Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Learn about the root causes of panic. Don't be reactive. Practice relaxation techniques. Minimize stress. Be physically active.

Answer: Panic attacks start in the central nervous system, which controls everything from your breathing and heartbeat to your perspiration and respiration. When your brain senses danger, it sends signals to the body through the cerebral cortex to mobilize a response. This happens automatically with the release of chemicals like adrenaline. The heart beats faster. Your breathing becomes rapid. You start to sweat. This “fight or flight” response is not always accurate, though. Learn more about anxiety, panic disorder, and the fight or flight response in books, articles, or online. You will discover that what you feel during a panic attack is very real and that you are not simply imagining things. Some therapists advocate “accepting” a panic attack. Your fight or flight mechanism is powerful but not always right, and you are almost certainly in no real danger during an attack. Try to keep calm and assured if you feel an attack approaching. Don't give in to your fear. In fact, “phobic” or negative thoughts – i.e. “I'm going to die” or “I'm going crazy” – can not only overwhelm you but exacerbate the attack. Consciously force yourself to recognize that there is no threat to you. Hold this in your mind and repeat it for several minutes. You may try to avoid situations that make you anxious. This is natural, but not helpful. Evasion can actually exacerbate your fears. Learn to control your breathing. Draw slow, regular breaths through your nose and exhale out through puckered lips, inhaling to the count of five, holding for five seconds, and then exhaling to the count of five. This deep breathing can help to relieve symptoms of panic, especially hyperventilation, which causes giddiness and lightheadedness.  Another effective strategy is progressive muscle relaxation. To do this, tense and release various muscles working your way from your head to your toes. Tighten each muscle while breathing in, hold for several seconds, and then release. This relaxation technique should reduce your tension and overall stress level.  Practicing yoga or meditation every day are also good ways to reduce your stress and tension. Take care to avoid things that increase your overall levels of stress, anxiety, and tension. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants, for example, like coffee, caffeinated tea, sodas, and cigarettes. These can provoke panic attacks in susceptible persons. Likewise, try have some fun every day and to get adequate sleep each night. Making lifestyle changes is important. According to a recent study, a regimen of at least three workouts per week can curb panic attacks and related symptoms. Although the exact mechanism is not clear, physical activity increases heart-rate variability and has a positive impact on the brain and on mood. Try some form of vigorous aerobic exercise like jogging, riding a bike, swimming, or playing a sport. Go for a walk. Do something active.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Pour the Mod Podge into a bowl or container, if desired. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the wood piece. Place the paper onto the Mod Podged surface and smooth it down. Allow the paper to dry before adding a second coat. Add some cut-outs, if desired. Apply two more coats of Mod Podge, then let it dry completely. Finish the other sides, if needed. Embellish the finished piece, if desired.

Answer: If you are working an a small piece, you don't need to do this. If you are working on a larger piece, however, you will need to upgrade to a larger brush. Pouring the Mod Podge into some sort of container will make it easier to access. Bowls, clean and empty yogurt tubs, and plastic food containers (ie: Tupperware) work well for this. You can do this with a flat, wide paintbrush, a foam brush, or even a foam roller. Be sure to cover the entire surface, from edge to edge. If your paper is thick and sturdy, it would be a good idea to apply a thin coat to the back as well.  If you are applying Mod Podge to your paper, work on a larger piece of scrap paper so that you don't get your work surface dirty. If you are covering multiple sides on your object, choose one side to work on first. Set the paper lightly onto the surface first. Nudge it into place, if needed, then gently pat it down. Use a squeegee for small objects, or a rubber/silicone roller/brayer for large objects. Work your way from the center of the object outward.  Mod Podge makes special rollers for smoothing down paper. You can typically find it alongside the other Mod Podge supplies in the arts and crafts store. If any Mod Podge leaks out from under the paper, wipe it off with a damp paper towel. Let the paper dry for 15 to 20 minutes first, then apply a second coat of Mod Podge on top. It is very important that you wait, otherwise the first layer won't cure properly. If you have any overhanging edges, trim them off now with a craft blade. You can also sand them off with sandpaper. If your paper had a pale, subtle, or simple background, you can make it look more interesting by Mod Podging shapes cut from other scrapbook paper on top. Make sure that the shapes work with your design, however! Here's what to do:  Choose a paper with a large pattern on it, such as birds or flowers. Cut the individual birds or flowers out. Apply Mod Podge to the back of each shape. Smooth the shapes onto your covered wood piece. Overlap shapes for an interesting effect. As before, keep these layers thin. Allow each layer to dry before adding the next one. Once you apply the last layer, allow it to dry completely. Mod Podge typically has a drying time and a curing time. Refer to the label on your bottle for specific times. If you are Mod Podging paper to a box, you can apply the paper to the other sides. Use the same method and technique as before, working one side at a time. You can do two sides that are opposite each other, as long as they are not touching anything. You can leave your Mod Podge piece as-is, or you can embellish it further with buttons, fake flowers, or ribbon. Make sure that the embellishments go with your design, however.  For something simple, use paper scrapbooking embellishments. Peel the baking off of the foam sticker on the back, then apply it to the piece. Outline larger shapes or edges with glitter glue. If you don't have glitter glue, use regular white glue, then sprinkle extra-fine glitter on top. Apply a light layer of white paint with a dry brush for a vintage look. Thread embroidery floss through the holes on a button, then glue the button to the piece so it looks stitched on. Mix extra-fine glitter into Mod Podge, then apply a final coat for extra sparkle.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Store your shoes with a cedar block.

Answer: Keeping cedar in your closet will do double duty of neutralizing stinky shoes and also keep moths away from your clothes. Win/win! If you keep your shoes in a gym bag or a locker, try using mini deodorizers (like Sneaker Balls) to keep nasty odors at bay.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Choose a theme. Decide on a location. Invite guests. Dress up. Make sure you have enough plates and cups. Decorate the table or room. Find some drinks to serve. Make sandwiches. Have dessert ready too. Consider whether your guests need more food. Figure out what to do for entertainment.

Answer:
Maybe you picture a traditional British tea party, with fancy sandwiches and doilies. Or maybe the guests want to dress up as princesses, pretend to be fairies, or decorate a room as though it were winter, or underwater. Finding out what the guests are excited about will help you make it more fun for them. Keep in mind that some themes require more work than others. If you're looking for a quick and simple theme, pick a single color and decorate a room or table with flowers, objects, napkins, and dishes in that color from around the house. If the weather is sunny, you could host a tea party in your garden or take a picnic to a nearby park. Throwing a tea party indoors is also fun, though, and gives you the option of hanging up decorations. Give cards to your friends inviting them to your tea party, but make sure to check with everyone in your house first to see how many people you can bring over. Remember to let your friends and family know what day and time the tea party are. You can plan a tea party weeks in advance, or throw one spontaneously with your brothers and sisters. Whatever makes you happy!  Ask your friends to bring their favorite doll or stuffed animal. Tea parties don't have to be all-girl or all-boy. Invite anyone who makes you happy. For some people, the best part of a tea party is getting to dress up. If you don't have any fancy clothes or costumes to put on, try making your own silly costumes by asking family members if you can put on their hat, makeup, or scarves. It's a good idea to keep a few extra objects like this around for guests who show up without a costume.  Princess costumes can be as simple as the kid's favorite dress and a paper crown. If you are willing to spend extra time on costumes, sew them from patterns, use face paint, or track down pre-made costumes online or at Halloween shops. If you and the other kids and parents involved want to throw a super special tea party, have each kid pick a character from their favorite book, or from a single popular book such as Alice in Wonderland or Harry Potter. A fancy tea party might have tea pots, teacups, and saucers, but you can host a tea party using any dishes. Just make sure there's at least one plate and one cup for each person. Silverware is optional if you are only going to be serving finger food, such as sandwiches and cookies. If you are holding a tea party indoors, you might want to hang up colorful cloths or flags, or put stuffed animals and art projects around the room. Flowers at the center of the table or picnic blanket can give people something pretty to look at.  Hold a faerie tea party in a garden or park, using toy mushrooms, flowers, and moss covered rocks to make a faerie circle. Create a winter wonderland theme with paper snowflakes, hanging white cloths, and hot cocoa (or iced tea if you are holding it in summer). Many kids don't like black tea, or it might make them hyper or make it hard for them to sleep. Fortunately, there are plenty of other teas such as peppermint, lemon, or rooibos (red tea). Since not everyone likes tea, it's a good idea to have lemonade, juice, or milk around to serve as well.  Ask an adult to help you make the tea if you aren't supposed to boil water on your own. If your guests don't like tea or you don't want to serve hot drinks, put juice in a teapot instead. For a real tea party feel, make sandwiches out of cream cheese, cucumber, or just butter. Have an adult help you cut them into triangles or small pieces, and arrange them on a plate in a pyramid or other shapes. Use a cookie cutter on the sandwich to create sandwiches in different shapes. This works best with squishy bread that holds together well. American cookies or British biscuits make great finger food for a tea party, as do scones or small cakes. You can buy these from a store or make them yourself with adult supervision. Most tea parties don't serve a full meal, just some drinks and snacks. But if your guests will be staying during lunchtime or dinnertime, you might need to feed them pasta or some other bigger meal. Be sure to let your guests know whether or not you'll be feeding them a full meal or whether they should eat at home before coming. Decide what games and activities you want to plan for the party, and gather any items you need before the party starts. You could play games, make art projects, or just have fun pretending to be English royalty. For example, make a faerie house or garden, decorate with homemade pinwheels, or make a fun dessert with your guests.