INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Remember to brush your teeth and tongue before you leave your house. Have mints or a pack of gum handy if you are heading to a party where you think a kissable guy might be. There is nothing worse than kissing someone with bad breath so do yourself a favor and harness that halitosis. Ask him to hang out somewhere that will set the stage for a kiss--go for a walk, go see a movie, etc. If you are at a party, you can go in another room and ask him to come. Ask him to go outside with you or find some other way to get him alone (partners hide and seek anyone?) Having friends around will probably kill the mood and will also put a lot of pressure on him. If you really want to be kissed, find a way to be alone with your guy. Be confident and friendly. If you are nervous, try not to show it. Have an open, welcoming body posture--keep your arms and legs uncrossed, look into his eyes while you are talking and face your body towards his. Laugh at his jokes and compliment him. Compliment him on what you really like about him, for example: 'You look great in that shirt--it really brings out your blue eyes.' Make him feel comfortable. If you aren't already close to him, step closer, minimizing the space between you two. If necessary, create a ruse to get closer to him. Chances are, he’s probably trying to come up with a way to get closer to you too and your ruse may give him the opportunity to kiss you that he has been looking for. If you’re outside, shiver and say you’re a little chilly and shuffle closer to him. If you’re indoors, say he has an eyelash or something on his face. Lean in and wipe it off, then look up into his eyes and don’t move away.

SUMMARY: Make sure your breath smells good. Find the right location and get him alone. Be outgoing once you get him alone. Get closer to him.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It can take a long time to recover, and some people may be living with mental illness for their entire life. Allow your loved one time to adjust to therapy, medication, or other treatments. Do not expect them to immediately improve. You can tell your loved one, “I know that you need time and space. Let me know when you need me.” If your loved one ever approaches you with a problem, sit down and talk to them again. Listen to their worries, and take their concerns seriously. By actually fulfilling your promise to be there for them, you will be helping them more than you know.  If they ask you to talk, you can say, “Of course. I am always here for you.” If your loved one needs to talk during a time that is bad for you, you might ask, “Is everything ok? Do you need to talk now or can I call you after work?” A simple text message, email, or phone call can mean the world to someone. Even if they are reluctant to respond, keep trying to reach out to your loved one.  You might send a text message that says, “How are you today?” Sending an email or private message on social media can show that you care. You might say, “Hey, I’ve been thinking about you lately. What’s up?” If they live far away, arrange video calls or phone dates so that you can chat. Caring for a loved one with mental illness can be a big burden. It is important you care for your own physical and mental health. This will also benefit your loved one as it will ensure that you have the energy and capability to be there for them. Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and sleeping seven to nine hours a day can go a long way in reducing your own stress. If your loved one shows signs of suicide, substance abuse, or anti-social behavior, you might need to get outside help. Stay in touch with them, and watch for any troubling signs that their mental illness has worsened.  If your loved one mentions that they want to die, they may be suicidal. Other common warning signs include statements like, “I just want it all to end,” “the world would be better without me,” “I wish I hadn’t been born,” or “I’d be better off dead than alive.” If they are withdrawing from their normal activities, it might be a sign that they need more help. Similarly, an increase in alcohol or drug use may indicate that their problem is worsening. A sudden sense of calm after a long depressive episode may indicate that they have decided to take their life.  If they are threatening to hurt themselves or others, call 911 immediately.

SUMMARY: Give them time. Talk when they need it. Check in periodically. Take care of yourself. Look for warning signs.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: The shingles vaccine is approved for adults over the age of 50 and recommended strongly for individuals over the age of 60. This is because, the older you get, the greater your risk of contracting shingles. The vaccine is recommended even if you are not sure whether or not you have previously had chickenpox.  The vaccine is not 100% effective at preventing shingles; however, it does greatly diminish your chances of getting it, despite not being a guarantee. A further benefit of the shingles vaccine is that, in the chance that you do still get shingles, the illness will be much less severe and will most likely be without complications.  People that should not get the shingles vaccination include those with weakened immune systems, those suffering from cancer,  people with HIV and AIDS, as well as pregnant women.  If you have had an allergic reaction to the antibiotic neomycin, then you should not get the vaccine. One of the most worrisome complications of shingles, particularly for those over 60 years old, is the risk of the "postherpetic neuralgia" complication. This is when the pain associated with the shingles rash persists long after the rash itself has disappeared. This occurs in 10-15% of people who contract shingles, and can be a devastating complication greatly affecting one's quality of life. Fortunately, the vaccine makes the risk of this complication extremely low, even if you do still develop shingles. This is yet another reason to prioritize receiving the shingles vaccine. Being in the presence of the chickenpox virus again is actually a hidden blessing because it once again boosts your immunity to VZV, which in turn works to prevent shingles. Although it is not advisable to seek out people with chickenpox, if you happen to be around someone with it consider it a bonus when it comes to your own shingles immunity.  On the other hand, if you have never caught chickenpox in your life, you will not want to be around people with chickenpox as you will catch it. Being around people with chickenpox only helps to prevent shingles. It is important to understand that shingles is the same virus as chickenpox, simply reactivated later in life. When you catch chickenpox, although the symptoms disappear, the varicella zoster virus (VZV) remains stored in your nervous system. With certain triggers, the virus can "flare-up" again down the road in the form of shingles. This is why building a healthy immune system is key, as it can help to protect you from flare-ups of VZV (i.e. shingles). Click here for strategies to strengthen your immune system.

SUMMARY: Get the shingles vaccine. Prevent postherpetic neuralgia, a potential complication of shingles. Do not avoid those infected with chickenpox. Build a healthy immune system.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Find a skull and crossbones design in the iron-on patches section of a craft store. You could also cut out a skull and crossbones from an old t-shirt. Stitch the skull and crossbones design to the front of the hat if it's made from fabric. If you're using an iron on patch, follow the manufacturer's instructions for attaching the patch.

SUMMARY:
Decorate the hat.