Robert Henhaffer

Starting your first D&D campaign can feel overwhelming, but the right adventure makes all the difference. These eight beginner-friendly campaigns offer engaging stories, easy-to-follow mechanics, and plenty of opportunities to learn and grow as a player or Dungeon Master.

On a typical day I drive to light rail station. I ride the light rail for 30 minutes to a transportation center to catch the train. I ride the train for about an hour to arrive at the city I work. I walk about two miles, which takes about 25 minutes, to finally arrive at the office. Just reverse the process to understand my commute home. I do a lot of reading and have a short list of three books to recommend for all ultra commuters like myself.

Virtual Reality has advanced in leaps and bounds in the last twenty years. Headsets are cheaper. Experiences are more immersive and fun. In my experience managing research studies allows people in the emergency room to use VR to reduce pain briefly, here are my recommendations for games and experiences on the Oculus. Research as shown (see situation below) the following results. VR efficacy in managing chronic pain: Virtual reality (VR) showed positive effects across 21 reviews, improving pain, anxiety, mental health, and function, though further evidence is needed. VR in chronic low back and neck pain: VR therapy shows promise in managing chronic spinal pain and improving disability, but its efficacy compared to other treatments remains unclear, warranting higher-quality studies. VR in pain relief during labor: VR effectively reduces pain and anxiety during labor, offering a non-invasive, cost-effective alternative with high patient satisfaction and no side effects. VR during painful procedures including wound care: VR interventions help reduce pain perception and emotional stress during procedures like wound care and burns by distracting patients and improving comfort. VR in phantom limb pain patients: VR surpasses mirror therapy by offering greater freedom of movement and adaptability, effectively reducing phantom limb pain even in patients with missing limbs. VR in pediatrics: VR distraction techniques significantly reduce pain and anxiety in children during medical procedures, making them a promising, user-friendly intervention despite the need for further research. VR during the perioperative period in pediatrics: VR reduces anxiety in pediatric patients pre-surgery and aids recovery post-surgery, enhancing the overall hospital experience without significantly affecting pain levels. VR in breast cancer: VR interventions alleviate anxiety, depression, pain, and cognitive challenges in breast cancer patients, with growing potential for broader integration into healthcare practices. AUTHOR=Viderman Dmitriy , Tapinova Karina , Dossov Mukhit , Seitenov Serik , Abdildin Yerkin G. TITLE=Virtual reality for pain management: an umbrella review JOURNAL=Frontiers in Medicine VOLUME=10 YEAR=2023 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2023.1203670 DOI=10.3389/fmed.2023.1203670 ISSN=2296-858X

Carbohydrates are often demonized by diets and fads. This is a common misstep that is easy to make. Anyone after a few days of going low or no carbs will likely reduce their water weight and feel they've lost a few pounds. But the reward is only fool's gold and not the real-deal long-term weight loss you're likely looking for. To achieve that you want all macro-nutrients present in your meals but a sustainable amount less calories (usually 500 calories a day) than your maintenance calories over about 8 to 10 weeks. But carbohydrates are essential for your body to work properly, exercise the most efficiently, recover well, and for your mind to be as sharp as possible. To make the most of your meals, we want carbohydrates with plenty of fiber. Fiber will help you stay full because minimizing hunger pangs while dieting is key. Diet burn out is real I recommend educating oneself on this phenomenon. IMPORTANT: I look at dieting, maintaining, and bulking as a fun hobby that helps me look great, stay healthy, and keep me active for my son and wife. In the end, the food listed below is a small part of the bigger picture. Oh! and remember to love yourself. You're perfect just the way you are.

If you've made it to this list you're likely already educated on how essential protein is for health to thrive. The fun of eating well begins when you marry the two concepts of proper nutrition and budgeting. One of the things I learned when seriously undertaking the task of eating well to look great and be an active energetic parent for my son for as many years as possible was that however I hit my daily protein requirement it would have to taste good and be simple. The items below always stayed on my grocery list after years of calorie and macro-nutrient counting. They are all relatively cheap, easy to prepare, and are infinitely malleable to all my cravings and meals. IMPORTANT NOTE: I almost always pair proteins with some form of carbohydrate as this is the proper way to recover for exercise and craft your meals. Remember, the items below are part of a bigger picture. Oh, and love yourself. Your perfect just the way you are.

Your desire to practice physical fitness is commendable and should be maintained and stoked like a precious fire. You are respecting your body, improving your relationship with yourself, and will likely become much healthier. The fitness industry is a hostile landscape of snake oil salesmen(and women), bad advice, fads, and theories that can waste your time for years. I share the same desire and throughout the years I've fallen prey to all the traps and empty promises. The last two years however I've aligned myself with sports scientists, the most well-established literature, and the tried and true methods of people who lift weights and enjoy the results. Below is a short list of the only gym equipment that was recommended to me by experts but also proved themselves in the gym. Remember, the items below are only tools and are part of a bigger picture. Oh, and love yourself. You're perfect just the way you are. This is all for fun.