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5 Must have items when staying at a Hostel

One of the most important and stressful parts of a trip can be finding accommodations. Hostels are a budget friendly option when traveling. Staying in a hostel is very different from staying in a hotel because you share a room, kitchen, bathroom, and common space with other guests. There are some really bad ones and some really good ones so finding one that is right for you is important. You need to consider location, price, and read reviews online or on social media. If you have never been to a hostel before, you may not know what to expect so it is best to plan ahead! 

I’ve stayed in a bunch of different hostels all over the world and I have met so many amazing travelers. When I first stayed at a hostel I was pretty nervous about sharing space and sleeping in the same room with so many strangers. Over time I’ve learned the proper etiquette and a few tricks to make hostel life a little easier. But when staying at a hostel it is easy to forget that they don’t always come with all the luxuries of a hotel so here are 5 must-have items when staying in a hostel that I learned the hard way.

1. A long charging cable 

Nothing is worse than getting into bed after a long day of traveling and having to leave your phone to charge on the floor or in the shared living areas. Bring a longer charger cable to give you some peace of mind by having your phone close. 

2. A lock or padlock 

Most hostels include lockers so it is important to keep your belongings secure by making sure that you pack a small lock. I always bring one with a code or combination so I don’t have to worry about losing a little key.

3. Earplugs and an eye mask

Sharing a room can be especially difficult if you are a light sleeper so earplugs and an eye mask or bandana are an absolute must. 

4. A towel

This may seem like a silly thing to pack but bringing your own towel can help avoid rental fees or even worse, getting out of the shower and not having a towel at all! Some hostels don’t supply towels for guests so better to be safe than sorry and pack a lightweight and quick drying towel.  

5. A headlamp or flashlight 

Once the lights go out at night there's an unspoken rule about keeping it dark and quiet while people are sleeping. A headlamp or small flashlight is a great way to find things in your bag or catch up on some late night reading without waking up your roommates.

In my experience, hostels are an amazing and low cost option when traveling. With the wide variety around the world, from the infamous ‘capsule hotels’ to a room full of bunk beds, they are a great option to consider!

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K-cups Killing Environment and How You Can Help!

Who doesn’t love to start the morning out with a hot cup of coffee! It has become a morning ritual for most of us and a routine to help find that extra boost of caffeine we need to start the day off right. The issue with that comes down to the hundreds of thousands of plastic filters we go through, the most popular being kerig K-cups, and how they are killing the environment. 

Wastefulness and instant gratification seem to be apart of the everyday American lifestyle. These small one-time use coffee pods add to the mountains of plastic in or landfills. They can also be found in rivers and washed ashore on lakes and oceans. Overtime these pods to eventually breakdown and begin to disintegrate but the smaller pieces choke and kill wildlife. Even the creator of K-cups has been quoted addressing the environmental issue that these plastic pods are creating. Other countries have already made the change to tin and metal filters that are easier to recycle and cause less pollution. 

There is always the option to recycle used pods or K-cups locally or you can even let your creativity shine and try one of the dozens of DIY projects with the used pods. The more budget friendly option would be to purchase a reusable metal or rubber coffee filter that is compatible with your machine to help reduce your plastic consumption. 

The simple change of not using a plastic K-cup or recycling the used pods is a great and easy way you can help make the difference that our planet is desperately crying for- all with a simple cup of morning coffee!!

[latyson23]

I found this amazing blog (I put a link below) that has so many inspirational quotes! It is important to remember that you have to take time out of your day to take a breath and remind yourself that everything will be okay. It can be challenging to take a step back and look at everything in your life that you can be proud of and smile about. 

https://elysesantilli.com/best-quotes-on-self-love/

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I recently ran across this ‘Off the Mark’ comic post and it made my day! I am a huge cat lover and I also believe that stretching is one of the most diverse ways of exercise that anyone can do. There are many different ways to stretch and classes that can be found on youtube, your local gym or studio. Take a moment today to stand up, move around and stretch! 

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There are so many yoga flows and workouts on Youtube but my favorite are Blogilates. Her videos are simple and easy to follow along to! Im taking the challenge to wake up and perform these 10 Perfect Morning Stretches to Increase Energy this week! 

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April is National Volunteer month! This is a great opportunity to start challenging yourself by giving back to the community and taking a look at some of the key messages from the article! 

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Spring Cleaning

Hello all! 

Spring is finally here and I am so ready to watch all the spring blossoms bloom and get my garden started. it is also the best time for some much needed cleaning. 

The saying of “spring cleaning” seems to bring the ideas of change and improving your life by purging anything unused so you can focus on a better more minimalist lifestyle. Some great ideas of things to toss out are expired medicines or makeup, old nail polish, and anything that you no longer use. 

It is also time to focus on and challenge yourself to clean out your closet and remove anything that you haven’t worn this year or anything that no longer fits. It doesn’t have to take days or the while week but a few minutes while you are getting dressed to quickly toss something out. Once you get started you’ll be able to quickly fill a bag of unwanted clothes that you can now donate to your local goodwill. Not only will this help you with your spring cleaning but you can feel better knowing that it goes to a good cause!

[latyson23]

I positively adore this photo! While scrolling through Pinterest looking for a simple nightly yoga routine to start I stumbled across this easy to understand drawing of a yoga routine that is perfect. Stretching is just important as working out or sleeping when it comes to metal and physical health so don’t skip that simple yoga or stretch routine to add to your day!

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The future depends on what you do today

Mahatma Gandhi

This is such an amazing quote that I hold close to my heart. Whether it be starting a new workout challenge, starting a new job or choosing between a large slice of decadent chocolate cake or a healthy fruit smoothie. Never stop challenging yourself to become the best you can be. 

[latyson23]

5-Min Pre-Shower Workout

The fastest and easiest way to help motivate yourself to start working out is to spend a simple 5 minutes and get started. I know that it can be hard to find the time and energy needed but this quick and easy pre-shower workout is the perfect challenge that can be completed anytime. 

5 Minute Pre-Shower Workout

15 Squats 

15 Standing Calf Raises

15 Lunges (Each Leg)

10 Jumping Jacks 

25 Second Wall Sit 

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This is the most important thing to remember when working towards your goals! No matter how little an action may seem, as long as you keep it up it becomes a habit in only 21 days. Always strive to be the best person you can create! 

[latyson23]

Continuing with the Easiest 4 Step Morning Routine it’s important to understand that creating a healthy habit of a balanced schedule and morning ritual can greatly impact your life in a positive way! The benefits are not only physical; you are more likely to be happier, more optimistic and more energetic. 

[latyson23]

Easiest 4 Step Morning Routine Challenge

Hi, my name is Lauren and I am a freshman in college. I know that many students, much like myself, struggle to balance schoolwork, a social life and most importantly their health! 

Throughout this semester I am looking to challenge both myself and others to dare to go beyond our limits with simple ways to change and improve yourself, The overall goal is to complete each challenge everyday for 21 days to create a healthy habit with a positive impact! Lets get this challenge started with:

Easiest 4 Step Morning Routine  1. Make Your Bed 2. Wash Your Face 3. Make a To-Do List  4. Eat Breakfast