INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Get away from the person that you want to beat up.  If you feel very angry, it’s better to just walk off (even without telling anyone why) and give yourself time to cool down than to get into a physical altercation. If you are with a friend, decide whether it would be better for you to be alone or to talk through your anger with your friend. To benefit from the potential relaxation of deep breathing, you need to take deep breaths into your abdomen.  Place your hand on your diaphragm (between your belly and chest) and breathe so deeply that you hand moves as your belly begins to expand.  Then slowly breathe out. Keep your focus on your breath, breathing in and out 8-10 times or until you feel like you have regained control of your emotions. Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing and releasing your body in progressive stages.  Consciously tensing your own muscles can help you redirect the outlet of the anger you’re feeling.   To practice progressive muscle relaxation, take a few deep breaths, then do the following:   Begin with your face and head muscles.  Hold the tension for 20 seconds, then release it. Work your way down your body, tensing and releasing your shoulders, arms, back, hands, stomach, legs, feet, and toes. Take deep breaths, feeling relaxation from your toes all the way up to your head. Repeat a helpful mantra such as “I can control my actions” to yourself.  Try to reframe your negative thoughts towards the person in a more positive way.  Changing your thinking (known as “cognitive restructuring”) from focusing on unreasonably negative or angry thoughts to more realistic, positive thinking may help you resist violent actions.  For example, instead of thinking “I hate this person and I want to beat him up,” you can think, “I do not care to spend time with this person, but I am above violent behavior.” Finding a pleasant distraction from the person who is making you angry can help you move on and maintain control of your actions.   A distracting activity can be something you enjoy such as playing a video game, shopping, going for a walk, engaging in a hobby, or playing a game of pool with a friend. Even if you think you may feel some genuine satisfaction from punching someone you hate, it is unlikely to make you feel better the way you think it will.  Additionally, you could end up getting arrested or sued for assault, which could be expensive and time-consuming. You might say to yourself, “This guy, even though he is irritating me, is not worth my time.  I cannot afford to lose time at work to be in jail or at a trial, and I am not willing to give this guy power over my walk.  I am going to walk away instead of engaging with him. If you are going to be in a situation where you may be around someone you don’t like, do not consume alcohol.  Alcohol consumption can interfere with reason and hinder your ability to control your actions effectively.

SUMMARY: Leave the area. Take deep breaths. Use progressive muscle relaxation. Speak to yourself positively. Distract yourself from the anger. Remind yourself that it’s not worth it. Limit alcohol consumption.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: People use social media sites including Facebook, Tumbler, Instagram, blogs, and Snapchat as a way of communicating with others. You may even be saturated with pictures and comments of the person or group you want to avoid. Keeping yourself away from these sites can help you shut out any person you want.  Block or hide the feeds of anyone you want to cut out. You can also delete or deactivate yourself to your accounts to keep yourself from checking them. These tactics not only send out the message that you don’t want contact, but can also help you gain valuable “me” time. Handle questions about your decision politely. Say, “Honestly, I want a break to focus on myself,” or, “I blocked Frank because I find our relationship unproductive and negative. I need a break from him.” Email has made contacting people very easy and is often the preferred correspondence method in schools and workplaces. If there is someone you want to shut out, learn to manage emails in an effective and professional way.  Channel emails to a special folder for the person or group’s emails. This will let you decide if and when you want to respond. Respond to emails in a timely fashion if you can’t ignore them. Remember to keep it as brief and neutral as possible to signal the person you don’t want contact. Block messages altogether if you can avoid the person and are sure you want to cut the individual off completely. The person or group you want to shut out may try calling you, leaving voice messages, or sending texts. You can choose to block the person’s phone number or simply ignore the messages. Not only does this keep you from having to deal with the person, but also sends a message that you don’t want contact.  Check the caller ID before picking up any phone calls. You can easily avoid the person if you know the individual’s phone numbers. Delete voice and text messages immediately. This can keep you from hearing the person’s voice and seeing the messages, both of which may cause you stress.

SUMMARY: Delete social media profiles. Manage correspondence. Avoid answering phone calls and texts.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: A color-coordinated rug helps the bedroom to feel soft, welcoming, and cozy. Even if your child's room is carpeted, a rug can serve as a designated sitting or play area. It will also become a natural space for play in the bedroom if you have a hard floor. Not only do rugs add to the aesthetic value of your child’s bedroom, but they also can help protect younger children from falls. Rugs can help to cushion any tumbles onto a hard floor, and enhance the safety of their bedroom. Vinyl wall art is fairly inexpensive, and it comes in a wide range of colors. These stickers can also be easily peeled off without damaging the walls when your child feels that they have outgrown the current look.  There are a wide variety of wall stickers available to appeal to a range of different decors, from baby, to character, to galaxy themes. 3D wall stickers are also a popular and exciting way to decorate a child's bedroom. Give your child a chance to pick what vinyls you will put up. You can narrow down some options and let your kid choose from those, or just let them run wild. This helps get them excited about spending time in their new room. Place photos of family, friends, or pets around your child’s bedroom, such as on shelves or on a desk or bedside table. This creates a sense of love, warmth, and comfort. Decorate your child’s space with their own creativity and imagination to show them that their work is valued and important. You could frame each piece to create a curated gallery wall, or simply peg each piece to a hanging length of string.  You can also hang a rope up on a wall and clip your child's new artwork to it using clothespins. Hang the rope up high enough so that your child can't get tangled in or otherwise compromise their safety. To expand the artwork in your child’s room beyond their own, consider youthful wall prints and pictures. Florals, animals, flags, and lettering can also make fun, personal additions. A touch of greenery will help to make the space appear fresh and bright. A plant will help to teach responsibility, and will add a touch of creativity.  Succulents work well for a kid's room because they don't require too much watering, yet come in many different fun and exciting patterns and shapes. Avoid plants that could harm your child, such as a spiky cactus. If real plants are too difficult, invest in a fake plant instead. Mirrors are a good way to reflect light and to make a room look bigger. Mirrors can also be especially helpful for kids who are learning how to get themselves ready in the morning. Some good places to hang mirrors are over a dresser or behind a door.

SUMMARY:
Lay a rug on the ground to create a play space. Use vinyl wall art to add a personal touch to the walls. Display family photos for a sense of warmth. Hang up your child’s artwork. Put a potted plant or two in your child's room. Hang up a mirror on the wall.