| How to Get Out of Your Head Posted: 12 Dec 2020 12:00 AM PST When you're stuck in your head, it can seem almost impossible to get out. Worrying about the future, the past, money, relationships, jobs, or schoolwork can lead to spiraling thoughts that can seriously take away your enjoyment of the present. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can take control over your mind and redirect your thoughts to a more calming and comfortable place. [Edit]Distractions - Hang out with your friends. If you're having trouble getting out of your head, sometimes the best answer is to be around other people. Hit up a friend, go hang out with your family, or have a chat with someone on the phone. Talking to other people can make you forget what you were in your head about in the first place.[1]
- You can tell your friends that you're struggling with your thoughts if you want to, but you don't have to.
- When you hang out with your friends, really focus on what they're saying and how they're saying it. This can help you snap out of your spinning thoughts much faster.
- If you can't hang out with someone in person or that seems like too much right now, try FaceTiming or video chatting instead.
- Do some exercise. Going for a run, doing yoga, or lifting weights can all help you get out of your head. Since you're focusing on your body, you won't be able to ruminate on negative thoughts as much. Pick an exercise that you enjoy doing and get your blood pumping.[2]
- Sticking with an exercise routine can improve your mental health overall, so it's great practice in general.
- Swimming, jogging, playing basketball, riding a bike, or jumping rope are all great options too, and even just taking a walk can help you change your environment and get your body moving.
- Enjoy a relaxing activity that you love. Dive into your favorite hobby, pick up a good book, or start a journal entry. Try to choose something that really focuses your mind so you can use it to distract your thoughts and focus on something else. If you're having trouble picking up a new activity, stick with one you know you love and enjoy.[3]
- Jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, and word searches are all fun activities that focus your mind without much effort.
- Watching TV and scrolling through social media might be fun, but it isn't very engaging for your mind. Try to choose something that focuses your brain power.
- Pamper yourself. When's the last time you took a bubble bath? Or painted your nails? Set aside 10 to 30 minutes to soak in the tub, do a face mask, or try a new body scrub. It's a way to keep your mind engaged and relax your body at the same time.[4]
- Negative thoughts can turn themselves into actual muscle aches, so soothing your body can make you feel better overall.
- If you have the time, book a massage!
- Get organized. If you're feeling stressed about school, work, money, relationships, or responsibilities, you can put some of that energy toward getting yourself organized. Try rounding up your textbooks, gathering important papers, or starting a to-do list. You don't have to completely revamp your entire living or work space, but getting organized can help calm you down and give you a nice distraction.[5]
- If you're worried about money, try creating a budget for yourself.
- If you're worried about relationships in your life, reach out to your friends, family, or partner.
- You might not be able to organize your entire life right now, and that's totally fine. Focus on doing one small thing to work toward organization, then go from there.
- This is a great way to put your anxious energy into doing something concrete and helpful.
[Edit]Grounding Exercises - Go somewhere peaceful. This doesn't have to be a scenic meadow with chirping birds; your peaceful place can be your bedroom, your office, or the park outside your home. Wherever it is, try to go somewhere you feel like you can relax and destress.[6]
- If you can't leave your home and go somewhere else right now, that's okay too. You can create a peaceful environment by wearing headphones or closing your eyes.
- Focus on your breathing. This can help slow down your thoughts and divert your mind elsewhere. If it helps, you can close your eyes as you take a deep breath in, then another deep breath out. Try feeling the breath as it enters your nose, goes down into your lungs, then exits again.[7]
- This is also a great way to reduce any anxiety you might be feeling. It can be tough to do this exercise at first, but when you practice it, it will help you relax and destress.
- Focusing on your breathing, a natural process that everyone does, is a good way to ground yourself and bring your thoughts back around to the present.
- Use the 5-4-3-2-1 method to notice your surroundings. If you catch yourself spinning tons of thoughts in your head, you can pick out things around you with your various senses to bring you back into your body. First, pick out 5 things that you can see around you. Then, 4 things you can touch around you. Acknowledge 3 things that you can hear in your general area, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste.[8]
- This exercise can help you snap out of anxious or worrying thoughts and bring you back into your body as it exists now.
- You can do this exercise anywhere—at home, at school, during work, at the gym, or when you're out running errands.
- Splash some cool water on your face. Really think about how the water feels on your skin and your hair. When you dry your face off, think about the softness of the towel and how it feels against your body. Try to take a few minutes to do this so you can use it to center yourself.[9]
- If you don't want to get your face all wet, try taking a sip of cool water instead and noticing how it feels going in your mouth and down your throat.
- Picture positive images in your mind. If you have a favorite place in nature that you like to go, try visiting that spot in your head. If you have a calming memory with friends or family members, revisit that one. Focusing on things that make you happy can calm you down and redirect your mental energy.[10]
- If you're having trouble focusing on positive images, look up some guided meditation videos on YouTube. Videos like this can tell you what to think about and keep you focused on your images.
- Tense and release your muscles. Start with your toes, then move up to your legs, then your torso, your arms, and your face. Squeeze and hold each muscle group for 10 seconds, then release them. When you're done, your body should feel more relaxed, and you may feel more grounded and connected with your body.[11]
- As your body relaxes, your mind will, too.
- You might feel more comfortable doing this exercise in private, so excuse yourself to the restroom or your room while you do this one.
[Edit]Tips for Handling Anxiety - Write down your worries. Get out a piece of paper and keep it with you throughout the day. If you catch yourself thinking something negative or anxiety-inducing, write it down. At the end of the day, you can look at your piece of paper and notice any patterns that come up in your mind.[12]
- For example, if you write down a lot of worries about money, you're probably anxious about your financial situation.
- Or, if you have a lot of worries about your career prospects, you might be concerned about your future.
- Accept your thoughts without judgment. Even if your thoughts aren't helpful, it doesn't do any good to beat yourself up about them. Instead of getting angry at yourself, try observing your negative thoughts and analyzing them judgment-free. It can help you better understand why you're thinking them and how you might stop them in the future.[13]
- For example, if you're thinking something like, "I'll never graduate and get my degree," you can accept the thought and analyze that you're probably stressed about your upcoming exams.
- Or, if you're thinking something like, "I'm not good enough to be an artist," you can look at your thought and realize that you're probably worried about your artistic abilities and how they measure up to other people's.
- Until recently, criticism and negativity were common in parenting. If you grew up hearing that kind of thing from your parents, you're more likely to have negative beliefs about yourself. Fortunately, once you become aware of the inaccurate negative beliefs you have, you can start to replace those thoughts with positive ones and break the cycle.[14]
- Challenge the thoughts that give you anxiety. Often, when you're in your head, you might be thinking thoughts that are irrational or have no evidence to support them. If you notice that you're having thoughts like this, try asking yourself, "What's the evidence that thought is true?" or, "Is this thought helpful right now?"[15]
- Chances are, you won't be able to find any evidence that your anxious thoughts are actually real. This can help you snap out of the cycle of repeating negative thoughts.
- You can also ask yourself, "Is my worry solvable?" If it is, great! Take steps toward solving your problem so you can move on. If it isn't, chances are you don't need to be worrying about it.
- Repeat a positive mantra to yourself. If you're stuck in a negative thought pattern, you can challenge those thoughts with a positive one. This mantra can be anything you'd like, but it should uplift you and ground you in some way. Some examples of positive mantras are:[16]
- "I am worthy, and I am safe."
- "I am here in the present, not in the past or the future."
- "I can only control my own actions, not anyone else's."
- Focus on the present. Pay attention to how you feel here and now, not how you might feel tomorrow or in a year. Do some deep breathing, focus on your heart beat, and bring yourself back into the present to quiet down those negative thoughts in your head.[17]
- This is also called "practicing mindfulness." It can help you in a lot of situations, including when you're feeling anxious.
- If you're constantly struggling with getting in your head, you may want to talk to a mental health professional.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make a Burlap Wreath Posted: 11 Dec 2020 04:00 PM PST When it comes to making all-season wreaths on your own, burlap is a popular and affordable material. And while you can buy a premade one at any number of stores, where's the fun in that? Instead, try making your own personalized burlap wreath for a unique, rustic decoration that is easily customizable and will impress your guests. [Edit]Fastening the Burlap to the Wreath - Select a roll between wide to give your wreath enough fluff. Use burlap between wide for a wreath that is standard in terms of fluffiness. If you'd like a fluffier wreath, use burlap that is wide.[1]
- Don't use burlap or less—your wreath won't have enough fluff to create its signature look.
- To avoid stuffing your wreath, avoid using burlap more than wide.
- Cut a piece of burlap for each frame. Burlap rolls are typically sold in bundles, which is enough for plenty of wreaths! Every piece of burlap you cut should fill 1 wreath, although you will be cutting it into smaller pieces as you work.
- Purchase burlap rolls at crafts stores, department stores, big-box stores, and online suppliers.
- Find an old piece of burlap and cut it to size with a pair of scissors to skip purchasing a roll.
- Fold the top of your burlap lengthwise into quarters. Lay the burlap vertically onto a flat surface facing toward the top of the frame from the outside. Grab the end of the burlap closest to the wreath and fold the top in half, and then again into quarters. After this is done, there should be 4 layers of burlap on the end closest to the wreath.[2]
- Be sure that the top of your wire wreath base is the part farthest from you.
- Hold the 4 layers together with your thumb and index fingers after folding them.
- Run approximately of wire through the 4 layers of the wreath. Cut off your wire piece using wire cutters and run it up through the 4 layers from the bottom-left or bottom-right. Now, take the remaining wire hanging from the bottom of the burlap and run it up through the 4 layers again, but this time through the opposite side—bottom-left or bottom-right, whichever is remaining.[3]
- Check that you have 2 ends of the wire poking through all 4 layers and be sure that both are pointing upward.
- Use thin wire—about 30 AWG should do the trick.
- Fasten the folded end of the burlap to a divider bar. The divider bars run horizontally across all 4 rings of the wreath. Within these rings are the inner sections, middle sections, and outer sections, each designated by the wire rings. Place the burlap underneath the divider bar at the top of the wreath farthest from you. Pull each wire through the bottom section closest to you on either side of the bar and tie them into a knot around it.[4]
- Snip off the excess wire afterward using wire cutters.
[Edit]Creating the Wreath Loops - Press the first of the burlap through the inner section. The inner section is closest to the center hole of the wreath and designated by the 2 innermost wires. Place your non-dominant hand underneath the burlap and press it upward through the inner section. Continue feeding it through by pulling it with your dominant hand until the loop extends about upward. Since there are 2 layers, this totals about of burlap.[5]
- Use your first 4 fingers as a guide for loop size. If the loops are loose around your fingers, pull down on the burlap until it fits snugly over them.
- Increase loop size for a fluffier wreath and decrease it for a tighter wreath.
- Pull the loose burlap through the center section of the wreath. Press down through the center section and onto the burlap with your dominant hand. While holding the burlap down onto the table with your dominant hand, place your non-dominant hand underneath the loose burlap and press it upward through the center loop.[6]
- Align the 2 loops of burlap to determine that they are fairly even.
- Tuck a loop of burlap through the outer section of the wreath. Clutch the 2 loops from the inner and middle sections in your dominant hand and press down through the middle section down onto the burlap. While holding it in place, pull the burlap up through the outer section to create the outer loop.[7]
- Align the 3 loops and make sure that they are fairly similar in size.
- Scrunch the 3 loops into a divider bar and twist the loose end tight. Grab the 3 loops simultaneously from the left and press them right into a divider bar. Once they are tight against the divider bar, hold them in place and twist the bottom loose end of the burlap 2 to 3 times to hold them in place.[8]
- Continue holding the 3 loops together even after twisting the bottom of the burlap.
- Continue pressing loops of burlap across the wreath's circumference. Always work from the inner section to the outside and be sure that each bundle is comprised of 2 to 3 loops. If you prefer a compact wreath, aim for about 3 bundles for each section. For a looser wreath, 2 bundles will suffice.[9]
- Use between of burlap in total and increase your usage for more compact loops.
- Fold the remaining of burlap into quarters and attach it to the wreath. Once you have used up your burlap, fold the last into quarters just like you did at the start. Insert another piece of wire through the bottom so that each end pokes through and points upward, and tie the wreath to the closest wire or divider bar.
- Use about of wire for the best results.
[Edit]Decorating Your Wreath - Create a theme for your decorations and purchase supplies. Before you decorate your wreath, decide on a theme. Is it Christmas? Buy some red and green leaves! If it's Halloween, try orange and black ribbons. If you don't have a theme, pick a mood that you want to create and buy your decorations accordingly. For example, choose blue colors for a calming effect, yellows for something for energetic, and purple or orange for something a bit more exciting and dramatic.[10]
- Visit a crafts store and buy some colored ribbons, artificial leaves, and any other decorations that you think match your theme.
- Attach of accent ribbons for some extra flair. Purchase a roll of accent ribbon to top off your wreath. Choose standard solid colors like red or green to keep it simple. If you like a bit of variety, try polka dot or chevron ribbon. Cut off of your ribbon of choice and tie it onto the backside of one of the burlap wreath wires. Turn it to the front and push it through the burlap.[11]
- Tie as many accent ribbons to the wreath as you like. Change up the colors to mix it up!
- Decorate the wreath with plastic leaves to match your theme. Purchase plastic decorative leaves and attach them to your burlap with some pins or a glue gun. If you're using glue, a small dab should be enough.[12]
- Add some gold floral leaves around the edges for a fall theme.
- Attach snowflake decorations during Christmas season.
- Store your burlap away from sunlight to avoid fading. Direct sunlight can fade burlap, so keep it in a closet with your other decorations when not in use. Try placing it somewhere cool and moisture-free so that it doesn't absorb any odors.[13]
- Let your burlap wreath sit in fresh air after removing it from storage. This will help remove any odors.
- Sprinkle a small amount of baking soda and water onto your wreath to combat smells.
- Keep the burlap loops the same size all around the wreath.
[Edit]Warnings - Be careful not to poke or cut yourself with the wire and sharp-edged tools such as scissors.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Burlap cloth or strips [ wide, for each frame]
- wire wreath frame
- 30 AWG copper wire
- Decorations
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Tell if an Avocado Is Ripe Posted: 11 Dec 2020 08:00 AM PST If you've ever eaten an unripe avocado, you probably know that it's not the best idea (hard and flavorless, no thanks). Thankfully, there are a few tricks you can use to see if your avocado is ready to eat, whether you're picking it out at the store or you've already brought it home. Then you'll be on your way to enjoying a delicious avocado sandwich, guacamole dip, or an avocado snack. [Edit]Checking the Appearance - Consider when the avocado was harvested. Different varieties are harvested during different parts of the season. If you're picking out avocados in September and are given the option between a variety harvested in early fall and one harvested in late fall, the variety harvested in early fall is more likely to be ripe.[1]
- Bacon avocados are available from late fall into the spring and are considered to be a mid-winter variety.
- Fuerte avocados are also harvested from late fall through spring.
- Gwen avocados are harvested during fall and winter.
- Hass and Lamb Hass avocados are harvested year-round.
- Pinkerton avocados are available from early winter through spring.
- Reed avocados are available throughout summer and early fall.
- Zutano avocados mature between the beginning of September through early winter.
- Note the size and shape. Before an avocado can be ripe, it must be mature. Within each variety, a mature avocado will usually fall within a certain size range and shape.[2]
- Bacon avocados are medium in size, oval in shape, ranging from 6 to 12 oz (170 to 340 g).
- Fuerte avocados are medium to large when mature, ranging anywhere from 5 to 14 oz (142 to 397 g). They are oblong in appearance and slightly pear-shaped.
- Gwen avocados can be medium to large, plump, stout ovals, running from 6 to 15 oz (170 to 425 g).
- Hass avocados can be medium to large, ranging from 5 to 12 oz (142 to 340 g). They are also oval.
- Lamb Hass avocados are large, ranging in size from 11.75 to 18.75 oz (333 to 532 g). They are pear-shaped and symmetrical.
- Pinkerton avocados are long and pear-shaped. They weigh between 8 and 18 oz (227 and 510 g).
- Reed avocados are medium to small, ranging from 8 to 18 oz (227 to 510 g). They are the roundest variety available.
- Zutano avocados are medium to large, usually weighing between 6 and 14 oz (170 and 397 g). They are skinny and pear-shaped.
- Examine the color. The color of the outer peel will be dark with most varieties, but each variety has subtle differences. Knowing which type you're looking at can help you figure out whether it's ripe or not.[3]
- Bacon avocados and Fuerte avocados have smooth, thin green skin.
- Gwen avocados have a dull, pliable, and pebbly green skin when ripe.
- Hass and Lamb Hass avocados have the most distinctive color. A ripe Hass avocado is deep green to purple when ripe. A black avocado will be overripe, just as a vibrant green avocado is under-ripe.
- Like Hass avocados, Pinkerton avocados deepen in color as it ripens. A ripe Pinkerton avocado will be a deep green.
- Reed avocados keep their vibrant green coloring even when ripe. The skin is usually thick with mild pebbling.
- Zutano avocados have thin, yellow-green skin when ripe.
- Avoid dark blemishes. Dark blemishes can be a sign of bruises or overripe spots. If you see an avocado that has spotty skin, put it back and pick out something else.[4]
- In general, check for even coloring and texture. Any avocado that is uneven in either regard either has gone bad or has been damaged. Either way, the quality of the fruit will have gone down.
[Edit]Checking the Firmness - Hold the avocado in the palm of your hand. Do not grab the avocado with your fingertips. Instead, hold the fruit like you'd hold a baseball just before throwing it.[5]
- Pressing on the fruit with your fingertips can cause bruising. An unripe avocado is too hard to bruise, but a ripe avocado is not. By holding it with the palm, you spread out the pressure, thereby minimizing and reducing the risk of bruising.
- Gently squeeze the fruit. Use the palm and the base of the fingers to apply gentle even pressure to the avocado. You're looking for a slight bit of give, but not too much.[6]
- When pressing the avocado, it should yield to a minimal amount of pressure if it is ripe. The skin should "give" slightly but should not remain indented.
- If the avocado feels mushy, it is overripe.
- If the avocado feels firm, it is under-ripe.
- Squeeze the avocado in several places. Turn the fruit a quarter of a rotation and squeeze again, once more using the palm of the hand and the base of the fingers to apply gentle pressure. Make sure you check the avocado all over, not just in one spot.[7]
- It is possible the first place pressed could be bruised, giving the impression that the avocado is ripe or overripe. To verify this, squeeze the avocado in different locations and compare the firmness of the fruit. A ripe avocado without bruises will have an even softness.
[Edit]Checking Beneath the Stem - Give the avocado a gentle shake. Place the avocado near your ear and lightly shake it a few times and listen for any rattling going on inside. If you hear a shaking noise, it's probably too ripe.[8]
- If the flesh feels soft and you are worried that it might be overripe instead of merely being ripe, shaking the avocado is a way to check without cutting it open.
- The inner pit pulls away from the flesh once the fruit becomes overripe. As a result, the fruit will rattle when shaken. If you hear a rattling noise when shaking an avocado, odds are, the fruit has become overripe.
- Pull the stem out. With index and thumb, pinch the stem and quickly pluck it out. If the avocado is ripe, you'll be able to pull the stem out no problem.[9]
- If the avocado is unripe, you will not be able to remove the stem. Do not use a knife or other tool to cut the stem off. If you cannot pluck off the stem with your fingers, then the avocado is not ripe and not ready to eat.
- Check the color beneath the stem. If the stem does twist off, look for the typical green flesh of the avocado. If it's light yellow or brown, the avocado probably isn't ripe yet.[10]
- If the avocado beneath the stem is a dark brown, the avocado may already be overripe.
[Edit]What to Do with a Cut, Unripe Avocado - Brush both sides of the avocado with lemon juice. Use a pastry brush to apply 1 tbsp (15 ml) of lemon or lime juice to the exposed cut avocado flesh.[11]
- When the avocado is cut open, you break apart the cellular walls of the flesh and trigger oxidation. The best way to slow oxidation is to apply an acidic agent to the flesh.
- Place the halves back together. Fit the halves back together as accurately as possible, then squeeze them tightly together. The goal here is to minimize the surface area that's exposed to air.[12]
- To slow oxidation, minimize the amount of exposed flesh. By putting the halves together, the flesh of both sides is covered as much as possible.
- Tightly wrap the avocado in plastic wrap. Wrap several layers of plastic wrap around the avocado to create an airtight seal. If you don't have plastic wrap, use an airtight container or a vacuum-sealed bag instead.[13]
- The airtight seal limits the amount of oxygen the flesh will be exposed to and slows down the oxidation process.
- Make avocado fries. Slice up your unripe avocado into thin slices. Spread them out on a baking sheet and cook them for 15 to 20 minutes at . Let your fries cool down and dip them in ranch or ketchup to enjoy a delicious, healthy snack.[14]
- You can also coat them in bread crumbs before you cook them for an added crunch.
- Refrigerate the avocado until it's ripe. Since the avocado has been cut open, store it correctly in the refrigerator to prevent the fruit from going bad as it finishes ripening. It should only take a few days to soften up for the perfect texture.[15]
- If your avocado turns brown, you might need to throw it away.
- Avocados ripen after they are harvested. If picking an avocado off a tree, pick a large one with even, dark coloring and a firm texture. After picking it, let the fruit harden on the counter for 2 to 7 days before it will be ripe and ready to eat.
- If you do not plan to eat the avocado immediately, buy an unripe avocado. A ripe avocado will usually only last for a few days in the refrigerator.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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