This guest post is by Janette Dolores of www.janettedolores.com.

Remember growing up and looking forward to the cool or spooky costume you’d be wearing for Halloween and all of the candy you’d rake in?

As a parent, grandparent or relative of little ones, do you now regard those cool and spooky costumes and candy doled out by strangers as causes for concern?

If so, consider the following ten tips for safe Halloween fun.

1. Join the fun. If your children are young enough to trick-or-treat, they’re still young enough to need a responsible adult present during the outing. The combination of Halloween falling on a weekday this year and people driving home from work while trick-or-treaters are racing from house to house warrants extra caution.
2. Plan the trick-or-treating route ahead of time. If you’re taking the kids door-to-door, consider the neighborhood to be visited, its traffic pattern and whether the area is sparsely populated.
3. Check the weather. Keep in mind that, despite areas with cooler Halloweens, kids may scoff at the idea of wearing a jacket over the outfit they’ve had picked out for months. One way to avoid this tug-of-war is to dress the kids in long-sleeved shirts, thermals, or leggings under the costumes so the integrity of the costume oeuvre d’art isn’t compromised.
4. Host a Halloween bash! Frigid or stormy weather forecasted on the day of? Call fellow parents beforehand and plan a home Halloween party. Safe-to-eat treats, warm drinks, and family-friendly Halloween games can be included. Pick up a Halloween CD at your local party store for added effect.
5. Visit the mall. If your children are toddlers or younger and you are hesitant to take them outdoors this holiday, dress up your children and take them to the mall to trick-or-treat with other costumed children. Many stores in malls pass out candy on Halloween. Note: get to the mall early to avoid arriving after candy supplies at stores have run out!
6. Stay safe by staying visible. Stick reflective tape (found in hardware or toy stores) on your children’s costumes, or take along glow sticks, glow necklaces, and/or a flashlight to stay visible to motorists.
7. Do a costume test-run. Have your children try on their costumes. Notice how well they walk in them, and see and breathe through any mask or headgear. Consider face painting instead of a mask so that vision and breathing aren’t obstructed. Never dress an infant or toddler in costumes with long pieces of fabric or embellishment that may pose a choking hazard. Last, check labels for fireproof or fire retardant material.
8. Inspect all Halloween candy once you get home. This rule has applied for generations and remains a safety must for identifying and discarding unwrapped or otherwise problematic treats. Give your children dinner before trick-or-treating and take along a few pieces of candy from home to keep at bay your children’s temptation to dip into the Halloween bounty.
9. Know the allergy-friendly treats. If food allergies are a concern, consider your children’s specific allergic trigger(s) when deciding what candy gets past you, the gatekeeper. While which candy is “safe” depends on the allergy at issue, some peanut and tree nut-free options are: Junior Mints, Pez, Tootsie Rolls, Twizzlers, Sweet Tarts, Starburst, Life Savers, Skittles, Smarties, and many varieties of lollipops.
10. Trust your instincts and remind your children to trust theirs. A stranger doesn’t stop being a stranger just because he is handing out candy. Allow children to only approach homes with illuminated front porches, and instruct your children to never go inside a home or near a car for candy.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

Janette Dolores is an at-home mom, wife and blogger. She is passionate about family, spirituality and writing, and draws inspiration for her writing from everyday experiences. Read more of her posts at www.janettedolores.com.

This post is by Susie Michelle of Momscape.com.

Are you having one of those days? If so, you probably knew it from the moment your eyes blinked open and struggled to focus.

Maybe you slept okay, and maybe you didn’t, but the day is here just the same.

Here are ten tips and techniques to help you start your morning with more energy.

1. Drink a glass of water right when you wake up. It’s a great way to energize and set the tone for a healthy, active day.
2. Yes, have that cup of coffee. Unless you have a medical condition, there’s probably nothing wrong with a morning wake-up cup of coffee or tea. Blow the steam and watch it scatter across the top of your mug. Sip it and savor it with enough attention and reverence, and you might just find that one cup is enough.
3. Take a moment to be with your thoughts. Don’t rush headlong into your day, if you can help it. Maybe you enjoy writing for a few minutes in a journal. Maybe you like to sit at the table and thumb through the newspaper. Don’t discount these little rituals in starting your day off right. Give yourself time to shake off the sleepies and bring your full attention to the day ahead.
4. Brush your teeth, and use some zingy mouthwash. This always helps me feel a little more invigorated, and it also helps me turn down that second cup of coffee.
5. Use a daily morning ritual to get your head on straight. When you’re brushing your teeth, or when you’re washing your hair in the shower, for example, recount as many things as you can that you are thankful for—or things that you are looking forward to in the day ahead. Marinate in your own positive thoughts for a minute.
6. Blast some tunes. Get a good, energizing playlist or tune into some free Pandora channels that help you stay energized and eager for the day ahead.
7. Energize with aromatherapy. Citrus scents are perfect for getting you going in the morning. Use an essential oil warmer in the room where you’re getting ready to face the day, or find a perfume that incorporates these energizing notes.
8. Start your day by eating something healthy and fresh—something with high water content. Indulge in a piece of fresh, juicy fruit, for example, along with something else that will stick to your ribs. I always have a few walnuts to add some protein and staying power.
9. Exercise in the morning. You don’t have to go nuts. Just a brisk 20 minute walk or jog will do wonders for your mood and energy levels. Sometimes (okay, often) I have to trick myself: I’ll put on my running shoes and tell myself I’m going to go for just ten minutes once the kids are on the school bus. After ten minutes have passed, I nearly always find that I don’t want to stop.
10. Make some time to laugh. Set your browser to open with one of those websites or YouTube channels that always makes you giggle. Read The Onion or The Pioneer Woman or call that friend who always has a good joke at the ready. Humor has a remarkable ability to break us out of a bad mood and help us feel better about the day ahead.

If you still can’t seem to wake up, give yourself a little more time. Some days are like that. Have another cup of coffee and breathe deep. It’s going to be a beautiful day.

Susie Michelle is the publisher of Momscape.com a parenting site with articles, tips and ideas from renowned experts on health and fitness, organic living, weight loss, romance, and travel. Susie is also the founder of Susies-Coupons.com where she spotlights coupon codes, daily deals and fun finds from around the web.

This post is by Nabil Gulamani of successatreach.com.

Many of us want to work on our self-confidence, but we are not sure about what approach to take to improve it. Those of us that suffer from low self-confidence know we need to take action … and yet we don’t.

Below I have included five tips for ways you can improve your self-confidence so that you can have more success in your career and your personal life.

1. Talk to more people every day

Most of us are caught up in a routine lifestyle, and we talk to the same people every day.

In order to take your self-confidence to whole new level, you have to make a habit of talking to different people consistently. You will realize that when you have mastered this skill, you will overcome your shyness. The reason why many people suffer from low self-esteem in their social lives is because they are not talking to enough new people each day.

2. Get outside of your comfort zone

We all have fears in certain areas that stop us from having the lives that we really desire. In order for you to grow mentally and emotionally strong, you have to get outside of your comfort zone.

Make a habit of doing what you fear, and you will notice that you will get past all of your limiting beliefs. The reason most of us are afraid to step outside of our comfort zone is because we fear the unknown. When you learn how to deal with uncertainty on a regular basis, you will get a sudden boost in your level of confidence.

3. Practice making direct eye contact when you’re talking to other people

Making eye contact is very important with the people you communicate with face-to-face, every day. When you can master making great eye contact, it will help you in your career, but it can help improve the relationships you have in your personal life as well.

When you can make good eye contact when talking with others, it shows that you have leadership traits. People respond positively to leaders, so if you master these skills, your friends, co-workers, and members of the opposite sex will gain more respect for you.

4. Surround yourself with people who are successful

Start getting to know people who are successful in every area of their life. This includes friends and people in your work niche as well.

When you make a habit of talking to successful people, your vision will expand and you will explore new opportunities that you hadn’t seen in the past. When you are around individuals that are willing to share their success and help you as well, you will enjoy a lot of positive energy.

5. Exercise more often

Go to the gym at least four to five times a week. Many of us are sitting at our office desks the whole day, and it can get really depressing if we don’t move around during the day.

Lack of exercise will affect your confidence in all areas of your life. If you do not want to go to the gym and prefer the outdoors, go for a run or hike. Make working out and eating healthily a long-term commitment. Don’t get into crash dieting because you will feel like you are forcing yourself to stay healthy, and that can have a negative impact on your self-esteem.

Next time you pull out your calendar, make sure that you have enough time set up so you can work on mastering the above skills. Make a daily habit of doing something that will improve your self-confidence.

What are you going to do to take your self-confidence to the next level?

Nabil Gulamani is in sales and helps businesses nationwide with their Direct Marketing. During his free time he blogs about self-improvement and personal growth to help people improve their overall lifestyle. You can visit his Self-Improvement blog www.successatreach.com.

This post is by Jane of Coupon Triumph.

Online entrepreneurs use computers a lot. They sit in the same place a lot. That doesn’t sound healthy, does it?

It’s not just online entrepreneurs—anyone who uses computers for their work, or for fun, sits in front of computers a lot.

Such people tend to neglect their health as they spend long hours in front of their computers. Sitting the whole day isn’t really advisable as it may affect your body and take a toll on the overall health. And that’s before we consider strain and other injuries specifically related to computer use itself.

Yes, as a person who uses computers often, you will need to invest in your health too. Here’s a list of action items to get you going and stay healthy—even in front of the computer!

Your eyes need attention

As you continuously work in front of a monitor, staring the screen for a long time, you are sure to strain your eyes. Many vision-related issues crop up because of long hours spent sitting in front of the computer.

Taking breaks in between tasks, looking away from your screen, and maintaining a good distance from your screen while you are working may help you give you relief from eye irritation and strain. You should also make sure you blink while you look on the screen—don’t just stare at it for long hours.

Back issues

Many people’s backs ache when they sit for long hours; it only adds up more pain if you don’t pay enough attention to the initial signs and take steps to avoid the back issues in the first place.

Get yourself a comfortable chair which enables you to keep your feet on the floor. A footstool may help if you need extra height. Sit straight and take small breaks for walks away from your desk.

Eat—don’t skip

Your diet does come into play here. You shouldn’t skip your meals: you are what you eat, and your health depends on how healthily you eat.

Avoid sugar-rich foods and starches. Grab fruits and healthy snacks instead. If you feel that you don’t have time to get away from your work, keep healthy snacks at your desk. Remember: eat healthy to stay healthy.

Drink water

Water, as they say, is the elixir of life. Drinking water while you work may save you from lot of problems related to dehydration. Your computer heats up, and working inside under lights, or in air-conditioned spaces, can also make you feel dehydrated.

Sometimes, you may not even feel that you are thirsty because you are so busy at work. Keep a bottle of water ready and sip in at regular intervals. This will ensure that your water intake is proper.

Neck pain

Exercise while you work. I do not mean that you have to totally cut off from your work—you can follow some simple and easy exercises at your desk itself. Tilt your head to avoid neck pain now and then by looking up, and to the right and left sides.

You can also relax for a few minutes in your chair, too. Do try exercises that relieve shoulder pain, like rolling your shoulders back and forth a few times each hour.

Use a friendly keyboard

This may sound a little difficult, as many of us usually become adjusted to a particular keyboard. But this quick tip works too well, as it gives much-needed comfort to your ever-typing fingers.

Invest in a ergonomic keyboard—one that’s friendly to your hands and wrists. It will benefit your work and your health as well. It helps you easily avoid that wrist pain which cramps your muscles, and leaves you free from finger pain too.

Weight loss

Unintended weight loss occurs as we result of the wrong eating habits and an unhealthy lifestyle.

Skipping meals is a strict no-no. Give yourself good amount of time to finish your food completely—it energizes you to work for the rest of the day. Try spending meal times with family or friends, and make eating a fun-filled activity in your schedule.

Sleep

Last, but not least, sleep is as important as food to your health. You might get yourself a bad headache or strain yourself too much if you continue working all day and night.

Relax your brain and eyes and slip into a good sound sleep. You will feel more refreshed after a good sleep, and you’ll work more effectively too.

Try these effective tips to get your work going without sacrificing your health. Do you have any you can add?

Jane also writes for Coupon Triumph, a discount coupon site that offers bistro md and diet to go discount coupons.

This post is by Jesse Langley of www.professionalintern.com.

It’s back-to-school time for students, but even if you’re not in school, you can still find new and exciting ways to keep your brain stimulated.

The concept of lifelong learning isn’t new, but it’s a trend that’s gaining popularity. There are benefits to keeping your brain active: studies have shown that, for older people, staying active after retirement can delay dementia.

But no matter what your age, staying active and challenging your brain can lead to better mental and physical health. Consider trying a few activities this fall to keep yourself intellectually stimulated.

1. Be a bookworm

Reading is an activity that takes very little effort, but can provide tons of benefits. The trick is finding books that will challenge you, not reading the latest James Patterson novel (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Try revisiting some of those big, classic novels you had to study in college, or find challenging books you’ve always wanted to read.

You can also expand your worldview and read translated books written by authors from other countries. Reading books written by foreign authors can be one of the best ways to get a glimpse into another culture. Time Magazine’s All-Time 100 Novels list is a great resource for finding novels from a diverse pool of authors.

2. Full-body workout

Intellectual stimulation can be physical too: starting a workout plan and learning how to eat well is a good way to keep your body and your brain healthy. It’s been proven that regular workouts improve brain function by improving blood circulation and regenerating brain cells.

A good diet is also a part of building a strong brain: several foods like blueberries, wild salmon, and avocados are packed with vitamins and healthy fats that the brain needs to stay healthy.

3. Make your dreams come true

This is a good time to revisit some of your childhood dreams, but on a perhaps smaller scale.

If you wanted to be a rock star, learn to play an instrument or how to read music. If you wanted to be an international spy (like I did), you can take classes online or at your local community college to learn a new language. People who can read or speak another language are not only better at multitasking, but the onset of dementia is delayed for them as well.

Finding ways to meet some of your personal goals is an ego booster—feeling good about yourself is good for your brain, too.

4. Meditate on a better brain

Meditation is an ancient practice that’s remained a cornerstone of wellness for many Eastern cultures—and that’s because it works. And recent studies suggest that maintaining a regular meditation schedule can help increase gray matter density in the areas of the brain associated with memory and learning.

Meditation can also encourage you to take a little time out of your day to concentrate on yourself. Even if you don’t perform full-fledged Transcendental Meditation, learning a few proper meditation techniques can help clear the mental fog you might suffer at the end of a long day.

5. Get some sleep

This might seem like a no-brainer (pun intended), but sleep is critical to good brain function. Remember that your brain is an organ, and it needs rest and time to regenerate, just like every other part of your body.

The effects of sleep deprivation can range from the annoying to the alarming: people who consistently get less sleep than their bodies need can increase their risk for illnesses like heart disease, stroke and obesity. This activity doesn’t require much effort from you, other than getting to bed at a decent time each night, but the benefits will boost your brain’s ability to work properly.

As the weather turns chilly, it’s tempting to bundle up and stay inside. But learning new things, trying new activities, and paying attention to your body-brain connection can help keep you and your brain at their best.

Jesse Langley lives near Chicago. He divides his time among work, writing and family life. He has a keen interest in blogging and social media and is an advocate for online training. He also writes for www.professionalintern.com.

With the changing seasons, it’s all too easy to pick up bugs and get sick. I don’t know about you, but I often seem to forget that the weather’s cooler, and try to get around in my summer clothes as long as possible. Not smart. Inevitably I wind up sniveling on the couch with red eyes, a headache, and a dearth of vitamin C tablets.

So we asked our lovely FeelGooder followers:

How will you stave off cold an flu this fall?

We got some intriguing ideas.

AnJuli advised, “The moment I start to feel ill or sense illness coming on I switch to a diet of fruit and water. All those antioxidants must be good for something.”

It’s a good point: often we “sense” an illness coming on before there are any major symptoms. When you start to feel run down, AnJuli’s advice might just help you out.

Reader Leigh, on the other hand, is a picture of health. “I hardly ever get colds! Maybe three total in 35 years,” she boasted! Lucky lady. She recommends this article from Scientific American, which details research that shows how populations in different regions have differently shaped noses.

My favorite quote from the article comes from Nathan Holton at the University of Iowa, who says “Proper heating and humidification of air in colder climates are important for respiratory health.” Keep that in mind, northeners!

When I get a sore throat I rely on ginger tea—root ginger boiled in water for around five minutes, then sipped—to sooth the situation. What’s your secret cold and flu remedy? Share it with us in the comments!