| How to Protect Yourself While on Vacation Posted: 09 Aug 2019 01:00 AM PDT Traveling provides opportunities to relax, sightsee, and soak up other cultures. In all of the excitement, it's not uncommon for people to let their guard down. Luckily, being alert and taking a few necessary precautions can help you stay safe and protect your belongs while you're away. Be careful about how much money you carry with you and try to avoid looking like an obvious tourist, since this can make you a target for thieves. It's also important to have health insurance coverage during your travels, just in case you need medical assistance. [Edit]Securing Your Money and Valuables - Keep your cash hidden and limit the amount you carry on you. Flashing money around when you're traveling can make you an easy target for a thief. Try to avoid pulling out wads of cash from your wallet. Instead, keep a small amount of cash in your pocket and only pull out how much you need when purchasing something.[1]
- Be extremely careful when taking money from ATMs. Be aware of who's standing behind you, and don't just stuff the money in your back pocket and walk away.
- If you're in another country, use their currency. It makes transactions easier, and using currency from a foreign country might get the attention of thieves.[2]
- Stash passports, cash, and credit cards in separate places. Keep a little cash and your credit cards in a wallet or purse. Then, keep additional money and cards in a pocket or money pouch. You can also stash a little more cash in your checked luggage or your carry-on. That way, your money and important documents aren't all together in one place.[3]
- Carry your passport separately from your money and credit cards when you're flying. When you get to the hotel, lock your passport in the hotel safe.
- Unfortunately, hotel safes aren't 100% foolproof, so you may want to carry the items on your person if you're concerned about theft.
- Make copies of important documents, IDs, and credit cards in case you lose them.[4]
- Keep valuables in your carry-on bag when traveling. It's best to leave jewelry and other expensive items at home, but if you insist on bringing them, keep them with you in a purse or carry-on bag. Avoid packing them into a regular bag and checking the luggage, which can easily be stolen or searched.
- When you get to your hotel, secure your valuables in the room safe.
- Carry only the essentials in your wallet. Leave unnecessary forms of identification, like your social security card, at home. You can make copies of other important cards, like your health insurance card, rather than taking the actual cards with you. Store your photo IDs, credit cards, and passport in a secure wallet and take them out as infrequently as possible.[5]
- Do not travel with your debit card. Use cash, traveler's checks, or credit cards.[6]
- Never leave your wallet unattended.
- Lock up valuables in your hotel's safe when you're out of the room. Laptops, jewelry, passports, extra cash, and documents that have personal information on them should be placed in your room or hotel safe. Avoid leaving these important items in your regular suitcase when you're out of the room—they are only secure if they're locked up.[7]
- If the hotel safe looks sketchy or you don't feel comfortable leaving the items behind, keep them on your person.
- Protect your devices with strong passwords and encryptions. Be sure to set strong passwords on your mobile phone, laptop, and other electronic devices when you're traveling. That way, even if your devices are stolen, thieves will have difficulty accessing your private materials and accounts. Be sure to log out of your accounts before putting your devices away.[8]
- Look into apps that provide additional security for your devices. Cerberus, Prey, and AppLock are just a few examples of anti-theft apps you can check out.
- Be careful when using public wi-fi spots, since hackers might be able to access your information that way.[9]
[Edit]Taking Personal Safety Precautions - Read the news before departing. Check the news and look for travel advisories from the government before you depart to avoid journeying into a potentially dangerous area. Civil strife, an upswing in crime, or even natural disasters can happen at any time. Be aware of the conditions of the area into which you're traveling.
- Don't advertise your absence on social media. Announcing your travel plans on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram may alert thieves that your home is unattended. If you want to document your travels on social media, set your accounts to private and make sure you know who can see your profiles.[10]
- If you don't feel secure after taking these measures, post your vacation pictures when you get back from your trip.
- Dress like a native and try to blend in. Big, bulky cameras, beach bags, floppy hats, and brightly colored clothing may advertise that you're a tourist, which makes you an easy target for theft and pickpocketing. Avoid drawing attention to yourself, carry your camera in a camera bag, and try to blend in with the locals.
- For example, opt for jeans and a T-shirt instead of wearing a loud Hawaiian print shirt and swim shorts.
- Stay in groups and avoid wandering off alone. Exploring a new place by yourself can be fun, but it can also make you an easy target. Stay in groups when wandering around, and don't venture too far from your hotel at night. Avoid unlit areas at night and stay off beaches after dark. If you plan on sightseeing alone, let friends or family know your planned itinerary.[11]
- Always know how to contact the local police whenever you enter a foreign area.
- Listen to your intuition. If a situation or area doesn't feel comfortable, go elsewhere.
- Wear crossbody bags and purses to deter pickpockets. Fanny packs and loose purses are a pickpocketer's primary targets. Their straps can easily be cut, and the culprit can be off into the crowd without a trace. Instead, wear purses with straps that go across the chest, and keep your wallet in a bag or your breast pocket instead of your back pocket.[12]
- You can also check out travel backpacks, which have anti-theft features.
- Remain alert and avoid distractions. It's easy to get distracted when you're in a new place, since there's so much to see and do! Unfortunately, this makes you an easy target. Try to keep your wits about you when you're walking around and avoid distractions like constantly taking video, looking down for long periods to text or surf the web, and so on. Stay on guard to keep yourself safe.[13]
- Try to avoid getting intoxicated unless you have family or friends with you who can watch your back.
[Edit]Staying Healthy - Research potential health concerns related to your destination. Look into details about your destination so that you'll know what to expect once you get there. For example, being aware of potential issues like poisonous snakes and spiders, local crime, and the safety of drinking water can help keep you safe and healthy when you're on the road.[14]
- Get a checkup and any required vaccinations before you depart. It's a good idea to get a physical before you travel, especially if you plan to be away for a while, so that you have peace of mind about your own health. If you're traveling to a place that requires vaccinations, make sure you get them before you depart.
- Bring your vaccination paperwork with you, just in case.
- It's not a bad idea to carry hand sanitizer with you, especially in airports and other high-traffic areas.
- Talk to your health insurance company about travel coverage. Medical assistance while abroad can be very expensive, difficult to find, of dubious quality — or all of the above. Purchasing travel insurance before you leave your home country can protect you if you should fall ill or have an accident while abroad.[15]
- Coverage amounts and deductibles will vary, but travel insurance can prevent financial catastrophe if something goes wrong.
- If you're traveling internationally and have Medicare, get supplemental insurance. Medicare doesn't provide coverage outside the Unites States.
- Bring your prescription medications in clearly marked bottles. Prescription medications can be a red flag when you're flying, and can also make you a target to thieves. Keep your medications in bottles with your name, the doctor's name, and dosage information clearly marked to avoid any issues with flight security. Stash the bottles in a safe place.
- If you plan to be away for a while, make sure you have enough medication to last, since getting refills in other countries can be difficult.
- If you are prone to motion sickness, be prepared with an over-the-counter medication.
[Edit]References |
| How to Quiet Your Inner Critic Posted: 08 Aug 2019 05:00 PM PDT Dealing with your inner critic can be really frustrating, and it may even be holding you back from the life you want. Your inner critic is the part of your personality that tells you you're not good enough. While this can sometimes help you improve, it might also keep you stuck in a rut. Fortunately, you can get to the root of your inner critic so that you can change what it's telling you. Then, you can turn your inner critic into an ally. [Edit]Identifying the Root of Your Inner Critic - Write down the limiting beliefs that your inner critic uses. Think about the messages your inner critic uses a lot. This will help you analyze what your inner critic is saying so that you can address the fear and pain behind its comments.[1]
- For instance, you might notice comments like, "I'm never good enough/skinny enough/smart enough," "I'm so stupid," or "I'm going to fail like always."
- Try to remember the person who told you this about yourself. In most cases, your inner critic picks up its harmful messages from people you know or your interpretations of events that happened. This means these thoughts don't come from you! Work on figuring out where you got these thoughts so you can differentiate them from your innate beliefs about yourself. Ask yourself these questions:
- Where did I first hear these words?
- Which people do I associate with these words and feelings?
- What happened that made me feel this way?
- Identify the fears that your inner critic is protecting you from. While your inner critic is hurtful, it's also trying to protect you from pain. Something in your past makes your inner critic fearful that certain experiences will hurt you. Understanding where that pain is coming from may help you overcome it. Look for the possible fears behind your critic's comments to figure out what you're afraid will happen.[2]
- Ask yourself these questions: "What am I afraid will happen if I don't listen to my inner critic?" and "What do I worry will happen if my inner critic stops saying these things to me?"
- Let's say your inner critic tells you, "You're so stupid! You'll never pass an advanced math class!" What are your fears here? You may be afraid of getting yelled at by a parent, you could be afraid of having to repeat the class, or you may be worried about disappointing your teacher.
- Acknowledge your inner critic's positive intentions. While it might seem like a paradox, your inner critic is actually trying to help you. Although it can still hold you back from reaching your full potential, its goal is to keep you safe. Try to recognize its positive intention and the benefits you get from it. This can help soften the blow from its comments.
- Think of ways your inner critic has been helping you. For instance, your inner critic might be trying to get you to study harder so you can make better grades and avoid getting yelled at. Additionally, it may be trying to help you get love from your parents or teachers.
- Use journaling to reflect on what your inner critic says and why. Journaling is an excellent way to track your thoughts and feelings to better understand your inner experience. Give yourself permission to write down all of your thoughts and feelings as they emerge. Then, consider where these feelings come from and why you might be having them. Finally, reflect on what you wrote and try to find an epiphany.[3]
- For instance, write in your journal every morning or in the evening before bed.
- Look for patterns and trends in the ways you react to your circumstances.
- Take note of both the times you engage in self-criticism and the times you're able to silence your inner critic.
[Edit]Confronting Your Inner Critic - Challenge your inner critic with the truth. Your inner critic is operating on fear, not truth, so its perceptions may be off. Additionally, you may have misinterpreted the events in your past. Try to see things from a different angle so you can find the real truth in what happened. Ask yourself these questions:[4]
- Which parts of my inner critic's comments aren't true?
- What is my real truth?
- How would this look to an outsider?
- Label your thoughts as thoughts and not truths. Don't accept everything you think as a fact because they're just perceptions you're making in the moment. Instead, observe your thoughts and ask yourself if they seem truthful or not. This can help you separate fact from fiction when your inner voice is criticizing you.[5]
- For instance, you might think, "I'm not going to try because I'll fail anyway." Counter this with, "When I try my hardest, I'm already a success."
- Talk to a therapist if you're struggling or had a traumatic past. Dealing with an inner critic can be really hard. Additionally, sometimes your past is too traumatic and painful to face on your own. Fortunately, you can work with a therapist to help you recognize your inner critic and what it's trying to say. Then, they'll help you learn to reframe those thoughts.
- Ask your doctor to refer you to a therapist or look for one online.
- Your appointments may be covered by your health insurance, so check your benefits before you go.
[Edit]Changing the Your Critic's Message - Reframe your inner critic's comments so they're supportive. Based on what you've learned about your inner critic, look for the neutral or positive truth about what it's saying. Then, rephrase your inner critic's statement with the deepest truth. Let this new statement inspire you to be your best self without the fears that hold you back.
- For example, let's say you catch yourself thinking, "I'm not very smart." You might correct this to "I'm really smart when it comes to my area of interest."
- Similarly, your inner critic might say, "You're too ugly to try out for a lead role in a play." You might counter this with, "Everyone is beautiful in their own way, so I can't be ugly. Plus, I've got a lot of training and experience that makes me a great choice for the role."
- Ask yourself what you'd say to your best friend in this situation. Imagine that your friend comes to you upset and tells you that their inner critic is saying these things to them. Consider what you'd say to comfort your friend. Then, say those things to yourself.[6]
- For instance, let's say your inner critic tells you, "You're a fraud at work, and everyone knows it." If your friend came to you about this, you'd likely say, "That's not true! You've worked so hard to get this job, and you have all of the qualifications. I've met your coworkers and they seem to like you." Try saying these things to yourself.
- It's likely that you're way meaner to yourself than you'd ever be to your best friend. However, you don't deserve this kind of treatment.
- Write a letter to your inner critic to help you overcome it. At the start of your letter, acknowledge that you understand what your inner critic is saying and where that fear came from. Then, offer your inner critic some compassion, like you're consoling a friend. Next, tell your inner critic what's really true and explain how you reframed the situation. Finally, list your strengths to help you feel more confident.
- After you write your letter, it's okay to tear it up or burn it so that no one finds it.
- Focus on your strengths to boost your confidence. Your inner critic typically focuses on your perceived weaknesses. Instead, recognize your strengths and celebrate what's great about you. This can help you boost your confidence and resist your critic's comments. Here are some ways to find your strengths:
- Think of times in your life when you were really proud of something you did. These incidences can be big or small. For instance, you may have helped a friend deal with a hardship or you might have repaired your bike on your own. Consider what these events reveal about you.
- List the nice things people have said about you in the past. What have they complimented you on? What did you do well?
- Send an email to people you trust, asking them to tell you your strengths. Then, look for commonalities between the different responses.
- It will likely take some practice to learn how to deal with your critic. However, it will get easier over time.
- Remember that no one is perfect, so you're going to have some flaws. Don't let this hold you back from living your best life.
- Use your inner critic to help you become your best self. That means that it should encourage you to take action and try new things, not hold you back from doing stuff.
[Edit]Warnings - If you're experiencing depression or anxiety because of your inner critic, talk to a therapist who can help you work through your emotions.
[Edit]References |
| How to Paint a Brick Fireplace Posted: 08 Aug 2019 09:00 AM PDT If your fireplace is looking outdated or you just want to try a different color in the room, painting it is a great option. It's cost-effective, and if you get tired of the color later, you can always paint it a different shade. Start by thoroughly cleaning the brick, then repair and prime it for painting. Last, apply 1-2 layers of latex paint to get the color you want! [Edit]Cleaning the Brick - Move all furniture and knickknacks out of the way. Before you start work on your fireplace, you need to be able to get to it! Move furniture out away from the fireplace and take anything you have on the mantle down.[1]
- You may also want to take the mantle down if it's just a wooden board screwed into the brick.
- Spread out a drop cloth on the floor. Put a drop cloth down below the fireplace, making sure it covers all the floor near the fireplace. Tape it into place with painter's tape so that it doesn't move around while you're trying to paint.[2]
- Remove the ashes from the fireplace. Sweep out the fireplace with a broom and carry the ashes away with your dustpan. It also doesn't hurt to run the broom down the interior of the fireplace, moving from top to bottom. That will help loosen and release any debris on the brick, saving your scrubbing arm later.[3]
- You can also use the hose attachment on your vacuum to suck out any leftover ashes and debris.
- If other parts of the fireplace have dust or spiderwebs, take time to sweep them off, too.
- Scrub the brick down with warm, soapy water. Add of dishwashing soap to of warm water. Stir to incorporate the soap. Dip a wire scrub brush into the mixture, and begin scrubbing the brick down, using a circular scrubbing motion.[4]
- Work your way from top to bottom, as the dirty water may run down the brick.
- Make a paste with cream of tartar to remove stains. In a small bowl, add 2-3 tablespoons (20-30 g) of cream of tartar. Pour in just enough water to make a thick paste. If you add too much water, just dump in a bit more cream of tartar. Dip a brush into the paste, and apply it to the stains. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before wiping it off with warm water.[5]
- You can also use a baking soda paste instead or a mixture of half white vinegar and half water. However, you'll need to scrub more with these mixtures.
- Use trisodium phosphate to get rid of stubborn soot. If the soot stains still won't come up, mix of trisodium phosphate in of water. Scrub the soot stains down with this mixture using a wire brush, then wipe it off with warm water.[6]
- Put on gloves and safety goggles when using trisodium phosphate. Also, use a dust mask and open windows and doors to ventilate the area.[7]
- Scrub the area with bleach if you see any mildew. Sometimes, brick fireplaces can build up mildew over time. If you notice that on yours, mix 1 part bleach into 3 parts water. Dip a rag into the mixture and rub it over the mildew. Let it sit for 30 minutes.[8]
- When time is up, scrub the area with a wire brush and rinse with warm water.
- Let the area dry for at least a day. Once you've finished your cleaning process, the brick needs to dry out thoroughly. Trying to paint wet brick won't work, as the paint won't adhere properly.[9]
[Edit]Prepping and Priming - Hire a professional to fix structural problems. If the brick is leaning in places or it looks like bricks are loose, you'll probably need outside help to make these repairs. Also, if you have cracks more than thick, you may need to hire a professional, as you likely have a more serious structural problem.[10]
- Fix any cracks you see with acrylic caulk. If you find cracks in the brick, use the tip of a caulking tube to run acrylic caulk from one end of the crack to the other, filling it completely as you go. Try to make an hourglass shape where the caulk along the edges of the crack is thicker than in the middle. That allows the crack to expand over time and not overstretch the caulk.[11]
- Fill the crack from one end to the other in a smooth line. Wet the tip of your gloved finger and use it to smooth out the top of the caulk, pressing down more in the center to help make the hourglass shape.
- Tape off any areas you don't want to be painted. Apply wide painter's tape to any areas you want to avoid painting. For instance, apply it where the fireplace meets the wall. Stretch the tape right along the wall up against the brick. That way, if your paint runs off the brick, it will run over onto the tape, not the wall.[12]
- Use your hands to make sure the tape is stuck down well and to smooth out any bubbles.
- Paint the brick with a latex primer. Pour the paint into a painting tray and coat a roller with paint by rolling it back and forth in the tray. Apply a thin coating to the brick with a "V"-shaped motion, moving from top to bottom. Fill in any areas the rollers can't get to with a paintbrush; you'll also need to dab at nooks and crannies with the paintbrush to get them filled in.[13]
- Let the primer dry completely, which may take up to 24 hours. If you didn't get complete coverage, apply another coat or primer before adding paint.
- If you're painting the interior of your fireplace, make sure to pick a primer intended for high-heat areas.[14]
- If you need to, use a telescoping roller for parts close to the ceiling.[15]
[Edit]Applying the Paint - Pick a heat-resistant latex paint rated for . Latex is best for painting brick, though you can also use paint specifically made for stone or brick. It must be rated to so that it can withstand the heat from the fire.[16]
- You can choose flat matte, gloss, or semi-gloss based on your preferences. Gloss tends to be easier to clean up. However, a flat matte may look better on the brick.
- Pour your paint into a paint tray and apply it with a roller and brush. Run a roller in the paint, coating it evenly. Go over the brick with the roller first using a "V"-shaped motion to coat the wall. Start with the back wall of the interior if you're painting that, and work your way out along the sides to the exterior. Always move from top to bottom. After coating the area with a roller, go over it with a paintbrush to fill in places the roller won't cover. You may need to "dab" at some of the nooks and crannies to get them filled in.[17]
- Turn the lights up to make sure you're getting into every nook and cranny.
- If you'd like, you can use a paint sprayer machine, which you can rent from most home improvement stores. With this machine, you pour the paint into it, and then hold it about from the wall. Move it back and forth over the wall in an even movement, making sure you don't go over the edges of the tape.[18]
- Apply a second and third coat as needed, waiting 24 hours in between. You'll likely need a second coat just to make sure everything gets covered. Paint the area the same way you did the first time. If you still have areas that aren't getting coated, carefully go over those areas with a paintbrush and then use the roller on it one more time.[19]
- Let the paint dry and wash your tools. Wash your paintbrushes and rollers in warm, soapy water; don't let the paint dry on them if you want to use them again. Seal up your paint and put it in storage so you can touch up the areas as needed over the years. Pull up the drop cloth and painter's tape, and your fireplace is done![20]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Drop cloth
- Wire scrub brush
- Dishwashing soap
- Cream of tartar
- Rags
- Rubber gloves
- Safety goggles
- Bleach, optional
- Painter's tape
- Acrylic caulk
- Gloves
- Latex primer
- Paint roller
- Paintbrush
- Paint tray
- Heat-proof latex paint
- Vinegar or baking soda, optional
- Trisodium phosphate, optional
- Paint sprayer, optional
[Edit]References |
Nenhum comentário:
Postar um comentário