5 Steps to Happy

Stuck in a rut? Drained and down? Here's five steps you can take to regain control of your happiness. It's your path to choose, choose happiness.

#1 Spend More Time With Positive People

Nothing can bring you down faster than Negative Nancy. You know, those friends that leave you feeling drained and belittled after a catch up instead of inspired  and beloved. The ones that spend more time bringing others down (whether they're around to hear or not) than lifting them up. They are the people you need to avoid and replace with the people who do the exact opposite. It is tried and true that we become like those who we are around most. Negative minds don't make happy people, therefore, those negative friends you have can bring your happiness levels down to a dangerously low level. Ditch them - for your own sake. 

#2 Learn To Forgive

Forgiveness takes courage but carrying a grudge can seriously weigh you down. It is more respectful to yourself to forgive others for whatever it may be. Forgiving doesn't mean you have to forget what happened, nor does it mean you are saying "it's okay."  It means you are willing to put the past behind you, move on without the weight of a grudge and take back control of your own happiness.  Lifting that weight will bring you peace, which is a pathway to happiness. 

#3 Don't Be Afraid of Mistakes

Whether you've made them or you're about to make one, stop being afraid of them. It's human nature to make mistakes because that is how we learn. The only problem you should have with mistakes is repeating them - and if you have learned, you won't. In the end, you will always regret the things you didn't do rather than the things you did. 

#4 Be Grateful

For everything positive you have in your life, large or small. Unfortunately, not everyone in this world is blessed with food, shelter, love, friendship and an abundance of other things we take for granted. Things we see and do, especially those little things we look past everyday, all of those small, beautiful moments will turn out to be the best of your life. Be grateful for them because one day they may not be there. 

#5 Trust Your Instincts & Follow Your Dreams

I know, there's two steps here, but I think they go hand in hand. We all have dreams and goals we want to achieve. What's stopping you? Other people? Yourself? There comes a time when we need to stop listening to other people and start listening to ourselves. Your instincts know what's best - always. We will never be happy if we don't achieve what we wish to. Find your passion, follow your instincts and choose happiness no matter which road you have to take. 

Surprising Beauty Benefits of Calamine Lotion

I've been on the search for a treatment for my stretch marks, acne and blemishes that would also combat this sensitive dermatitis-like rash I had developed on my face. After some quick research I decided to give Calamine lotion a try. 

Calamine lotion is a topical zinc-oxide treatment generally used as an anti-itching agent. It's light pink in colour and can be found in most household medicine cabinets. 

Here's a few ways Calamine lotion can be used:

1. Acne treatment 

2. Fading of blemishes & red acne scars

3. Relief from dermatitis, eczema & any other itchy, red rashes

4. Sunburn treatment 

5. Make-up Primer 

6. Moisturiser - I combine Calamine lotion with sorbolene cream and apply daily. 

As a kid I remember my mum using it on my chicken pox. It took away both the itching and the redness, a problem that I had with this rash too. Within a week of using it, the rash disappeared, my acne cleared up and the blemishes began to fade. I'll keep you updated on the stretch mark situation, they are pretty bad and will take some significant time to fade.