Be a Blogger! Start Blogging on Blogspot Today

Image via Wikipedia

I keep hand-written notes daily, from which I get my blog ideas

Keeping Journals is one of the best things you can do for your mental health and well-being. And a blog is no more than an online journal.

And…

It’s unbelievably easy to get started with a blog on Blogspot. Plus, it’s absolutely FREE!

What is a blog? Blog is short for "web log" or "web diary". Some people call writing in this diary or log: "journaling" and journaling is good for you. It can be good for others too... if you go public and they like what you write.

Here are the steps:

Go to www.blogspot.com or search “blogspot”. Either way, it will take you to Blogspot’s Home Page. You will also see a link to Blogger.com. What is the difference between Blogger and Blogspot? Read Isaac Yassar’s concise but informative article here:
http://isaacyassar.blogspot.com/2009/03/difference-between-blogger-and-blogspot.html

If you don’t have a Google Account you will need to create one. But it’s easy. Just fill in the blanks. Don’t worry if you use another account for your emails. I use Yahoo Mail and have never had a problem.

Once you’ve created your account, sign in, and then click “Get Started” on the Blogspot Home Page.

Then all you need to do is follow the prompts. Decide on a name for your blog and use it as part of your URL (your blog’s address on the web). Learn more about “URL” here:

http://websearch.about.com/od/dailywebsearchtips/qt/dnt0526.htm

To decide on a name for your blog, consider your subject and then do a keyword search. If the top keywords for your subject are in the title of your blog and also in your blog’s address, you’re doing great. It will place you higher in search results, thereby giving you more hits (readers of your blog!).

If you don't want to share your blog, you can set it to Private. Watch this video:
http://www.google.com/support/blogger/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=42673

How to add video to your blog post. Adding video to your blog is easier than you think. If you have videos that you like on YouTube or have uploaded there yourself, just go to YouTube and find the video you want to transfer. Underneath the video you will see several buttons: Like, Add To, Share, and Embed.

Click on the one that says Embed. A code will pop up. Make sure it is highlighted then copy and paste it to your blog. To do this, make sure that your Edit Posts page is set to Edit HTML. Then place it where you want it and hit Save Draft or Publish. Your video should now be on your page.

How to find keywords. To find popular searches using keywords and phrases, search “Google Keyword Tool”. It’s free and easy. At the top of the page you will see two ads that look about the same. But one is in pink. This means it is a paid advertisement. Below it, in the white part, is another one.

The white area is called “The organic listing area”. This means that these items have popped up based solely on your search criteria. They did not pay to be at the top of the page. Most people click  here first because they believe, whether it’s true or not, that these items will give them more genuine results, more honest businesses, etc.

So, the “Keyword Google Tool” at the top of the page in the pink reads “Get Qualified Visitors To Your Site Place Your Ad On Google Today!”. That is not what we want. We want the one that reads “Enter one keyword or phrase per line to see what related word searches your ad will show on”.

So click on that one and it will bring you to the Google Adwords page with two boxes at the top. We are only concerned with the one that says “word or phrase”. Type in the word or phrase you are searching for and voila! It will bring up a number of search terms divided by global monthly searches and local monthly searches. Depending on your business, whether you are seeking global contacts or just local business prospects, look in that section.

Then take note of the search terms from highest to lowest number. This should help you, not only choose the name for your site, but also in selecting the words you use in your articles (to bring a greater number of readers to your site).

Now, you’ll need to have more than one option for your title and address, in case it is already being used by someone else. So plug in your choice and proceed. Blogspot will let you know if your blog address is taken, and offer up a couple of alternative selections.

On the page that is Step 2, click on a template that looks nice, hit continue, and you have your blog. If you don’t like your template, you can change it any time.

Click on “Start Blogging” and it will take you to the posting page. Now you will want to click on each of the tabs and highlighted areas to learn more about your blog. If you have questions, click on the HELP tab in the upper right hand corner of the page. You will be able to do searches here regarding any area in which you are having trouble. If your question is not answered to your satisfaction there are also Video Tutorials and a Help Forum. Plus, there is always, what my husband and I call “the Brain”… just do a regular search on the internet. Guaranteed, someone somewhere has already asked your question and received an answer.

Comments and corrections welcome.

Journaling as Therapy:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/40281/journaling_as_therapy_getting_to_know.html?cat=5

How Effective Journaling can Minimize Anxiety:

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2009/01/22/how-effective-journaling-can-minimize-anxiety

Start Journaling Regularly to help Reduce Anxiety:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2283427_reduce-anxiety.html

The Anxiety Panic Attack Journal:

http://www.easycalm.com/blog/


And for the Best Blogging Advice Ever:
http://futuretwits.blogspot.com/2010/12/5-tips-to-grow-blog-to-1000-visitors.html

More Anxiety and Stress Related articles

• How to Deal with Anxiety in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (brighthub.com)
• Are Your Kids Stressed? Get Expert Advice from Christopher McCarthy, and Drs. Kerry & Francis Van Voorhis on the WCNC Morning Show, Charlotte Today (prweb.com)
• Canadian researchers find brain link between anxiety and depression (canada.com)
• Greetings and Welcome to my Blog. (psychologytoday.com)
• Yoga's ability to improve mood and lessen anxiety is linked to increased levels of a critical brain chemical (eurekalert.org)
• New Blog For Parents of Anxious Children: The My Anxious Child Blog! (prweb.com)
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My Ship is Coming In! Dream Interpretation / Physical Fitness Advice / Routine / Workouts

Image via Wikipediahttp://wisetravel.cruisebrothers.com 

Dream interpretation is a great self-therapy practice and something you should incorporate into your self-care routine. As I've stated before, the only book I use (and I use it daily) is The Dreamer's Dictionary by Robinson and Corbett.

Here are last night's dreams (remember that part of the mystery of dream interpretation is that the meanings are often contrary to what you might presume). Check out these mixed messages.

Dream: My partner and I are on a cruise ship (my most favorite thing in the world to do!) or in a fine hotel (either on vacation or a honeymoon). But someone has stolen my black leather purse. I try to find it but can't. I think I know how it was stolen and by whom. But it doesn't matter.

The toughest part is that we no longer have any cash or credit. We can't eat! No purchases of any kind, no restaurant meals, and especially no buffets (another one of my favorite things). It's frustrating as hell.

I keep trying to talk the Front Desk help into cutting us a break, but they just won't do it.

Loss of money: Contrary. You are likely to have a windfall.

Ship: Profitable ventures; success; think of the expression 'My ship is coming in!'.

Anxiety/Frustration: Contrary. Your worries will soon be relieved.

Robbery: Loss of money means that you should be careful how you handle your cash.

Abscond: Be careful not to give your affections unwisely.

Loss of great value: Warning: If you try to be too sharp you can end up cutting yourself!

Today's Workout:

 

Exercise. If you are just starting out exercising or have had a long break, go slow and by all means consult your physician, especially if you have health issues. 

Remember to go at your own pace. It’s a good idea to set machines on Manual. That way you can lower or raise resistance to meet your daily fitness level. I call it Fitness by Feel™. Feel where you are and then push yourself right to the edge of what you can handle. 

Listen closely to what your body is telling you. Back off when it becomes too much. Move forward when you have the strength and energy. Consistence is the key. When I first started on the stairmaster (at 23) I could only go for 4 minutes. Now I can do an hour. But it took time and patience… the new machines with TV monitors help a lot. 

2 Hours (Since I've had to double my workout time with the slowered metabolism of menopause, I am committed now to at least 1 hour a day. But I've found that I really like the yin and yang of working out every other day and resting in between. Thus, the 2 hour workout was born.)

Warm-up: Jump rope and push-ups for 10 minutes then a 5 minute stretch. When you're new to jumping, it's important to find the right rope. It should fit you comfortably, not too long or too short. Measure the rope part, halved. It should reach from your armpit to the floor. If your lungs or calves need a break while jumping, just step in place for a minute, then start again. 

Cardio Kickboxing: I did an hour class at the local Muay Thai Kickboxing Club. But a video at home would work just as well. A club is great because a class consists expressly of calisthenics and bagwork. Punching and kicking a bag are an awesome resistance workout. 

As a woman ages it's especially important to have resistance training as we age to keep our bone mass. A couple of years ago I had a bone density test and was rated in the top 2%. Nice. 

I once did surgery on a woman with osteoporosis. Her bones literally crumbled in my hands. 

Jillian Michaels' experience is similar to mine. She also has a karate and yoga background. So I'm comfortable in recommending her kickboxing workouts. Some health clubs have dance-like kickboxing classes. If the moves are too fast or the instructor doesn't understand the dynamics of kicking, it's easy to injure yourself. Always end the kickboxing with a cool-down stretch. A few yoga moves are perfect.

Elliptical Machine: After class I did a nice steady fat burning pace on the elliptical machine for 15 minutes.

Bicycle: Then 10 minutes on a recumbent bicycle.

Treadmill: And topped it off with 20 minutes on the treadmill with a nice steady climb working up to levels 8-10 incline at a nice slow pace of 2.2 to 2.4. Did you know that you burn more calories walking on a high incline than you do running on a low one?

Related articles

• An Overview of Jungian Psychology (helpingpsychology.com)
• In your dreams (theage.com.au)
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• Exercise Tips for People With Bad Knees (brighthub.com)
• The Biggest Loser Contestants Compete in StreetStrider Race for Chance to Win $10,000 (prweb.com)
• Is Elliptical Trainer an Effective Slimming Equipment? (justslimming.com)
• Top 10 Cardio Kickboxing Videos (brighthub.com)
• In the Gym: Clean Energy from Muscle Power (time.com)
• People-Powered Gyms Providing Fitness and Electricity (time.com)
• How Kickboxing Improves Health and Wellness (brighthub.com)
• Want To Burn Calories? Try Jumping Rope (hellobeautiful.com)
• Stay Slim Without a Gym this Holiday Season! (self.com)