Definite Signs You’re Dating an Alpha Male

Each guy has an alpha male living inside of him. But not all of them are actually alpha males. There are many benefits of dating an alpha male, but this kind of relationship can bring many troubles into your life. Alpha males are confident, strong, dominant, even-tempered, brave and patient, but all these traits (that women are looking for in men) don’t make them perfect partners. Alpha males are driven by their needs, passion, wishes, goals and dreams. They are selfish at times and they don’t let women prevent them from doing what they want. Anyway, if you believe an alpha male is an ideal partner for you, here are a few surefire ways to figure out if you are dating an alpha male.

1. He’s confident when speaking
There’s no ‘um’ in his speech. He doesn’t hide his eyes. He is confident about what he says and expresses his opinions without hesitation and regret. He rarely lies, which is why he’s not afraid to keep eye contact. But don’t expect him to keep your conversation going all the time. Alpha males don’t handle women with kid gloves. Plus, they don’t like shy girls.

2. He’s dominant
Alpha males know their power and show it whenever and wherever possible. If your boyfriend has a dominant body language, it’s one of the signs he’s an alpha male. He never crosses his legs and arms, but always walks tall and confident. He avoids dominant, strong and independent women because he likes to give orders more than carry them out.

3. He’s calm and reasonable
Men cope with problems in different ways. Some of them are anxious, nervous and hesitant, while others stay calm and solve even the hardest situation without all those worries and emotions. Alpha males believe that only women can be emotional and hesitant. Alpha males are confident. They know what to do and they won’t stop until they do it. If your boyfriend always keeps his word, you might be dating a real alpha male.

4. He’s brave
When it comes to dating an alpha male, doubt and shyness have no place in this relationship. Instead of saying, “would you like to take a road trip,” “maybe we will go to a party tonight,” or “where would you like to spend your vacation this year,” he’ll say something like, “let’s take a short road trip today” or “let’s go to Greece this year.” He’s always ready for any action and isn’t afraid to take a responsibility.

5. He knows his words’ worth
When an alpha male tells something, he really means it. If he thinks there’s nothing to say, he won’t say a word. He is straightforward. The advantage is you shouldn’t spend hours guessing the meaning of his words because he says what he thinks. The disadvantage is that his words can often hurt you because he doesn’t care about how you feel. It doesn’t mean that he is rude or selfish. The thing is that when speaking, an alpha male doesn’t worry about what others think about his words.

6. It’s hard to make him smile
Alpha males are mostly serious and thoughtful. They don’t smile and laugh just like we do when see or hear some funny things. They usually give half smile and think it’s enough for them. However if you’ve made your alpha male smile or even laugh, it’s a sign he truly likes you.

7. He takes care of his body
Even though men can’t decide what weight and height they want to have, they do anything possible to look like a real man. They work out regularly to build and tone up their muscles. They don’t drink too much alcohol and avoid eating fast food to stay fit. An alpha male strives to look athletic and learn how to protect himself and people he loves in a dangerous situation. He doesn’t afraid to fight because he is aware of his own strength.

8. He avoids drama
An alpha male won’t spend hours fighting with you over trifles. All those boyfriend/girlfriend dramas aren’t for him. He will listen to you for a few minutes to understand what you want. Then, he will express his own opinions and your conversation is over. He will teach you to cope with problems without fights and dramas. If you don’t learn this lesson, chances are he will break up with you.

If you are dating an alpha male, perhaps you are lucky. Be smart but don’t lose your self-worth. Just because alpha males run away from strong and independent women doesn’t mean you should be quiet and humble. Love and respect yourself too. Are you looking for an alpha male? Why?

Signs You’re an Authentic Person

Being fake is a truly negative thing that can ruin your life in the long term. Millennials who have rich life experience have more trouble spotting an authentic person, because nowadays children and teens are surrounded by fake personalities. Authentic people make our lives brighter and happier, while fake people prevent us from living life we want. If you can’t understand if you are an authentic or fake person, here’s a little guide that will help you realize you are a truly genuine person and spot a fake person in a matter of minutes.

1. You are kind
You are a genuinely kind-hearted person who never classifies others. You are kind to everyone, including your enemies, nemeses and animals. You never think of responding to people as cruelly as they have been to you. You don’t get upset when someone doesn’t notice your kindness. Instead of focusing on revenge, you focus on good deeds.

2. You see the soul, not the dress and money
When you meet someone, you don’t pay attention to their financial status, clothes, jewelry and flaws. You see their soul and try to focus on it only. You don’t avoid people who have strange appearance or habits. Once you realize that someone’s soul is fake, you forget about that person for good.

3. You follow your heart
Your parents want you to be a lawyer. Your partner wants you to marry him. Your boss wants you to accomplish project that you don’t enjoy doing. Your friends want you to take a road trip when you want to read your new book. No. You don’t do what others want you to do. You follow your heart and do things that bring peace and happiness into your life. Saying no isn’t a challenge for you.

4. You’re not afraid of troubles and challenges
Every challenge is an opportunity to improve yourself and experience new things. You’re not afraid of troubles and mistakes because you know that you will learn new lessons from them. You believe in yourself and your abilities. Plus you trust you gut so you find a way out in any difficult situation. In your heart, you already have an answer to life’s hardest questions. As I mentioned above, you follow and trust your heart.

5. You know your self-worth
Authentic people have high self-esteem. Not all of them love themselves, but they at least respect themselves. Authentic people surround themselves with people who share the same goals and desires as they are. There are no toxic and fake people in their lives. One of the most obvious signs you are an authentic person is that you don’t allow others walk all over you.

6. You know your true purpose
You know what you have really come here to do and what your true purpose is. You understand your mission here on Earth and you live each day with purpose. Fake people have trouble discovering their true purpose because their minds are occupied by jealousy, lie, hatred and envy.

7. You share your experience with others
Regardless of your age, you definitely know something others don’t know. You share your knowledge and experience with others and you are always ready to help. One of your goals is to make this world a happier place to live in so you do anything possible to spread positivity, kindness and honesty.

8. You express your opinions openly
You listen to your inner voice and if it tells you that now is the right moment to tell someone what you think about them, you’ll do it. You are not rude, mean or angry. You simply tells what you think. Lying isn’t for you, which is why sometimes you hurt many people around you. The problem is, many people believe in and love sweet, white lies, and hate the truth. But it’s not your problem.

Being an authentic person isn’t easy, but rewarding. Others don’t understand you – some may even avoid you. Don’t take it personally. Nowadays, there are many fake people, but few authentic, so be proud of being genuine. Do you think you are a truly authentic person? What does faking mean to you?

Things Only Productive Night Owls Can Understand

Night owls are unique people. They boast many wonderful benefits as well as unexpected downsides. It’s hard to co-exist with them if you are a morning person, and you will never understand their lifestyle and weird body clock. Even though it’s not healthy to stay up late each night, night owls do nothing to change their habits. You can find a night owl accomplishing a project, writing an essay, cooking or cleaning the house after midnight. They feel awesome during the nighttime, but have trouble surviving the daytime. It’s a vicious cycle that we productive night owls don’t notice. Here’s what only night owls can understand and those who live with them.

1. It’s better to clean the house at midnight
Productive night owls love to live in a clean house so they never go to bed knowing that they have to do laundry and get rid of dust. Most of the time, I find thousand excuses not to clean my room during the day, but then end up washing and dusting after 1 a.m. I’m not lazy. I simply like to do everything during the night hours.

2. It’s okay to burn the midnight oil
It’s a bad habit. I know it. You know it. All night owls know it. But what can we do with our body clock? Break it. Reteach it. Maybe, yes. Do you want it? As a master night owl, I know how it’s hard to become a morning person. I’ve tried and tested tons of early-bird-tips and now I’m still a productive night owl that thinks that it’s okay to burn the midnight oil.

3. The best ideas come after 11 p.m.
You can accomplish as many research and tasks as you can during your work day but you can’t fall asleep after 11 p.m. because there are so many ideas and so many energy and desire to do that stuff tonight that you forget about your bed. You answer emails (actually, everyone thinks that you suffer from insomnia or workaholism but no one realizes who you really are), you watch new episodes of your favorite shows, cook something or simply write a diary.


4. ‘I do much more than you think’
While your parents, friends and coworkers wake up early in the morning and do tons of things before you get up, it doesn’t mean you do nothing but sleep in. You already accomplished those tasks when they saw fantastic or bad dreams, which means there’s a reason why you can’t wake up early. Nothing strange. Productive night owls have another habits so obviously they don’t understand morning people. Enjoying a sunrise isn’t their thing.

5. Early to bed, early to rise? No way!
Even if a night owl will turn off their phone, laptop and television, they won’t fall asleep earlier than 2 a.m. Suggest them read a book to relax and help their brain shift into sleep mode. They will spend three or more hours reading that book. Suggest them practice some yoga poses for better sleep, be sure they will practice yoga until 3 a.m. No matter how hard you try, it’s hard to teach a night owl to go to bed before 11 p.m.

6. Sleepy mornings and sluggish days
Productive night owls can’t wake up with a grateful heart and positive thoughts early in the morning. Moreover, they experience mood swings every 5 minutes. It seems they hate the daytime. However, once they see the setting sun, they instantly become energized, positive and fun. They get a “second wind” before bedtime and are ready to tackle any task.

7. I’ll go to bed earlier tonight
Honestly, I’ve said it many times and never did it. Regardless of how exhausted, tired and sleepy a productive night owl is, they won’t fall asleep earlier than 11 p.m. They turn and twist and take some medicines or drink alcohol. All these methods are harmful. Changing a body clock doesn’t happen overnight. It requires baby steps and lots of patience.

8. I can get up early when it’s needed
Night owls aren’t afraid to take responsibilities. If they have to wake up at 6 a.m., they will do it and survive the whole day without moaning and crying. Night owls are strong. They control their emotions and know how to stay productive and energized all day long after a sleepless night. If there’s a crucial reason, they can remove mountains and show excellent results.

Night owls face a great number of health issues, but unfortunately, it doesn’t stop them from staying up late. As a night owl, I know this struggle. It’s a real war. The only time when I can go to bed earlier is when I feel sick or depressed. I promise myself to change my body clock, but the next morning I wake up, procrastinate and everything begins all over again. If you are a productive night owl, what problems do you face each day?

Deliciously Healthy High-Protein Foods

Protein is an essential nutrient we need to stay healthy, energized, and slim. Protein deficiency leads to hair loss, diarrhea, loss of fluid and electrolyte, muscle wasting, anemia, liver issues, mental malfunction and some other serious diseases, which is why it’s important to watch your protein intake, especially if you are a vegetarian. While some of the best sources of protein are meat and fish, I decided to share some meatless sources. As a vegetarian, I know I have to consume at least 2 servings of protein each day, so these ten foods are always on my daily meal plan. Whether you go vegan or you are a meat lover, include some of these healthy high-protein foods in your eating plan to ward off serious diseases.

1. Dried beans

With a great variety of dried beans, it’s easy to use them in your soups and stews to boost your protein intake. From kidney beans, black beans, and pinto beans to lentils, soybeans and chickpeas, you can have new soup every day. Even though dry beans vary considerably in size, shape, color, and flavor, their nutritional composition is almost similar. All of the dried beans are excellent sources of fiber-filled protein, B vitamins, potassium, and good carbs. Soak the beans of your choice for several hours or overnight, rinse and add to your soup or simmer for 2 hours to have a deliciously healthy dinner.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Blackheads

Got blackheads? Don’t squish and squeeze! There are several simple ways to get rid of them without using any harsh chemicals and peels. Oily skin isn’t the only cause of blackheads. It’s can be incorrect skincare routine too. If you don’t wash your face twice a day, don’t use any facial masks and don’t exfoliate your face once a week, you are more likely to have skin problems, like dull skin and breakouts. But blackheads aren’t usually caused by dirt so stop over-exfoliating your skin and give these natural remedies a try:

1. Honey and cinnamon strips
These delicious strips make wonders for me. Honey and cinnamon is a popular combo used in baked goods, drinks, facial and hair masks, and some other homemade beauty rituals. Cinnamon helps to increase blood flow, making your skin glowing, soft and healthy. Honey, known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, wards off bacteria that cause acne and sometimes blackheads. Combine cinnamon powder and raw honey to get enough mixture to apply to your blackheads. Apply a thin layer, press strips of clean cotton and remove them after 4 minutes. Rinse your face with warm water and apply light moisturizer.

2. Steam
The steaming method helps to prevent the appearance of new blackheads and get rid of the old ones. Fill a large bowl with hot water, cover the head with a thick towel and let the steam do its work. Make sure you don’t sit for more than 10 minutes, and be careful with hot water. 5 minutes is typically enough for it. Then, rinse your face with warm, tepid and cold water (stick to this order) to close the pores. Pat dry with a soft, clean towel and apply your moisturizer. Do it twice a week and once you see the positive results, cut it to once a month.

3. Baking soda
Baking soda has many fantastic beauty benefits, which are slightly underrated. When used correctly, baking soda can help you get rid of blackheads for good. Baking soda is a mild exfoliator that cleans pores deep down, preventing acne and blackheads. Combine baking soda and water and apply the paste to your skin. Massage very, very gently and rinse it off with warm water. Don’t overdo it. Pat the skin dry and apply moisturizer.

4. Clay masks
Whether it’s a mixture of clay and water, clay and apple cider vinegar, or clay, water and a drop of raw honey, clay masks are great at removing blackheads too. Not only do they clear clogged pores, they also improve circulation, improving your skin health. Moreover, clay masks help to get rid of acne too. Choose the most ideal clay mask for you and use it once a week. Don’t forget to moisturize your skin, and don’t let your clay mask dry fully, especially if you have a very sensitive skin.

5. Egg white mask
While some women use egg whites for hair masks, you can use them for your face to get rid of blackheads. Egg white mask doesn’t look and feel amazing, but promises truly effective results. Apply a thin layer of homemade egg white mask all over your face or blackhead areas. Once this layer is completely dry, apply another one, and then one more layer. This is a time-consuming beauty ritual, but the results are worth the efforts. When you are done with the layers (3-4 will be enough), rinse your face with warm and then cold water. Moisturize as usual.

6. Cheap yet effective toner
Homemade toner requires a lot of time, yet contains natural ingredients only. Mix apple cider vinegar with some chopped mint leaves, add water and let it stand for a week in a dark place. After straining and adding water again, place your toner in the fridge and use it once a day. Grab clean cotton balls and apply the toner to your blackhead areas. Leave for 6 hours or overnight, rinse it off and apply some light moisturizer. The apple cider vinegar helps to get rid of blackheads, and fresh mint reduces inflammation, creating a cooling, tightening feeling.

7. Sugar scrub
Many famous women use this natural exfoliator once a week to get rid of dead skin. You can use sugar scrub to prevent and get rid of blackheads. Combine sugar and coconut oil (or any oil you have like almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil or grapeseed oil) together and massage the mixture into your skin, using gentle circular motions. Rinse thoroughly with warm and then cold water, pat your skin dry and apply moisturizer. Use once a week.

8. Everyday treatment
All the above methods can be used only once-twice a week, but what to do each day to prevent blackheads? There’s one trick that you can use every day. Wash your face with fresh, warm or cold water twice a day – before bed and after noon. If you use overnight masks, then wash your face in the morning too. Moisturize skin each time you wash you face.

Don’t expect fast results. Blackheads won’t disappear overnight. Also, don’t use all of these remedies at once and every day. Choose the best method for you and use it regularly every week. When it comes to blackheads, over-exfoliating is a common problem. Many people think that the more they exfoliate the skin, the better. On the contrary, it makes the blackhead problem worse. What’s your most effective method to get rid of blackheads? Any natural remedies to share with us?

Reasons to Do Plank Exercise and What Mistakes to Avoid

Plank exercise does not seem like an effective workout that can bring positive results, if any at all. Many think that this type of exercise is for lazy people who hate running, jogging, jumping and everything that makes us sweat plentifully. Plank exercise, though, is not as ineffective as it seems. Oftentimes the simplest thing brings awesome results.

If you have never tried the plank exercise before, you may fall into the trap of thinking that "Hey, I could do it in a matter of a few seconds!" However, holding the plank position takes endurance and strength in your core , back, and stomach. Once you try it, you will understand that you need to master the art of doing correct plank exercise.

When done properly, the plank exercise is good for your body. It helps to strengthen your core, improve and maintain proper posture, keep balance, work your hamstrings and glutes, and fight stress. The plank is not just a core-strengthening and stress-fighting exercise, though. It can be a full body exercise that can bring you the following results:

1. Fantastic flexibility 

The word 'fantastic' is used for good reason here, because I can not just say 'flexibility.' At 25, I had a terrible flexibility. I spent 14 hours in front of my computer accomplishing dozens of projects that did a lot of harm to my health. I thought I had no time for the simplest exercise. It was a lame excuse. The moment I noticed how bad my flexibility was (honestly, I had not it at all), I begun looking for effective yet simple ways to fix the problem. My best solution was the plank exercise that I do each day in the morning.

The plank helps to boost flexibility in the muscle groups, including shoulders, collarbone, hamstrings, thighs and hips. Different plank positions work out different muscle groups. I enjoy doing rocking plank, side planks, plank with shoulder touches and reverse plank.

2. Clear mind and peaceful soul 

Whether you are a highly sensitive person who can not cope with overthinking or a workaholic who can not stop working, plank exercise may be your best cure. Any exercise is a natural mood booster. Sedentary lifestyle brings stress, problems, and health issues into our lives. Plank exercise stretches and relaxes muscles groups that usually become stiff, relieving tension and clearing your mind. When done regularly, the planks help to reduce the stress levels, overcome the habit of overthinking every problem, and bring more peace into your daily life.

3. Perfect abs 

Want to get a beautifully toned tummy with little effort? Incorporate the plank exercise into your fitness routine. But it does not mean you can eat whatever you want. Healthy diet is still necessary. Do not run to extremes and son't expect fast results. Doing more plank exercises will not help you get a toned abs overnight.

Simple Yoga Poses for Better Sleep

Sleep deprivation is a common problem these days. Whether you get those 7-8 hours of sleep or not, you can feel exhausted and lifeless in the morning because you fall asleep with worries, negative thoughts and stress. Stress and sleep deprivation come hand in hand and can be a vicious cycle that is hard to break. Honestly, I had to deal with that cycle and could not find the way out. It was all because of stress. I went to bed before 11 and got 8 hours of sleep but I never felt refreshed and energized in the morning. Yoga has helped me cope with my problem and I try to do these poses right before bed, especially when I feel stressed out.
 

While there's no magic pill for insomnia, soothing your body and mind before bed can help you sleep better and wake up happier in the morning, not in the middle of the night. Check out what yoga poses you can do tonight to improve your sleep:

1. Legs up the wall

I knew this technique when I was a child. My mom is not a fitness fan - she's actually an exercise hater, but she has been doing the legs up the wall pose for years without realizing that this is a simple exercise. She was surprised to find out that she's been practicing some yoga poses, including this one, for many years while telling others that she does not like to work out.

If you have trouble falling asleep, put your legs up the wall and hold this position for 5-10 minutes. Make sure your eyes are closed and your mind is clear, otherwise you will not get a desirable result.