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Why I’m Learning Spanish – And Why You Should Too

It’s easy.

First of all, Spanish uses the same letters as English, so no need to learn a second alphabet.

Spanish also shares many cognates, or words in other languages that sound and/or look alike, with English. This makes it very easy to memorize vocabulary in Spanish, and you’ll sometimes be able to translate words you’ve never even heard before.

Spanish grammar is fairly simple, and everything in the language makes logical sense (unlike in English, where there are two too many tos).

It helps you learn other languages.

Since Spanish, like most European languages, is based off of Latin, it shares many similarities with its romance language cousins. That means that learning Spanish will give you a head start on learning other romance languages, like French, Italian, or Portuguese. For example, the word welcome in these languages is:

  • Spanish – Bienvenidos
  • French – Bienvenue
  • Italian – Benvenuto

It’s becoming more and more prevalent

Did you know that there are more native speakers of Spanish than English?

It’s true.

I live in Houston, and I don’t go a single day without hearing Spanish spoken around me – and this definitely helps me learn it.

With how popular the Spanish language is becoming worldwide, it’s becoming more and more important to learn it.

Travel becomes easier

With a second language under your belt, travel becomes a lot less scary.

One time I got lost in Spain with my grandparents, and I had to rely on what little Spanish I knew to get us back to our cruise ship in time… But that’s for another blog.

My point is that without my language skills, we would have been stranded in a foreign country. So if you plan on travelling to Spain or Latin America, it would be wise to learn some Spanish.

It helps with work

Companies are more likely to hire someone that is bilingual in English and Spanish than someone that only speaks English. Even if you already have a secure job, learning a second language could possibly get you a pay raise. Who doesn’t like getting more money?

It’s fun to learn

Lastly, the first and foremost reason for learning any language is that it’s enjoyable. If you’re not the type of person that genuinely enjoys learning languages, you’re at a serious disadvantage. The more fun you are having, the more likely you’ll pick up on the language.

Those are my top reasons why I’m learning Spanish and why I encourage others to do so. Leave a comment down below and tell me what language(s) you’re learning and why. See ya next time!

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How to Help Someone with an Eating Disorder

Eating disorders are heartbreaking diseases, and it can be especially difficult to watch a loved one go through that and not know how to help. Luckily, I’ve compiled a list of what is and is not helpful for someone with an eating disorder to minimize your confusion.

Don’t mention how they look

No matter what you do, don’t mention how your loved one with an eating disorder looks, especially their weight. Even comments that you perceive as helpful, such as “You are so skinny” and “You look so healthy,” can be warped inside that person’s mind and encourage the eating disorder. It’s best not to mention at all how the person looks to avoid this.

Don’t mention numbers

People with eating disorders often have triggers. Triggers are things people do or say that can cause anxiety and/or mental distress to that particular person. Everyone has different triggers, but the most common trigger for people with eating disorders is the inclusion of numbers. Using specific numbers like weight, BMI, calories, etc. can really trigger someone with an eating disorder. It’s best to avoid sharing numbers for the sake of that person’s recovery.

Do avoid certain topics

As mentioned above, most people with eating disorders have triggers. It’s usually better to avoid topics that are triggering to that person. Some common triggers are weight, BMI, diets, calories, exercise, skipping meals, or anything that may have to do with that person’s disorder.

Do eat normally around them

Eating disorders are incredibly competitive in nature. A person with an eating disorder likely looks around the table at meals and compares themself with everyone else, and they probably also assign a lot of their self-worth to how little they eat. If someone around them is on a strict diet to lose weight, this can be very triggering, and this may cause the person to engage in more disordered behavior. The same thing may happen if someone eats a very small portion size. Please try to eat as normally as possible around that person.

Don’t place too much importance on the food

Yes, it is important for that person to eat and get all their nutrients. No, you are not the eating disorder police. So long as that person is in treatment and working with a dietitian, they are likely getting the help they need. Reminding them that they need to meet their meal plan can be helpful, but watching them like a hawk during meal times can add undue stress. That person would probably prefer distractions of some sort (like conversation) at meal time to relax them rather than add anxiety.

Do distract them after meals

If you know that this person has a history of purging, help them by providing a fun or distracting activity after meals to distract them from their intense urges. You might also need to make sure that he/she doesn’t go to the bathroom after eating as well. If the person absolutely has a bathroom emergency after a meal, talking to them through the door to make sure they aren’t purging can be helpful.

Do listen to their individual advice

Ask them what is and is not helpful. Only they can tell you what helps them individually. Additionally, once they give you advice, make sure to adhere to it. Even if you think it sounds silly, remember that what can be a trivial thing to you can be a trigger for someone with an eating disorder.

Do love and support them

No matter what happens, let the person know that you’re there for them. Listen to them. Remind them that you’ll always be there to support them. Be patient and gentle and kind. Lastly, love them unconditionally.

If you’re in a crisis call 911 or a national hotline. The national eating disorders hotline is:  1-800-931-2237

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5 Simple Ways to Cope with Anxiety

Breathing

I know, I know – you’ve heard this one a million times, but that’s because it works. Taking calm, slow, deep breaths can help alleviate some of the mental and physical effects of anxiety. Hyperventilation can sometimes cause you to feel like you’re about to pass out, so reminding yourself to breathe normally helps prevent this. Try counting to five as you breathe in and counting to five again as you exhale. This technique has really worked for me, and I hope it can help you too.

Grounding with Senses

Think of your favorite sense – touch, sight, smell – then think of your favorite sensation from that sense – the feeling of warm hugs, the sight of waves on the beach, or the smell of essential oils. Replicating these sensations can be a great way to self-soothe and ground yourself when feeling anxious. Some examples of this can be bath bombs, essential oils, pictures of things that make you happy, weighted blankets, fidget toys, weighted and scented stuffed animals, your favorite food, etc.

Fidgeting

Since anxiety causes restlessness, sometimes it helps to just get all your energy out in a positive way. As impossible as it seems in the moment, a small amount of exercising can help. Also, you can rip up a piece of paper to release some of your stress and tension. Fidget toys are excellent tools for releasing this kind of energy as well.

Focusing on the Trigger

This is a two-step process – firstly, it requires you to recognize what has triggered your anxiety. Once you’ve identified a trigger, then you need to realize that said trigger is not the end of the world. No matter what the situation is, your anxiety is most likely a result of blowing things out of proportions. For example, I may recognize that an upcoming test is causing my anxiety. One test is not going to determine the rest of my life, and even if it is, it’s not the end of the world. There are always other options when one option ceases to be available. Nothing is worth having a panic attack over (which I don’t say to invalidate the experience of panic attacks, but rather to show you that you can set yourself free).

Familiarize Yourself with Patterns

Learn your triggers. Recognize symptoms of panic attacks. Discover what patterns and rituals emerge due to your anxiety. The more knowledge you have about your anxiety, the more power you have to control it. Learning your triggers allows you to face them in a healthy way and learn to stop fearing them. Knowing what a panic attack feels like can help calm you down in the moment and make you realize that you’re only having a panic attack, not a heart attack. If you know what leads to a panic attack, you can learn how to intercept this pattern and prevent the anxiety from occurring. I would suggest keeping an anxiety journal to recognize which situations result in anxiety for you and how to prevent them.

Lastly, be safe. If you feel you are in a crisis, call 911 or a national hotline.

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Praying Mantis as a Pet

This is an orchid mantis named Fleur. Praying mantises make amazing pets!

Reasons Why Praying Mantises Make Good Pets:

Small

Praying Mantises are very small and can be kept in small habitats as well. This means that it will be easier to manage, and it won’t take up too much valuable space in your home.

Cheap

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Why I Love Betta Fish

Betta fish are some of my favorite types of fish! Here’s why I love them:

1. Easy to care for

Bettas are pretty hardy fish. Not only that, but their care requirements are fairly minimal. They only need a 2.5 gallon tank. They don’t have a finicky diet or require tons of tank maintenance. This alone makes bettas one of my top picks for beginner fish owners and one of my favorites in general.

2. Beautiful

If you’ve been to the pet store, you’ll know just how many colors bettas come in! The males of this species also have gorgeous tails that come in a variety of styles (crowntail and veiltail, for example). The variety of choices when it comes to a betta fish are absolutely astounding!

3. Solitary

Unlike some fish that require being in a school or community, bettas are perfectly happy being alone in a tank – in fact they prefer it. This means you don’t have to go through the trouble of buying tons of other fish to stock the tank; one fish will be enough.

Lastly, bettas can make a great addition to your home! I encourage you to consider adopting one if you believe you could truly give it a loving environment with all its care needs met.

Which Mantis Should I Get?

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Emily Knapp's avatarReptile Readings

I’m looking to get a pet praying mantis, and I can’t decide between getting an orchid mantis or a ghost mantis. This article will explain my reasons for wanting both of these mantids. Feel free to comment down below to tell me which mantis I should choose!

Look

As far as the look of the mantis goes, orchid mantises have won my heart. These mantises look like the flowers for which they are named, and they’re absolutely stunning. In comparison, ghost mantises look like a dead leaf… not quite as impressive.

Cost

I want to be as cost efficient as possible when buying this mantis. Ghost mantises are about half the cost of orchid mantises; however, if I decide to go with ghost mantises, I might decide to get two of them and then it would be the same price as getting one orchid mantis.

Orchids

Today, I saw mini…

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