INPUT ARTICLE: Article: first. If you're currently taking sleeping medication and it's playing havoc with your sleep and general health and wellbeing, you should notify your doctor and explain what is happening. Your doctor will be able to advise you as to whether or not you can quit the pills outright or whether there needs to be an adjustment period. Don't presume you're stuck taking pills. Be adamant that you wish to minimize or stop using the sleeping medication altogether and make your doctor your ally in achieving this outcome. Discuss lifestyle changes that can help improve your sleep. You may wish it ask about weaker sedatives or natural alternatives such as the natural sedative valerian tea, or melatonin supplements, but keep in mind these can interact with other medications, and you should speak with your doctor before use. Don't throw the pills away just yet; they are insurance to prevent you from panicking and they are still available for those terrible nights when you really do feel like you need them. At the same time, you need to commit to giving them up permanently as carefully and as thoroughly as possible. If your doctor has suggested a gradual withdrawal program, stick with it. This will greatly increase your chances of success, as quitting sleeping medication too suddenly can throw your body totally out of balance. Some people need more sleep while others need less hours of sleep in order to function optimally; know your own needs and nurture them. Also be sure to implement the remaining suggestions in the following steps; each is a practical means by which you gain control back over your sleeping routine and, in turn, make your plan more likely to succeed. Depending on the type of sleep medication, withdrawal symptoms can occur. You may feel anxious, edgy, irritable, and depressed, and you may find yourself sweating, experiencing tremors, and increased heart rate, and nausea. You may experience "rebound insomnia," which means you may experience great difficulty falling asleep after you come off the sleeping medication possibly worse than what caused you to start taking sleeping pills in the first place. Rebound insomnia often causes people to relapse and start taking sleeping meds again, but you must remember that is it temporary, and side effects should go away after about two weeks. Speak with your doctor about how to handle rebound insomnia, or if you are experiencing depression or anxiety that lasts several weeks or months after you stop. You may also experience vivid, strange, and disturbing dreams. Again, this is a normal part of withdrawal and it will go away. Implementing self relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can assist you in getting through this time. Remember that this is temporary.

SUMMARY: Speak to your doctor Make a plan to stop taking the sleeping medication. Believe in your own ability to sleep naturally and accept your own sleep needs. Know what to expect.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: CACREP is the Counselor Education accreditation board and you can locate accredited school counseling programs at (www.cacrep.org). All US states require school counselors to obtain state certification. You can also get nationally certified through NBCC or NBPTS. Contact your state education department to find out what credentials you need to work in your state. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) also has information about each state's school counselor requirements. ASCA and NACAC and their state branches for research literature, evidence-based practice, annual conferences, and regular electronic and written communications and professional development opportunities. The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) is found online at www.schoolcounselor.org and the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) is found online at www.nacacnet.org .

SUMMARY: A master's degree in counselor education/school counseling is required with 48-60 credits. Get certified. Maintain professional school and college counseling organization memberships at the national and state levels: Stay connected to the best free professional development resources for school counselors in the field from the National Office For School Counselor Advocacy (Sign up for their free Own the Turf Kit) [1]; the National Center for School Counseling Outcome Research & Evaluation (CSCORE) [www.cscore.org]; and the Center for Excellence in School Counseling and Leadership (CESCAL) including their free flashlight-builder program for school counseling program development.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Place the plastic cover over your furniture to keep it clean. Tape the plastic to the bottom of the furniture to secure it and so paint doesn't splash underneath it. Plastic covers can be purchased at your local hardware or furniture store. Don't use fabric cloths since paint can easily seep through it. around windows and baseboards. Use blue painter's tape to cover up any trim you don't want to paint. Press the edge of the tape where it meets the wall with your finger or a putty knife so paint doesn't leak underneath it. You can apply the tape in a single long strip from the roll or in multiple short strips. Set the drop cloth along the edge of your wall so paint doesn't drip or spill onto your flooring. For an added layer of protection, fold your dropcloths in half before placing them. Cover the entire perimeter of your room with dropcloths and tape them to the floor. Dropcloths can be purchased at painting supply or hardware stores. If you plan on painting the ceiling, line your entire floor with dropcloths in case your ceiling drips. Press the edge of an adhesive builder's paper along the tops of your windows. Leave about 34 inches (7.610.2cm) of builder's paper on each side of the window. Fold the builder's paper on either side of the window at a 90-degree so the top of the awning stays sturdy. Attach the folded edges to the trim around the sides of the window. This way, paint won't drip onto your windows while you're working. Builder's paper can be purchased in rolls at your local hardware store.

SUMMARY: Put plastic covers over furniture you couldn't move. Tape Lay dropcloths on your floor. Make awnings out of builder's paper if you're painting your ceiling.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Various plants grow at different speeds. Look at various species of the plant you wish to grow. For instance, the glacier tomato will grow in 50 days compared to the average 70-90 day growth period of normal tomatoes. Certain types of greens grow very fast. Microgreens grow in 14 days. Arugula takes 21 days to grow. Lettuce takes 28 days to grow. There are many greens that grow quickly, particularly those that are used in salads. If you are growing vegetables, pick ones that grow quickly. Fast growing vegetables include, snap beans, beets, broccoli, green onions, radishes, squash, cucumbers, okra, and peas. Fast growing flowers are useful for gifts or for filling out a garden. Pot Marigolds, Cosmos, and Yellow Flags grow fast and look great. Other great flowers to consider are sunflowers, sweet peas, and nigellas.

SUMMARY:
Choose the type of plant you want to grow. Consider growing greens. Pick your vegetables. Select fast growing flowers.