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10 simple ways to gain greater control over your life
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These small changes can lead to ENORMOUS results. - photo by Alex Phippen
There are 10 things on this list, and you can do every single one of them. It won't be easy, but the fact that you're reading this shows you want to changethat you want to be in control.

Here are 10 everyday things you can do to gain greater control over your life:

1. Avoid putting off the important things

I was going to wait until later in the article to write about this point, but then I realized the irony of my own thinking. But that's just the problem isn't it? We're always putting things off and a lot of times we don't realize it until it's too late. At first it might not seem like a big deal, but eventually time runs out and everything can come crashing down.

As soon as you have the thought to put a task off until later, force yourself to go and do something right then. It doesn't necessarily have to be the same thing you thought to put off, but do something on your to-do list. This requires a conscious effort, but you'll naturally have less of a desire to procrastinate as you train yourself to live by this pattern of action.

2. Stop comparing yourself to others

It's human nature to compare ourselves to those around us and we do it with everything. But why? It doesn't make any difference and this type of thinking only drains self-esteem, which then leads to a lack of self-control.

Life isn't a one-size-fits-all experience. We're designed to be unique and different. Embrace who you are and all that you've accomplished. Instead of comparing yourself to others, think of your ideal self and evaluate how you're doing on becoming that person.

3. Take care of your health

Your total health involves your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. It's hard to feel in control when you're sick and in pain.

Take time each day to get enough sleep, eat, meditate, and get yourself ready. This will help give you the confidence you need to tackle more difficult challenges.

4. Get organized

Technology is an amazing asset when it comes to organization. There are many apps, widgets, and scheduling tools to help you organize your life. Use whichever method works best for you. Make lists, set goals, plan, and execute. People who have control over their lives know where things are, what they're doing and when they're going to do it.

5. Learn from your past mistakes

Past mistakes can be life's greatest teachers. Use these learning experiences to better yourself. Think of what you are going to change or do differently so that you don't make the same mistake again. This process of evaluation will help you make more informed decisions in the future.

6. Laugh more than you cry

Famed poet Robert Frost said, If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane. Laughter is a key concept to having a positive outlook. It allows your body to release tension and stress. It can change your mood and give you a different perspective on those hard things that are a part of your every day.

7. Help other people

Helping others might not be your first thought when control over your own life seems to be slipping away. However, finding ways to serve the people around you will actually bring you greater control. This principle of goodwill will allow you to see the tangible effects your actions have. It will then be easier to change your own life after you've seen the difference you can make in the lives of others.

8. Be smart with your money

If you can control your money then you can prevent many other potential challenges. Sit down with a sheet of paper and write all of your needs on one half of the page and all of your wants on the other.

Then start a small-scale budget for the next day by deciding which unnecessary expenses you can cut out. This might include not eating out as much or spending less on entertainment. Once you've mastered a daily budget, move on to creating a weekly and monthly spending plan.

9. Have the courage to remove distractions

There are numerous things out there that can break our concentration if we let them. TV, social media, music, and even friends can all be distractions that get in the way of more important commitments. While these of course aren't bad things, the time we spend with them needs to be moderated.

Similar to a financial budget, time budgets can also be really effective. Unplug from excessive media use and remove roadblocks in your life that are holding you back.

10. Figure out your "why"?

Why do you do the things you do? Why do you get up in the morning, go to work, or raise your kids? If you can find your "why" to these types of questions then everything else will make sense. Your "why" will help make the tedious and hard things worth it as you regain control over your life.
Its toxic: New study says blue light from tech devices can speed up blindness
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A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers. - photo by Herb Scribner
It turns out checking Twitter or Facebook before bed is bad for your health.

A new study from the University of Toledo found that blue light from digital devices can transform molecules in your eyes retina into cell killers.

That process can lead to age-related macular degeneration, which is a leading cause of blindness in the United States, according to the researchs extract.

Blue light is a common issue for many modern Americans. Blue light is emitted from screens, most notably at night, causing sleep loss, eye strain and a number of other issues.

Dr. Ajith Karunarathne, assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said our constant exposure to blue light cant be blocked by the lens or cornea.

"It's no secret that blue light harms our vision by damaging the eye's retina. Our experiments explain how this happens, and we hope this leads to therapies that slow macular degeneration, such as a new kind of eye drop, he said.

Macular degeneration is an incurable eye disease that often affects those in their 50s or 60s. It occurs after the death of photoreceptor cells in the retina. Those cells need retinal to sense light and help signal the brain.

The research team found blue light exposure created poisonous chemical molecules that killed photoreceptor cells

"It's toxic. If you shine blue light on retinal, the retinal kills photoreceptor cells as the signaling molecule on the membrane dissolves," said Kasun Ratnayake, a Ph.D. student researcher working in Karunarathne's cellular photo chemistry group. "Photoreceptor cells do not regenerate in the eye. When they're dead, they're dead for good."

However, the researchers found a molecule called alpha-tocopherol, which comes from Vitamin E, can help prevent cell death, according to Futurism.

The researchers plan to review how light from TVs, cellphones and tablet screens affect the eyes as well.

"If you look at the amount of light coming out of your cellphone, it's not great but it seems tolerable," said Dr. John Payton, visiting assistant professor in the UT Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. "Some cellphone companies are adding blue-light filters to the screens, and I think that is a good idea."

Indeed, Apple released a Night Shift mode two years ago to help quell blue lights strain on the eyes, according to The Verge. The screen will dim into a warmer, orange light that will cause less stress on the eyes.