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Having a relapse after a drug detox can be very upsetting. However, it is more common that you may think, and it does not mean that you are incapable of becoming clean. During the time of a relapse it is important to be open and honest with those that you trust, so that you can receive the best treatment and advice for moving forward. Depending on the extent of the relapse, some may only need some extra assistance from others in their support system. However, on the other hand, others may need to re enter an alcohol or drug rehab center. Know that either of these scenarios are not a sign of defeat, no matter how troubled it may make you feel. Here are three things that you should do after a relapse to protect yourself from worsening your circumstances and experiencing life threatening withdrawal symptoms.

• Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself

As mentioned before, a relapse does not mean the end for your addiction treatment, and using again happens to many past alcohol and drug abusers. Focusing on what you should do next may help you to stop thinking negatively about the situation. The last thing that you want is to fall into a depressive state as this could trigger yet another relapse. Creating a mental checklist is a good way to get your thoughts in order productively. Thinking about who you should contact is also a wise way to help yourself, and it leads you to what actions you should do next.

• Call Your Support System

The next thing that you should do is to call someone that you trust. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or medical professional. They will likely have a level headed suggestion on what your next course of action should be, and they are likely more than willing to help you in any way that you need. Having a strong support system is more important now than ever. Feeling cared for and supported makes everything a little easier, especially during an emotionally charged time like this.

• Continue Your Treatment

It is crucial to listen to the advice of your healthcare professionals after a relapse. This can prevent continued use and dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Some may require another drug rehab visit, and others may just need more supervision at home. Maintaining contact with your support system is a good idea either way to keep up morale. Joining or going to your regular support group can also help with this. Just like it is important to listen to your doctors, listening to your support system’s advice also improves your chances of success. They are only looking out for you, and if they offering guidance then there is most likely a good reason for it.

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Treatment after relapse, when done as stated above,does not damage the work put into addiction treatment completely. Drug and alcohol abuse treatment is a continuous process, and experiencing a relapse is extremely common. Trying to maintain an optimistic outlook and moving forward are the best for moving forward.

 

Bringing your kids along for a camping trip can be a life-changing experience for the family. The grownups get to unwind from work, while the kids get to learn more about the world they live in. For parents, you can bond with your children through recreational activities.

While this does sound appealing, families should still take steps to ensure safety for all. This is especially important for those with toddlers or young children. Whether you’re going to a lakeside cabin, a camp in the mountains, or a lodge by the beach, here are some tips to follow.

Keep Camp Tools Under Lock

Do the safety measures you do in the kitchen. Sharp camp tools like axes or knives can seriously injure kids who might mistake them for toys. The same can be said for pointed ones like wooden stakes or metal pegs. You can still keep your kids’ hands busy by giving them easy tasks.

Let them help you dig the soil to create the pit for the campfire. You can do so by giving them tools that are safe enough for use like pails or shovels. Still, don’t fail to keep a watchful eye on the kids in case they get restless.

Prepare Food And Water Safely

Before you set out for camp, it’s a given to have already packed food and water enough for the trip. The challenge lies in preparing these consumables in a way that’ll keep them safe from contamination or spoilage.

Contaminated or spoiled food could make young children sick with nausea, diarrhea, or worse health conditions. To make sure your food and drinks are kept safe, pack them in waterproof or tight containers. Keep the beverages in an insulated cooler.

When preparing raw food for cooking, make sure to wash your hands and surfaces that will be used. Thoroughly clean cutlery and cookware, and don’t group raw food and cooked ones in one area. Finally, cook food and chill them at the appropriate temperature.

Protect Yourselves From Poisonous Plants

Identify the plants indigenous to the area you’ll be camping in. Take note of the ones that are poisonous and the ones that aren’t. Common examples include poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak. If these are present, stay away from them while trekking through the woods.

Make sure you and the kids wear protective clothing like long pants, long socks, and enclosed shoes. In case you or the young ones accidentally touch these plants, wash your hands thoroughly to prevent spreading the rash. Bring with you anti-itch creams, wet compresses, and rubbing alcohol just in case.

Ward Off Wild Animals

If you’re bringing toddlers and family pets, keep them safe from wild animals in the area. These creatures might look cute or worth petting, but you never know whether they carry serious diseases. Keep a safe distance from them by not camping near where they hunt, roam, or graze.

This also reinforces storing your food in sealed containers – doing so ensures that wild animals won’t get attracted to your campsite. As for your family cat or dog, make sure they’re vaccinated and kept free of ticks. These bugs might carry infections that they got from feeding on wild animals earlier.

Bring Child-Friendly Protective Creams

If you’re going to camp near a beach or anywhere sunny, don’t forget to bring sunscreen. This will help you and your kids’ skin from getting long-term sun damage. With sun protection, you’re free to frolic at the beach or lake for some time without having to worry about serious sunburns. Just make sure to reapply sunscreen whenever needed.

Another protective cream to bring would be bug repellents. Your children can be susceptible to nasty insects like mosquitoes or ticks, both of which can cause itching and diseases. As a precaution, apply some bug spray to your kids’ clothes before they put it on. Make sure the bug spray has good reviews and contains no potential irritants.

Protect Your Camp From The Elements

Many have come to take camping as exposing yourself to the elements. While this may be true, you don’t have to do so to the point of sickness. Exposure to too much cold at night might cause hypothermia, while too much heat might cause dehydration or heat strokes.

These are dangerous bodily conditions, much more so for kids. Bring with you warm clothing and bedding when you’re going to camp in the mountains, by the lake, or somewhere that gets cold. Place plastic under your tent to help keep everyone dry. When traversing during sunny days, drink lots of liquids free of sugar and alcohol. Wear light and breathable clothing to let the air cool your body.

Ensure Safe Physical Activities.

While camping, toddlers or kids might get antsy and get into tantrums. Children’s toys would come in handy since they can help keep the young ones preoccupied. Still, keep in mind that these objects might be choking hazards if you leave your kids unsupervised.

Make sure that playtime and other physical activities for the kids stay safe. Bring toys that are nontoxic and create a boundary for the play area at camp. This way, the children won’t wander outside the camp and get lost or in danger. Remember to give your kids age-appropriate lessons, such as fire safety rules or things they shouldn’t touch.

Don’t Lose Track Of The Trail

Camping, at its essence, is resting and doing activities in an unfamiliar and barely inhabited area. You’re fortunate if you’re camping with other groups of people, but stay vigilant if you’ll be camping on your own while having kids in tow. Stay on the trail so that you won’t get lost.

Ideally, set up camp beside or near the marked path. Don’t let kids play around unsupervised, especially at night. Bring navigational tools like a GPS, a phone, or a radio with you, and make sure there’s ample signal. This way, you can seek help when needed.

A Safe Camp For The Young Ones

These tips should help parents embark on camping trips, especially if it’s their first time bringing kids along. As long as you follow these and seek advice from experienced parents, the trip should go as planned with the kids in safe hands.

Resources: Active Kids CDC Beyond The Tent

 

Sport is a huge part of most people’s lives. With over 3.5 billion fans, football is the most popular sport in the world. Its fans could be found in all continents and some of the most remote places regardless of the language barrier. With all these fans, it is important now more than ever to have outstanding football content whether it is in journalism, blog content, podcasts, or magazine for the following reasons. And that is what These Football Times is all about. Here are some of the reasons why fans love These Football Times.

Accuracy

When it comes to publishing, accuracy is of utmost importance. The information needs to be accurate, reported exactly the way it happened. Information travels fast in this digital age which makes it easy for messages to get distorted and lost in translation. Although it is not always possible to get the ‘truth’, football writers such as the professionals that write for These Football Times aim to give the facts as accurately as possible. This is why readers trust the platform.

Objectivity, Fairness, and Impartiality

With so many teams to support, it is highly unlikely that a football writer will not have a favorite. As each match has two sides, so does each story. The best football writers are objective, fair, and impartial. It allows readers from all sides to relate with the piece without feeling coerced. These Football Times consistently publishes interviews with some of the highest-rated players in the industry. It would not be possible if These Football Times lacked the above characters.

Reward for Passion

Enjoying a good game is one thing, getting a reward for passion is another. These Football Times opened its doors to skilled writers from all over the world in 2011. It is free for all. Anyone can get to send in their work and have it published if it’s good enough. Not only do people get to share their work with millions of readers, but they also get to earn money while at it. The search for the reward for passion is what allows football enthusiasts to make money through online betting. Online betting makes it possible for anyone with intricate football knowledge and a little bit of luck to earn some money on the side.

Entertainment for Fans

Various football leagues come around and different times of the year, much like the 4 seasons. Before now, fans had to wait for football season to come around before they could enjoy their hobby. But now, fans can stay tuned with exciting bi-monthly magazines, listen to quality podcasts, follow intriguing written series, and so much more.

Preserves History in a Fun Way

These Football Times aims to not only inform but to entertain as well. It retells some of football’s greatest stories through writing, art, podcasts, and photography. Readers love that it is not told in a bland historic manner as some outlets do.

There are many football websites with informative content on the internet but there are none as entertaining and artistic as These Football Times. These Football Times rekindles the love of football among its readers like no other source can.

Photos are a great way to preserve memories and tell stories. Traditional albums are no longer your only option. Photo books are great. They save on space, they are convenient and easy to access. The following are some qualities that may help you distinguish good photo books from bad ones.

1. It Should Have a Specific Purpose

Your photo book should have a clear purpose. Do not stuff random photos in it. You may use your photo book to document specific events such as weddings, a baby’s milestones, or a family trip. If you need to document different memories, you should use different photo books.

2. Proper use of White Space

Even though it is important to have enough white space, do not overdo it. Even though you have the option to make your photo book long, it is not always necessary. You can have a good photo book without too much white space. A short yet detailed photo book saves you money and it is more captivating.

Resist the temptation to include all your good photos in a photo book. Use photos that best capture the message you intend to convey.

3. The Paper Should be Good

A good photo book is printed on high-quality paper. If printers use low-quality paper, the entire photo book may look wrong. Low-quality paper does not hold ink well. It may look messy and dull. The adhesive should be of high quality as well.

4. Simplicity

A good photo book should be simple. Do not go overboard with your colors, photos, or designs. If there is too much going on, it may take attention away from the story you are trying to tell. Pay attention to the clarity, lighting, and brightness of your photos. You should only include the necessary photos.

5. Variety

If a photo book has too much of the same thing, it might get boring. The variety will make your photo book interesting. You don’t need to use the same background on every photo. Use different backgrounds that complement each other and do not shy from experimenting with different layouts.

6. It Should Appeal to Emotions

A good photo book should appeal to your emotions. It should tell a story. If a photo book has random or impersonal photos, it may not appeal to the senses. Customizing your photo book may give it the personality and uniqueness it needs. When designing a photo book, you should not be afraid to show your creativity. It is what will set the book apart from others.

Do you need help designing a photo book? You should consider working with Mixbook.com. It allows you to customize a photo book for any occasion. You can upload photos from everywhere including your Instagram, Facebook, computer, and SmugMug.

Mixbook is free and it allows you to start as many projects as you need. You will only pay for your printed books.

Everything is completely customizable. You can choose the size, cover style, and format that works for you. You even have the option to add your own logos and stickers.

If you are unhappy with your order, you can return it. Mixbook is popular because it is easy to use. You don’t need any special training to use it. The customer service is amazing and it is convenient.

 

The concept of “carbs” is a passionately debated topic. This is especially true in the weight-loss world because of low-carb or no-carb diets. The notion that “carbs are bad” has left many individuals muddled about carbohydrates and their significance for our health, which includes maintaining a healthy weight.

Dietitians say that carbohydrates are such a wide category which means that individuals are required to know that not all carbs are created equal. It’s all about the type, quality as well as the quantity of carbohydrate in our diet that is significant. While we should be reducing the amount of sugar in our diet – in the form of fizzy drinks and sweets – we should base our meals on starchy carbs, particularly the higher-fibre varieties as there is strong evidence that fibre, which is found in wholegrain versions of starchy carbohydrates – for example – is good for our health.

Everyone needs to consume carbohydrates. However, this doesn’t give you licence to load up on cakes and cookies to get your recommended daily servings. Whole grains, such as brown rice, have more fibre and nutrients than processed grains. Carbohydrates are a critical part of a healthy diet, yet it’s important to know that not all of them are created equal.

What Is the Glycaemic Index (GI)?

The Glycaemic Index (GI) is a scale which ranks carbohydrates in foods according to the effect that these have blood glucose levels. Carbohydrates which don’t have a high GI value (in other words, 55 or less) are digested, absorbed as well as metabolised in a slower manner. This means that they cause a lower as well as a slower rise in blood glucose in addition to insulin levels.

There are a number of groupings in the GI:

• Low: 55 or less,
• Mid: 56 – 69, and
• High: 70+.

There is a very pressing requirement to define the discrepancy between a low GI diet and/or meal as opposed to a low GI food. Because a low GI food is considered as 55 or less, the entire population has made the logical assumption that a diet which averages 55 or less is a low GI diet. What the typical Australian and American eats already has a GI of between 55 and 60 owing to the fact that we eat fruits as well as dairy products and these foods naturally are low GI.

However, to reduce risks of chronic disease people should be aiming to lower the number of high GI foods that are consumed. A GI level of 45 is a better cut-off point:

• Low: 45 or less,
• Mid: 46-59, and
• High: 60+.

 

It is known, from a number of global observational cohort surveys, that the daily average GI of the population’s diet – in the lowest 20% of the population – is between 40 – 50. It has been proven that an average GI of 45 has substantial health benefits in people with existing diabetes for reducing the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.

Low-GI carbohydrates

Carbohydrates supply us with the energy that we require in order to perform our everyday activities such as working, exercising as well as playing with our children. However, all carbohydrates aren’t created equal:

• There are refined carbohydrates – such as white bread, pastries and cake – which give you a rush of energy just after you’ve eaten them.
• However, very soon you’ll be left feeling tired and listless. In order to counteract this feeling of tiredness, you’ll eat more refined carbs to keep your energy up. Because you’re eating increased amounts of calories, you’ll put on weight should you not use this energy.

To lose weight, it is required that you eat slow-release carbohydrates (also called low GI carbohydrates) such as wholewheat bread. These carbohydrates release consistent amounts of energy into your bloodstream throughout the day. They also keep you feeling fuller for longer which means that you’ll curb the urge to keep on snacking to keep your energy levels up.

If you are confused on how to eat correctly for either exercise or overall health, it is a good idea to consult with a trained Personal Trainer to lead you so you can get the best out of your diet and overall nutrition routine.