Using the wrong form or overexerting yourself can cause knee injury, spinal compression, and back injury. Always practice the proper technique for each exercise with light weights first. Move on to a more challenging weight only when you have perfected the proper form.

Summary: Practice with light weights first.


Do you know how long you are willing to be long distance? Does your partner know? It is important to agree on a length of time. If the distance depends on a circumstance with no certain end date, your reunion may keep getting pushed off. Make sure that you discuss the financial aspects of maintaining your relationship with your partner as well. Being in a long distance relationship can be expensive, especially if you travel often to see your partner.   If your partner is waiting for a controlling parent to "back off," that means neither of you have any control over the date. Similarly, if you are waiting for a job to open up in your partner's city, you may be stuck waiting with no date in sight. To avoid this, agree on a date by which you will either move (with or without the job) or break up. For instance, you might say "I'll move to your city as soon as I find a job there. However, if I haven't found one in the next six months, I'll just move and take my chances." However, make sure that you have a conversation about finances before doing something like this to make sure that one partner is able to support the other as they look for a job. If you are planning to be in a perpetually distant relationship, make sure you are both okay with that. You should both feel comfortable with the amount of texting, calling, emailing, and visiting you do. Ask your partner if they feel you're at the right level, and ask yourself how you feel as well.  If you find that one of you is feeling neglected or inundated, agree on a different schedule together. If it feels like only one of you is willing to compromise, your relationship might not be working. You should still be able to hang out with friends, visit family, go to parties, and have time to yourself. If you feel like your long distance relationship is making it impossible for you to have a social life where you are, you need to draw some boundaries.  Tell your partner you can't visit them as frequently. Explain that you are feeling lonely from never making any friends where you are. Explain to your partner that you will schedule a certain amount of time to talk to them, but that you can't be on call constantly. If your partner freaks out or refuses, your relationship might not be working. Do you know the terms of your relationship? Does your partner? Ask yourself what you expect, then make this clear to your partner and ask what they expect as well.  For instance, if you believe that you and your partner are monogamous, in love, and heading toward living together in the next few years, tell your partner! Similarly, if you believe you and your partner are in an open relationship, you'll need to define those terms as well. Being distant means communicating more, not less, so make an effort to get on the same page. If your partner wants to "keep it loose," that means they aren't willing to be open with you about their expectations. That's a bad sign.

Summary: Decide how long you can handle being in a long distance relationship. Keep a communication schedule that works for both of you. Make sure you can both maintain a social life. Clarify your expectations.


Make soap out of lavender essential oil. Washing your body with the soap can deter bugs from attacking you.  Purchase a plain liquid Castile soap and lavender essential oil, both of which you can purchase at many health stores and large retailers.  Add 10-15 drops of essential oil to the Castile soap and mix well.  Wash with the soap either every day or before you go outside. Apply a small amount of lavender essential oil to your skin, or even that of your pet. This may be all you need to keep insects away from yourself.  Use a carrier oil to dilute the essential oil so that it doesn’t irritate your skin. Examples of carrier oils include sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, avocado oil, olive oil, and sesame oil.  Put 1-2 drops of lavender essential oil into each ounce of carrier oil you use. You can increase this amount as you tolerate it.  Use 10-25 drops of lavender essential oil with 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon (14.8 ml) aloe vera gel as an alternative.  Consider using these as body moisturizers and an alternative to soap. Place a dab on your pet’s collar to repel ticks. Combine lavender essential oil and apple cider vinegar in a container. Apply a small amount to your skin or clothing to keep bugs at bay. Mix 25 drops lavender essential oil with ¼ cup organic apple cider vinegar. You can also use water if the smell of the vinegar is too strong. If you prefer to not put anything on your skin, consider using lavender sachets or pillows. These can help repel bugs around areas in which you may be.  Make lavender sachets or pillows by putting dried lavender into little cloth bags or small pillowcases. You can either buy dried lavender or dry some from a plant you may have. Many health food and home goods stores sell already made lavender sachets and pillowcases. Place the sachets or pillowcases in cupboards, chests, or even around your bedroom. In addition to repelling insects, it will give the spaces a fresh smell. Spraying lavender on areas that may attract bugs, such as your bedroom or on patio furniture may detract bugs and give the area a pleasant scent. Mixing lavender essential oil with distilled water in a spray bottle can make application of this repellent easy and quick.  Add 30-40 drops of your lavender essential oil to 1.5 ounces of distilled water in a clean spray bottle. The amount of essential oil you use will depend on how strong you want the scent.  You can also make a spray using dried lavender. Boil 3-4 cups of distilled water and 3–4 tablespoons (44.4–59.1 ml) of dried lavender. Allow the mixture to cool and strain out the plant. Put it in a spray bottle and use as you like.  Mist the spray wherever you’d like to repel bugs. Make sure to not douse bed linens or clothing with the spray. Rub lavender flowers that you have at home or purchase on your skin before after you shower. This may keep insects from attacking you. Rub the flowers to hot parts of your body that can help circulate scent such as your neck, underarms, and behind your ears. If you have a garden at your home or even have a balcony at an apartment, plant some lavender. Not only can it beautiful your garden, but it may also keep insects from coming near your home. Placing saucers of lavender oil in strategic areas can repel insects from indoor and outdoor spaces. Consider using this method if you want to avoid applying anything to your skin.  Use 30-40 drops of lavender essential oil per 1.5 ounces of distilled water that you want to use in trays. Fill the trays with the mixture and put in spaces that attract a lot of insects.
Summary: Prepare a lavender soap. Dab a lavender oil moisturizer on your skin. Try lavender and apple cider vinegar. Purchase or make lavender sachets or pillows. Mix a lavender spray. Rub lavender flowers on your skin. Plant lavender in your garden. Leave saucers of lavender oil in strategic places.