Your man’s mood swings

By Elise Nersesian

Trying to figure out the best time to broach a touchy topic, ask your guy a favor or convince him to do something you know he’ll dread? Well, it’s easier than you think if you learn how to tune in to his body clock, says Gabrielle Lichterman, founder of Hormonology.info and co-author of 28 Days: What Your Cycle Reveals About Your Love Life, Moods, and Potential. While women, we all know, experience hormone-induced mood swings on a monthly basis, Lichterman attests that men, too, are affected by hormonal highs and lows—only their levels fluctuate daily. Want to get his hormones working for you? Read on.

If you need his help moving, fighting, or fixing something…
Ask: from 9-12 a.m.

It should come as no surprise that guys wake up bursting with testosterone. And aside from the obvious frisky factor, this surge in hormones makes him ambitious and determined, says Lichterman. This is the perfect time to ask him for a favor, particularly one that makes him feel like Mr. Fix-It. Buying a car? Indulge his competitive streak, and drag him along to help you haggle with the salesman and score a great deal. Or, cash in on his peak in spatial thinking and ask him to move your couch, or measure your closet space. He’ll feel heroic, and you’ll reap the benefits.

If you want to get him to agree to your plans…
Ask: from 3-4 p.m.

Trying to convince him to sign up for ballroom dancing lessons, commit to your new book club or otherwise agree to do something that would normally send men screaming in the opposite direction? Then this late-afternoon window is the perfect opportunity, says Lichterman, since his super-low testosterone levels will make him mellow and amenable to pretty much anything you throw on the table.

If you want to broach a touchy topic…
Ask: from 8-10 p.m.

At this hour, another hormone called oxytocin — a.k.a. the “cuddle hormone” due to its intimacy-inducing effects — is on the rise in his bloodstream, says Lichterman. That means this is a prime time to resolve a lingering spat (“It hurt my feelings when you didn’t call today”) or get a grievance off your chest (“Will you please shave your goatee?”). You’ll probably get met with nothing but a sincere apology and the promise to change his ways. Sure, his sweetness may be as much due to timing as a true desire to please, but hey, who cares as long as your wish is his command?

Elise Nersesian has written for Redbook, Stuff, and other publications.

Article courtesy of Happen magazine, www.happenmag.com.

[via MSN]

Change Your Mood By Wearing Chakra Colors

By Anita Revel

Next time you're standing in front of your closet, ask yourself, "who is it that I want to be today?"

That is exactly what I did yesterday morning when getting ready for another day on the job site. I used the following color guide to achieving the image I wanted to present:

Red: As a symbol for danger, red is used for stop signs, high voltage signs, traffic lights and fire-fighting equipment. Hence, I pulled on red socks as a message to the lads on the building site: "Beware - this girl doesn't know how to operate a drop-saw."

Orange: My orange knee-pads said it all - I'm enthusiastic and active about this project; my creative urges are flowing; and I'm not too serious about the situation. Which is fortunate, because I was starting to look like a rainbow. Read on...

Yellow: This color helps in decision-making; to increase confidence; and to bring some sunshine on cloudy days. For this reason, my suede brown nail bag got a lick of sunflower-yellow paint. In the shape of a sunflower. Suddenly I discovered that my supply of tech-screws ceased being pilfered.

Pink: Pink is the colour of universal love. Soft pink increases tenderness, love and acceptance; crimson raises passionate energy; and magenta helps you stand firm against disorder and pain. Or so I was hoping as I pulled on my hot-pink singlet - it's murder lugging timber all day. It worked. The color outed latent chivalry in the lads, and they carried the timber for me.

Light Blue: My lapis lazuli pendant is designed to promote the flow of communication and to broaden my perspective of my world. This last bit happens naturally when I'm balancing at the top of the ladder, but it helps to have the added protection of light blue when it comes time to scream for help.

Indigo: Dark blue helps you develop intuition; rise above the rut you have created for yourself; enjoy solitude; or find a solution to a problem. It's no wonder then, that I found that my navy-blue cell phone invaluable when lying at the bottom of a trench.

Purple: Add shades of purple to your life when you want to expand your imagination, remove obstacles, and feel like royalty. Not that purple tiaras are easy to find, but don't let that stop you. It's amazing what you can achieve with a pot of paint and some color-inspiration!

Anita Revel is the creatrix of the stunning "i Goddess" meditation movie that can be viewed at http://www.igoddess.com . She is also a columnist for United Press International, and has written hundreds of articles pertaining to women's wellbeing.