Problem: Article: At the barre, you learn the basics of ballet that will be important as you progress. If you're just getting started, an entire dance practice should involve barre work. This is vital for building your strength, agility and flexibility, so do not see it as wasted time. If you skipped this, you wouldn't be able to dance. Even professional dancers begin each class at the barre. The fundamental cornerstone of ballet, and the basis from which all your more complicated moves will be developed are the five starting positions (and the "parallel position" which some consider the sixth position). You won't be able to learn to do anything else until you practice, perfect, and make automatic the six beginning positions. These should be so ingrained in your muscle memory that they're part of your DNA. All positions should be practiced either facing the barre or with your left hand on the barre. Beginner dancers usually start facing the barre, and intermediate or advanced dancers usually start with the left hand on the barre while practicing positions. In the first position, your feet should be turned out from your body, and held together at the heels. Your legs should be straight and kept together, your back should be straight and your head held high. Maintain excellent posture and balance. In second position, your feet will have the same angle as in first, except that your feet should move so they are about shoulder width apart. Widen your base of support, but maintain the same posture and poise when in second as when you're in first. Practice transitioning from first to second position without changing the angle of your ankles. To move into third position, bring your lead foot (usually your dominant foot, or the foot you use to kick with) behind your other foot. The heel of your lead foot should be even with the ankle strap on your other ballet slipper. Move your hips forward and maintain your balance. Your legs should be straight and your shoulders should be back. To transition into fourth position from third, move your lead foot back, spreading your weight in a backward direction, much as you did between first and second position. Here, the positions start to get slightly more complicated. To transition into fifth position, bring your other foot back toward your lead foot, bending your ankle so your heel is on top of your lead toe. Your knee should be flexed slightly, but your back and shoulders should remain very straight and balanced. Practice this transition frequently. Both of your feet are together, side by side, like parallel lines.
Summary: Start every dancing practice at the ballet barre. Learn the fundamental positions. Practice first position. Practice second position. Practice third position. Practice fourth position. Practice fifth position. Finish in parallel position.

Problem: Article: When you're under a lot of pressure the tendency is to force yourself to work nonstop to make up for lost time or beat a deadline. However, taking an active break can rejuvenate you in the areas of attention, creativity, and result in greater productivity. Set your cell phone timer to vibrate and take a 2-minute break for every hour of work. What can you do during an active break? Stretch. Drink water. Walk around to a different area of your workplace. Even better, take a quick walk outdoors and get some fresh air. We frequently feel under heavy pressure because we are keeping busy rather than keeping productive. One way to reduce stress and get more done is to organize your daily tasks by order of importance.  Each morning - or the night before - make a list of your to-dos. Write down all the tacs you need to get done that day. Next, take any particularly large tasks and break them down into smaller steps. Finally, mark items on your list by priority using the A-B-C method.  A - tasks that are significant to your professional and/or personal growth; tasks in support of important people in your life; tasks that are both urgent and important B - any tasks that are important, but do not have the urgency factor C - tasks that it would be nice to do, but not important   Finally, start working on your daily to-do list completing your priority A's first. You may be responsible for putting undue stress on yourself by trying to stay in control of everything. Delegating some tasks others allows you to continue to perform well in high-stress environments without making sacrifices in the standard of work you provide.  If you are new to delegating, choose a relatively small task from your to-do list. Think of a person who already has the skills, or is willing to learn how, to perform this task beautifully. Clearly state your specific needs and any details or deadlines associated with getting the task done. Check in on the person's progress regular without micromanaging or being judgmental. One of the most practical skills you can learn to reduce pressure and find greater success is exercising your right to say "no". You may think saying "no" will cause you to miss out on opportunities or shut you off from them in the future. In fact, learning to say "no" helps you reprioritize opportunities so that you are using your time, resources, and skills most effectively. Decide when it's important to say no by asking yourself:   Is this new commitment something I feel strongly about? Is it important to my goals? If not, pass on it.  Is this new commitment a short-term stressor or will it be adding weeks and months of additional stress to my plate? If it's short-term, take it. If it's long-term, only take it if it is extremely meaningful to your personal/professional growth and worth the burden.  Am I saying "yes" out of guilt or obligation? If so, don't do it.  Do I have time to sleep on this and weigh the pros and cons without having to make a snap decision? If so, sleep on it.
Summary: Take regular breaks. Prioritize tasks. Learn to  delegate. Say "no" sometimes.

Problem: Article: If you notice behavioral changes in your cat, make an appointment with your veterinarian. You want to make sure there isn't an underlying medical issue causing your cat's depression that might require specific treatment.  Tell your vet about any changes you've noticed in your cat, such as changes in appetite, sleeping habits, and personality. Your veterinarian will perform a routine physical exam, listening to your cat's heart beat, examining her eyes and ears, and taking her temperature. If your vet feels it is necessary based on the behavioral changes you've outlined, she might call for blood work, x-rays, or other additional testing. Some test results will be ready within the appointment period while others may take a few days to come back. If there is no medical issue, your cat may be suffering from feline depression. Feline depression is linked to a variety of causal factors. Consider your current situation and try to figure out if there have been any big changes recently that might have triggered a depressive episode.  Have you moved recently? Changing residencies is one of the biggest causes of feline depression. Many cats have trouble transitioning from apartment to apartment or house to house and may fall into a temporary depression while adjusting to the move.  Has there been a death in your household recently? Whether it was a person or a pet, death does affect cats. They do not perceive or understand death the same way humans do, but will notice the absence of a person or animal. This can lead to feelings of depression.  Have you recently become more busy? Whether it's due to work, your social life, or a new romantic partner if you've found yourself spending less time with your feline friend this could easily cause feline depression. Cats, especially breeds like the siamese, are social creatures and may become depressed if they feel they're being neglected. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is not just an affliction of people. Cats can be affected by the time of year and may become depressed during winter months.  Winter months result in shorter days, which means less sunlight. Lack of sun can cause depression in cats, which results in changes to their behavior. If your cat's personality seems to change with the seasons, they may be experiencing seasonal depression.  Sunlight affects levels of melatonin and serotonin. This can lead to fatigue, anxiety, and sadness in both humans and cats. Outdoor cats are especially susceptible to depression in the winter as so much of their time is spend outdoors.
Summary:
Get your cat examined by your veterinarian. Take stock of any recent changes. Note the time of year.