| How to Find Motivation to Do Homework Posted: 23 Sep 2020 01:00 AM PDT Even if you love school, it can be hard to stay excited about doing homework. Just like with any other kind of work, it's important to set personal goals and find your own inspiration to keep going. You can also help yourself focus by minimizing distractions and caring for yourself while you work. Finally, organize your time wisely and break your homework up into manageable pieces so it doesn't feel too overwhelming. [Edit]Finding Your Drive and Inspiration - Reward yourself when you meet a homework goal. Rewards can be a powerful motivator! Whenever you accomplish a goal—even a little one—take a moment to reward yourself. Your rewards don't have to be anything elaborate or fancy. It could be something as simple as watching a funny 5-minute video after completing a short reading assignment.[1]
- Give yourself bigger rewards for bigger accomplishments. For example, you might go out for pizza with a friend after handing in an important paper.
- Treat yourself before you start working, too. You don't have to save all the rewards for when you're done working. Sometimes it can help to give your mood a lift before you get down to a task. Take a few minutes to enjoy a favorite snack or check your social media.
- Just make sure you limit yourself to a specific amount of time (like 10 minutes, for example) so that you don't end up getting totally distracted and wasting a few hours.
- Work with a motivated study buddy. Working with a friend can make homework more enjoyable. You and your buddy can also help keep each other on track. Make sure you choose a friend who is serious about getting their work done so that you don't end up goofing off and distracting each other.[2]
- Doing homework with a friend doesn't necessarily mean collaborating on the same assignments. You can just spend time together while you each do your own work.
- Check with your teacher first before working together with a friend on an assignment. They may want you to do the work by yourself.
- Determine when and where you work best. Some people work best when they first get up in the morning, whereas others feel more energized in the late afternoon or evening.[3] You might also find that some study environments work better for you than others. Experiment to figure out what works best for you.
- For example, if you're a morning person, try doing your homework right after you eat breakfast.
- If you tend to get distracted while working at your desk at home, experiment with doing your homework in the library or a coffee shop instead.
- Some people also find it helpful to change their routine from time to time. If you find yourself getting bored, try working at a different time from usual or finding a new study space.
- Set some SMART homework goals. Setting specific goals can help you stay motivated and make your work feel more manageable. To get the most from your goals, make them Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART).[4] Write down your goals and be sure to celebrate whenever you achieve one, no matter how small!
- Setting vague goals can lead to frustration. Instead of saying, "I'm going to get all my homework done this week," try something more specific—e.g., "I'm going to work on my English essay for 1 hour every day this week."
- Remind yourself of why you're in school in the first place. Even if you're not that excited about the classes you're taking right now, looking at the big picture and setting some personal goals for yourself can help. Think about the ways that doing well in school will help you in the long run.[5]
- For example, maybe you want to get good grades so you can get into your dream college, or possibly you're working towards an exciting career.
- Doing a good job in your classes can also be its own reward—knowing that you worked hard and did your best is a great self-esteem booster!
[Edit]Keeping Yourself Focused and Alert - Take care of your physical needs before working. It's hard to concentrate on homework if you're tired, hungry, or uncomfortable. Try to get plenty of sleep if you know you'll have to do a bunch of homework the next day, and don't try to work on an empty stomach or with a full bladder!
- If you feel physically tense, do some yoga or light stretches before you begin to work.
- Doing breathing exercises can also help you feel more comfortable and alert.
- If you're not already in comfy clothes, get changed before you start working. This may mean joggers, sweatpants, pjs, shorts, underwear, or even being completely naked. It's your choice.
- Find a quiet and comfortable work space. Your environment can make a big difference in how well you focus on your work.[6] Before you begin doing your homework, find a spot that is quiet, well-lit, and gives you plenty of space to spread out.
- You'll want a place where you can sit comfortably, but don't get too comfortable. If you do homework in bed or on a cozy couch, you may be tempted to fall asleep!
- If you have to work at home, ask anyone who lives with you to give you a little quiet time while you do your homework.
- Put away your phone and other distractions. If you're constantly looking at your Facebook feed or checking your Instagram notifications, you won't get much work done. Put your phone in a place where you can't get at it easily, like inside your bag or in a desk drawer. Turn off notifications if they distract you.[7]
- If you can't resist messing around on your phone or visiting time-wasting websites on your computer, consider installing an app or a browser extension that blocks tempting apps and sites.
- Don't try to work with a TV or radio on. If you listen to music while you do your homework, choose something that's quiet and not too exciting, like some gentle classical music.
- Energize yourself with water and healthy snacks. While you study, keep a bottle of water and some snacks on hand. Staying hydrated and eating healthy foods can help you wake up, focus, and stay alert. Choose foods that can help boost your brain power, such as:[8]
- Whole grains
- Healthy proteins, like fish, beans, or nuts
- Blueberries
- Leafy greens
- Take frequent breaks while you work. You'll get burnt out and lose focus quickly if you try to work too long without a break. Try working for an hour to an hour and a half and then taking a 15-minute break. This will give your tired brain a chance to rest and recharge.[9]
- During your breaks, you can go for a walk, have a snack, do a little meditation, or even put your head down for a quick power nap.
- You can also use your breaks to reward yourself with a fun video or a quick game on your phone.
- Switch between different tasks to help you stay sharp. If you've reached the point where you can't stand to look at your assignment any more, take a break and then try switching to another task for a while. This way you can give your brain a break (and get some variety) while still being productive.[10]
- For example, if you've been working on an essay for an hour or two, take a break and then switch to doing some math problems.
- Don't try to do more than one task at once, though. Trying to multitask will disrupt your focus and cause you to make more mistakes.
[Edit]Organizing Your Time Effectively - Create a daily work and study schedule. When you're in school, it can be hard to stay on top of all your obligations. Setting a consistent schedule for yourself can help you stay on track and make all that work feel more manageable.[11] Set aside specific times each day to do your studying and homework, and stick to the schedule as closely as possible.
- Setting a schedule also makes it easier to avoid procrastinating.
- Make sure to schedule in time for breaks and relaxation, too!
- Prioritize your assignments and do the most urgent or difficult ones first. It may be tempting to put off big, difficult assignments for last and do the easy ones first. However, letting the more important tasks wait will ultimately lead to panic, frustration, and missed deadlines. Look at all your assignments and decide which ones are most important or urgent and which ones you can put on the back burner for now.[12]
- Make an ordered list of all your tasks. Try to prioritize ones that are due soon, count towards a major part of your grade, or seem like they will be the most complicated to complete.
- Put assignments that aren't due for a while or that you know you can finish quickly and easily at the bottom.
- Break your assignments down into manageable pieces. Large or complicated assignments can feel overwhelming if you try to approach them all at once. Instead, break them down into smaller chunks and approach them one piece at a time. This will help big tasks feel much more manageable—plus, you can reward yourself for each chunk of the assignment that you complete![13]
- For example, if you're writing a big paper, you might break it up into pieces like doing the research, composing a bibliography, writing an outline, drafting the introduction, and so on.
- Try a productivity app to help you stay organized. If you a hard time staying on task and organizing your time, productivity apps can be a big help. Try downloading an app like Todoist, Hours, or Any.do to help you keep track of deadlines, create to-do lists, and monitor how much time you're spending on each assignment.
- Productivity apps are helpful for some people, but they're not for everyone. Make sure you don't spend so much time worrying about the app that it starts to cut into your homework time![14]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Prevent Cardio from Burning Muscle Posted: 22 Sep 2020 05:00 PM PDT If you're ready to increase or maintain your muscle tone, strength training is a key part of that. But don't skip the cardio, as it's a key component of your fitness plan. Choosing effective cardio exercises to help your body stay healthy so that you can build muscle is the way to go. Try to balance your routine by doing effective cardio workouts and alternating them with strength training. Even if you're new to working out, you can have fun with it. Look for activities that you enjoy and jump right in! Just make sure to check with your doctor if you're new to exercising. [Edit]Effective Cardio Workouts - Get at least 150 minutes of endurance exercise each week. Don't cut out cardio if you want to retain muscle. It's important for keeping your muscles strong, so make sure to incorporate cardio into your routine multiple times a week. Aim for 150 minutes total and break that up into manageable sessions. You could try doing 30 minutes of cardio 5 days a week, or whatever works best for your schedule.[1]
- If you're just starting out, walking is a great way to ease into exercising. If you're looking for something more intense, just make sure to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise routine. Take it at your own pace. Just doing it is something to feel proud of.
- There's no need to take rest days between cardio sessions, unless you are doing something really intense, like training for a marathon. But if you feel like you need a rest, go ahead and take it.
- Pick a workout you enjoy to stay motivated. If you like something, the more likely you are to keep doing it. Try several different cardio options to find one that you enjoy. Don't try to force yourself to do something you hate just because it's popular. Not everyone needs to be into running or spinning. Do what feels good to you.[2]
- If you like to be outdoors, think about doing some hiking or trying something like kayaking.
- Swimming is a great choice if you like the water or if you want to keep pressure off of your joints.
- Don't be afraid to try lots of different things to see what feels best to you, and don't be afraid to switch to something else if you get bored.
- Invest in a machine to help yourself stay on track. A cardio machine is a great choice if you don't want to think too much about what kind of workout to do. Buying a machine can also help you save on gym fees! Ask friends or family if they have anything they recommend. You can also stop into a sporting goods store and try out a few different machines to see what feels good to you. Popular choices include:[3]
- Treadmills
- Ellipticals
- Spin bikes
- Rowing machines
- Aim for moderate- to vigorous-intensity during each session. Cardio provides a lot of great benefits like strengthening your heart and muscles, burning calories, and boosting your mood. In order to get the full benefits, make sure to push yourself to speed up your heart rate during each cardio session. You can measure your heart rate based on how you feel, or you can invest in a heart rate tracker. Just make sure not to overdo it. There's no shame at all in working at your own pace. If you feel pain or like you can't breathe, back off right away.[4]
- When you work out at moderate intensity, your breathing will quicken and you might sweat lightly. You should be able to talk, but not sing.
- During a vigorous workout, you'll probably sweat within a few minutes. It will also be hard to say more than a few words without having to take a breath.
- You can make any workout more intense by speeding up or adding resistance. For example, if you're walking, speed up your pace and carry a light set of hand weights.
- Adapt your cardio routine to include interval training. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts are a great way to up your cardio game. During HIIT, exercise at high intensity for a brief period of time and then slow down. You can add some HIIT bursts to any type of cardio.[5]
- For example, swim an entire lap as fast as you can. Then rest for the same amount of time that it took you to do the lap. Repeat as many times as you can.
- If you're running, try sprinting for a minute, then walking for a minute. Go through several cycles.
- Many cardio machines like treadmills and ellipticals have built-in interval training options that you can select.
- You might find that you need to work your way up to doing HIIT. That's totally fine! Do what works for you.
[Edit]Strength Training Workouts - Do strength training exercises 3-4 times a week. Plan for each of your strength sessions to last about 45 minutes. This amount of time will ensure that you get a complete workout, regardless of the type of training you choose to do. If you're new to strength training, start with 3 sessions a week and work up to 4 when you feel stronger.[6]
- Allow your muscles to rest for 48 hours between strength sessions.
- Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program. They might have some really helpful tips for you.
- Lift weights at home or in the gym. Weight lifting is one of the most traditional and effective forms of strength training that you can do. If you have access to a gym or fitness center, take some time to familiarize yourself with the weight machines and free weights. Ask the staff or a personal trainer to guide you if you are new to lifting weights. They're there to help, so don't feel bad if you don't know how to do something. Once you understand how to do some basic exercises, plan to do 8-12 reps of each exercise. Start with 1 set, building up to 3 sets as you gain strength.[7]
- If you prefer to work out at home, consider investing in a set of weights. You can search online for videos and websites that can give you a wide variety of exercises you can do.
- To build muscle, gradually increase how much weight you're lifting, as well as the number of reps you're doing in each session.[8]
- Perform bodyweight exercises to build muscle. If lifting weights isn't your thing, bodyweight exercises are a great alternative. These are simple exercises that use the weight of your own body to provide resistance. At home or at the gym, do sets of push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, squats, and lunges to build and retain muscles.[9]
- If you're working out at home, consider putting a mat or towel down on the floor to make yourself more comfortable.
- There are lots of free videos online that you can follow for some fun strength workouts. Try to do 3-4 45 minute sessions per week.
- Try functional fitness exercises to work your entire body. You might not know the term functional fitness, but odds are good that you've done some functional exercises before. They are typically simple movements that incorporate multiple joints and muscle groups in one exercise. They are great to strengthen your muscles and easy to perform at home or at the gym. Examples of functional fitness exercises include:[10]
- Multi-directional lunges
- Standing rows
- Squats
- Kettlebell or medicine ball exercises
- Focus on proper form, not weight. You don't have to lift heavy weights (or any weights at all) to keep your muscles toned. The key is to make sure that you use proper form during your strength routine. Position your body properly and make sure that you control your movements instead of making big swinging or jerking movements. Many experts recommend beginning with no weights at all when you're just starting out.[11]
- For example, to do a basic squat, make sure that you keep your toes pointed forward and keep your chest and head up. As you grow stronger, you can hold some light weights in your hands if you want to level up.
- Count while you exercise to help keep control. For example, try counting to 4 as you lower into your squat and count to 4 as you rise.[12]
- It's okay if you have questions about proper form. Everyone has questions when starting out. Ask an employee at your gym or follow the guidelines on a good website.
[Edit]Exercise Options - Finish your strength workouts with cardio for added benefits. Save 10 minutes at the end of your work out for some high-intensity cardio. Some trainers refer to this simply as "a finisher" and it can yield great results. Adding the cardio burst can help you more effectively build and retain muscle. Try doing 10 minutes of exercises like:[13]
- Jogging
- Jumping jacks
- Burpees
- Jumping rope
- Incorporate several different activities in your workout routine to increase muscle. Variety is the spice of life and it adds a lot of benefits to your workouts, too! If you do the same thing over and over again, it won't be a challenge for your muscles and you'll see decreased results. Change up your workouts by doing a variety of different things each week. Aim to include these types of exercises:[14]
- Cardio
- Strength
- Flexibility (stretching, yoga)
- Balance (yoga, pilates)
- Take group classes to experience new workouts. Check out a local gym or fitness studio to see what they offer. Signing up for a group class is a great way to try something new and challenge your muscles. Look for classes like barre, spinning, boot camps, or Zumba. [15]
- Group classes are also great because they include a social aspect. This can make exercise feel more fun. You might also feel some accountability and attend more frequently.
- Warm up and cool down before and after workouts. Set aside 5-10 minutes before your workout to get your muscles loose and ready for exercise. You could warm up by walking slowly or doing some dynamic stretching. After you exercise, cool down for 5-10 minutes by stretching or doing some light cardio.[16]
- Stretching can help you to avoid injuries, so it's really important to make time for it.
[Edit]What to Eat - Eat healthy protein each day to maintain or build muscle. The amount of protein you need depends on your body type and your goals. But a general rule of thumb is that you need about 0.4 grams per 1 pound of body weight. So, if you weigh 150 lbs (68 kg), aim to eat about 56 grams of lean protein per day. Great choices include:[17]
- Lean chicken or pork
- Low-fat dairy products, like yogurt or cottage cheese
- Nuts and nut butter
- Chickpeas
- Add good-quality carbs for a strength-training boost. You might have heard a lot about cutting carbs, but you actually need certain carbs to keep your muscles strong. The key is to look for complex carbs rather than simple carbs. Talk to your doctor or nutritionist if you have questions about what types of carbs you should be reaching for.[18]
- Some healthy carbs are whole-wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, sweet potatoes, and grains like farro.
- Always eat a meal with carbohydrates and protein before you exercise so your body will have the fuel it needs to power the workout. For instance, you might eat an almond butter and banana sandwich on whole-grain bread; oatmeal with fruits and crushed nuts; or sweet potato mash with a few pieces of chicken.[19]
- Try to steer clear of white bread, white rice, and cookies or cake.
- Choose heart-healthy fats to strengthen your muscles. Your body needs healthy fats to provide your muscles with energy. Make sure that healthy fats make up about 20% of your daily calorie intake. You can easily track your nutrition on apps or websites. Good fats include olive oil, fish like salmon, and avocados.[20]
- Make healthy eating part of your lifestyle. Don't think about making healthy food choices as a temporary diet. Instead, make changes that you can stick with. Healthy eating habits will help you keep your body in shape and retain muscle. New habits can take a while to stick, so don't get mad at yourself if you have a setback. Just try to start fresh by eating healthy the next day.[21]
- Talk to your doctor about a healthy diet that is right for you.
- Make it a point to eat healthy most of the time, but it's fine to allow yourself the occasional treat.
- Include at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies in your daily diet.
- Get in the habit of weighing and measuring everything you eat. Otherwise, it's easy to underestimate how many calories you're taking in.[22]
- Try working with a personal trainer if you're having trouble getting the results that you want.
- Always talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise program or making big dietary changes.
[Edit]References |
| How to Maintain a Dishwasher Posted: 22 Sep 2020 09:00 AM PDT Your dishwasher is an amazing appliance that can help you clean your dishes much faster without using a ton of water. Using it correctly and keeping it clean will lead to cleaner dishes and faster cycle times, making your chores in the kitchen a whole lot easier. Keep these tips in mind as you use and clean your dishwasher to keep it in tip top shape for years to come. [Edit]Using the Dishwasher Correctly - Set your water heater between . Some water heaters start out at a lower temperature, so you should double check yours before running your dishwasher. Try to keep it between for the most optimal wash temperature.[1]
- If your water is too cold, it won't be able to remove stubborn grease and food from your dishes.
- If you turn your water heater up too high, it will actually flash dry your dishes instead of cleaning them, meaning the food will get stuck instead of rinsing off.
- Scrape large bits of food off your dishes before loading them. You don't need to rinse your dishes before you load them, but try to scrape off any large food scraps before you put them in the dishwasher. This will make it easier for the dishes to get clean, and it will lessen the chance that your dishwasher gets clogged.[2]
- You can scrape food scraps into your trash or compost bin, if you have one.
- Load only dishwasher-safe items. Not all dishes are dishwasher-safe, especially metal or plastic ones. Check the bottom of the dish to see if it says "dishwasher-safe." If it doesn't, you may need to wash it by hand.[3]
- Putting non-dishwasher-safe dishes in your dishwasher could cause them to melt or warp due to the heat of the water.
- Fill your dishwasher up, but don't overload it. Try to fill your dishwasher up completely to avoid wasting water before you start a load. Put plates, bowls, and large pans on the bottom, cups on the top, and silverware in the flatware basket. If you have to stack dishes on top of each other, your dishwasher is probably too full. Try splitting up your load into 2 smaller loads for the most thorough cleaning.[4]
- This goes for silverware as well. If you have to cluster a ton of your silverware together in the flatware basket, they won't get clean during the wash.
- Pour detergent into the dispenser up to the fill line. Grab a liquid dishwasher detergent or a dishwasher pod made specifically for dishwashers and put it into the soap dispenser. If you're using a liquid detergent, fill it up to the fill line to avoid overloading the cycle with soap.[5]
- Never use normal dish soap in a dishwasher, as it may suds up too much and overflow out of your dishwasher.
- If you notice water spots on your dishes, you may have hard water, or water with a lot of minerals in it. You can thin it out by adding a rinse aid to your detergent when you pour it in.
- Pick a heavy cycle for extremely dirty dishes. Although it can be tempting to pick a lighter, quicker cycle to save time, if your dishes are super dirty, they won't get clean. Take stock of how dirty your dishes are and choose a heavy, normal, or light cleaning cycle.[6]
- Most dishwashers have a rinse only cycle in case your dishes just need a quick rinse without soap.
[Edit]Cleaning Your Dishwasher - Wash the outside of your dishwasher to remove fingerprints. If your dishwasher is made of plastic, use soap and hot water to wipe down the outside. If it's made of stainless steel, spray glass cleaner onto a soft cloth or paper towel, then use that to wipe it down.[7]
- The outside of your dishwasher can get messy from general kitchen use.
- Wipe out the dishwasher trap once a week. Pull out the bottom rack of your dishwasher and remove the lid underneath the lower sprayer. Lift out the parts individually and clean them off in the sink using warm, soapy water.[8]
- The dishwasher trap collects food scraps that can't quite make it down the drain. If the food scraps build up, it can lead to a funky smell coming from your dishwasher.
- Scrape out the spray arm once a month. Pull out the bottom rack of your dishwasher and tug the spray arm off the base of your dishwasher. Carry it over to your sink and rinse it with warm, soapy water. If there's any food scraps stuck in the holes underneath the spray arm, use a toothpick or a wooden skewer to scrape them out.[9]
- The spray arm is what sprays water into the dishwasher, so it's important to keep it free of debris and grime.
- Clean the seal around the door of the dishwasher once a month. Open up your dishwasher and grab a clean towel. Run it along the rubber seal around the door of the dishwasher to wipe away any food scraps or grime. This will help your dishwasher seal better to avoid leaks in the future.[10]
- You can also wipe down the area around the soap door to remove soap scum.
- Run vinegar through your dishwasher once a month. Pour of white vinegar into a clean bowl and place it in the center of the bottom rack. Without adding any detergent, turn your dishwasher onto the hottest setting and let it complete the cycle. The vinegar will deodorize and sanitize your dishwasher to leave it smelling and looking fresh.[11]
- Vinegar also works to remove hard water buildup.
- You can also pick up a bottle of commercial dishwasher cleaner instead of vinegar.
- Cleaning your dishwasher regularly will lead to shinier, sparkling dishes.
[Edit]Warnings - If your dishwasher is leaking or needs a repair, call a professional right away.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Using the Dishwasher Correctly [Edit]Cleaning Your Dishwasher - Soap or glass cleaner
- Towel
- Sponge
- Dish soap
- Bowl
- White vinegar
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
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