5 Fun Activities to Do With Your Family on Weekends

 

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Are you often occupied by your work? When was the last time you had great cozy moments with your family?

If you can’t answer these questions affirmatively, you need to seriously revisit the way you balance your personal and professional life.

In an era when more and more people are getting consumed due to professional obligations, when personal spaces are increasingly shrinking and being ceded to work and stress; spending some quality time with family certainly breathes a new lease of life. These are the moments that not only help you keep your stress at bay, but allow you to reconnect with your family in a way that the bond lasts for a long time to come. Plus, you are able to create a treasure trove of memories that always stay with you.

Here are ultimate fun activities that you can do with your family on weekends:

Visit Adventure Playgrounds

Your kids need their fair share of thrill and excitement, which is why adventure playgrounds are gaining momentum these days. There are loads of them springing up everywhere. Some are nestled in the grounds of stately homes, while others have some amazing walks and attractions. A boost of adventure for kids; these playgrounds are proving to be a perfect family getaway that consists of big and small pits with many other exciting structures. In addition to that, you will enjoy with farm animals, huge bouncy pillows and a small indoor soft play area. You can also get to see miniature railway, magical gardens, enchanted forests, mazes, tons of play areas and other brilliant activities in your great weekend family outdoor.

Go Hiking

Hiking is one of the most enjoyable outdoor excursions for families. A well executed hiking expedition allows you to hit the trails and spend quality time with your children. Even a growing body of research has suggested that exposure to the natural world – including nearby hills and woods – helps improve human health, well-being and intellectual capacity in many ways. Since you have to take your kids, you have to plan ahead as a responsible parent and complete the checklist well before hitting the trail. Keeping the age and energy levels of your children, you need to make hiking goals reasonable. Start early in the day when everyone is well-rested and keep them fed and hydrated. Make sure they have the proper footwear and let them choose the hiking destination and goals. Keep your excitement high by celebrating new discoveries around each bend.

A trip to an amusement park

Nothing can give you more joy than a jam-packed weekend trip to an amusement park with your family. Summer is just around the corner and your kids are looking forward to make most out of the season. So get ready to feel the super enjoyable amusement park experience with your children. However, before visiting the park, you need to make some planning on your part so that the trip would be safe and without unnecessary burden. Along with so many rides, food and loads of excitement, there are also long lines, overheated kids and meltdowns. So be an early bird and buy your tickets online to avoid the last minute hassle. Plus, it is good from financial point of view as many parks offer discounts via their social media pages. After that, pack the essential items extensively but lightly. Also be sure your favorite rides are open.

A DIY house party

If you don’t have enough time to hit the road and running against the clock, don’t worry – you can turn your house a party destination. Weekend is the perfect time for everyone to gel with each other and have fun. So a personal DIY party will do the trick for you in terms of easing out stress and create unforgettable memories. If you want to invite your friends over, it is even better. So be sure to stock up all the necessities you would require such as drinks, plates, food, glasses and snacks. It is always fun when you organize a theme based party such as superhero costumes and eco-friendly themes. Also you have to create a DIY décor accordingly. For kids, you can arrange customized water bottles and create your own personalized labels for them with your own texts and images. For adults, beer, wine and cocktails will be good entertainers.

An Awesome fishing spree

Fishing can be a fantastic getaway and fun sport for kids and their parents. It is a quality time spent together talking, laughing, enjoying nature, sitting quietly side by side, and most importantly learning patience. Figuring out where to go fishing with kids can be pretty overwhelming. So, look for local spots that feature a stocked pond or a fishing derby for guaranteed success. You can avail certain fishing expeditions that feature special family days and events where teaching the fishing basics is part of the experience. Thus, keep your outings early, short and fun.

Final Words

Your family is your lifeline and there are no two views on that. Try to be with your family whenever and wherever possible to create lifetime memories. So what is your idea of having a blast with you family on this coming weekend?

The Mental Health Benefits of High Concentration Sports (Like Archery)

The Mental Health Benefits of High Concentration Sports (Like Archery)

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There’s a never ending stream of celebrity confessions about mental health issues (such as this recent one from “The Rock”) at the moment. If it isn’t that it’s a pressure group highlighting the lack of funding given to this growing problem.

Mental health is a modern issue and one that’s seemingly on the rise. Or has it always been this way?

Are mental health issues just a byproduct of our modern lives? What’s the cause?

Here are a few stats on psychological problems we found from nami.org.

  • 1 in 5 adults in the US experiences mental health issues in a year.
  • 1 in 25 adults experiences a serious mental health issue in a year that interferes with their daily life.
  • 1 in 5 youth (aged 13-18) experiences severe mental disorder and for children 8-15 the estimate is approximately one in 8.
  • Mental Illness costs the us $193.2 billion in lost earnings per year.
  • Mental health issues are the third most common reason for hospitalization in the US for both youth and adults (aged 18-44).
  • Each day approximately 18-22 veterans die by suicide.

If the hospitals are filling up and all anyone wants to do is give you prescription medications what can individuals do to help themselves?

How high concentration sports can help

When we exercise, the brain releases certain chemicals which can help with mood and alleviate issues such as anxiety and depression.

Sport in general is very much in vogue at the moment, not just for the evident physical health benefits but for the well documented effect that physical activity can have on the mind. Physical activity and sport has a huge part to play in promoting and sustaining good mental health.

Collective sport, where we engage with other people also promotes our mental health as it offers interaction with others, fundamental for a healthy mind and outlook.

High concentration sports are a great elixir for those struggling with mental health issues.

The demand for concentration varies with the sport and is divided into three types:-

  • Intense concentration – used in sports like sprinting, target archery, darts
  • Short burst concentration – evident in golf and cricket
  • Sustained concentration – relevant to sports such as long distance running

Success in high concentration sports requires learning techniques to concentrate intensely for short periods of time. These sports train the brain to concentrate on the here and now, to ignore negative self-talk and doubt by utilizing positive self-talk. removing unhelpful thoughts and emotions and putting them to one side for a defined period of time.

From this, it is easy to understand why these techniques used by successful athletes in high concentration sports, can have a positive effect on almost anyone.

Let’s take Archery as an example

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Archery as a target sport requires high levels of concentration.

The practice of good shooting is a mindful one.

Archery requires intense short-burst concentration through the shot cycle. From picking a target and nocking an arrow to raising, drawing, aiming and release, the participant needs to intently concentrate on all aspects to achieve good form. This is necessary to create a repeatable process that leads to consistent aim and good shot groupings.

That process of concentration throughout the shot is one where the mind is encouraged to blank out all negative thoughts and focus solely on itself. Correct placement of your fingers on the string. The touch of your hand to your face when you anchor the shot. The push and pull in your arms. Slow and steady breathing. Tension in your back throughout the release. All this is only possible when the mind is fully in the here and now.

Becoming more aware of immediate physical sensations and our environment allows us to understand and process our mental traffic; it’s not about changing it but more the ability to disassociate ourselves from it and see it for what it is which is something that does not need to govern and define our lives.

Mindfulness is a heightened state of self-awareness, a way of slowing down the moment and focusing only on that point in time, developing deep levels of consciousness, of how the body feels rather than by being solely driven by the constant jumble of thoughts and emotions in our heads.

How you benefit

High levels of focus and concentration give rise to these faculties and emotions:

  • Mindfulness – Focus and concentration
  • Patience
  • Motivation
  • Self-efficacy

This can lead onto the following, positive lifestyle developments:

  • Reduced levels of stress and depression
  • A lessened anxiety level
  • Improvements in sleep patterns
  • Sharpened mind and mental faculties including memory

There are other indirect benefits that can come from taking part in archery:

  • Healthy competition
  • Co-operation
  • Teamwork
  • Leadership skills
  • Relaxation
  • Improved social skills
  • Self-esteem improvements
  • Fun and enjoyment!
  • New experiences and friendships

More than just the mind

It is possible for the young, the old and the less physically able to participate at the archery range. But does target archery offer any physical benefit?

You may be surprised to learn that an average female can burn up to 144 calories an hour doing just that at an archery range.Target shooting at modest ranges with medium power compound bows isn’t as physical as a gym session would be, but it IS physical and you will see benefits like these:

  • Balance
  • Core strength
  • Hand-Eye Co-ordination
  • Flexibility
  • Upper body strength development

Archery isn’t the only sport that does these things. There are other less popular ranged sports like skeet, clay pigeon shooting, and in the US hunting! Hunting involves much more than just shooting as there’s usually a decent hike added on before the thrill of the hunt begins.

Don’t always look to the main sports pages when you’re seeking out a new passion.

There is loads of useful resources on this and other target sports at targetcrazy.com.

Prepper Interview on a New Podcast

I recently was asked to participate in a prepper interview for a new pod caster that is a well known Nashville journalist (but who wants to be anonymous in this new venue).

We talked about Prepping, Reality TV, Nuclear Plants, and the current state of Corrections…

They edited about 5 hours of tape to a good 20 minute tape.

One thing we did wad build a huge smoke bomb, but it was hard to show on an audio recording.

We had a good time, and the two guys were great hosts and it was a blast.  I hope you enjoy listening as much as I enjoyed talking to the guys.

 

 

11 Secret Questions Food Storage Companies Don’t Want You To Ask

11 Secret Questions Food Storage Companies Don’t Want You To Ask
11 Secret Questions Food Storage Companies Don’t Want You To Ask

Regardless of what your preparedness plan looks like, it undoubtedly includes some form of food storage. Whether you’re planning for a week-long power outage or the worst case scenario, food and water will be at the top of your list of items to store.

When it comes time to buying storage food, do you know what you’re getting? Will the food on your shelf see you through to the end of the disaster? The time to make sure you have the right storage food is before you buy it, not when the horde is pounding on your door. But, what questions should you be asking? How do you know what to look for?

On the surface, it seems as though all food storage companies are alike. They sell the same kind of foods, so they must all be the same, right? That’s a mistake many people make; they assume food companies are looking out for them and have their best interests in mind. Like most things, you need to do your own research to ensure you’re getting the highest quality product and package for your money.

If you have been to any of the food storage company websites, you know it’s not easy to figure out how they differ. However, there are very clear differences between each company. From how they package their food to the ingredients they use, it’s important to know what the differences are and which will be best for you and your family. All family units are different, and what works for one, might not be the best choice for the other.

Here are 11 important questions to ask food storage companies. The answers to which can’t always be found on their website. All companies should be able to answer these, which will make the differences more apparent. If they cannot answer them, be wary, some companies will substitute lower-quality foods while charging you a premium price.

Read more at Legacy Food Storage:

 Blog: 11 Secret Questions Food Storage Companies Don’t Want You To Ask

A Prepper’s Guide to Choosing the Best Work Boots

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A Prepper’s Guide to Choosing the Best Work Boots

When hard times hit, your old sneakers, chunky high heels, and furry slippers will not be useful to you. Hiking, long distance traveling and making your way through rough terrain will be difficult if you have the wrong footwear. Top quality tactical work shoes help in keeping your feet issues at bay. Whether you are struggling with blisters, fasciitis or sore spots, a good pair of work boots will help you get through any situation; harsh elements, rough terrains and toxic spills.

They need to feel like a second skin whether you are marching through forests or urban areas. Therefore you need to be sure of your choice, and whatever you opt for, your boots need to be manufactured from heavy duty materials, as well as being comfortable and secure.

Practical Tips on How to Choose Your Best Footwear for Survival

As a self-sufficient prepper, you need multi-functional boots that are not only a good fit for the tactical environment but also complement your natural lifestyle. Check out these extensive boot features that will make your prepping efforts effortless:

Safety Toes

Safety features can either break or make your work shoes. A perfect work boot consists of a robust safety toe feature that makes for an excellent addition to your work shoe especially when you regularly deal with heavy falling objects.

They include a steel toe, aluminum toe, and composite toe. Steel toes are extremely important since they handle more of a crushing force than composites and they also act as conductors in cold and hot climates. Composite toes, on the other hand, consist of plastic, carbon fiber or Kevlar and they offer you protection without exposing your feet to the harshest of elements. According to MyBestWorkBoots, steel toe work boots allow you to face any situation with confidence.

Metatarsal Guards

It is another layer of heavy-objects-falling protection for your toes and higher foot. It preferred by by companies operating in the most extreme conditions. They are incredible for welding and surroundings wherever hot objects can be a headache.

Traction

Traction is a vital factor that keeps you on your feet once the going gets tough. One-third of all construction-related accidents were a result of a fall or slip. Therefore traction is the key to avoiding some significant hazards.

The best methodology for avoiding stupid accidents is for you to be aware and mindful. That is why prepping is all about; being tuned in to the inevitable misfortune and preparing for it preemptively.

To cut the story short, you will need Vibram rubber soles with superior index.

If you are however operating with some harsh chemicals, TPU (Thermo Poly Urethane) they can provide you with high resistance to grease, abrasion and other chemicals. TPU is lighter and possesses more wear-resistance than a rubber sole.

Support

Every a part of your operating boots influences its support system. Midsoles, insoles, puncture plates, shanks, and outsoles all provide their overall contribution to the general feel. If there is no universal formula here, you will only try them on and see how supported your feet and ankles feel. If you experience frequent blistering, you need to consider upgrading the insoles and opt for EVA midsoles for ultimate flexibility and cushioning. You have all the protection you need in the world in your work boots. Therefore you do not have to deal with stiffer polymer midsoles.

Construction

Your work boot construction is essential. The primary feature of any work shoe is the Cement Construction. It refers to the “cementing” of the out-sole and upper. They are very flexible and lightweight and you can re-sole them. There is also the Goodyear Welt that is the most durable option for your boots’ construction and is very simple. Last but not least, there is the Blake Stitch where uppers, sock liner, and soles are all connected via single stitch. It is a very secure attaching method, forming a robust bond between all the integral parts of the work boot.

In conclusion, A Prepper’s Guide to Choosing the Best Work Boots will hell you keep your feet prepped and ready for action with these robust features because they are paramount in any survival situation.