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Therapy Dogs 101

Ryan Scott
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Therapy dogs aren’t ordinary dogs. They’re trained to provide emotional support, and deliver unconditional love.

What Makes Them Different

Most household dogs can get hyper around crowds…

Not therapy dogs!

They’re trained to stay calm and gentle around strangers. So, you don’t need to worry about them getting worked up.

How They Help Recovery

Several studies show that interacting with animals can help patients recover faster from surgery or accident.

How to Get a Therapy Dog

So, now you may be thinking to yourself, “Okay, I would love to get a therapy dog. What are the next steps?” Well, there are a couple of options.

You can either adopt one through an organization. Or, if you already have a dog, they can be trained.

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What it Takes to Forgive

Ryan Scott
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Forgiveness truly is a gift you give yourself. It may not be easy. It may make you feel uncomfortable at first. But it’s one of the best ways to move forward instead of backward. Here are a couple of attributes it takes to forgive.

Know How to Deal With Others

Learning how to deal with people is such an important skill. In life, we won’t always see eye to eye with everyone, and that’s okay!

Life would be pretty boring if we all had the same opinions, right?

The sooner you learn to resolve conflict, the easier it’ll be to forgive.

Empathy

Having trouble forgiving someone?If so, try putting yourself in their shoes.

Maybe they’re going through a tough time, or maybe something got misinterpreted along the way.

Seeing and understanding a situation through someone else’s eyes can help you forgive and forget.

Signs Your Teen is Stressed

Ryan Scott

Everything from grades to peer pressure can cause a great deal of stress on teens. If left untreated, stress can lead to anxiety or other mental health issues. Here are a few signs parents should look out for.

Sleeping Problems

Sleeping too much or too little are both common signs of stress.

It’s also a little bit of a vicious cycle. When our sleeping isn’t on track, it’s harder to think logically, which can bring on even more stress.

Increased Irritability

We all experience mood swings – especially teenagers.

But constantly feeling irritated over insignificant details can be a sign that something bigger is going on.

Difficulty Concentrating

Getting homework done is hard when you have so much on your mind.

Our thoughts are powerful things after all. You know your teen best. If you notice any significant changes in their homework routine, go ahead and talk to them about it.

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How to Get Your Sleep Back on Track

Ryan Scott
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Are you tired of lying awake in bed all hours of the night? Are you ready to finally get your sleep on track? If so, keep on reading.

Track Your Sleep

You have some homework to do before officially getting started.

You’ve got to start tracking your sleep.

Even though you may not realize this, not all nights are the same. Chances are some nights are better than others.

But if you aren’t keeping track, you’ll never know for sure.

Do you sleep better on weekends versus weekdays?

Is it easier to fall and stay asleep in a cooler room?

After a week or two, you should start noticing patterns.

Love Your Bed

You have the power to train your brain to love your bed. You just need to learn the right skills.

A very popular tip is to reserve your bed for sleeping and only sleeping.

We get it. A lot of people like working or watching TV in bed. But doing so can make it harder to fall asleep.

The main goal is to teach your brain to associate going to bed with sleeping.

Manage Your Worries

Have you ever had one of those nights where all you can do is lie in bed and worry about the next day?

Falling asleep should be relaxing – not stressful.

Of course, it isn’t always easy to turn off our thoughts. But there are plenty of techniques that can calm them down.

Try your best to focus on the present moment. The here and the now are all that matter.

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Are You Constantly Tired Throughout The Day?

Ryan Scott
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Feeling tired once in a while is one thing, but feeling tired every day is something else.

There are plenty of habits out there that can give you a much needed energy boost.

Pay Attention to Your Sleep

Most of us understand the effects of not getting enough sleep.

But did you know that getting too much sleep isn’t good for you either?

Sleep is so essential for our overall physical and mental health.

You know yourself best, but 7 – 8 hours are recommended for most adults.

Get Off The Couch

Isn’t it interesting how laying down can make you more tired?

Staying active and moving your body is what gives you energy.

And no…you don’t need to do an intense workout. Walking around the block is a great place to start.

Have Fun

There’s no such thing as too much laughter – it is free after all.

We all have that one friend who always makes us laugh and try new things.

The next time you’re feeling a little tired or run down, go ahead and give them a call.

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How To Keep Your Kids Excited About School

Ryan Scott
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Did you know when kids are excited to learn, they do better in school? Here are a few ways parents can keep their kids excitement going all year round.

Be a Role Model

Having your child see you excited to learn is key!

The next time you learn something new, don’t keep it to yourself. Instead share your findings with your child. Show them your enthusiasm for learning – it is contagious after all.

Read Together

It’s never too early to introduce your child to books.

Being a good reader will help your child build their confidence both in school and in life.

Set up a Designated Homework Area

Our environment can make or break our overall concentration and productivity levels.

Everything from your child’s toys and electronics can be very distracting.

That doesn’t mean you have to get rid of them. It just means they can’t be used during homework time.

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How to Prepare For The Winter Blues

Ryan Scott
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Everything from the shorter days to the greyer skies can drastically change your mood during the winter. It can even bring on anxiety, fatigue, and irritability.

The good news is, there are lots of things you can do to help turn your mood around.

Keep Busy

The thought of staying home all day may sound relaxing at first, but doing so will only hurt you in the long run. Any activity that gets you out of the house can significantly improve your mood.

Have a Support System

Think about it; your friends and family can’t support you unless they know what’s going on.

Chances are you likely aren’t going through this alone.

If any of your friends or family are feeling the way you are, you can get through the winter together.

Get Enough Sun

Our days are shorter in the winter months. This can make spending enough time outdoors a little tough.

Shorter days impact your internal body clock, which can affect your mood, sleep, and appetite.

There will be those days where it’s way too cold to go outside.

But don’t let that stop you – sitting next to a window is a great backup plan.

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Dealing With Negative Emotions

Ryan Scott
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Ready to change the way you deal with negative emotions?

Understand Your Emotions

It’s time to play detective and figure out what your emotions are telling you.

Negative emotions generally come up during stressful situations.

Take note of how you feel. What are your instincts telling you to do?

The sooner you understand your worries, the sooner you can find a solution.

Make Changes

Once you have identified your triggers, the problem solving can officially begin.

Of course, some things in life are completely out of our hands – but not everything!

Is your job stressing you out? See if you can take some vacation time.

Did a friend say something that upset you? Let them know how you feel.

Find an Outlet

If you want to take it one step further, try finding an outlet to help you unleash your emotions.

A few popular activities include running, meditating, or journaling. Again the choice is up to you.

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Stuck in a Rut? Here’s What to do

Ryan Scott
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Have you ever had one of those days or weeks where you don’t feel like yourself? If so, here’s what to do!

Take Care of Yourself

It’s so important to evaluate what your body needs.

Are you feeling overtired? Go to bed early tonight.

Been eating takeout every night this week? Prepare a home cooked meal.

Feel overworked? Take the night off and go out with friends!

Your body is always telling you things. It’s just a matter of actually listening.

Amp Up Your Routine

Of course, habit and structure are important – but it’s fun and healthy to mix it up from time to time.

Feel like your routine is great to the way it is?

Remember – no one said these changes have to be drastic.

Taking a different route to work or visiting a new coffee shop can make a huge difference.

Say Goodbye to Perfectionism

Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you try, you still aren’t good enough? It’s definitely not a fun feeling.

When you’re constantly unhappy with your performance, it’s hard to say motivated.

Embrace your fears. Learn from your mistakes. Be proud of yourself.

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Making Friends as an Adult

Ryan Scott
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Ever wish making friends was easier? You’re not the only one.

Here are a few great places to meet new people and form friendships.

Social Media

Social media is a great platform to reconnect with old friends and make new ones.

You can organize social events, join Facebook groups, connect with communities and much more.

Don’t be shy to reach out to someone via messenger. We bet they’ll be glad you did.

Connect With Coworkers Outside of Work

Even though you may be around your coworkers the majority of your week, we bet there is a lot you don’t know about them.

Sometimes it’s easier to connect with colleagues and establish friendships outside the office.

Inviting them to grab a coffee or watch the game after work is a great place to start.

Connect With Your Neighbours

Your new friend may be closer than you think. In fact, they may even be next door.

The next time you run into your neighbour instead of politely waving, walk over and start a conversation.

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The Benefits of Thinking About The Future

Ryan Scott
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Yes, focusing on the present moment can improve your wellbeing and overall happiness – but if done correctly, so can thinking about the future.

Helps You Make Better Decisions

Thinking about tomorrow can help you decide what to do today.

We all have our own set of long-term goals.

Let’s say, you’d love to have enough money saved for a downpayment in 5 years. By keeping that vision in mind, you can start prioritizing your spending habits today instead of tomorrow.

Acts as Motivation

A goal usually starts out as nothing more than a fantasy, which can be very motivating.

Daydreams can inspire you to turn those thoughts into reality.

Improves Well-Being

Are you familiar with the “three good things” exercise? It’s easy.

All you have to do is write down 3 good things you would like to happen tomorrow.

Once you have that list, you can start taking action to make those dreams come true.

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How to Deal With Anger

Ryan Scott
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Anger is a basic human emotion we all experience. Sometimes it’s even good to be angry. It can help motivate us to get things done, and realize what we want.

However, experiencing too much anger can take a toll on your life – especially if expressed in unhealthy ways.

Here are a few anger management strategies that can help calm you down.

Know Your Triggers

We all have different things that make us angry. We just need to realize what those things are, so we can learn to deal with them.

Here’s an example.

Let’s say sitting in traffic tends you make you angry. If you know you have a big drive coming up, be sure to practice your anger management techniques before the trip.

This way you’ll be prepared and ready to face the road.

Know Your Warning Signs

For some, anger can come out of nowhere. But there are generally some warning signs that pop up such as sweating or shortness of breath.
Once you recognize the warning signs, you can take action to avoid any potential problems.

Walk Away

When you’re angry, sometimes the best thing you can do is walk away.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself first, and realize what’s more important…

Winning that heated debate, or staying calm.

By walking away you can calm down at your own pace, without any distractions.

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