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5 Fundamentals of Horseback Riding

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When done properly, horseback riding feels exhilarating and wholly rewarding for both the horse and its rider. The wrong approach, however, can leave you flying through the air while your horse vows to never let that happen again. Fortunately for everyone involved, horseback riding is not rocket science. You just have to keep these five fundamentals in mind to make sure every last ride goes to plan.

1. Safety First – Always

Did you know horses are prey animals? Since they’re so big, it’s hard to believe, but they are. And that means that they are easily spooked and flighty by nature, which means every ride comes with huge risks.

To reduce the risk of getting hurt, you’ll just need to:

  • Wear a good-fitting helmet every time you ride
  • Put riding boots on before even going out to the stable  
  • Take your time in properly tacking up your horse  

Also, as you ride, remember to scan your surroundings for anything that could spook your horse. Barking dogs. Plastic bags flapping in the wind. Butterflies. Watch for potentially alarming objects, and then avoid them to keep your horse from freaking out.  

2. Mount with Care

Before you can ride a horse, you’ve got to launch yourself five feet up yet still gently land in the saddle. As you can imagine, this is much easier said than done, especially the first few times.

To get past the learning curve, enlist someone to hold your horse or tie their reins to the fence. Then, stand on the left side of your horse and put your left foot in the stirrup.

In one smooth movement, push off with the ball of your left foot and swing your right leg up and over. If you fail to make it up, give your horse a pat and try again.

3. Whoa There

Horses don’t come with a brake pedal, so there are no emergency stops allowed. Instead, you have to communicate your desire to come to a halt well before it’s time to do so. Although clear verbal commands are an important part of the equation, body language is key.

To tell your horse to stop, you’ll want to:

  1. Lean back in the saddle while tensing your leg muscles
  2. Tell your horse, “Whoa there,” in a calm, clear voice
  3. Gently pull the reins back to apply pressure to the mouth

Never yank on the reins or use them to regain your balance. The excess pressure can prove painful to the horse and land you on the ground.

4. Trot, Canter, Gallop

Once you’re ready to start moving forward, you’ll want to tell your horse it’s time to walk with a quick squeeze. To do that, keep your feet in the stirrups and squeeze your horse with your heels to let them know it’s go time. If your horse doesn’t get the signal, try again or give a couple of light heel bumps.

After your horse starts walking, you can urge them to go faster as soon as you’re comfortable. Another squeeze will get your horse trotting around the ring at a steady pace. Want to go even faster? Give another squeeze for a fast canter. Galloping comes next, but you should first make sure you have an even surface and enough space to run like the wind.

5. Give Back to Your Horse

Once you’re done riding your horse, it’s time to head back to the stable. You’ll want to dismount carefully, and then turn your attention to caring for your horse. Remove their tack, put on a halter, and walk them gently around the ring to cool off. After that, they appreciate getting groomed before heading out into the pasture for a snack and plenty of rest. 

Over time, you’ll get more comfortable riding your horse. Just don’t ever forget the five fundamentals of riding or you could get swiftly reminded of them by these majestic 1,000+ pound creatures. 

5 Fermented Foods For Your Culinary Bucket List

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Does your mouth water at the funky aroma of fish sauce? Does that keilbasa feel incomplete without the tang of sauerkraut? Congrats — you’re in the fermented foodie club.. and you’re in good company.

In recent years, fermented foods have grown in popularity as kim chi, kombucha and kefir have made their way into the zeitgeist, bringing beneficial probiotics along for the ride. Of course, there are many fermented culinary delights that might not be easy to find at your local supermarket — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try them.

Here are 5 unusual fermented foods everyone should taste at least once. 

1. Chal

The next time you’re in Turkmenistan or Kazakhstan, enjoy a fizzy glass of chal. Also known as shubat, chal is made by blending fresh and sour camel’s milk, adding a bit of yeast and a touch of alcohol, and letting it ferment in a skin bag or ceramic vessel for several days. 

The result? A sparkling, sour and pungent beverage that’s rich in beneficial probiotic bacteria.

2. Hákarl

Ever had a hankering for hákari? If so, head to Iceland, where this national delicacy is made though a complex process: Sleeper sharks are decapitated, gutted, placed in a shallow hole, covered with gravel, and left to rot for three months. Then the meat is removed, dried and cut into bits.

For Icelanders, bite-size cubes of hákari are a treat. The fermented shark is said to taste (and smell) like ammonia. If rotten shark jerky doesn’t sound appetizing, you’re not alone; Chef Anthony Bourdain included hákarl on his list of least favorite foods.

3. Jiang Dou Fu

Chinese cuisine isn’t known for its inclusion of cheese. Maybe that’s because jiang dou fu adds that rich, paremesan-like hit of umani to any dish. The popular condiment is made from fermented soy bean curd and is found in pantries and eateries across China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia.

Jiang dou fu adds a strong, savory flavor that’s almost blue-cheese-like. For a double dose of fermented goodness, look for hong fu ru, or soybean curd brined in fermented red rice yeast.

4. Kaidu-Digla

The culinary traditions of Sudan have long involved fermentation. It’s a great way to store foods; even fresh bones can be fermented. For instance kaidu-digla, or bone bails, are made from bits of vertebrae. 

The pieces of sun-dried bone are pounded with stones into a chunky paste. Then it’s all mixed with salt, molded into balls, and left to ferment into a portable, protein-rich food packed with savory flavor.

5. Kiviak

If you really want to establish your fermenting foodie cred, try kiviak. A delicacy among Greenland’s Inuit people, kiviak consists of hundreds of tiny fermented sea birds. Oh, and did we mention that the fermentation process takes place inside of a disemboweled seal?

After sewing the birds inside the pelt, the whole thing is placed under a heavy stone. (Seam side up, to let any gases escape, of course). After about six months, the kiviak is uncovered, drained, and enjoyed. 

Which of these funky, fermented foods is first on your bucket list?

 

 

 

 

5 Books That Will Transform Your Approach To Personal Development

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All of these books are best-sellers. They provide useful insights into self-development. What makes them super special is their transformative nature. If you learn the techniques described in these books and apply them to your life, you will never be the same. Here are some books to help create the new you.

1. Atomic Habits by James Clear

We are taught that the keys to success are having enough willpower and determination to achieve a breakthrough moment. However, many changes occur as an incremental process more influenced by the environment than willpower.

Want to learn how to play the piano? Get rid of your TV and buy a piano. Play the piano instead of watching TV. In time, you will learn how to play.

The author, Clear, teaches how to make good habits replace bad habits by designing your life to make the good habit the easiest choice. Clear says, “tiny changes bring remarkable results.”

2. When by Daniel H. Pink

This book teaches five big ideas about the scientific secrets of perfect timing. Learning about timing helps people make the most of periods of heightened creativity and energy. Everybody’s thinking ability changes during the day. Some are a “morning” person; others are not.

There are hidden patterns in life. The first big idea is to find out when you are at your peak. Then, to enhance productivity, schedule your efforts to make the most of “when” you can work. It is more important when you do something than what you do.

3. The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith

Even if you get everything you think you want, such as a new house, a new car, and a new love in your life, you may find that you are still not truly happy. The author, Smith, says we should seek meaning instead of trying to find happiness.

Meaning comes from four factors: 1) belonging, 2) purpose, 3) storytelling, and; 4) transcendence. Belonging is creating relationships that nurture you with recognition, understanding, and value. Finding your purpose with a long-term goal deepens your feeling of satisfaction with life. Storytelling helps you make sense of the world. Transcendence is being connected to something greater than yourself.

4. Supercoach by Michael Neill

This book is the next best thing to having a personal life coach. It is practical and easy to understand. Ten coaching sessions teach different things that may result in an “aha” moment for you that completely changes your life.

The sad fact is that your misguided thinking is the cause of most of your problems. Gaining control over your mind is the best way to better yourself and improve your life.

5. The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment by Eckhart Tolle

Most self-help books focus on things you can do for personal development. The Power of Now teaches how you can be in such a way that improves your life experience. The author Tolle says, “The moment you grasp it, there is a shift in consciousness from mind to Being, from time to presence. Suddenly, everything feels alive, radiates energy, and emanates Being.”

If you regret the past and worry all the time about the future, this is the perfect book for you. You will learn to embrace the present moment and move through life easily and joyfully.

5 Energy-Saving Tips When Heating Your Home

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In many homes, heating and cooling are the biggest monthly expenses after paying for the home itself. For that reason, you’ll make a big dent in your monthly budget by learning how to save energy with these 5 energy-saving tips.

1. Seal Windows and Doors

Most of the heat your home loses goes out of doors and windows. Reduce this first by opening each of these only when you have to. Second, check for drafts and seal them up.

Feel around them while closed to see if you feel cold air coming in. That is actually heat escaping. It always moves toward the coldest place. 

Consider caulking, weather-stripping, and other solutions. Adding some heavy curtains can further reduce heat loss, especially if you have thin window panes.

2. Get the Most of Solar Energy

You don’t have to get solar panels for this one. If it’s not bitterly cold outside, any direct sun can heat up the window glass and room faster than you lose heat. This is true even when the sky is gray. 

In the Northern Hemisphere, a south-facing window will get the most direct sun during the winter. But be sure to close the curtains at night to avoid negating the effect.

3.  Acclimate Yourself 

Did you ever wonder how people who live in sub-tropical climates can handle all that heat and humidity? The body learns to regulate its comfort level based on what it’s used to. 

As the winter months approach, begin allowing yourself to be a little cold. Maybe, don’t pull the scarves and coats out of storage as soon as you normally would. Spend a little more time outside as the chill fills the air. Resist the temptation to bundle up or run inside to a toasty fire. 

Now, as the days get even colder, you’ll feel very comfortable at a lower room temperature. 

4. Dress for the Season

When you were a child and complained you were cold to a teacher or parent, chances are they told you to dress more warmly. What you wear matters.

You don’t have to go as far as wearing your full coat, hat, and gloves indoors. Simply, choosing to wear only long-sleeved shirts and pants can make a huge difference.

5. Don’t Adjust the Temperature to Comfort

This one sounds totalitarian. But it’s not as bad as you might think. 

Many people have a habit of constantly adjusting the thermostat when they feel a chill.

It’s horrible on your heating bill. Instead of holding a fairly steady temperature, the heater must use a lot more energy at once to achieve a new goal. Except, every time it reaches its goal, you change it.

That’s not fair!

Room temperatures naturally rise and fall slightly. Your skin can notice these subtle shifts. And before more modern ways of heating a room, people may have adjusted their clothing layers or warmed themselves by moving around.

If your first instinct is to adjust the room temperature, stop, think, and replace this habit with one that doesn’t raise your energy costs. 

 

 

5 Ways a Gratitude Journal Can Change Your Brain

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You’ve heard about the benefits of journaling. But with a gratitude journal, you don’t have to write volumes about your life or even reflect on your day. Instead, you just need to write down three things you’re grateful for every day. It’s simple, and the brain benefits can be stunning. Look at the ways gratitude can change your brain:

1. Boost in happiness hormones

When you practice gratitude, it invigorates the reward pathways in your brain. This boosts the serotonin and dopamine levels in your brain. These are the happiness chemicals that people chase when they’re doing drugs or engaging in a lot of risky behavior. But when you generate them naturally through a practice of gratitude, you can get an unlimited amount. Gratitude breeds happiness, which breeds more gratitude, which breeds more happiness, and the cycle is really endless.

2. Shift to positivity
Are you locked in negative patterns of thinking? Well, gratitude can reverse that. When you think the same type of thoughts over and over, they basically create paths between your brain’s neurons. It’s easier for your thoughts to run over these well worn paths than to take new routes.

But when you keep a gratitude journal, you practice having positive thoughts. You start to carve out new paths in your brain. Over time, it becomes easier and more natural to have positive thoughts.

3. Long-term brain effects.
Researchers at Berkely had subjects complete a range of gratitude-based tasks. Then, they measured brain activity a few months later. Both subjects who had written gratitude letters and those who donated to charity out of gratitude had more activity in their medial prefrontal cortex three months after the exercise. This is the part of the brain that helps with making decisions and learning.

4. Increased kindness
There’s actually a part of your brain that wants to make you kinder and more giving to other people. Research indicates that when you write about things that make you feel grateful, you activate this part of your brain. You start to exhibit pure altruism.

5. Help with grief and anxiety
Because of the ways gratitude changes the brain, it helps to release toxic emotions. It allows you to see the positive side of life, even when you are fully acknowledging that many things are truly sad. By extension, gratitude journals can be very helpful for people who struggle with anxiety or are experiencing grief.

Beyond the benefits above, gratitude can help you sleep better, reduce pain, and feel more joy. To get started, just write down three things you’re grateful for. They can be big, small, or in between. You might be grateful for the ocean or a diamond ring. The things you’re grateful for can be emotional and meaningful, but you can also just be grateful for your favorite lipstick color.

A gratitude journal isn’t complicated. You just write down three things you love. If you get stuck on the same thing, just note different aspects of it. Like if you’re grateful for your best friend, write down details about her that you love. Over time, you’ll be shocked at how this simple practice changes your brain and your life.

5 Reasons To Be Careful of Home DNA Tests

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To create your family tree or to help fill in gaps to find relatives you don’t know about, you might be tempted to try out a home DNA test. Sometimes the main goal is to learn more about the past and expand knowledge of family history. Other times, a person wants to take a DNA test to learn about potential medical problems, or to help verify whether someone is the biological parent of a child.

Today, all people need to do is give a sample of their DNA (such as a from a cheek swab, a hair or a small amount of blood) in a home DNA test and then put it in the mail to a testing company. But there is some cause for concern. Here are five reasons to be careful of home DNA tests.

1.What Rights Are You Signing Away?

If you don’t have the time or cash to hire a lawyer to analyze the paperwork you have to sign before taking the home DNA test, you might be giving away rights to your confidential information. Who knows what this data might be used for? Police have trawled DNA databases to find relatives of criminals, for example, which you might not want to be involved in against your informed consent or wishes.

2. How Accurate Are the Nationalities in the Database?

If you were hoping to learn the original countries where your ancestors came from, make sure that you double-check with the home DNA kit’s manufacturer about how accurate the results are. It might not have very many members of your racial group, for example, leading to poor results in the genetics report about who was in your family many generations ago.

3. Insurance Companies Might Harvest Data to Deny Coverage

Insurance companies that want to deny coverage based on “pre-existing conditions,” genetic mutations or other indications of the potential for future disease will be tempted to access home DNA kit test results to avoid giving coverage to those people they deem to be at high risk and more expensive for them to cover.

4. Pharmaceutical Companies Could Buy Your Information for Marketing

With pharmaceutical companies taking to the airwaves to advertise drugs that they want you to ask your doctor about, it makes sense that they’d want to trawl the DNA databases developed from home test kits. Then, they would use the information from your genes to try to sell you medications to address a potential disease you are at risk for contracting.

5. Criminal Hackers May Break in and Steal Your Sensitive Data

The information in your DNA scan is intensely personal and you will want to keep it safe. If you can’t verify that the DNA test company is following industry best practices to safeguard your test results, you would be better off avoiding that organization.

A Home DNA Test in Your Future?

Deciding whether to get a home DNA test is a personal matter that you will want to give careful consideration to before ordering one for you or members of your family to take. You might be surprised or disappointed about the results, or you might find yourself wondering what is happening to the data that you provided.

In some cases, you might also become suspicious about how accurate the results really are. It underscores the importance of doing research and product comparisons before taking the plunge and trying a home DNA kit yourself.

5 Principles For Better Decision Making

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Good decision-making skills can impact all aspects of your life. These tools will help you manage life professionally and personally– and not only about whether or not you should get the new iPhone. Whether you want to decide what subject to study in college or need to make a life-changing decision for your family, you know that decisions can have a big impact on the trajectory of your life. Fortunately, we have 5 tips to help you make better decisions in any aspect of your life.

Identify the precise problem you need to solve

Start by identifying exactly what the problem is and outlining precisely what your choices are. This will help you zero in on the question at hand, rather than allowing your thoughts to spiral to related questions and problems.

As you note your problem, also write down how you will know when the problem is solved. You want this process to have a starting and stopping point. For example, if you want to decide on your college major, you do not need to plan your entire career trajectory at the same time. Know what your focus will be for this decision-making exercise. 

Know your goals related to the problem

After you determine your precise problem, now you need to determine what you want to achieve with your desired outcome. This will help you look towards the future and determine precisely how this question will impact you moving forward. It will help you remain focused on your goals so that you have your priorities in order as you make your decision. 

Arm yourself with knowledge and insight

Next, start to gather the information you need to make a good decision. To use the example of selecting a college major again, you might research the type of work you want to do and what people typically study to enter these fields. If you know anyone who has worked in your targeted fields, you might also ask them personally what they studied in school and if they felt it prepared them well for their chosen field.

Speak to people experienced in the dilemma surrounding your decision, gather relevant research, and begin to evaluate your problem in light of the information you gather. Some people might find it helpful to make charts and lists to organize their thoughts as they gather this information. 

Manage your stress levels

You also want to make sure you evaluate your options calmly and rationally. This will be challenging to accomplish if you let yourself get particularly stressed about the decision. Therefore, you need to make sure you manage your stress levels. If you find yourself starting to feel stressed, then use calming mechanisms, such as spending time outside or going for a walk to clear your mind. You will make the best choices when you feel calm. 

Take your desired action

Once you have properly evaluated your options, make the best decision you can. However, your process is not yet over. Monitor the outcome of your decision and see how well the choice you made allows you to reach your targeted goals. You can then use this insight in future decision-making.

Keeping these tips in mind can help you make better decisions that will guide you towards your future goals.

5 Hacks To Keep Your Toilet And Bathroom Fresh – Even If You Have A Large Family

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Bathrooms can quickly become quite gross when not regularly cleaned, particularly when you have a number of members of the family using the same space. Finding tricks and hacks to keep it clean and smelling fresh can keep your entire living space healthier and reduce your stress levels.

If spending hours every week cleaning the bathroom sounds like a nightmare, we have 5 quick tricks you can use to keep your bathroom cleaner, regardless of how many people use it on a daily basis.

Break cleaning down into small, manageable tasks

There are a number of tasks involved in thoroughly cleaning a bathroom, from cleaning the toilet and sink and showers to mopping the floor and emptying the wastebasket. However, when you look at each task individually, they tend to be quick. You can likely wipe down the sink in 5-10 minutes. Emptying the wastebasket only takes a minute. Cleaning the shower might take 20 minutes.

Rather than trying to do everything at once, break down the tasks involved in maintaining the bathroom into manageable chunks. Then, take about 20 minutes a day to do at least some of those chunks. This keeps it from being overwhelming and turns the maintenance into something you can do quickly before lunch.

Involve children in the cleaning process

You are not the only one using the bathroom, so there is no reason you have to be the only one cleaning it. Involve the children in the cleaning. If you do not want them using heavy chemicals, then you can still have them empty the wastebasket or wipe the sink regularly to keep it clear of toothpaste. 

Make sure the toilet stays clean and the wastebasket empty

The toilet and the wastebasket are two big offenders in bathrooms when it comes to maintaining cleanliness, so make these your priorities. Try to make it a regular practice to empty the wastebasket 2-3 times a week to keep garbage from building up and smelling. Similarly, taking 10 minutes and cleaning out the toilet regularly to prevent buildup. This will greatly help you keep the bathroom more sanitary and usable.

Simplify tasks whenever possible

Give yourself a break whenever possible by making tasks a little easier. For example, get machine-washable floor mats that you can toss in with your other laundry on laundry day. Cleaning the floor mat will help prevent musty smells and if it can go right into the laundry, it will not feel like another chore. Similarly, a machine-washable shower curtain can help keep the shower fresh without feeling like you have to add another item to your to-do list. 

Make sure everyone uses the fan while showering

Bathrooms are incredibly moist environments thanks to people regularly running hot showers. These moist environments can then breed mold if they do not get cleaned regularly. A simple flick of the fan switch, however, can reduce the amount of moisture and therefore mold. You will, of course, still need to clear out the walls of your shower to prevent buildup, but making sure everyone in the family runs the fan while showering can definitely make it easier to keep the bathroom smelling fresh and not musty.

Bathrooms are critical parts of your home, but it can be a challenge to keep them clean, particularly when many people use the same space. These hacks, however, can help you keep your bathroom cleaner and smelling fresh.

 

5 Key Differences Between Millennials And Gen Z

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Now that the oldest Gen Zs have hit 25 and Millennials reluctantly tiptoe into their 40s, you may wonder what’s so different about these two generations.

A lot.

Some describe Gen Z as being more aligned with Gen X, while Millennials best align with their generational archnemesis, the Boomers (Millennials coined the phrase, “OK, Boomer” to describe their disdain for the older generation). In many ways, Gen Z is a more extreme version of the Millennials, much to their chagrin. Check out these 5 key differences between the Millennial generation and Gen Z.

Personal Relationships and Sexuality

Millennials consider themselves progressive in relationships, as they generally waited longer into their early 30s to marry and openly supported gay marriage. Gen Z makes Millennials look prudish. They condone any and all forms of (healthy) relationships and have added multiple letters to the LGBTQ acronym. They are much more open about their sexuality and show few signs of interest in marriage or having children, as they express concern about the future of the planet and humankind.

Technology First

Although millennials came of age during the technology boom, Gen Z was born into it. Millennials are credited with the creation and popularization of the selfie and influencer. Gen Z was born with an iPhone in their hands. They’ve never known life without cell phones, streaming, and always-on internet.

Stability vs. Independence

Studies show that millennials are increasingly looking for stability in their work environments. On the other hand, Gen Z is shaping up to be the entrepreneurs of the future. Why? Look at the economy during their youth. Millennials grew up during a time of great economic strength and prosperity. Gen Z faced the great recession during their childhood. As a result, Gen Z wants to create a startup and personalize their own independent work environment. Working for a big corporation is much less appealing to this generational cohort.

Traditional Education

Millennials who attended college often accumulated massive debt as the price of higher education skyrocketed. To add insult to injury, the jobs they expected post-college didn’t materialize. Now, many continue to drown in educational debt as the government continues to grapple with the challenge of how to help alleviate this burden. Unsurprisingly, Gen Z, who grew up in a time of financial uncertainty, are less motivated to attend college. They see the vast debt facing Millennials and wonder aloud if they need a college education to become their own boss. Many are taking alternative routes to education, including tapping into growing on-demand learning choices to learn the skills needed to pursue their dreams.

Social Issues

Gen Z is all about authenticity. Aside from their open and supportive stance on sexuality, they are also leading the way in removing the stigma around mental health. In fact, more Gen Zers have gone to therapy than their Millennial counterparts. Gen Z individuals are more likely to be open about their problems and look to seek help. Unsurprisingly, Gen Z is more active in social justice issues than Millennials.

 In many ways, from technology to sexuality, Gen Z is seen as an extreme version of the Millennials. As each cohort ages, the cultural changes will be fascinating to watch.

5 Reasons to Get a Smart Watch

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The next time you’re in public, take a look around and you’ll probably notice that most of the people around you are wearing smart watches. If you don’t have one already, you may not be convinced that you need one. After all, what can a smart watch do that you can’t already do on your smartphone?

In reality, there are a handful of reasons to get a smart watch if you haven’t made the leap already.

1. Health and Fitness Features

First and foremost, because you wear a smart watch directly on your wrist, you can enjoy a number of health and fitness features that you simply cannot on a smartphone. Today’s smart watches come with sensors to monitor everything from your heart rate to your oxygen saturation and everything in between. Some smart watches can even track your sleep patterns, REM cycles, and the like.

From there, you can receive detailed reporting on these metrics, which you can use (in conjunction with your doctor) to make more informed decisions about your own health and wellness. 

2. Find Your Device

How frustrating is it when you’ve misplaced your phone? With a smart watch that’s linked to your phone, this frustration can be a thing of the past. Specifically, most smart watches these days have a feature that allows you to press a button or even use a voice command to pinpoint the location of your missing phone. This is a feature that can come in handy more often than you might think.

3. Get Emergency Help

Some smart watches these days are also equipped with technology to help you in the event of an emergency. Newer Apple Watches, for example, have drop sensors that can detect hard falls and even make emergency calls automatically. Even watches without fall detection can be used to place an emergency phone call even if your smart phone is in your pocket or somewhere else nearby.

4. Stay Connected

Smart watches also make it easier to stay connected and in touch without having to physically remove your phone from your pocket. This can come in handy, especially in social situations where it may be awkward or cumbersome to pull out your phone. Many smart watches can sync with your phone’s messages, email, and even social media to keep you in-the-loop everywhere you go. Meanwhile, you can customize your notifications to suit your preferences and even place your watch on “silent” or “do not disturb” mode as needed.

5. Get Directions

Getting navigation while you’re biking or even walking around town can be difficult when you constantly have to be staring at your phone to await the next turn. With GPS and turn-by-turn directions on your smart watch, you can simply glance at your watch to get the directions you need to your destination. Some watches will even vibrate to alert you of an upcoming turn. How convenient is that? 

Which Smart Watch is Right For You?

If you don’t already own a smart watch, these are just a few of the most popular reasons to buy one. Whether you prefer a trendy model like the Apple Watch or something a little more affordable and practical, there are plenty of options to suit your needs.