Tips and Thoughts

The tasks of parenthood are endless, but that’s okay, it’s what you sign up for when you bring new life into the world, and most of us accept that. However, it’s also important to note that outside of the main duties we have – keeping our children safe, as happy as possible, productive and healthy, it’s important to note that our influence can also help their development in many other ways, too.

For example, helping our child build up their confidence before they end up flying the nest can give them the best headstart in life. Moreover, teaching them to be calm, compassionate, forgiving, interested, and focused are virtues they can express throughout the rest of their life and benefit as a result.

Now, that’s not to say your teenager won’t have a personality of their own, because they do. But it’s also good for a parent to help them fully “come into” or develop into their best selves, so they can enjoy the best start on adulthood they could ever enjoy. Let’s discuss how to go about that:

Ensuring You Support Health Checkups

It’s always important to foster a healthy habit of health checkups as and when needed, or on a cyclical appointment basis. This way, you can ensure your child is able to move through their course of dental treatment using teeth braces – preventing potential dental issues in adulthood. If your teen feels confident managing health conditions or recommendations over time, they tend to take a responsibility for themselves that may otherwise be absent. Of course, general health habits like ensuring everyone brushes their teeth at night will spawn from childhood on.

Providing A Judgement-Free Communicative Space

There’s nothing worse than broken-down trust between a child and parent, because it means the child won’t communicate and the parent won’t or can’t support them. That’s why it’s always important to provide that judgement-free space, be that their struggles with being influenced by their peer group, worries about how to navigate the coming adult world and finding their place in it, or simply discussing mental health issues they’ve been experiencing as of late. A judgment-free communication space helps encourage your teen to share everything with you, which allows you to remain the fantastic parent you are.

Fostering Self-Belief & Focus

Sure, your child might know exactly what it is they hope to do as a career, or how to move forward with confidence, but the truth is that they don’t have to know this to give things a go, to be productive, and to become responsible. You might suggest that as long as they’re happy, healthy and not in a toxic environment, you’re happy to see them do anything, be that interning as a runner on film sets, working in a restaurant, or whatever other direction they consider to be necessary. There’s something to be said for industriousness and productivity, even if they head in a life direction you may not have experienced. If they know they have your support, they only spread their wings further.

With this advice, you’re sure to help your teen fully develop into their best selves.

It’s important that you take good care of yourself if you’re going to be the best version of yourself. It requires a dedicated effort on your part to practice self-care and to ensure you feel at ease most days.

Looking and feeling great can be done with the right approach and a positive mindset. Here you can learn some ideas for what you can be doing to look and feel great year-round. This way you can give yourself a better chance of reaching your goals and putting a smile back on your face.

Try A New Hairstyle

One way to look and feel great year-round is to make sure you groom yourself. This includes anything from taking care of your nails and teeth to attending to and treating your hair. For example, you may want to consider a new and different hairstyle to mix it up and regain your confidence. If you’re looking for some ideas then one is to get a silk press to ensure your hair shines and looks put together. You may want to consider going to a local salon and working with a professional hairstylist as well who may have more ideas for you.

Workout & Eat Right

It’s also essential that you get exercise daily and move more to keep healthy and well. Look and feel great year-round by sticking to a workout routine whether it be in the morning or at lunchtime or in the evening hours. Consider joining a gym and getting outside for a walk or run when the weather is cooperative. Also, think about eating out less and cooking for yourself at home instead. You’ll save money and calories this way and cooking can be therapeutic for you as well.

Meditate

Meditation and self-reflecting can be tricky to do at first but it does work. There are apps you can use on your phone to help you get started. It can be tricky to clear your mind but know that once it’s done for the day you’ll be in a much better place. Find some quiet time to sit and reflect on your life and goals and your thoughts. Keep in mind that any emotions that do arise will pass in time so it’s best to acknowledge them and then let them go. Meditating is not only good for your mental health but also for your physical wellbeing.

Spend Time Outside in Nature

Nature is yet another way to ease your tensions and reduce stress in your life. Look and feel great year-round by spending time outside in your backyard or doing various outdoor activities. For example, maybe you are someone who enjoys gardening or being out on the water. Regardless, being out in nature is a great way to keep your mind and health in good shape. Be appreciative of the sounds and smells that you notice when you are in nature for the best overall experience with it. 

Be Grateful

Practicing gratitude for your blessings and what you do have is a great way to look and feel your best this year too. Being grateful daily puts your mind in a whole different and better perspective. You’ll notice that negative emotions and thoughts start to dissipate as well when you practice gratitude for what you do have. Counting your blessings can be challenging when life gets tough but it can also be a way to have a breakthrough and to start seeing the glass half full instead. 

Find Hobbies to Do

Hobbies are also an excellent way to pass the time instead of sitting around being bored or watching TV. For you, it may be going to concerts, running or jogging, reading, or taking up photography by attending classes. Do what interests you and make sure that you incorporate these into your daily routine. It’s important that you have balance in your life and aren’t always working and feeling stressed out. Hobbies are also a great way to become a more social person and step outside of your comfort zone.

Conclusion

You now have some ideas and tools for how you can transform into the best version of yourself and look and feel great year-round. It can be tough to get started but once you do you’ll be glad you followed through on these. You’ll soon start to notice that you get more done and are more productive and less distracted when you live simply and take good care of yourself. Most importantly, be kind to yourself and give yourself a pat on the back for at least trying to better yourself and re-center so you can feel happy and more carefree.

In the Philippines, where most households experience a warm tropical climate all year round, having comfortable and well-appointed outdoor living spaces is an important consideration for homeowners. Whether it’s a sprawling backyard or a cozy balcony or azotea, such spaces serve as an extension of the home, providing an oasis of relaxation and entertainment while also allowing the homeowners to embrace the beauty of their surroundings.

If you live in the Philippines and you’re lucky enough to have a small part of the outdoors to yourself, you’re in luck. We will explore some design ideas and practical tips for creating inviting outdoor living spaces that can be enjoyed throughout the year. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to revamp an existing space, this article will provide you with the inspiration and guidance you need to create the perfect outdoor living area.

Prepare a Relaxing Seating Area

You won’t be able to make the most of your space if you can’t relax in it. A comfy seating area will transform your space into a cozy oasis and encourage you to use it more often. Depending on your taste, you can buy a hammock, an outdoor sofa, or high-quality outdoor chairs for sale, which are all wonderful options for fitting out your outdoor living space. If you’re up for the added maintenance, colorful cushions and an outdoor rug can help tie things together and make the space feel more inviting.

Add Some Greenery

If you live in the Philippines, you’ll find thousands of tropical plants that can be used to enhance your outdoor space. Whether you opt for a potted, hanging, or vertical garden, plants can liven up any space, add a touch of nature, and even improve your home’s air quality. If you don’t have time to garden, choose hibiscus, bougainvillea, ferns, and other tropical plants that thrive in the Philippines’ humid climate, as these stunning plants require relatively low maintenance in local conditions.

Install Outdoor Lighting

Good lighting makes it possible to enjoy your outdoor space at all hours of the day. Thankfully, we now live in a time where solar-powered lighting is highly accessible, making it easy and economical to light up your space whenever you want. Whether you’re looking to create a romantic ambiance or a festive atmosphere, you’ll be able to find economical outdoor lighting options to achieve it.

Hang a Vertical Garden

If you live in an apartment or a small detached home, a vertical garden can be a great way to add some greenery while conserving land area or floor space for other activities. Notably, provided that you can drill studs to attach trellises on the walls, a vertical garden is a great way to add a lot of greenery to a small balcony or terrace. While there are ready-to-use vertical garden solutions out there that you can buy, if you’re handy, you can also use recycled materials like used pallets, old planters, or rain gutters. 

Add a Pond or Fountain

Water features can attract local wildlife like maya and different species of paruparo, provide a home for pet fish and turtles, and create a soothing effect in your outdoor space. What’s more, many people find that the sound of gurgling water can help drown out background noise and reduce stress. If you like bird or butterfly watching, water features are a must-have as these can attract a variety of small animals, adding plenty of interest to your space.

Install a Shade

 The heat and humidity can make it difficult to enjoy the outdoors for too long. If you have lawn furniture, the harsh tropical sunlight will also tend to degrade it fairly quickly. Installing a pergola, canopy, or even an outdoor umbrella in your space can provide you and your outdoor furniture relief from the sun’s rays, keeping you cool while you enjoy your home’s little slice of the outdoors.

Incorporate Natural Materials

Philippine vernacular design is well known for its use of natural materials like bamboo, wood, and stone. Using these materials in your outdoor space can give it a localized, organic feel that harmoniously fits in with the rest of the surrounding environment. Incorporate these materials into different parts of your outdoor living area to create a congenial and inviting mood.

Set Up a Dining Area

Add an al fresco dining area in your space by including a durable table and a set of outdoor dining chairs. Outdoor dining areas are absolutely perfect for entertaining guests or for holding barbecue parties with your family. You can complete your dining area’s look with a few outdoor-friendly candles as well as other types of chic all-weather decor.

Install a Mini Garden

Also called outdoor terrariums, these have gained a bit of a revival due to an increase in people working from home during the pandemic era. A mini garden, as the name implies, is a miniature version of a regular garden, featuring small plants, stones, and other decorations. Apart from their obvious advantages in smaller spaces, a mini garden in a container or a small plot of land can be used as a focal point within a larger garden.

Create a Play Area

Playing outdoors can give children a boost to their confidence and it can also help them appreciate nature. With just a few readily-available outdoor toys like swings, slides, or sandboxes, you’ll have a fun space for your kids—or your pets—to enjoy. If your only outdoor space is a balcony, though, make sure that it is properly child-proofed.

These suggestions are just a few of the countless ways you can enhance your outdoor space. The best part is that you can find whatever you need to fit out your space in most Philippine online stores and marketplaces for not a lot of money. By incorporating these 10 design ideas into your balcony, terrace, or garden, you can create a fun and functional outdoor space that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.