INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Technology can be very distracting, both for you and grandma. Turning off your alerts and putting away your electronic devices will show her that she has your full attention. Have grandma do the same by saying something like:  "Hey grandma, I don't want any interruptions today while we're hanging out, so I thought we could turn off our devices and do something else." "Grandma, you've been using your iPad for quite a while. Is there a game or an activity we can both do together?" You never know when you and grandma might have something in common. You might both have a deep love of music, art, sports, reading, and so on. They only way to find out is to ask. Tell grandma about your interest, and ask about hers as well saying things like:  "My English class has been reading the book Of Mice and Men. Do you like that writer, John Steinbeck?" "I joined the dance team last week, and I'm having so much fun. Do you have a favorite dance? Could you teach me how to do it?" "Grandma, today I want to do something we can both enjoy. Maybe we could play a board game in the park or go bird watching. What do you think?" If you think some of grandma's hobbies and skills, like sewing, crocheting, baking, and so on, are too old fashioned for you, you could be missing out on fun without knowing it. Give these activities a shot. At the very least, your grandma will likely appreciate you taking an interest in the things she does.  Many of your hobbies will be too difficult or strenuous for your grandma. By picking up one of her hobbies, you'll both be able to have fun doing something together. Puzzles and tabletop games, like cards or board games, will be less physically difficult for your grandma and can be a lot of fun. Some common skills your grandma might be able to teach you includes things like making jam, writing shorthand, mending, and more. Your grandma probably has a daily routine that doesn't change very much. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but doing something different could be exciting and fun for both of you. Ask your grandma if she'd be interested in:  Going on a photo safari. Use your camera or phone to hunt for interesting pictures, like a red bird, a three-legged dog, or a bird wearing a bread crust necklace. You could even turn your safari into a competition. Visiting a local museum or art exhibit. Many museums have kids sections, so if you're younger, there will be something fun to do for you and grandma both. Heading to the library or community center for local events, like movies, game nights, book clubs, and more.

SUMMARY: Put your technology away and set it to silent. Discover and share mutual interests. Try your hand at grandma's hobbies or learn a new skill. Suggest a change of pace.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Take 15-30 minutes to observe your anger. Sit comfortably in a quiet room where you will be undisturbed. Close your eyes and take deep breaths. Think about your anger. Where do you hold it in your body? Does your head hurt? Are you clenching your teeth? Are you flexing your shoulder muscles? Do you associate your anger with certain colors or shapes?  Now open your eyes. Breathe in through your nose. Then breathe out through your mouth. Write a list of the things that are making you angry. These can be large or small; nothing is too insignificant or silly. Remember, this is a time for you to observe and address your anger, rather than hide from it. Choose the top 3 things that make you angry, and make a short list of 3 strategies that can help remedy these situations. This will help you take control of your own feelings and make sure you feel empowered to change what you can change. Sit in a quiet room for about 15 minutes. Breathe deeply and close your eyes. Think about where your stress sits in your body. Are you storing it in your shoulders? Your neck? Your legs? Are you tightening your fists? Recognize your stress, saying, “I am aware of tension in my back.” If something negative happens, observe your feelings. You might feel angry or stressed or sad, which is fine. But don’t let those feelings consume you. Choose to view the positive angle of a negative situation. For example, if you missed your bus and need to wait for another one, take advantage of the extra time to treat yourself to coffee. People may say rude or mean things to you or about you. Keep in mind that this is their own agenda, not yours. Their unhappiness does not need to make you unhappy. When you have negative feelings, it is hard to stop yourself from wallowing in them. But having a Zen attitude means not getting mired in bad feelings. Take the first step in lifting yourself up by smiling. A great big smile will momentarily trick your mind into thinking more positively, helping pull you out of a rut. When you get into a negative space, your mind tends to run wildly, linking one negative thought with another one and compounding the negativity. In order to help your mind link different, more positive thoughts together, practice the following training exercise: Take about 30 minutes to listen to your inner thoughts. As your mind wanders, you may begin to hear some negative inner talk, such as “I am a terrible person. I forgot my mother’s birthday.” Immediately counter that talk with, “That thought doesn’t serve me. Goodbye thought!” Tell yourself a more positive thought, layered with compassion, to reassure yourself of your value and worth. I have a lot on my plate right now. I’ll make a list so I can keep track of details.”

SUMMARY:
Observe and address your anger. Pay attention to your stress. Check your response to a negative situation. Try not to take things personally. Smile when you feel down. Counteract negative thoughts.