Before you leave the house, take a hot shower or a long soak in the tub. Be sure to scrub yourself thoroughly from head to toe, and don't forget to wash your hair. For best results, use products with pleasant natural scents to keep yourself smelling fresh for hours. No matter what the rest of your pre-date ritual consists of, bathing is non-negotiable! Personal hygiene plays a huge part in preparing for any date. The last thing you want is for any offensive odors to spoil the mood. . Pick out some clean, comfortable clothes that fit well and accentuate your best features. If you can't find anything you like, go shopping for a new outfit just for the occasion, or ask a friend to borrow something of theirs. When you look good, you'll be more likely to feel good, too. Make sure your attire is appropriate for what you'll be doing. You'll look underdressed wearing a t-shirt and jeans to a nice restaurant, while a suit and tie may be a little much for a walk in the park. Once you've got your look together, spritz yourself with cologne or perfume or dab on some essential oils to put the cherry on top. At the very least, apply a layer of deodorant. Smell is one of the most powerful senses, so it's one of the first things your date is likely to notice. Try not to overdo it with the perfume or cologne. A little can make you more alluring, but too much can be overpowering. A pack of gum or some mints can be a lifesaver after you've just finished off a plate of linguine and clams with extra garlic. They'll also help prepare you for a goodnight kiss if things go well. Stash your breath fresheners in your pocket so you'll have them close at hand whenever the need arises. It's a good idea to brush your teeth or pop a mint before you and your date get together, even if you're not doing dinner. Bad breath is one of those things you don't notice about yourself that can none-the-less be very unattractive.

Summary: Clean yourself up. Dress to impress Make yourself smell good. Bring along a breath freshener.

Sometimes, just being with a friend who's depressed can be a big help. If you can't be there with the person, offer your emotional support, letting her know that you're there to listen and help in whatever way you can. Being depressed can make the smallest things hard. You can offer concrete support to the person, such as volunteering to drive her places, cooking for her, or calling to make appointments for things she needs to get done. Just make sure to follow through on what support you offer. Go ahead and make the offer of support up front. Sometimes people who are depressed have a hard time reaching out for help when they need it. Even something small can mean a great deal to someone who's depressed. Bring her a coffee, or drop her a note in the mail. Try cooking her a plate of sweet treats she'll enjoy. These small gestures add up, letting her know that she's loved and you are thinking about her. If she hasn't already, try to get her to seek a professional opinion. Ask her if she's talked to a therapist or a psychiatrist, both of which can help with depression. Because mental illnesses have a stigma in society, you should also mention that she shouldn't feel ashamed of getting help. Depression is just a disease like any other one, and it can be treated. If she's hesitant, offer to take her to an appointment or to work with her to help her feel less anxious. Maybe you can help her work through what to say or what questions to ask when she gets there. If she's not willing to see a psychologist, look up some local support groups for people with depression. You can give her the information to encourage her to go, but it's ultimately up to her. However, one way you can encourage her is to offer to take her. Many times, people with depression will isolate themselves. Encourage her to spend time with you doing things she likes or taking a walk with you. Getting out and seeing people can help on the road to recovery. Of course, you have to meet people where they are. If she doesn't feel like going out right away, ask if she wants some company at home or if she wants to come over to your house. You're only trying to be helpful by offering advice such as "Just buck up," or "You really need to snap out of this." However, these types of statements tend to only make the situation worse. Supportive statements are much better, such as, "I know you're going through a difficult time. I do believe you are strong enough to get through this, but don't be afraid to ask for help."

Summary: Let her know you're there for her. Offer concrete support. Show the person you care. Encourage her to get help. Find support for her. Encourage her to come out with you. Skip the platitudes and criticisms.

Whether you're going to be in jail for a couple of days, a couple of weeks, or longer, you need to be honest with your employer. Tell him why you are leaving. You don't need to be explicit - especially if the details are sensitive - but you should not leave him and your co-workers in the dark. They'll need time to cover for you while you're gone. Talk to your credit card companies. Put your cell phone plan on hold to avoid unnecessary charges while you are in jail. Not taking care of something so simple as this can ruin your credit for you when you get out. If you have a financed car, try to sell it. Many ex-prisoners face bankruptcy when they get released because they don't focus on these issues beforehand. In some states, your bank may be able to provide a line of credit to cover your time in jail. This can be applied to your mortgage, car payments, and many other financial issues. Talk to your bank to see if there is anything they can do to make your transition in and out of jail easier on you. When you get into the jail, you'll have a flex account you can use to buy basic things from the commissary. Make sure you have surplus cash just in case. It will come in handy while you are in there. If you are sentenced to 12 months in jail, you can have your case reviewed after a couple of months. If you've behaved well in prison and your lawyer makes a good case for your release, you may get to leave early. A convicted parent's rights differ depending on the crime committed, the state convicted in, and penitentiary held at. In general, protective custody transfers from one parent to the closest of kin (for your child). This means that if you get locked up and your significant other is still free, they'll have the most immediate chance of guardianship. After parents, custody can be temporarily transferred to aunts, uncles, siblings, or grandparents. A judge and children's services will be a part of the decision making process in these respects. If your child doesn't have a family member to take care of them, they'll be placed in foster care for the duration of your sentence. Cases vary based on the crime you've committed. For violent offenses, you may lose custody completely - in which case your child may be put up for adoption. If you can figure all of this out before you go to jail, you'll be in a much better position. Filing claims, talking to judges, and working through the red tape while behind bars is a difficult task.
Summary: Talk to your employer. Get your finances in order. Borrow money to put on your account. Get your attorney to file for a review at sentencing. Determine your custody rights if you have children.