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How to Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout

6/23/2017

A kung fu-style workout is a great way to work your whole body. Like any workout, you need to start by warming up. With kung fu, you need to start with exercises that will warm up all your muscles and get your blood pumping. Then, you can move on to working both your upper and lower body. You can actually alternate between upper and lower body exercises, and it doesn't hurt to throw in some jumping jacks or other exercises between movements in your workout.

EditSteps

EditWarming Up

  1. Do some jumping jacks. One effective warm-up is the standard jumping jacks that you did in elementary school. Stand with your arms at your side and your legs together. Simultaneously jump your legs out to shoulder-width apart as you bring your arms straight out from your shoulders and then straight up above your head.[1]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 1.jpg
    • Do a set amount, such as 20 jumping jacks or 20 seconds of jumping jacks. Work up to more as you can.
  2. Add squat jumps. Begin with a squat, where you act like you're sitting in a chair but there's no chair behind you. You'll need your feet shoulder-width apart. Slowly lower yourself down like you're sitting. You should reach a point where your knees are at a 90-degree angle.[2] Now, simultaneously raise your arms above your head as you jump into the air from the squat position. Land in a standing position, and do it all again.[3]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 2.jpg
    • Try starting with 5 reps and moving up to 10 gradually.
  3. Jump rope. Jumping rope is another good warm-up that may take you back to your grade-school days. Get a sturdy jump rope, and try jumping continuously for a set period. It gets your heart pumping and warms up muscles throughout your body.[4]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 3.jpg
    • Do what you can at first, and work up to jumping for 5 minutes.
  4. Make quick position changes. One way to really prepare you for your workout ahead is to try some quick position changes that you'd normally need to do to move around in kung fu. For example, with your left forward, spring lightly forward and back a few times, then switch quickly to the right foot forward.[5]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 4.jpg
  5. Punch the air. Since you'll use punch-like movements in your workout, do some punches while warming up. Start by punching with one arm only, ten times in a row. After you've completed that move, switch to the other arm.[6]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 5.jpg
    • Start with your left foot a bit forward. Spring forward a bit on both feet, then punch forward with your left arm. It's similar to a boxing move.
  6. Do a series of jumping oblique twists. This movement warms and stretches your whole body. Start with your feet together. Your arms should be in front of your chest, with your elbows out and palms towards the ground. Start by jumping in the air and twisting your feet and knees to the right, then jumping again and twisting to the left in quick succession. Your chest should stay forward. Keep going back and forth quickly.[7]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 6.jpg
    • Try 30 seconds of this move at a time.
  7. Keep moving. If you need a break between your warm-up exercises, that's fine. However, you should still keep moving. When you're taking a break, you need to jog in place to keep the momentum going. Once you've recovered a bit, try another warm-up exercise.[8]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 7.jpg
    • Make sure you're rotating through exercises. That is, you can do jumping jacks once, then go back to them after doing a couple of other exercises.
  8. Try the "world greatest stretch." This yoga stretch works to stretch out your whole body, which is essential when doing a kung fu workout. Start with a forward lunge. Step far forward with one foot. As you do, lower yourself towards the ground. The front knee should reach a 90-degree angle and the back knee should almost touch the ground. Hold this move for about 10 seconds.[9]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 8.jpg
    • Using the arm that's on the same side as your forward leg, bend it at the elbow and lean as far forward as you can on the inside of your leg. You can try to the touch the ground with the elbow. If you can't touch the ground, just get as far as you can. Your other hand should be flat on the ground to help you stay upright. Hold for about 10 seconds.
    • Next, place your hands on both sides of your foot. You may need to support yourself on your fingers. Straighten your front leg up, moving the back leg as needed, and lift up your front foot's toes. Hold for 10 seconds. Move to put the other leg forward, and repeat.

EditWorking the Upper Body

  1. Do an upward block. Make a fist out of your hand. Your arm should be bent. Bring that arm out in front of you with your forearm facing out. Your arm should be about waist level and parallel to the ground. Now, raise the arm up, bringing it in front of your face and then up above your head. Your arm should now be just above your forehead with the forearm still out. Bring your arm back to the start.[10]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 9.jpg
    • Alternate arms for 20 reps. Start out slow, and work up to a faster pace over time. You can add more blocks as you get stronger.
  2. Move to downward blocks. Begin in horse stance. Make fists with both hands, and bend your arms at the elbow. The inner arm should be facing upwards. Move one arm out in front, flattening out to an open hand, facing downward. Your arm should be at about waist-height.[11]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 10.jpg
    • Move your arm down, pressing a bit harder with the outside of the wrist as you hit the "bottom" of the movement. Move back to starting position.
    • Alternate between hands for about 20 reps. You can move up to doing more and doing them faster as you get stronger.
    • For horse stance, place your feet a bit wider than your hips. Your toes should be pointed outwards. Keeping your back straight, bend at the knees until they are just over your toes.[12]
  3. Alternate punches. Start in a high horse stance, meaning don't go as deep as you did in the downward blocks. You arms should be bent at the elbow and by your side, with the underarms facing upwards and fists clenched. Start by punching one arm forward.[13]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 11.jpg
    • As you punch forward, rotate the wrist so your inner arm is facing down by the time your arm is extended. As you come back, rotate it back upwards. Punch straight out from the center of your body, rotating your torso back and forth to punch.
    • Move back and forth between arms for about 30 seconds.
    • To make it a bit more difficult, get lower in the horse stance.
  4. Try push-ups with extra stretches. Begin in a push-up position. Lay face down on the ground with your toes holding your lower end up (you can also use your knees instead). Place your palms on the ground (or knuckles, which is harder). Lower yourself to the ground, then bring yourself back up, keeping your body straight throughout.[14]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 12.jpg
    • Try ten reps, then stop. Using one arm to balance you in the center, stretch the other arm out straight up from your shoulder. Hold for ten seconds.
    • Next, jump your legs out, and turn your body towards the arm you have out, including turning your feet. Stretch that arm up into the air. Your face should be looking upward. Hold for ten seconds. Repeat the whole movement on the other side.
    • Do another five pushups.

EditWorking the Lower Body

  1. Perform straight kicks. Start in bow stance by having one leg in front and one in back. You'll be kicking with the one in back. Place your hands on your hips in preparation for the move. Rock forward on to you front leg a bit to begin the move.[15]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 13.jpg
    • As you move your weight to your front leg, your back leg should begin to lift off the ground. Keep it straight. Use the muscles in that leg to kick it forward, while pushing up with the other leg, keeping that knee slightly bent, not locked. Kick as high as you can and still keep your balance. Use your muscles to pull the leg back down to the starting position.
    • Try 20 kicks on one side, aiming for waist-high, then move to the other leg and repeat.
  2. Do round kicks. Begin in a defensive bow stance, with one leg in front of the other. You can bring your arms up in front of you like you're getting ready to punch. Make fists and have your underarms facing your body with your elbows bent.[16]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 14.jpg
    • Shift your weight to your front leg, lifting the back leg off the ground. Instead of going straight forward, lift it to the outside and bring it forward. As you bring it forward, move it from outside to inside.
    • Basically, you are lifting it and swiveling your foot so it comes up with the toe pointing to the other side of your body as the foot moves in front of you. Your knee should be bent until your leg gets in front of you, then you should kick out.
    • Your foot on the ground will turn, and your body will lean slightly way from the kick.
    • Do ten to fifteen reps and move to the other side.
  3. Work on crescent kicks. Start out in the bow position again. Bring your back leg forward, moving it a bit in front of your other leg as you bring it into the air. Now, your foot should go in an arch in front of your body. As you bring your leg in front of you back towards the other side, the knee should be facing your body and the sole of your foot should be pointing upwards. Bring it down the other side and back behind your body.[17]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 15.jpg
    • Try ten reps, and then move to the other leg.
  4. Try leg raises. Lay on your back. Your hands can be palms together on your chest, or you can use them under you to support your back/buttocks. Raise both legs into the air together, keeping the knees slightly bent. Lower them back towards the ground, but don't touch the ground.[18]
    Do a Kung Fu Style Full Body Workout Step 16.jpg
    • Do ten reps with your legs together, then try scissoring your legs back and forth.

EditSources and Citations


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Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-Kung-Fu-Style-Full-Body-Workout
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How to Make Stuffed Meatballs

6/23/2017

Homemade meatballs make a delicious meal, but if you'd like to make them extra special, stuff them with rich cheese. Combine a basic meatball mixture using ground beef or a combination of beef and lamb. Wrap the meatball mixture around your favorite cheese (like mozzarella), so the cheese is encased in meat. You can then fry the meatballs for a quick and crispy dish or bake them for tender meatballs. Serve the stuffed meatballs immediately, so the gooey cheese can ooze out of them.

EditIngredients

EditFor Baked Stuffed Meatballs

Makes 20 stuffed meatballs

  • 1 pound (454 g) of ground beef
  • 3/4 cup (70 g) of plain bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) of water
  • 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 egg
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 1 (8-ounce or 226 g) block of mozzarella, cut into 20 (1/2-inch or 12 mm) cubes

EditFor Fried Stuffed Meatballs

Makes 23 stuffed meatballs

  • 3/4 pound (350 g) of lean ground beef
  • 2/3 cup (150 g) of ground lamb
  • 1 onion, grated
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon of ground cumin
  • 1 1/3 cups (150 g) of shredded cheese (like mozzarella)
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil to fry
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, minced

EditSteps

EditMaking Baked Stuffed Meatballs

  1. Preheat the oven and cut the cheese. Turn on the oven to 350 degrees F (180 C). Take one 8-ounce (226 g) block of mozzarella cheese and use a sharp knife to cut it into 1/2-inch (12 mm) cubes. You should get about 20 small cubes of cheese.[1]
    Make Stuffed Meatballs Step 1.jpg
    • You could also use pepper jack, cheddar, or monterey jack cheese.
  2. Combine the meatball ingredients and prepare a baking sheet. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and set it aside. Get out a large mixing bowl and place all of the meatball ingredients in it. Use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture well. You'll need:[2]
    Make Stuffed Meatballs Step 2.jpg
    • 1 pound (454 g) of ground beef
    • 3/4 cup (70 g) of plain bread crumbs
    • 1/2 cup (50 g) of grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1/2 cup (120 ml) of water
    • 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 egg
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons of garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon of salt
    • 3/4 teaspoon of black pepper
  3. Form the stuffed meatballs. Gather a few tablespoons of meatball mixture into a ball and press one cheese cube in the center of it. Spread the meatball mixture around the cheese, so it is encased in meat. Continue to form the stuffed meatballs until you use up the meat mixture. You should have about 20 stuffed meatballs. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.[3]
    Make Stuffed Meatballs Step 3.jpg
    • You can use spoons or a small cookie scoop to portion out the meatballs.
  4. Bake the stuffed meatballs. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the stuffed meatballs for 15 to 20 minutes. The meat shouldn't be pink and should be at least 160 degrees F (70 C). Serve the stuffed meatballs right away.[4]
    Make Stuffed Meatballs Step 4.jpg
    • Don't worry if some of the cheese cooks out of the meatballs, just try to remove them from the pan immediately, so they don't stick.

EditMaking Fried Stuffed Meatballs

  1. Make and freeze shredded cheese balls. Get out 1 1/3 cups (150 g) of shredded cheese and use your fingers to pinch together a few teaspoons of cheese. Try to form the cheese into a ball shape. You should get about 20 to 23 small cheese balls. Place these on a baking sheet and freeze them for 30 minutes.[5]
    Make Stuffed Meatballs Step 5.jpg
    • You can use Mozzarella, Colby, or Monterey Jack Cheese.
  2. Grate the onion and combine it with the meat. Peel one onion and grate it against the large-hole side of a box grater. Place the grated onion in a mixing bowl along with 3/4 pound (350 g) of lean ground beef and 2/3 cup (150 g) of ground lamb. Use a wooden spoon or your fingers to gently combine the onion and the meat.[6]
    Make Stuffed Meatballs Step 6.jpg
    • If you can't find ground lamb, you can easily substitute ground pork.
  3. Season and chill the meatball mixture. Sprinkle the meatball mixture with ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cumin. Stir the seasonings into the meat until they're incorporated. Place the mixture in the refrigerator and chill it for 30 minutes.[7]
    Make Stuffed Meatballs Step 7.jpg
    • Chilling the meat mixture will help the flavors develop.
  4. Form the stuffed meatballs. Remove the meat mixture from the fridge and use a few spoons or a small cookie scoop to portion out meatballs. You should get between 20 and 23 meatballs. Gently flatten each meatball between the palms of your hand and put a frozen cheese ball in the center. Spread the meat over the cheese and form a round ball. Set each stuffed meatball on the baking sheet.[8]
    Make Stuffed Meatballs Step 8.jpg
    • If the meat sticks to your hand, you can dip your hands in warm water. This will make it easier to handle the meat.[9]
  5. Fry the meatballs. Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a large skillet and heat it over medium-high. Once the oil shimmers, add enough meatballs to cover the skillet in a single layer. Fry the meatballs for 10 minutes and use tongs to turn them every once in a while. The meatballs should be completely golden brown on the outside. Remove the meatballs to a serving plate and fry another batch of meatballs (if you couldn't fit all of them in at once).[10]
    Make Stuffed Meatballs Step 9.jpg
    • You can garnish the stuffed meatballs with 2 tablespoons of minced fresh parsley.
    • Consider serving the meatballs with a dipping sauce or glaze them with a little honey and pomegranate molasses.
  6. Finished.
    Make Stuffed Meatballs Final.jpg

EditThings You'll Need

  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Mixing bowl
  • Wooden spoon
  • Baking sheet
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Spoons or small cookie scoop
  • Baking sheet
  • Box grater
  • Large skillet
  • Tongs

EditSources and Citations


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Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Stuffed-Meatballs
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How to Reduce Political Polarization in Your Own Life

6/22/2017

Political polarization is at an all-time high in the United States. It seems like just about everyone is picking a side, and rejecting anyone else who isn’t on the same page. This separation can affect meaningful relationships and place a wedge between you and those you love. You don’t have to live with this polarization, however, if you respect other opinions, stay away from the media, and educate yourself on politics.

EditSteps

EditRespecting Other Opinions

  1. Avoid assuming the other side is “wrong.” When you characterize yourself as one political party, it’s difficult not to think that the other party is wrong. However, when you’re trying to remove political polarization from your life, it’s important to remember that the other side has merits as well.
    Reduce Political Polarization in Your Own Life Step 1.jpg
    • You likely have a loved one who belongs to the other party, and if you respect that person, you should know they have a reason for choosing the side they are on.[1]
  2. Attempt to see the other side’s point of view. Just as you have reasons for why you belong to the political party you do, so do other people. Consider people’s backgrounds, religious beliefs, and cultures when attempting to see why they belong to the party they do. Removing polarization from your life is all about accepting other people and their beliefs.
    Reduce Political Polarization in Your Own Life Step 2.jpg
    • If you know someone who has different political views, respectfully ask why they believe what they do. You could say, “I respect you and your beliefs and am curious why you have the political beliefs that you do. I want to learn about the other side of the political party.” This isn’t the time to argue or confront them on their views. Simply sit back and listen.[2]
  3. Agree to disagree on politics. You’ll need to decide what is more important to you when you have people in your life who don’t hold your political beliefs: changing their minds or keeping the relationship. If you want to maintain the connection you have, you may just need to agree to disagree on the subject. This could mean avoiding talking about politics at all.
    Reduce Political Polarization in Your Own Life Step 3.jpg
    • If your loved one attempts to engage you in a political conversation in which you know conflict could occur, you could say, “Out of respect to you and our relationship, I don’t think we should talk about politics. We have different beliefs and points of view and it seems that we argue when we discuss them. I want to continue having a good relationship with you and I think talking about politics threatens that.” They may be upset at first, but they will likely understand over time.[3]

EditUsing the Media Wisely

  1. Watch the news with caution. The media is infamous for playing political sides. In fact, certain major news stations are known for being either more conservative or more liberal. Avoid watching them, as doing so can increase the amount of polarization you experience.
    Reduce Political Polarization in Your Own Life Step 4.jpg
    • For example, Fox News is known for being conservative, whereas CNN leans more towards the liberal side. To be sure you're getting information straight from the source, count on watching interviews that allow politicians to express their views.[4]
    • To avoid developing polarizing views, try not to lean one way or the other, but spend time watching liberal, conservative, or third-party content with an open mind. Also, be sure to verify the information you receive from other reputable sources.
    • Keep in mind that each political party has their own echo chamber of information. Be aware that there are two sides to the story and be cautious about what you believe. Try to find multiple perspectives on an issue before making up your mind.
  2. Reduce time spent on social media. People tend to surround themselves with those who share their political beliefs. As such, you may notice that the people you are friends with on social media have similar political stances. Stay away from, or reduce the amount of time you spend on social media sites to avoid seeing polarizing posts.
    Reduce Political Polarization in Your Own Life Step 5.jpg
    • If you can’t break free of social media, use a filter tool to limit what you see. For instance, on Facebook, you can hide your friends’ posts without actually unfriending them.[5]
    • When things get tense, simply log out of your social media platforms for self-care. Do this if you feel like others' viewpoints are too upsetting or biased.
  3. Be judicious in your web-browsing. The beauty of the Internet is that it gives people a place to express their views. This is also a double-edged sword because it is the perfect arena to create political polarization. You may inadvertently visit a person’s blog in which they freely discuss their own views, which can add to the feeling of separation you are experiencing.
    Reduce Political Polarization in Your Own Life Step 6.jpg
    • If you must visit a news or political site, attempt to find one that isn’t biased. For instance, independent reporters or news sites are more likely to be unbiased than those that are ran by big companies.[6]
    • If you want to reduce political polarization, look for impartial, fact-based sources like FactCheck.org or Project Vote Smart.[7]

EditEducating Yourself About Different Political Parties

  1. Talk to someone you trust. Have a conversation about the different political parties and their beliefs with someone who you trust. To get an unbiased opinion, speak with someone you don’t believe will try to sway you either way.
    Reduce Political Polarization in Your Own Life Step 7.jpg
    • To get the conversation started, you could say, “I really respect your knowledge of politics and would like to learn more about the political parties from you. I think you could tell me in an unbiased manner, which is what I’m looking for.”
    • If they aren’t willing to talk about it with you, graciously accept their decision and avoid bringing it up again.[8]
  2. Take a course about politics. Check with your local college to see what political courses are offered. These classes are a great resource to learn about political beliefs in an unbiased manner. Your library, senior or community center, or church may also offer these types of courses.
    Reduce Political Polarization in Your Own Life Step 8.jpg
    • You may also be able to take online courses or find a tutorial about politics. Doing it this way may give you more flexibility and allows you to learn in privacy.[9]
  3. Read. Finding unbiased books about politics may be a little difficult, but not entirely impossible. Scholarly books typically offer a fair point of view from both sides, which you can typically purchase online or at college bookstores.
    Reduce Political Polarization in Your Own Life Step 9.jpg
    • You may also be able to check with your area high schools to see if they have any extra books they can spare or you can purchase. Additionally, a few apps are available that keep you updated with current events, and teach you about politics at the same time.
    • Look for books that aren’t endorsed or written by members of any specific political party. Educating yourself on the facts of all political sides may help to reduce the amount of political polarization in your life.[10]
  4. Learn about political parties from the past and in other countries. Learning more about how political parties operate and use propaganda may help you to gain a broader perspective on politics in general and have a more objective viewpoint on your own political system. For example, in some countries, there are multiple parties rather than the two party system in the US. Political parties also change over time.
    Talk with Kids About Political Ads Step 3.jpg

EditSources and Citations


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Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Reduce-Political-Polarization-in-Your-Own-Life
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How to Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice

6/22/2017

It is tempting to offer unsolicited advice. Knowledge and solutions take a long time to learn. However, unsolicited advice typically inspires a defensive reaction, since people need to maintain their autonomy in life and decision-making. Unless specifically asked, it is usually better to keep your advice to yourself. Instead, focus on modeling the behaviors you want to see in the world and reflect on the reasons for wanting to share your advice.[1]

EditSteps

EditEvaluating Your Intentions

  1. Understand the difference between having an opinion and being opinionated. While you may sometimes think that you are innocently expressing your opinion, understand that other people might take it as forceful or judgmental advice. It can be helpful to know the difference between expressing an opinion and being too opinionated so that you can avoid these situations.
    Compliment Your Girlfriend Step 12.jpg
    • An opinion is merely a belief or idea that is based on preference instead of hard fact. An example of an opinion is "I'm not a fan of that television show. I don't think it is very funny."
    • An opinionated person is very rigid about their opinions. Instead of expressing their preferences, they state their personal opinions as facts. They often do not allow others to express dissimilar opinions or ideas. They might become critical or judgmental. For example, an opinionated person might say, "That TV show is so stupid. I can't imagine why anyone would want to watch it. The humor is so dumb. It must only appeal to a caveman."
  2. Determine whether you are coming from a place of altruism. Think about whether you want to help the person you have a desire to offer unsolicited advice. Although your motivation may be well intentioned, you should know that even advice coming from an altruistic place usually backfires. If you offer unsolicited advice for altruistic reasons, people may become defensive in order to maintain their personal freedom and life choices.[2]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 1.jpg
    • For example, you may be worried about the health of a friend who smokes cigarettes. If you start offering them unsolicited advice about how to stop smoking, they may get defensive of their lifestyle. It won’t help that your advice is coming from a good place, since you are failing to respect their lifestyle and personal choices.
  3. Keep your cool if you want to give advice out of excitement. If you are really excited about a new life hack or solution to something in your life, you may have a desire to share it with others. However, you should keep in mind that your friends, colleagues and family members may need to come up with their own solutions to life problems. It is probably better to keep your advice to yourself, unless they ask for it explicitly.[3]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 2.jpg
  4. Stop yourself from giving advice if you are annoyed. It can be annoying to hear about the same problem from a friend or a colleague for years while having some resolutions in your mind.[4] Although empathy and listening attentively is a lot of work, it is better to continue listening to the same old problems than to start offering unsolicited advice. You don’t know what situations may hinder your friend from taking the solution or advice you want to offer.[5]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 3.jpg
  5. Avoid pontificating. If you have a desire to pontificate about particular subjects, try to remember this tendency and take note of its effects on others. You may notice that it doesn’t always have a great reception, in which case you may want to stop offering unwanted advice to people.[6]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 4.jpg

EditListening Attentively

  1. Listen with an open mind. If you are in a face to face conversation, face the person, maintain eye contact and listen with an open mind to what they are saying. Likewise, if you are on the phone, listen attentively with an open mind. Try to just comprehend what they are saying.[7]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 5.jpg
    • If you are having a hard time concentrating, try repeating their words in your mind.[8]
    • Rather than going on to offer unsolicited advice, you should continue trying to understand their situation in greater depth through active listening. Only offer advice if they directly ask you for it.[9]
  2. Acknowledge what they are saying. To assure them that you are actively listening to their story, you can nod your head in affirmation. You could also say, “uh huh.” Where appropriate, you can offer affirmations such as “thanks for sharing” or “that makes sense.”[10]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 6.jpg
  3. Empathize instead of giving unsolicited advice. If your intention is to make friends, perhaps you should try simply listening to the person. If you offer unsolicited advice, they may react negatively and it could defeat your purpose. Instead of offering advice, try listening and then making empathetic nods or making the following kinds of statements:[11]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 7.jpg
    • “I understand, tell me more”
    • “That sounds hard, I’m sorry to hear you had that experience”
  4. Ask if you have understood them correctly. After they have finished speaking, you could try making a comment or question for the purpose of recapping what they have said. This will ensure you have understood them correctly. Try recapping and then asking if your recap of their story is a correct interpretation:[12]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 8.jpg
    • “What I understand from what you have just told me is that you feel terribly about what happened to John and you want to do something about it. Do I understand you correctly?”
    • “From what I understand, you really want to fix your relationship with Sue, which seems to have gone south since Christmas. And the issue seems to be partly the long distance but also these other things you were talking about. Am I getting this right?”

EditKnowing When and How to Offer Advice

  1. Stop trying to fix their problems. Consider dropping your own assessments of their problem and related ideas about how to fix things. Instead, consider ways you could be more empathetic. For instance, consider letting go of your desire to fix their problem and try to understand the details of their situation.[13]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 9.jpg
    • You may not agree with their interpretation of their situation, but you should still listen attentively and try to understand them.
  2. Try to understand their state of affairs. Often, unsolicited advice comes from a place of not adequately understanding the situation or challenge that another person is going through.[14] To move beyond this problem, you could try to understand and empathize with the challenge that they are going through. It might help to ask them clarifying questions:
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 10.jpg
    • “Can you tell me a little more about that?”
    • “That sounds really tough. I’m not sure I understand how you got into that situation. Can you remind me how that happened?”
  3. Ask how you can help. After listening attentively, you can ask them directly how you could help out. They may simply say that you are helping by offering an attentive ear. If they need something specific, they may tell you. If they are specifically looking for advice, they will have the opportunity to ask you for it. Try saying:[15]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 11.jpg
    • “I’m here anytime you need me. Really, anything you need.”
    • “What can I do to help?”
  4. Give advice if they specifically ask for it. Advice that is specifically requested is much more appreciated than unsolicited advice. If you are called upon to give advice, you can go ahead and offer your two cents on how to resolve the situation. Give advice if they ask the following kinds of questions:[16]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 12.jpg
    • "I really need advice on how to resolve this situation with my brother. I'm at a loss right now. Do you have any experience that would help?"
    • "Have you ever dealt with a family member dealing with depression? Do you have any advice based on that experience?"
  5. Talk to them if they are at risk of self harm. Rather than telling them specific things to do, you should convey your care for them and listen to their problems. You shouldn’t promise to keep any secrets, since you may have to convey the information to a mental health professional. Listen with attentive ears to everything they have to say and try to be there for them.[17]
    Stop Giving Unsolicited Advice Step 13.jpg
    • If there is an emergency, you should call 911 and wait until help arrives.

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Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Giving-Unsolicited-Advice
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