Relax Every Day

Having a parent with an addiction is stressful, and can make it difficult to relax. Relaxation is important in lots of ways –- it keeps you healthy, it helps you to think and grow, and it helps you to cope when times are hard. Your parents may not show you healthy ways to relax, but it is important to relax at the end of each day.
Try to get into a relaxing routine each evening before bed. Here are some things that will help you relax:

Read a book or comic (you can borrow books and comics for free from the library)

Listen to calming music (you can borrow CDs for free from the library)

Take a warm bath

Lie down and close your eyes, and don't think about anything for a while

Breathe in and out as slowly as you can

If you believe in God, pray

Imagine a safe, calm place where you feel at peace .

Find Ways to Let Out Your Feelings

How do people in your family deal with strong feelings, such as anger, excitement, or sadness? Some families express everything whenever they feel it. This can be scary, with you never knowing what is coming next. Other families keep all of their feelings in. Then you end up feeling bad about what you feel inside, or that you are different from everyone else.
Handling feelings is difficult for everyone, no matter what their age. But there are lots of ways you can let your feelings out in ways that are good for you. Here are some ideas.

Talk to a friend or caring adult. Sometimes just talking about what you are feeling can make the feeling go away.

Do something physical. Go for a walk, play a game of tennis or basketball, or go for a swim. This will naturally make you feel better.

Write a journal or diary. Writing down what you are feeling can let it out, and help you make sense of what is going on. If you feel angry or sad a lot of the time, talk to a doctor or nurse, or call a helpline. There are lots of ways they can help you, and you should never feel you just have to put up with things if you are this unhappy.

Make Your Own Decisions

Thinking for yourself helps you stay true to yourself.

Making decisions can be scary, and sometimes it can seem easier to leave the important decisions to someone else. Some parents insist on making their children’s decisions for them. But if your parent has an addiction, they are not very good at making decisions for themselves, let alone anyone else.
If you need help making decisions, talk to another person who you think understands and knows what is best for you. This might be a relative, teacher, or another person you trust. When you grow up, which will be sooner than you think, you will have to make decisions on your own, so it makes sense to learn how to make good decisions now.
If you don’t get to make many of your own decisions, try to practice by making choices whenever you can. Don’t just copy what the other kids do, think about what you really want, and what is best for you. You don’t have to explain your choice, you are making the decision for yourself, not anyone else.
A good way of making decisions is to think about the good things and the not-so-good things that will happen for each choice you could make. For example, if you are choosing what to eat for lunch, you can think about what you would most enjoy, what would be most healthy, and what would fill you up until you can eat again.
Thinking about all of these things, rather than just one of them, will help you make the right choice. If you end up choosing the wrong food, you can remember the experience and make a different choice the next time.

Find Healthy Ways to Deal With Pain

Take a rest, not a pill.


Everyone gets hurt. It is part of being human. No-one likes pain, but it is an important way for your body to tell you something is wrong.
When you get hurt, think about what your body is telling you. If you have a headache, do you need to take a break, let off steam, or relax? If you have a stomach ache, do you need to eat or drink, are you nervous, or do you feel bad about something else that happened to you?
Whatever the reason, it is important to figure it out and take care of yourself. If you often feel pain, it might be a good idea to talk to a doctor, school nurse or counselor. Trying to cover up the pain by taking medication is only a good idea if you are ill and a doctor or nurse has told you to take it.

How To Get Along With Your Parents

Does it feel like you and your parents just can't see eye to eye? Are you always fighting with them about YOUR life? Is all the arguing and butting heads stressing you out? Follow these steps to find some peace.

1. Make a list of the things that you and your parents fight about the most.
2. Identify what it is that gets you so upset or angry - are you mad that your parents disagree with you, or are you upset that they can't/won't see your point of view?
3. Decide on a FAIR compromise - a resolution that you can live with and that you think your parents' will accept. NOTE: A compromise means you give up some of your demands - it does not mean that you get your way.
4. Write down your proposed compromise and read it aloud at least three times to see how it sounds.
5. Set up a time to talk to your parents, do not just bring it up over dinner but make an actual appointment and tell them that you have an important proposal to make.
6. Bring your notes with you to the meeting so you can stay on track if/when emmotions get high. You may even want to consider reading the note to your parents like a speech.
7. Before talking to your parents, take a few deep breaths and think calming thoughts. Make a promise to yourself that you will not raise your voice or get angry even if your parents "turn up the volume."
8. When you have presented your case take another deep breath and let your parents talk. Really listen to what your parents have to say. Even if you do not like what they are saying hold back your anger and keep your ears and mind open.
9. Avoid shutting down or growing frustrated. Avoid interrupting them or jumping in with a rebuttal. Just listen and absorb what they say.
10. If your parents reject your proposal, stay focused and avoid getting emmotional. Thank them for their time and express your disappointment that you could not reach a compromise.
11. If your parents accept your proposal, be grateful and assure them that you will not let them down. Then do everything necessary to show them they made the right decision in going along with you.
12. Whatever the outcome, be sure to do what your parents ask of you. By going along with their wishes you build trust and show your maturity which in turn may make them more willing to relax their stand at a future date.
13. If the topic is a very sensitive one and you still can't see eye to eye, ask your parents what they need from you in order for them to consider your proposal.
14. Make a vow to give them what they need and ask them if you can agree to revisit the subject in a few weeks time.
15. If the outcome disappoints you, do not throw a fit. Go to your room and write your feelings in a journal or go outside and ride your bike or punch a pillow to blow off steam.

Tips:

1. As a teenager, you are learning to become more independent, and this may be why there is friction in your house.
2. As you and your parents adjust to your new independent self, the fighting will decrease.

Top 10 Benefits of being Single

This article is basically for men, but I guess most of it can apply to all single persons out there.
No matter where you look, from movies to magazine ads, men are always being told that they need a woman to be happy. And while the company of a lady does have its boons, there are benefits to flying solo as well.

The single life is replete with liberties that you could not imagine. Here are the top 10 reasons you should consider taking a hiatus from the relationship arena and remain single.
10. You don’t have to tolerate moodiness & nagging
Fellas, how many times have you been in the doghouse because your woman was livid for reasons you still don’t understand? Relish not being the target of her inexplicable mood swings, and the calm that comes when there’s no nagging. When you wake up on the couch, you’ll know it’s because you chose to pass out there.
9. You can gain weight without worrying
Just as you can spend more time buffing up at the gym, you can also just chill and let yourself go for a little while. When you’re not on the market, you don’t have to worry about looking like an Adonis every day. Go ahead and wear that threadbare Metallica T-shirt and those holey boxers. Enjoy the pleasure of occasionally being a slob. Just don’t go so far that you can’t trim down in time for when you decide to start hunting.
8. You can appreciate your independence
You can use your newfound free time for solitary fun, as well as self-improvement. Being single forces you to do things for yourself, like cook, do laundry and tidy up your pad. Being skilled at many things makes you a more complete, well-rounded person — a great card to hold when you decide to reenter the dating market.
Furthermore, independence is a great trait, and women will likely notice that you’re not the needy, clingy type.
7. You can control your finances
If you’ve ever been in a serious relationship, you know that, sooner or later, a good chunk of your budget goes into steady lady-maintenance costs. Bachelorhood gives you full financial freedom, and you never have to worry about paying for dinner or buying presents.
However, understand that this does not mean that you will save money — on the contrary; you might be spending more on partying, buying drinks, dressing well, and so on. But at least you are the master of every single dollar you spend.

6. You have more time for activities
When you’re single, you have no reason to sit around doing nothing. Want to harden your body at the gym? Play a new instrument? How about watch the Die Hard trilogy for the 11th time? Who’s stopping you?
You can even use the time that you’d spend pleasing a demanding girlfriend to hang with the boys. After all, isn’t neglecting your friends one of the biggest sacrifices of couplehood?
Look forward to being spontaneous, not having to answer to anyone and flirting like crazy…

5. You don’t have to deal with another’s personal habits
You used to cringe when she used your razor to shave her legs, and the scented candles she burned in every room made you sick. Now there’s no irritating habits to tolerate. You can sleep peacefully without her snoring and hog all the blankets without a care in the world. You have no one to pick up after but yourself. Give your patience a well-deserved break and live in unflustered.

4. You can be spontaneous
Being single lets your break out of the numbing cycle of routine. Be daring while you can. Go on a fishing trip with your crew at the drop of a hat. Push it further and head out on a wild Spring Break surrounded by gorgeous college women. Not only will you be doing something out of the ordinary, you can do it without double-checking with someone else first. This is the height of freedom.

3. You can focus on your career
Life is a juggling act in which you have to keep the many elements aloft, paying equal attention to each one. But if you let one drop, you can channel your forces to the remaining parts. In the absence of a relationship, you’ll have much more time to devote to your work. You can put in those extra hours on a project to impress your boss, and even take on something else. And you don’t have to worry about sacrificing your love life, as you’ll be single and vigorous.
2. You can be your own boss
Relationships are synonymous with compromise. You eventually have to sacrifice something you really like — a football game or extra cheese on your pizza — for the good of the pair. Use your single time to treat yourself a little more. In small doses, selfishness is good for the soul.
Being your own boss also means answering to no one. You went to a strip club? You got the scent of some woman’s perfume all over your clothes? Enjoy not having to explain your actions.

1. You can flirt as you please
Nothing is worse than that nagging voice in your head telling you that you shouldn’t be talking to this killer brunette in front of you. Being single gives you the complete freedom to flirt with whomever you want, whenever you want.
It also gives you the chance to sharpen your mojo so that, before you know it, you’ll be the master player on your block. Since you’re unattached, take this opportunity to master the art of seduction, and who knows what rewards you’ll reap.

The bright side of solitude
Everything has a good side; you just have to learn how to spot it. Society places too much importance on finding a mate, something your hormones are quick to enforce. The next time you get that pesky feeling that you have to be with someone, remember these 10 points, and you’ll savor the joys of being a free man.

7 Signs Your Crush Likes You Back

Since people don't always use actual words to express their feelings, sometimes you'll have to resort to looking for unconscious signs that your crush likes you back.  If 3 or more of the below signs are true, there's a good chance your crush likes you back.  (Of course, you could always just ask them out and see what they say.)

1. He Brags About Himself to You

If he always seems to be telling you stories that demonstrate how awesome he is, he's trying to prove himself to be worthy of you.  It's sort of like the human equivalent of peacocks showing off their feathers.  Yeah, it's a little p

2. She Wants to Talk to You

Even a pretty shy person will try to get close to you (either in person or through words) if she likes you.  Bonus points if she calls you up out of the blue, just to talk.  On the flip side, if your crush never seems to initiate conversations or return your calls and texts, then it's probably a lost cause.

3. You Catch Him Looking at You

Of course, this doesn't count if you've been staring at him for the past hour, hoping to get his attention, and he catches you in the act.  It only counts if you glance over at him and caught him in mid-stare.

4. She Laughs at Your Jokes - Even If They're Not Funny

If she likes you, she'll be charmed by even the dumbest stuff that comes out of your mouth.

5. He Treats You Differently Than Other Girls

If he's sending you "I like you" vibes, they don't mean anything if he flirts the same way with everyone.  For instance, if he's a notorious flirt, then he'll act shyer and more genuine around the girl he really likes. 

6. Her Friends Tease Her About You

  

If her friends know she likes you, they won't be able to keep their traps shut when you're around.  So watch them closely for signs that they know something you don't.

7. He Gets Into Stuff You Like

Is your non-punk crush suddenly downloading your favorite Green Day album?  Did your jocko crush audition for the school play you told him you were trying out for?  It's probably 'cause he wants to have something to talk to you about, or he wants to prove that you guys are totally made for each other.athetic...but if you like him back, then I'm sure you won't mind.