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5 Ice Breakers For One On One And Group Situations

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Meeting new people in or out of the office can be hard, as you might not have a clue on what to say to them. A first impression is extremely important, and you want to make sure that it’s a good one. With that said, there are some icebreakers that you can use to make things much easier for all parties involved, whether you’re in a group or a one on one setting. Here are some of our favorites.

One on One

5. What is your favorite team building activity?

You may be fresh out of ideas for a fun group activity, so why not ask someone individually? You may find a game you’ve never heard of or an activity that truly gets everyone involved. 

4. What’s the last movie/TV show you watched?

There’s no easier ice breaker in the world than asking someone about their favorite shows or movies. For those of us going through adult life, it’s basically the biggest non-work or family related thing in our lives.

3. What is your favorite karaoke song?

You can tell a lot about somebody based on their music choices, but even more so when they tell you what song they aren’t afraid to belt out in front of a crowd. 

2. What is something you want to try for the very first time this year?

Whether it be sky-diving, leaving the country for the first time or any other adventurous topic, there’s something that everyone hasn’t tried for the first time. Get people to step out of their comfort zone just a little bit and ask them what they want to finally try and get motivated to do so.

1. What activity makes you forget what time it is?

Asking someone what their favorite hobby is usually results in an “umm,” but if you ask someone what makes them truly lose track of time, it’s a better way to phrase that question.

Group

5. What’s one thing nobody can beat you at?

Everyone has a hobby or interest, and some of those people are really, really good. Let people showcase their skills and promote some friendly and healthy competition to lighten the mood.

4. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

In a work setting, this question is one that always inspires a lot of conversation and soul searching. You’ll be able to get the background for many of your fellow employees and also get some great advice for yourself in the process.

3. What is your ultimate dream job?

While the go-to answer for a lot of people will be “the job I have right now,” make sure that they aren’t afraid to keep climbing that ladder. There could also be some great fits within the company that they might not have known about previously.

2. Are you a morning person or a night person?

Some people may be very sluggish in the morning and get things done. If you know everyone’s tendencies, you can understand more about their productivity and can make schedule adjustments if needed.

1. Where in the world do you want to visit the most?

Asking this question is fun, but could also help that person’s career. If you’re in a large company setting, there may be job opportunities in that place that they wanted to visit.

The Facts About Screen Time And Your Kids

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With every generation, we are becoming more dependent on electronics, it seems. It started with the television, then evolved into computers and handheld devices as time went on. Because of this, many are glued to their screens every day, and children are the most likely to spend the larger portions of their days with screen time. How is this affecting your children? Let’s take a look at some of the facts about screen time and what it means for your child’s life.

5. Social Problems

When your kids are spending too much time on social media, they’re much more likely to spend less time being social in real life and it affects your child’s behavior. Studies have shown that children who spend more time on their phones are more likely to feel lonely. “Parents should encourage kids to hang out with peers in person, as this is protective against loneliness and depression,” said study leader Dr. Jean Twenge of San Diego State University. “And is good for mental health and developing friendships.”

4. Academic Performance Suffers

When your children are locked onto their screens, it’s obvious that they’ll spend less time studying and focusing on schoolwork. Sure, technology can be a fantastic teaching tool, but kids are more likely to be playing video games, watching YouTube videos or hanging out on social media. Two to four hours per day is the sweet spot for academic success, actually. Studies showed that the worst grades came from those that had seven or more hours per day. The second highest grades came from those that spent 0-2 hours.

3. Lack of Sleep

Even as adults, we’ve all heard about how you should limit screen time leading up to when you’re going to sleep. This is true for children, as well, as parents should be limiting the amount of blue light that they’re getting in the two hours before bed. Screen time has been linked to the severity of insomnia, with people spending seven or more hours per day getting the least amount of sleep. It’s tempting to play on your phone or laptop in bed, but it should be very limited at nighttime.

2. Screen Time Linked to Obesity

Think about what you do when you’re eating. Typically, you’ll sit down and watch something on television or perhaps on YouTube. Your children are doing the same thing, and it actually affects them more. When children are watching video after video, they’re more likely to mindlessly munch on convenient foods. It’s not usually apples, unfortunately, as kids are prone to grabbing potato chips and other fattening snacks. Try to get your kids moving, which leads us to our last point.

1. Double the Outdoor Time

Studies have shown that these days, children are spending more than twice as much time on their screens than they are outdoors. “Until recently, children spent many hours every week on this sort of physical, imaginative, social play,” said education expert Sir Ken Robinson. “‘Real play’ like this is not only enjoyable; it is vitally important in young lives.” Kids need to be active, make friends and focus on their health overall, and getting outdoors is a great way of doing just that.

5 Crazy Facts About Tea

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People are absolutely crazy about their tea, and for good reason. Not only does tea taste great, but it’s also packed with health benefits. You probably know how much tea you drink on a regular basis and how much you’re spending on it, but there are some interesting facts about tea that you may not have known. Let’s take a glimpse into the world of tea and see what makes this drink tick.

5. The Price of Tea

The average cost of tea is about $0.25 to $0.40 per cup, which is one reason why it’s so popular. What if you wanted to go all out and spend some big bucks on tea, though? Among the most expensive teas in the world, you’ll find Tieguanyin, vintage Narcissus, PG Tips and Panda Dung Tea that range from $1,500 to $35,000 per pound. The most expensive tea, though, is Da Hong Pao, which goes back to the Ming Dynasty and is valued at $600,000 per pound.

4. Iced Iced Tea Leaves

Tea is great on its own, but there are many people that prefer the iced version of the drink. In fact, nearly 70 million Americans drink iced tea every single day, but where did it come from? The earliest known documentation of iced tea came from the 1820s, and became more popular in print during the 1860s and 70s. It wasn’t until the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri that iced tea really started to take off in the United States after being introduced by Richard Blechynden.

3. Inception of Tea

Tea is one of the oldest drinks in the world, and the origins of tea are somewhat documented if not left to legend. The most widely accepted origin of tea comes from 2,737 BC from Emperor Shennong of China. The legend reads that Shennong had a servant who was boiling drinking water when a tea leaf fell into the water and he enjoyed the taste. In terms of full documentation, tea goes back to around 2nd century BC with writings at the time saying that tea use went even further back.

2. Tea Types

When you think of how many types of tea there are, you probably consider the handful of main types such as oolong or green tea. While there are the primary types, there are many different subtypes, and the amount of them might be surprising. All in all, there are over 3,000 different types of tea in the world. Think of tea the same way you do peppers, with very specific types not being too well known.

1. British Consumption

In Great Britain, there’s an estimated 67.2 million people. How many cups of tea do you think that translates to in a day? 10 million? 20 million? Not even close. Every day, Brits consume 100 million cups of tea. It doesn’t matter what age someone is in Great Britain, everyone is seemingly drinking at least one cup each day. This translates to 36 billion cups of tea every year, with three quarters of Brits drinking tea regularly and only 12 percent saying that they never drink tea. 58 percent are drinking two cups or more.

5 Surprising Benefits of Drinking Tea

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Doctors around the world are getting on board with getting people to drink more tea on a regular basis, and it’s easy to see why. You probably know that tea is good for your overall health, but do you know exactly what it can do for you? Tea can help in more ways than you might think, and in every part of your body. Don’t believe us? Here are five surprising benefits that you get from ditching soda and making the switch to tea.

5. Save Yourself Money

Before we get into the health aspects of drinking tea, we first have to stress how much money it can save you compared to drinking soda. It’s estimated that the average household in the United States spends nearly $900 on soft drinks, with most of that coming from soda and a total of $65 billion from the country as a whole. Tea is a cheaper alternative as one pound of loose leaf tea can make nearly 200 cups.

4. Sleep Better

Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the best things that you can do for your body, but a majority of people aren’t getting enough. Many people might not think that tea is good for promoting sleep due to the natural caffeine that’s found within, but the amount that you’ll find isn’t as nearly as much as it is in sugary sodas or energy drinks. In fact, tea will help you sleep thanks to the theanine content that promotes relaxation and healthy brain function.

3. Weight Loss

There’s one reason why many people are putting their sugary sodas away for good and switching to regular glasses of tea. It’s not just the reduced cost, but also the reduced waistlines and reduced numbers on the scales. Green tea is a natural metabolism booster according to studies. In one major study in Taiwan, men who drank green tea every day burned up to 200 more calories daily than those that didn’t. It might not seem like a big difference, but over the course of a whole year it adds up.

2. A Healthier Smile

Many of us think that good oral health comes from avoiding too much sugar while brushing and flossing on a daily basis. On top of all of that, drinking tea regularly helps maintain your tooth and gum health. Certain types of tea (especially green and black tea) contain a healthy amount of fluoride, which has been shown to prevent decay. Harmful bacteria in your mouth can be eliminated with tea, with the British Dental Association saying that tea is “non-erosive” and a great alternative to other drinks.

1. Great for the Skin

Because of its antioxidants, tea is great for your skin thanks to the elimination of free radicals that can cause aging and even skin cancer. Those that drink green tea on a regular basis have been shown by studies to have lower skin cancer rates, but you don’t even have to drink tea to get the great skin benefits. Using a scrub that’s comprised of green tea leaves helps to eliminate blackheads and relieves oily skin. Even placing tea bags on your eyes can reduce aging and bags.

5 Countries Which Excel at Tea

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There aren’t many things that everyone around the world can agree upon, but one of those things is our love for tea. Whether you’re in a country where drinking tea several times a day is the norm or if it’s something that you sip once in a while, tea has a big presence in every country. There are certain countries where tea just means more, though. We’re not just talking about tea being a global export, though, as the countries we have in mind 

5. Morocco

Morocco’s tea is so good that the country’s official website has an entire page dedicated to the tradition of their tea making. For Moroccans, it is a tradition “that signifies hospitality and friendship, and is carried out with great care,” the country says. Tea preparation is a bit different in Morocco and is considered to be more sweet, as sugar is added to their tea in very liberal amounts. Moroccan tea is also mintier, packing a strong taste into every cup.

4. Turkey

Just like Morocco, the tourism board of Turkey is so dedicated to tea that they tell you exactly how to make their style of tea at home. This includes using lime-free water and a tea kettle for the right temperature and when you should drink your cup. Turkish tea is withered to around 50 percent water content during its production and there are a lot of different flavors. You’ll notice that Turkish tea isn’t the minty type, opting for a red color that tastes amazing. On average, Turks drink more tea than all but three countries worldwide.

3. India

India is one of the first countries that comes to mind to even the most casual tea drinker, since tea that comes from there is known as Chai tea. Chai tea is spicier than most types and is served piping hot. Of course, sugar and milk are added to the tea, giving it a nice blend of spice, sweet and temperature heat that’s consumed multiple times per day by most Indians. The tea that’s native to India is enjoyed around the world, and the climate makes it unique.

2. Sri Lanka

Just like India, its neighbor Sri Lanka has its own type of tea and has become one of the most popular types in the world. We’re talking about Ceylon tea, which was first introduced in the second half of the 19th century. Since then, people have been blown away by Sri Lankan tea, which has a brighter color with a taste that’s both bold and brisk with hints of chocolate and citrus. It’s a perfect tea for relaxation, and there are six regions in the small country that grow this amazing tea. 

1. China

You can’t talk about tea without bringing up the country that far and away has the richest history and the biggest global footprint, and that’s China. There are all types of tea grown in China due to the country’s size that allows for different climates, and this includes green, red and many more. There’s really no wrong Chinese tea that you can pick from the list as they all taste amazing and have more health benefits than you can shake a stick at.

How To Eat When You Have IBS

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If you’re someone that has experienced constant bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation or a slew of any other digestive ailments, you may be one of millions that suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS for short. It’s estimated that about 10 to 15 percent of people in the United States have IBS, with a maximum of 45 percent of people around the world. It can be debilitating at its most severe, so you have to be very careful about what you eat or drink if you’ve been diagnosed because there is currently no known cure.

Thankfully, IBS is not known to be a disease that will affect your lifespan, but it can negatively affect your quality of life. Depending on what your symptoms are with IBS, there are some different foods that you should try. Let’s take a closer look at which ones work the best.

Diarrhea

For those that constantly get diarrhea that’s brought on by IBS, it’s likely that you’re getting too much fiber in your diet. You may also be lactose intolerant, eating too many fatty foods or chugging carbonated drinks that include alcohol. Try to control your portions so that you’re eating smaller meals throughout the day and stick to whole grains and dried fruits. There’s also a matter of temperature balance, trying to keep both your beverages and food around the same temperature if you’re eating and drinking at the same time.

Constipation

People that suffer from the constipation side of IBS are more prone to be eating processed foods regularly and refined grains instead of whole grains. Unlike those with diarrhea, you should be focusing on increasing your daily fiber intake. Drinking more water is always a good thing, and try to add some prune juice, as well. Similarly to diarrhea sufferers, though, dried fruit will go a long way in helping you maintain comfortable regularity. 

Other Tips

You don’t want to go without eating a proper amount of protein in your diet, so make sure that you’re adding the recommended amount. To do this, try to stick to leaner meats such as chicken and turkey and be mindful of how you’re preparing these meals. Baking, roasting or air frying will help relieve your IBS symptoms no matter what they are.

While they do have overall health benefits, people with IBS want to be careful with how often they’re eating vegetables that can cause gas. The obvious one on the list is legumes (beans), but there are other ones such as broccoli, brussels sprouts and chickpeas. This can cause severe abdominal pain if you’re eating these foods too often.

At this point, you can probably guess that a diet that’s filled with alcohol and fried foods won’t be good for your digestive system, and you’d be right. Try to limit these as much as possible, and cutting them out completely is suggested even if it doesn’t sound fun. Lastly, check with your doctor to make sure that you don’t have celiac disease or lactose intolerance, as many people confuse IBS with gluten intolerance. Your doctor can also provide a diet that you can stick to and enjoy a happy and healthy life.

5 Reasons To Consider Intermittent Fasting

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If you have spent any time around the internet for the past couple of years, especially when looking for weight loss tips, it’s likely that you’ve stumbled across intermittent fasting. It’s one of the trendiest ways to lose weight right now, and people are posting their amazing before and after pictures left and right. While it does have its critics, intermittent fasting has proven to be effective and beloved by those that have undergone the program. Why should you join the many that have lost weight? Here are some of the best reasons to at least consider intermittent fasting for yourself.

5. Proven Weight Loss

Why not start with the obvious reason why so many people are hopping on the intermittent fasting train? Weight loss is why a vast majority of people try out intermittent fasting, and those that stuck with the program for at least 10 weeks saw success, typically losing just over one pound of fat per week. It’s important to find the right type of fasting for you, though, as some have lost just under 1 percent of their body weight while others in the same timespan lost up to 13 percent.

4. Lower Cholesterol

Most people that jump into intermittent fasting might not realize how beneficial it can be for their heart health. This is especially true for your cholesterol levels. Studies have shown that those in an IF program are likely to lower their LDL levels and increase their HDL levels of cholesterol. For those that might not be aware, LDL is the bad one and HDL is the good one. It’s important to note, however, that these studies are more in the short-term (at least for now).

3. Better Sleep

Sleep is one of the biggest factors for your overall health, and millions struggle with it on a daily basis. Even if you’re not trying to lose a single pound, you may want to consider intermittent fasting to improve your sleep. This is because one study found that those who tried IF for just one week saw a huge boost in restful sleep. Participants fell into a deeper sleep without tossing and turning at night, leading to an increase in their focus and mood while awake.

2. Diabetes Treatment

In the United States alone, it’s estimated that about one out of every 10 people has diabetes, with many not even knowing that they do. If you’re one of the millions that has diabetes, intermittent fasting has proven to be a huge help. “Essentially, fasting is doing what we prescribe diabetes medications to do,” says Benjamin Horne of Intermountain Healthcare. “Which is to improve insulin sensitivity…even when people aren’t losing weight on a fasting regimen, some research has found that insulin sensitivity improves markedly.”

1. Potential for Longevity

Currently, studies are in progress that show that intermittent fasting can be a benefit for longevity. It’s already being shown in mice, with one such study taking place five years ago. The average lifespan of these mice that underwent IF increased by 13 percent, and we’re now starting to see the same results in humans. It doesn’t have to be an everyday thing, either, with the benefits for longevity being shown for those that use IF on an every other day basis.

5 Simple Tips On Eating For Brainpower

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They say that the mind is a terrible thing to waste, and that couldn’t be more true. You only get one brain throughout this life, and you want to take good care of it the same way that you would your heart. People tend to let their brain health not be a priority, but it’s really something to focus on, and you can boost your memory and prevent neurological diseases with your diet. If you want to improve your brain health, follow these simple tips to fine tune your diet.

5. Go Nuts

If you’re a fan of nuts, you’re in luck. It really doesn’t matter what type of nut that you’re eating, almost all of them are going to be good for your brain health. Almonds, macadamias are two of the most prominent nuts for brain health, with walnuts being the top of the group. That’s because walnuts contain the most antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Sure, nuts might be a bit high on the calorie count, but if you’re measuring carefully and restricting yourself, you’ll get the maximum benefit.

4. Get Plenty of Fiber

Many of us have heard all about fiber and its benefits in recent history, and there’s a good reason for that. Now, studies are showing that fiber is also a key aspect for brain power. In Japan, Professor Kazumasa Yamagishi began a study in the 1980s linking the two. “One possibility is that soluble fiber regulates the composition of gut bacteria,” he said. “This composition may affect neuroinflammation, which plays a role in the onset of dementia.” Fiber is everywhere in foods now, and even taking supplements goes a long way.

3. Berry Nice

Among the most popular fruits around the world, you’ll find a bevy of berries thanks to their flavor and accessibility. Major studies have shown that berries are also the fruits that are tops for brain function. According to doctors Barbara Shukitt-Hale and Marshall G. Miller, those that were eating blueberries, strawberries and more saw a much lower rate of Alzheimer’s disease and mental decline with aging thanks to the antioxidants that eliminated free radicals. Researchers are now focusing on which berry is the best of the bunch.

2. Alcohol (But Only a Little)

Alcohol, as you can probably guess, is not great for brain health. It’s a depressant that you can develop a dependency toward. Because of this, you don’t want to be drinking too much, but one glass of wine or beer a day can be great for your brain health. This amount has been linked to lower risks of stroke and Parkinson’s disease while also improving brain cognition later in life. We can’t stress this enough, though, always in moderation.

1. The Best Fatty Acid

Omega-3 fatty acids were once considered a trendy nutrient, but are now one of the pillars for good overall health. Not only are these fatty acids suggested for your heart health, but also your brain. That’s because omega-3s are great for improving blood flow and help cognition, memory and lowered risk of dementia. Of course, many types of fish are high in omega-3s, as well as chia seeds yogurt and nuts.

5 Simple Tips On Managing Your Blood Sugar

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Because of the modern diet, more and more people are struggling to manage their blood sugar. This has resulted in a whopping one out of 10 people in the United States suffering from diabetes, with many not even knowing that they have the illness. If you have diabetes, fear that you might have it, or want to prevent yourself from ever getting that diagnosis, you want to get a handle on your blood sugar immediately. To do so, here are five tips proven by time and science that will help you live your best life, diabetes free.

5. Get More Fiber

More than any other nutrient, fiber is the best way to manage your blood sugar. Fiber is not broken down by the body, meaning that you won’t experience a lot of spikes or crashes in your blood sugar. Carbohydrates will have the opposite effect, so make sure you’re sticking to a high fiber and low carbohydrate diet. Soluble fiber is the best type for this, including beans, nuts, oatmeal and apples.

4. Drink Up

Every doctor in the world will tell you that you need to be drinking more water than you are (unless you’re one of those rare people that’s overhydrated). It’s tempting to reach for a soda, but if you really want to manage your blood sugar you’ll skip those (including diet sodas) and go straight for the water. Hydration leads to a reduced risk in blood sugar spikes, so try to get around 3+ liters of water per day.

3. Sleep Easy

Sleep is one of the pillars of overall health, and for good reason. Getting the recommended amount of sleep each night helps your body in just about every way possible. This includes managing your blood sugar. Studies have shown that those that get just one night of little to no sleep leads to an increase in insulin resistance. If this goes on for too long, your blood sugar increases and can cause diabetes.

2. Exercise Regularly

Believe it or not, there are many that have been able to reach professional levels of athletics while managing diabetes. This includes former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler who would check his blood sugar during games. When you exercise, your body increases your cells’ insulin sensitivity while your muscles absorb blood sugar. It’s best to start small with a regular walking schedule and you can work your way up from there.

1. Stick to the Eating Schedule

Many of us tend to eat at sporadic times of the day, but it’s best to stick to a consistent eating schedule when you’re managing your blood sugar. Science shows that when you’re eating the same amount at the same time every day, you’re going to balance your blood sugar throughout the day. This is especially true when it comes to carbohydrates. Try to keep your meals on the smaller side and measure your portions so that you’re sticking to a good regimen. It may be hard to adjust at first and there will be days where things aren’t perfect, but it’s worth it in the long run.

5 Tips On Eating To Reduce Anxiety

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As we become more aware of our own mental health, there are certain disorders that have come to the limelight in recent years. Among them is anxiety disorder, which has become all too common in society. It’s estimated that over 40 million people in the United States alone (or around 20 percent) of people have anxiety at this moment while more than 30 percent will have it at some point in their lives. There are a few different ways that we can combat our anxiety, and one of those ways happens to be in the kitchen. What we eat can affect our mental health, and following these eating tips can help reduce anxiety.

5. Head to the Sea

Fish are sort of a super animal when it comes to reducing our anxiety. Not only do people experience lower levels of anxiety when they have an aquarium in their homes or when they’re out catching fish, but it also translates into eating fish. This is because fish are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve mental health tremendously thanks to a reduction in inflammation. Eating fish twice a week at minimum can do the trick, and also helps to prevent neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

4. Fruit Focused

The benefits of fruit seem to be endless when it comes to our physical health, and that also translates into our mental health. Fruits (and it really doesn’t matter which type) have been linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety for those that were adding more to their weekly diet. Like fish, fruits provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that reduce anxiety producing hormones. They’re also light on the stomach and calorie count. Opt for fruits such as melons and citrus fruits for the maximum benefit.

3. Find Your Allergens

A lot of people are allergic, or at the very least sensitive, to at least one type of food. Many of these people don’t even know that they’re sensitive and can go their whole lives feeling bogged down by eating certain things. Because of this, it’s important to speak with a nutritionist to see if you might have an allergic reaction or sensitivity to foods, as some can trigger anxiety in certain individuals.

2. Be a Pro

Thankfully, there has been a big focus in recent years on gut health. Eating for your health starts with the digestive system, and probiotics help to make you regular, increase energy and also boost your mood through anxiety reduction. One major study showed a link between probiotics and a reduction in anxiety. Foods that are high in probiotics include yogurt, pickles, kimchi and certain cheeses.

1. Liquid Part of Diet

Now that you know what you should be looking for in terms of eating to reduce anxiety, what should you be drinking? You should be making sure that you’re getting plenty of water (around three liters per day) as hydration leads to an improved mood. Try to limit your soda intake, and make sure that your alcohol intake is extremely limited. Alcohol is a depressant and also dehydrates your body. Cutting this out completely can be one of the biggest factors in increased mood and energy.