Consider Taking a Vacation by Train this Year

Traveling by train may not be your first go-to when planning a trip with your family; however, you would be missing out on one of the best and most relaxing ways to travel. Taking a train is a stress-free way to travel as you don’t have to worry about driving, traffic, or stops for human needs (bathrooms, eating, stretching legs, etc..) It’s all taken care of. Trains can even come with different car options, such as luxury seating or even sleeper cars for longer overland trips.

Favorite Train Trips I Recommend

There are many places that offer amazing rail travel packages. For those traveling with younger children, the Rocky Mountaineer and  VIA Rail Canada are excellent companies to work with as they have a 2-3 day trip that is suited for children. For those who want a little more activity in their train travel, the  Glacier Express that runs out of Switzerland has a train trip that occasionally stops to allow passengers to disembark to go hiking amongst the mountains and glaciers. Should neither of those interest you, there is a company called Golden Eagle’s 21-day Silk Road which, as the name suggests, travels along the ancient trade route called the Silk Road and is a 21-day train ride from start to finish. It is advised you have prior rail riding experience as 21 days in a train can be taxing on those not used to rail travel. Not looking to leave the country, try these fun trips:

• Glacier, Yellowstone & Jackson
• America’s Great National Parks
• New England in a Nutshell

Planning Your First Rail Trip

Planning for a train trip may seem daunting, especially if it’s your first time riding one. However, the more experienced rail riders use travel agencies to do all the booking and planning, so all they have to do is show up at the station. If that is not your speed, then what many do is go through train companies like Amtrak. Here you can pick your destinations and select from many possible destinations using Amtrak’s “500 Destinations page”.  From there, it’s pretty much the same as purchasing plane tickets. Once you have your destination down, you can figure out what you will need to pack and bring.

Tips and Tricks for Traveling by Train

Like with anything that has been around for a long time, there are tips to train travel. Because even though train rides are relaxing and accommodate most things, there are ways to be more prepared and comfier while enjoying the trip.

Pack Light

While there are baggage cars on trains, those sometimes come with extra fees, as with air travel, so many passengers pack a decent-sized carry-on with everything they need. This way, you save some money and space in your seating area or travel car.

Learn the Route

This may seem like an unnecessary thing to do since you are not the one who is driving the train. But, if you experience or have high anxiety or become impatient, then knowing how much longer you still have before reaching your destination can be beneficial because being anxiety-ridden on a long train ride can make it feel so much longer.

Bring Entertainment

Bring something to entertain yourself, as there may not always be something scenic to catch your eye out the window or someone to talk to. So, it’s best to bring something to distract you from those boring times. Good things to bring onboard are books, portable gaming systems, drawing books, electronic tablets, and downloading some favorite shows onto your phone (often there is little to no Wi-Fi on a train).

The Power of Positive Memories

Have you ever lost yourself in a good memory for a while? Maybe you reflected on a wonderful vacation you had with loved ones. Aside from giving you a feel-good moment, did you know that memories, especially positive memories, are powerful in other ways too? And now, research is backing that up.

How We’re Wired

As human beings, we evolved to recall situations that cause us pain so we can avoid it or make plans to deal with it before it happens. It’s an ancient early-warning system of sorts. While this served us well when most of the animal world was trying to eat us, it can work against us in the modern world. That means our desire to remember the positive aspects of our lives isn’t as easily triggered as remembering the painful aspects. However, new research shows that positive memories allow you to access deep personal resources that can inform your choices and experiences and contribute to better mental health.

Science Agrees: Positive Memories Can Heal

Of the numerous studies on positivity, one particular study published in the journal Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, showed impressive results. Using a technique called Social Broad Minded Affective Copying (BMAC), test subjects who were diagnosed as having suicidal thoughts were simply asked to recall a recent positive memory of being with another person. As they did this, their brain waves and vitals were monitored. The results showed that when a test subject was engaged in remembering a positive memory or experience that involved another person, all the areas of the brain involved in creating feelings of self-worth were activated. The person re-experienced the event as if it were happening again and received the same benefits and feelings of positivity as the first experience. This opens up epic possibilities for creating a wonderful reality for ourselves with the proper tools.

Positive Experiences build Positive Memories

It is now emerging from several seminal studies that human beings can consciously alter their own brain. The more you practice positive emotions and positive memories, the more your brain will change to accommodate this new normal. It’s a type of activation, and like lifting weights to build muscle, having positive emotions and positive memories upon which to call, build strong mental health. The sciencey word for this is experience-dependent neuroplasticity. Boiled down to its simplest definition, it is your brain’s ability over time to quickly access positive emotions by accessing positive memories and to remain in that state. This is a powerful tool to have at your fingertips, often at the price of only recalling something wonderful. You can literally shift that negative filter we inherited as primitive humans (our default mode) and deliberately shift it to a positive filter.

How Can it Work?

Simply recalling good memories sounds rather farfetched, but the truth is ,when you are stressed out, your brain shuts down your cognitive emotion regulation. This cycle, or downward spiral, can literally be interrupted by a positive memory, which thus frees up your brain to actively handle what is going on in a positive way. A 2019 study from England discovered that patients diagnosed with clinical depression had the inability, or a blocked ability, to recall positive memories. In fact, their cortisol levels were at the bottom. This led scientists at Boston University to do their own long-term study. Their research suggests that the key to treating certain mental health disorders may very well lie in the retraining of the mind; to allow positive memories to leave a stronger footprint on the brain than negative ones.

Choose Your Mental Real Estate

This same study out of Boston University discovered that positive and negative memories are stored in completely different places in your brain. The ramifications could be huge after further research is conducted. Consider that there could be a treatment that, coupled with retraining of the brain, could completely reverse such disorders as depression or PTSD. That’s huge. That’s powerful.

How Do You Use this in the Real World?

There are quite a few ways you can apply this to your everyday life. And many of them are pleasurable to do, take almost no time, and can have a massive impact on the quality of your life. Here is a list of a few things you can do to help switch off the negative filter and create a new positive one.

• Keep a picture on your work desk of a favorite vacation spot. In times of stress, simply lose yourself in that moment once again.
• Create a list of your top 10 most favorite memories (like a top 10 playlist). Spend time each morning flooding your brain with feel-good hormones, and then go take on your day.
• Keep a picture of your loved ones where you can see them often. Recall the situation that prompted the photo, what this person wearing, and engage all of your senses in that one moment.
• Find mementos that represent something positive and make an appointment to touch them once a week, recalling why it is special to you.
• Keep a gratitude journal (literally counting your blessings boosts positive emotions).
• Practice self-care by spending some time alone, maybe with a good book, a lovely scented candle, and a wonderful fluffy blanket.

“It is the mark of a great man that he puts to flight all ordinary calculations. He is at once sublime and touching, childlike and of the race of giants.” –Honore de Balzac 

Me feeding ducks with my brothers in London’s Hyde Park.

“May you live in interesting times”: is this a blessing or a curse? We certainly live in troubling, frightening times that are nothing if not interesting. This can, however, become exhausting, and one may become calloused and jaded if they’re not careful. Cynicism may set in. It’s high time we all try to turn off the news and recapture our childlike innocence and wonder before it’s too late. You’ll be surprised at what a few simple activities can do to quiet the mind and help heal the soul. It’s a form of meditation and even a wonderful rebellion to not let the world harden your spirit.

“‘I am youth. I am joy. I am freedom!’ said Peter Pan.” –J.M. Barrie

Try engaging in these activities that bring out your inner childlike glee and imagination. 

• Take a cue from J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan—the story of the boy who didn’t want to grow up—who taught other children how to fly. 

• Start with being creative. Write a poem and, of course, read poetry like W.B. Yeats and Walt Whitman. Try “The Stolen Child” by Yeats and Whitman’s “Song of Myself.” These poems evoke a sense of childlike beauty, wonderment and awe mingled with profound wisdom that only a long life can acquire.  

• Picasso said that it took him a lifetime to learn how to paint like a child. When you paint for leisure, it should be enjoyable. Let mistakes happen and learn from them. Sometimes a good work of art is a happy accident.

• Children are not calculating or judgmental. They are innocent and have an almost enviable glee. If we all tried to set aside our assumptions and predispositions, we might surprise ourselves and others.

“I like conflict. I love competition. I like discovering things for myself. It’s a childlike characteristic, actually. But that gives you a certain amount of power, and people are intimidated by that.” –Grace Jones

• Remember that being childlike does not mean childish! Quite the opposite, actually. It gives one a great sense of power to be able to go with the flow and roll with the punches.

• We’ve lost our sense of play. Sometimes going into a meadow or field and picking a bunch of wildflowers is just what we need to get grounded. Literally lie on the ground and look up at the sky, feeling the immense earth beneath your body. This is a simple yet surprisingly wonderful pastime. 
• Spend time with the children in your life—whether they’re your sons and daughters, nieces, nephews, or even godchildren. Become a nurturer. Whether that means lending a kind shoulder or being an attentive listener, these things mean more than you know.
• Try to find the silver lining. Remember, it’s always darkest before dawn. Or, as Leonard Cohen said, “There’s a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” We shouldn’t become cliché or trite, but sometimes it is proverbs that save us and, sometimes, the simplest action or thought is the best one. It’s a form of self-preservation to keep your childlike enthusiasm and optimism. This is not to be confused with being complacent or apathetic but rather a boon to other people’s spirits (along with your own).

Use Spartan and the Green Egg’s Books as a Key to Awakening Curiosity

“Spartan and the Green Egg” by Nabila Khashoggi is a collection of books that were written as a way to entertain and educate her son, Spartan, as well as other children. The stories are all about adventure, travel, and fantastical voyages in a green egg. Gift and read these to the children in your life. You can explore vicariously through these stories, whether it’s to the Amazon Rainforest, to the Reefs of Mindoro Island in the South China Sea, or to the Sahara Desert, to name but a few destinations. 

Visit the link below to discover more about Spartan and the Green Egg:

https://www.spartanandthegreenegg.com

How Do You Find Your Signature Scent?

 You can find a wide array of perfumes on the market today. As delightful as it may be to have options, finding the perfect one can also be challenging. An ideal fragrance will not only make you feel great, but it will also leave a lasting impression on those around you. That’s why people refer to a perfume that suits you well and that you often wear as your signature scent. Yet, this is much more than a romantic idea, it is chemistry. Follow along to learn more about scents and how you can find one to suit you. 

Why Should You Find Your Signature Scent? 

When you find a perfume that feels like a match made in heaven, you will accomplish a couple of different things. First, you will have a go-to fragrance that makes you feel beautiful and lifts you up for the entire day or an evening out. Secondly, you will subtly provide everyone around you with character clues. In fact, if you wear your signature perfume on a regular basis, most people will begin to associate you with your scent and make assumptions about you based on it. You may be able to influence colleagues, partners, and family members with just a whiff. 

Since this is the case, it is important that you do not simply choose any scent. It must be a fragrance that appeals to your senses and sends the desired messages. Likewise, you must consider your skin and your other beauty products before opting for a certain perfume. 

Why Do You Love Certain Scents? 

Certain fragrances will smell irresistible to you, while others will smell putrid. You may even wonder why those latter perfumes are on the shelf. However, scent is very personal. Your genes, smell sensitivity, and specific, scent-based memories may all factor into why you love certain scents and hate others. It is best to follow your first instincts, as it is unlikely that perfumes will ever grow on you over time. 

What Messages Do Different Perfumes Send?

If you desire to make a specific statement, you may consider the messages different scents send. Although many perfumes contain different combinations of scents, they typically highlight the fragrance family as their dominant trait: 

• Floral: Whether you choose a single floral, floral bouquet, or bright floral, you signal femininity and good spirits. 

• Fruity: Citrus or fruity scents give off freshness, youth, and creativity.

• Ambery: Ambery scents provide warmth and sensuality. 

• Woody: Woody fragrances are lightly musky, indicating intimacy. 

• Leather: Leather is a more masculine scent, exuding strength and confidence. 

• Oriental: Oriental perfumes have spicy notes, giving off luxurious, indulgent, or seductive vibes.  

• Gourmand: Gourmand, or sweet and dessert perfumes, are girly and flirty. 

Why Do Some Perfumes Smell Good on Others but Bad on You? 

Sometimes, a scent will smell amazing on another person but awful on you, or vice-versa. It has to do with how the perfume’s ingredients mix with your skin’s chemistry. The way the scent combines may depend on your natural skin pH, skin type, skin or beauty products, hormones, diet, and medications. As these factors may affect your chosen perfume, it is wise to try your perfume over the course of a few hours to a few days to get a good idea of how it will smell. Extraordinarily, no matter which fragrance you choose, the combination with your skin will never be replicated by anyone else. It will truly become a signature scent. 

How Do You Find Your Signature Scent? 

Now that you understand why finding your signature scent is crucial, you are ready to discover that fragrance for yourself. Below, you will find expert tips for selecting the perfect perfume. 

Select a Fragrance Family

Since there are so many perfume options, you can narrow down your choices by selecting an appealing fragrance family. If you cannot decide between two scents, do not worry. There is likely a perfume with undertones of another family, which will be ideal for you. 

Consider Emotions 

If you are having trouble selecting a fragrance, consider the emotions, attitudes, or behaviors you would like to imbibe. If you would like to feel calm and centered, you may love Heart of Provence Roll-On Perfume with Essential Oils. With lavender essential oils, you will be able to destress, while anyone who catches the sweet scent will instantly relax. You can literally be the calm amid the storm. 

Choose a Small Format 

When it is your first time wearing a perfume, you may enjoy purchasing a small, travel-size format. In this way, you can sample the fragrance and see how it wears on your skin and evolves over the course of the day. Along the same lines, you may like to purchase a large collection of small perfumes at first. You can sample a large array of perfumes and see which ones you like the most. An excellent option is the Roll-On Perfume Collection with Essential Oils. You will be able to sample 8 different perfumes, offering varying scents, evoking different emotions, and appealing to your senses in unique ways.  And you can even combine 2-3 of them to create a customized scent. 

Think About Ingredients

You may not be a chemist, so you may not know the exact ways certain perfume ingredients will react with your skin. However, the fewer synthetic elements involved, the less likely the scent will alter dramatically once applied. In the Nabila K roll-on perfume collection, you will find all-natural ingredients and zero alcohol. 

Reevaluate Trendy Products

It may be tempting to jump on the hottest new product that everyone loves on social media, yet it may not be right for you or your intentions. Likewise, it may not be beneficial for your wallet as these perfumes tend to be on the pricier side. Rather than fall prey to popular scents, spend time with scents that you are drawn to and that make you feel good. You will never miss out when you are wearing a fragrance that suits you exclusively. Take your selected perfume to new and interesting heights by spritzing some on a handkerchief and tossing it into the dryer when you dry your laundry or place the same scented handkerchief into your luggage. Place a small amount of it into another bottle with a small amount of water and spritz on your bed linens (but do a test section first).