Ready to leave your comfort zone?
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I bring this up to you dear readers, because I’m facing this decision right now. There comes a time when you know that it’s time to move on. I don’t mean moving on from a relationship. I mean moving on from the life you are living and starting over, brand new.

My choice.

I originally moved to this area, and in particular, this house, because I was directed here. I was directed here by some force in the universe. I was directed here because I had a job and a purpose to fulfill. That was about 5 years ago. Now those five years have come to a close and it’s time to redirect my focus.

I became a friend to someone who needed it badly. I have written about some of my past experiences. But it’s time to redirect my focus and move on from this life.. It’s time to move on from this. Not as a writer, but as a human being. That means making my way to Florida.  It’s a bit scary, but it will be well worth it.  And I will be writing about my experiences every step of the way. There are many reasons for my choice to leave. When you look around you, you begin to recognize the signs. Those pesky signs that say ” There’s nothing for you here anymore”.

Are you ready to leave your comfort zone behind?

It’s time to go outside of your comfort zone.

We get used to staying in one spot for a long time. We get used to the atmosphere and the people. But what if those people that you are living with are not good for you? What if those people are solely trapped in the negative and have no wish to leave that zone? I have always tried to be an upbeat and positive person, but there comes a point when you begin to tell yourself  “I can’t keep living like this.” Leaving your comfort zone can be a difficult thing to do, but if you plan wisely and put aside those fears, you will make it.  It’s not good to stay stagnate spiritually, mentally or physically.

Leaving that friend behind.

It’s good to be a friend to someone who needs it, especially in their darkest hours. But there comes a point in time when a relationship has run it’s course. In my case, that is happening right now. My friend and I still care about one another, but sometimes it’s better to cut your losses and  move on.  There’s only so much you can give and take in a relationship. I have said this before “You can’t change another person, you can only change yourself.”

What if there is nothing keeping you there?

Though I will always care about my friend,  there’s only so long you can stay in a relationship like this. When you have a friend that continues to enable the negativity in his life, in spite of his better judgment and the advice you and other friends have offered him, it’s time to let go. Dear readers, you and I need to do what is best for us now. That means leaving behind the current life and never looking back.

I have thought about this for over a year now, but now is the time to make my move. If any of you are facing the same issues, you are not alone. Just trust in God and in your instincts.  It takes more courage to leave behind your old life and start a new one, than it does to stay.

Once you begin to notice that there is nothing there for you anymore, that is the time to start planning your exit. As long as you plan wisely and don’t burn your bridges, you will have a healthy start to a healthy new life.

The post One Giant Leap for Mankind: Leave Your Comfort Zone Behind appeared first on College Cures.

HIV testing: Get tested today.
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It’s that time of year when millions of Americans start looking back at the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year and setting New Year’s resolutions.

While many New Year’s resolutions, such as losing weight, saving money, managing stress, are popular year after year, this upcoming year encourage your readers to include one additional resolution on that list:  Resolve to get tested for HIV. This is especially important for youth and young adults. In 2009, young people (those aged 13-29) accounted for 29% of all new HIV infections.

Many Americans do not realize that HIV is still a major epidemic in our country. More than a million people are living with HIV in the United States, and almost 1 in 6 are unaware of their infection and at risk of passing the virus on to others without knowing it. The only way to know if a person has HIV is to get an HIV test, and it’s easy, free, fast, and confidential! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. Testing once a year (or more) is recommended for people at higher risk of HIV infection, such as those who are gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), injection drug users, or people with multiple sex partners.

Here are three good reasons to get an HIV test and a tool they can use to find an HIV test site near their area:

1. Finding out early can help you live a longer, healthier life.
2. If you know, you can look out for yourself – and the people you love.
3. It’s easy. It’s free, fast, and confidential.

We must re-double our efforts to assure that all people know about HIV, how to prevent transmission, their HIV status, and that people with HIV are linked to care, treatment, and prevention services. We can stop HIV Together—by getting the facts, getting tested, and getting involved.

HIV Testing Web and Social Media Accounts:

• Let’s Stop HIV Together on the Web
• Act Against AIDS Facebook page
• Let’s Stop HIV Together  participant video stories
• “Get Tested” Web page

Sample Let’s Stop HIV Together stories:

• Greg Louganis, Olympic Diver (and four-time gold medalist), was diagnosed with HIV in 1988. Greg is often remembered for the shocking moment in 1988 (just after his HIV diagnosis) when he struck his head on the springboard.
• Kelly, a young heterosexual woman, was in what she thought was a committed relationship at the time of her HIV diagnosis in 2010, and found out several months after they both tested positive for HIV that her boyfriend had been sexually active with men during their relationship.
• Theresa, a mother and grandmother was getting back into the dating scene after getting divorced when she was diagnosed with HIV. At her age, she thought HIV was something that she didn’t need to worry about.
• Masonia, a young single mother, found out she was pregnant and tested positive for HIV in the same day.

The post HIV Testing This New Year and Every Year appeared first on College Cures.

Sex education sure has changed since I was a little boy. When I was younger sex education was taught in the classroom. We learned about how sex worked and what the consequences of sex were. Consequences, that sometimes included pregnancy.

Learning about sex eduation.
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Taking a pregnant pause.

What most people don’t realize is that you can get pregnant at most times during the month, unless you exercise precautions. Precautions that include birth control pills and condoms. But even those are not 100% effective. Many women think that if they are in their ovulation period, that is when the are most susceptible. But this is simply not true.

So much has changed since I was little. The sex education classes are all but gone from the schools. And people are having kids left and right. It seems that being pregnant and having kids is the new status symbol. You aren’t cool unless you have a baby. It’s so evident in reality shows like Teen Mom and Teen Mom 2. Now I am not one for reality shows, in fact, I detest them. But are these shows the new education? Are these shows trying to tell us something we are just not picking up on? Are shows like Teen Mom actually a blessing or an even bigger curse?

Is Teen Mom the new sex education classroom?

The one thing I will admit about these shows is that they rarely show how easy going life is when you have a baby. When you have a baby most think of it as sunshine and roses. But with shows like Teen Mom they are actually depicting the hardships. I have seen a few clips during commercial breaks and they show how difficult relationships can be when a baby gets involved. During the one clip the guy actually said “If this baby weren’t here, you and I would not be together.” Now that is a sobering realization, isn’t it?

So what do some of the experts say?

Well some of them have said that it does glorify teen pregnancies in a big way. In fact, one educator said that although it depicts the hardships, it provides a less than resourceful way of preventing the pregnancies from happening. Some experts have said that it only serves to encourage other teens to enjoy the party.  Still, others have said that because of the show, the statistics have gone down. But no matter what side of the fence you fall on, shows like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom do have a powerful affect on our society.

The reality of reality television.

Kids today gravitate toward reality television. They believe them. Unfortunately, the line between fantasy and reality has been blurred. The more reality shows get glorified, the more others will be attracted to them. These shows are no different. Many producers feel that if they have a niche to draw people in, than the education will work. But at what cost are we trying to educate our kids? When I was younger, sex education classes were enough for guys to “keep it in their pants”.  All they had to do was look at the footage of a baby being born and that was enough for the guys to “zip up” and stay “zipped up”.  But now things have changed. Now our society is about seeking the fame and doing anything to get it, even having a baby.

So whether you believe that these shows are actually hindering or helping the sex education cause, that is strictly up to you. But at what cost will our viewers get educated on having a baby? Will it be enough to stop them from doing something foolish? Or is it just the beginning of a franchise, where the baby is viewed only as a product and nothing more?

The post Is Teen Mom The New Sex Education Classroom? appeared first on College Cures.

It’s not an easy thing for anyone to admit. It wasn’t for me. I normally don’t discuss something so private about my life, but if I can help someone else out that is struggling with this, than I will have done my job.

My personal story.

I was a drinker for over ten years. It ruined a good portion of my life back then. I was never one to like alcohol in the beginning. Truth be told, I don’t get why people do it in the first place. I know people that will drink from 7 in the morning until they pass out later on in the day. I never understood the reasoning behind it. Up until I was 21 I never really entertained the notion of it. But it got to the point where my home life was becoming unbearable and I needed a release of any kind. On my 21st birthday, my friends (at the time) introduced me to the concept of alcohol and drinking. I remember being at the party and doing some shots, but than the rest is a blur.

Soon after, I became fixed and I found a new friend.

I started out by doing a few shots and drinks here and there. It was merely an occasional thing, nothing more. But as things got worse for me, it became more of a permanent fixture. Soon it went from a bottle of wine every other week, to a few bottles every week.  I began mixing vodka and brandy in between. I was drowning my sorrows over losing the love of my life and everything in between. I lost the love of my life due to factors that were beyond my control, but it still hurt. This was the only way I felt I could cope. It got to the point where my days consisted of going to work and then going home and drinking. I would stay up late and not sleep. I would hide booze. I was ashamed and embarrassed at what I had done.  Than about 4 years ago I quit and started to get my life back on track. The love of my life, he is back, after all of these years.

I am an alcoholic and I need help.

I was lucky to get my life back on track as an adult. You can be that way too.  If any of you out there are facing the dragon, don’t give up hope. The first step is admitting that you have a problem.  The next step is to get into a treatment program. Talk to God about it. That is what I did. God helped me out of some pretty tough times and he can do the same for you. I had his light inside of me, I just had to find it. You can find his light inside of you too. If you want help, all you need to do is ask. Talk to a friend and ask for support.  A real friend will never turn their back on you. I had no one when this happened. I had to do this all on my own. All I had was my faith  to rely on. It doesn’t have to be that way for any of you who are suffering inside. That is why I’m sharing my story with you, in hopes that I can inspire others.

So don’t give up on yourself, who ever you are out there.

There is always hope, remember that. If you want it badly enough, there is always hope.

The post I Am An Alcoholic and I Need Help appeared first on College Cures.

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Pot is one of the most popular, not to mention used drugs in America.  There are a few others drugs that come close, but marijuana is the most sough after drug in order to get high off of. According to national surveys, at least 6.5 percent of men have admitted to smoking on a regular basis. Over half of the population will gravitate to pot, before trying some of the other drugs.

Living with a pothead

One of my roommates uses it at least several times a week, if not once a day. He used to do it on the occasion. But now, he does it just to keep himself sane. He has admitted that due to certain stress factors in his life, he resorts to weed in order to keep himself mellow. I asked him about something recently and he admitted to me that his memory is fading. Not to the point of being concerned, but he never used to be like this. Don’t get me wrong he is a smart man, but I have to wonder what this weed will do to him in the long run. He has already forgotten things that he has said to me. Now we all forget from time to time, I mean that is normal. What happens when the weed affects the molecules in your brain?

Drugs on the market: Is pot still considered recreational?

I recall this one interview with this singer and they were discussing how she comes up with her material. She admitted that she smokes a lot of weed and drinks some hard liquor. I believe the artist was Lady Gaga. I had my party days too, sans the weed of course. I personally would never touch the stuff. But I say whatever floats your boat. But what happens when the occasional usage crosses over to an everyday occurrence. There have been studies done that prove that the use of marijuana over time will decrease your brain capabilities and the stimuli.

What do the doctors say?

Doctors do say that marijuana will temporarily relieve the stress and the pain. But to rely on it as a long-term thing is not a wise move.  Researchers on the subject even worry about how it will affect the brain later on.  There are many college and high school aged kids and adults that use this drug for recreational practices. Those who smoke marijuana perform worse on tests that involve sense memory.

Those individuals also have a reduced rate when it comes to random numbers and recalling sentence patterns. Once someone gets hooked on a drug, you know that it’s not long before it becomes a permanent fixture. My roommate once told me that for generic pricing he can get a pound of it for $400. Now I used to spend that much and more on booze every single month.  So I do get concerned with him. He is a very smart guy, and yet with his practices I do wonder how much longer he can keep it up.

We all have our own way of relieving stress and pain. But there is always a concern for those who take a recreational drug plant and turn it into something more than recreational. Pot is just like any other drug on the market. At some point the recreation is long gone.

What do you think about marijuana use?

The post Drugs on The Market: Is Pot Still Considered Recreational? appeared first on College Cures.

I last spoke about eating disorders and how seeking treatment is the best option. Well today I will be discussing what you can do if you begin to notice the signs of an eating disorder. The signs may be very subtle at first, but trust me, they will become more noticeable as things progress. Today, I will be discussing what you can do to help prevent things from going to far. especially if noticed in the beginning stages.

Talking about an eating disorder
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At risk for an eating disorder: Here are a few tips

First, pay attention to your hunger cues.

Don’t over do it. Part of what causes eating disorders is that both women and men tend to eat until they are very full. Than they feel guilty over how much they ate and go to the bathroom to purge. This is unhealthy. Only eat until you are satisfied. Once that is done, stop. Think about how to supply your body with the most optimum fuel. This is a more positive way to handle things. Think about it this way, you can’t run your car on fumes. So why would you run your body on the same thing?

Get rid of the bathroom scale.

I don’t even own one. I think far too many rely on the bathroom scale to contribute to their self-worth. This exactly what the disorder wants you to do. It wants you to measure your weight every ten seconds. Take a look at your body and appreciate your body for what it offers. I mean we all have flaws and things that we would like to change, but relying on the bathroom scale pushes it too the extreme.

Question what promotes a real sense of beauty and what doesn’t. There are many ads that show a person and their body and the headline will read:

“What is wrong with my body?”

Instead, why not ask:

“What is right with my body image?!”

These types of ads only serve to promote eating disorders and other such things. So, get rid of the ads and if someone show it to you, just tell them, “Hey, I don’t want to see that.” It sends the wrong message. Think about this for a second. A billion dollar industry, such as beauty, places ads out there questioning what is wrong with our bodies. Can someone please tell me, why?

Be nice to yourself.

Don’t constantly feed negative energy to yourself. You have the ability to dress nicely and go out and live your life. Not many get the chance. You need to celebrate life. Don’t allow anyone to throw negative remarks about you either. If someone is being negative to you, than simply stay away from them. It’s their issue, not yours.

If you have the chance to stop an eating disorder from progressing any further, than do so.  By taking back your life, you are winning the fight.

It’s your life and you have only got one shot at this.

The post At Risk For an Eating Disorder: Here Are a Few Tips appeared first on College Cures.

Cosmetic surgery and how it hurts our society
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This is a very serious subject matter, but one that needs to be discussed. So many look at the stars and celebrities out there in the world and think to themselves “Hey, I want to look like that!” So many look at the before and after photos of those who had surgery and marvel at how easy it looks. But how many of us actually look at the darker side of this choice?

The Billion dollar business with no guarantees

Cosmetic surgery is a billion dollar business and enterprise, but it offers no guarantee that you will come out looking the way you wish to. Yes we see the stars and see how they look afterwards, but is that the whole story? Or is there more to it than that? We want to emulate these people so bad, but at what cost will that emulation come? There are young girls looking at these models in the magazines and thinking that the only way to be attractive is look like the model does. First off, most of those pictures are severely air-brushed. The imaging is not real. But these women gravitate to this fantasy anyway.

What risks does cosmetic surgery pose to our youth?

Let me ask you this question. Have you ever take a look at a before and after shot of cosmetic surgery that has failed?  When it happens, it fails miserably. These young women are placing all the money they have into this unreal expectation. When they come out looking even worse than when they went in, they get mad and say, “What went wrong?”

Our society is so youth and body obsessed that we end up hating the way we look, even when we look great. Is this the image that God made us in? I think not. In my opinion, God wants us to be happy with our bodies and take care of what we have. Now I know that body image is a big problem for many of you, including myself. But there are ways to feel good about ourselves, without having to resort to plastic surgery.

Pretending to be something we are not

I mean, what is our world coming to when we no longer grow up seeking to be someone else instead? If they surgery does go wrong, than we are stuck with that image for the rest of our lives, praying that we could go back to the way we looked before. Suddenly the way we used to look isn’t looking so bad now, is it? What happens if the surgery does go well? Did you ever stop to consider that if you don’t maintain it, the image will fade. That is the one thing that they never tell you about. Why do you think many of the stars keep going back. They have to keep up the appearance, otherwise if’s going to fade. We spend all of this money in an effort to look better. But when push comes to shove, our lives change and so does the way people treat us.  Have you noticed that your friends and family look at you in a different way, and it’s usually not in the way you’d expect.

So why don’t they tell you these things? The cosmetic business is a billion dollar industry. They want to keep their clients coming back. They aren’t going to tell you the pitfalls, because those pitfalls will mean a loss of profit. They only sell you on the possibility of the good, but never the probability of the bad.

What they never tell you is that beauty has a price. How much money are we willing to risk with this gamble?

The post Cosmetic Surgery and Generation Y appeared first on College Cures.

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As a student, it’s likely you have some structure in your weekly routine, but it can get hectic and most likely, every week is different. Some days you have class while other days may be spent working or studying. It’s not quite the consistent 5 day business work week many are used to.

This can make it more difficult to stick to a healthy routine. For instance, when you have a full day of studying at home, it can be all too tempting to stay in your pajamas and indulge in comfort foods, especially when you’re stressed.

Follow these 4 tips to help you keep a healthy routine on a busy, inconsistent schedule:

1. Set an alarm

Even on days when you may not have a class until the afternoon, set your alarm to make sure you wake up at the same time every day. Sleeping in on days when you can may actually leave you feeling more tired because your body will not be used to varied sleeping habits.

2. Pack a healthy lunch every day

Pack a lunch every day of the week, even on days when you may only have one class or are home all day. This will help you keep a regular healthy eating routine. Plus, if you already have a healthy lunch packed, you will be less likely to grab the cookies or chips when hungry.

3. Keep filling a water bottle

Water bottles rock because they allow people to continually drink water throughout the day on the go. Like packing a lunch, even if you are at home all day, it helps to keep a water bottle by your side. Water flushes out toxins and is so important for health. Make sure you drink plenty of it every day.

4. Follow a workout plan

While your days may be inconsistent, you can still make your workout routine consistent each week. Having set days and times each week will help keep you motivated. When you go to the gym, it will just feel like another part of your day.

These small tips will help you feel less stressed when life gets hectic. We all need a little structure in our lives. It makes it that much easier to stay on track with school and work.

The post Keeping a Healthy Routine as a Student appeared first on College Cures.

Free Digital Photos | Spring Break Schedule

Like most college kids, you are probably looking forward to Spring Break. You are probably looking forward to not thinking about school for a while and just chilling out. Leaving behind those resident assistants and your teachers for some fun in the sun, without the worry of homework or final exams.   But you need to plan early, in order to be at the best places. In fact, it’s never to early to plan. Because those hot spots will book up and quickly.  So where are the best places to go and how soon do we get out?

Spring Break Schedule: Who gets out when and where they usually go

Okay kids, school’s out! At least for a week or so. Usually the time for Spring Break is around the middle or towards the end of March. You will need to check with your school for the specifics. But usually it’s between the dates of March 8th and April the 1st. For some schools it can happen as early as February 22nd or around than. But for most schools is around the March-April time slot. Again, you will need to check with your school for the exact dates.

Where should we go

Well that is the all-consuming question for many college kids. Some don’t like to repeat the places that they visited last year. This could be for a variety of reasons too. Some want to go and explore some new places. Others had some regrets about the last time and they don’t want to have a repeat. But whatever you reasoning is, there are some very exciting places for you to consider going this year, if you haven’t already planned it out.

Places to go without a passport

Seeing as that it is Spring Break and you just want something simple and uncomplicated, there are places that you can go where you don’t need a passport. Many go to Mexico, but you will need a passport. Mexico is a hot spot for many college kids and it doesn’t really cost a lot.  You can also try the Caribbean. You will need to understand the workings of US customs, but traveling there is not a big deal.

You can also try Hawaii. Now for some it may seem like a trip that you took with your parents. But if you make it your own, you can come away from the trip with your own story. There is also a trip to Vermont to consider. If you don’t like fun in the sun or sandy beaches and skiing is more your thing, than try their resorts. If you love winter time, this will be a great time for you and your friends.  There is also Florida and places like Myrtle Beach to think about. Yes, you might have done Florida and Myrtle Beach in the past, but there are many site to see still. If you enjoyed going down there last year, try for it again. I’m sure there are many sites that you didn’t get to see last year, that you want to see this year.

Spring Break is coming soon

Don’t delay. Start making your arrangements now, if you haven’t already done so. Like I said, these places can fill up fast and you only get about a week or so to enjoy this time.  Than it’s back to class and those pesky exams. So make the most of your Spring Break this year. Make it a time you won’t forget.

The post Spring Break Schedule: Who Gets Out When and Where They Usually Go appeared first on College Cures.

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Addiction is not something to joke about. As someone who was once there, I know what you are going through.  I know what it’s like to wake up one day and realize how much of your life has been trashed. You wake up and realize the person you once were is not there anymore. Some many teens and college kids end up going down this road. Some are lucky to survive, others not as lucky. Which is why if you need the help in college, help is here for you.

The world according to an addict

Your whole life revolves around when you will get the next drink or take the next drug. Most addictions start between the ages of 8 and 15. The sooner a person can get their hands on their drink or drug of choice, the sooner that haze will take over their life. This haze is more powerful than you realize. You may think you have it under control, but you really don’t.

Just how powerful is addiction?

It has taken millions of lives and will take many more before we put a stop to it. There are many who have had to hit rock bottom before they got scared enough to do anything about it. If you hit rock bottom, it’s basically a last ditch effort to get clean, before death ultimately takes you. I don’t say this to scare you, I say this to help you. I have known too many people that have died because of this disease. And it scares me. There are places that can help– places such as teens.drugabuse.gov and drugless.org.

NIDA for teen reference in college: We can help with addiction

At NIDA, they dedicate their lives and work to providing education and treatment to family and friends in need. NIDA works with treatment and intervention of those who are suffering from addiction. There are many programs that offer the same types of prevention, but with NIDA you get something different.

So what sets NIDA apart from all others?

A qualified staff that has been there

Their staff has personal experience on their side. That is the kind of person that an addict needs to speak too. An addict doesn’t want someone patronizing them, telling them what and how they should be feeling. An addict wants to speak to someone who has been there.

The right kind of Advice

An addict doesn’t want to read endless pages of information that are old and tired.  They need information that will jolt them into considering a life of sobriety, otherwise it’s not going to work. An addict needs the right kind of advice. Information that will not only help them, but change their way of thinking.

Prevention

Their work is not just targeted to those who are suffering from addiction, but to anyone else in the addict’s life. Programs that will help them to get clean and sober and stay that way. It’s a way of cleaning house and getting rid of those individuals that are detrimental to your health.

Part of getting clean, means sobering up from those that will only bring you down. Essentially, you are starting over and learning to walk again– kind of like a baby. You will learn what it’s like to look at life in a brand new way. Seeking treatment will change your life forever. If you or anyone you know needs help, you need to speak to someone immediately.  The life you save may just be your own.

The post NIDA In College: We Can Help With Addiction appeared first on College Cures.

Dating your best friend’s ex can be a complicated thing when you are in college. There are so many variables to consider. It’s not as if you can go up to your friend and say “Hey, I’d like to date your ex Eric, I hope you are okay with that?”

Dating your best friend’s ex | Free Digital Photos

By stating it this way, you are kind of leaving things closed when it comes to communication. I mean on the one hand you are letting your best friend know what you are doing, which is good. But on the other hand, you are not leaving any room for discussion. This can be seen as a pretty selfish thing to do. Being that he or she is your best friend there are a few protocols that you must go through.

Are you interested in dating your best friend’s ex in college?

First off, keep things open and honest. Discuss things with your friend. Let them know what is going and make sure that there are no ill feelings with you doing this. Establish some middle ground.

If after talking, she  is still uncomfortable with it, think long and hard about moving forward with this. You need to ask yourself, “Is it worth risking a friendship over, especially a best friend?” Also think about what flaws you saw in him when he was dating your best friend. He is not going to magically change over night. If he didn’t change for your friend, what makes you think he will change for you?

Is your friend really over him

Make sure that your best friend is really over him. If the two of them haven’t officially moved on from one another, than you are once again put in an awkward place. You will be known as the “rebound relationship.” Plus, rebound relationships never work out. The sex may be amazing, but that is as far as it goes.

It’s what we call in psychology the “transitional period.” This is the person that is fun and exciting to date and have sex with, but you don’t really see it going anywhere. Nor are you looking for it to go anywhere, so be careful with the signals that you give out. The other person may be looking to fall in love, when you are not interested. All you see is a good time.

Be honest about your intentions, so that your friend doesn’t get weird. Make sure to do things discreetly. I have got news for you college kids, your friend may she is okay with this, but it doesn’t mean she want to hear about everything. It also doesn’t mean that your friend wants to see the two of you flaunting your relationship.  Be careful about what you tell your friend. It may bring up moments of jealousy and she may begin to harbor ill feelings.

Dating your best friend’s ex while in college may seem like a good idea on paper, but when executed it might just blow up in your pretty little face.

The post Interested in Dating your Best Friend’s Ex in College appeared first on College Cures.

The free 21-day meditation experience, which begins on Monday, April 14, aims to serve as a powerful and energizing inner guide for transforming students’ lives, potentially helping those graduating this year and preparing to step out into the ‘real’ world.  The process can help students find balance, eliminating stress and anxiety that sometimes comes with daily life.

“Finding Your Flow,” voiced by Oprah and Deepak Chopra, offers students an audio meditation each day and a series of thought-provoking reflection questions designed to anchor the teachings, which are easily accessible from a mobile phone, tablet, or computer. Through a private, interactive journal feature, students are able to record and view their progress, giving them an invaluable picture of their personal growth and development.

Fall in love with yourself.  Fall in love with life!

What participants can expect out of the 21-Day Meditation Experience: Finding Your Flow:

Week One- Begin to understand the energy within you and awaken the powerful flow available to us in every moment.

Week Two- Activate the seven key energy centers that lie within each of us.

Week Three- Experience the transformation and harness the magnificent flow created by you, moving towards joy, love and fulfillment.

“Our next 21-Day Meditation Experience takes a quantum leap forward,” said Dr. Deepak Chopra, world-renowned author and pioneer in mind-body medicine.  He continued, “‘Finding Your Flow’ deepens the experience as we move our life into the lightness of being.”

For more information visit the official website.

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And no I’m not talking about steroids.

We have all heard horror stories of the “Freshman 15.” Some of us may have even fallen victim to it.

I had always considered myself a pretty health conscious person while attending college. I would frequent the rec and eat better than most people (so I thought). Having always hovered around a slim 190 lbs, I was actually kind of excited when I hit 200 for the first time. “Must be muscle,” I would foolishly try and convince myself. Little did I know…

The Benefits of Juicing

It was not until one night when I popped on the Netflix and watched the documentary “Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead” that I realized my levels of health were nowhere near where I perceived them to be. The documentary followed an overweight Australian – Joe Cross – as he traveled across the United States with nothing but a centrifugal fruit and vegetable juicer and electric generator. After completing his trans-national journey, Joe had lost more than 100 pounds in 60 days through nothing but drinking juice.

Am I saying to drink nothing but juice for the next two months? No. But supplementing your diet with micro nutrients is something that we should all consider.

With quick stop cafeterias in my dorm and about 5 more within a quarter-mile radius, it was convenient for me to get the least healthy options when meal time rolled around.  These options typically…. scratch that. These options did not provide any nutritional options. The salad bars were sub par and every thing available for purchase was made of processed foods and inorganic ingredients that make me shudder thinking back on them. Nonetheless, the population as a whole does not get any where near the amount of bio-available nutrients that our body requires.

After my first few weeks in the dorms I knew something was up. My energy levels were down, my self-image was lower, and I was just more on edge. I knew eating chicken fingers and tater tots 4 days a week at 10 PM probably wasn’t helping. Something needed to change.

I began to consume 1 glass of juice, at a minimum, per day and my energy, image, and health drastically improved.

Exporing the Perceived Barriers

Time and money. Two of the largest constraints and excuses every college student uses when it comes to picking up a new habit or getting something done. Yes, I said excuse.

I made it through graduate school and one thing I can tell you is that there is always time. It just comes down to how you manage it.

As far as money is concerned, investing in a quality juicer will run you just north of $100 dollars but the long-term investment is worth exponentially more. When it comes to buying fruits and vegetables, I can tell you right now that purchasing only fresh vegetation is far cheaper than snagging a log of pepperoni, a box of cookies, and 14 cans of condensed soup. Most college communities have farmers markets and locally owned grocers where prices are a little bit more friendly.

Getting Started with Juicing

Once you have your juicer it’s as simple as plugging it in, purchasing your fruits and vegetables, and getting to work. I invested in the same appliance that Cross uses in the documentary, the Breville Juice Fountain Plus JE98XL. Prepping and cleanup typically takes no longer than 15 minutes and I guarantee you will feel better in just a matter of days!

I have included on of my favorite recipes that yields about 40 ounces of juice.

• 1/3 beet
• 2 pineapple slices
• 2 whole carrots, peeled
• 1/3 sweet potato, peeled
• 1 slice papaya

For more on Juicing, Check out this Instructional Video

photo credit: Shandi-lee via photopin cc
photo credit: corbin_dana via photopin cc

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Final exams are upon us and that means that tens of thousands of college students across the country are in full-on stress mode. With finals come sleepless nights, tight knit schedules, and anxiety hardly felt during any other time of the year. With so much mental energy focused on acing exams and ending the semester on a high note we often forget to breathe, take a step back, and recognize that every thing is going to be just fine. Having an outlet to channel our energy and blow off steam is as important during these trying days as any.

Instead of pulling out our hair, worrying about outcomes that are beyond our control, or channeling our stress in unhealthy ways, we should look to relieve our stress in a positive way. It is no secret that maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle benefits way beyond just aesthetics. Physical activity can also increase brain functionality, ease stress, and just leave you with an overall sense of accomplishment and higher self-esteem.

Here are just a few reasons why yoga is the way to go.

1. Increased Immunity

A study by Norwegian health professionals shows that yoga affects the body on the cellular level, beginning to change gene expression in just a few sessions on the mat. With increased movement, all organs and muscles begin to detoxify themselves by flushing out stagnant fluids and increasing cellular respiration. Increased immunity leads to overall better health. With so many diet constrains and shared close quarters I’ll take all the increased immunity I can get.

2. Better Sleep

Maintaining a proper sleep schedule is one of the most difficult things to accomplish, especially when the hours that would normally be spent in bed are spent hunched over a textbook at the library. The constant flexion, extension, and contortion of various postures stimulates the nervous system, particularly the brain. Inversions recirculate fresh blood to the brain which can increase functionality and overall health.

3. Decreased Appetite

The focus on breathing and deep-seeded concentration leads to an overall heightened sense of self-awareness which researchers say can decrease appetite by more than 50%. Stress is known to increase cortisol levels which can increase appetite. Studies have found that yoga significantly lowers these cortisol levels.

4. Increased Strength and Flexibility

The static movements consistent within yoga utilize muscle fibers that are not necessarily utilized through common lengthening and shortening exercises done every day in the gymnasium. Learning to stay in these poses and constantly flow through the postures keeps the body guessing forcing muscles to adapt. You will find strength you never knew you had!

5. Sharper Mental Acuity

Focusing on breathing and remaining in the moment will allow you to become sharper not only physically but mentally. This new found mental acuity will translate directly to studies, daily tasks, and more.

Who knows. It might just suck you in and end up changing your life like it did mine!

Check out this motivational video for more on the amazing power of yoga.

Intereste in learning more? Check out this article by Fitness Magazine for more beginner tips!

Yoga for Beginners

photo credit: akk_rus via photopin cc

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How to destress | Free digital Photos by photostock

Finals can really take it out of you.

You aren’t sleeping. You have your nose in a book and two hands on your keyboard. Your most recent dinners include a whole lot of coffee and energy drinks, plus anything your budget allows.

Once you’ve aced your final exams and pulled through writing papers and pulling words out of your head that you thought were gone for good, it’s time to destress after finals week. I think I have a few ways on how to destress hidden up my college budget sleeve.

You’ve worked hard all year/semester. You deserve it! Grab a friend or do these things all by yourself!

Here are a few ways to destress after finals:

Take a bath

I know it sounds so cliché to say to take a bath and relax after a long day/week, but it really works. You can go to the Dollar Store or Walmart and grab some bath salts or bubbles. Take that stuff and dump it in your warm bath. I like candles and Jack Johnson when I’m soaking, but some people like some heavy metal and florescent lights. Figure out what gets you to your Zen point.

Catch up with your DVR

Whether you like to couch surf or like to take your TV on the go (Hulu or Netflix), I’m sure you have a lot of TV to catch up with. It’s time to “veg” out and let your brain take a chill pill. Find those favorite shows that you’ve missed out or figure out what show you’ve missed out on due to some hard work during the year.

Spa day!

Some of you have enough cash in the bank to take a real life spa day. If that’s the case, please go and have the time of your life. Don’t forget to Instagram! For those of us holding onto our pennies until the babysitting job pans out, let’s figure out a way to have a spa day. I love spa days with my friends. This is a great way to keep up with college friends that are staying nearby over the break. Get some of those $1 mud masks from your local store. I like getting vegetables and fruit and laying them out for everyone so that a sweet light snack is available. I usually grab some cucumbers so I can you half for our eyes and half for the table. Also, get some buckets to soak those sore feet in. Look up some good ideas on Pinterest for soaking feet. Sit back and relax with your friends after all of your hard work.

Sweat it out

Finals week may have messed up your workout regimen. You need to get back on track and find your way to the gym or park. Get back in the gym and find your rhythm again. It’s a great feeling to sweat out all of that pent up stress. Plus, stretching is great when your neck and back are tied in knots.

How do you destress after finals? Let us know in the comments below!

The post How to Destress After Finals Week appeared first on College Cures.

Facts about Melanoma | Free Digital Photos

Spring classes are over and it’s summertime.

It felt like the longest winter hit the United States. Now, you need to focus on your mind, body and tan. The sun is back and it’s here to stay for a while (I hope!).

It’s really rewarding to study for a summer class out by the pool or read just for fun or even get your work flow on in the middle of the summer.

I definitely feel a difference if I don’t get a little sunshine every once in a while. I get a little cranky and feel a lot more tired than usual.

Laying out in the sun is awesome, but you need to be sure that you’re keeping your skin safe this summer.

What is melanoma?

“…unrepaired DNA damage to skin cells (most often caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunshine or tanning beds) triggers mutations (genetic defects) that lead the skin cells to multiply rapidly and form malignant tumors,” SkinCancer.org says.

There are ways to avoid those harmful rays!

Here are a few ways to dodge melanoma:

Get in the shade

You don’t want to burn do you? It’ll hurt for hours (maybe days) and will also kill your skin! Instead of going toward the light, take the opposite route.

Stay out of the tanning beds

I’ve been in a tanning bed a few times. I understand the appeal. It is so relaxing. The humming of the machine, the smell of coconut and lightly burnt skin is very, very tempting. Tanning beds are very bad for your skin. Imagine that huge sun in the sky a whole lot closer to our bodies. It doesn’t sound like a good idea, right? Grab some tanning lotion with sparkle and self tan that way instead.

seeyouintan.com

Cover up

Modest is sexy anyway. Cover up your body and face when you’re stuck in the sun. Get one of those huge Kentucky Derby hats and plop it on your head. Also, make sure your shades are UV-blocking. I love the way maxi dresses at the pool after an internship or summer class looks.

Shine on with sunscreen

The magic number is SPF 15 or higher. You should really be wearing it every single day. If you’re out in the sun for much longer than usual, use SPF 30 on your entire body. Repeat the lather every two hours.

See your doc

Visit a doctor at least once a year and check your skin every month and look for moving patches or parts of your skin that seem to grow, darken, lighten or shrink.

Do you think you have something wrong with your skin? Notice any patches or bumps that weren’t there before. Click here to contact someone and schedule an appointment with a doctor.

The post Melanoma: How to Keep Your Skin Safe This Summer appeared first on College Cures.

Classes and parties are a surefire way to meet someone that you could be potentially interested in. Think about it. You’re sort of stuck in a situation where you probably don’t know every single person in the room.

Free Digital Photos

In class, you’ll find someone to talk to about assignments and group work. At a party, someone will introduce you to the people you don’t know and if they don’t, it’s not weird to just say hi.

Classes are over (or at least less often) and it’s going to be harder to find (and then land) a date without these easy gateways at your fingertips.

Here are some ways you can land a date when you’re out of session.

How to Get a Date This Summer

Tinder

Man, oh, man. Tinder is great when you’re looking to find love or just a date. The app’s tagline is “Tinder is how people meet. It’s like real life, but better.” Essentially, you sign up for the app, create a profile and see profiles of people who are near you. You swipe left when you see someone you like and swipe right when you find someone you aren’t interested in chatting with. Once both parties have swiped left, you’re matched up! You can talk with people on the app and either strike up a quick text convo or actually meet face-to-face at a local bar or library. A lot of my friends have met people on Tinder. Beware: There are some creeps on Tinder (just like there are creeps everywhere else)

Go outside

It’s hard. The sun can  be harsh. (Where sunscreen or else!) If you go outside and talk with people, you’re much more likely to have a better day and maybe land a date. Go anywhere! Go to Starbucks, a park, walk your dog, go to a pound, meet with a friend and get there an hour earlier. You need to stay open and put those shy emotions in your pocket. Just saying hello or asking someone a little about them can really open up a conversation.

How to get a date | Free Digital Photos

Go to the gym

Okay, this one is a littler harder. Some people really just go to the gym to work out and get into their fitness regime. Others are there in full makeup and a push up bra to meet the man of their dreams. Or maybe shirtless in little gym shorts to pick up some fit ladies. Anyway, there are ways to say hello. First of all, do not talk to someone mid-sprint. Also, don’t talk to someone who looks red as a beet and is dripping in sweat. They’re going to feel uncomfortable from the get-go. You can always start up a conversation at the water fountain, as you’re leaving or coming in or maybe in one of the lower energy classes. Suggest a post-workout snack or smoothie. Maybe ask for a date and give the person some time to shower. If you’re super into looking your best, it may be the best place to pump iron and pump your heart.

The post How to Get a Date: Landing a Date While You’re Not School appeared first on College Cures.

Free Digital Photos | Spring Break Schedule

Like most college kids, you are probably looking forward to Spring Break. You are probably looking forward to not thinking about school for a while and just chilling out. Leaving behind those resident assistants and your teachers for some fun in the sun, without the worry of homework or final exams.   But you need to plan early, in order to be at the best places. In fact, it’s never to early to plan. Because those hot spots will book up and quickly.  So where are the best places to go and how soon do we get out?

Spring Break Schedule: Who gets out when and where they usually go

Okay kids, school’s out! At least for a week or so. Usually the time for Spring Break is around the middle or towards the end of March. You will need to check with your school for the specifics. But usually it’s between the dates of March 8th and April the 1st. For some schools it can happen as early as February 22nd or around than. But for most schools is around the March-April time slot. Again, you will need to check with your school for the exact dates.

Where should we go

Well that is the all-consuming question for many college kids. Some don’t like to repeat the places that they visited last year. This could be for a variety of reasons too. Some want to go and explore some new places. Others had some regrets about the last time and they don’t want to have a repeat. But whatever you reasoning is, there are some very exciting places for you to consider going this year, if you haven’t already planned it out.

Places to go without a passport

Seeing as that it is Spring Break and you just want something simple and uncomplicated, there are places that you can go where you don’t need a passport. Many go to Mexico, but you will need a passport. Mexico is a hot spot for many college kids and it doesn’t really cost a lot.  You can also try the Caribbean. You will need to understand the workings of US customs, but traveling there is not a big deal.

You can also try Hawaii. Now for some it may seem like a trip that you took with your parents. But if you make it your own, you can come away from the trip with your own story. There is also a trip to Vermont to consider. If you don’t like fun in the sun or sandy beaches and skiing is more your thing, than try their resorts. If you love winter time, this will be a great time for you and your friends.  There is also Florida and places like Myrtle Beach to think about. Yes, you might have done Florida and Myrtle Beach in the past, but there are many site to see still. If you enjoyed going down there last year, try for it again. I’m sure there are many sites that you didn’t get to see last year, that you want to see this year.

Spring Break is coming soon

Don’t delay. Start making your arrangements now, if you haven’t already done so. Like I said, these places can fill up fast and you only get about a week or so to enjoy this time.  Than it’s back to class and those pesky exams. So make the most of your Spring Break this year. Make it a time you won’t forget.

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Like me, I’m sure you thought you had heard it all when it comes to holistic detoxes and tea cleanses. While each blend offers various benefits and serves its’ own purpose, I can personally attest to this particular detox and the profound benefits provided by Your Tea.

Your Tea; Tiny Tea Teatox

I’m here to tell you why the Tiny Tea 14 and 28 detox by Your Tea is worth every penny.

A concoction of Chinese Medicinal herbs, Tiny Tea revitalizes and restores you health with every cup. Working to maximize digestion, this nourishing blend gets to work from the very first cup.

After drinking this three times a day for 14 days, my skin was clearer and I felt a lot less bloated. In addition to this I had much more energy and my appetite seemed to be more in balance.

Gender specific? Not so much.

Being a male, I was very skeptical of the product at first. Not only did it seem a little pricey, but much of the social media support and reviews I saw were from women (they were actually all from women). But I took on the challenge regardless and am glad that I did.

The benefits were undeniable. In just two weeks I had lost 8 pounds and could definitely notice the difference. My energy levels have been up ever since and I willbe doing another Tiny Tea Teatox within a couple of weeks.

Tiny Tea Teatox

Tiny Tea is not the only product offered by Your Tea. There are a variety of options to meet every diet and lifestyle choice.

Not looking for your every day tea detox?

Tiny Tea offers a wide assortment of options including:

• Her Tea Everyday Tea
• Anti-C Tea
• Man Tea
• Fertility Tea
• Gluten Free Tiny Tea

For more information from and eating plans from Doctor of Chinese Medicine Natalie Kringoudis be sure to visit the Tiny Tea website.

Happy TeaTox!

The post Your Tea: Tracking My 14 Day Tea Detox with Tiny Tea appeared first on College Cures.

What Is TMD?

Most people mistakenly refer to TMD as “TMJ.” But, TMJ is the temporomandibular joint. This joint connects the lower jaw with the temporal bone of the skull. Cool huh?

TMD, or temporomandibular disorder, is the disorder that results when there is a dysfunction associated with the joint. It actually refers to problems with the jaw, the joint, or any surrounding facial muscles that control chewing and moving of the jaw. Occasionally, it can even involve the sternocleidomastoid or scalene muscles of the neck.

Other times, it can be the result of bound muscle fascia in and around the neck.

What Causes It?

You Don’t Have To Live With TMD

According to Steven Kauftheil, DDS, there can be many different causes of TMD.

Stress, which then leads to grinding or teeth clenching is one of the more common causes, but a dislocation of the disc between the ball and socket of the joint can be a cause too. If you’ve been in an accident where your jaw was hit or injured (including dislocation), tell your dentist as this might have resulted in temporary or permanent structural damage.

Finally, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause TMD.

Other Symptoms You Might Experience

If you’ve got TMD, you’ll often experience pain or tenderness in the face or jaw area. You may suffer from headaches and a jaw that clicks or “pops.” You may even have a serious joint impingement that makes opening your mouth or chewing painful.

Your jaw may become stuck when you open it wide, and you might have periodic swelling on the affected side. But, pain and swelling aren’t the only signs and symptoms of TMD. You may only have mild inflammation and a clicking joint that doesn’t seem very serious.

So, the only way to know for sure is to plop yourself down in a dentist’s chair and open your mouth.

How Do Dentists Diagnose It?

TMD mimics a lot of other disorders. Because of this, dentists are careful about diagnosing patients.

A full patient medical history is conducted, and your dentist will likely investigate your sleeping habits, any sinus problems, arthritis, any signs of gum disease, and will probably want to coordinate with your medical doctor about any medications you’re on.

After an extensive investigation, your dentist might diagnose you with TMD. From there, he’ll make treatment recommendations.

You may be asked to wear a special retainer when you sleep. You may be recommended to a doctor or psychotherapist for stress management. You may be advised to change your diet or certain aspects of your lifestyle.

Finally, if the problem is structural in nature, you may be required to have surgery to fix it.

Robert Ander’s dental career spans decades. When not working with patients, he often writes about common oral health questions and concerns.

photo credit: reallyboring via photopin cc

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