Love: Fun Date Night Rules!

How do you plan your date night?  Although everyone is spending a lot of quality time together, date night is still important. Date night allows for a connection which can be lost in day-to-day activities. Why not make date night exciting with some rules. Shake things up a little, with some out of the box thinking. Weather you are in relationship, and/or just spending family time together, here are a few fun rules to use. 4 date night rules to try are:

1. Explore-Try new things that neither one of you have done. This will allow each participant to see how each respond outside of their comfort zone. Unity will indirectly be promoted by requiring all participants to work together to accomplish a common goal.
2. Alternate the leader- Each gathering or date night, alternate the leader. Alternation allows each participant control at a given time, and allows other participants to see the other responses in a different role. Also, Indirectly pressure is not placed on one person to always lead. 
3. Learn something unique- Learn something new about each other. This is indirectly done with alternating the leader. Also, this can be achieved by asking questions about the date night. What did you like the best? What was your least favorite part?  Would you like to repeat the activity and/or try something different? Remember, the goal is to have fun and learn something new about each other.
4. Have fun and enjoy quality time- This is the ultimate rule. Date night is suppose to be pleasurable and fun! Sometimes doing things outside of your comfort zone can be unnerving. But nothing matches spending quality time with someone you love 😉!

* These rules are simple but fun, and may lead to exciting date nights! The rules are not set in stone and may be changed to suit your quality time experience. Try a set of rules for several months and then change them up. Most of all have FUN and enjoy the time spent together! As always, thank you for reading. Please leave a comment in the comment box below, and subscribe via e-mail in the right column.*

Life: Getting Back to Normal

What does getting back to normal mean to you? Everyone's definition of normal differs. What's normal for one person, may make another person feel out of place. "Getting back to normal" can encompass many areas in life. For the sake of this blog our normal category will be health. I am going to give you 5 techniques you can use when you feel out of sorts. Here is to getting your Chi back😉! The techniques are as follows:

1. Give Yourself Time- Weather we know it or not, people are use to routine. When your routine is thrown off, it takes time to get back in a rhythm. Give yourself a realistic time frame to return to "normal". Everyone's time frame is different. A good example is: It takes Jane 4 months to return to running 3 miles a day after surgery. Jill had the same surgery, and it takes her 6 months to return to running 3 miles a day. Same end goal, but different time frame to achieve.
2. Set a Plan- Writing down a plan is a great idea. A plan allows you to see if you are on track to reach what is normal for you (end goal), or if you need more time. It is ok if your plan or time frame changes to reach your end goal.
3. Make Small Task- Making small task to achieve your end goal can be rewarding. As you complete each task you feel like something was accomplished. Indirectly, you are encouraging yourself to complete the next step of your plan.
4. Setting Goals- Setting goals is encompassed in your plan. Your goals should have a range: immediate, intermediate and long. All your goals are connected. Completing a small goal(s) helps you complete your immediate goal(s). Completing your immediate goal(s) assists in your intermediate goal(s) completion. Intermediate completion, gets your long goal accomplished. An example would be: immediate goal- walking today, intermediate goal- walking 3 times this week, and long goal-walking 3 times a week consistently over the next 3 months. 
5. Set Limits- In setting limits, this allows you to be realistic in what you are trying to accomplish. You will not try to run a marathon by the end of the 1st week of your "get back to normal". You need to set realistic limits. Getting back in routine is no different! It takes practice and hard work. An example of limit setting is: I will not try to run 3 miles, 3 times a week in the first month. This can be a goal for the 2nd or 3rd month.  Setting limits allows you to be realistic and not set yourself up for failure.

*What I like about these techniques, they are useful for getting back into a routine, or obtaining a new goal. How do you get back to normal? Please subscribe via e-mail on the right, and leave a comment in the comment section below. As always, thanks for reading and subscribing!*

Love: How does your love relationship look?

Everyone is looking for love, and it comes in many forms. Whether its through friendship, family, and/or a committed relationship, everyone is in need of belonging. It is human nature to want to be loved, and have an emotional connection to another human being. Many people say love is hard to describe. Also, love is hard work! Whatever your definition of love is, you have to be willing to work to keep your definition alive. Here are 5 questions you can ask yourself to find out what type of love is right for you.

1. What is your definition of love?- You can ask 5 different people what love is? Everyone's definition of love will be different. So how can someone tell you what type of love works for you? As you grow, your love needs may change, and that is OK. What is your definition of love is a key question? You cannot expect someone to know what your love definition is, if you do not know it yourself. 
2. What do you need to get out of your love relationship?- Weather your love needs are a friendship, family, and/or a committed relationship, an evaluation is needed to know your own expectations. Once you know your own expectations, it will be easier to communicate your expectations to others.
3. What is your deal breaker?- Many people have actions they will not tolerate in a relationship.  These actions are know as, "deal breakers". Usually a "deal breaker" is based on past experiences. Many love relationships split because these "deal breakers" are committed, and no communication about what they are were made. 
4. How do you communicate your love needs?- As crazy as this sounds, a huge elaborate production is not needed. What works for one person, may not work for another. Verbally stating your needs is not a crime. If stating your needs is a problem, then maybe the love relationship is not the correct fit. Also, as you grow as an individual, your love needs may change. Continue to communicate your needs as you grow.
5. What effort are you willing to put into your definition of love?- Everyone has a different amount of energy they are willing to put into a relationship. But before you bail on any type of love relationship ask yourself: Have you defined your definition of love? Have you answered what do you need to get out of your type of love relationship? Have you defined your deal breakers? Have you communicated your love needs? Only then will you know if the love relationship is worth keeping. Remember, this is a decision only you can make!

* How does your love relationship look? Please share in the comment box below, and subscribe via e-mail in the right column. Thanks in advance for reading and sharing.*

Life: Being a Patient- But I Work in Healthcare!

As difficult as it may be, many people enjoy working in the healthcare industry. It is not for the faint of heart. Individuals are very vulnerable during this time, and need the most assistance. So how do healthcare workers view an industry when they are on the other side? How do they cope with being a patient? Here are 5 techniques to ease the process of being a patient. They are as follows:

1. Be honest about your symptoms- As healthcare workers, we feel we can work through anything. Our patients care come first. If you can manage symptoms with over the counter products, then you are OK. Being open and honest about all your symptoms, allow healthcare providers to treat you holistically.
2. Make your needs known- Many healthcare professionals feel, stating they need assistance makes them appear weak. For some reason, being vulnerable makes healthcare workers feel job inadequacy. But, what better way to a speedy recovery, than vulnerability. Although uncomfortable, a speedy recovery will assist you in getting back to helping others in need.
3. Clarifying information- Everyone assumes, "a healthcare worker, is a healthcare worker, is a healthcare worker". There are so many specializations in healthcare, you may be missing out on information. Although you are in healthcare, having your healthcare provider speak to you as if you are not in the healthcare field may be useful. In doing this, important information is not missed.
4. Listen- Listening is a key component. Information in healthcare changes on a continuum. The continuous changes allow for improvement in patient care. No matter how experienced you are in an area in healthcare, you can always learn something new. So be open minded.
5. Be the patient- Yes, I am saying this loud and clear, "BE THE PATIENT". This is the most difficult technique to do, but most beneficial. In healthcare you are taught to perform complete care. Attempting the same technique on ourselves is stressful and time consuming. It is OK to allow others to do their job. Allowing others to do their job, may alleviate some personal stress and allow you time to focus on healing. Yes I know, this last technique is easier spoken and is difficult to perform.

* How do you ease the process of being a patient, while working in healthcare? Please share in the comment box below, and subscribe via e-mail in the right column. Thanks in advance for reading and sharing*