Wiser Living
Finding a natural solution

Let’s bring into discussion three major forms of trekking and how they are amazing ways to come in contact with nature.

Trekking in the Mountains

Mountains are probably the most common places for trekking. Especially, in Southern Asia, mountain trekking is extremely popular. Thanks to the Himalayan ranges, the Western Ghats, and many more hills, the region is a trekking delight. All over the world, people are highly vehement about trekking in the mountainous regions. The reason behind this fascination is the elegance of the mountains in providing adventure as well as natural beauty. A mountain is not just about rocks and elevation. It is a composition of thrilling moments in the midst of extreme beauty. While walking through the trails of mountains, you witness various colors of nature.

From the serene splashing of rivers to the picturesque panorama of waterfalls to the enlivening chirping of birds, mountains embrace everything in its womb. Most of the rivers and streams begin their journey from the mountains. While trekking in Nepal, walk by the edge of the rivers and let the soul be enticed by its soulful sound. Many people choose to take a bath in the chilling cascades. The journey becomes even more energetic and scintillating when you soak in the calmness of the hilly region. Birds’ music encourages you to fall in love with the diversity and beauty of nature.

“Do not look to the ground for your next step; greatness lies with those who look to the horizon.”

Trekking in the Jungles

In Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S., forest trekking is very popular. Kiwi people, in particular, love spending time in the midst of intense greenery. This is one of the better ways to remain in contact with the purest form of nature. A majority of jungle trekkers carry cooking and camping equipment with them as they stay there for longer periods. Such programs are more like holidays with family. Since older people cannot travel in the hilly terrain, forests are more suited to them.

Jungles are probably the serenest places on the planet where you can feel nature talk. Intense greenery, loaded with breathtaking scenery, fascinates the heart and soul of a visitor. There are a number of rain forests that are common for trekking. Volcanoes National Park of Rwanda, Daintree Rainforest (Australia), and Chitwan National Park (Nepal) are some of the most prominent names in the field of jungle trekking. All these spots are extremely magnificent. While trekking in the jungles, you will explore a variety of flora and fauna.

“Adopt the pace of nature; her secret is patience.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spiritual Trekking

Spirituality is a major aspect of human life. One cannot stay away from the beauty of spirituality as humanity is constituted by various spiritual elements. Although many try to relate spirituality to religion, it is not completely correct. Spiritual trekking can be defined in two forms: pilgrimage and yoga/meditation trekking. There are a number of religious sites located in the mountains and need to be traveled by foot. Such journeys are common in India, Nepal, and Thailand. For example, the splendid Kedarnath (India), Mount Kailash (China), Camino de Santiago (Spain), Trek to Doi Suthep (Thailand) are a few of the finest examples of pilgrimage treks. These treks not only bring you close to nature, but also to spirit.

Yoga trekking tours are popular in Nepal, Portugal, and India. A number of nature lovers attend yoga retreat programs in the lap of the Himalayas and the Western Ghats in India to make the holiday utterly soul-charming. When you meditate in the tranquility of the utmost standard, you embrace the fragrance of nature. Also, yoga gives you an opportunity to understand the purity of the natural world while delving in the harmony of vegetation.

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.” - Rachel Carson

Bipin Baloni is a passionate Yogi, Yoga Teacher and a Traveller in India. He organizes 200-hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh. Bipin Baloni conducts Yoga Teacher Training in India in different cities. He loves writing and reading books related to yoga, health, nature, Himalayas, and Trekking in Nepal.

Here are some cold hard facts that every important person should know when dealing with their mental health issues.

Please pass this helpful article along to others if you know of anyone who could benefit from this information.

1. Putting your career and success ahead of your mental health issues is a mistake you can’t afford.
2. Your fears and anxieties will follow you everywhere you go if you don’t seek treatment.
3. Drugs and alcohol will only make your mental health issues worse.
4. Don’t assume your loved ones are going through a phase. Know the signs of addiction, depression, and suicide by talking to a counselor.
5. Just because you may be a celebrity does not mean your immune from the devastating effects of mental illness.
6. Money, fame, and success will only go so far when dealing with your mental health.
7. Follow the advice of a mental health counselor. Your friends may mean well, but when it comes down to it, the professionals know your situation more than anyone.
8. Addressing the reasons and concerns why a person won’t get help for their mental health issues is the best route in convincing someone to seek treatment.
9. There is no quick fix in dealing with your mental health issues. It will take some work and persistence on your part.
10. Focus on the facts of your current situation and not on what you think.
11. Your main goal is to focus on getting better and not to please others in your life.
12. Knowing what helpful techniques worked in overcoming your past mental health struggles will help you be better prepared for the next time you struggle.
13. Surround yourself with supportive people rather than those who give you a hard time when dealing with your anxieties, addictions, and depression.
14. Regardless of your present situation, things do not stay the same. Everything changes over time and this includes your current mental health problems.
15. Determining the source of your fears and anxieties is half the battle in getting your life back on track.
16. There are always other options rather than suicide.
17. You can’t predict the future with complete accuracy regardless what your fearful thoughts may tell you.
18. Blaming others or making excuses will not help your mental health situation.

A person can experience a panic attack when they least expect it. This can cause a great deal of fear and anxiety for the person. Many people do not know what they should do when dealing with a panic attack.

As a result, here are seven quick steps a person can follow when a panic attack strikes unexpectedly.

1. Stop What You Are Doing The first thing a person must do when experiencing a panic attack is to stop whatever they are doing. A panic attack can be very uncomfortable and can affect a person's everyday thinking. This can cause a person to have trouble focusing which can be dangerous. Be safe and stop whatever you are doing at the time.

2. Take Deep Breaths Secondly, a person should take some deep breaths to help feel better and to get rid of some of the excessive fear and anxiety. There are also many kinds of breathing exercises a person can learn to follow with the help of a mental health counselor. Taking some deep breaths can help a person relax right away.

3. Distract Yourself Next, a person should try to distract themselves from the panic they are experiencing. A person could get some fresh air, listen to some music, take a brisk walk, read the newspaper, or do something relaxing that will give them a fresh perspective on things. This is a great way to get your mind off of your current anxiety.

4. Get The Facts Of Your Situation Many people feel like they are going to die when they experience a panic attack for the first time. The fact is that you will be ok and that it takes a few minutes for the anxiety to go away. Talk to a counselor and get the facts of what a panic attack is and what you can do when a panic attack occurs.

5. Don't Dwell on Your Thoughts A person must not dwell or focus on their thoughts during a panic attack. The more a person tries to reason out their thoughts the longer a panic attack lasts. Try to keep your mind blank and free of any negative thoughts during a panic attack. Read some positive statements from your favorite self-help book to help overcome your negative thoughts during a panic attack.

6. Get Help It is important to talk to a qualified professional in order to learn how to survive a panic attack. By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with any panic attacks that may occur in the future. Talk to your doctor or go on the internet to get a list of mental health counselors in your area.

7. There Is Hope Dealing with a panic attack is not easy, however there are ways to get rid of them. Many people feel that there is nothing they can do to help prevent any panic attacks down the road. This is not true. Talking to a counselor and educating yourself on how to deal with a panic attack will help you manage any future panic attacks in your life. The key is to get help and learn why you are having a panic attack in the first place.

In this new-age yearning for sustainable living, we are finding that many of the conveniences we have taken for granted are causing harm to the world we live in. For example, transportation has certainly taken one of the worst tolls on Earth’s environment. For this reason, scientists and researchers are doing their best to find ways to keep transportation fast and efficient, but with a lower cost to the earth.

As far as automobiles go, electric cars are being manufactured and popularized as an alternative to gasoline-run vehicles. This hasn’t been without trial, with the White House recently eliminating its subsidies for electric vehicles and leaving automotive companies to juggle electric- and gasoline-powered vehicles rather than focusing on the switch to the former. But there has still been a significant amount of headway in the sustainable vehicle movement.

Despite these signs of progress, electric cars still have one big hurdle they need to overcome if they plan on overcoming gas-powered vehicles, and that is their battery lifespan. Currently, warranties on such vehicles run for about 8 years or 100K miles, which for electric cars means that’s as far as automobile companies are willing to trust them. If their battery life could long outlast the traditional automobiles, they may have a better shot at popularity.

Luckily, we know new technology in the automobile industry — especially that which is based around sustainability — generally has to go through some time lapses and mechanical trials before it catches on. We know that because, believe it or not, sustainability has been a part of the automobile industry for a few decades now.

Sustainability and the Auto Industry

Rethinking Prosperity believes that sustainability as a movement started all the way back in 1969, when the U.S. government initiated the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in response to the Santa Barbara oil spill of the same year. This brought industrial pollution to the eyes of the public on a widespread level. Soon after, the health dangers of pollution were made well known, drawing attention to cars.

Gas-powered cars are convenient, but public pressure eventually caused some automobile companies to begin leading the way for sustainability within their own industries. As exemplified in an infographic by the Northeastern University D’Amore-McKim School of Business, companies such as Subaru and Honda have worked hard to reduce their carbon footprint. Notably, Subaru has produced 0 percent waste from their landfill since 2005.

We still have a ways to go, and electric cars aren’t perfect either. The batteries of these cars specifically have some dangers and drawbacks that electric automobile companies are working to address. Whether it’s been Tesla reducing cobalt, the Bollare group working to eliminate safety risks, or Pellion Technology’s work on energy density, the history of sustainability in the auto industry is still being written. However, these companies are ushering us into the future.

The Market Demands

So with the public becoming informed with factual information about environmental causes reaching the world at large, the market has begun to demand more sustainable options for cars they drive. People care about the world they live in, and have in turn given automobile companies a lot to answer for — and they have started getting responses.

There are already a number of electric cars in the making, from sports cars to even Volkswagen bus-type vehicles. These vehicles are being built to keep customers satisfied and will be incorporating more serious safety measures in addition to being eco-friendly. This could make them viable options from the get-go for young drivers, seeing as safety measures are one of the most important concerns in cars for young adults to learn to drive with.

The batteries of these electric vehicles are the key to their role in the sustainability movement and efficiency. While there are always improvements to be made, they have an undeniably positive impact on the world of automobiles, to the extent the government has even gotten involved. That’s right — the U.S. government actually encourages these kinds of batteries via a pretty hefty tax credit for using them (something that hasn’t yet been taken away by the Trump administration).

How This All Has Led to Long Battery Life

The fact is that electric cars have to compete with traditional cars. Right now, if you buy an electric car, you are going to have it for roughly the same amount of time as a non-electric vehicle. Since electric cars are so expensive to purchase upfront, people often choose to go with a gas guzzler because it makes the most sense for them financially. However, what if the eco-friendly cars could last you longer? For the rest of your life even?

That’s what researchers are looking into right now, and there has been a little bit of headway recently. A team of researchers in Dallas made some progress by switching from lithium-ion batteries to lithium-sulphur batteries, which hold more energy and are better for the environment. However, they’re a worse conductor for electricity, and can quickly become unstable with multiple recharges. Hopefully, they will be able to create a mechanism to fix this, however, so they are reliable for automobiles and general transportation.

It’s possible that the cost and efficiency of these new batteries and cars could popularize green driving. A life-long battery life would make a more expensive vehicle a smarter investment for a driver personally and offer more eco-friendly driving options to begin with for new drivers, which could propel them to become defaults in the modern world. Only time will tell how this plays out, though.

And we can’t forget that sustainability is a process, so sometimes the popularization of these things take time. Hopefully, the White House’s new rulings on electric vehicles don’t slow sustainability down for too long. The market is demanding it, and the world needs it. With this recent advancement in battery life for electric vehicles, we could have a very green future ahead of us.

Do you drive an electric car? How long does your battery generally last? Let us know in the comments below.

It can be difficult for adults to have to take care of their families and manage their careers at the same time. This can cause a lot of stress and anxiety for many people.

Photo by Morgan David de Lossy on Unsplash

As a result, here are six tips on how to take care of your family and your career without getting overly stressed.

1. Set Goals: Try to set goals for yourself when you manage your family or career. When you get up in the mornings, try to set some daily goals for you to accomplish. When you accomplish these goals, you will feel happier and more confident to do more things.

2. Delegate: When taking care of your family, get your spouse to help out. If your kids are older, get them to assist you. If you are at work, only take on what you can handle. Don't try to do everything all at once. Learn to delegate and work with other people.

3. Evaluate Your Situation: If you try to do everything, you will get stressed and anxious. A person can only do so much in a given day. Do not everything. Learn to manage your responsibilities. If you feel like you are doing too much, then take a break and evaluate your situation.

4. Prioritize: Try to do things in terms of their importance. Let's say that you have to clean the living room, go to the supermarket, and wash the dishes. You decide to go to the supermarket since that is the most important thing that needs to be accomplished You decide you can do the other two tasks later on. Determine what needs done right now and do those particular tasks in order of importance.

5. Plan Ahead: It is much easier to accomplish something if you know what you are going to do ahead of time. Proper planning will help manage the stresses and anxieties of getting want you want and help you to stay organized.

6. Communication Is Important: It is important to talk to your coworkers and family members in order to avoid any potential problems. Get into the habit of talking to others in order to get things accomplished. Don't get upset when things don't work according to plan. Learning how to work with others can help save you a lot of time.

Purchasing life insurance marks the soundest financial investment many make to provide their loved ones with the means to survive in the case of untimely death. It makes sense — even while we mourn, landlords and utility companies still demand payment if we hope to keep a roof over our heads and power our appliances. However, few among us give pause to consider how climate change may impact the monthly amount we pay to keep our families safe.

Recent increases in the severity of wildfires and hurricanes serve as an exclamation point that human beings need to change their polluting ways or risk extinction. However, despite the warnings of scientists, relatively few insurers have diversified their investment portfolios to include more renewable and sustainable business practices. The result may mean passing on rising costs to consumers.

Bigger National Disasters Lead to Greater Mortality Rates

In recent years, the U.S. has experienced an increased number of hurricanes of Category three or higher. Hurricane Maria, which decimated Puerto Rico and parts of Florida in 2017, claimed anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of lives. Nor was Maria the only deadly storm to batter the east coast of the nation of late — Hurricanes Harvey and Irma likewise claimed dozens of lives while causing billions of dollars in damage.

In the west, a rampage of wildfires has caused death and destruction. The California wildfire season of 2018 proved the most deadly in recent memory. The city of Paradise, CA, will never return to its former grandeur as a retreat for wealthy celebrities and Silicon Valley bigwigs after the Camp Fire ravaged the city and claimed 85 or more human lives.

Should climate change continue unfettered, more severe natural disasters will arise. And this raises the hackles of actuary agents everywhere. Already in 2018, the life expectancy of U.S. citizens lagged behind that of other developed nations and earned the distinction of being the only industrialized nation where the average age of death fell below 80.

Given that insurance companies use a mathematical formula to determine rates, the increase in natural disasters paired with decreasing life expectancy will result in higher monthly rates for all. Young couples and families who have yet to shop around for policies should cease procrastinating as this may result in paying far more in premiums.

Climate Change Leads to Poorer Health Outcomes

Risks of sudden death due to natural disaster isn't the only factor that may drive up life insurance rates. Areas most affected by climate change see higher rates of infectious and chronic diseases.

In areas choked by smog, air pollution increases the risk of developing upper respiratory infections and lung diseases, including cancer. High particulate levels also cause more severe allergy symptoms which limits productivity in the workplace.

Increases in global temperatures result in the rise of dangerous strains of algae in many drinking water supplies. Additionally, as some areas of the United States continue to struggle with crumbling infrastructure, water quality remains dubious in many locations. As many as 63 million Americans suffered exposure to unsafe drinking water in the last decade.

Exposure to high pollution levels also impacts the brain and central nervous system. Many neurologists express concern about the role of increased pollution in causing or exacerbating diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Pollutants can cause changes in the blood-brain barrier, and some theorize that exposure impacts the recent rise in mental illness and death.

Finally, exposure to pollution lowers immune system functioning, making people more susceptible to infectious diseases. Areas with large homeless populations have recently witnessed the resurgence of diseases like typhus which were long considered eradicated.

Growing levels of pollution may likewise influence the increase in autoimmune diseases such as Crohn's and rheumatoid arthritis. In such illnesses, the immune system goes haywire, causing the body to attack its own tissue. Exposure to high ozone levels has proven to cause changes in the immune response of laboratory mice.

The Impact on Insurance

When life insurance companies issue a policy, they typically require a medical examination. While factors such as age and lifestyle do play a role — skydivers, for example, may pay higher rates — poor physical health drives premium prices out of reach for some. As climate change continues to impact human health, those considering buying a policy do well to act quickly in establishing one as soon as possible.

Environmental catastrophes such as hurricanes and wildfires mean insurers receive a glut of claims after such events. To meet demand, insurers need to maintain their own investments to continue generating sufficient capital to pay claims quickly. As many insurers hold real property assets in coastal areas often targeted by severe storms, each large-scale disasters may drive rates up further.

Protecting Your Family

Life insurance provides many Americans with the financial peace of mind that their loved ones will remain cared for after they pass. However, environmental disasters and declining public health outcomes may cause rates to rise. The best time to protect your family is now.

Some people have a difficult time in managing their depression. Sometimes, their depression and fears can become a huge factor in their personal life and professional career.

As a result, here are six tips that a person can use to help manage their depression.

1. Challenge Your Depressing Thoughts: One of the ways to manage your depression is to challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make your fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. Your fearful thoughts are usually not based on reality

2. Distract Yourself: Some people can get depressed over doing a certain task. When this happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do to get their mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. Doing something will get your mind off of the problem and give you confidence to do other things

3. Worrying Makes It Worse: A lot of times, our worrying can make the problem even worse. All the worrying in the world will not change anything. All you can do is to do your best each day, hope for the best, and when something does happen, take it in stride.

4. Take It One Day At A Time: Instead of worrying about how you will get through the rest of the week, try to focus on today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. You never know when the answers you are looking for will come to your doorstep.

5. Read Positive Affirmations: Another technique that is very helpful is to have a small notebook of positive statements that makes you feel good. Whenever you come across an affirmation that makes you feel good, write it down in a small notebook that you can carry around with you in your pocket. Whenever you feel depressed, open up your small notebook and read those statements.

6. Ask For Help: Take advantage of the help that is available around you. If possible, talk to a professional who can help you manage your fears and anxieties. They will be able to provide you with additional advice and insights on how to deal with your current problem. By talking to a professional, a person will be helping themselves in the long run because they will become better able to deal with their problems in the future.