How To Tell If You’re A Minimalist or a Maximalist

These days it’s all about personal style. We are living in an age that allows us to capture and share our identities, through digital photography and social media, among people we know and even people we don’t.  We can embrace our individual personalities and refine not only how we dress and groom ourselves, but also how we organize and decorate our living environment.

Styling our homes and creating a sanctuary where we dwell and evolve is a privilege. Whether we live alone, with a significant other, with a group of people or whether or not we have children; all these factors can contribute to what our home looks like and how it functions.

It is unrealistic to succumb to the pressure to live in a home that looks like a magazine spread; it just isn’t functional or practical. However we can understand what our taste is, what it says about our personality and how we can enhance the comfort of our living environment to create desirable surroundings. By understanding ourselves, we can also understand others and find a balance to suit everyone.

Are you a Minimalist?

Photo credit: via homedit.com

Minimalism is all about clean lines, empty spaces, plain colors and patterns, the ridding of clutter, the clearing of surfaces and the simplicity of having only what is necessary. It is about minimizing visual noise so that the focus is drawn to only a handful of items that are useful and practical. Minimalist decor embraces storage. It doesn’t mean you don’t have things; it just means they are organized and put away so that they are not constantly accessible and seen.

A minimalist room may feature light colored or naturally toned empty walls, with perhaps only one simple wall hanging or picture. It will include only the basic furniture for that room, which doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or coarse, just plain.

A bedroom may have only a simply dressed bed, perhaps one bed side table. An unadorned rug on the floor or no rug at all. Clothes, books, jewellery, shoes, blankets and other clutter are stored in a closed wardrobe or closet. Color schemes tend to be pale and minimalists opt for organic finishes. Embracing a minimalist style is quite simply living with less.

A person who prefers the minimalist style or philosophy of life tends to have a need for singularity and clarity. Joshua Becker from becomingminimalist.com says that it is about intentionality.

“(Minimalism) is marked by clarity, purpose, and intentionality. At its core, minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of everything that distracts us from it. It is a life that forces intentionality.”

Being minimalist isn’t just about owning less, it’s about shedding the need to focus on material possessions that easily become disposable to make way for the things that have true value and meaning. It is ridding oneself of the urge to acquire and accumulate and instead move away from the modern obsession with consumerism.

Are you a Maximalist?

Photo credit: via decor.clarkssurfarthawaii.com

Maximalism, while being completely the opposite to the minimalist style, isn’t necessarily about clutter or excess. It is however visually and spatially busier. Maximalist style is about bold colors, patterns and creativity. It fills a room with interest and variety. A space is brimming with life and history; it tells a story and gives priority to diversity of  functionality.

Comfort is key in the maximalist style and allows for objects of convenience and practicality to be easily accessible and ever present. It is also ever changing and while it can be highly styled, a maximalist room can be dynamic and flexible.

A maximalist room will mix bright color with intricate and daring patterns flawlessly. There will be an abundance of options for seating and lying. Surfaces are plentiful and covered with both decorative and useful objects. Depending on the movement and activities of its inhabitants, a maximalist styled room may look different from one day to the next. If a person wants to read, it can look like a library – paint, an artist’s studio.

Plants feature heavily and one can bring the outdoors inside in a maximalist room. Every inch of space is utilized and there is no set equation or theme. Things don’t have to match. Maximalism is often accidental and can be the antithesis to having a set intention or deliberate design. Knowing the signs of a maximalist style can be the difference between a room just happening to being organized in this way.

A person who has maximalist tendencies values the gradual evolution of a space. They are often collectors and will display groups of objects that are not only beautifully created works of art that are valuable, but also represent some sort of meaning. Perhaps they have been collected from their travels or have been passed down through their family. Maximalists often indulge in the extreme and can transcend the need for order. They experience order within chaos and find it exciting and motivating; even inspiring.

Or are you both?

While having a tendency to be either minimalist or maximalist, most people will fall somewhere in between.

For most people living day to day, it is impossible to maintain a sanitary and completely clean minimalist environment, particularly if you have small children or pets or if you don’t live alone. Most people surrender control over their living environment and prefer to have a home as opposed to feeling like they live in a sanitary hotel room.

They enjoy having things that are sentimental to them and are too busy living their life to be concerned about maintaining a certain look. However, to maintain a calm and relaxed environment that is not only practical, but comfortable, some sort of organization and order is necessary. It is possible therefore to blend these styles and take advantage of the benefits of both a minimalist and maximalist style.

Ukranian interior designer Pavel Vetrov has managed to achieve this in its most extreme and has literally split rooms in half to represent both styles. While this may not be practical for an ordinary home, here are some ways in which to embrace both aspects of minimalism and maximalism in your home and optimize the positive aspects of both styles.

• start with a blank palate. Opt for light colored walls and flooring to create space and provide a canvas to fill with interest and sentimentality
• a feature wall with bold color may balance this perfectly. Paint one wall a bold color or fill it with pictures and paintings in interesting frames
• storage is important, but so are surfaces so that you can have a place to put things that you use daily or want to display. Find a balance between reducing clutter whilst maintaining warmth and personalizing your space
• don’t be afraid of color and patterns and while a thread of your favorite colors may occur organically, remember things don’t have to match
• the golden rule is buy things that you love. Whether it’s a piece of furniture or an interesting statue, a plant that attracts you or objects that have significance in your life, when you focus on what you love as opposed to what is trendy, you are sure to succeed in achieving a balance and creating a beautiful home

Featured photo credit: Pavel Vetrov via Design Taxi via elledecor.com

The post How To Tell If You’re A Minimalist or a Maximalist appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/1p3BvlW

Time Spent Wisely is Never Wasted

“If our thoughts shape our world, then we can decide every moment is valuable and then make it so.” – Lori Deschene

How many times have you looked back on your day and wondered where the time went? How often have you been so busy that you didn’t have time to simply live?

Similarly, how many times have you had to start over after putting hours, days, weeks, or even years into a project or venture?

In any of these cases, it’s easy to feel as if you’ve wasted a significant amount of your time on Earth.

But that’s only true if you make it so.

The truth is, your time and experiences are as valuable as you perceive them to be. Whether that’s a good or bad thing is completely up to you.

Valuing Day-to-Day Moments

How many of you reading this actually enjoy running errands or doing chores?

If you didn’t raise your hand, I don’t blame you. These daily maintenance tasks can leave us feeling like we’re stuck in a hamster wheel. Go to the store, buy food, come home, cook, wash dishes, clean up…and do it all again tomorrow.

It’s easy to feel as if you’re just going through the motions. That you waste inordinate amounts of time running these errands on a daily basis. That there’s so much else you could be doing with your life.

While there really is no escape from having to complete these daily tasks, you can escape the idea that completing them is a waste of your time.

Instead of approaching these tasks thinking “Okay, once I get through this, I’ll have time to relax,” aim to get as much as you can out of each experience.

Grocery shopping can become boring if you always buy the same old stuff. But there’s nothing that says you can’t spice things up a bit (see what I did there?). Actively seek out new ingredients for a recipe you’ve never tried before. Put a little extra effort into what used to be a monotonous task, and you might end up actually enjoying yourself. Ironically, this will all end up taking more of your time, but you’ll almost immediately see the value in such time well spent.

Doing laundry, sweeping the floor, and scrubbing the bathtub are most likely not on the top of your list of exciting things to do in life. But, of course, they must be done. And if you change the way you approach these seemingly menial tasks, you’ll find much more value in each of them.

Think of all that goes into these chores. It might not be glamorous work, but it is strenuous. Keeping your home spotlessly clean requires you to have a consistent vision of what you want each room to look like, and persevere through a ton of adversity – in the form of your kids, pets, and spouse. Understand how meaningful it is that you’re constantly fighting against the grain, but still have the intestinal fortitude to press forward.

You’ll probably learn some tricks along the way, too: better ways to keep grime away; an easier way to fold t-shirts (believe me, there is one); the best way to get your kids to clean up after themselves. These are all skills you picked up along the way while completing these Sisyphean tasks that seemed to be a complete waste of time.

That is, they seemed that way until you took the time to see the value in each of them.

Valuing Failed Efforts

When I first started writing on the web, I had no idea what I was doing. I pitched articles that had absolutely no value to my clients. My ideas were boring. I was overwhelmed by the many published writers and bloggers with hundreds of articles under their belt. I remember thinking I just “didn’t have it.”

If I were to have quit back then, then, yes: all of the time I spent trying to become a writer up until that point would have been a complete waste. I wouldn’t have learned anything, and certainly would not have grown professionally.

Instead, I started thinking: “How can I learn from these shortcoming? How can I use these experiences of failure in order to grow?”

I learned that failure is not an end in and of itself; it’s simply a bump in the continuum toward success.

Once I began to tie my failures into my journey as a writer, I began to see the value in each of my failed attempts.

I stopped deleting rejected pitches. Instead, I started reading over them to see how I needed to improve.

Rather than completely erasing drafts and starting from scratch, I began reworking them section by section until they were as close to perfect as possible.

Instead of completely ignoring a client after being rejected, I began contacting them to get insight into what they were really looking for, and how I could change my approach to better suit their needs in the future.

I’ve definitely faced setbacks along my journey as a writer. But, because I’ve improved the manner in which I approach these setbacks, I can honestly say that, as long as I’m writing, I never feel like I’ve wasted my time.

A Changing Wind

So far, I’ve discussed fairly minor incidents that might set you back a couple hours, or at most a few days.

But what about the setbacks that seem to erase years of your life?

I’m talking about those of us who have graduated college only to discover their degree is useless. Or those who have been laid off after twenty years at the same office. Or those who realize they’ve been stuck in a rut for years, but are afraid it’s too late to make a change.

When these revelations hit you, it can be a hard pill to swallow. You’ll probably feel as if you’ve completely wasted your life, and there’s no way to get back on track.

Well, it’s not true.

As with everything I’ve discussed so far, you’ve only wasted your time if you allow it to seem that way.

Throughout my college years, I studied literacy education. I wanted nothing more than to help struggling students become proficient readers every day of my life. I was, and am, good at it.

But, in a market in which hundreds of applicants vie for a single position, and those that do get hired are the first to be laid off when budget cuts roll around, I finally decided the educational field wasn’t for me.

I could easily look back on my time in college and working as a tutor and substitute teacher as a waste. I’m not working in the field, so how can I say my past experiences in the educational industry are useful to my current situation?

Thinking that way would be a complete disservice to my past efforts, and my current abilities.

Instead, I choose to focus on the strengths I’ve gained over the years, and leveraging them in my current occupation as a writer.

I absolutely love reading and learning about anything this world has to offer. That hasn’t changed. Learning new information provides me with more material to include in my writing.

I enjoy explaining complex ideas in relatable and memorable ways. I don’t need to be in front of a classroom to make use of that skill. In fact, as a writer, I have more time to ensure my explanation is comprehensible as possible before I publish it.

I feel fulfilled when I know my efforts have helped improve the lives of other people in some way or another. Writing on the Web allows me to reach many more individuals than I could ever imagine reaching in the confines of a single classroom.

Just because I never truly reached my initial goal of becoming a full-time teacher doesn’t mean my journey was a complete failure. I may have had to redefine how I use the skills I’ve learned along the way – but that doesn’t mean I’ve lost those skills entirely.

There will almost certainly come a time in your life when you need to leave the past in the past. But you should never forget what you’ve learned along the way.

Time is life’s greatest teacher. If you learn from its lessons, you’ll never waste a moment of your life.

Featured photo credit: Hourglass / Mustafa Awwad / Flickr via farm4.staticflickr.com

The post Time Spent Wisely is Never Wasted appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/21UjJn9

6 Principles of Storing Your Files in the Cloud Safely

The cloud offers a convenient and budget-friendly way to store data for your small business. It allows you to back up, sync, and access files across several devices and minimizes the costs associated with keeping your company’s information on-site. The cloud is also one of the most secure ways to house data — if you take a few simple precautions.

Follow these six fundamental rules for safely storing your company’s information in the cloud.

1. Research Cloud providers

Safely using cloud storage starts with choosing a reputable cloud storage service that best meets your needs. As you shop for a cloud storage service, look for one with positive customer reviews and a proven history of keeping its customers’ data secure. Be sure the provider you choose offers multiple-level redundancy, which means there are several copies of your data to prevent it being lost if one server fails. Redundancy across multiple geographic locations is another important security feature you’ll want from your cloud storage company. This means your data is housed at various locations, so if an event like a fire or natural disaster somehow destroys your data it can still be retrieved.

2. Match the sensitivity of your data to the cloud provider’s level of security

Three out of five small businesses close within six months of experiencing a data-security breach. If you are storing sensitive data, like clients’ financial or identifying information, make sure your cloud provider provides best-in-class security features. You’ll probably pay a bit more for enhanced security options, but it’s a worthwhile investment. On the other hand, not every file your small business handles will be highly sensitive. Storing non-critical data with a cloud provider that offers strong, albeit less robust, security features will probably be adequate — and reduce expenses.

3. Back up your data that’s in the cloud

Data stored in the cloud is typically more secure than data kept on your computer, but it is not a complete backup solution — and nothing is 100-percent fail-safe. Backing up the files you store in the cloud is a critical part of leveraging cloud technology safely. Many backup proponents suggest using the 3-2-1 standard: maintain three backups of files that are too important to lose, utilizing at least two different formats, with at least one of the backups residing off-site — meaning at a place other than where your computer or server is located.

4. Encrypt your cloud files

If your cloud service account is compromised, your files may become accessible to cyber criminals. To help minimize data vulnerability, encrypt your files before sending them to the cloud. Another option is to use a tool like BoxCryptor or nCrypted Cloud, which automatically encrypt your cloud backups.

5. Use password best practices

Good password management is one of the most effective ways to help keep your files safe. Use a password generator like LastPass to create a hard-to-crack code, never share your password, and don’t write it down or save it on your device. Avoid accessing your cloud account using public Wi-Fi, and change your password at least once every quarter. Make sure your employees are well-versed in password security practices for small businesses, have password polices in place, and enforce them.

6. Look for “https”

Your data can be captured by a hacker while it’s en route to the cloud or traveling from the cloud to your device. To help prevent this from happening, look for “https” (versus “http”) in front of the cloud service’s URL in your browser’s address bar. “Https” is the secure version of “http,” which is the protocol over which data is sent between your browser and the cloud or any website that you are connected to. When you see “https,” the communication between your browser and the cloud service is encrypted.

Keep these safety tips in mind, and cloud storage can be an effective way to keep files accessible while protecting your small business data against everything from hackers to malware.

The post 6 Principles of Storing Your Files in the Cloud Safely appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/1p3EOK2

10 Techniques to Instantly Reduce Stress

Stress can appear in our lives at any time with varying levels of intensity. It could arise from a conversation you have or get triggered from an event that takes places. Stress can even emerge after a slow build up, with one event pushing you over the edge. No matter how it’s caused, the fact is consistent stress in our body is not only detrimental to our health; it’s also preventable and unnecessary.

Physiologically, stress exists as our body’s response to life threatening situations. When we feel endangered, our nervous system responds by releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. This is our body’s way of protecting us through the “fight or flight” stress response. In emergency situations stress can help us stay alert, energetic, and give us superhuman strength to get out of danger.

Once the threatening event is over, our body is designed to return back to its natural calm and relaxed state. Although life-threatening situations are not as common in Western Society, what is common is for people to be constantly living in “flight or fight” mode. Staying in this mode over extended periods of time can cause health problems such as nervous system disorders and fatigue. This in turn can create ongoing anxiety as we are constantly on alert waiting for a crisis to happen at any time. For a lot of us, entering the office switches our body into a life-threatening state.

Next time your chest gets tight or you feel overwhelmed, try these techniques for instant relief.

1. Focus on your breath.

Your thoughts are directly related to your breath. If you have a tight chest, worried thoughts, or feel anxious, chances are, you are breathing too fast or shallow. Slow down your breath to balance your mind by inhaling for a count of 5 seconds, hold your breath for 5 seconds, and exhale for 5 seconds.

2. Cool down.

Cooling down your mind and body re-balances your energy and allows you to take action from a more centered place. An ancient yogi technique to cool down your mind and body is shitali pranayam. Open your mouth slightly, curl your tongue and allow it to slightly protrude past your lips. Breathe in through your mouth and out through your nose. If you can’t curl your tongue, inhale through a round O mouth instead. Try this technique for 2–3 minutes.

3. Pause.

If you react too soon during stressful situations, you may say or do things you later regret. Unless you are in an emergency situation, your response can often wait at least a few seconds. Transform the pattern of immediately responding to taking the time to pause, breathe, get calm, and gather yourself. Then respond verbally or by taking action.

4. Get out in nature.

Getting out in nature has an instant calming effect. Whether you choose to sit on a beach to hear the waves crash, walk through a lush green forest, listen to the sounds of a nearby waterfall or hike up mountains, just get yourself outside and allow nature to put everything back into perspective.

5. Mindfully exercise.

Exercise releases natural adrenaline and endorphins that make you feel good. Add more mindfulness to your workout by focusing intently on the activity you are doing. Observe your technique and how it makes you feel. Get connected to your body. This workout window allows you to get fit and even take a break from your stress. Head outside and run or cycle, hit the gym, or attend a yoga class. Working out during your lunch beak also allows you stay more focused and calm when you return to work.

6. Take a cold shower.

Hydrotherapy is a precise and sophisticated science with a multitude of benefits for your body and mind. As well as reducing stress, cold showers open up your capillaries which when returned to normal push the blood back to your organs. This causes a flush effect in the heart, kidneys lungs and liver. This process stimulates the healthy secretion of the glandular system, which leaves your skin radiant and keeps your blood chemistry young healthy. Remember to start with outer extremities—feet, hands, and arms.

7. Put on relaxing music.

Everything is made up of energy including both our bodies and music. Music has the power to instantly transform your energy whether that’s by lifting you up or pulling you down. Choose music that is uplifting in tone, lyrics, and beat so your body’s energy can match this higher energy frequency. Positive music also helps create more positive thoughts.

8. Give gratitude.

Whatever you are stressed about is just a thought pattern or belief. You’re ultimately in control of your thoughts (even if it often doesn’t feel that way). Two people could be in exactly the same situation and only one could feel stressed because they have a negative thought pattern. So take a break from worry or panic and make a list of what you are grateful for in your life—whether that’s having a roof over your head, living in a nice city, having a vehicle that gives you freedom etc. List around 10 things.

9. Visualize success.

Prevent your mind from imagining the “worst case scenario” or “what if” by visualizing and focusing your whole attention on what you want to bring into your life, not the fears of what you don’t want. Remember where your attention goes energy flows, which means you can’t afford to spend anytime engaged in picturing what you don’t want.

10. Drink a green smoothie.

Get a natural mental boost from the phytochemicals of green vegetables. Smoothies are a great way to gain all the nutrients from vegetables and fruit as all the content remains in the drink. Green smoothies can also help strengthen your immune system, eliminate unhealthy cravings (which can cause more stress), and give your brain more energy. Try kale, spinach, ginger, and lemon with a touch of banana and blueberries.

Featured photo credit: Matthew Wiebe via unsplash.com

The post 10 Techniques to Instantly Reduce Stress appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/21UjJ6N

10 Software Tools To Hack Your Human Efficiency

Managing day-to-day tasks can be burdensome and slow down your ability to actually get tasks done. Whether you are a CEO of a small company or an HR manager of a large company, these tools can be very helpful.

1. Google Calendar

This may seem like a no-brainer, but many HR personnel do not know that Google offers free calendar services, and these calendars can be shared with various email addresses. This is an inexpensive HR software tool to keep employees up to date on various meetings and happenings around the company.

2. EmpXTrack

Web based software is the future. The costs are low, they are constantly updated, and very easy to use. There is no longer a need for in house support staff, because the companies that supply this software have 24-hour support teams to help.

3. HR360

This should absolutely be in the bookmarks of anyone in an HR department. There are simply way too many free tools available on this website for it not to be. From health care forms to discipline and termination tools, this site provides some great free resources, as well as paid products.

4. Labor Time Tracker

If you are in the manufacturing industry, service industry, or any other industry that needs to track time, Labor Time Tracker is a tool for you. In this digital age, old school time cards are a thing of the past.

5. Do.com

This is an extremely helpful task management software for large companies. You can create to-do list and see progress on certain tasks of all your employees. The greatest benefit of this task management software is the chat function. You can chat with your salesperson about task specific topics across the country or around the world all from your desktop.

6. TribeHR

This tool can put all of your HR tasks into the digital age. Most companies still use written RTOs, which can get lost or thrown away by accident; TribeHR solves this issue. You can manage time-off requests, recruit new employees and even run employee performance evaluations with ease and from the convenience of remote workspaces. This is a great tool for any company with HR needs or companies with employees on the go.

7. Trello

Again, in this digital age it is important to keep visual notes. Most companies used to have a cork board where all employees could see notes and give their input. Trello brings that same concept to the web. This way, your employees who may not be in the office are up to date on the happenings within the organization and can give suggestions or comments.

8. UltiPro

Aimed at medium to large companies, UltiPro is the latest and greatest in computerized personnel management. With a clean UI and easy to integrate software, this is a must have for companies with a large amount of employees.

9. JobDiva

On the hiring and recruiting side of things, JobDiva is the software to have. They have patented methods of searching through resumes, such as the feature “Resume Search for Skills By Years of Experience”. This makes sorting through resumes that the program pulls from various job boards very easy and saves hiring managers a lot of time.

10. Customized software

HR software that is tailored to your specific needs obviously trumps any other software on the market. Software companies will come in, interview your HR department and tailor the program to their certain need. The downside of this is the cost, because customized software can be too expensive for small firms to pay to develop, but if you are a large company that can handle the expense, it is definitely a great investment.

The post 10 Software Tools To Hack Your Human Efficiency appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/1p3EOJX

Mental Models: How Intelligent People Solve Unsolvable Problems

10 European Cities You Just Have To Visit

As a keen traveller who’s always planning her next adventure, I do a heck of a lot of research on cities I need to visit and destinations that will suit not only my taste for travel but my budget too! As a UK citizen, travelling around Europe is ideal as nowhere is too far, flights are cheap and also relatively inexpensive. So today I’m sharing with you my top 10 European Cities that you should definitely be adding to your travel bucket list!

1. London

I suppose I should begin with my own capital city! I’ve always loved London since a young age, the buzz just draws you in. You will never run out of sights to see, restaurants to try and pop-up events to head to. The city is just bursting with culture, don’t just stick to central London either, there are plenty of things to do in East London as well.

Make sure you stop by Sketch for afternoon tea, stay at the Hoxton and dine at Dishoom.

2. Rome

The perfect destination to head to with your partner. There’s no denying Rome is a romantic city, although that being said, I am yet to visit Venice! There are obvious sights such as the Coliseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps and Trevi foundation to visit, all of which do not disappoint! I would advise to try and book a tour before you head off to Rome as it saves lots of time and queuing. Take a leisurely stroll around the cobbled streets with a gelato in hand. Try some of the back streets for true Italian food rather than some of the restaurants that are slap bang in the centre and offer a more tourist centred menu.

Stay at the Regina Hotel Baglioni, take a Segway tour and eat plenty of gelato.

3. Berlin

A stark contrast to Rome are the graffiti’d walls of Berlin. An exciting city, this has to be one of my favourite destinations for a long weekend. Bursting with restaurants, bars, boutiques and rich history. Berlin is not be missed off your travel list. Make sure you visit the Brandenburg gate, the Reichstag and the Berlin wall to take in the history of the city. After you’ve visited the city’s main spots, enjoy the many bars and stunning city art and architecture. Berlin is also home to many parks and gardens too, so if you’re visiting in the summer time try and plan a picnic too.

Stay at the Titanic Gendarmenmarkt, visit Voo store for the best threads and eat at Cookies Cream for great vegetarian food.

4. Dublin

If you’re based in the UK, Dublin is under an hour away by airplane but even if you’re further away it’s still well worth a visit! Enjoy a pint of Guinness as you overlook the city from the Guinness Storehouse panoramic bar. The Temple Bar area of the city is a must-visit with tonnes of pubs and bars to enjoy whilst watching the world go by. The temple bar region is great for a younger audience with lots of different eateries, vintage shops and other little gems.

Stay at The Westbury for a touch of luxury or The Temple Inn for a more affordable stay.

5. Stockholm

Slick and stylish, Stockholm is the the ultimate destination for fans of Scandinavian design and minimalism. Bursting with inspiring street style, picturesque cobbled pathways and endless cafés, there are so many aspects to this city to enjoy. Be sure to enjoy a boat trip of the islands whilst viewing the stunning architecture the city has to offer.

Stay at Hotel J, eat at Lilla Ego and make sure you visit Acne Studios for high end designer fashion.

6. Paris

The city of love! Paris is definitely one of those places you just have to visit at some point in your life. The city is truly stunning and of course the Eiffel Tower is an absolute must see. Wander down the gorgeous streets and be sure to stop for a macaroon and café latte! This is a seriously stylish city, oozing elegance and class. You have to experience some Parisian shopping, it’s not all about Chanel and design fashion though, there are some great vintage stores with many hidden gems.

Stay at the stylish Hotel Recamier, stop for a hot chocolate at Angelina and enjoy an éclair from l’éclair de genie.

7. Cambridge  

The historic university of Cambridge has so much to offer. Walk around the stunning university grounds and be sure to take a punt down on the river! There are plenty of boutiques, cafés and restaurants to visit, and make sure you head to the University Botanic Gardens and Fitzwilliam Museum for a fun, affordable day out. There’s always something to see at one of the city’s theatres, and there are lots of bars to keep you entertained in the evening also. There’s also the nearby Newmarket Races which are well worth a visit!

Stay at the Bedford Lodge Hotel, eat pizza at La Margherita and stop for a drink at student favourite, The Snug.

8. Barcelona

Flights to Barcelona can be very cheap from the UK so it’s no wonder it’s such a popular holiday destination. You can enjoy the best of both worlds with a city vibe as well as a beach. Make sure you see some of Gaudi’s work whist you’re there, the Casa Batllo is a must see for all Gaudi lovers. To ensure you see as much of the city as you can then I would recommend a cycle tour. There’s no better way to see the sights and learn all about Barcelona’s history.

Stay at the H10 Catalunya Palace and be sure to book your cycle tour before you go!

9. Prague

Take in the sights of this medieval city and its stunning gothic architecture. It’s the perfect Christmas break destination but can be enjoyed year-round! Highlights of the city include the Prague Castle, the Charles Bridge and the infamous John Lennon Wall. There are also other fun activities you can try including a cycle trip from Prague to Vienna. The beer museum is also a popular tourist attract, offering a lively atmosphere and plenty of different beers to ‘test’.

Stay at the Boho Prague Hotel and eat a Kolkovna restaurant.

10. Budapest

Often described as a ‘fairytale city’ it’s not hard to see why, the city castles look like they’ve come straight out of a Disney movie. The city itself is breath-taking, full of charm and incredible architecture everywhere you turn. You must be sure to visit the Budapest Parliament, the building is quite simply beautiful. Find the best view of the city at the Fisherman’s Bastion, a tip though, be sure to get there early to take in the best view without swarms of other people.

Stay at the Corinthia hotel and spa for a touch of luxury and be sure to stop by the Ruin Pubs too.

Where is next on your travel list?

Featured photo credit: inyourpocket.com via inyourpocket.com

The post 10 European Cities You Just Have To Visit appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/21UjJ6w

The Connection Between Yoga and Addiction Recovery

Addiction recovery is a complex and manifold process, involving all parts of a human’s being. In the same way as every person has his or her own reasons to resort to drugs in the first place, and their own way down into the addiction, the way up to freedom is also different for everybody. Everybody has to rebuild their own personality after damage caused by drugs, and it won’t do to try and rebuild it after a blueprint that doesn’t have anything to do with the original.

Because of this, it is a bit strange that an absolute majority of drug rehabilitation programs are more or less mechanical – their participants simply follow a pre-determined regimen that has little to no difference from case to case.

Drug addiction isn’t an illness per se — it is a complicated affliction affecting in equal measure body, psyche, and rationality. As a result, it is only natural that the process of rehabilitation should involve practices that improve the condition of all three. Fortunately, lately there’s been an upsurge of a more synergetic approach to the rehab process.

As an example, the program Best Drug Rehab by Per Wickstrom advocates an individual approach to every participant and offers a wide range of practices tailored for people of all ages, races, and cultural backgrounds. One such practice is yoga, and it is no accident that it occupies a special place in the program’s treatment system.

Yoga is an ancient practice originating in India and encompassing many apparently unconnected things, ranging from sets of exercises, meditation, and learning the skills of controlled breathing to far-reaching philosophical concepts and ideas. As such, it has powerful effects on all aspects of being. On a physical level, it has proven its ability to improve general health to an impressive extent, and on a psychological level, it has a considerable calming effect. As a result, yoga possesses synergetic restorative properties that are perhaps unique in the way they affect human beings as a whole, without undue concentration on any particular aspect.

While the initial stages of a yoga-centric program may prove challenging for people who have never taken part in yoga exercises before, there is no cause for undue alarm – yoga is one of those things that you don’t need considerable knowledge of to start out, and once you begin you may proceed in a natural way as long as you actually listen to the instructions of your teachers. Moreover, each and every person can take exactly what they need without going unnecessarily deep. Those interested in the physical applications of yoga exercises will stick to them without bothering with the philosophy aspect, for example. At the same time, even such an approach is bound to produce some kind of beneficial effect, especially if you consider the fact that people suffering from addiction and making their first tentative steps on the road to health and rehabilitation can use any possible help to move on.

Yoga is especially well known for how useful it is for achieving inner peace and tranquility – and this is exactly what post-addiction patients need. Without some kind of inner peace, it is hardly possible to get your healthy life back, and yoga is an excellent help in this respect. One of the most important parts of yoga courses is that they teach new skills that can be just as well practiced outside of the class and can come in handy whenever the participants feel especially depressed or confused.

Drug rehab needn’t be all about drugs – it may just as well be about learning something new about life and bringing new experiences into your existence.

Featured photo credit: Yoga/ Matt Madd via flickr.com

The post The Connection Between Yoga and Addiction Recovery appeared first on Lifehack.

from Lifehack http://ift.tt/1p3EOto