend you to get this book about brewing coffee, Brew: Better Coffee at Home.

5. Try growing your own food

You probably already know how much money you are spending every day on food, especially fresh vegetables or fruits. If you live alone or with a roommate, all those vegetables you buy probably end up rotting in your fridge after a while.

This is just a waste of money, so why not consider growing your own food?

Try planting a few seeds of tomatoes on your balcony or next to your window and see whether they will grow. Next time you feel like eating a tomato, you can easily pluck one off from your plant. Read more here about the environmental benefits of growing your own food.

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8 AWESOME TECHNOLOGIES REDEFINING HEALTHCARE

BY PAUL FARKAS, TECH DIRECTOR

No double about it, technology-driven healthcare is the future of medicine. Making health-enhancing and life-saving technologies available and accessible to patients has increased wellness and happiness by leaps and bounds. We can only imagine what the next 25 years of medical technology development will bring us.  Here are 8 awesome technologies that are already redefining healthcare as we’ve always known it. From here, the possibilities are endless. 

#1. Wearable Health Devices

Doctors and scientists alike are embracing wearable health devices right along with consumers and fitness experts. Wearable heart monitors, advanced pedometers and other wearable health devices are putting data directly into the patient’s hands. You can lose weight, stay in shape, track medical issues and even detect hidden issues using a clip-on or wristwatch device. If you want some great low-cost pedometer ideas for holiday gifts this year, check out this list of affordable ones by Cool Things Chicago. You can track your daily steps, your heart rate, calorie intake and expenditure, and a whole lot more. Many people even wear their devices 24 hours a day so that they can get valuable information about their sleep habits. 

#2. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence is already being used to compile and analyze large amounts of healthcare data and clinical study findings to help doctors make important discoveries, enhance treatment options and avoid mistakes. New AI technology will include medical chatbots that can process patient information and even make general diagnoses. Natural language processing and machine learning make this type of AI possible. 

#3. Blockchain Technology 

Blockchain technology provides a decentralized system for recording, storing and transmitting protected health information. Although many people associate Blockchain with cryptocurrency, the possibilities of its use go far beyond that and could touch almost every industry in the future. According to Healthcare Weekly, blockchain and healthcare are a match made in heaven due to healthcare security. The healthcare industry faces major security breaches on an almost daily basis costing millions of dollars, a loss of trust by the public and other sticky problems. Many healthcare executives see blockchain as a top priority for 2020 and beyond. Developing a national database of healthcare data, on a secure blockchain system, could provide valuable research data for doctors all over the country. 

#4. Genome Sequencing

Individualized care is fast approaching, genome sequencing is already available but very costly. As new technology surfaces, the cost will continue to drop until it becomes more accessible to the majority of patients. This is a huge win for healthcare because people are highly unique and treating people based on generalizations doesn’t always make for the best possible outcome. We can increase the chances of a good outcome when we know the most information possible about a patient. Genome sequencing and DNA testing can tell us what diseases a person is predisposed to. The Human Genome Project had the lofty goal of sequencing all 3 billion nucleotides in the human genome, it was an incredible undertaking that had huge implications for the future of medicine. We have only scratched the surface of everything that could be uncovered by fully understanding our DNA. More research and more advanced technology-driven devices will be needed as this incredible tool is tweaked and perfected. 

#5. 3D Printing

The healthcare 3D printing market will soon be worth well over $2.2 billion. The uses of this technology are expanding quickly with applications from prosthetics to reproducing vital organs. Even drugs can be 3D printed. Surgeons can 3D print a patient’s anatomy to make a detailed surgical plan for the most complex surgeries. You can print human tissue cell by cell, using this extraordinary technology. 

There are also endless uses for medical education as well. You can use it to study anatomy and medical procedures in a classroom setting. Easier manufacturing of medical devices can make things less costly. Over time, 3D printing might end up being a key thing that lowers the cost of healthcare.  

#6. Software As A Medical Device

Orthogonal.io describes software as a medical device (SaMD) as standalone software that serves as a medical product, without any matching hardware. Typically software helps support or operate hardware such as the software the runs an MRI machine. With SaMD the software is used on its own to deliver healthcare that can diagnose, treat, cure, or even prevent medical conditions. Mostly, it involves collecting and distributing health data using sophisticated algorithms and analyzes it using complex machine learning.  Specific examples of SaMD include health screenings, monitoring or alert systems for pre-existing conditions, communication with doctors and medical devices, and personalized plans for the managed care of chronic conditions. 

#7. Robotics

Robotics is being used to assist in complicated surgeries and help doctors make precise serial cuts that reduce risk and make recovery easier on patients. The machines can also administer anesthesia with great accuracy and can reduce medical costs as well as lowering the risk of human error. Companion robots are making a name for themselves, proving therapeutic mental healthcare for people at home or in nursing homes. Doctors won’t be getting replaced by robots anytime soon but robotics can help doctors do their jobs better. 

#8. Nanotechnology 

Take robotics and shrink it down to a microscopic entity and you have nanotechnology. Nanodevices can deliver drugs through the patients’ bloodstream and to targeted areas for more effective treatment than was previously available. This is increasing the usefulness of therapies to treat even the hardest to treat diseases like certain types of cancer. These teeny robots can also help with diagnosis and monitoring vitals. 

With all of the exciting discoveries the last 25 to 50 years of technology has brought us in the medical field, it is most interesting to see what else it can do for us in the future. Healthcare institutions are banking on the huge things to come, spending a considerable about of time, money and resources on developing new technologies every day that will create a healthier and happier population. 

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CASINO ETIQUETTE - 5 THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

American gambling has quite a long history associated with it, starting with small saloons and eventually transforming into modern casinos at the start of the 20th century. Of course, certain traditions and customs have established throughout the existence of casinos. These unspoken rules make it easy to identify who’s a newbie and who’s a gambling veteran.

However, don’t get discouraged if you’ve never been to a casino. Just don’t imagine how you stroll into the building wearing your tuxedo, sit down behind some table, and order a ‘tini. Casinos don’t work or look like a James Bond movie (anymore, at least). 

Nonetheless, casino customs are simple to learn and can be mastered with ease. If you follow the points below to a tee, then you shouldn’t be afraid of embarrassing yourself or looking strange.

General Guidelines

Here are some universal points that can be applied to any casino visit:

• Politeness. Always remember why you came to the casino: to win and have fun. Being rude to the staff won’t give you an advantage, and insulting other members can get you thrown out of the building. Some people think that being offensive is the way to go in casinos, but, please, don’t follow suit. 

• Dress code. No tux is needed, as the casinos are pretty casual nowadays. However, there are a couple of No-Nos in regards to how you should dress going to such a place. According to GamblersDailyDigest, the biggest mistakes are wearing flip-flops, sneakers, dirty/torn clothing, and shorts or t-shirts after sunset (as casinos become more formal at night).

• Get your cash. Unlike anywhere else in the world, most casinos make a point of being cash-based. Don’t even try to use your bank cards at the table, because you’ll look foolish. Prepare the cash before coming to the casino if you want to avoid some awkward situations.

• Know the rules. It is an obvious point, but you should at least be acquainted with the basics of the game you’re going to play. By entering the game and not knowing the rules, you’ll disturb the game flow, taking out the fun from other people playing. However, if you’re feeling only slightly unsure in your capabilities but know the basics, then you can ask staff for small booklets with the explained game’s rules.

• No phones. Don’t use your phone behind the table. Not only would it distract you from the game, but you'd be also immensely rude to everybody who’s playing and to the dealer, especially if you’re taking a phone call. If you need to use your phone, step away from the table.

• Don’t delay the decision. Have some respect for the time of other people and don’t think for too long. It’s extremely infuriating when you’re the one waiting on the other player to finally make his decision.

• No sitting around. Seats are only for the gambling folks, and if you’re not playing, then you’re not sitting. Do you want to watch your friend’s play? Stand behind him or her and enjoy the game.

• Tip. Although it’s not a must, this gesture is much appreciated. The amount of the tip is up to you, but the standard of the US Tournaments if 3%. Of course, you can tip how much you want.

Game-Related Rules 

There are some more specific rules that are related to each casino game. Check them out to feel comfortable sitting behind one of the tables.

Roulette

When you join a table, you have to ask for roulette chips. They’re not value-based; instead, they differentiate players. Also, don’t throw your chips around and keep them in a pile when placing stakes. Roulette chips are not for use in any other game, so you have to cash them in before exiting the game.

Blackjack

Show some common courtesy and ask whether you can join the table. Learn the hand gestures and signs in order to understand what’s going on in the game. According to GamblingNewsMagazine, you should hold your cards only with one hand. Generally, don’t become too touchy with your cards, as many casinos have strict policies regarding it.

Craps

Decide on a buy-in ahead of time and don’t make other people waiting on you. Also, don’t make your bet when the dice have been already thrown. It can even be considered fraudulent by some casinos. Bet only when the dice are in the middle. Don’t wave your hands around, as if you touch the dice during the throw, they’ll have to rethrown. 

Poker

When calling or raising, don’t disturb (splash) the pot, as it will confuse everybody. Put a neat pile in front of you, and the dealer will take care of it. Don’t acknowledge your hand emotionally and never elaborate verbally on it: again, some casinos prohibit it. Don’t waste everybody’s time by not tabling your hand, as this is considered not sportsmanlike. 

Helpful Tips on How to Behave in a Casino

There are some additional things you need to keep in mind. The points below relate not to the games but the behavior in a casino.

Don’t Get Intoxicated

Most major casinos offer free drinks for gambling clients. Nonetheless, don’t overuse this offer. Only fictional characters can easily gamble through the night and keep drinking one cocktail after another. There is a sure possibility that you’ll gamble more recklessly after drinking a bit too much. If you’re interested in drinking than gambling, then simply go to the bar initially. It is, of course, always recommended to stay sober to handle all of the wins and losses.

Remember that You’re On Your Own

If you’re a gambling newbie, one of the most novice things to do is to ask others for advice. Don’t ask other casino clients, as they are there for themselves, and only a couple out of a hundred will take pity on a beginner and offer real advice. And definitely don’t ask the dealers, as they don’t want and shouldn’t have to take responsibility for your luck. 

Know How To Lose

Let’s remember why casinos exist. Just like any other business, they’re there to make money, and they do it by having their clients gamble the money away. So, if you find yourself in a less than favorable situation, don’t create an unpleasant situation for everybody around. If you’re aggravated, then don’t express it verbally or physically. Also, don’t scream at your opponents, and don’t throw your cards in the air. Otherwise, you may become an unwelcome guest at the casino.

According to Lucian Marinescu, managing partner at Online Casino Gems, aggressive behavior in casinos should never be tolerated. He says: “Gambling is a noble sport, and the players should act appropriately. Losing is a part of life for a gambler. So, one needs to learn how to lose with dignity. This way, you’ll be gladly accepted into the gambling community and create some very interesting friendships.”

Final Words

Going to a casino for the first time may be a bit frightening, but if you’re well-aware of all of the intricacies of casino etiquette, then you have nothing to worry about. There is really not that much to remember, and on the second visit, you’ll surely feel like you belong here.

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