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5 Amazing Retro Games Everyone Forgot About

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There are a lot of video games that come and go, but many of them are still talked about years after their release. Games like those in the Grand Theft Auto, Halo, or Super Mario Bros series are remembered far after their release dates had people lining up at midnight at video game stores, but what about those classic games that didn’t get a lot of love?

If you’re looking to play some great retro games that aren’t found in the bargain bin because they were so heavily produced (or fire up a legal emulator), we have some that you should give a shot at. Here are five amazing retro games that nearly everyone forgot about.

The Neverhood

The Neverhood is likely a video game that has slipped your mind until now. Released in 1996, The Neverhood is a point and click claymation game, developed by The Neverhood, Inc., that was published by Dreamworks Interactive for playability on Microsoft Windows. 

In the unique game, you begin your adventure as the main character, Klaymen, as he attempts to find his roots and purpose in this clay wonderland. You solve puzzles to move ahead in the game, with plenty of quirky quips and slightly more mature humor to keep you entertained as you play. 

Track & Field 

Track & Field was developed by Konami and originally released in 1983 as an arcade game under the name “Hyper Olympic”, later re-released as Track & Field in 1984. Now spanning over more platforms, it was first primarily played on table arcade cabinets and Atari systems. 

In the game, your goal is to perform tricky Olympic feats, such as the long jump, hammer throw, 100 meter dash, and the javelin throw. The game allows for up to 4 players, both teams of two that compete in alternating turns. Whoever racks up more points wins the competition. 

Q*Bert

Q*Bert is a timeless classic, first developed and released in 1982 by Gottlieb. The adorable star of the show, Q*Bert, is an oddly shaped creature with a round body, a long snout, and two legs to get him around from block to block. 

The puzzle-focused game requires Q*Bert to bounce on the blocks of a pyramid to change their color to another collective color, while avoiding enemies and obstacles along the way. It’s often hailed as one of the most successful and memorable games to have appeared in the golden age of arcade games. 

Unreal 

Nowadays when people think of the word “Unreal” in the scope of video games, they think of the Unreal Engine that’s used to power the software that’s used in countless amounts of games. The first Unreal Engine was showcased in the original game Unreal, which was first released in 1998. The game is a first-person shooter that was designed by James Schmalz and Cliff Bleszinski, changing the world of gaming forever.

Like many other games of its era, Unreal was a science fiction first-person shooter that had you taking on hordes of aliens and ended up becoming a massive hit. If you’ve been playing games for years, you know how the engine works by this point. Why not throw it back in time and fire up Unreal to see how things were back when the engine was new, or even Unreal Tournament, which was also released on the PlayStation 2 and Sega Dreamcast?

Hugo’s House of Horrors 

Back in 1990, games like Leisure Suit Larry had already hit the market, and there were other copycats that tried to match the parser game’s success. While many of them were big flops, there was one called Hugo’s House of Horrors that ended up being even better. Developed by David Gray, players used text to help solve puzzles in a mystery that surrounds Hugo trying to find his girlfriend in a haunted house.

Along the way, you run into some challenging puzzles, some memorable characters, and a ton of fun moments. The game was released without much fanfare, and it wasn’t until all three came out that people got a taste of the Hugo trilogy in 1995. Out of the three games, House of Horrors ranks as the fans’ favorite, and won’t take up too much of your time with a 90 minute playthrough at most.

5 Longest Train Routes In The World

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While you can certainly take an airplane across long distances between cities, there’s something about taking a train that’s much more fun. On one hand, you’re not packed into uncomfortable seats on a train as you would be on a plane. There is also a lot more scenery and amenities with the ability to get off on stops and stretch your legs.

If you’re a train enthusiast and want to hop on some of the longest rides, then you’re in luck. There are certain train routes that span thousands of miles that are waiting to show you a wide span of the world. Here are the five longest routes you can take across Earth, so make sure to bring your passport too as many routes cross borders.

Moscow – Vladivostok 

Spanning 9,289 kilometers (5,772 miles) from Russia’s capital to the Oceanside city of Vladivostok, The Trans-Siberian Railway is the world’s longest train route. The railway first started being used in 1904 after 13 years of construction. 

The six to seven-day journey crosses through eight time zones, makes only ten stops throughout the trip, and passes through over thirty cities including parts of China, Mongolia, and the Sea of Japan. It’s a fascinating journey and gives you the opportunity to see a variety of places with ease. 

Toronto – Vancouver 

The Canadian by Via Rail offers year-round trips all the way from the west coast of Canada, Toronto, to the east coast of Canada in Vancouver. The 4,466 kilometer (2,775 miles) train journey takes four days and nights to complete and goes through many provinces and takes over 60 stops. It’s estimated over 82,000 riders take the trip annually. 

During their time on the train, travelers can enjoy hot meals from the dining car, multiple-person bedrooms, shower facilities, and different classes offering separate amenities depending on which class you pay for. 

Shanghai – Lhasa

The 4,373 kilometer (2,717 mile) train journey from the largest and most populated city in China and the world, Shanghai, to the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region, Lhasa, is the third longest train route in all of the world. 

Every day at 8:02 pm the train heads out of Shanghai and takes nearly two days to arrive in Lhasa at 6:46 pm, taking 13 stops and showcasing all the beautiful scenery throughout the entire trip. The amenities on board the train are fairly basic, but they do offer meal and beverage services you can pay extra for. The gorgeous sights to see make up for the lack of luxury. 

Sydney – Perth  

The Indian Pacific train route that runs through Australia, from Sydney all the way to Perth, spans 4,352 kilometers (2,704 miles) and brings you from one beautiful ocean to another. It takes three nights to complete the journey, plenty of time to view the Australian wildlife and scenery from the comfort of your train car. 

Australian Train provides different services for the multiple packages offered at varying prices. You’ll have access to bathrooms, complimentary toiletries, beds, and meals and beverages. As well as the opportunity to make stops at popular tourist destinations. 

Dibrugarh – Kanyakumari

From the very southern tip of India and all the way to the tip that borders Tibet is the train route that runs from Dibrugarh and Kanyakumari. The trek takes no less than 28 hours and makes plenty of stops along the way. This includes passing along the southern border of Bhutan while also cutting down through Bangladesh.

Coming in at 3,770.6 kilometers (2343 miles), this trip has a total of 58 destinations along the way for some routes, including the Vivek Express which makes every stop while taking up over 82 hours of time. The train is comprised of 11 sleeper coaches and three general coaches and was introduced in 2011 to commemorate Swami Vivikananda’s 150th birth anniversary, which was one of the biggest celebrations in Indian history.

5 Perfect Items You Never Knew Would Make Your Long Train Journey A Breeze

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People that are going on long train rides for the first time might not be fully prepared. When you’re flying on a plane, there are only a few things that you truly need, but that’s also because those trips are mostly short and you’re in a very compact spot. Being on a train is much different, though, as you get more space for storage and get to stretch your legs more freely throughout the trip.

However, the trips are much, much longer on average, especially if you’re going on vacation. If you’re planning on a trip that spans hundreds (if not thousands) of miles, there are some things that you’re going to want with you. Not only will they save you money, but the added convenience will even save you some time. Here are five perfect items you never knew would make your long train journey a breeze.

Insulated Food and Beverage Containers 

With how popular traveling long distances by train is, most trains will have food cars and meals included in your package, or for purchase separately. If you don’t have access to a fresh meal, have dietary restrictions, or just want to keep your leftovers fresh, insulated meal and beverage containers are the perfect items to bring along with you on your trip. 

Keep your drinks hot, or cold for longer than your average beverage container will. You can keep your meals hot, or cold and fresh for up to 12 hours in most insulated containers so you won’t have to worry about food spoilage. 

Luggage Protection 

The last thing any traveler wants to deal with while on the go is an issue with their luggage. Making sure your luggage is safe, recognizable, and easy to carry long distances is essential. Purchase luggage that’s easy to spot and tell apart from the slew of similarly colored and patterned luggage. 

Secure tags with your basic information on them that you’ll be able to spot with ease. Most importantly, invest in luggage locks to ensure nothing happens to your luggage while it’s out of your sight. 

Comfort Items

One unfortunate side effect of lengthy travel is the discomfort that comes with sitting in the same spot for an extended period of time. Bringing light and easy-to-pack items to bring comfort will help alleviate discomfort greatly. 

There’s a variety of neck pillows made with comfort technology that will help you get some rest in your seat and relieve neck tension. You can bring along light mattress toppers to add some cushion to your in-train bed if there are sleeping quarters. A weighted eye mask would be a great addition to help you feel secure and block out unwanted light while you rest. 

Hygiene and Medicine Kit

Hygiene and medical safety have become essentials in modern-day travel. You want to make sure you’re prepared, while also traveling light. Bringing travel-sized versions of standard hygiene products and commonly used medicines in your carry-on luggage will help you keep up with a healthy hygiene routine and provide you with relief. 

Bring pain relievers for headaches, aches, and pains from traveling. Bring nausea medicine for any unseen stomach issues. Of course bring plenty of hand sanitizer, wet wipes, lotion, breath fresheners, and toiletries the train may not provide. 

Smart Device with Downloaded Content 

Most trains in developed countries will have access to wifi onboard, though that’s not always the case, especially in countries less developed. If you don’t want to waste your data, bring a smart device such as a phone, or tablet that you can download content onto beforehand while you have access to wifi. 

Make sure you have plenty of room to download your favorite songs, movies, and shows to last the entire trip and then some just in case travel is longer than expected. It’ll help keep you comfortably entertained during your venture. 

The Science Behind Tabata Exercises

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The Tabata method of exercise is one that’s becoming well-known around the world. More and more are turning to interval training due to its effective nature, and the Tabata method is the most celebrated. The Tabata method is eight rounds of intense exercise that are performed for 20 seconds, which is followed by a 10-second break. This was designed by Professor Izumi Tabata and lasts for four minutes in total for each exercise.

Tabata introduced this new method in the late 1990s, making its debut in the CrossFit scene early in 2001. Since then, it has become a staple that many people follow to the letter. While we know its popularity and effectiveness, what’s the science behind why the Tabata method works? Let’s break it down and show why Tabata is the best way to exercise.

Tabata’s Research

Dr. Tabata isn’t simply one doctor that theorized that his new method would be effective without putting it to good use. Instead, he studied athletes that were preparing for the Summy Olympics and how they performed aerobically. First, he took those that were doing extended aerobic workouts while also studying those that were training in short bursts which would ultimately be his new method.

High-intensity interval training was known about at the time, but not really well researched. It wasn’t until Tabata found that those that were putting out maximum effort for 20 seconds at a time before going into light exercise for 10 seconds were increasing their VO2 maximum. Not only did it improve aerobic performance in studies, but also increased anaerobic performance so that athletes could use their muscles without oxygen.

The Rest Rate

Four minutes sounds like a breeze on paper, but it’s much harder than it sounds. A big reason for that is that after the maximum effort gets put into effect, even the lowered effort is still significant exercise, and it’s only for 10 seconds at a time. This allows your heart rate to drop into a better range before you kick it back into performance overdrive.

The Tabata method then allows you to rest for however long you need after your four-minute window has closed on an exercise. Some might only need a minute or two before they’re ready to start back up while others may need a full hour. Either way, mixing it up between the bursts of high heart rate and performance heart rate is great for effectiveness, while also burning fat. That leads us to our next point:

Bye Bye Fat

On top of being effective in building muscle and endurance, the Tabata method is one of the most effective ways of burning fat imaginable. Interval training has already been shown to be great for fat loss, and the Tabata method takes that to the next level. Trainers around the world have praised Tabata for coming up with the method that has helped their clients shed unwanted pounds while also helping with their mental health while adding muscle.

The Tabata method is a shot in the arm for your metabolism, and the maximum heart rate is reached with each exercise putting your body into the prime fat loss zone. Almost all major studies have shown that overweight or obese people see a more improved fat loss through the Tabata method, and even underweight people were able to build better muscle strength and increase aerobic capacity. Therefore, no matter what your starting point, Tabata helps get you to your healthiest possible.

From Tabata Himself

Dr. Tabata put a lot of work into finding the right numbers that would get the maximum results. However, he didn’t figure that his name would become attached to the exercise. “I had no idea it was going to be as popular as it has become,” Tabata humbly said. “It has been very exciting, and I’m very flattered that the name Tabata has become synonymous with this form of exercise.”

Those that have gone through the Tabata method have seen their cardiorespiratory fitness increase by an average of 10 percent. While that doesn’t sound like much, that’s actually a massive difference when it comes to that particular health measurable. Doing Tabata exercises can reduce your chances of heart disease, lower cholesterol, burn fat, and increase performance. With all of that in mind, you’re probably kicking yourself for not doing these exercises sooner!

What Do Scientific Studies Say About How Many Reps And Sets You Should Do?

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When you’re starting a workout plan, you’re going to hear a countless amount of advice from people on how to do things perfectly. You’ll get tips on how much weight you need to start with, how many reps you need to do, and how many sets. This information will likely pertain to whether you’re trying to lose weight and fat, or if you’re trying to add muscle mass. Either way, many people will give you a determined amount of sets and reps based on their personal experiences.

While all of this personal advice may end up helping you out in the long run, not every good plan will work for every individual. What if there were scientific studies that showed how much you should be doing? Let’s take a look at what the studies have shown throughout the years and see if it develops the right plan for you.

Beginners

Obviously, if you’re a beginner at lifting weights, you aren’t going to want to jump into the highest weights that you can possibly lift to start setting your personal record. Instead, there are studies that show that any beginner (lifting for less than 12 months) should start off with much lighter weights. This means that you should comfortably be able to perform 15 reps for each set without feeling pain.

At this point, your body is building a solid base to allow you to build up the strength required to even attempt these higher weights. You don’t want to begin to tear these muscle fibers before you even get going. Not only will you find yourself building strength without pushing yourself too hard, but you’ll see results in your body that make you want to continue to lift weights.

As for sets, you’ll want to do no more than three per muscle group. When you’re starting off from day one, doing just one set of 12 reps would be a good way to build a base. Over the course of the next few weeks and months, you can build up your strength to the point where you’re doing three sets of 15 reps for each muscle group.

Arizona State University conducted a large study that showed that the intensity should be at 60 percent of what you can lift at maximum when at the beginner level. After 12 months, you graduate to the advanced level where you can work out at 80 percent of your maximum with each set and rep.

Advanced

Let’s say that you’ve been lifting for 12 months and feel good, with your body looking and feeling much stronger. You’re ready to take the next step, but you don’t want to overdo it according to the studies. As we mentioned, you should be working out at 80 percent of your maximum to continue to strengthen the muscle that you’ve built over the past year.

When it comes to the reps and sets, that number does indeed change. Instead of focusing on 12-15 reps per set, the number should be reduced to about six to eight reps, with the same one to three sets for each muscle group. The most advanced lifters will be able to do up to six sets when they’ve really gotten used to doing four or five sets per muscle group.

Muscle Groups

Studies show that there should be at least 48 hours in between muscle groups getting worked out. That means that each week, there should be two to three days per muscle group, but science says that the upper body should come one day, with the lower body coming the next day, then a day of rest or light cardio activity.

Don’t forget to try out different exercises for each muscle group, too. Muscle confusion is a good way of helping to build that muscle while burning fat, studies show. You don’t want to do bench presses or squats every single day as your body will get used to the exercises and it will be hard to improve upon while also increasing the chances of injury.

Summary

While the studies show the most effective ways in general, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be the absolute best for everyone. As we mentioned in the intro, every body is different, and everyone will have different results from their workout. Make sure to do what feels comfortable for you while also getting results, and you’ll be enjoying your transition from beginner to advanced in no time.

5 Ways to Be More Gender Inclusive

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There was a time not so long ago when people and businesses didn’t much care about being gender inclusive. They would often lay out rules for each gender and expect them to adhere to the rules, but those days are coming to an end. Now, people are fortunately more focused on making everyone feel included at all times, regardless of how they identify.

For those that didn’t grow up around this modern way of inclusion, it can be a little confusing, even if you mean well. If you want to work toward being more gender inclusive but aren’t quite sure where to start, we have some tips. Here are five ways that you can be more gender inclusive in your everyday life, from your home to the workplace.

Toys Not Targeted Towards Gender  

If you watch television or browse the internet, odds are you will have come across ads for children’s toys and various gadgets. One thing that may also grab your attention is the lack of gender inclusivity within those ads. 

In our modern day, people have begun coming to terms with the reality that children’s toys should be gender-neutral. It’s no longer quite such a foreign concept that anyone can play with dolls, play house, play sports, or play with trucks and race cars. 

Sharing Your Pronouns 

Sharing your pronouns is essential for gender inclusivity. It’s not an entirely new concept for some, but for modern society, it can be difficult to adhere to the new normal that is gender-neutral speaking. 

To make things easier for you and those around you, try practicing sharing your pronouns with those you meet, those you work with, your family, and fellow students. It doesn’t have to be forceful, rude, or pushy. Try gently incorporating your pronouns into the conversation, or kindly remind anyone who misgenders you by mistake. Eventually, it will stick and they’ll hopefully become accustomed to addressing you properly. 

Use Gender-Inclusive Speech 

Part of being gender inclusive means doing your part so others don’t have to constantly remind you to address them by their proper pronouns. One way to do this without much difficulty and to lessen accidentally misgendering people you care about, or have even just met, is by using gender inclusive speech as the standard when you address others. 

Using the terms they, them or other generalized ways to refer to people will prevent feelings from being hurt and keep things simple. If you slip up, take subtle hints and gentle reminders from those around you with stride and try to correct yourself as needed. 

Gender-Inclusive Dress Code

An age-old practice that can get in the way of gender inclusivity is that of workplace attire, school attire, and most places that require a formal dress code. Typically stating that men should wear suits, ties, dress pants, and dress shoes. 

With women usually being told to wear skirts, dresses, blouses, tights, high heels, or other feminine dress shoes. It’s an outdated standard that nobody really benefits from. Allowing people to dress as they wish, staying within the formal dress theme, is being seen more often and will hopefully be the standard over time. 

Gender-Neutral Restrooms and Dressing Rooms 

Though littered with controversy, gender-neutral restrooms and dressing rooms are a big step in the right direction when it comes to gender inclusion. There should be a place for everyone, male, female, and those who prefer to remain gender-neutral. 

The ability for those on the gender spectrum to use the restroom/dressing room of their choice, or perhaps have their own facilities, is extremely important in ensuring the comfort and safety of those with differing gender identities. Inclusion and change are important and there are ways to reach those heights in ways that make everyone feel at ease. 

5 Korean Stars Who Overcame Severe Hardship To Succeed

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Everyone has to overcome some type of adversity in their lives, though some of us have it much harder than others. Certain people are born with a huge disadvantage, whether it be from a poor financial situation, a family tragedy, or anything in between. Many people fold under that type of adversity, while others go on to become huge successes.

In Korea, there have been plenty of instances where those that became stars came from backgrounds that were filled with adversity. Here are five stories of those stars that had to go from having nothing to being some of the most recognizable people in Korea.

Choi Daniel

Choi Daniel rose to fame during the late 2000s when he made his way from being a gas station attendant to a famous actor, getting his first real work on the series “Worlds Within” in 2008. From there, Daniel has been on a long list of TV series that include “The Ghost Detective”, “High Kick Through the Roof” and “Baby Faced Beauty” just to name a few. He’s also a radio DJ that has become a household name in Korea.

When he was just five years old, Daniel’s mother passed away and he didn’t have many memories of her. Not only that, but the business that Daniel’s father was running went under and he had to declare bankruptcy. He was working simply to make ends meet and was a college dropout when he finally hit it big.

V

A lot of people who go on to become famous singers are from families that are wealthy and have a lot of connections. That isn’t the case for V of BTS fame. Born Kim Tae-hyung in Daegu, South Korea, V grew up in a family that had almost nothing to their name. He was raised by parents that spent almost all of their time working and was also raised by his grandmother.

V knew that he had talent as a singer, but never really got to showcase his skills. When his friends were going to an audition, V tagged along and got himself behind the microphone. He was then inserted into the boy band BTS which would take the world by storm. On top of that, V has also had solo work with a trio of singles that have been hits in Korea while also working on his degree.

IU

K-Pop star IU (real name Lee Ji-eun) was just 15 years old when she made her music debut with the extended play “Lost and Found” in 2008. She then released a few more tracks over the next couple of years and became a megastar thanks to her song “Good Day”. Since then, IU has been one of the biggest names in the genre and has been named the most popular singer in Korea in two different years.

Though she started in her early teenage years, IU didn’t have the easiest childhood. She was raised in a family that had no money and was living in an extremely cramped apartment that was infested with cockroaches. IU knew that she wanted to get out and was taking her music seriously, leading to her auditioning and becoming a star.

Park Bo-gum

Actor Park Bo-gum has been the star of many television series and movies in Korea since the start of the 2010s. Some of his biggest roles include “Hello Monster”, “Reply 1988”, and “Love in the Moonlight”. Park grew up wanting to be an actor and showed that he was also gifted both musically and athletically as a child, but the odds were stacked against him.

Park’s mother passed away early in his childhood, and his father wasn’t around much as he had to work to support Park and his two siblings. Thankfully, Park was able to get noticed when he sent in a video of himself performing, and he landed his first on-screen role in 2011 while also releasing his first music single in 2016 titled “My Person” that reached number three on the charts.

Bong Joon-Ho

The man who became an international star thanks to directing the Academy Award-winning film “Parasite” didn’t have the harshest childhood, but it took him many years of hardship professionally before reaching the top. Bong Joon-Ho was born in Daegu and raised in Seoul where his father worked, and Bong attended multiple colleges in early adulthood.

Throughout the 1990s and into the 2000s, Bong was making less than $2,000 per year while trying to find his footing as an actor. Things got so bad that he had to borrow rice from people, but he never gave up. He finally got his big break in the mid 2000s, and went on to direct several hit films including “Snowpiercer” and “Okja”.

5 Weird Crossword Tricks You Need To Be Able To Recognise

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Solving a crossword puzzle is a great hobby as it not only kills some time that you might not have used otherwise, but it also exercises your brain. There are millions of people who play crosswords on a daily basis, and many of them follow a few simple tricks that help them to solve their puzzles either online or in the local newspaper.

If you’re just getting into crosswords for the first time, there are a few weird tricks that you should know about. If you follow these five tips, you’ll be able to solve even the hardest crossword puzzles in no time.

Grab a Pencil

Trying to visualize the right answer in a crossword puzzle can be difficult, and there are a lot of people that like to use a pen to play. After all, using a pen looks cleaner and nicer…assuming that you get the correct answer on every guess. If you really want to look at a crossword and picture it without using your imagination, though, you can simply use a pencil and lightly write in what you think the answer would be.

If it doesn’t fit or if you find another answer that negates it that you’re confident about, you’ll be able to erase your old guess. It’s actually pretty astonishing how many people use a pen compared to a pencil while playing. That doesn’t mean that you should be ashamed about using a pencil, because we all make mistakes and need a little help to see what the problem is.

Don’t Guess At All (At First)

Some of the best crossword players in the world have one trick where they read through the entire list of clues before writing down a single response. When a clue pops up that they’re 100 percent confident that they know the answer to, then they’ll write it down. If there’s any doubt in their mind, however, they’ll try to build around the words that they know for certain are there.

This is a great strategy as you’re setting up your future self with hints that will lead to faster puzzle-solving. Nailing these easier questions first and foremost will allow you to see what letters go in the right places when getting to the harder clues. For example, getting the crossing answer first might help you decipher between words like “pole” and “poll.”

Avoid the Weekends

There’s a rule that almost every newspaper follows, and it’s that the hardest puzzles are reserved for the weekends. The Saturday puzzle tends to be the hardest since it brings out the expert players that have a lot of weekend time on their hands, while the Sunday puzzles are typically just as hard.

If you want to feel like you’re starting to get the hang of crossword puzzles, try to focus on the Monday puzzles. Since there isn’t a lot of time in the day, newspapers have made this the easiest day of the week. Beginners should try to find every Monday edition they can of their local paper to play the crossword until they get the hang of things before eventually working their way up to Saturdays.

Break TIme

Every professional crossword player and editor has said that one of the most important tricks that you can perform is to take a break in the middle of playing. If you get stuck on a clue and the answer is on the tip of your tongue, you’re only going to cause yourself agony by trying to think about what it is.

Experts say that you should take a break, walk around a little bit, and focus on something else that isn’t the crossword puzzle. Eventually, the answer will come to you while you’re on a break, or simply refresh your brain to the point where you’ll be able to get it out when you sit back down to finish the puzzle.

Get Punny

If there’s one thing that crossword editors love more than anything else, it’s a good pun. A lot of the clues in modern puzzles are pun-related, and you should be on the lookout for any of those. Get yourself familiar with how puns work and try to think of some good ones on your own to really get into the mind of a crossword editor.

They don’t have to be entirely long or convoluted to work in a crossword puzzle, but it’s best to get a basic grasp on the world of puns. Once you understand them better, a lot of the clues will become a breeze.

A Key Stress-Buster: Why Is Coloring So Relaxing?

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There are a lot of great ways that some of us get rid of stress. Some of the more popular include meditation, exercise, writing, and connecting with other people. Another one of those great stress-busters is getting into art, with coloring being one of the biggest stress relievers around. Not many think of coloring when they consider the top stress relievers, but it should be thought of as being right up there with the others.

What is it about coloring that helps to put our minds at ease, though? After all, coloring seems like a simple task that most of us have been doing for as long as we’ve been able to walk and talk. Let’s take a look at the art of coloring and discover its relaxing traits. Once you learn a bit more, you’ll see why it’s such a great stress-buster and want to try it for yourself.

The Attention

There could be something that’s only just a little bit stressful in your life, but when you think about that one thing for too long, it can end up being a massive source of stress. Things like traffic, getting one particular piece of work done, or any other minor stress source can instantly blow up when it’s at the center of your mind. With coloring, you can (literally) draw attention away from what’s stressing you out.

Coloring requires a good amount of focus, but not enough to the point where you’re going to be stressed from doing it as an activity. This makes coloring one of the ultimate distractions, and when you’re focused on the simple task of coloring more than anything else, you’re going to feel a reduction in stress almost instantly. It really is the simplicity of the task that makes coloring such a good stress-buster, as it won’t add more stress to your body.

Rekindling an Old Flame

Many of us spent our time growing up coloring. Because of that, there can be a feeling of nostalgia for adults every time they color. They’ll think about all of the fun that they had as children, opening up a new coloring book and putting some new details on some of their old favorite characters. A trip down memory lane can be a great way to relieve stress when thinking about the good times.

This is especially true for senior citizens, who can have a lot of nostalgic moments to look back on. Seniors can also have a sense of belonging every time they color, especially in their much older years when they feel that they can’t do much else. We all feel like kids again when we color, and that’s a feeling that only a handful of things in this life can give us.

Pure Happiness

Can you think of a time when someone was upset when they were coloring? The answer to that is almost guaranteed to be a “no.” You can mess up a hundred times when coloring, but you’re still likely not going to be upset that you used the wrong shade or went outside of the lines just a little bit.

Coloring is one of those activities where we don’t expect perfection from ourselves and want to focus on getting better without adding too much stress. Exercising, while a great stress reliever, can often put us into a hyper-competitive mode, and ultimately add stress when we aren’t improving with each and every exercise. The same isn’t really true for coloring, thankfully, allowing us to fully relax and embrace our mistakes.

Kick Them Nasty Thoughts

Studies have shown that those who are actively coloring don’t really have many negative thoughts after participating. Dr. Joel Pearson is a scientist who works at the University of South Wales, and he said that “concentrating on coloring…may facilitate the replacement of negative thoughts and images with pleasant ones.”

It makes sense, too, as when we think of coloring, we think of bringing some of our favorite established characters to life. Some of us grew up with coloring books filled with characters like The Flintstones, Spongebob Squarepants, and many more. There are also plenty of other positive images in coloring books, especially from the world of nature. Simply put, nobody looks at a coloring book and suddenly has negative thoughts and images pop into their head.

5 Hip Hop Acts Who Were Socially Aware

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Rap music may have a bad reputation outside of music due to some of the subject matter, but it’s a lot deeper than meets the eye for those that aren’t actually listening to the messages. Over the years, there have been a lot of rappers who have discussed social issues through their songs and got involved in social movements.

From participating in rallies to giving speeches, there are plenty of hip-hop acts who were or are socially aware. Here’s a look at five of those acts and how they’ve discussed society in their music.

Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is known for his incredible rap career. One that displays his fight for social justice and his activist nature in his many hit songs. Lamar even earned himself the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2018 for his socially conscious and influential tracks on DAMN, the rapper’s fourth studio album. 

Featured on the album are tracks like DNA, with lyrics that focus on the struggles the African American community goes through and how they’re viewed from Lamar’s personal point of view and separately by society. Songs like “Determined”, “Ignorance is Bliss”, and “Average Joe” highlight Lamar’s feelings on social situations.

Common

Common is one of the original socially conscious rappers, a product of a time when self-aware and socially conscious hip hop wasn’t widely known. However, his first album “Can I Borrow a Dollar” was not exactly a shining example of that. 

After his debut album bombed, Common studied religion, reflected on his purpose, and took the time to mentally and emotionally mature and grow as a human being before releasing his next album “Resurrection” two years later. The album put him on the map and shone a light on the socially conscious rapper whose lyrics were wise and purposeful. “The truth of the matter is, you don’t have to be that big-name person to have a really supreme impact,” Common said.

Erykah Badu

Once an opening act for D’Angelo during the early 1990s, Erykah Badu became a big name in R&B while also serving as an artist that wasn’t afraid to speak about social issues away from the music studio. 

When talking about the Black Lives Matter movement during the mid-2010s, Badu said that “I felt it coming on,” adding that “I was really feeling a strong affinity toward writing about what was going on around me. And I actually wrote about what’s happening right now…so I don’t feel the need to write it now, because I got it out.” Badu then went on to say that “Can we organize to stop black-on-black crime or poor-on-poor crime? Because, you know, poor is the new black. You don’t have to be black now.”

Mos Def

Mos Def is another socially conscious rapper that helped to popularize the genre, getting his solo start in 1999 after spending some time in a group with his siblings and releasing an album with Talib Kweli. After his release of “Black on Both Sides,” he released three more albums throughout the next 10 years. 

His powerful lyrics regarding his stance on political events, the injustice to the African American and Muslim community, and police brutality set him up to be one of the most influential socially and spiritually aware rappers of our time. “America is a very challenging place for me,” the rapper said upon his move to South Africa. “I needed to take some time to put myself in environments where I felt good…my country is called Earth. This whole thing belongs to everyone that’s on it.”

Tupac Shakur 

Tupac Shakur is considered by many to be the greatest rapper to ever live, and many felt that he was also one of the most socially aware. While he had hit songs like “California Love” and “Hit Em Up”, Shakur also had a lot of social commentary songs that included “Changes” and “Dear Mama”. In the former, he talks about police brutality, drug use among the African-American community, racism, and more.

There were also songs including “White Man’z World” that included lyrics including “So tell the babies how I love them, precious boys and girls, born black in this white man’s world.” Sadly, Shakur was shot to death at just 25 years old in 1996 while in Las Vegas, left unable to spread his message in today’s world.