| How to Improve Golf Swing Tempo Posted: 22 Jul 2018 01:00 AM PDT In golf, tempo refers to the amount of time between the start of your takeaway and the end of your follow through. While it may seem inconsequential, proper tempo can improve your game tremendously and mark the difference between a duff and a hole-in-one. EditGetting the Motions Down - Make each action deliberate to keep yourself relaxed. One of the most common causes of poor golf tempo is tension. If you're nervous before hitting the ball, or if you don't think you can make the shot, there's a good chance your tempo will be thrown off. To counter your nerves, try to calm yourself down before addressing the ball. Make each action deliberate, and remind yourself that:[1]
- You are a great golfer and are more than capable of hitting the ball.
- Nerves are the only thing standing between you and success, not talent.
- Grip the club firmly, but keep your wrists loose. While getting ready to swing, keep a strong, firm grasp on your club. Doing so will give you the control and power necessary to hit the ball successfully. However, at the same time, keep your wrists loose, relaxed, and maneuverable. This will allow you to swing the club less like a stick and more like a whip, something that, once you get your tempo down, will lead to a speed increase.[2]
- Perform a slow takeaway. Start your takeaway by turning your non-dominant shoulder away from the ball. Do this as smoothly as you can, making sure each movement is deliberate. The speed of your takeaway will set the tempo for the entire swing, so take it slowly and, if the backswing doesn't feel right, start over.[3]
- Pull your club as far back as possible. When performing your backswing, it's important to pull your club as far away from the ball as possible, otherwise you may not gain the strength necessary to hit it properly. Additionally, an improper backswing will throw off your overall tempo, making it more difficult to connect with the ball.[4]
- When done properly, your backswing should end with the club raised far above your head, held in place by barely-bent arms.
- Start your downswing at the same pace as your backswing. After completing your backswing, you can either start your downswing immediately or pause for a moment to concentrate. However, once you're ready to begin the downswing, start it at the same speed as your backswing. As you close in on the ball, let your pace accelerate naturally and keep the momentum going until you complete your follow through.[5]
EditWorking on Your Swing - Aim for a downswing that is 3 times faster than your backswing. From Tiger Woods to Arnold Palmer, just about every golf master has a 3:1 swing tempo, meaning their backswing takes 3 times longer to complete than their downswing. While practicing, ask a friend to time both portions of your swing to see how you stack up.[6]
- If your downswing is too fast, try slowing down your takeaway to change the pace of the shot.
- If your downswing is too slow, make sure your posture is correct and not causing unnecessary drag.
- Practice your shots with an empty tee. When working on your tempo, practicing with real balls can quickly psyche you out, especially if they never go as far as you want. So you can focus exclusively on the speed of your swing, practice with nothing but an empty tee. With no ball to worry about, you can think more about how long a shot takes and whether or not it feels right.[7]
- Alter your swing speed in 25% increments. It can be difficult to change your current golf tempo, especially if you're an experienced player with a lot of built in muscle memory. However, you don't need to do it overnight. Instead, try to slow down or speed up your swing by about 25% at a time. Practice at your new pace until you get used to it, then change it by another 25%. Keep doing this until you reach the 3:1 swing ratio.[8]
- Keep your speed consistent between shots. In many cases, tempo problems stem from inconsistent swings, meaning the golfer changes their speed between holes, clubs, or even individual shots. Having a variable tempo means that the rhythm of each swing is random, making it difficult to control the power of your shots or predict what each swing will accomplish. Do your best to be consistent from 1 shot to the next, that way you can enjoy the benefits of proper golfing tempo.[9]
- With the exception of the putter, you can use the same tempo for every type of club.
- Count in your head to better time your swing. Until your tempo becomes second nature, keeping a mental timer can help you make your shots more consistent while ensuring they're done at a proper speed. Though you can choose any pattern you want, the 1-2-3 count used for waltzing meshes well with golf tempo, the first 2 beats lining up with the backswing and the third beat lining up with the downswing. In addition, you can try and time out your swings using songs like:[10]
- Edelweiss from Fiddler on the Roof, where the backswing lines up with "E-del" and the downswing lands on "weiss."
- Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra, where the backswing lines up with "Fly me to" and the downswing lands on "the moon."
- Fallin' by Alicia Keys, where the backswing lines up with "I keep on" and the downswing lands on "fallin'."
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Date After a Divorce at 40 Posted: 21 Jul 2018 05:00 PM PDT Years may have gone by since you last dated, so how do you jump back in? It's important that you are fully ready to move on from your divorce before dating, both logistically and emotionally. Put yourself out there by being open to date invitations and don't shy away from using technology to find potential partners. Once you're out on a date, show the person that you're interested by flirting and having fun. If the date goes well and you click with the person, ask them on a second date to further explore their potential. EditConversation and Online Profile Help EditMoving Past Your Divorce - Heal from your marriage and divorce first. Don't jump into dating if you're not fully ready to move on from your previous marriage. You should feel ready to date again after having time to think, grieve, grow, and move on. If you are in the middle of an ugly divorce settlement, it may be best to wait until the logistics of your divorce are finalized.[1]
- If you're thinking about your ex and what they are up to, you're probably not ready to date yet.[2]
- Follow your feelings, not a calendar. There's no hard and fast rule for when you should be ready to date after a divorce. You might need 2 months or more than a year to feel comfortable and ready to find someone new. Don't feel like you have to follow any "rules" around when it's acceptable to date.[3]
- For example, don't feel like you have to wait a year after your divorce finalizes to start looking for dates. Use your best judgement about when you're ready to date again.
- Surround yourself with supportive people to help you move on. Spend time with people who support your desire to move past your divorce and find love again. If your divorce created a divide in your friendships, get out and meet some new friends. Being around new people can help you stay focused on the future rather than fixating on the past.[4]
- Get involved in activities that interest you as a way to do something fun and make new friends. Join a hiking club, meet with people with pets, or join a vegetarian group.
- Make sure your children are ready before you start dating again. If you have children, your divorce was probably difficult for them. The idea of you dating may have never even crossed their minds! It's important to make sure your children understand what you're doing and how it impacts them. Talk to them openly. If they seem extremely upset or resistant to the idea, you may want to slow down a bit.
- When you do start dating, don't introduce your children to every single date. This may be confusing for them. Only introduce them to people who you're considering a serious relationship with.[5]
- Try to plan your dates for when your kids are staying overnight at a friend's house or visiting a family member.
- Up your confidence and energy by caring for your body. When you're trying to move on from a painful divorce, self-care is very important. Taking care of yourself helps you maintain a positive outlook and feel good about yourself. Preparing yourself to start dating again is also a great motivation to get back on track with your health, take care of your body, and feel good while doing it!
- Start a regular exercise routine and make healthy choices when you eat.
- Don't forget to get plenty of sleep (7-9 hours) each night so that you feel refreshed and alert.[6]
EditFinding Potential Dates - Look for partners who share similar interests. Being 40 puts you in a very different mindset for dating than when you were dating at 20. While opposites attract, you at least want to share some major things in common. For example, if you are religious, look for other singles who are also religious. If you have a hobby that's important to you, you may wish to find someone who shares that hobby.[7]
- For example, if your religious faith is an important part of your life, consider looking for potential partners through your church or temple.
- If you love going to the gym, keep your eyes open for interesting singles while you're working out, or take an aerobics or yoga class to meet new people.
- Seek out partners who can relate to your current lifestyle. Look for people who are in a similar life phase as you. For example, if you have children, you may prefer a partner who has children themselves, since they can relate to you on that level. If you are well established in your career, you may want to seek out a partner who also places a lot of importance on their work life.
- For example, if you're a lawyer or doctor with a very hectic schedule, you may mesh best with someone who also has a demanding career.
- Use technology to find dates. Online dating websites, phone apps, and dating services are all viable options. Some dating apps are even tailored to certain demographics such as people who are divorced, those who share religious faith, or people who enjoy similar hobbies. For the best results, be open and honest about who you are online and post images of yourself that are accurate and up-to-date.[8]
- Explore dating websites like Match.com, eHarmony, and ChristianMingle.com. Try out dating apps like PlentyofFish, Bumble, Happn, and OKCupid.
- Stay safe when dating new people. Spend several weeks emailing with them, talking on the phone, or video chatting before you meet them in person.[9]
- Meet in public for the first several dates until you get to know them. Bring your own mode of transportation so you can leave if you want to.
- Look for dates in realistic places. While it's possible to meet a quality prospect at a bar, it's probably unlikely. Try looking for potential partners in places where they typically congregate. For example, skip the nightclub and consider a wine tasting event instead. Pass on the pizza joint and have dinner at an upscale restaurant. Avoid the Starbucks drive-thru and grab a table at a sit-down coffee shop.
- Look for local meet-up groups that get together for activities that you're interested in.
- Take a class or pursue a passion. Check out classes available locally for something you're interested in, like painting or scuba diving. Not only will you spend time doing something new that interests you, but you may meet other single people there. Plus, it's much easier to chat with a prospect when you already have something to talk about it!
- Use a furry friend to meet people. Take your dog for a walk at the local park and chat up anyone who seems interesting. At the very least, you'll get in some quality time with your furry friend. If you don't have a pet, consider getting one! If getting a pet isn't an option, consider volunteering at a local animal shelter. You may meet a fellow animal lover who also happens to be single.
- Be open to invitations you receive for dates. Getting back into dating doesn't mean you have to constantly look for potential partners everywhere you go. You may catch someone else's eye, for example, and they could ask you out. Even if you've never thought about dating that person before, or if you're caught off guard, don't close yourself off to the idea!
- For instance, maybe a single coworker asks you out for a drink after work. You've never considered them as a potential partner before, but that doesn't mean you can't explore the idea.
EditGoing Out on Dates - Dress to impress. You might be a little out of the game and not remember how to look or present yourself. Wear clothes that fit well and that look good on your body. Maintain proper hygiene (such as showering regularly, grooming your hair, and not having a strong body odor). These are easy ways to present yourself and give a good first impression.[10]
- Consider making some changes to your wardrobe if your clothes are old, worn, or do not properly fit you. If you can't afford new clothes, go through your wardrobe and evaluate what you have. Try mixing and matching different pieces or tailoring garments to fit you better.
- Ask a friend for some advice if you have difficulty evaluating yourself.
- If you're on a budget, try looking for clothes at thrift stores.
- Commit to having fun. While dating can be nerve-wracking, aim to have fun. You have the opportunity to share new experiences with someone and possibly create a new connection. Choose date activities that you look forward to or want to try. For example, try a dance class, go on a hike, or try a new restaurant in town.
- Even if things don't work out, appreciate your ability to try new things and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.[11]
- Flirt with your date. If you're a little rusty on flirting, it's time to start practicing! Show the person you're dating that you're interested by subtlety flirting with them. This might include gently touching their arm or shoulder, making eye contact and smiling at them, and mimicking their body language. These are easy ways to show that you want to connect.[12]
- When making eye contact, lock your gaze for 2-3 seconds, then look away. You want to make eye contact, but not stare at them.
- Avoid talking excessively about your divorce. While you may want to tell the person that you are divorced, don't spend your date talking about your ex, your marriage, or the divorce. This might signal to the person that you are not ready to move on or that you are caught in dilemmas regarding your divorce.[13]
- For example, you might say something simple, such as, "I am divorced. Everything is finalized and I'm ready to move on with my life."
- Don't feel like you have to mention your divorce. It's OK to not say anything until the other person asks.
- Tell your date if you have children. Be upfront with your date and let them know you have children early on in dating. Tell your date about your children and your role in their lives. Bring up the fact that you have kids early, such as before the first date or on the first date.
- If you have children from your previous marriage, be cautious in how you involve them in your dating life. Many people don't include their children in their dating life until they become somewhat serious with a partner. [14]
- Don't include your kids in your dating life just for the sake of convenience. Try to keep them separate until you're confident you've found someone you're serious about being with.
- Offer a second date if you want to see them again. If you enjoyed your date and would like to see the person again, set up a second date soon after the first date (or at the end of the date). This communicates your interest and shows the person you'd like to continue the connection. Now that you know them better, tailor the date around an activity or interest that you both share.[15]
- For example, if you both enjoy the outdoors, invite them on a hike. If you both enjoy cooking, take a cooking class together.
EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
| How to Grow an Herbal Tea Garden Posted: 21 Jul 2018 09:00 AM PDT A tea garden is a delightful hobby that can complement the rest of an herb garden. A tea garden will provide you with the joy of fresh herbal teas, more properly known as herbal infusions or tisanes. You can drink a single herbal tea on its own, or you can try mixing together 2 or 3 different complementary herbal flavors. For a more flavorful caffeinated tea, try mixing 1 or 2 herbs from your garden in with your favorite loose-leaf black or green tea. EditCreating the Tea Garden - Select part of an existing herb garden to cultivate tea in. If you already have a small herb garden, or even a large planter in which you're growing herbs, set aside part of this as a tea garden. Pick any weeds out of the garden, and use a small shovel or spade to turn over the top several inches of soil.
- You can grow herbs for tea in relatively little space. If you choose to only include 1 or 2 tea herbs in your garden, you will need as little as of space.
- Build a herb garden box if you don't already have an herb garden. If you prefer to build your own garden box, you can make a rudimentary one by nailing 4 planks into a square shape. Most herbs grow best in full sun to partial shade, so position your garden box in an area that is mostly exposed and will receive sun throughout the growing season.[1]
- Keep in mind that some herbs—like lemon verbena and peppermint—do better in a garden box or a pot than an open garden. If you have the time and inclination, you could grow tea herbs in an existing herb garden, and build a garden box on the side.
- If this style of garden box doesn't appeal to you, there are several other ways to build a small garden box.
- Prepare the soil in the garden or planter. Prepare the soil or pot as you would do normally for planting herbs or flowers. Most types of tea herb will thrive in fertile, well-drained soil. You can purchase fertilized soil at a garden supply center, or add your own compost to enrich the soil in your garden.[2]
- As your tea herbs grow, fertilize them
- As your herbs grow and eventually mature or flower, you'll need to keep the garden free of weeds. If you notice any plants growing that are not your selected types of herb, pull them out and discard the weeds.
EditChoosing Your Herbs - Select a variety of complementary herbs for tea. Quite a few herbs and flowers are suitable for making herbal teas. Your choice is dependent on what flavors you like the most and what will grow best for you. If space in your garden is limited, try planting complementary flavors in the same garden patch. Complementary herb flavors include:[3]
- Different varieties of mint paired with one another.
- Bee balm and lemon balm.
- English lavender and lemon verbena.
- Plant peppermint leaves. Peppermint tea is a perennial favorite for many people. Peppermint is generally easy to grow and enjoys semi-shaded spots. Keep mint out of full sun, though, or it may begin to wilt. The herb can quickly spread from one part of a garden to another, so unless you want it escaping across the herb garden, keep it pot-bound.[4]
- Peppermint tea is made from the leaves of the peppermint plant. The taste of peppermint is uplifting and cleansing, and can help settle an upset stomach.
- Consider planting lavender. Lavender leaves are a delightful, softly fragrant tisane that are perfect for making a soothing cup of tea. Lavender grows well when placed in in full sun. Plant your lavender in well-drained soil. It prefers not to be over-watered, so only water the lavender when its soil is completely dry.[5]
- Lavender buds and flowers are both used for tea.
- Similarly to peppermint tea, lavender tea is recommended for reducing tension in your body and soothing headaches.
- Grow lemon verbena. As the name indicates, lemon verbena packs a refreshing and tangy lemony taste in its easy-to-grow leaves. It needs full sun and will not tolerate harsh winters, so keep it pot-bound and indoors if the region you live in has cold winters. The leaves are used for tea.[6]
- Lemon verbena grows quickly during warm summer months, so you'll be able to collect multiple harvests.
- Cultivate rose hips. Rose hips are the seed cases that the rose flower grows out of. They are extremely high in vitamin C and consequently offer the health benefits that the vitamin provides. Rose hips will form once the rose bush goes to seed. The rose hips should be deep orange-red before harvesting.[7]
- Rinse the rose hips to remove clinging soil before steeping them in hot water.
- Plant bergamot. Bergamot is a popular choice for herbal teas because it carries a touch of orange flavor. The plant produces gorgeous bright red, violet, or pink flowers and grows best in full sun or semi-shade. The herb thrives in full sun to partial shade, and does best when left relatively dry. Bergamot also has mild health benefits: it acts as a digestive and diuretic, and can reduce a mild headache.[8]
- Both the leaves and flowers of bergamot are suitable for steeping.
- Grow chamomile. Chamomile is one of the more common herbs used in teas. It is a delightful apple-scented herb, which is traditionally used to induce calm and sleep. Chamomile tolerates full sun to semi-shade. Chamomile flowers are easily grown from seeds. The flowers are the preferred part for making the tea.[9]
- Chamomile is visually appealing as well. It makes a gorgeous but delicate lawn feature with small daisy-like flowers.
EditSelecting Less Common Herbs for Tea - Plant cilantro. Cilantro, also known as coriander, is used more frequently in cooking food than in making teas. However, coriander is suitable for herbal tea and makes a tea which tastes similarly to Lady Grey tea. This tea carries a spicy and acidic flavor with strong citrus undertones. The leaves are used for tea.[10]
- Cilantro thrives in full sun to semi-shade and grows best in a contained pot or small, enclosed garden. Cilantro will even grow well in a small pot placed on your windowsill.
- Grow thyme. Thyme is considered to be a good tea for soothing stomach troubles and sore throats. It is tolerant of full sun and semi-shade and is an ideal container herb. Use the leaves for tea, but if flowers are present, you can add these to the tea as well. If you'd like to pair the herb with another in your tea, try combining it with mint.[11]
- The flavor of thyme in tea is spicy and may be an acquired taste. Try a little bit first before cutting too much herb for your tea!
- Unlike other herbs, thyme is best grown from cuttings or by dividing mature thyme plants in 2. It also prefers poor soil with little water, so may be best grown in its own small planter.
- Raise violets. If you love the smell of violets, violet tea will probably be a new favorite. Violet is also an excellent source of vitamins A and C. Violets are considered to be soothing and refreshing and are a good tonic after winter. The dried leaves and flowers are suitable for steeping.[12]
- Violets prefer shady growing areas and are easy planted in pots if desired. Since most other tea herbs prefer full sun, plan to grow violets in a separate planting container.
- Plant rosemary. Although it's typically used in savory dishes, rosemary also makes an excellent herbal tea. If the taste of rosemary by itself is too strong in a tea, add a few drops of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice.[13] The plant prefers strong full sun but will tolerate light shade, and requires well-drained soil.
- The flavor of rosemary also pairs well in tea with lemon verbena.
- Cultivate stevia. Although best known as an artificial sweetener, stevia is a safe and pleasant-tasting herb to make tea with. Stevia handles colder weather well, and can be grown in outdoor gardens and planters.[14]
- Stevia leaves are naturally sweet and their sweetness can be concentrated by drying or dehydrating them.
EditMaking Fresh Herbal Tea - Pick the leaves or flowers of the herb. The number of leaves, buds, or flowers that you pick will depend on how potent you want your herbal tea to be, and on how much tea you plan to make. 2 or 3 teaspoons of leaves will make a single cup, but you may need to pick 6-8 teaspoons for a full pot of tea.[15]
- Bruise the picked leaves by rubbing them together. Take each leaf between your thumb and index finger and lightly crush and roll the leaf around. These will provide flavor to the tea; non-bruised leaves will produce a much weaker herbal tea, even when steeped or several minutes.[16]
- "Bruising" the herbal tea leaves will release their essential oils.
- Dry your herbs to preserve the leaves. If desired, you can dry your herbs. Cut leaves off the bottom of the herb (from the first three or four inches). Then, hang them upside down until they dry. It can take a few days to a week.
- When making tea from dried herbs, reduce the quantity of herbs by half to three-quarters of the amount of fresh herb you would use.
- Add the herbs to a teapot or place them directly into a mug. For each of tea, add approximately 2 teaspoons of fresh leaves and/or flowers.[17]
- Slice rose hips in half before adding.
- Steep the herbal tea in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Herbal tea typically needs to steep for longer than black, green, or white tea. This will ensure that the flavors are released and the full benefits of the herb's or flower's qualities are available. Pour the boiling water over the herb leaves in a teapot, cover, and let it steep.[18]
- You can keep herbal tea in the fridge for about 2 days. However, the tea may lose some of its flavor if stored.
- Unless the beverage made uses the tea plant, Camellia sinensis, it is technically not a tea but an "herbal infusion."
- Lemon balm, (not to be confused with lemon verbena), and peppermint will take over the garden if given the opportunity. Keep them pot-bound if this is a concern for you.
- If you are allergic to ragwort, it may be a good idea to avoid chamomile tea, as a similar allergic reaction can occur.
- Do not use herbs or flowers that have pesticide residues. When growing, use natural pest reduction methods. If you obtain your leaves and flowers from elsewhere, ask the gardeners if pesticides were used before ingesting.
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
|
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário