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The Surprising Benefits of Volunteering

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Have you ever glanced around the crowd of parents making sandwiches for the high school band boosters and wondered what they could all possibly have in common? It’s a good bet kindness tops the list. Volunteers are those who are willing to give their time and talents to a cause without expectation of pay, and not everyone has the fortitude to do it. But for those who enjoy serving meals at the local soup kitchen or fostering kittens for the local animal shelter, the benefits go far beyond a paycheck. We’ve reached deep into the barrel of benefits that most people experience when they volunteer, and we’ve come up with three surprising reasons you might find it’s a good fit for you, too.

1. Volunteering May Help You Live Longer

Kindness is more than just feeling empathy for your fellow man. According to The Mayo Clinic, it has real physical benefits for you, as well. Performing acts of kindness can actually lower your blood pressure, lower your stress level, and boost your mood. Volunteering helps you feel good about yourself and your own accomplishments, which leads to higher self-esteem. But perhaps the biggest benefit you’ll reap from volunteering your time is the connectivity you’ll feel. Believe it or not, staying active in your community as a volunteer may just extend your life.

2. Volunteering Is a Great Way to Polish Rusty Social Skills

Are you painfully shy? Or do you have trouble thinking of just the right thing to say to people you don’t really know? Volunteering is a perfect way to ease yourself out of your comfort zone in easy, doable steps. Start small by signing on as part of the setup or cleanup crew, and you may eventually become comfortable enough to take on whole projects. Most volunteer positions require at least some contact with other members of your community, church, school, or organization. And the more you participate and get yourself out there, the easier those encounters will become. Eventually, you may forget you ever felt socially awkward at all.

3. Volunteering Can Lead to Paid Opportunities

Just like an internship, volunteering at your local fire hall or senior citizen center might even lead to job opportunities. Of course, there’s no guarantee this will happen, but being in the right place at the right time with the right type of experience could certainly push you to the front of the applicant pool. And, according to Monster.com, even if no paid opportunities arise where you’re currently volunteering, just having that experience on your resume makes you 27 percent more likely to be hired down the road when you start seeking employment in earnest.

Regardless of why you may decide you’d like to give volunteerism a try, you’re bound to experience some perks in return. Feeling good about yourself at the end of a hectic day, making new friends, and learning new skills are all worth your time. We hope you’ll give it a go, so you can experience the many surprising benefits of volunteering for yourself.

5 Reasons to Make Your Own Clothes

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We all know some amazing benefits of making your clothes. Not only do you get to control the fit and the look, but you can also save a lot of money in the process. But what if I told you that there are even more reasons to start sewing than you thought? Here are five compelling reasons why you should consider making your clothes:

1. You’ll save money in the long run.

Like most people, you probably spend a lot of money on clothes yearly. But what if you could cut that expense down significantly by making your clothes? Not only will you save money on the actual clothing items themselves, but you’ll also avoid costly dry cleaning and alterations bills.

2. You’ll have better-fitting clothes.

Off-the-rack clothing is often ill-fitting, especially for people outside the “standard” size range. By making your own clothes, you can ensure that they’ll fit you perfectly, regardless of your body type.

3. You’ll be able to express your unique style.

When you make your clothes, you’re not limited to what you can find in stores. You can sew whatever you like, whether a replica of a designer dress or something completely original that you designed yourself. And because you’ll be the only one with that particular piece, you’ll be guaranteed to turn heads whenever you wear it!

4. You’ll be supporting local businesses and artisans.

If you purchase fabric and notions from local businesses, you’ll support your community while getting high-quality materials for your projects. And if you buy vintage fabrics, you’ll give new life to old items instead of contributing to the growing problem of textile waste.

5. You’ll be developing a valuable skill.

In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to have a skill that a machine can’t easily replicate. By learning how to sew, you’ll acquire a valuable skill that will always be in demand. And who knows? You might even enjoy it so much that you decide to turn it into a business!

As you can see, there are many great reasons to start sewing your clothes. So why not give it a try? You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it!

5 Weird Homesteading Hacks That Will Make Your Life Easier!

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Homesteaders reconnect with the land by living as self-sufficiently as possible. But growing fruits, vegetables and raising livestock on these mini-farms is not always simple while off the grid. Like the pioneers who settled the West, modern-day homesteaders need to use their wits to reduce physical labor, stress, and the need to spend money. These are 5 somewhat odd homesteading hacks that can make everyday life easier.

1: Use Duct Tape Instead of Pesticides

When people say you can do almost anything with duct tape, that’s no myth. Beyond its construction trade applications, duct tape has emerged as a strategic bug killer. Homesteaders deploy duct tape by wrapping it around the base of fruit trees and vegetable stalks with the sticky side out. Crawling pests either get stuck or turn around. While that use isn’t all that weird, some homesteaders take a piece in hand and touch it to bugs gnawing on garden leaves and remove them.

2: Make Your Own Flea Spray

Homesteaders learn that many of the expensive chemicals sold in pet stores are easily replaceable. A mixture of two tablespoons of baking soda, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and one teaspoon of Borax mixed with water acts as a flea spray for pets. Keep it away from the eyes and ears when spraying it on your pet. Also, prevent the animal from licking it. After 25 minutes, wash and rinse your four-legged friend and their scratching should cease.

3: DVDs are the New Scarecrow

It’s amazing how the innovative CD and DVD have effectively been phased out of laptops. New car stereos are now Bluetooth-ready and there’s little use for those shiny discs. Homesteaders have a knack for repurposing defunct products and CDs and DVDs are a deterrent to invasive birds.

Gather a pile of discs and tie a string through the center hole. Then hang them like ornaments from the branches of fruit and berry trees. The size and sunlight flashes make birds and squirrels believe a larger creature has staked out the tree. Hanging discs may look a little odd, but some passersby will think you’re artsy.

4: Conveniently Store Gardening Tools in Sand

It may seem counterintuitive to leave your shovel, hoe, and small garden hand tools in the sand. That’s largely because people expect them to rust faster in any type of soil. But dry sand with a few additives leaves them standing handle up for easier access and sparkly clean.

Take an adequately large bucket and place it in a convenient and dry space. Fill it with fully dry abrasive sand and mix in some mineral oil. The oily sand will passively lubricate the tools and prevent rust from accumulating. The setup is also easier in terms of retrieving tools.

5: Repurpose Plastic Beverage Bottle as Greenhouses

Gardeners who worry about an unexpected killing frost can repurpose soda bottles as protection before sending them to be recycled. Carefully cut the tops of the bottles off and place them over your starter plants. This effectively creates a mini greenhouse that helps accelerate growth and could save plants should a late frost take you by surprise. Having clear plastic bubbles across the garden may look weird, but the strategy gets an extra use out of a product that requires recycling.

5 Key Principles of Delegation to Get More Done and Stress Less

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In today’s fast-paced world, we are constantly under pressure to do more and achieve more. And for many of us, the only way to meet these ever-growing demands is to learn how to delegate effectively. Delegation may seem daunting, but following these five fundamental principles can get more done and reduce your stress levels.

Principle 1: Define the task clearly

When delegating a task, it is essential to take the time to explain what needs to be done and why it is necessary. This will ensure that the person you are delegating to understands the task and can carry it out effectively.

Principle 2: Select the right person for the job

Not everyone is suited to every task. When delegating, selecting the person with the skills and knowledge necessary to do the job effectively is essential.

Principle 3: Set clear expectations

When delegating a task, set clear expectations regarding deadlines, results, and other relevant factors. This will help ensure that the job is done as you expect it to be.

Principle 4: Provide adequate resources

For the person you are delegating to be successful, they need the resources to carry out the task effectively. Ensure they have everything they need before you charge the job to them.

Principle 5: Follow up and give feedback

Once the task has been completed, take the time to follow up and give feedback. This will help ensure that the job is carried out effectively and help the person you delegated to learn and improve.

Rule of Thumb

When delegating duties, it is essential to remember the rule of thumb: always start small. Delegate one task at a time and give the person you delegated plenty of opportunities to succeed. If they do well, move on to delegating more complex tasks. But if they struggle, take the time to provide feedback and help them improve.

By following these five fundamental principles, you can delegate effectively and get more done without increasing your stress levels. Try it today!

5 Earth-shattering Sci Fi Movies

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Science fiction motion pictures capture our imagination, partially because many of them have an element of truth to them. Many of us have let our imaginations run about the unidentified flying objects that have now been acknowledged by the U.S. military, and all those Star Trek television series technologies seem to be everyday gadgets now. Yes, Capt. Kirk used a cellphone in 1973! But perhaps the most exciting Sci-Fi movies are those with the fate of humanity on the line. In these 5 Earth-shattering Sci-Fi movies, humanity hangs in the balance.

1: Armageddon

The 1998 Sci-Fi flick earned four Academy Award nominations, and none of them involved the actors. That’s particularly funny given this action-comedy enjoys a household name cast that includes Bruce Willis, Billy Bob Thornton, Ben Affleck, Liv Tyler, Will Patton, Steve Buscemi, William Fichtner, Owen Wilson, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Peter Storage. J.J. Abrams was even involved in the screenplay.

The colorful cast of misfits is tasked with drilling a hole into an asteroid traveling at high speeds under the most dangerous conditions imaginable before it obliterates Earth. What could go wrong? Pretty much everything, which is why it was 1998’s highest-grossing film.

2: Signs

Ranked among the more underrated in the science fiction genre, M. Night Shyamalan wrote, directed, and produced, one of the most intriguing alien invasion movies, bar none. Mel Gibson stars as a preacher who lost his faith after the untimely death of his wife. Joaquin Phoenix plays his younger brother, a somewhat rudderless ex-baseball slugger helping to keep the family farm afloat and children safe from what comes next.

Enter militant aliens deploying crop signs to conduct reconnaissance missions in the 2002 thriller. Some factions see the alien presence as first contact, others as the end of days, but when the invasion begins, the former preacher, two children, and brother fight to survive. During the attack, God’s plan is revealed through telltale signs.

3: The Terminator

The 1984 film did things that made it the envy of the science fiction genre. Rather than start in the tired old post-apocalyptic future, the battle for human existence is fought in the present. The second thing the Terminator did was give the enemy of mankind a face — Arnold Schwarzenegger. The former Mr. Olympia bodybuilding champion perfected the relentless killer.

“Listen, and understand! That Terminator is out there. It can’t be bargained with. It can’t be reasoned with. It doesn’t feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead,” Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) says.

The Terminator throws in a coming-of-age theme through Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), who goes on to become one of the grittiest heroines in Sci-Fi. The Terminator sparked a franchise of courageous humans and determined cyborgs.

4: Star Trek

The 2009 Star Trek reboot and ensuing films prove to be even more interesting than the original 1970s television show that inspired six feature films. A newly-minted Starfleet officer, James T. Kirk (Chris Pine) earns his way through the academy. We learn about his heroic Starfleet captain father, who saved hundreds of lives. The personalities of Mr. Spock (Zachary Quinto), Ohura (Zoe Saldana), and Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy (Karl Urban), among others, are brilliantly re-invented.

It’s an entertaining re-imagining of the crew of the Starship Enterprise who are tasked with defeating Capt. Nero (Eric Bana), a vengeful time-traveling Romulan determined to destroy Earth by creating a black hole using red matter. The Star Trek reboot is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride.

5: War of the Worlds

The 2005 War of the Worlds movie starring Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier revives the conspiracy theory about a real-life invasion that may have occurred in 1938. After a Halloween radio broadcast narrated by Orson Welles feigned an incursion, some believe aliens were thwarted and the incident was covered up.

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Ray Ferrier and his brother Robbie Ferrier (Justin Chatwin) embark on a harrowing journey from New Jersey to Boston to unite his family. Extraterrestrials have little difficulty harvesting humans for food. But that level of defenselessness isn’t the most Earth-shattering aspect of the recent War of the Worlds film.

5 Entrepreneurs Who Changed The World

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Many people think politicians and armies have the most power to affect communities, cultures, and countries. However, a balanced history study might show that entrepreneurs have done the most to change things. They introduce innovations that improve lives and change society. Many of the wealthiest businesspeople also use some of their fortunes to fund worthwhile causes. To understand this argument, consider five entrepreneurs with the vision to change the world. 

Five World-Changing Entrepreneurs 

Most people should find it easy to name several businesspeople that history will remember for their world-changing efforts. Also, these visionaries seldom work alone, so many might say they should share credit with employees and partners. That makes it difficult to limit this list to just five individuals. 

Also, most lists of impactful entrepreneurs tend to focus on people who are still living. After all, many people still have these newer achievements fresh in their minds and tend to take older innovations for granted. This article tried to avoid that bias by focusing on famous business people who have passed on or passed their prime entrepreneurial years. 

Benjamin Franklin 

Benjamin Franklin wore many hats and gained fame as a statesman, publisher, writer, and inventor. Some historians have compared him to a combination of Thomas Edison, Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, Henry Ford, and Mark Zuckerberg. He certainly had an entrepreneurial streak and founded businesses to market his inventions. Some examples include the lightning rod, bifocals, and both fire insurance and fire departments. 

Thomas Edison 

Thomas Edison stands out because of his gifts for both invention and business. He also relied on teams of talented young technicians who tested and refined Edison’s initial ideas. Also, many of Edison’s key inventions improved upon earlier products. For instance, Edison did not invent the telegraph or the telephone, but he vastly improved them. He deserves credit for having ideas and putting teams together that could turn them into reality. 

Henry Ford 

Henry Ford also can’t claim to have invented automobiles. In those days, a group of manufacturers produced the first cars. However, they cost a lot, so most people could never afford one. Henry Ford figured out how to mass-produce vehicles more cheaply, making cars and trucks accessible to the general population. 

Andrew Carnegie 

Andrew Carnegie started out poor. He worked for other people before beginning his own company. Historians still consider him the wealthiest person ever by measuring his fortune in today’s dollars. His cutting-edge steel mill probably stands out as his primary business accomplishment. However, many people remember him well for the philanthropy he funded with 90 percent of his fortune during his later years. He donated to libraries and schools all over the United States. 

Bill Gates 

Bill Gates has lost his long-held top spot as the wealthiest man in the world. Still, nobody should overlook the world-changing impact of Bill Gates’s Microsoft and the innovative and affordable personal computers and software it developed. More recently, Gates has donated billions from his fortune to his charitable foundation, which helps confront global problems like poverty and disease. 

Do Entrepreneurs Set Out to Change the World?

Naturally, businesspeople have their own reasons for starting companies. Many see a problem that they can solve and hope to earn a good living by doing it. Even so, many successful entrepreneurs have a vision and wish to create positive change through their efforts.

5 Ways to Use Data to Change Your Life

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We all know that data is essential. It’s the lifeblood of businesses and organizations of all sizes and necessary for making informed decisions. But what many people don’t realize is how much data can help them improve their personal lives.

Here are five ways you can use data to change your life:

Get in shape

There’s no shortage of data when it comes to fitness and health. You can track how many steps you take, how many calories you burn, your heart rate, and a host of other metrics. You can use this data to set and track goals, monitor progress, and adjust your workout routine as needed.

Plenty of apps and devices make it easy to collect this data, but you don’t need any fancy tech to get started. A simple pedometer can help you track your steps, while you can use a notebook to record other data points like calorie intake and weight loss.

Manage your finances

If you’re not using data to manage your finances, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to save money and improve your financial health. There are several ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to track your spending.

You can do this by using a budgeting app or spreadsheet or by writing down your purchases in a notebook. Once you understand where your money is going, you can start making changes to save money.

Enhance your productivity

You can use data to boost your productivity. It will involve tracking how much time you spend on tasks, so you can identify areas where you’re wasting time.

You can also use data to set and track goals. For example, if you’re trying to write a book, you could track how many words you write each day, and it will give you a good idea of your progress and whether you need to change your writing routine.

Improve your relationships

Data can be a valuable tool if you want to improve your relationships. You can track how often you communicate with loved ones to ensure you’re staying in touch as much as you’d like.

You can also identify patterns in your relationships. For example, you might notice that you tend to argue with your partner more often when stressed out at work. In this case, you could try to find ways to reduce your stress levels to avoid future arguments.

Make better decisions

You can do this by collecting data about different options before deciding. For example, if you’re trying to decide which car to buy, you could research the fuel efficiency, safety ratings, and other essential factors.

You can also use data to track your decisions’ outcomes, which can help you learn from your mistakes and make better choices in the future.

Wrapping Up

Using data to improve your personal life, you can make more informed choices, set and achieve goals, and save money.

5 Crucial Psychology Lessons for Managers

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To be a successful manager, one must understand some of the basics of psychology. After all, managing other people is a lot like trying to change their behavior—which psychologists know much about. Here are five crucial lessons from psychology that every manager should learn.

1:  The power of persuasion

Management is about convincing others to do what you want them to do. And there is a science to persuasion. Psychologists have found that the most effective way to persuade someone is to appeal to self-interest. So, if you want someone to do something, it’s essential to clarify how it will benefit them.

2: The importance of incentives

Incentives are a powerful tool for managers. If you want someone to do something, offer them a reward for doing it. This is called positive reinforcement, an incredibly effective way to change behavior. Of course, you have to be careful with incentives. If they’re too small, they won’t be effective. And if they’re too large, they can create problems.

3: The power of social pressure

People are significantly influenced by what other people do. This is called social pressure. And it’s something managers can use to their advantage. If you want someone to do something, make it clear that everyone else is doing it. This will create a sense of pressure and make it more likely that the person will comply with your request.

4: The importance of commitment

Once someone has committed to doing something, they’re much more likely to do it. This is because of something psychologists call the “commitment effect.” So, if you want someone to do something, get them to commit to it. For example, you could ask them to sign a contract or make a public commitment.

5: The power of peer pressure

Peer pressure is similar to social anxiety but is even more powerful. That’s because people are more influenced by those they perceive to be like them. So, if you want someone to do something, find someone like them and get that person to do it first. This will create a sense of peer pressure and make it more likely that the person will comply with your request.

Wrapping Up

These are just a few of the many lessons from psychology that every manager should know. By understanding and applying these concepts, you can be a more effective leader and help your team achieve its goals.

5 Best War Movies

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Few topics in cinema are as riveting as war movies. They offer a unique perspective on one of the most complex and intense situations humans can find themselves in. From the early days of film-making, directors have been drawn to the power and drama of war stories. Here are five of the best war movies ever made:

1:  Apocalypse Now (1979)

Set during the Vietnam War, Apocalypse Now follows Captain Willard (played by Martin Sheen) on a mission to kill Colonel Kurtz (played by Marlon Brando), who has gone rogue and set up his kingdom in the Cambodian jungle. The film is a masterclass in tension, with outstanding performances from both Sheen and Brando.

2: The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

Set in a Japanese POW camp in Burma during World War II, The Bridge on the River Kwai tells the story of Colonel Nicholson (played by Alec Guinness), whose captors order to build a bridge that the Japanese army will use. Nicholson and his men decide to make the bridge to the best of their abilities, despite the conditions they are forced to work in.

3: Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Directed by Steven Spielberg, Saving Private Ryan tells the story of a group of soldiers who are sent into enemy territory during World War II to rescue Private Ryan (played by Matt Damon), who is the only surviving son of a family that has already lost two sons in the war. The film is notable for its graphic depiction of the D-Day landings at Normandy.

4: Platoon (1986)

Platoon is an autobiographical film about Vietnam War veteran Oliver Stone, who also directed the film. It tells the story of a group of soldiers caught in the middle of a battle between two commanding officers who must choose which one to follow. The film is brutal and unflinching in its portrayal of the horrors of war.

5: Full Metal Jacket (1987)

Full Metal Jacket is another film about the Vietnam War, this time focusing on training a group of Marines before they are sent into battle. The film follows the recruits from their first day of boot camp to their last days in Vietnam. It is a gritty and realistic portrayal of the horrors of war and its effects on those who fight in it.

Wrapping Up

War movies offer a unique and powerful perspective on one of the most complex situations humans can find themselves in.  They can be brutal and unflinching, or they can offer a more nuanced view of the complexities of war. Either way, they are always fascinating to watch.

The Surprising Benefits of Breathing Exercises

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Breathe in slowly through your nose for a count of three, allowing your belly to fill up with air. Now, exhale through your mouth, drawing your breath out for another three seconds.

You’ve just taken a deep breath. Not a big deal, right? What you might not realize, though, is that deep breathing and other types of breathing exercises can be extremely beneficial to your overall health and wellness. In fact, there are a few surprising benefits of breathing exercises that might make you want to work deep breathing into your daily routine.

Lower Blood Pressure

If you experience high blood pressure, deep breathing exercises may be able to help. This is especially true if your elevated blood pressure seems to stem from anxiety. In a 2019 study in Complimentary Therapy Medicine, researchers discovered that participants who participated in breathing exercises were able to slightly reduce their blood pressure. While you should always consult with your doctor to figure out the best treatment for your high blood pressure, engaging in daily deep breathing exercises may be able to help.

Relief From Headaches

If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, you should certainly consult with your physician. However, if your headaches/migraines are being caused by tension, there is a chance that deep breathing exercises could help. Specifically, breathing exercises encourage the body to relax, which causes a reduction in the muscle tension that can cause headaches in the first place.

Improved Digestion

Having digestive issues, such as ongoing constipation or diarrhea? Believe it or not, deep breathing exercises may be able to relieve some of your symptoms. That’s because when you engage in deep breathing, you are actually exercising the diaphragm. When done regularly, this can help to relieve tension within the digestive tract itself. In some cases, this can help relieve symptoms of GERD, IBS, and similar digestive conditions.

Better Sleep

Trouble sleeping? You’re not alone. In fact, according to the American Sleep Apnea Association, 70% of adults in the United States report that they struggle to sleep at least once per month. By engaging in deep breathing exercises before bed, you can create a signal for your body and mind to calm down and relax. This can make it possible to fall asleep more quickly and stay asleep more soundly. You may not notice instant results, but if you keep up with deep breathing before bed, you will likely find success before long.

Get Started With Breathing Exercises Today

These are just a handful of some of the lesser known benefits of deep breathing and breathing exercises. The key is to find a breathing exercise that works best for your needs and to incorporate it consistently into your schedule. From there, you’ll be able to maximize the benefits. And remember, it only takes a couple minutes of your time to engage in most breathing exercises—so this is something you can do to improve your health and wellness even if you don’t have a lot of time to spare.