Category Archives: FOR THE GUYS

Tips for the guys, from beards to cars, that help reduce stress and make everyday life a bit simpler.

Long Distance Driving: How To Make It More Enjoyable Than It Is!

Long Distance Driving: How To Make It More Enjoyable Than It Is!

Long distance driving is just the worst. It’s honestly so dull, and things are even tougher when you have to drive long into the night. Now, if you’re driving alone, then we’ve got a whole new layer to your boredom. Nobody is keeping you company, which is not only soul-crushingly tedious, but a bit dangerous too as you can easily fall asleep.

It’s hard to really pinpoint when a journey suddenly becomes long-distance, but I think any car journey that takes longer than an hour will usually be pretty long. Speaking of which, if you’re due to go on any long road trips anytime soon, then you better listen up! Below, you’ll find a host of tips that will help you make your long distance drive a lot more enjoyable.

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Download Some Podcasts

Along with music, podcasts are fantastic for long journeys. In fact, I would say they’re almost tailormade for this exact thing. A lot of podcasts are close to an hour long, which means you probably don’t have much time to listen to them during your day. So, getting in the car for a few hours is the perfect excuse to catch up on your favourite podcast shows. The best thing to do is head to the iTunes Podcast app and look at the charts. You can select different categories, then download the shows you like the sound of the most. Hook your phone up to your car, and you can play them through the speakers as you drive. It’s a brilliant way to laugh, stay informed, and just have a good time while you drive.

If anything, you’ll actually start looking forward to your long journeys as you know it’s a chance to catch up on all the podcast episodes you’ve missed!

Get Some Music Involved

I won’t spend a lot of time on this point as it’s pretty self-explanatory. If podcasts aren’t your cup of tea, then music is the next best thing. You could create a playlist on Spotify – or use one of the playlists they already have on there. Alternatively, you can put some CD’s in – the car is pretty much the only place people still use them – or just turn on the radio. Either way, music brings some sound into the car and stops you dying of boredom. Plus, you can sing along and get into a happier mood.

Start An Audiobook

One last note on the in-car entertainment front; audiobooks are excellent. Start a series or an autobiography, and give it a listen while you drive. For me, it’s the best way to get through a book in as little time as possible. If there’s something you’ve been eager to read but never got around to it, then listening to it in the car is a brilliant idea.

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Set Targets For Yourself & Passengers

The worst thing about driving is that you don’t really feel any sense of achievement as you drive. That’s where this tip comes into play, as it’ll help you feel more entertained and motivated while you drive. Essentially, you set small targets for yourself while you drive. For example, you have to reach a certain number of miles before you can stop to eat. Or, if your passengers spot 5 identical cars, then they get a reward. Little things like this can really bring some fun to the whole experience. I particularly like the miles idea as you start to feel a sense of achievement for every mile you get under your belt!

Avoid Aggressive Speeding

Honestly, it’s pretty impossible to stick to the speed limit on a motorway. Everyone goes above 70, but you should really avoid aggressive speeding – or speeding whenever there are cameras or police nearby. The reason for this is obvious; nothing makes a long-distance journey worse than getting pulled over and handed a ticket. Granted, you could still beat your traffic ticket when you get home and seek legal guidance, but it will completely ruin your mood. The rest of the journey will be filled with silence as you moodily trudge along at a snail’s pace, paranoid that you’ll get done for speeding again. So, try and stay quite close to the speed limit whenever possible, and avoid going way over it as you’ll likely attract attention and get pulled over!

Take Regular Stops

The worst thing you can do is drive without taking any stops. Service stations are there for a reason, so make sure you use them. The longer you drive, the more tired and grouchy you become. Not to mention the fact your legs will be sore, your back will start to hurt, and your bum will be numb. Even if you’ve got a new car and want to stay behind the wheel for as long as possible, you will benefit from some short time away from it. Yes, stopping makes the journey longer, but it also makes it way more bearable. Try and stop every 45 minutes to an hour, just to stretch your legs and enjoy the fresh air.

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Don’t Drive When You’re Tired

Driving is a hundred times worse when you’re tired. You’re so eager to get home, and there’s the nagging feeling of fatigue in the back of your mind. It makes every journey seem much longer than it actually is. Plus, it’s incredibly dangerous as you can easily fall asleep at the wheel. So, to make your drive much more enjoyable, don’t do it when you’re tired. Get plenty of sleep before you’re due to drive, and have a coffee as a pick-me-up. This keeps you alert and fresh, then call it a day if you’re still driving in the evening and start feeling tired. It’s better to give up and try again in the morning than it is to power through at night while you’re tired.

If we’re speaking generally, then long distance driving is horrific. The thought of a long journey – particularly when by yourself – is enough to make your skin crawl. But, it doesn’t always have to be like this. Try these ideas the next time you go for a long drive, and it’ll amaze you how much more enjoyable it is!

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

What To Look For In A New Car This Year

What To Look For In A New Car This Year

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When it comes to life, there are always going to be things that you need to upgrade, it’s very much just the way of things. However, this can also be expensive. Because things only ever last so long, and then you need to find something new. But this is exactly why we need to be aware of what we’re going to need to pay out for, and then start to save up for it. One of the areas of your life that this very much applies to, is your car. Because they just don’t last forever. And sure, you are going to find that you’re able to look after your car well to prolong its life, but sometimes, that can cost you an awful lot of money. So, it can be a good idea to make sure that you’re upgrading your car over the course of a period of time.

Now, if you know that it’s time to make an upgrade on your vehicle, you’re probably looking for the right deals to come your way. But at the same time, to make sure that you’re able to get the right car for your budget and your family, you do then also need to make sure that you know what you need. To do this, it’s handy to have priorities. As this can help you to narrow down options. So let’s take a look at what some of them could be.

Style

To start with, let’s talk about style. This is all about the image. While this won’t be important to everybody, because substance is so very often more important than style, maybe you want a nice car to drive around in. For this, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re considering some of the most stylish cars that are around today. This could be the Lexus LC Coupe, or maybe even the sporty little Audi TT Coupe? Think about what kind of look you want from the look of a car if it’s important to you.

Safety

Next, there’s safety to think about. Because for a lot of people, a car needs to do the job and allow you to get from A to B. For this, you’re going to want to look at the safest cars on the market right now. Most of the time, you’re going to be looking at a reliable family car or SUV for this. But definitely consider models that span the different car sizes, as outlined in the following point.

Size

However, it’s important to think about the size of the car that you want too. Do you know what kind of size you need. Maybe you need an SUV, such as the latest Honda models, to fit your family in? Or perhaps you want something smaller just for you? Make sure you’re aware of whether you want a small car, an SUV, or even an executive model. Because also, this then allows you to narrow down your options too.

Efficiency

And then we have the efficiency of the car, or the overall cost. If you know that you don’t want to spend a lot of money on your vehicle, then you need value for money. And not just in the sense of what you’re buying. But also, in how cost effective it is on the road. If you know you want an energy efficient car, this may also be great to run too. Just make sure that you’re considering the cost of insurance, maintenance, and fuel too.

Accessories

If you know that you want set features in the car, it’s very important for you to think about what kinds of accessories that you want. Do you want an entertainment system? Or maybe you want to go for integrated WiFi or Bluetooth? Make sure that you know how you want the car to be finished, because this can then point you in the right direction of your perfect vehicle.

Reliability


Finally, maybe the most important part of buying a new car for you, is that it’s reliable. And this is so important if you drive a lot for work or have a family – as you won’t want to be without a car. So take a look at some of the most reliable models on the market right now. For small cars, this could be a Toyota Yaris, or an Audi A3 as a family car, and then you also have the Volvo V60 as an option for an executive model. So think about these options if you’re looking for something of quality.


Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Bring back Old-school Dating

by Cy B.

Bring back Old-school Dating

Since it seems to be all the topic on most social media platforms, I have been asked to reflect upon the topic of dating. The Do’s and Don’ts of today. For those not necessarily understanding today’s dating techniques it is a tough platform to tackle.

Over the years so much has changed and now deemed as ‘acceptable’ nature or so-called behavior. What was once known as dating has now become almost a mythical word that has lost meaning, just as ‘courting’ had in the 70’s. Nowadays, it’s almost as if social media decides your fate.

What happened to sending flowers to an address that doesn’t start with www.. or when phone conversations ended because one person fell asleep talking and you stayed on the line just to listen to them breath, because for that moment it was enough? What happened to working disagreements out and fixing problems? Not just acting like, hey I’ll just ignore this and let it build–not say anything and allow it to eventually explode? When did it become acceptable, bouncing from person to person and just leaving people in pieces because communication and motives were never clear, only expectations?

Y’all, love hurts.

I agree, yet expectations hurt even more when led by blinded by love. One of the worst feelings in life is falling in love alone. Both sexes mastered this little game it seems. Because dating has detoured so much, it’s like motives have selfishly changed nowadays. What was once a considered a rebound is, sadly, very popular now and is almost accepted as a relationship status. ‘First base’ and ‘second base’, once took time to access, is now almost expected on a first date by many, when before couples had butterflies even thinking about advancing. It’s so much more when someone can undress your mind.

Here’s a tip, gentlemen undress a womans mind and the body will follow. When advancing too quickly, you cannot touch the passion entrapped within a womans mind. Dont ask her about her imagination, become her imagination. If you feel the need to ask her something, ask her about her passions, her fears, her hopes and dreams. Ask her what she wants in life and what makes her laugh and cry. Take time to discover her favorite color and ask why. Listen to the stories that make her, her.

Those stories created the art that is her. Listen, and in front of your very own eyes, she will allow you the view the creativity through the events and happenings that has helped shape this beautiful woman. You can then see past the visible beauty, and witness her depth, pain, pleasure, vulnerability and the love in which she possesses in her beautiful soul. This my friend is a gift. A gift that you can give each other without a price tag.

Take it back to the days when snap chat and Instagram weren’t dating sites and cheating portals… When ten likes didnt change your mind about a person… When advertising to your following what you want isn’t even close to what you actually desire. Take it back to when catfishing meant there was going to be a good dinner.

All this back and forth mental-game playing, and men this… and women that… blah… blah… blah… We all need to step back and think. We have all been that broken heart, and we all have exes and problems. But remember folks, before social media was in relationships, communication between two people existed. Studies have shone, relationships worked out alot longer just a short decade ago. I’m not bashing social media. Guys and Gals remember, social media doesn’t ruin relationships, acting single or disrespectful towards your partner on social media in public/private chat rooms, does!

If you are searching for a lady, then be a gentleman. Ladies, if you want a gentleman, then simply be a lady. Chivalry is not dead, it’s just waiting to be, as they say today, digitally remastered by those who value its lost meaning.

We add all these new words to the dictionary every year that make no sense. Yet these don’t change… Love, commitment, honesty, trust, chivalry, dating, communication, integrity, humanity, respect, dedication, desire, passion, and the most evil one of all, lust. One must remember, in life, the most beautiful things are seen with the eyes closed. With eyes closed, you are led by trust. With eyes open, you’re often blinded by lust. Love doesn’t hurt, expectations do. Be open about what you want from the beginning. When it’s out on the table then it’s so much easier to understand–no guessing games, no one being led on, and no surprises.

Like the most famous misquote of Eldridge Cleaver, ‘If you’re not the solution, you are part of the problem.’ It’s simple, bring back LOVE.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

3 Alternative Date Ideas that Definitely Aren’t Dinner and Drinks

3 Alternative Date Ideas that Definitely Aren’t Dinner and Drinks

Image Credit: Unsplash

 

Dating is a minefield and sometimes the thought of going out for yet another average Italian just doesn’t inspire romance. There may be no ‘right’ way to make a connection with someone new but if you are looking to make a real bond, the old dating clichés might not be for you.

 

Whether you get nervous standing at a bar trying not to drink your wine too fast or you need to inject a bit more excitement into a fledgling relationship, here are a few alternative dating ideas that might just set the romance alight.

The Escape Room

Getting locked into a room and solving puzzles to escape isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but there’s a reason that this sort of thing is loved by corporations as a team building exercise. Escape rooms are all about communicating and learning about each other. This is your prime time to show off your skills and compliment your partner on their capabilities too.

 

The other great benefit of doing an escape room is that you don’t need to start thinking up topics to talk about – the material is all there and you will naturally chat about other stuff while you work towards your freedom.

Mini Golf

There are few things in life that bring as much joy as mini golf. You don’t have to be good at it – in fact, the worse you are the more fun you are going to have. There are plenty of mini golf courses around and lots now come with different themed rooms so you can set the tone.

 

If you want to take things up a notch, try creating challenges for each other like predicting the score for the round or attempting this hole standing backwards. The more ridiculous you make your challenges the funnier it will get. Let your imagination run wild!

Life Drawing Class

Drawing a naked person might not be the best place to chat incessantly but if you are shy then the quiet atmosphere is a good place to do some surreptitious judging of your partner. How they respond to the class and the way that they draw will tell you a lot about each other, even if you are useless and your partner turns out to be the next Leonardo da Vinci.

 

Taking a class together will also give you a natural topic to discuss later on or on future dates. This is the perfect time to find out how they appreciate the human body and what could be in store later…

 

Dating should be a fun way to get to know someone new and should never be a chore. If you want to bring out the best side of someone, finding an activity where you can both participate without worrying about having to look nice while eating spaghetti is often the way forward. Pick something you already love doing or go out on a limb and try something new. It’s time to break away from a series of dull dinners and start living life to the full.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

5 Fun Ways to Keep the Spark Alive in Your Relationship

5 Fun Ways to Keep the Spark Alive in Your Relationship

If you want to maintain a close relationship with your spouse, you need to work on strengthening your bond and making memories together every single day.

While you might love your partner deeply, those fluttering butterflies in your stomach can soon disappear. However, it is possible to make sure each day is better than the last. Check out the five fun ways to keep the spark alive in your relationship.

  1. Show Your Appreciation

It’s essential to acknowledge all the big and small things your partner does for you. To do so, you should routinely try to show your appreciation, which will make him or her feel both valued and loved.

For example, you could buy your spouse a gift, cook their favorite meal, or book a romantic dinner at an elegant restaurant. You can guarantee your partner will also appreciate the effort you have made to express your gratitude.

  1. Make Memories Together

It doesn’t matter if you have been with your other half for one year or 20 years, every day will provide you and your spouse with an opportunity to make wonderful memories together.

You can create memorable moments by jumping out of a plane in tandem, exploring a new city together, or singing your hearts out at a concert. Find the perfect event, activity, or attraction for both you and your partner at Ticket Sale.

  1. Try to Be Spontaneous

It can be easy to settle into a routine once you have been with your partner for a number of years. As a result, your daily life together can become almost predictable, which could drain the romance from your relationship. For this reason, you should try to be spontaneous when possible.

Therefore, you need to plan themed evenings, randomly take your partner on a date, or do something surprising that will make your other half smile from ear-to-ear. It can help to prevent you both from falling into a monotonous routine, which can stop you from falling into a relationship rut.

  1. Set a Date Night

It doesn’t matter how busy your professional or personal lives are, you must regularly make time for a date night. Don’t become complacent in your relationship and enjoy some quality time together. For example, set time aside to regularly book dinner at a luxury restaurant, go to the movies, or enjoy drinks at a sleek bar.

  1. Book a Vacation

Work and personal responsibilities can often stand in the way of a healthy relationship. A vacation will, however, provide you both with an opportunity to spend 24 hours a day together for a whole week or more.

Each day will offer quality conversation, fun attractions, and spontaneous adventures, which can shake up your routine and make you fall deeper in love with your other half. Book a stay at a tropical resort, explore a new city together, or camp out in the wilderness. It could help you to keep the spark permanently alive in your relationship.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.