The do’s and don’ts when traveling can be overwhelming. If you have never been to a place how do you know what to expect, to do, or to bring? Vacationing should be a relaxing, enlightening and educational experience. Knowledge is power. By reading this article you are on your way to a stress-free trip to Punta Cana. Here are 9 things to know before you travel to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. If you would like to learn more…
Picturesque beaches, sunshine on your face and sand between your toes. This is what you can expect from an all-inclusive resort in Punta Cana. But what else can you expect from an all-inclusive? What about the negative aspects of staying at one of these resorts? I recently visited Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. I stayed in two separate all-inclusive resorts to obtain a broader perspective on resort life. Each of the resorts had its charms and its downfalls. If…
Sun-kissed sand sifting through your fingers as the ocean breeze lightly blows through your hair. The constant sound of the tide pulling in and out. A picture-perfect view that is a little taste of heaven here on earth. I recently visited Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. I stayed in two separate all-inclusive resorts to get a broader perspective on resort life. Each resort has its differences. If you are interested in to staying at either of the resorts I…
There are thousands of travel apps and websites to choose from. How do you know which are worth your time and which are duds? It will be smooth sailing from here on out, once you read my list of the best travel apps ever! All of the following lists I have personally used and navigated trough. The lists are in random order. I will cover the best apps for flights, hotels, things to do, commuting, and others. Flight To find…
When I first moved to China in the autumn of 2013 I went to work as an English teacher. Adjusting to life in a sweltering, chaotic Guangdong province city whose name I’d never heard two months prior wasn’t easy. The following is a list of calamities I suffered early on in my Chinese adventure: I had a giant cockroach crawl through a sewer grate and up my leg, while a toothless street urchin in ripped cutoff jorts and mismatched shoes…
Depression is a debilitating disease. It consumes your body and mind. Depression for me feels like this. Everything is cloudy and I feel forgetful. It is like a gray film has covered my eyes. I can see through it but it is just muted and feels unreal. What was I just thinking of, how long have I been sitting here? I try to push myself to do things but feel confused and then too heavy inside and out to do…
Mexico City is filled with sights, smells, sounds, and influences that are unlike anywhere in the world. The sparking lights at night seem to transform the energy from the city into a celebration of life. When you walk through the parks and plazas, you see families and friends play and love. Visiting Mexico City is a wonderfully fulfilling experience. You will retain beautiful and meaningful memories to take with you throughout life. Visiting Mexico City can be extremely chaotic with…
It can never happen to me. This is a thought that runs through everyone’s mind while traveling. Anything bad happening to us is just unthinkable. However, the truth of the matter is it is more common than we want to believe. This should not deter you from traveling and experiencing different cultures while broadening your perspective. It is just important to always remember it can happen to you. To make sure that you are prepared for anything that comes your…
Over the past decade, the popularity of hostels has risen. You might be asking yourself is a hostel right for me? It is a popular choice for travelers between the ages of 18-35. Budget travel and backpacking have also boomed. If you are looking for a fun, budget-friendly alternative to a hotel, staying at a hostel might be right for you. By choosing a hostel, you will have more money to spend on your vacation, like day trips or tours….
The power of nature is magnificent and potent. The crunch of stones and fallen leaves. The fresh air blowing around your body, you can smell the moss and the morning dew. Birds are singing in the distance. Just a short walk surrounded by nature has been shown to improve all kinds of health conditions including mental health. Ecotherapy Ecotherapy (also known as green therapy, nature therapy, and earth-centered therapy) is the use of nature for therapeutic purposes. It has shown…
Being in a group gives us a feeling of belonging. It drives us as well as giving us a mood-lifting boost of confidence. Joining a fan club or group is a wonderful addition to a sound mental health regiment. There is nothing more satisfying than having a common interest with another person. They understand you, almost as if they can see inside your heart and mind. This world can feel very lonely and foreign at times. Trying to find another…
My blood pressure starts to rise, I can hear my heart beating in my ears, hyperventilation is inevitable. I haven’t even booked the trip yet. All of the fears of what could happen are conceptualizing in my mind. The fear of the unknown takes over and you are left with the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety while traveling is normal and can be managed. Causes There are many situations that can cause you to have anxiety while traveling. Flight complications Getting…
The sweat dripping down my brow, stinging my eyes. I can hear everything around me, the sounds echoing inside my head. The world around me is spinning out of control. I can’t handle this, I think I am going to faint, everything is getting hazy. I can smell what the guy across from me had for lunch, a tuna sandwich, and potato chips. Is he looking at me? I start to chew on my nails in anticipation for something bad…
Mans best friend is his pet. Pet owners spend to the extent of $72 Billion dollars a year on their pets. Yes, you heard that right I said B for Billion! But our pets aren’t just fluffy cute cats and dogs. People find love in all kinds of animal friends. Cuddles could be a 23 foot Burmese python that weighs 200 pounds. Fluffy could be a 100 pound Sulcata tortoise ready for a romp around the local park. So what…
If mental illness had a face and consciousness what would it be? Would it be a woman or a man? Would it be kind or evil? Would it be human? Every person who has seen through the eyes of mental illness has seen a different picture, each one unique. When I look through the eyes of mental illness, this is what I see. I see pain, fear, loss and struggle. I witness sadness, fatigue, hopelessness and anxiety. Mental illness is…