You should look for warning signs of a bad friend so you do not end up with friends who are negative and harmful. Avoid friends who belittle you by talking down to you or by putting you down with negative comments. These actions can be harmful to your self-esteem and your self-worth, leading to friendships that can be toxic and unhelpful.  A negative friend may tell you that you're “worthless”, “stupid”, or “dumb”. They may also tell you that you're wrong and that you don't know what you're talking about. They may put you down in front of others to make themselves look better and focus on the things you're bad at to make you feel diminished. Hanging out with negative friends may leave you feeling low, depressed, and worthless. You should also stay away from friends who are only takers and do not give you any encouragement or support. Friends who use you are only interested in their own personal gains and wins. They may show no interest in your own needs and fail to show up when you need them. For example, if you get a role in a film, a bad friend may suddenly start paying more attention to you and ask for autographs, which they later sell for gain. You should also try to rid yourself of friends who are always harping on about the negative aspects of a situation, as this can end up draining you of your energy. You may have friends who only view things from a negative point of view and refuse to focus on the positive aspects. This may then lead you to also adopt a negative point of view and put in you in a permanent state of negativity.  If your friend is being negative, give them support and try to cheer them up; they may just be having a hard time. If this doesn't work and takes a toll on your mental health, seek new friends. Avoiding negative friends will allow you to spend time on your own development and not use all your energy on someone else’s issues.

Summary: Stay away from friends who talk down to you or put you down. Avoid friends who use you. Try not to get involved with individuals who focus on the negative.


Sciatic pain can be caused by many conditions of the lower back and spine. Your doctor will know how to test you for these conditions. The types of tests and examinations your doctor chooses will depend on your symptoms and state of health, but may include both simple physical examinations, as well as imaging techniques such as an X-ray or MRI. Be as detailed as you can when describing your symptoms to your doctor, as this will help them determine which tests to perform. Common causes include:  herniated or slipped disc, piriformis syndrome, spinal stenosis, or spondylolisthesis. Normally, sciatic pain dissipates after a few weeks. If your doctor determines that surgery is not needed, they may still recommend medications to provide relief from the pain while you recover from your sciatica. Typical choices include:  Oral steroids, which provide powerful anti-inflammatory effects, reducing inflammation and irritation in the region surrounding the sciatic nerve. Muscle relaxants or narcotic pain medication to reduce pain. Steroid injections work much like oral steroid medications, temporarily reducing inflammation and irritation surrounding your sciatic nerve. Injections are more invasive than regular medication, but are also more effective. Your doctor may recommend steroid injections if your pain is sufficiently severe. Sciatic pain can be caused by a variety of factors and conditions, most of which do not require surgery to fix. When sciatic pain is due to discs or bones in the spine physically contacting and "pinching" the sciatic nerve, however, your doctor may recommend surgery to correct the problem. Two types of surgery are most common:  For herniated discs (this is when the discs that cushion the important movements of the spine develop a weak area and the inner core pushes out), microdiscectomy may be performed. In this procedure,  the piece of the herniated disc which is in contact with, and irritating, the nerve is removed. For lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the discs of the spine causing them to "pinch" the nerve), lumbar laminectomy may be recommended. This is a more serious surgery in which the disc is reshaped to allow the nerve to rest comfortably once again. After your doctor has recommended medication, and potential surgical solutions for your sciatic pain, they may recommend that you begin working with a physical therapist. Your therapist will help you learn exercises and stretching routines to strengthen your core, and support your spine. Creating strength and stability in the lower spine is the first step to permanent relief from sciatic pain. Many sufferers of sciatica find that treatment by a chiropractor helps to relieve their pain. Although more research is required to confirm the effectiveness of chiropractic care, recent studies have shown promising results for many patients with sciatica. If traditional treatment methods have failed to alleviate your sciatic pain, talk to your doctor about less typical options. Here are some suggestions of alternative therapies to talk to your doctor about:  Therapeutic massage to relieve tension and inflammation Yoga classes, to promote core strength and flexibility Cognitive behavioral therapy to teach strategies for pain management Acupuncture, or other traditional therapeutic methods

Summary: Consult your doctor. Treat pain and inflammation with prescription medication. Receive steroid injections for more severe or debilitating pain. Consider surgery for severe cases. Visit a physical therapist. Visit a chiropractor. Explore alternative treatment options.


Stand with your feet together and your legs straight, then kick your leg as high as it will go. If you’re kicking your left leg, catch it with your left hand. If you’re kicking your right leg, catch it with your right hand.  Most beginners won’t be able to do this on the first try. Start by grabbing the heel that will be in the air, do a quick dip, and pull the leg up. This will help you practice the move until you get more advanced. It also helps to have a partner stand in front of you if you’re a beginner. Then you can put your leg on your partner’s shoulder, and when you’re ready, have them move away until you’re holding the pose on your own. Your hand should be on the bottom outside of your heel. Do not grab your toes. It will make you lean forward, which is not proper form. Your leg should be parallel to your torso, or at a 45 degree angle from your body.  This requires some balance, so don’t feel bad if you stumble or drop your leg. If your legs are long, this will require some extra flexibility. This will help you straighten your leg and remain stable. Do not turn your leg out from the knee, as this can cause serious injury.

Summary: Kick your leg up high. Catch your foot by the heel. Pull your leg to your torso. Point your toe and turn your leg out from the socket.


Grasp the top of the triangle with one hand and the bottom of the base with the other hand. Pull them apart as wide as you can to make two oblong wing shapes. Set them in a Y shape on the floor and twist the hooks around each other in the center. Yellow pantyhose will also work, but it’s harder to find. If your pantyhose stretches fairly well without breaking, you can use one leg for each wing and let the top of the pantyhose connect over the center section. If you can’t, use one pair for each wing and cut off excess hose. Sprinkle glitter on them while it is wet for an extra shine. Wrap one strap around your arm and pin it behind the center part of the wing. Repeat with the opposite side.  Ask a friend to help you secure your elastic straps with safety pins. The straps should feel very secure when they are looped over your arms. The straps should be sturdy enough to be taken on and off continuously if they are hand sewn around the metal divider.
Summary: Find several wire hangers. Stretch out the hook on the top of each hanger. Purchase black pantyhose. Stretch one leg of the pantyhose over each oblong shape. Paint the pantyhose with clear Mod Podge to make it more resistant to tears. Find black elastic straps at your local craft store. Sew the straps to the center section of the wings for a secure hold. Finished.