All the couples wait eagerly for the D- DAY (their wedding). It brings families, relatives, and all the friends together at the time. Usually, with all the rituals, the wedding lasts a minimum of three days at least. However, there are some extremely weird wedding rituals that are followed across the world by people of different religions and traditions. Here is a list of the 4 most bizarre wedding rituals! (hold your breath :P)
1. KISSING TRADITION (THE SWEDISH TRADITION)
Well, do not think what the weird element in this is because the wedding kiss by the groom and bride is not being talked about here. In Sweden, there is a that if the groom leaves the room for any reason, then the other men at the wedding are allowed to kiss the bride, and vice versa! Bizarre, right?
2. SPITTING ON THE BRIDE (THE MASSAI TRADITION)
The four words that you just read amazed you, didn’t they? Well, there might be different feelings!:P Anyway, yes, this is a wedding tradition – The Massai Tradition. There is a wedding ceremony held according to the Massai Wedding tradition in which the father of the bride blesses his daughter by spitting on her head and breasts. She then leaves with her husband and does not look back for fear of turning into stone.
3. DRINKING FROM A TOILET POT (THE FRENCH TRADITION)
As a French tradition, after the wedding reception, the married couple is sent to their bedroom. The bridal party cleans up the mess and puts the entire garbage and food in a toilet seat. They, then, barge into the couple’s room and do not leave until they eat from that toilet pot. WEIRD!! But, now, the soup is more commonly made up of chocolate and champagne, but it is still served out of a toilet.
4. THE BLACKENING OF THE BRIDE (THE SCOTTISH TRADITION)
A ritual to test the bond of the married couple, the Scottish people pelt the bride and the groom with food trash, including rotten eggs and fish. The Scots believe that if a couple can withstand this, their marriage can withstand anything. A nasty wedding tradition without a doubt!
Wear and tear of clothes is a major problem. A lot of our favorite and expensive clothes become useless because of tiny (sometimes, large) abrasions. And buying clothes again and again is a task (both financially as well as physically/mentally). So, let’s no more succumb to abrasions and wear and tear of clothes. Here is a list of 8 best clothing hacks that can be really helpful in saving a lot of money as well our favorite clothes.
HACK 1: USE A HAIR STRAIGHTENER AS A COLLAR IRON
Collars usually take time to get ironed with the normal iron, so, using a hair straightener can serve the purpose well and save time.
HACK 2: REMOVE RED WINE STAINS USING WHITE WINE
If by any chance, you spilled red wine over yourself while savoring its amazing taste, do not worry about it. The stains of red wine can be removed using white wine.
HACK 3: A MIXTURE OF COLD WATER AND VINEGAR REMOVES STAINS
A mixture of cold water and vinegar easily removes stain marks from leather. So, you can now save your expensive and dear leather clothing possessions.
HACK 4: NAIL POLISH CAN TIGHTEN THE ARMS OF SUNGLASSES
If the arms of your sun glasses become loose, put clear liquid of nail polish and your glasses will work just fine.
HACK 5: HAIRSPRAYS REMOVE STAINS OF LIPSTICKS
Got a dark lipstick mark on clothes? Do not fret because your hair spray is at your rescue. Spray it on the mark and let it dry a bit. Then, put it in the washing machine and when you take it out, the mark would no more exist.
HACK 6: HAIRDRYERS MAKE SHOES COMFORTABLE
Are your shoes new and seem tight? Wear socks and your shoes, switch the hairdryer on and dry your feel with it. The shoes would open.
HACK 7: LEMON TO MAKE STAINED SMELLY PITS GO AWAY
Smelly arm pits? Before washing it, spritz a little lemon juice on the area to break down the stain. Then, wash it with bleach and air dry in the sun.
HACK 8: REFRIGERATE THE SHOES!
Smelly shoes? Put them in the freezer and leave for 24 hours. This can kill most odors. Later, put them in the hot sun for a day to air out.
One faces infinite different kinds of problems (depending on different stages) in one’s lifetime. Sometimes, the problems build up to create too much pressure that giving up seems like the only available option. And the best part (according to me) about this is that each person faces it at least once in his/her lifetime. And it is completely normal to feel that pressure and the kind of mental fatigue it causes. However, there is always a strong need to prevent oneself from getting into the ‘giving up zone area or the darkness inducing pressure (in one’s mind)’.
First, it is important to talk about what I mean by ‘tough times’ here. So, ‘tough times’ would vary from very trivial problems for some but which are extremely grave for the person going through them. In other words, it is relative. Ranging from problems faced by a student – giving an exam, stage fear, peer pressure, fear of drinking and getting caught by parents; by a doctor – committing some error in a patient’s surgery, by an actor – of not getting better scripts, by a youngster – of not getting employment, because of a heart break and many more. In such situations, it is very important to ‘hold on’ and not lose hope. However, it often becomes annoying to hear the same – people telling you that it is all going to be okay, it is just a phase and so on. So, what exactly it is that one should do?
REVISIT THE ENTIRE SITUATION IN YOUR MIND AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEMATIC POINT
Revisit the entire situation that causes hurt or stress and try to figure what the problematic point is. Sans analyzing the situation, the solution cannot be derived. Think as many times as you require so that you realize the point of problem.
TAKE YOUR OWN TIME
No matter how much the people that surround you try to make it fine, without your own help, the goal cannot be reached. So, take as much time as you want because it is true that ‘time heals’.
WORK ON THE PROBLEM
Once you figure what the problem is, work to make it alright. Remember that only you can make things okay. And trust me on this, you have the power within you to do so. All you need to do is determine. This is your life and you have to do everything in your potential to make things good for yourself.
WILL POWER AND PERSEVERANCE – THE KEY WORDS
Surviving a tough time requires will power and perseverance, so, hold on, be consistent and trust your hard work towards making it all good. It will definitely pay off.
TAKE UP THINGS YOU LOVE
In the process, take up and do the things that you love and make you happy. If you feel like painting, watching a movie, sketching, dancing, DO IT!Also, try taking out some ‘me-time’. That is really important. You need yourself always, so take out some time for your own self.
Pollution has always been the most discussed problem in the last few years. Many of you might consider outdoor pollution as more harmful and riskier than indoor pollution, but the fact is that the level of indoor pollution is 2-5 times higher than outdoor levels. It’s estimated that 2.2 million deaths each year are due to indoor air pollution (compared to 500,000 deaths from outdoor air pollution). In other words, the air inside can be more harmful than the air outside. Let us look at some effective measures to combat indoor air pollution:
Grow Indoor Plants
The most impressive and healthy way is to grow indoor green plants. While reducing the pollution levels to a great extent, it also adds to the beauty of the place. There are plants like fern, ivy and peace lily, which can significantly curb the air pollutants. Aloe Vera also, known for its healing abilities, act as an alternative to cleaners, which contain harmful chemicals.
Make the Most out of Air Purifiers
The use of technological products to improve air quality is important when all the manual efforts go in vain. Buy a good quality air purifier as this is the key to reduce the air pollution level inside. There are several kinds of air purifiers like HEPA purifiers and Ozone purifiers. Depending on your needs and air purifier price, opt for the right kind of purifier.
Effective Waste Management
This is one issue, which requires strict attention and immediate response. Waste production is a daily routine in a household or any living place. But, when this trash is not covered or left in the open, there is a lot of bad odour in the surrounding environment. In such situations, people tend to use artificial fresheners, which is not a good choice as it contributes a lot to indoor air pollution. The best way is to manage the household waste effectively. Keep the waste bins properly covered. Dispose the garbage on a regular basis.
Let Natural Air Come In
This is one of the easiest methods to follow. Keeping the windows open to ensure proper ventilation reduces the level of air pollution to a great extent. It induces freshness and purity in the air, provided the surrounding outdoor environment is free of any effluent, smoke or dust. But, if you feel that pollutants are unavoidable in the natural air that comes in, the best option would to use a good indoor air purifier. Research the options and find out the air purifier price. Compare all the choices and buy the best purifier.
Maintain a Healthy Level of Humidity
Humidity levels must be reduced by trying to stay dry or by using a dehumidifier. Water leaks also contribute to the build-up of moisture and humid air in the indoor environment. As a result, it increases the exposure of the people living indoors to mould and mildew. Therefore, fixing water leaks can also help in purifying the air.
Indoor air pollution is a health risk that you can avoid and minimize your exposure to it if you have the required knowledge to combat it.
Besides the above-mentioned ways, there are a lot of other methods to reduce the possibility of indoor air getting contaminated. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that most people spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors, so indoor air quality is vitally important to your health and it definitely needs to be taken care of.
Powerlifting is a sport of strength. Unlike its brother bodybuilding, it is not about how much weight you can lift, not how much weight you look like you can lift. You probably already know that and have been following a powerlifting schedule for quite a while now. The strength gains sure are satisfying, but your motivation may start fading soon; since not all powerlifters are aesthetically pleasing. To keep this from happening, and to officially give yourself a label of a powerlifter, you decide to participate in your first meet.
You’re all set, except, this is your first meet and you don’t really know how to go about it. Worry not, for here you will find a complete guide to your first powerlifting meet.
General Rules
Okay, so powerlifting is broadly classified into two categories, namely: equipped powerlifting and raw or unequipped powerlifting. The main difference between the two is that in equipped powerlifting, you would be allowed to wear a suit and wraps for your lifts, which would be illegal in the raw category. A suit is different for each of the three lifts. There are deadlift suits, bench shirts, and squat suits. These help a lifter lift way heavier loads than they would be able to otherwise. In the unequipped category or raw powerlifting, a lifter is allowed to use knee sleeves, wrist wraps (for bench pressing) and a belt.
Apart from this, powerlifting is divided into several age groups and weight classes. The age categories include:
Sub-junior category (18 and under)
Junior category (19-23)
Senior category (24-39)
Masters 1 category (40-49)
The Masters 2 category (50-59)
Masters 3 category (60-69)
The Masters 4 category, which includes participants of and above the age of seventy years.
The weight classes are different for men and women. For men, the weight classes are 59 kg, 66 kg, 74 kg, 83 kg, 93kg, 105 kg, up to 120 kg and above 120 kg. Note, these weights are the upper limits of the classes. For women, the categories are 47 kg, 52 kg, 57 kg, 63 kg, 72 kg, up to 84 kg can above 84 kg.
Events
There will be three events in the meet; the deadlift, the bench press and the squat. It is important that you know your max lifts on each of them before you sign up. If you plan to surprise yourself, change your plans. Knowing your max will not only help you plan your strategy beforehand but also help you improvise on the spot. Otherwise, you will end up either going over your limit or not living up to your potential. Carry adequate food and water with you along with your gear and your pre-workout.
First, after your gear has been approved, you will be asked to register your name and give to your bodyweight. There will be a weighing machine on which you will be made to stand in minimal clothing to avoid an increase in weight due to external factors. Next, your first attempts for all three lifts will be asked for. This marks the end of the registration process.
You will be given three attempts for each of your lifts, and the highest weight in each attempt will be counted in your total. In case you fail an attempt, you can attempt the same weight in your next attempt or increase the weight if you are comfortable. However, you cannot decrease it.
The bench press
You will be allowed to wear a belt, wrist straps and use chalk for this event in the raw category and a bench shirt and RAM in the equipped category. There will be a panel of three judges, and two or more spotters to ensure your safety. Once your name has been called, you will be required to start the lift under a time of one minute.
The spotters are allowed to assist you in un-racking the weight, but you will be on your own after that. There will be a total of three commands. When you hear the word “start”, start the lift. Slowly lower the weight and bring it down so that it touches your chest. Pause it there, until you hear the command “press”. Once you hear the “press” command, lift it up until your arms are straight. Don’t rack the weights unless you hear the last command, “rack”. Failing to obey any of the commands will result in an illegal lift, despite completion of the lift.
You are allowed to arch your back as much as you want, provided your shoulders and hips touch the bench at all points of time during the lift. According to the rules of your federation, you may or may not be allowed to lift your heels from the ground.
After the completion of the lift, there will be three lights that signify if the lift has been passed by the judges or not. The lights may be red or white. On successful completion, you will be shown three white lights, and if a judge considers your lift legal, he will give you white light, unless you will be shown a red light. You need a minimum of two white lights for a successful lift.
The deadlift
You will be allowed to wear a belt and knee sleeves and use chalk in this event in the raw category, and a suit in the equipped category. There will be two spotters (for loading and unloading the bar only), and a panel of three judges. Like in the bench press, you will have a time of one minute to show up once your name has been called. Unlike the bench press, however, there is only one command.
You can start the lift once you’re ready, as long as you stick to the time limit. Both sumo and conventional stances are legal, and you can choose whatever makes you comfortable. You will be required to lift the weight completely, lock your back and straighten your knees, and pause there. Lower the weight once you hear the command “down”. Make sure you lift the bar with a clean motion and do not jerk the weight. You will need a minimum of two white lights for your lift to be considered successful.
The squat
You will be allowed a belt, knee sleeves and chalk for this event in the raw category, and a suit and knee wraps in the equipped category. There will be two or more spotters depending on the weight on the bar. You will have one minute to start the lift once your name has been announced. Put the bar on your traps, lock your knees and take a step back. Once you hear “start”, start the lift. It is important that you hit depth in order for your lift to be considered legal. Go as down as you can, then explode up. Rack the weight once you hear the command “rack”. You need a minimum of two white lights for a legal lift.
Conclusion
Powerlifting meets are long and sometimes run for two days or more. So make sure you are well hydrated throughout the meet and prepared to wait with patience. Competing is a great way to see where you stand as compared to other lifters. But it is also important to have fun too. So don’t push yourself too hard or be nervous, and all the best!
Everyone knows that one person who everyone else looks up to, right? It may be someone in your society, in your school, college, workplace, or anywhere else. The kind of a person whom people seek advice from, laugh on all his jokes and are scared to piss off. The one everyone wants to be like. He is the backbone of his group, and someone everyone feels comfortable around. We call him, an alpha, a leader. Now, what IS an alpha?
The concept of the alpha
Company leadership explaining briefing project
In nature, every pack of wolves has an alpha, one who dominates and leads the pack. Alphas are the only wolves of the pack that breed and give birth to new members of the pack. After a hunt, the alphas are the first ones who get to eat from the kill. Any member of the pack can challenge the alpha wolf, for the leadership of the pack. If the alpha loses the challenge to the fellow member, it leaves the pack and often has to start a new one.
We see this behavior in humans as well. Obviously, we humans do not form packs; but alpha males and females exist. Alphas males and females are alphas by birth; meaning they have certain personality traits that make them stand out. However, such alpha traits can be developed later in life as well.
In nature, the alphas are usually the biggest, meanest and strongest. They can quite literally tear apart their subordinates; hence they are given the highest rank. This social rank is based on a sense of fear and physical violence. Alphas in humans are obviously different; since those who beat up their juniors generally get locked up behind bars. Here, I will tell you what some of the alpha (read leadership) traits are, and how you can develop them:
Alphas are confident with their actions
Confidence is perhaps the most important alpha trait. Alphas are confident about their actions; they don’t hesitate or doubt themselves. Their confidence backs them up on every task they do. Hesitation, or doubting your decisions is looked upon as a sign of weakness, and alphas are not weak by any parameter. They can do overcome anything life throws at them, and they know it. Their confidence is what defines them, and gives them the aura of a true alpha.
Building confidence can be tough, but it certainly helps one in all stages of his life. Unconfident people, by doubting their capabilities tend to get nervous, which brings down their potential. Confident people are more likely to stand up for themselves, and make people look up to them.
Be kind
Alphas in nature are certainly vicious, but leaders in humans are kind. They are kind to the unfortunate, and take every chance they get to help them. Their kindness is what makes them likable. Kindness is like a jewel in their strong personality. They are competitive but aren’t afraid to help their competitors get better. A natural leader will help you even if he is a stranger. They are generous and love to see the others around them happy. So be kind to everyone, because that is a language every human speaks.
Fight for what is right
People feel comfortable around an alpha because they know, he’ll always do the right thing. Alphas are not scared to stand up against what is wrong and defend what he knows is right. Already backed by their confidence, alphas have always been known to fight for what is right. Their persistence and the will to never give up helps them succeed. This trait makes them popular among friends, likable among strangers, and a good human being overall.
Acknowledge your mistakes
Everyone makes mistakes, even leaders. However, leaders are those who hide their mistakes or throws the blame on others. If they know they made a mistake, they will accept it and apologize for it. A leader is down to earth and humble. No matter what amount of success they have achieved, they will never let it get to their head. Pride is a sin and they despise it. Accepting their mistakes gives them a chance to improve, which they will take any day.
What gives a leader confidence is his tendency to always have a purpose behind all his actions. Leaders never do anything without a purpose, without a motive behind it. Every word a leader speaks has value; he doesn’t speak just for the sake of speaking. He speaks when he has to, and he acts when he has to. Leaders have an intention behind whatever they do, which makes their personality even more attractive.
Avoid fights, but don’t be afraid of them
When in a situation that is likely to go physical, alphas back out. They like to maintain peace. However, when it comes to his interests, like his family, an alpha will not think twice before ending the fight. He knows how to say it with fists, but he refrains from doing so until it is unavoidable. He can defend himself and his loved ones from any harm. Alphas defend, not attack. A leader does the same. He will try to avoid a fight unless it is necessary for him to get involved in one to protect his (and his friends’) best interests. Be that person.
Set your sense of humor free
A leader’s sense of humor is what makes him an interesting person, and fun to be with. His jokes make everyone smile. He is usually the source of entertainment at get-togethers. Everyone likes him and wants to be around him. After all, who doesn’t like a funny guy? No matter how boring you think you are, everyone on this planet has a sense of humor. Maybe your sense of humor is dark, or maybe you crack terrible jokes. Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to crack a joke for fear that you won’t evoke laughs. Be yourself, and let your locked wit and humor flow.
Leaders are not only likable, but they’re also good humans. They are gentle with the gentle and tough with the tough. Nothing and none but they themselves lead their life. They have a goal, and nothing that stands in their way has any effect on them. If you want to have an alpha personality, you must feel it within yourself first. It won’t be easy, but if it was, everyone would be an alpha. There is an alpha inside everyone, hiding somewhere in the subconscious. All you need to do is awaken him, and bring him out.
We opt to travel for a number of different reasons. Some just want to do a little soul searching. Others want to expand their horizon or experience different cultures. Whatever the reason they may have for traveling, it all boils down to creating memories. Memories last forever and they take a special place in our hearts.
Creating wonderful memories is like food for our soul. It enlightens us and makes us a better person. One effective way to create wonderful memories is by experience activities along the way. Each and every destination has some unique activities to offer. And I strongly urge you to experience them for yourself. It’s nice to take some pictures but it’s better when you have a story to tell.
Here are the top 10 travel activities you need to try:
Trekking – Machu Picchu, PE
If walking is your favorite mode of transportation, then trekking is but a walk in a park for you. But it’s a different story when at the end of the trail is the ruins of an ancient civilization – welcome to the Inca Trail. Voted as one of the top 5 trekking adventures in the world, the Inca Trail is a 4-day trek to Machu Picchu. You get to see the story of a lost city in the midst of rugged mountain range and surrounded by beautiful scenery. After reaching the top, you get to be rewarded with the opportunity to explore the stunning well-preserved ruins of the South American past.
Canyoneering – Kawasan Falls, Cebu, PH
It you want to experience a total package of adventure with a dose of adrenaline, you need to try canyoneering. This activity is a journey from one point of a canyon to another, like going for a marathon, but using a great mix of hiking, scrambling, gliding, sliding, swimming, jumping and swinging. Kawasan Falls in Cebu, Philippines offers a unique and extreme adventurous style of canyoneering. With its turquoise water, you will be mesmerized to jump and enjoy the waters. There are more than three jumping points in the journey with the highest at 60 feet.
Fishing – Mille Lacs Lake, MN
If you think fishing is all about relaxing, practicing patience and being calm, then think again. Visit the Lake Mille Lacs in Minnesota and you will have a different understanding of fishing. This big but shallow lake is home to a great number of fish but most notoriously the smallmouth bass. Ranked as No. 1 for being the best bass lake. This body of water will never fail to give you great memory and good number of catch.
Volcano Hiking – Lombok, ID
Are you a daredevil? Do you find beauty in dangerous terrain? If yes, then volcano hiking might be your next big thing. Fly to Indonesia and head to the island of Lombok, it’s near Bali, to visit the country’s second highest active volcano – Gunung Rinjani. This volcano’s recent eruption occurred in 2016. It takes five hours from campsite to the summit for some pre-sunrise photo op. Along the way, you will meet some challenges like unstable ground, hot gases, and rough terrain.
Scuba Diving – The Bahamas
If you’re so over wading on top of the water or snorkeling on the surface of shallow seas, then maybe it’s time for you to do some upgrade and try exploring the deeper part of the ocean. Scuba diving is a mode of exploring underwater using a self-contained breathing apparatus. One of the best places to explore the deep sea is in the Bahamas. Here you can discover shipwrecks and colorful reefs. In addition, you can also dive in the midst of sharks.
Health insurance plans for family are available under various heads but for someone looking to start a family, it is advisable to opt for an insurance that covers pregnancy. The time of conceiving a child and nourishing it for a period of nine months is a beautiful experience but like everything else, this life changing event also comes with its list of cons with expenses featuring right on top.
A good health insurance plan with a maternity cover considerably reduces the stress of finances as it offers relief in the form of certain expense heads that are covered under the plan.
The process of bringing a child into the world involves periodic health checkups and visits to the doctor for consultation. In most cases a number of medicines are also prescribed keeping in mind the health of the mother and to be born child. These regular visits, tests and medicines tend to rake up bills in multiple digits and can cause stress on the family. However, if a maternity cover is in place, these expenses tend to get covered.
With the advancement in technology, it is always advisable to have the delivery of the baby in a hospital as the environment is more conducive to handle these sensitive situations. Having a good surgeon at hand eases the stress for the mother and father. There are also nurses at hand to handle any unexpected situation that might crop up. There are certain tests and medications also that may be required. However, admitting to a hospital and having a good doctor and various nurses at hand tends to be very expensive in most situations but a maternity plan covers all of these expenses.
Pre natal and post natal expenses which involve carrying out tests on the mother and child after delivery is covered under a maternity insurance. A new born child is highly susceptible to contamination and diseases and hence it is extremely important to get timely vaccination done for the child to protect them from falling sick. Most maternity plans cover the expense of vaccination for the first year however there are some which cover the cost up to a period of twelve years. This is another high stress point which is taken care of if a maternity cover is in place for the mother and the child.
A maternity cover comes with either added benefits or an in built add on for the child and hence tends to cover most of the cost related to the health of the child in its primitive years. This along with the usual costs that are mentioned above also tends to cover costs of any complications that might arise.
The process of having a child does not begin at the time of the child being conceived but in the true sense begins years before at the time of planning to have a maternity cover in place which in turn will ensure a smooth and hassle free pregnancy for the entire family.
Emotions. What are they? Emotions are basically moods, controlled by certain chemicals in the brain. Now, there is no “hate” chemical or no “love” chemical. There are four main chemicals that control emotions, namely serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, and norepinephrine.
Our feelings and emotions, however, are more to us than just chemicals. They have the potential to build or break relationships, motivate people to do revolutionary tasks or even make them end their own life. Dangerous, pesky little things, aren’t they? Out of all the emotions, a certain one has more potential than any other for destruction. You guessed it, our good old friend, anger.
What is Anger?
Anger is a fundamental emotion that we living beings experience from time to time. It’s also an emotion with immense power. Give it a chance to engulf you, and you are done for. It can have both short term, and long term effects. Short term effects include sudden outbursts, getting rude, and possible violence. Sometimes it can get even uglier. Anger in the long term, when unresolved and bottled, it accumulates within a person. Too much of it, and it starts eating the person alive. Give it time, and it will make you forget the someone you used to be.
Sometimes even the smallest things, take slow internet, for instance, are enough to set us off and spoil our mood. It happens to all of us. However, there is more to anger than that. As mentioned before, it can make you do things you are bound to regret.
Naturally, it becomes an emotion that must be avoided at all times. There are a HUGE number of factors that can lead you to it; such as desperation, frustration, irritation, obsession, even depression, and sorrow. Yet remember, it always does more harm than good. Sure, it can be an agent of motivation sometimes, which is no doubt useful and convenient when you lose hope, but a decision with this emotion? Trust me, it won’t end well.
How does it work?
Well, imagine a situation that angers you. When you experience it, the part of your brain which is responsible for responses to external stimuli, namely the amygdala, triggers the release of a type of neurotransmitter named ‘catecholamine’. They encourage fatty deposits to accumulate in the heart, giving you a boost in energy, and almost encouraging you to prepare for a physical battle. Blood rushes to your face, turning it red. Even your blood pressure increases. Sounds quite fancy, doesn’t it? It doesn’t even take much to set this off, making this emotion even more dangerous.
How to manage your anger?
Anger comes under basic animal nature. It’s natural and healthy, but it needs to be managed. Here are some ways you can use to refrain from punching that stupid guy in the face.
Understand the importance of anger management
Understand anger. Before managing it, you need to realize, anger can be bad for you. until the realization settles in, these tips will be like teaching geometry to blindfolded apes. Anger is good, if and only if it is directed correctly in a constructive way. Ask yourself, what is it bad? What all can I do under its influence? Answer these questions.
Take a break
Now that you know anger is bad for you, you are ready to be able to manage it. However, once again you feel it. What do you do? Take a break. Seriously, whenever you feel you’re in a situation that’s likely or is already pissing you off, just take a timeout. Think about it, calm yourself down before it further aggravates you; because hey, prevention is always better than cure, isn’t it? Taking a break will not only decrease the tension of the situation but also let you assess and process. Go back to it with a clear head.
Express your anger once you’re calm
So you went and blew off the steam. Now that you’re calm, let the other one know your point. Assert your frustration but in a calm way. Talking while you’re angry makes situations bad but you gotta say your points.
Don’t use any pronouns in the second person
You’re in an argument, and things are starting to get heated up. First of all, try to avoid talking while you’re frustrated. However, if that isn’t an option and you gotta face it, don’t blame or criticize. Blaming will only worsen the situation, you know? Accept your faults before you tell them theirs.
Get some exercise
Go for a brisk walk, or jog. Get some exercise when you feel the emotion rising. It will not only be a distraction but also reduce stress and make you feel better. Not to mention the extra calories that you burn with it. Win-win!
Feel it rise, and let it fall
Anger management is not about killing the emotion, but about staying calm through it. You are bound to get angry sometimes, and however hard you try you cannot avoid that (unless you’re a saint living in isolation and meditating for 20 hours a day). However, what you can do is learn to stay calm even when angry. Be aware of yourself. Be conscious of what you are saying, and don’t say anything you wouldn’t when calm. Feel the anger and ignore it. Tell it, you’re the one that controls it, not the other way around.
Take care of yourself
Your current state greatly influences the chances of you losing your calm, as well as the intensity of the episode. Stress, hunger, fatigue, sleep-deprivation etc are strong factors that have the potential and tendency to magnify your anger several times. Cut out on alcohol, sleep well, eat healthily, and relax. Give time to yourself.
Once you learn to manage it, anger isn’t that much of an issue, but until then, well it is quite something. All the best!
No matter what organization you work for and no matter what post you are at, there are always some rules you SHOULD follow. Every organization has its own work culture and rules. Most of these are in black-and-white in the organization’s handbooks. But there are some ethics, some unwritten rules that apply to all organizations. Failing to follow these ethics won’t get you fired, but it’ll definitely make you a bad employee/colleague. And these rules are especially important to note if you are a beginner and don’t know what to expect. So here are some unwritten work ethics that you should ALWAYS keep in mind, no matter how easygoing your workplace is:
Never be too loud
This is the worst thing you can do as a professional. Whether it is talking too loudly on the phone, or listening to music on speakers, you should just not do it. It is rude and unprofessional. You may not have a lot of work, but others do. So respect them and try to be as quiet as possible during work hours. Do not attend a call at your desk. Tell the person on the other side to call later, or get out of the office to talk if it’s important. And if you really need to listen to music, use earphones or headphones. Also, do not sing along to your music, that’s annoying too.
Never indulge in gossip inside the workplace
Every organization has some gossip and rumors making the rounds 24×7. But that doesn’t mean you HAVE to be a part of it or indulge in it. By all means, discuss and talk about this with your colleagues. But do not do it within your workplace, where unwanted ears may hear you gossip and get you into trouble. Be very careful about what you say and to whom inside a workplace. Organizations aren’t always as open and friendly as they seem to be. There are always mischief-makers lurking around the corner, waiting for the perfect moment to cause trouble. So to be safe from all of this, try to stay away from office gossip as much as possible.
Do not “reply to all”
This is a common email ethic many seasoned employees also fail to comply with. The “reply to all” and “send to all” features are for emails that NEED to be sent to all the people in the thread. If your email has information that every employee should have, then, by all means, go for it. But just to acknowledge the email or sending a “thanks”, do not “reply to all”. Why should the entire office have to read your emoji replies to the sender? Also, sometimes you may want to send a personal message or some secret information to someone on the thread. By even accidentally pressing “reply all”, you may end up trying to undo unrepairable damage. So to avoid such a faux pas, get rid of your habit ASAP.
Dress to impress
You may be part of a very relaxed organization with extremely casual workplace culture. However, even if your CEO does it, you shouldn’t show up at work in flipflops and Bermudas. You should always dress decently, even if you are wearing something casual. It just gives a good impression, and you never know which new outsider you may come across at work. Always dress as if you are dressed for an important meeting or presentation. Dress to impress. Let your clothes provide a visual of how professional you are. There is no reason for you to dress like you’re going on vacation unless your CEO comes to you and tells you to do so.
Observe and practice
This is extremely important if you are a beginner. Many times there are some unspoken rules all employees follow in the organization. Say an organization states in its handbook that your work hours are 9 am to 5 pm. This implies that one can leave office after 5 pm. But a beginner may not realize that he’d be frowned upon if he left before 6 pm. So to pick up on unspoken rules like these, observe the other employees closely. Try to analyze their actions and copy them. Make sure that you aren’t standing out in terms of employee conduct, even if you think you are following the handbook to the T.
Don’t eat smelly lunch items
Many people go to the office canteen or a cafe nearby for lunch. But many people also get lunch boxes from home. If you are one of the latter, please refrain from bringing foods having strong odors. Foods like eggs, fish, curry, or foods containing garlic and onion tend to smell very strong. So try to avoid packing such lunches for the workplace. If you can’t live without these foods, go to a cafe, or take your lunch somewhere where no one can smell it. Be considerate to your colleagues. You may love the scent of curry, but they may not. Another lunchtime tip- try to avoid eating with your hands. Use spoons and forks to eat your lunch. It is visually more tolerable for the other people around.
Always maintain professionalism
At least when you are still a newbie, always try to be a professional. Even if you happen to grow close to someone at your workplace, keep your personal relations aside. When in office, be professional. It gives a good impression and makes your life easier too. Haven’t you heard of the saying, “Never mix pleasure with business”? That’s what I am talking about here. Whatever you do, and whoever you speak to, always maintain your professionalism. This is what will get you the promotions and the success that you are seeking.
Titles don’t always indicate position
Yes, they don’t. There are always people even at the lower hierarchy levels who have a tremendous influence over the authorities at the workplace. And you don’t want to get into the bad books of these people. So use the “observe and practice” tip to observe which people are important, irrespective of their title. A pro tip is to always treat everyone with respect, irrespective of whether they are your subordinates, your bosses or equal. Titles don’t matter, talent does. And talent is what gets you the authority your title doesn’t. So strive to achieve that kind of excellence. And of course, watch out for the untitled bosses in the house.
Do not slack off at work
This is an obvious rule, but many people tend to ignore it because “their workplace is so chill”. No boss is ever chill about having a lazy or sluggish employee in their organization. You have been hired to work, and you are expected to do it well. Just because the work culture is casual and deadlines are vague, doesn’t mean that you should slack off. There is no excuse for you to treat work lightly.
You should always work hard and never slack off, even if you aren’t expected to. Because there are always hidden eyes and ears watching over you. These eyes know who works hard and who doesn’t, and this affects the fate of people in the long run. So if you want to get ahead in life, do not cut yourself slack, even if you have the freedom to do so. Slackers never win, you see.
Network, but don’t rush
This tip is for the beginners. Overenthusiasm is never appreciated, even though motivational speakers motivate you enough to make you overenthusiastic. You may want to rush into networking with people and building new relationships. But your overenthusiasm may not be appreciated by people. So take things slow, and closely observe people before you make a move.
Everyone is different, and before you approach them, you should know whether they ARE approachable or not. And if they’re not, what will help you build relationships with them, or if they’re better left alone. Whatever you do, do not be rash and overenthusiastic. If you are too enthusiastic in the beginning you will burn yourself out faster. Save your energy, observe and analyze before you do anything, and be the best!
