| How to Cope With Being Alone at Night Posted: 15 May 2021 05:00 PM PDT Whether your family is out of town, your partner is gone for the night, or you live on your own, nighttime can be a little nerve-wracking. Feeling lonely or frightened while you're alone is normal, especially after the sun goes down. However, there are tons of ways you can make your nighttime experience by yourself much better (and even get a full night's sleep). [Edit]Practicing Self-Care - Write down your thoughts and feelings in a journal. If you're worried about being alone at night, you might be feeling scared, anxious, or nervous. Acknowledge what you're feeling by writing it down in a journal to work through your emotions.[1]
- Making a bullet journal is a great way to track your thoughts and feelings over a long period of time.
- Turn on some soothing music. When you're home alone, you can listen to anything you want! Pick your favorite song and play it on a speaker or through headphones to dance and sing along.[2]
- If it's late and your neighbors live close to you, headphones are the way to go.
- Practice muscle relaxation to reduce anxiety. Pick a muscle group to start with, like your hands or your feet. Breathe in and clench your muscle group as hard as you can, then hold it for 5 to 10 seconds. Breathe out as you relax your muscles, then wait 10 to 20 seconds before moving onto the next muscle group.[3]
- Eventually, you can work through your entire body to relax yourself and reduce anxious thoughts.
- When you're finished with your entire body, count backwards from 5 to ground yourself again.
- Distract yourself from negative thoughts. It can be easy to get stuck in a negative thought pattern when you're alone. To avoid those thoughts, try doing something you enjoy, like:[4]
- Reading a good book
- Trying a new art or craft
- Meditating
- Cooking or baking
- Do something productive. If you don't feel like a relaxing activity will distract you enough, jump into a project that will occupy your mind. You could do some chores around the house, catch up on your to-do list, or dive into a hobby.[5]
- If you're not sure what to try, some moderate exercise can make you feel really productive. Just make sure you're not exercising too close to bedtime, or you could keep yourself awake.
[Edit]Feeling Safe - Lock all of your doors and windows before bed. Take a few minutes to walk around your home and check that everything is locked up. That way, you can head to sleep without worrying about intruders.[6]
- If you'd like some extra security, set up a camera outside of your home.
- Get to know your neighbors so they can keep an eye out for you. It's always nice to feel like you have someone to turn to in case of an emergency. Introduce yourself to the people who live around you and exchange phone numbers if you'd like to.[7]
- This is also a great way to make new friends.
- Charge your phone and keep it nearby. Putting it on your nightstand is a great way to keep it with you while you sleep. Make sure it's charged (or charging) and within arm's reach in case you need it.[8]
- Having your phone nearby can also make you feel safer as you fall asleep.
- Plan an escape route in case of an emergency. While it's not likely that anything will happen, planning out your route can make you feel less anxious. Make sure you know how to leave your home in case of a fire or an emergency.[9]
- You should know where the fire escapes are in your building if you have them, too.
[Edit]Sleeping Well - Turn off your technology 1 hour before bed. Phones, computers, and tablets can trick our brains into thinking that it's day time. Try to unplug yourself from technology about an hour before you want to go to sleep.[10]
- You can read a book, do a crossword puzzle, or try crafting as you wind down for bedtime.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine before bed. Both of these substances can keep you awake, even if you're tired. If you'd like a hot drink before bed, try herbal tea without caffeine.[11]
- Chocolate can also keep you awake, so you may want to stick to savory snacks before bed.
- Relax with a warm bath or a good book. Anything that winds you down and gets you into a calm mood is perfect. Set aside about 30 minutes to chill out before you head to bed.[12]
- A hot shower, a face mask, or a fun skincare routine are also options!
- Make your bedroom comfortable. Turn the lights down, wear your favorite pajamas, and put your softest sheets on the bed. Use an ambient noise generator or a fan if you don't want to sleep in silence, or wear earplugs if you don't like noise. Make sure the temperature stays cool but not cold to help you get to sleep.[13]
- If you find yourself tossing and turning, get out of bed and go do something else, like reading, until you feel sleepy.
- Go to sleep around the same time every night. This will help your body fall into a bedtime routine on its own. If you can, try to keep a regular sleep schedule so it's easier to fall and stay asleep.[14]
- It's okay to deviate from your schedule a little bit, so don't beat yourself up if you end up going to bed an hour later than usual.
[Edit]Connecting with Others - Socialize regularly during the day. Schedule regular social activities with friends throughout the week. This will give you structure, keep you connected to others, and help improve your mood. If you stay busy enough interacting with others during the weekday hours, chances are you'll be less likely to notice feeling alone at night.[15]
- If you and your friends have busy schedules, it could be hard to find times to meet up. Try scheduling a weekly or monthly hangout time to get it on the schedule before everyone gets too busy.
- Connect with friends or family online or on the phone. If you have friends who live far away, consider keeping in touch with them through email, Facebook, Twitter, or Skype. Schedule regular phone calls or text messages with friends for when you come home at night.[16]
- Texts and calls are nice, but face-to-face interaction can't be beat. Try video chatting or FaceTiming with your loved ones for a stronger connection.
- Volunteer, take a class, or join a club in your community. This could help keep you from feeling too lonely, give you more structure, shift your mood, give you increased self-confidence, and help you meet more diverse people in your community. By the time you get home at night, you'll feel tired and less alone because you've spent the day meaningfully connecting with others.[17]
- This may feel uncomfortable at first, and you might have to try several different clubs or organizations before you find one where you feel more at home.
- Adopt a pet if you have the means to. A furry companion can help keep you company at night and make you feel safer. Dogs, cats, hamsters, lizards, bunnies, and guinea pigs are all great options to choose from.[18]
- Puppies and kittens can be a little tough to deal with. Consider adopting an older pet from your local shelter instead.
- When you're alone, you can do whatever you want without distracting or annoying someone else!
- While you can cope with loneliness on your own, if it feels overwhelming, seek out a mental health professional.[19]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Recycle Aluminum Posted: 15 May 2021 09:00 AM PDT If you're looking for an easy way to help the environment at home, recycling your aluminum is a great way to start. Everything from soda cans, food containers, car parts, and appliances are made from aluminum and can be reused again and again to make new materials. While it might seem like a straightforward process, there are few things to keep in mind when you want to recycle aluminum. [Edit]Is all aluminum recyclable? - Yes, all aluminum can be reused to make new products. Extracting new aluminum from the ground creates pollution and burns a lot of energy, but reusing recycled aluminum can prevent it. Since aluminum doesn't corrode either, you can recycle it multiple times without losing any of the material.[1]
- Aluminum is the most valuable material that you can recycle and 75% of aluminum made in the United States is still being used today.
[Edit]Can I put aluminum in the recycle bin? - Contact your local recycling facility to find any restrictions in your area. Even though all aluminum is recyclable, that doesn't mean your local collection facility can accept everything for curbside pickup. Find the facility's number and call them to ask if you can put your aluminum pieces in the bin for collection. Let them know about specific appliance pieces or other forms of aluminum you're trying to recycle so you know for sure.[2]
- You can find recycling centers near you here: https://search.earth911.com/?utm_source=earth911-header/.
- The types of aluminum your facility accepts depends on your city and county since some areas may not have access to sorting machines or aluminum markets. You're usually safe recycling cans and aluminum food containers.
[Edit]Where can I take aluminum to get recycled? - You can bring aluminum directly to a recycling facility for quick disposal. If you don't want to wait for curbside collection, look up the nearest collection center that accepts drop-offs. Pack your aluminum recyclables into your vehicle and bring them to the collection center so they can immediately get sorted and processed.[3]
- Some recycling facilities will collect pieces of aluminum you aren't allowed to put into curbside pickup. If you have a piece of aluminum that you aren't sure about, call ahead to see if they accept it.
- Take any aluminum that wasn't accepted to a scrap metal recycler. Since scrap metal can damage recycling equipment, you may need to find a scrap metal recycler for aluminum pipes, appliances, car parts, or radiators. Search for local places online and call them to ask about what types of aluminum they collect. They should be able to take it off your hands to reuse or resell the aluminum to someone else.[4]
- Ask your local recycling facility if they have contact information for scrap metal recyclers in your area.
[Edit]How do I prepare aluminum for recycling? - Rinse off any food residue. If you're recycling an old aluminum container, soda can, or pie plate, run it underneath some water to clean it off. Scrub off any stuck-on bits of food as best as you can. It doesn't have to be perfectly clean, but try to remove as much as possible before you toss it in with your recyclables.[5]
- Food residue can contaminate recycling centers and make it more difficult to reuse the material.
- Cleaning off your aluminum also helps prevent bugs and odors.
[Edit]Should I crush aluminum cans before recycling? - Leave cans intact if you're recycling them with other materials. Since many locations mix all recyclables together, crushed cans might not get picked up by separators or sorting machines. When you recycle your cans, keep them in their original shape so it's easier for the facility to process them.[6]
- Check with your local recycling facility to see if they have a preference. Some areas may be strict about leaving cans intact but others might accept crushed cans as well.
- Crush your cans if you're separating them from other recyclables. Since you're already sorting the cans out from your other recyclables, it doesn't matter if you crush them or leave them intact. If you want to save space in your home and collect as many cans as possible, then feel free to crush them.[7]
- Don't put the crushed cans out with your regular recycling collection since they might get mistakenly mixed with your other recyclables. Instead, take them directly to a recycling facility so they don't get missorted.
[Edit]Can I put aluminum foil in my recycling bin? - You can usually recycle aluminum foil as long as you crumple it. Always check with your local recycling facility to confirm you can put it in the bin with your other recyclables. If they do allow it, crumple the piece of aluminum into a loose ball so it doesn't accidentally get sorted with paper and cardboard at the recycling facility.[8]
- Make sure to clean off any food waste that's on the aluminum foil so you don't contaminate other recyclables.[9]
[Edit]How much do scrap yards pay for aluminum? - Aluminum can earn you around $0.30–0.90 USD per . Search online for scrap yards or recyclers in your area that offer payment for aluminum. Bring all of the aluminum you want to get rid of to the scrap yard and let them weigh it on a scale. When they find out how much aluminum you have, they'll pay you a set rate per pound.[10]
- The amount you get paid varies between scrap yards. Contact a few places to find out their rates so you can find the one that will give you the most money.
- Some recycling centers pay $0.05 USD for every aluminum can. Look on your state's or city's website to see if they offer a cash refund value on aluminum cans. If your area participates in the program, keep your aluminum cans separate from your other recyclables and bring them to the facility. When you want to cash in, bring your cans to a facility that accepts drop-offs.[11]
- Look for a refund value listed on the can's label to see how much each can is worth. Check for the phrase "CRV" or "Redemption Value" somewhere on the can.
- Whenever you're in doubt, reach out to your local recycling facility to see if you can bring aluminum there.
[Edit]Warnings - Avoid throwing aluminum away if there's still food residue on it since it could contaminate the recyclables.[12]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References |
| How to Analyze Poetry Posted: 15 May 2021 01:00 AM PDT Do you feel like reading and analyzing poetry is like trying to decipher an ancient, lost art? Well, never fear! Whether you're working on an assignment for school or just critiquing it for fun, the process of analyzing poetry is easier than you think. Think about how the poem makes you feel, and look for clues in things like the poem's setting, characters, and imagery. Even the author's own life can give you clues into the poem's meaning! [Edit]Read the poem more than once. - Start by reading the poem to yourself, then read it aloud. Take your time while you're reading—every word and line in a poem is important. Read the poem all the way from start to finish at least once. Then, go through it again, but this time, say the poem out loud. You might be surprised how much better you understand the poem after you hear the words![1]
- You might also search online for audio or video recordings of people reading the poem out loud—their tone and inflection might be a little different from yours. If you can find a clip of the poet reading their own poem, even better!
- Try writing down your first impressions while you're reading, like how the poem makes you feel and what you think it's about, as well as any questions you have about it.
[Edit]Analyze the title. - Look for clues to the poem's meaning in its name. While you probably read the title before you ever even read the poem, give it a little more attention after you've read through the text a few times. Sometimes the title can give you an important clue to the deeper meaning of the poem. It can even change your interpretation of the poem completely!
- For instance, it might seem like you're reading a poem about an egg, but if the title is "Broken Heart," you might realize it's about how fragile the speaker feels after a painful loss.[2]
- In some cases, the poem might simply be titled something like "Sonnet 47." That might not seem like it gives you much information, but from that, you can determine that the poem is in the sonnet form and is part of a series of numbered sonnets written by the same poet.
[Edit]Listen to the rhythm of the poem. - Ask yourself if the poem should be read fast or slow. Some poems seem like they should be read quickly, with the words almost tumbling over each other, while other poems seem like they should be read slowly and maybe even solemnly.[3] The rhythm will be part of the overall meaning of the poem. Think about how the rhythm makes you feel as a listener.[4]
- For example, you may notice that there are a lot of short, clipped lines in the poem, creating a jumpy rhythm. Or you may notice there are a lot of long lines that flow on into the other, creating a more fluid rhythm.
- The meter of the poem—or the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables—will also play into the rhythm.
- Like most things with poetry, this can be different depending on who's reading the poem. Don't worry about what's right or wrong. Instead, just think about how the poem seems to you.
[Edit]Notice how the poem is separated or broken up. - Poems are often divided into sections called stanzas. Stanzas are usually separated by a skipped line in a poem. Look at the poem and count how many stanzas there are. Consider how the stanzas relate to each other or transition into one another. Also think about how they're different from each other.[5]
- Ask yourself, "Why would the poet organize the stanzas this way?" "What does the structure of the poem have to do with the meaning of the poem?"
- Poems can also be divided into numbered sections instead of stanzas.
- Try writing down a quick summary or title for each stanza of the poem. This may help you see how they all fit together in the larger scheme of the poem.
[Edit]Determine the rhyme scheme, if there is one. - Notice if the rhyme scheme follows a certain pattern. Usually, poems will rhyme at the end of a line, but some poems will include rhymes within the lines, as well. Ask yourself whether the rhyme scheme makes you pay more attention to certain words—does that add to your interpretation of the poem?[6]
- Label each set of rhyming syllables with a letter to track the rhyme scheme. For example, if the first and third lines end with "cat" and "bat," you would label those lines with "A." If the second and fourth lines end with "there" and "scare," you would label them with "B," so the rhyme scheme would be "ABAB."
- If you notice there are different rhymes used later in the poem, use "C" and "D" and so on to note them.
- Certain types of rhymes will follow a set rhyme scheme. For instance, a ballad usually has a rhyme scheme of "ABCB."[7]
[Edit]Identify the form of the poem. - Use the rhyme scheme and meter of the poem to determine the form. While some poems are written in free verse—meaning they don't have any form—many poems follow a set pattern. Some common poem types include sonnets, sestinas, limericks, and haikus. Sometimes, the form of the poem will give you clues as to what the author was trying to communicate.[8]
- For example, a poem that has 3 lines and follows a 5-7-5 syllable pattern is probably a haiku. You might talk about how haikus are traditionally meant to evoke a vivid image or emotion.[9]
[Edit]Identify the speaker and the audience. - Remember, the speaker isn't always the poet. Read through the poem to find clues about who's talking—see if you have an impression about how old they are, whether they're male or female, and what their personality is like.[10] Then, think about who they're talking to. Sometimes, it might be you, the reader, but other times it will be to a specific person or group of people.[11]
- Also, ask yourself whether the same person is speaking throughout the person, and whether they're speaking to the same person the whole time.
- For example, if you were analyzing the poem "Digging" by Seamus Heaney, you may notice the poem is in first person and the speaker is the only person talking in the poem. However, there are three characters in the poem: the speaker, his father, and his grandfather.[12]
[Edit]Rewrite the poem in your own words. - Go through the poem line by line. Think about what each line is saying, then try to reword it in a way that makes sense to you. When you're finished, go back and read your paraphrased poem—does it change anything about what the poem means to you?[13]
- Notice which lines seem to really stand out and give the poem meaning. Especially pay attention to the last lines, as they're usually especially important.[14]
- Sometimes you'll lose certain details in your paraphrasing, so don't rely on this copy for your full analysis. For instance, you might not get the same imagery, and the words might not evoke the same emotions. However, it can help you get a sense of the poem's basic meaning.[15]
[Edit]Think about the tone of the poem. - Ask yourself what emotions you feel when you read it. The poem's tone can best be described as its mood.[16] Think about how the word choice, imagery, and even rhythm of the poem impact the tone. You'll naturally bring some of your own personal experience into this, so don't worry if you have a different interpretation than someone else, as long as you can support your position with the text.[17]
- If the poem mentions banners waving, trumpets, and parades, the tone might be celebratory and triumphant, for instance.
- If it deals with snow, bare trees, and still air, the tone might be sad or lonely. However, you might also feel like it has a certain romantic aspect, as well.
[Edit]Notice the setting of the poem. - Pay attention to where and when the poem takes place. The setting of the poem can give you information about what's going on—maybe it takes place in a certain era or culture, and that might inform what the characters are experiencing. The poem might also take place in a certain season or even time of day. All of that can be important when you're trying to dig into the deeper meaning.[18]
- For example, if you're reading a poem about a mother who dreams of traveling the world, it might have very different interpretations if it's happening in modern-day America than if would if it were set in an earlier time or in a culture where women are currently oppressed.
- Think about the meaning of the seasons—a poem set in spring might be about new life and hope, while a poem set in fall might be about fading life.
- The time of day can hold symbolism, as well. For instance, nighttime is often associated with themes like loneliness or romance, whereas morning tends to be a time of promise.
[Edit]Circle words that appear more than once in the poem. - Pay close attention to repeated words. They're often important, speaking to the larger meaning of the poem. Consider what the repeated words have to do with the poem as a whole—what concept do they emphasize when they're mentioned more than once?[19]
- For example, you may notice in the poem "Daddy" by Sylvia Plath, the words "daddy," "Jew," and "you" appear multiple times. They are used in different ways each time they are mentioned, giving the words many different meanings in the context of the poem.[20]
[Edit]Identify the imagery in the poem. - Imagery is anything that evokes one of your five senses. Notice whether any words or phrases paint a picture you can see, hear, smell, taste, or feel in your mind. These images help you form your interpretation of the poem, so take the time to really experience them as you read. Then, ask yourself why the poet chose those images, and what they're trying to get across with them.[21]
- For example, if the author mentions "snow in the moonlight," in your mind's eye, you might picture soft light glinting off the snow, feel the chilly night air, and even smell the clean, cold scent of snow.
- You may then discuss how these concrete images add to the themes or main ideas in the poem. They may also move you emotionally as a reader and give you a clear sense of the speaker's point of view.
[Edit]Identify any metaphors and similes in the poem. - Use the comparisons to get insight into poem's theme. Think about the imagery and characters in the poem and ask yourself what they might symbolize. Similes are easiest to identify because they compare one thing to another with the words "like" or "as." Metaphors can be more subtle—an owl in a poem might be a symbol for wisdom, or a flying bird might suggest freedom.[22]
- Certain symbols are common in poetry, like a snake representing betrayal or dishonesty or a budding flower representing life and hope.
[Edit]Determine the theme. - The theme focuses on the purpose of the poem. It's more of the big-picture of what the poem is about. Themes tend to be something that almost everyone can relate to, even if the poem itself is about something very specific or regional.[23] Common themes in poetry include life, death, love, heartbreak, family, hope, and loneliness.
- When you're trying to figure out the theme, think about how everything in the poem—including the tone, setting, speaker, and imagery—all connect with each other.[24]
- For example, in Heaney's poem "Digging," the speaker looks at the different ways his family works. The speaker works with a pen and paper to dig for the truth and for survival, while his family dug the earth for potatoes to eat and live. The poem explores themes like "family," "survival," and "individual expression."
[Edit]Read more about the poet's life and work. - Look into the biography of the poet. Consider their other published works, as well as their professional and personal life. Notice if there are common themes or a common style to the poet's work. Then, compare the poem you're analyzing to those other works, or think about how their life might have influenced the themes in the poem you're reading.[25]
- Check online for a biography of the poet. Read more of the poet's other works online or at your local library to get a better sense of their style and interests.
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