Occasionally fungicidal sprays can burn and damage your plant leaves. Test each type of spray on a small area of your plant, such as 1 low leaf, before spraying your whole plant. Spray the leaf with enough spray that it runs off the leaf, and allow it to dry. If the leaf begins turning yellow or brown, this spray may be too harsh for this plant. Try different types of sprays on different leaves until you find a couple that work. Mildew can be a stubborn fungus that adapts and builds resistance to things that fight it. When you've found a couple sprays that work, alternate them so that the mildew doesn't build a resistance to any of them. For example, use a baking soda spray 1 week and a milk spray or vinegar spray the next. When you begin a spray treatment regimen for powdery mildew, you will want to spray your infected plant in the morning to allow the sun to dry the treatment on the leaves. You may often see improvement after 1 treatment. Wait at least a week to apply another spray treatment, and do this only if you do not see improvement on your leaves from the first treatment. Before spraying your infected leaves, wipe them with a clean, dry cloth to get some of the mildew off first. This helps reduce the amount of mildew that runs off into the soil with your spray solution. Alternatively, rub infected leaves against each other to get some of the mildew off. Each time you use a homemade spray, spray each infected leaf generously enough that the spray starts to run off the leaf. Do not wipe the spray from the leaf, but allow the spray to run off and air dry. Chemical fungicides can be effective, but they can cause other problems with your garden as well. They can harm good organisms in the soil, as well as bees and other pollinating insects that are healthy for a thriving garden. They also can affect how safe it is to eat plants they are used on, so be sure to follow all packaging directions carefully if you're using them on edible plants. Since organic fungicides can be made easily at home, it's wise to try them first before resorting to chemical treatments.

Summary: Test each spray on your plant before using it. Alternate sprays so the mildew doesn't build resistance. Spray infected plant areas in the morning no more than once per week. Wipe leaves with a clean cloth to partially remove mildew. Allow spray to run off the leaves. Use chemical fungicides with caution.

As with the method for sewing by hand, the first thing to do is to clean up the hole or rip by trimming away any loose or dangling threads. Take care as you do this and try to be as precise as possible. Threading the needle on a sewing machine can be a bit tricky as they use two sources of thread, one from the bobbin and one from the spool. The first thing to do is wind the bobbin so that it is wrapped with thread. Once the spool and bobbin are in place on the top of your machine, unravel a few inches of thread towards the far left side of the spool and wrap it around the nubbin on the left hand side of your machine. Then pull this thread to the bobbin, thread it through the small hole, and wrap it around the bobbin a few times to secure it. Fix the bobbin in place by pushing it to the right and then gentle press down on your peddle to wind the thread from the spool to the bobbin until you have as much thread as you need on the bobbin. Cut the thread to separate the spool and bobbin, then remove the bobbin and switch off your machine.

Summary: Cut away the loose threads. Wind the bobbin on the sewing machine.

Since you'll largely be standing still, you need to find an easy pose, at least at first. Exert only a small amount of energy by relying on your bones to hold you up, instead of relying on muscles to keep you in a contorted position. Keep your arms low and close to your body, feet shoulder-width apart, and avoid contorting your torso. Don't force yourself to balance in an uncomfortable position. If you're just starting out, you could even incorporate a chair or the wall of a building into your positions, to help support your body weight. As you become more used to working as a living statue, you'll develop patience, and you'll learn to ignore small distractions from your body, including minor itches or a building sneeze. Although a practiced living statue can hold a single pose for over two hours, a beginner will find it difficult to hold a pose for 15 minutes. You can make gradual movements to switch poses: lower or raise your arms, bend at your waist, straighten your back, or try innovating new positions on your own. Shifting poses frequently will prevent you from developing cramps or falling over. Conversely, sudden and dramatic movements can take your audience by surprise and wow them. By interspersing dramatic arm and torso movements into your living-statue routine, you can give yourself opportunities to move and to further engage the audience. Control your breathing when you're trying to hold a pose for a long period of time. Breathe deeply and slowly into your abdomen, then your chest. As your breaths slow, it will create the illusion of total immobility, which will impress audience members. For some living statues, the experience of standing perfectly still and breathing slowly can begin to feel like meditation. Time can pass quickly in this state, so don't forget to look at your watch from time to time. When a human statue comes to life, it's common for the performer to perform an action or give something away. What you give away doesn't have to be tangible; it can be something as simple as a glance or gesture. However, your action or gesture needs to be meaningful; it should be a moment in which you connect with the human being in front of you and look them in the eye. If you have a talent, use it. For example, you can draw in viewers and surprise audience members by blowing bubbles, creating origami, performing coin tricks, or playing an instrument. If someone leaves money, you can surprise them by performing an action: blow a kiss, tip your hat, or take a dramatic bow.

Summary: Find a pose that is easy to maintain. Change your pose often. Breathe deeply and without movement. Choose an action to perform.

Why do you think you need a mental health day? What is stressing you out? Take a moment to identify the problem, and try to tease out what's going on here. Potential reasons to take a break include: You're distracted by a problem at home, and you need to work on it You feel drained You haven't been taking care of yourself You need a break from your work environment You need to see a mental health specialist There's no need to feel guilty about taking a break. Everyone needs to recharge sometimes. Schools have breaks, and workers have vacation days, for good reason. Experts note that time off is important for people's well-being. Most people need a mental health break from time to time. But if you're seriously feeling bad, this may be a sign that something is wrong. You might need a longer break, or a change of lifestyle (like a new job), or some help from a doctor or therapist. Signs of a serious problem include: You routinely take mental health days (or really wish you could) Your mental state is endangering yourself or others (e.g. an exhausted truck driver or a distracted surgeon) You can't focus due to stress You fantasize about quitting You often feel stressed, exhausted, etc., to the point it's affecting daily life
Summary: Understand your situation. Know that taking time off is important for health and productivity. Recognize the signs of a bigger problem.