Don’t you feel drained after a couple hours of TV? Your eyes are sore and tired from being focused on the light box for so long. You don’t even have the energy to read a book.
When you feel like relaxing, try reading a book instead. If you’re too tired, listen to some music. When you’re with your friends or family, leave the tube off and have a conversation. All of these things use your mind more than television and allow you to relax. 

From time to time, we all get a little down, maybe even a little depressed. Maybe we are feeling overwhelmed, or feel bad because we’re not doing well with our goals. There are many reasons for feeling down, and I’m not qualified to discuss all of them, their implications, or clinical treatment. What I can talk about are some things that have worked for me.
Feeling a little depressed can interfere with achieving our goals. We know we should be doing something, but we just don’t feel like doing anything. This can last for a long time if you don’t head it off as soon as possible and take action. Here are some of the things that work best for me:

1. Make a list. Sometimes we are depressed simply because we are overwhelmed with all the things we have to do that we haven’t gotten around to doing. You might be into GTD, but sometimes every GTDer falls behind with his system, and sometimes you just don’t have the energy to do so. So all the “stuff” that’s in our head can overwhelm us. Start simply by picking up a piece of paper and a pen, and making a list of the most pressing things you have to do. Sometimes it’s work stuff, sometimes it’s stuff around the house that’s bothering us, sometimes it’s goal tasks, or a combination of these and more. Simply making a list can be a big relief — you’re getting things under control. You can see, right in front of you, what you need to do, and that alone can pick up your mood.
2. Take action. You’ve made a list, and you still feel overwhelmed? Well, get started on the first thing you need to do. Is it a big task? Break it down and just do the smallest task, something just to get you started. Once you get started, once you get into action, you’ll feel better. Trust me. You might still feel overwhelmed, but at least you’re doing something. And once you start doing something, you’ve got momentum, and that feels much better than lying around feeling sorry for yourself.
3. Exercise. I know, you might not be in the mood for exercise. But just do it! Taking a walk, going for a run, going to the gym, whatever it is you do for exercise — get out and do it now! You don’t need to do a real hard workout, but the simple act of exercise can lift your mood immediately. Just do it!
4. Shower and groom yourself. Laying around in your underwear, smelling bad, is not going to do you any good. Simply showering, and feeling clean, can do wonders for your mood. Brush your teeth, comb your hair, shave, do whatever it is that you need to do to feel clean and good about yourself. Instant pick me up!
5. Get out of the house and do something. Sometimes, if you stay home lying around, feeling depressed, just getting out (after showering and grooming) will change your mood. Staying home all the time can really get you down, and you may not realize this until you go out and do something. Preferably something on your list (see No. 1).
6. Play some lively music. I like Brown Eyed Girl, the Kinks, the Ramones, or an upbeat Beatles tune, but you might have your own brand of feel-good music. Whatever it is, crank it up, and let yourself move to the beat. It may just be what the doctor ordered.
7. Talk about it. Got a significant other, best friend, family member, co-worker you can talk to? Bend their ear. That’s what they’re their for. If you don’t, there are hotlines, or professionals, you can talk to. And then there’s always online forums. These are great places to find someone to talk to. Getting things off your chest makes a big difference, and can be a huge lift. It can also help you work out the reasons you’re feeling down.

 

Step 1: Finding The Right Hairdresser

Personal recommendation is the key to finding the right hairdresser. If you've got family or friends with great hair, ask where they have their hair styled. Another way is to ask neighbors or look around your area. If you like the look of the salon, book in a consultation.

Step 2: Communication 

You and your hairdresser should always communicate and have an understanding of what is going to happen. If it is the first time that you have met with your stylist, try to book an appointment during a quieter time of the week, so she is not rushed and can spend more time with you.

Step 3: What You Want

Describing to your hairdresser what you want is one thing, but having a picture or diagram is a much simpler way to have a haircut. If you don't have a picture, however, just be open-minded. Your stylist should consider your face shape, lifestyle and hair texture before giving you a cut.

The right hairstyle can give you self-confidence and satisfaction. Finding the right hairstyle for who you are does take a little effort though, but the results will be worth it in the end. As with any good relationship, the key to getting a great haircut is proper communication between you and your hairstylist. So before your haircut, you should have a consultation with your stylist during which time you should discuss various aspects of your hair and lifestyle. With that said, here are seven tips on how to get the haircut you want and deserve.
Do I Need a Matchmaking Service?
Finding a good stylist can be like searching for your next girlfriend. Ask around and find out which stylist or salon your friends use, or you can ask someone whose hair you admire. Perhaps you have seen a salon around town that looks cool and you’ve been wanting to give it a try. In this case I would call them up and ask if they specialize in a certain types of haircuts or styles. Would they consider themselves to be modern or classic in their attitude toward style? Edgy or conservative?

What’s Your Fuss Factor?
Let your stylist know how much time you spend on your hair. Maybe you aren’t fussy with your hair, or perhaps you only allow a certain amount of time for hair during your morning routine. Are you proficient with a blow-dryer, or do you prefer the natural route? What kinds of styling aids are you used to using? 

To achieve this look, Follow these styling tips:
Step 1. Place a dollop of firm hold gel in the palm of your hand.
Step 2. Emulsify product in the palms of your hands.
Step 3. Apply product from roots to ends evenly, on damp hair.
Step 4. Work fingers in hair to get the shape, separation the product will give shine and hold.
The Redken products used for this hairstyle:
Stand Tough extreme hold gel
Polish Up defining pomade

Side Part

You would be hard-pressed not to find this 'do featured in any major Italian fashion house’s ad campaign. Guys from Adam Senn to George Clooney (pictured here) have shown us that, when it comes to a classic side part, age is nothing but a number. This versatile hairstyle can work on a classy businessman by day and reads debonair by night. The side part is not only making a strong statement this season, it’s also democratic. Fernando explains that, “it’s ideal for most head and face shapes…and the lengths can be short or long.” To achieve the look, he advises to use a high gloss shine or pomade.  

Long Part

For guys sporting longer locks who don’t feel like a radical change, consider the side part’s longer version. Young men like Jared Leto (pictured above) exemplify the key characteristics of this cut: The parted side will hang over the opposite side extending to the ears, while the overall length usually hits at the collar. Fernando notes that, “there is less of a shiny finish to this look…defining creams are the products used to create and encourage movement to the desired direction of the part.” The cut also requires that the right amount of weight be removed from your hair. A word of caution: This cut is best suited for the collegiate or young professional who is artistically inclined.

Short Fronts

The loss of hair is a nearly universal problem for men; how you choose to deal with it, however, is another matter. Guys often look their best when they appear natural, but opting for some unconvincing, unflattering cover-up to a receding hair line doesn’t exactly make the cut. According to Fernando, fronts (aka bangs) are kept short this year and give the illusion that the man’s hair line is not receding. “Most people make the mistake of keeping fronts too long,” Fernando says, “It just makes the receding areas more visible. So cut off those fronts for a masculine look.”

This masculine look can be seen on actor Chris Pine (pictured here) who also shows us that this 2009 men’s hairstyle can work in both a formal and casual context.

Which 2009 men’s hairstyle is right for you? There's more after the jump...