According to a famous group of studies known as the Harlow Studies, monkeys preferred a cloth doll without food to a metal doll with food, emphasizing the need for mammals to have physical contact. Many studies have shown that babies that are held more are less stressed as adults. Hugging a loved one or even a stranger releases a powerful hormone that affects the body's limbic system. Releasing oxytocin promotes feelings of contentment and belonging, while lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Giving and receiving hugs have a number of psychological and physical benefits, including: Lower blood pressure. Reduction of stress. Feeling of belonging and euphoria. Increased dopamine, a hormone that stabilizes mood. Enhanced immune system. Sense of security.
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One-sentence summary -- Understand the importance of physical contact. Realize that hugging produces oxytocin. Learn the benefits of hugging.

A rock, diving sticks, small tree branches, sometimes even large toys can be sunk and brought back to the surface, time-and-time-again, for hours on end; the fun, pride, and awesome feeling of accomplishment will never wear out and become boring. This is a great game to play alone. However, if others are with you, try racing with your friends to see who can get their sunken objects first. Make it about a scary sea monster, fish in the ocean, or just a person who loves to swim. You can make a film solo using props and toys, or with friends. If you are talented with editing software, you can even add special effects and make it look like you were shot out of a cannon and into the pool. Bring non-pool toys like dragons, toy snakes, sea monsters... whatever you like, as long as they're not damaged by the water.
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One-sentence summary -- Enjoy diving for objects. Buy a cheap waterproof camera and film a little movie. Buy some pool toys, such as diving sticks or inflatable rings.

Speak with a trusted friend or even a professional to help you sort through your thoughts. If possible, speak to someone who has gone through the same experience as you.Hearing about another person's experience has been shown to provide greater insight than thinking of the outcomes on your own. Another person may be able to give you ideas that you did not consider on your own or just be a listening ear. Go for a walk, cook, or do some other activity that requires you to fully engage your mind. While you are occupied, your brain will unconsciously continue to work on your problems. Once you return to your problem, you may have a different perspective or new ways about how to handle your situation. Spending time in nature can increase your creativity. Leave your phone, electronics, and any other technology behind. Spending time in nature restores the part of your brain responsible for reasoning, problem solving, and task management.
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One-sentence summary -- Talk to someone else. Take a break. Go outside.

Brushing your teeth is by far the most effective way of removing plaque, and brushing properly and regularly will help to ensure that less plaque builds up over time. This is important as built-up plaque can calcify into tartar, which is a lot harder to remove. You should brush your teeth once a day at the very least, but dentists recommend brushing twice; once in the morning and once before bed. It is important to brush before bed because during night, bacterial flora becomes more active eliminating acids that are hard to neutralize because of the reduced flow of saliva. Flossing is an essential component of effective oral hygiene, though unfortunately it is often neglected. Flossing removes bacteria and food particles from between the teeth, helping to prevent the formation of plaque. It should be done once a day, at bedtime, before brushing your teeth. Floss between teeth using a gentle sawing motion, and lifting the floss along the sides of the teeth. Avoid "snapping" the floss into place, as this can irritate the delicate gum tissue. Make sure to use a clean section of floss for between each tooth, otherwise you are just moving bacteria from one part of your mouth to another. If you find dental floss awkward to use, try using a dental pick instead. This is a small wooden or plastic stick which can be inserted between the teeth, achieving the same results as flossing. Though plaque-busting mouthwashes are not effective enough to remove plaque all by themselves, when used as part of a teeth cleaning routine involving brushing and flossing, they can help to loosen plaque, while giving you minty-fresh breath in the process. Chlorhexidine digluconate is the most effective mouthwash against any type of oral bacteria, but it should not be used for more than two weeks in a row. The bacteria found in plaque thrive on sugary and starchy foods. In fact, every time you eat these kinds of foods, the bacteria release an acid which leads to tooth decay and cavities. To avoid this, try to minimize your consumption of these types of processed foods and pay special attention to your brushing and flossing routine if you decide to indulge. Even if you implement the most rigorous oral hygiene routine at home, you can still benefit from a visit to the dentist every six months or so. Only a dentist can give you the thorough, professional cleaning which will remove the most hard-to-reach plaque and stubborn tartar.
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One-sentence summary --
Brush your teeth twice daily. Floss between your teeth. Use a mouthwash that targets plaque. Avoid sugary and starchy foods. Get regular, professional cleanings.