Are you planning a home renovation project? If you want to update your home, follow the top interior design trends. From colours to textures, accessories to building materials, everything is different in 2022. It’s not about what’s hot right now. It’s a lifestyle choice. At the end of the day, the home renovation is for you and your family. Don’t make changes with a future buyer in mind. Make your house more comfortable and stylish. So, are you curious to know what 2022 will bring?  Nature-Inspired Surfaces and Recycled Objects We all have a deep connection to nature. When we’re in the woods, by the sea, or in the mountains, we feel better. Nature makes us happy. With more time spent indoors than never before, there’s a chance to strengthen this primordial connection. Why don’t you bring the positive effects of the natural world into your home? Interior designers are seeking out natural and sustainable surfaces. Terracotta, stoneware, marble, and bamboo are used for backsplashes, furniture, and bathtubs. They’re durable, environmentally-friendly, not to mention that they look stylish. The coarse, porous, flawed nature of these materials creates depth and intrigue in the home décor.  With the re-emergence of green living and conserving Earth’s natural resources, there’s never been so much interest in finding products that have been recycled. Anything has the potential to be upcycled. For instance, spoons make lovely candleholders, wall hooks, and pull handles. Raw materials and handmade items fit in perfectly in a contemporary setting. You don’t have to clutter the home. All you need is a few original items to show off the human-nature relationship. These eye-catching items have real value. Part of your interior design can be made up of pottery and ceramics. You’re able to customise the look of your home and make your interior as personal as possible.  Sculptural Furniture Sculptural furniture serves aesthetic purposes and creates an opportunity for interacting with art. Instead of a chair with straight edges that keeps your back straight at a 90-degree angle, you have a chair that’s asymmetrical or angled. It’s a unique design element that draws the attention of anyone who looks at it. If you want to maintain harmony and comfort in your home, opt for curved furniture and unconventional silhouettes. It’s all about creating a place to unwind and stop taking yourself too seriously. Adding too many decor elements or allowing clutter to accumulate will compromise the design.  Mindful Spaces The mindfulness trend applied to interior design can be seen on Pinterest. The living spaces are designed to be practical, not to impress. Introspection is promoted via architectural composition. The result is fewer physical and visual divisions. If you need help on how to create a mindful space, here are some ideas from Seabrook Studio: Limit the noise. Everyday noise can be irritating and distracting. If your house is loud, mask the noises with a water feature. You'll live the murmuring sounds. If you listen to the sound, especially while meditating, it can help you let go of the stress you're holding onto. The fountain can humidify a dry room, making it more breathable. Your home will be a healthier and relaxing place to be.  Naturally purify with plants. Being in a place rich with nature will help ease you into a mindful meditation. Aloe Vera, Devil's Ivy, and Chinese Evergreen help achieve purer air. To immerse yourself fully, think about what plants you enjoy touching, what scents you love, and what colours make you feel relaxed. Top suggested plants are lavender, chamomile, and lemon balm.  Get the lighting and the temperature right. Interior spaces require a little mood lighting. You can create an area with lots of natural light or a cool dark space. If you prefer sunlight, use lighter, brighter wall and ceiling paints. You can also add reflective room features like a chandelier. You don’t even have to turn it on. If you want to make the home feel less bright, plant a few trees. It’s an ideal, long-term solution.  Copper Elements For a touch of industrial charm, use copper elements. Copper is used by more and more interior designers to give homes an enriching look and feel. There are so many options, such as decorative elements, wall tiles, lamps, sinks, and parts for kitchen utensils. The star of this year, without any doubt, is the metal light fixture. Copper goes with a back ambiance room or a white one. Lighting fixtures in copper are a must-have because they add a unique look. The elegant and sophisticated demeanour is sure to make your home stand out from others. Copper has antimicrobial properties, meaning that it eliminates disease-causing bacteria and viruses. You can create a happy, healthy home.  Vividly Colourful Window Treatments One of the simplest ways of changing the look of a room is installing window treatments. Regardless of the style or design you decide on, your window treatments will make an impression. If your taste is traditional, contemporary, or something in-between, you’ll find something to suit your wishes. Take into account how often you’ll be closing and opening the treatments in any room before deciding on a length. Floor-length drapes elongate the window, so the room feels taller. The hem stays clean, so it doesn’t pick up dirt. If the architecture allows for it, install blinds. Use blinds in rooms where you want to play with light and shadows.  As far as colour is concerned, use tones that complement the existing décor for a cohesive look. There’s a wide array of choices with varying opacities, colours, and styles. You can go a few shades lighter than your wall colour. An interior designer will help you find a close match if you know the paint colour name. Alternatively, you can match the window treatments to other finishes or furniture. In a white or neutral room, a bold colour stands out and ties the room together. If you’re not into green, blue is for you. It promotes order, serenity, and calmness. 

Going on a road trip and being on the road can be fun and exciting. It can even be therapeutic at times, listening to your favorite music with the wide-open road in front of you. But the long hours and having to stay alert at all times can be exhausting. Not to mention that if you have to drive long distances quite often for work purposes, it can also become tedious and a lonesome activity. Regardless of whether you go for business or pleasure, safety can be affected when negative feelings arise. And this should be avoided as much as possible, so ensuring a safe driving experience is a must. Driving safely is highly important, almost a requirement from when you get your driver’s license. Besides learning defensive driving and safety tips to remain alert, it is also a matter of common sense that you should ensure your and your passengers’ safety when you are on the road. Doing this will also provide other drivers’ safety, given that your driving style doesn’t include any reckless behavior. While it is highly necessary for government officials to implement and enforce safety regulations and provide high-quality roads that do not represent a danger for drivers, drivers can also practice safety on their own. The best way to guarantee road safety is a combination of both, but, unfortunately, the former is out of our control. For this reason, it is essential to learn the ways in which you can ensure road safety, as that is part of your responsibility. From understanding and applying defensive driving techniques to installing new technologies that can support a safer driving experience, there are various things you can do.  This being said, we have compiled a comprehensive list of things you can apply to ensure you have a safe and incident-free driving experience, whether it is for short or long distances.   Avoid distractions at all times. Distracted driving is among the most common causes of road accidents. Texting or looking at your smartphone while driving shifts your attention and makes you take your eyes off the road. An accident can happen in a split second, and if you are not focusing on your driving, it makes it harder and even impossible to avoid it.  Whether it is an obstacle on the road, another driver, or a bystander, not paying attention forces you to react too late and in a forced manner, putting your and others’ lives in danger. Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to avoid any distractions while driving. If you must speak on the phone, opt for a wireless earpiece or connect your phone with Bluetooth, making use of this helpful technology.    Practice defensive driving. Whether you are an experienced or novice driver, learning defensive driving is never too late or unnecessary. Essentially, this consists of various safe driving techniques and strategies that help you identify a possible hazard and teach you how to react beforehand safely. So, practicing defensive driving means you will considerably reduce risks on the road, learn to anticipate a dangerous situation, and make an informed decision promptly. Some of the defensive driving techniques include always being aware of your surroundings and putting safety first when you are behind the wheel. This includes only engaging in specific actions when you are sure you have excellent visibility and never allow any distractions.   Make use of transport technology. Road safety can be better-guaranteed thanks to technologies being developed and emerging on the market much faster than before. Improved technologies for vehicles include advanced driver assistance systems or automatic emergency braking that support the driver in maintaining defensive driving techniques, staying alert, and avoiding any incoming hazards.  Another excellent example of transport technology you could install in your car for ensuring safety on the road is sensor systems of front-facing cameras, in case your vehicle doesn’t already have one. For more reliable technologies, you can check www.trafficangel.co.uk.   Make sure you have an emergency kit. Unfortunately, some accidents can still happen, as much as you try to avoid them. Tough weather conditions can damage the road if government officials do not take appropriate actions, or another reckless driver may cause an accident involving other innocent ones. For this reason, it is crucial to be as prepared as possible with a first aid kit.  An emergency kit is just as essential. If you ever get a flat tire, you must stop the car on the side of the road so that you aren’t an obstacle for other drivers. If this isn’t possible, a warning triangle is necessary to signal the incident to everyone else. Therefore, you should always make sure you have an emergency kit containing a flat tire repair kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, and flashlight.    Provide regular car maintenance. Regular car maintenance checks ensure road safety. You may wonder why this is the case. Essentially, if your car is in good shape and maintained in a proper condition, the risks of it breaking down unexpectedly and risking causing an accident are significantly decreased. Not only is car maintenance an effective way to increase safety, but it also helps your car to perform well for an extended time. This is also beneficial because it can save you money in the long run.  Therefore, to guarantee road safety, you must take good care of your personal vehicle. Depending on what your car needs, you can either go to your trusted mechanic or do it yourself. For instance, changing the oil regularly can be easily done without going to the auto shop. But if your car needs engine checkups, it is highly recommended you let a professional do this.    Never drive when feeling tired. Tiredness can be dangerous. So, whenever you are behind the wheel, and especially when you have to drive for long hours and distances, it is of the utmost importance to be rested. This means that you should plan regular breaks every couple of hours for longer road trips. It is recommended to adjust this, taking into account your energy levels and how far away your destination is.  However, under no circumstance should you rush and speed just because you want to reduce your time on the road and reach your destination faster. It is better to drive slower and stop frequently or stay someplace overnight than to risk driving when you feel exhausted.

We all experience sadness and hopelessness at some point in life because that is how we react to daily struggles. But if symptoms persist, it is no longer about simple unhappiness but depression. Some signs can even be unhidden and take control of our lives little by little. From a natural need of isolating yourself for a while to a strong desire to be alone and avoid social contact, depression can gradually keep you from having an active lifestyle. Depression should not be confused with overwhelming despair and continuous sadness. Sometimes people suffering from depression may hide this condition and manifest forced happiness, either because they do not recognize the signs or do not want others to call them depressive. Although depression symptoms may vary from person to person, they are all troubling and need to be determined as soon as possible. Recognizing the signs and admitting you are suffering from depression is the first step toward healing. So, here are some (more or less obvious) depression symptoms that cannot be overlooked and that require medical care: Lost interest Turning to your favorite activities or hobbies when feeling blue is usual but avoiding them is a warning sign you might suffer from depression. In this case, you prefer to cut yourself off and cannot muster the energy to do anything. More often than not, lying in bed seems the best option you have. But distancing yourself from the real world is not a coping mechanism, but on the contrary, it aggravates your condition by encouraging constant discouraging thoughts. Also, loss of interest can manifest not only in activities once pleasurable but also in sex, which means that you can have a decreased sex drive toward your partner or avoid contact of any kind. Fatigue and sleep issues One of the most common signs of depression is tiredness. Although everyone deals with fatigue from time to time, persistent tiredness may be a symptom of depression. It is no wonder that depression is often associated with the lack of sleep – they are as closely related as they seem. Overwhelming thoughts can invade your mind during the night and prevent you from having a restful sleep. Insomnia leads, therefore, to excessive tiredness and lack of energy, which in time transforms into anxiety. Depression and insomnia can also make each other worse, as each acts as the catalyzer of the other. Careful though, depression does not always mean lack of sleep – you can also oversleep and find it difficult to get out of bed due to tiredness. Alcohol or drug use Strong feelings of loneliness, unhappiness, or hopelessness can often lead to alcohol or drug use to cope with depression. Such a disorder is unforeseeable and can manifest in ways that you cannot even imagine. That is why it is essential to understand that you are dealing with a medical condition that requires specialized help. So, if you are in a situation where you abuse substances such as drugs or alcohol, you should seek professional help. You can consider checking into rehab because these medical centers offer specialized treatment for substance use and depression, as they are often linked together.  Loss of concentration If you experience difficulties concentrating when engaging in social activities or conversations, you probably suffer from depression. Loss of focus is one of the most overlooked symptoms of depression, but it does not mean it is mild. Memory issues are also related to the loss of concentration, as you can also find yourself in a situation where you forget some usual information. It is a sign of worry when starting to lose your train of thought, and it should by no means be ignored. Also, the relationships with others may change when dealing with focus problems, as they think you do not pay enough attention to them. Physical pains Just because depression is a mental disorder, it does not mean it does not imply physical consequences. As we all know, mind and body are strongly related, and usually, what affects the body affects the mind and vice versa. Some common physical symptoms that you might experience when suffering from depression include permanent headaches, backaches, and digestive problems. Sometimes your health condition can worsen, and unexplained diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, or arthritis can occur. That is why it is vital to call for a mental health expert when symptoms are still at the beginning and avoid severe long-term physical symptoms. Lack of optimism Pessimism is probably one of the most obvious symptoms of depression. It can start from neglected hopeless thoughts and degenerate into uncontrollable emotions and suicidal thoughts. You are most likely to wonder what the point in everything is, having the impression that everything is in vain anyway. You end up doubting your purpose in life. In this case, you tend to have a negative view of the future and a hopeless outlook on your life. These feelings are not always obvious – they can gradually take control of your life. That is why it is of the utmost importance to seek help when noticing negativity has started dictating how you perceive the world. Changes in appetite It is no surprise that you might lose interest in your physical well-being when feeling depressed, as all you are concerned about are your hopeless thoughts. Your preoccupation with food may change, which means you either overeat or lose your appetite. Symptoms vary from person to person, but one thing is for sure: changes in appetite automatically lead to changes in weight. Therefore, if you find comfort in eating, you are most likely to gain weight, but you will start losing weight if you are eating less. Also, dramatic weight changes can worsen your mental condition, as they are closely related to your self-confidence. So, if you notice a change in your eating habits and if they persist, it is highly recommended to seek professional help because it may indicate the presence of depression. The bottom line Depression is a cruel disease that can affect anyone, and that is why it is crucial to identify the symptoms and accept that you are dealing with a mental issue. With the right support from your loved ones, especially with the proper treatment, you can overcome depression and start leading a normal life again.  

Obviously, marketing has evolved over the past five decades, with new technologies and ideas developing yearly from various academic scholars and strategies alike. That being said, identifying which tools are best suited for your marketing message is vital.  But sometimes, effective marketing means going back to the roots. Let’s look at x traditional marketing channels and strategies that still have surprisingly high ROI today.  Face to Face Meetings are Still a Thing  Marketers can use virtual if not face-to-face meetings to meet with clients and nurture leads. For instance, an early-stage startupreneurs looking to outgrow his marketing potential might set up a face-to-face campus tour with prospective students.  While this tactic sounds very outdated from many viewpoints, face-to-face communication is highly effective for sales and customer retention. Recent findings hint that 79% of top-level executives use face-to-face meetings for lead generation.  Online meetings are gaining terrain these days and serve as great alternatives to in-person meetings. They provide many of the same benefits and can help build trust with leads and customers.  Face-to-face is so effective because it allows us to read body language and adjust our approach accordingly.  Meetings taking place over the phone or video only provides us with words, tone, and at times emojis to gauge a lead’s interest. However, this can lead to misinterpreting the direction of a conversation or even the individual’s intent.  Phone Calls – Still Very Important  Speaking of basics, it doesn’t get more traditional than a phone call. Studies show that consumers still prefer phone calls over email and websites when discovering brands and businesses despite a growing interest in anything digital in recent years. A 2019 study found that 60% of consumers preferred calling a local company after finding them.  Businesses also report revenue increases due to outbound calls making it a critical or important aspect of their communication strategy.  More often than not, marketers seeking immediate client communication simply pick up the phone instead of sending an email. While all outbound channels – such as emails, social media, chat – are decisive for businesses, phone calls remain one of the top ways brands foster their customer relationship.  Direct Mail – Still in the Game  It turns out direct mail is quite a preference in consumers’ purchasing decisions. Recent findings show that people tend to consider direct mail items such as postcards and newsletters when they are closer to making a purchase. It also reports that they prefer to receive promotional offers the most and newsletters the least, with postcards, brochures, and catalogs falling in the middle.  And since a global pandemic, there has been a growing interest in the mail. Reports show that 67% of consumers have experienced feelings of separation, and almost 42% now rely on email more due to social distancing guidelines.  Another key aspect is that if your customers are millennials, direct mail may be worth your investment. A 2019 study found that millennials are more responsive to mail marketing than Gen X and Baby Boomers. In fact, 67% said they frequently and sporadically use marketing mail to go online.  What’s more, direct mail may work best with existing audiences or audiences with a proven interest in your brand. More often than not, people throw out direct mail that contains content they’re not interested in from brands they don’t know.  The gist of this strategy is to only send direct mail to existing customers or people with a great interest in your business. By doing so, you will save money and increase your ROI exponentially.  The power of Hand-outs and Popup Stands  Brick and mortar establishments, malls and streets are just some of the places where brochures, flyers and attractive popup stands can come in handy. It turns out they are still the most widely preferred tactics for special discounts and offers. Think of business cards and the power they have over a client. Traditional marketing that’s straightforward or simply “into your face” is way more connective and interactive.  Early-stage entrepreneurs looking for affordable marketing options should not underestimate the power of hand-outs to bring their business new growth opportunities. Business cards, popup stands and direct mails seem to elicit an emotional reaction and be more easily absorbed than words on the screen. Marketing mediums such as these evokes strong responses and greater reach for marketers.  Retargeting  If you’re an eCommerce entrepreneur, you know advertising plays a key role in driving people to your website. But what happens when they’re not ready to purchase when they first find your store? Or if they get distracted before they complete a purchase? Well, it seems that you can bring them back.  These campaigns remind your audience of your services and products after they leave your online store without buying. After accessing specific pages, it allows you to retarget them and show your visitors relevant text or visual ads when they visit other websites. Retargeting campaigns could be done with the help of Facebook retargeting, LinkedIn Ads, Google Ads and other retargeting advertising platforms.  97% of visitors leave without buying anything, and they’re lost forever unless you can bring them back. Retargeting ads can reach more than 90% of people on the internet across more than 2 million sites through display ads.  Once someone searches your website, they will start to see your ads while reading an article, watching a video clip, or visiting other stores online. Your ads will remind people of all the cool stuff you have to offer and bring them back to your eCommerce store when they decide to purchase.  Overall, people now demand more transparency from companies on the data they collect and how they use it. More traditional marketing tactics have proven to be effective and continue to be despite the public shift toward web-based engagement. 

Far from being dead, email marketing is alive and kicking. If you play your cards right and meticulously craft every campaign, it will deliver incredible ROI. A business can stand out more by using email marketing. It makes customers aware of the latest items and offers. Except for the never-ending messages between Halloween and Christmas, people don’t get too many emails. Email as a marketing tool isn’t dead, but some practices are outdated and don’t provide value, as they once did. As you’re getting ready for 2022, start the new year strong with a robust strategy designed to help you secure more leads, sales, and engagement.   Use Emojis and Symbols in Your Subject Lines  An impersonal subject line can feel spammy, irrelevant, or downright annoying. Given that subject lines can make or break open rate metrics, it’s necessary to implement change. The solution is to provide room for emojis and symbols. Not only do they grab attention, but also improve the chances of your emails being open. It’s worth taking the extra time to personalize the message. It’s easy to dismiss emojis and symbols thinking they’re unprofessional. Well, you won’t ruin your reputation as a qualified expert. Regardless of your take on using emojis or symbols in the professional setting, you can’t deny their usefulness.  You can use emojis and symbols in the email text as well. This way, it won’t look like a marketing message but a personal story. Using emojis and symbols is as simple as copying them from a website or document. You should carry out a test and see how it looks in over 30 client emails. Send one set of emails to some of the subscribers and another set of emails to other subscribers. See which campaign draws in the best results. People sue different email services, such as Outlook, Gmail, and Yahoo. They don’t all render messages the same way.  Ensure Your Email Marketing Is GDPR Compliant The general data protection regulation has a direct impact on marketing practices, particularly email marketing. The marketing team at Honda experienced hefty fines from the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office regarding their use of email data. To be in conformity with the law, make sure that your email marketing is GDPR compliant. Personal data should be processed in a way that guarantees security, including protection against unauthorized/unlawful processing. Needless to say, you should obtain GDPR quality consent from every individual so that your database can move forward. Consent represents a statement or an affirmative action concerning the processing of personal data.  Here are some key points to keep in mind:  Make sure your prospecting is targeted and appropriate Show you have a legitimate interest in your email copy Streamline unsubscribing and opting out Regularly clean up your database Be ready to respond to GDPR complaints Individuals are on the lookout for companies that don’t send marketing emails correctly. What is worse, they’re making claims in court. It’s recommended to hire a specialist if your business needs ongoing help with marketing campaigns. They’ll offer you a fresh perspective on things. Certain scenarios raise additional information management challenges.  Choose The Right Words At the end of the day, it all comes down to the words that you use. If you don’t want to make a bad impression, avoid using words such as free, last chance, or available. The messages you’ve worked so hard on will be ignored, forgotten, or deleted. It’s a mistake to flood people’s emails with repetitive offers. Here are some things to steer away from:  Superlatives Numbers Days of the week Deceptive familiarity Internet slang words It’s important to remind the audience that they’re part of a group. More exactly, you can use a phrase such as “exclusive partner”. You can’t even imagine what effect it can have. If you want to increase engagement, encourage individuals to interact with the material and spread the word around. Just imagine what you can accomplish if people share the message with their friends and family. If you stir up emotional responses, you can create an email campaign that does more than inform.  Use Templates That Are Mobile-Friendly According to the forecasts based on the number of mobile users worldwide, the number is likely to rise to 7.26 billion in 2022. When people check their emails in the morning, they do it from their phones. As a result, you need to use templates that are mobile-friendly. Your messages will be deleted on the spot if they’re not mobile-friendly.  People spend countless hours on their mobile devices, meaning that you have a better chance to reach your audience throughout the day. Using mobile-friendly designs results in higher click-through rates. People will click at least one link in your email.  The subject line shouldn’t display more than 30 characters. When writing email copy for mobile devices, keep things short and to the point. Format your content with headers, bullet points, and small blocks of text. Attention needs to be paid to the fact that not all mobile phones display images by default, so make sure the message makes sense even if there are no pictures. Finally yet importantly, use CTAs. These simple, but very powerful buttons separate good emails from bad ones. Individuals tend to read emails from the top left to the right, so it makes sense to place the CTA there.  Be More Inclusive  At present, great emphasis is placed on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Is diversity reflected in your marketing materials? If not, you’d better take action. Make sure your images represent all people and your language doesn’t promote stereotypes. Rather than using gendered pronouns, use the gender-neutral they. It’s embraced by members of all communities. Don’t give the impression that you’re trying too hard. Some people might feel offended. The more you know about your customers, the more you can relate to them. You can resort to questionnaires, social media polls, and so on, to try to find out more about your target market. If inclusion isn’t a tangible part of your brand, you’ll lose customers.  

With its stunning islands, the Caribbean draws visitors from all over, and most of them go there for sunbathing, water sports, delicious food, and exciting adventures. If that sounds like something you've also been longing for, then the Turks and Caicos Islands should definitely be on your travel list. Located off the southeastern tip of the Bahamas, less than 600 miles from Miami, the Turks and Caicos Islands are home to one of the world's largest coral reef systems. Diving is, unsurprisingly, one of the most popular activities here. Fishing is also great, and during the months of January to April, you can see humpback whales on their annual migration route. While they may not be as famous as some of their Caribbean neighbors, this only adds to their allure since there are plenty of things to do, plenty of 5-start resorts to choose from, and you won't have to deal with the overcrowding that we've come to expect from some destinations. These forty islands are a British Overseas Territory, however, only eight of them are inhabited. A paradise of wonders, from the silky sands and luxurious resorts of Grace Bay on Providenciales to the whale-dotted waters of Salt Cay in the south and the captivating colonial canons and harbors of Cockburn Town to the idyllic undersea reefs of Columbus Landfall. The most developed island, Providenciales, is known as "Provo," and its stunning Grace Bay is one of the world's most beautiful beaches. The most dramatic coastline is found on Middle Caicos, the largest of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with limestone cliffs descending into turquoise waters. Now that we've sparked your curiosity let's take a look at the top eight things to do here. Enjoy the Stunning Beaches The Turks and Caicos Islands and especially Providenciales have so many fantastic beaches with crystal clear turquoise water – perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Grace Bay Beach is the most famous and popular one, but you can find lots of smaller and more private beaches. Best part is that they're open to the public, free to use, and never crowded, so you can always find your own little corner of paradise to sit back, relax and let your worries melt away under the tropical sun. A few of the top beaches here include the world-renowned Grace Bay Beach, the tranquil Sapodilla Bay, and Taylor Bay, Leeward Beach, Long Bay Beach, Bight Beach, Malcolm's Road Beach, Sandy Point Beach, and Bambarra Beach. You also shouldn't miss Mudjin Harbour, the sand bars at Fort George Cay and Pine Cay, and Little Ambergris Cay. Boat Cruise to the Caicos Cays Between Providenciales and North Caicos, there is a lovely collection of little cays that offer miles of gorgeous white sand beaches where you can admire the stunning blue waters and snorkeling reefs and discover the Turks and Caicos Rock iguanas. You can either get on a scheduled boat tour through your resort or go big with a luxury yacht charter. This way, you can visit the iguana sanctuary at the Little Water Cay, the sand bars and sunken canons at Fort George Cay, Water Cay's wonderfully peaceful beach, and the Leeward Reef snorkeling site. If you tour the south coast of Providenciales, you'll get tons of other exciting things to see and do, like visit the iguana island of Bay Cay, go snorkeling at Turtle Rock, see the cave at West Harbour Bluff and go diving in West Caicos Marine National Park. Snorkeling The reefs of the Turks and Caicos Islands are not just stunning, they also offer a plethora of vibrant coral, fish and sea animals. Many tourists find that going on a snorkeling cruise is a terrific way to set out on an exciting underwater adventure since the offshore reefs are usually livelier than the ones close to the beach. And while you're on your adventure, you might run into one of the local bottlenose dolphins. The friendliest and most popular one is JoJo the Dolphin – local celebrity and social media influencer. At the Grace Bay and Leeward barrier reef snorkeling spots, you'll find colorful sea fans, intricate coral gullies and caves, turtles, stingrays, schools of fish, lobsters, and nurse sharks. Kayak or Paddle Board The Turks and Caicos Islands include an incredible network of mangrove wetlands and tidal canals, which serve as nurseries for a variety of sea life. A guided expedition into these shallow wetlands will provide you with the opportunity to observe them in their natural surroundings up close and personal. It is not uncommon to encounter young sharks and turtles, barracudas, stingrays, conches, bonefish, and starfish, as well as birdlife. Scuba Diving If you've never been scuba diving, this is the place to start. There are several dive shops that offer open courses, and the Turks and Caicos Islands have so many stunning reefs to discover. The best dive spots are in the Princess Alexandra National Park, West Caicos Marine National Park, and French Cay. Parasailing After swimming with marine life, you might start craving a bird's eye view of the barrier life, exquisite beaches, and glamorous resorts. Then all you have to do is book a tour with one of the many parasail boats on Grace Bay which will let you glide into an amazing experience at 200 feet in the air. Whale Watching If you're fortunate enough to visit the Turks and Caicos Islands between the months of January and April when temperatures hover in the mid-20s and the trade winds bring a calming breeze from the Atlantic, going to Salt Cay is an absolute must. Why, you ask? For some whale-spotting, of course! You can either gaze over the Turks Head passage or charter a whale-spotting boat. During this time, humpback whales are migrating to the warm waters of Silver Banks to give birth. You have a spectacular show of splashing tails and fins to look forward to! Provo Golf Club If you like golf, then you might already know that the Provo Golf Club is one of the best 18-hole championship courses in the Caribbean, and that praise is more than well-deserved. Picture a vast landscape of emerald-green fairways and chalk-white bunkers punctuated by palm trees, pine blooms, and coconut plants. Plus, you'll get to play in the company of herons and migrating flamingos. If you get hungry, head to the Fairways Bar and feast on a medley of Caribbean delicacies.  

no risk of the house sale falling through https://homedin.co.uk/area-guide/  The coronavirus pandemic is pushing people out of cities and into the countryside. However, we can't talk about an urban exodus. Uprooting is difficult, as you leave behind family and friends, not to mention hometown memories and traditions. So, the question is: What motivates individuals to flee the city other than staying safe? The reason why urban downtowns are quickly emptying is that the economy is in trouble and jobs are starting to disappear. What people are looking for is a glimmer of hope and they're stampeding to smaller, quieter places. While some articles point out a drastic reduction in urban populations, others draw attention to the reverse migration. It seems that people in rural areas are more likely to move home as compared to city dwellers. This phenomenon is widely visible in Britain. Following the events of 2020, the vast majority of UK adults are taking into consideration the possibility of changing settings. While city dwellers spend more time at home, people from the countryside are looking forward to moving to the big city. Individuals living in rural or semi-rural areas desperately want a change of scenery, which is evident from the number of houses sold. Even if the grass is greener in the countryside, people want to move to a suburban area.  Just some reasons why people want to move from the countryside to the big city Cities are perceived as being twice as attractive as rural or semi-rural areas because of the employment opportunities. Since looking for a job is an important survival tool for every person on this planet, it's not hard to understand why individuals want to relocate. Living in the big city isn't exactly cheap, but at least you enjoy job security. It's enough to justify going from an easy-going atmosphere to a high-stress environment. Besides a better job market, is there any other reason to move from the big city? Why, yes.  Lifestyle We all know that towns and cities are cool to live in. Amenities and entertainment venues like clubs, restaurants, and cinemas are easy to reach. Most importantly, there's a unique mixture of cultures and ethnicities, so you can make interesting new friends. To put it simply, people can experience a melting pot of things. Let's not forget about the disadvantages that come with living in the big city, such as high prices for goods and services or the lack of green spaces. Not all people weigh up all the options before making a decision.  Educational opportunities Kids live at school, literally, so it's up to parents to make sure that they get the best possible education during that time. All major and affluent educational institutions are located in or near a big city. After finishing high school, youngsters can go to college or university. Urban school systems have significant advantages - more choice and extraordinary professors. It doesn't matter if parents don't succeed in getting their offspring into a private school. The public school system does a great job. What matters is that children don't commute long distances every day.  Access to better medical care  In rural areas, there are many barriers to healthcare access, individuals being affected by distance and density. Living in a big city such as London ensures access to better medical care. Hospitals are prepared for all sorts of emergencies, so people can get the help they desperately need. The outcome is that individuals that inhabit urban areas live healthier lives. Despite some factors that can affect a person's wellbeing, like air pollution, stressful commutes, and the absence of natural scenery, city dwellers tend to be healthier.  Healthcare professionals have the know-how and technology for the job.  The past year has seen a crazy surge of people looking to relocate in Sussex If a place experiences a rapid increase in house prices, that's indicative of its popularity. An ever-increasing number of people relocating to Sussex. West Sussex, to be more precise. Located on the English Channel coast, West Sussex is more affordable than Brighton, although it's not as glamorous. It's God's waiting room. Crawley is the perfect combination of countryside and city living, and it's really close to the airport. Residents live close to the hustle and bustle of London, which is a non-negligible aspect. Traffic has no down side in West Sussex; if it does, it's deeply hidden. Finally yet importantly, there is room for improvement when it comes to the eating scene. Owners manage to get ahead of other sellers thanks to the help of skilled real estate agents, who resort to a combination of online and offline marketing strategies. There's no risk of the house sale falling through. Some individuals sell their homes because it’s more affordable to sell than to repair. This is one of the most common reasons, but there are many others why selling is a good idea. Those wishing to relocate to Sussex have several options to choose from, so the inventory of homes for sale isn’t low. It’s quite the opposite.  Relocating and acquiring a house in a new city might seem like an easy undertaking, but it's more complicated than it looks at first glance. Individuals have to assess their savings and monthly income to determine whether they can afford the place. Additionally, it's necessary to visit the house before moving to look for structural defects.  Equally important is to hire a reputable moving service.  All in all, there's a staggering difference between what we expect and what's going on in the world. Even if some people are getting as far away from the city as possible, observations suggest that people in rural and semi-rural areas are moving to the city. This particular situation leads to new migratory flows. More and more people are leaving rural areas for urban, suburban, or metro counties. And the coronavirus pandemic has triggered this reverse migration. It’s expected that the movement will pick up in the following years, but it’s not so obvious what it means in terms of economic growth. 

All business managers want a team that works together because it’s the secret to registering great results. Promoting team sports as team-building activities can help you achieve better results for your company. If you plan to expand your business and hire more employees, your company may deal with a common problem; the teamwork effectiveness decreases because your employees don’t know each other. This also happens because the connection of the old employees with the new ones isn’t very strong, and they fail to communicate.  Additionally, the time the managers and team leaders can dedicate to each specialist working for your company becomes progressively less because they don’t have the resources to handle everyone. Eventually, you may notice that the network of specialists becomes weaker.  Your greatest mistake would be to think that this is just how things go, and you cannot solve the situation no matter what you do. But what if we tell you that the solution to this problem lays in the lack of extracurricular activities your employees engage in together? You can train them to create personal connections and help them communicate.  People have a lot of personal connections in their lives. There’s the family. There are friends. And we should not overlook one of the most important types of relationships people have, the one with their employees or co-workers. Workplace relationships require a different type of approach. In this article, we discuss how team sporting events can support team-building and personal connection and increase the company’s performance.  Some may think it’s impossible to establish the same connections with employees and co-workers, but with the right bonding experiences, the connections can become even stronger.  Engaging in sports can be a safe form of training for your employees Teamwork can be trained as any other skill, but you need to find a way to practice it without hurting the business as a company manager. Here team sports competitions come into play. You can create a safe environment like organising a 5 aside championship where your employees can experiment with their teamwork skills and improve their performance. There’s no better way to build an effective team than giving them the opportunity to train and work on their skills.  If you use team sports to practice teamwork, you allow the workers to train the skills in an environment that doesn’t pressure them to perform. Their results don’t impact the company’s performance. This activity can also remove the frustration the new employees may feel at the office when they don’t perform well in a team. Playing sports allows them to practice without worrying about failure. They have the opportunity to focus on the fun and social tasks at hand. In time, the employees who play in the same team can build personal connections and communication skills, and understand better their capabilities.  Matches can strengthen team cohesion If you run a large company, you can divide the different business sections into teams and organise matches of team sports like 5 aside. Taking part in a team sports tournament implies all divisions to communicate, practice problem-solving skills, and learn about their opponents to find ways to win. Playing team sports and enrolling in tournaments and matches requires group effort that encourages your employees to work together to meet their common goals and build a sense of community. When they play team sports, all the aspects of their game will be transferred into everyday life at the workplace. You should provide them with a channel they can use to strategise and bond together if they don’t work in the same building.  Healthy competition can help you improve company results Team sports competitions improve the performance of single teams and build healthy competition that drives your employees to work better. They don’t forget the skills gained during the event; they maintain their capabilities and the game atmosphere when they return to the office. You’ll quickly notice how the general quality of the work improves when your employees bond outside the office.  Offer rewards for the winners of the tournaments to encourage as many employees as possible to take part in competitions. You can offer money or other benefits. No one complains about receiving gifts. The prize should require the team to spend extra time together. This creates the opportunity for them to hang out together when deadlines and work-related projects aren’t involved and build a sense of comradery into their lives.  Use 5-aside games as examples When you have more employees, you can divide them into teams of 5 or 6 people and encourage them to plan the tournament before they arrive on-site to play the actual games. Set up the prizes before the competition starts, and ensure there are gifts for all attendants. You can offer free launches for the winning team for a month, send them on a weekend trip or provide them with free access to their favourite sports team matches.  Randomise the order of the matches to make sure that each team plays with each team at least once. Team sports set up the perfect opportunity for the creation of personal connections between co-workers. They’re forced to work as a team that works together to meet the same goal, and when they strategise and practice, they bond with each other. Even if you do it in a playful and fun way, you’re using team sports to train your employees’ ability to train their ability to work together.  Create a safety net for sustainability in the long run Team sporting activities are perfect for encouraging your employees to connect and create meaningful relationships. Building friendship relationships in a competitive environment like playing 5 aside can form deep bonds that help people work great together when they’re under pressure. But to ensure that this strategy works in the long run, you need to create a safety net. An annual tournament can provide long term sustainability. It also provides the employees with the flexibility of switching the team and getting to know other co-workers.  If you need a strategy to motivate your employees to work together, playing team sports together can work. 

Throughout our lives, opportunities and challenges will come and go. Often, these challenges and opportunities come with a change: we’re going to show you the process to use and make better decisions in life, which is important for self-improvement.  There are questions that people ask themselves and deeply impact their lives, such as: What is the purpose of my life? Am I where I want to be in this particular moment of my life? Am I living the life I deserve? These are the questions that most people ask themselves. You may be standing in front of a decision in your life, but don’t know what to do. First, you must decide what’s actually important to you, and what you want in life.  If you don’t have a purpose, it will be hard for you to make a change.  We’ve all been there. Anxious, insecure about anything, wanting to make a change, but don’t know where to start. Once you will be aware of the need to change, you can begin to do what’s necessary until you reach your goal. Changing yourself might be the hardest thing to do, but it’s 100% worth it if you do what it takes to live the life you want and deserve. Be brave enough, to be honest with yourself: admit that you need to change. If you feel like there’s a disconnection between who you are and who you want to be, then that’s all you need to start thinking of the importance of clarifying your vision and start again.  A healthy sense of self-love When people begin to understand how important it is to love themselves, they will start spreading it to others and be loved back. If you don’t love yourself, how do you expect others to offer you love and care? You are the one responsible for your happiness, and the rest will come naturally. But it is impossible to live the life you want when there’s no clarity and purpose. The best way to become a more positive person is to cultivate a sense of self-love. Reconnect with yourself!  This might be the most challenging thing to do, but it will exchange with self-compassion and patience. In order to grow on the inside, you must show compassion and patience to yourself. Cultivating self-love will allow you to be gentle with yourself, as you will go through some changes. Unconditional love begins with yourself.  Feeling unmotivated? We live in a definitely unmotivated time. Studies have shown that there’s a higher percentage of unmotivated and depressed women than men. The answer to that might be the capability of women to show emotion to almost anything. Men were taught from a very young age that they don’t need help, they need to find wealth, greatness, don’t cry, and be strong in any situation.  This is called emotional impedance. On the contrary, women were taught to love unconditionally and sacrifice anything for the love of their other half. Well, the first thing to learn is that we are not half’s, and we don’t need someone in order to feel loved. People need to enter into a relationship as a whole, satisfied with who they are. Then, the love of the other will come as a compliment, not as a desperate need.  Why do women feel most emotional? Most of them don’t want to act, think, and feel like a man. They just want to be understood. Some men would say that women can be ridiculously emotional. But there are some differences between women and men. That’s where most life problems come: from the inability to understand the one next to you. And we’re not talking only about couples.  A motivational speaker might help you with answering your questions about life. They’re the people who can lead anyone to keep up with being positive in life. Here are the best reasons why you should listen to a motivational speaker: To change your perspective on life To relate with the other person’s point of view To learn something new To be different  To learn how to value success and failure, too To be inspired To augment your ideas on many topics  For example, there are lots of people who compete with others on growing their company business, but they are afraid of stepping out of their comfort zone. Captivating and powerful, a women innovation speaker will help you rely on important keys to focus on creating new value for your customers. You will also learn how to keep with the good work and improving yourself. If you are not okay with yourself, the chances are that you will not be as successful as planned with growing your business.  An innovation consultant and keynote speaker will answer some of your biggest and most important questions. If your business needs innovation consulting, then you need a consultant that can bring a unique and innovative perspective to your organization. You need to uncover those negative habits within your staff team that are slowing you from growing. Regardless of the size of your company, a keynote speaker will help your team achieve the next big goal.  As you can see, people have different hidden fears. Whether it’s the fear of failure, trust issues, insecurities, past trauma, perfectionism, negative scenarios, and so on, there is always hope for a change. The underlying causes of your fears in life might be too complex to be understood. But you can find the key to unlock those fears and learn more about yourself.  As mentioned above, people fear failure: a person can be qualified to open up a company, but fears failure, so they decide to stay in the shadow instead. You might be afraid of many different things, but you must analyze those fears and come to a conclusion. Recognize the signs of a letdown early, so you can improve your life accordingly. 

Are you a first-time truck buyer? This guide is for you! We have plenty of tips that will help you choose the right pickup truck for you.  You’d think that shopping for a pickup truck is similar to shopping for a car, right? You may imagine that it all comes down to picking a color, an engine, and trim, and that’s all you should care about when buying a pickup truck.  Yet, shopping for a pickup truck is actually very different than purchasing a regular car. Why? Because pickup trucks generally fulfill some needs that regular cars don’t, such as providing a lot of extra space, heavy lifting, having a manly look, and being great vehicles for getting your family to camps and the countryside. What’s more, if you think of all the particular uses pickup trucks have and the increasing numbers of styles and options available, you can quickly get lost in a sea of choices.  Understand the difference between cars and pickup trucks First things first, before you go online looking for a pickup truck, it’s best to understand the differences between cars and pickup trucks. There are obviously some evident differences in terms of size, style, and design. But, the biggest difference between the two is the purpose. More precisely, cars are generally designed to carry people but not so many things. In contrast, pickup trucks’ purpose is to carry things and fewer people. You could say that in comparison to cars, trucks are more focused on the job they need to do rather than on how comfortable the driving experience is for the driver.  So, if, say, you need to move a lot of things around and need a lot of extra space, you’d opt for a pickup truck. Whereas, if you’d need to be on the road all the time and wish for a comfortable driving experience, you’d better opt for a regular car. Now that you know the main differences between the two vehicle types, you’d know what’s best to look for when searching for a pickup truck to buy. So, let’s move forward to what are the most important aspects to pay attention to as a first-time pickup truck buyer.  Consider your budget This step is similar to the steps you take when you want to buy a regular car. In fact, it’s similar to making any important purchase that involves a big investment. Yet, the difference is that when you want to purchase a pickup truck, you should be ready to spend more than you would do for a regular vehicle.  Trucks are expensive. And, if you have purchased cars up until now, consider that the price you paid in the past is going to be a lot higher.  In 2019, the average selling price for a midsize car was $26,486, for which the average monthly finance payment was $484. Yet, for a truck, the average price skyrocket by $23,000, making the average selling price for a large truck worth $49.713, for which the monthly finance payment accounted for $713.  So, it’s no doubt that you’ll have to pay a lot more for a pickup truck than you would for a normal car. For this reason, before you go truck hunting, check your budget and see how much you can afford to pay for your first pickup truck.  Choose a carmaker Searching for a vehicle, be it a car or pickup truck, can be a lengthy process. There are hundreds of carmakers in the automotive industry and thousands of vehicle models. Screening each truck model to find the right one for you can take a while and can be a really exhausting process.  So, to narrow your search and speed up the process of finding a pickup truck, you can start by choosing a carmaker that produces vehicles similar to your specific needs and personal preferences.  First, focus on those carmakers that make trucks, including Ram, Ford, Honda, Chevrolet, Nissan, and Toyota, which are considered to be the best truck brands of 2021.  Now, how do you choose a carmaker? There are plenty of things to consider, including style, technology, safety features, and prices.  Take Ford pickup trucks, for example. They are undeniable in their popularity and are still the most sold trucks around the world. Why are Ford trucks so popular? Because they are considered versatile, with plenty of cargo space, comfortability (despite the misconception that trucks need to be spartan vehicles), and performance. If you are leaning towards Ford trucks for as well for the same reasons, you can simply visit new ford f 150 dealers and search for your first pickup truck there instead of wasting a lot of time searching online for various trucks from other brands.  Midsize or full-size? One important thing to consider when looking for a pickup truck is what you will be using the vehicle for.  More precisely, if you simply like the idea of a manly vehicle or driving a truck and you don’t necessarily plan to carry anything major with the vehicle, a midsize pickup truck would be a perfect choice. Midsize pickup trucks are much easier to drive and park, and they still provide plenty of space and utility. On the flip side, if you’re planning to make full use of the bed for cargo or you want to tow a heavy trailer, you should be looking for a larger truck.  Your answer to this question will narrow your search a lot by helping you only search for trucks of the size you need. Plus, it will also help you know if you should be looking for a two- or four-wheel drive. For example, if you plan to tow a boat or a Jet Ski, you should consider a four-wheel drive to gain traction on slippery boat ramps.  Consider engine power and size When it comes to engine power and size for pickup trucks, you’ll likely have to find the right balance between having enough power and getting food fuel economy.  Trucks have a long bad rap for being gas-guzzlers. Yet, modern trucks now include more engine options than ever before. Most vehicles provide more fuel-efficient options these days. In fact, a V6 engine could now do the work of a V8 used more than a decade ago in trucks and still get better fuel economy.  Now, you should know that engine size and power matter just as much as the towing capacity of the truck. For example, a smaller 4-cylinder engine might not give your pickup truck the power you want to have to get your work done. But it will save you some money on gas. So, if you plan to tow large boats, you should consider a V6 or even a V8 engine but expect to spend more money on gas. 

Driving a brand-new automobile can be one of the great experiences of life. Strolling through a dealership to buy one, on the other hand, ranks up there with visits to the dentist and public speaking atop most people’s record of anxiety-inducing prospects. And people have their reasons – it’s easy to end up overpaying by hundreds of dollars or more if you let the excitement of buying a new car cloud your judgment.  But contrary to many inexperienced beliefs, it’s not really that scary if you’re knowledgeable and prepared. Then you can step into that dealership confident, informed, and in charge of the entire process. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid falling prey to them. Setting Your Sight on a Specific Model or Dealership Most automobiles reach at least $10,000. If you plan to make this kind of purchase, you shouldn’t target a single model and disregard all others.   Time is a crucial factor in your purchase, but there could be alternative cars that could actually be better for your budget and family.  Before you head out to the first dealership, check online reviews, ratings, safety, pricing, and reliability. Becoming a smart buyer will make you much more self-assured.  Shopping around at different dealerships also suggests that you’re keeping your options open, so don’t be shy about telling the car dealer which other dealership you’re talking to.  Skipping the Test Drive  When you’re shopping long-distance, it’s easy to assume that what looks good on screen translates to real life. Not all that glitters is gold. Catchy descriptions and shiny brochures aren’t enough- you need to understand and feel how the automobile drives for yourself and make sure there aren’t any unexpected surprises.  How long should you test drive your next car? Spend at least 30 minutes test driving and inspecting the car inside and out – it’s worth the effort to evade the buyer’s remorse, and you will thank yourself later.     Not Digging Deeper into a Used Car’s Condition    Over time, sellers have become experts in hiding the true condition of a used car. Fortunately, test driving is a useful way to catch hidden problems, but it’s not guaranteed. Make sure you investigate the VIN to learn more about the car’s accident history and maintenance.    Negotiating Down Instead of Up   It’s always smart to negotiate for a better bid, but you’re doing it backward if you settle down from the sticker price. Instead, you should try to ask the dealership how much they paid for the car and negotiate up from there. In doing so, you will get a better idea of the seller’s profit margin, allowing you to determine a reasonable price range that allows both parties to benefit evenly.    Only Focusing on the Monthly Payment    The most frequently asked question in a dealership is,” What kind of monthly payment are you looking for?” Be cautious and don’t take the bait just yet. Suppose this becomes the central focus of your negotiations. In that case, the auto dealer may lump the car price, trade-in value, and lease or loan terms together, helping the salesperson fabricate the appearance of a “great bid.”  Instead, haggle one thing at a time, starting with the car’s price. Find your St Louis ford dealer, then mention the trade-in value, followed by leasing or financing to establish the monthly payment.    Forgetting to Research the Value of Your Trade-In   Don’t know what your current vehicle is worth? It means the salesperson may try to offer you a trade-in offer that’s lower than what your current automobile is actually worth. To avoid this, research your car’s wholesale and retail prices. Also, you won’t need to worry about fixing minor issues with your old vehicle before trading it in. Brand new tires, an oil change, and wiper blades won’t bring much value. Save that money for the new car.    Skipping the Call to Your Insurance Company    If the car you’re considering is considerably higher in value or newer than your current car, you could be in for dismay when you update your insurance coverage. To better understand, contact your insurance agent and explain what you’re considering. You may also need gap insurance, which you might not think about, or you could be required to increase your coverage depending on your financing decisions.    Agreeing to Buy Unnecessary Extras   It’s common among salespeople to upsell buyers on extras they don’t actually need. These extras may include fabric protection, rustproofing, paint, or VIN etching. You won’t necessarily need them – reliability surveys prove that rust isn’t a genuine concern with modern cars because they’re already coated to avert corrosion. Not to mention you can treat the fabric and paint yourself using more inexpensive products. 

We all like to assume we know what’s best when it comes to living the worst or best moment in our relationships. But sometimes it’s more than necessary to ask for help – such as a relationship coach or couples’ therapist – who can share some ways to solve relationships problems, yield some pearl drops of wisdom and impart the knowledge you and your partner possibly never figured out on your own.  While it may prove nerve-racking, sometimes a bit pricey and time-consuming, many couples find it beneficial to seek professional help. In this case, couples therapy is a smart choice for those who feel like they’re stuck in a drama and can’t figure out a realistic solution.  However, not everyone sees couples therapy with the same grain of clarity – going to therapy doesn’t mean that your relationship is deteriorating, or something is inherently wrong. The thing is, we all get stuck sometimes and just having a neutral individual involved can work wonders. Remind Yourself Why You’re Together  After you’ve been together for a while, you can easily forget what initially brought you two together, and even easier to take each for granted.  For this reason, couple counselors often suggest couples to make an effort to maintain the freshness with a few simple tricks. It’s easy to get stuck in the day-to-day routine. Your lover will not always seem novel and steal your heart in an instant, which is why reminding yourself why you love them – and telling them – will keep things fresh front and center.  In couples therapy, you will learn that spicing up your date nights, being more affectionate, and having more sex will nourish that spark. Relationship Issues Are Never One Person’s Fault  We know how tempting it may be to condemn each other for the issues in your relationship, but counselors with years of experience in couples therapy want you to know that it’s rarely ever one person’s fault. There is always something in the “middle.” The problem lies somewhere between interaction and the dynamic that you two have honed and formed over time.  Take a closer look at the “life cycle” or your arguing pattern – there is always a trigger, the same thing every time, but there is a feeling this is elicited in one of you. What’s next? A torrent of actions that, if investigated carefully, can expose what trap you two fall into.  Both of you have the ability to interrupt this dance at any given time, but the struggle is pushing yourself to do something new, so you don’t stay caught in the power of the pattern.   Acknowledge and Embrace the Fact that You’re Both so Different  If you and your boyfriend are total opposites, you might start wondering why and how you’re still together. You will also be prone to think your differences are the gist of your issues. But experienced couple therapists are often quick to mention that opposites attract for a reason.  Couples often seem puzzled about how they could have possibly ended up with a partner or spouse who is so opposite from them. The thing is that their preference is owned to evolution, whose main purpose is to keep people alive and procreating. To put it differently, a child is more likely to survive and thrive if its parents have opposite strengths.  So the fact that you and your spouse are opposite can actually be beneficial – especially if you learn to embrace it. Couples often seek, find, and then disagree with an opposing trait in their partner. But in a healthier relationship, we value these traits because we have something to learn from them.  It’s Ok to Go To Bed Angry  We’re all acquainted with the old “never go bed angry” - we make up right away, so we don’t stew on our fury the whole night through. Yet not every counselor will agree with this advice.  You will be surprised to hear that “it’s perfectly fine to go to bed angry” from a couple therapist.  What you will learn in a therapy session - which is quite obvious if you think about it – is that you can’t find a solution while you’re angry.” Sometimes, couples need to part ways for a few hours. Only once you’ve calmed down can you really address the conflict in the relationship productively and positively. When you’re both mad, and it’s bedtime, you can either fight, argue, and yell until the first hours of the morning, or you can simply accept the conflict is what it is right now, go to bed and wake in a much better state to handle the conflict.  The Sooner Your Stop Assuming, The Better  Most couples therapists point out that when people assume they know what their spouses are thinking, they’re usually 100% wrong.  The reason is oftentimes the same – a lot of couples view a situation strictly from only their perception of the situation. This gets worse when, without complete communication with each other, assumptions can start to flow in about what the other person is feeling, thinking, or doing. Most couples act on their own perception without fully solving the whole equation.  Instead of jumping into a conclusion wagon, it’s much better, even healthier, to ask questions. Ask questions based on what you know and confirm a complete understanding of it. Almost 100% of the time, you were wrong, and that’s not such a dreadful thing – because more than likely, you assumed the worst about your partner. It’s healthier and less stressful to cultivate a deeper connection with your spouse since you both understand each other’s point of view.  You will also need to understand that your partner and your relationship are dynamic and always changing – the second you find yourself in the “it used to be like this situation,” you’re trying to work the wrong way in time. A healthy relationship consists of doing small things regularly and checking in with each other. Small or huge gestures are great but what really shapes emotional kinship is listening to each other and becoming closely aware of each other aspirations and dreams.   

When you’ve used a laptop for two or three years, you’ll find yourself wondering whether or not you should buy a new one. With some much time and tons of reviews to consider a replacement, don’t write off that old system just yet. On a limited budget and a bit of technical expertise, you can grant your old system a new life, or at least buy yourself a few more months.  The various components in a laptop aren’t as easy to replace as those in a desktop computer, but it is definitely possible to upgrade a laptop if you have the patience and the right tools. To determine if upgrading is the right choice for you, consider our suggestions below.  My Laptop is Too Slow If your laptop isn’t as fast as it used to be, there are a few ways you can get it working like new that doesn’t involve immediate replacement. Your laptop might have an outdated operating system, or it could have been infected with malware – you don’t know that yet, so don’t rush. The primary hardware that determines the speed of a computer is the RAM and CPU. You could upgrade these components, but it isn’t as easy as you thought, especially on laptops. Actually, if you find that either it is damaged or not up to par with your needs, replacing the laptop is preferably a smart move. However, of the two, the memory part is the easiest to deal with. If you would like to change bad memory sticks or need more RAM, and you’re fine with doing this yourself, you can oftentimes open the bottom of your laptop to do it. With that in mind, before you tear down your computer and replace something or trash the whole thing and buy a brand new one, ensure you at least try out a few easier and not at all costly things first. A slow system can make it seem like it requires replacement or upgrading when maybe all it needs is TLC. Check Available Free Storage If your hard drive is operating on free space, it can definitely grind things to freeze up and make programs and apps slower, or files take forever to save. So, make sure you check your available hard drive space just to be sure.   Reboot If your laptop has not been rebooted lately, make sure to reboot it before considering a replacement. Rebooting your laptop can fix many problems and is an easy first step. Background programs One of the most common reasons for a slow laptop is programs running in the background. Disable or remove any TSRs and startup apps that automatically start each time the laptop boots. Delete Junk Files Temporary files usually take up loads of free space, contributing to a full hard drive and compounding the performance by making apps and programs operate harder or take longer to complete their tasks. Make sure you clean the cache in your web browser. Those files are safe to remove, but when ignored and given time, they will definitely slow down your web browsing and potentially even the whole system. Need More Storage When performing the above tasks didn’t offer enough storage – or you need a second hard drive for your laptop to store data or backup files, consider using an external hard drive to increase your computer storage. The best part about external devices is that they’re actually external connecting to any rent to own laptops over USB instead of sitting inside the computer’s casing like the primary HDD. These upgrades will provide an instant additional hard drive space for whatever purpose, collection of videos, music or games, software installation files, etc. Tip: Purchasing an external hard drive is much easier; in some cases, even cheaper than replacing the internal one. The Laptop Screen Is Bad A poor laptop screen might make it impossible for you to do anything. Replacing or repairing the screen is undeniably attainable and isn’t as costly as replacing the entire computer. Before throwing yourself on the first sparky deal, make sure you research for your specific laptop or at least one that’s similar to your old one. You might be able to find a detailed and step-by-step repair guide on replacing your particular laptop screen.  In case your laptop happens to be more stationary than mobile, a solution would be to simply plug a monitor into HDMI or VGA on the back of the laptop. The Laptop Won’t Charge Sometimes, though, you plug in the AC adapter – usually because the battery is almost drained – and you get nothing. No brightened display, no glowing lights, and no “battery charging” icon in the corner. It sounds silly, but before considering an immediate replacement, you need to make sure your computer is actually plugged in. Check the AC adapter and verify that any removable cables are adequately inserted - and make sure the AC is correctly seated in its compartment. Lose the Battery If your laptop comes with a removable battery, remove it, and hold the power button for nearly 15 seconds just to deplete any residual power from the device. Then with the laptop’s battery still removed, plug in the power cord and turn the laptop on. If the laptop seems to work properly, that means your power adaptor is working properly, and the issue is likely a bum battery. Even though you can always re-install the battery and try again – maybe the battery was just wrongly positioned. Suppose the computer doesn’t have a visible battery cell on the bottom. In that case, it may be integrated into the laptop (like Macs are), and you’ll have to take it to a professional to test the battery. You Just Want Something New  Sometimes, it’s just time to invest that hard-earned money in something that really suits you, if only because you’re ready for something new, faster, and better. But don’t be hasty. Do the research, educate yourself on the latest models and get the right tool for your needs.  

Does your family need a new car? We have a few tips on how to make sure you get the best deal.  Looking for the perfect car for your family can be a daunting experience. You’re about to make a huge and long-term investment, meaning that you want to make sure you make the right decision.  When you are buying a family car, there’s so much to consider besides its design: is there enough room for children to fit comfortably? Enough space for bulky baggage? What about safety features?  If you need some help to make sure you choose a car that is perfectly suited to your family needs, read our seven tips for purchasing a family vehicle.  Understand your budget As it is with making any other investment, the starting point is your budget because it will help determine your options.  Now, it may sound obvious that you need to know how much you can afford to pay for your new car. Yet, what most car buyers forget about when purchasing a new vehicle is that the car’s price doesn’t just represent its sticker price. You also need to take costs like licensing, registration fees, taxes, fuel, and regular maintenance into consideration when calculating your budget.  So, double-check your budget to see how much you can afford to pay for the car so that you can have enough money to pay for all these additional costs as well.  Consider your future journeys When purchasing a new family car, you also need to consider what you will be using it for so that you better understand your family’s needs.  Will you be using your new car for long commutes, rides around town, or city center driving? Depending on how much you’ll be using the car, you need to choose something more economical.  Also, if you and your family are planning to use the car for long trips around the country, you need to consider aspects like comfort, space, and easiness to drive the vehicle.  What’s more, when looking for a new car for your family, make sure you understand that your family can have different needs than other families. Sure, maybe your friends who are also parents find a certain car suitable for their family. Yet, their families’ needs are likely different than yours.  For example, maybe your friend drives a Volkswagen Golf, a car that is often marketed as an excellent family car. Yet, maybe this car isn’t quite suitable if you have a large family because this car is not that spacious. On the flip side, your friend may think that Ford Focus isn’t a good family car because it may not be suitable for their family’s needs. In that case, we recommend you knowing exactly what your family’s needs are and visiting both a Ford dealership and a Volkswagen dealership to decide on your own which car is best for you.              Choose a four-door car If you are buying a car for your family, we highly recommend you to choose a four-door body vehicle.  Think about it: a three-door car may be a suitable option at the beginning when it just you and your spouse. Yet, a baby comes on board, and after a few months of leaning in the back to install an infant seat from the driver’s door, will soon start to feel on your back. If your family is going to expand, it is time to consider a more family-friendly four-door car.  Safety features Keeping your family safe on the road is by far the most important thing to consider.  If there’s one thing you want for your family is to know that it is always safe, no matter where they are. So, when looking for a family car, make sure you consider whether or not it has high-tech safety features that will keep you and your loved ones safe on the road.  What kind of safety features should you be looking for in a car? You should look for advanced safety systems such as seat belts and child safety, autonomous emergency braking, stability control, and anti-lock brakes, reversing cameras, adaptive cruise control, auto parking, and blind-spot assist.  Look for child-friendly features Child-friendly features are not necessarily a must-have, but if you have some extra money in your budget for your family car, we recommend investing in them. What exactly are these child-friendly features? Integrated sunblinds, dark interiors which can hide stains your kids will probably make, or extra storage spaces, plus entertainment features such as built-in DVD players, Bluetooth connectivity, and speakers that provide actual surround sound.  Consider space and storage Having kids can reshape what storage means to you. When you leave on the road alone, you likely have a bag or two that perfectly fit in the trunk. But then, when kids come on board, there are a million other things you need to take with you wherever you go, from strollers to lots of essentials like baby wipes, clothes, and baby bottles.  When you leave for a trip, or even for a ride to the supermarket, with your kids in the car, there are going to be a lot more things you need to store in your car. So, when looking for a family car, make sure you consider the space and storage it offers.  Can your kids fit comfortably in the rear seats? Will the car provide enough room for all the things you need to carry around all the time? If the answer is “no,” you should look for a more spacious vehicle.  Consider running costs As mentioned above, a car costs a lot more than just its sticker price. So, when purchasing a new car, you also need to make sure that you can afford to maintain it.  Besides regular maintenance, you must also consider surprise maintenance. If the car would suddenly break and you couldn’t afford to fix it, this means that you probably can’t actually afford the car you are thinking about buying. 

Annually, thousands of people lose their lives because of distractions while they drive. Almost everyone is guilty in some way – in fact, distracted drivers are everywhere if you look around you. Whether they’re on the phone, changing the music, doing their makeup, or eating and drinking, drivers literally forget that those activities should be avoided entirely while they’re on the road. You can start by putting your phone on silent and park your car before you start eating. These are such important things to consider, although you might feel like you control everything. Driving with other passengers might make you prevent distractions, but they mustn’t become a distraction to you! Distracted driving and impaired driving are some of the biggest threats when it comes to everyone’s safety. It really doesn’t matter if you are a new or an expert driver; when you get behind the wheel, you shouldn’t be drunk, eating, or doing any other activity that doesn’t imply paying attention to the road. Innocent people’s lives are taken away daily because of distracted driving. Don’t take risks! Learn how to be a better and more focused driver. Don’t use your cellphone This probably looks familiar to you already, as using the cellphone while driving doesn’t represent a problem for any driver. But it should be used only for emergency purposes, so it’s best to pull over if your phone rings and you really need to take the call. Don’t believe that wireless earphones will save you from crashing in the traffic! Even those can still make you distracted from necessary visual or audio signals while driving. Again, social convos on the phone should not be carried while driving. Moreover, it’s against the law to do such activities while driving; you could be ticked. So, avoid handheld devices while you’re behind the wheel; it could cost your life. If you are sleepy, pull off the road If you ever feel drowsy while you drive, make sure you pull over and take a moment to refresh yourself a bit. Although this cannot compare with a nap or a few hours of good sleep, it could definitely help you avoid a crash on the side road. Sleepiness increases the risk of car accidents significantly. A study showed that 37% of drivers in the U.S. are falling asleep during their driving. If you feel tired, get off the road – trying to get home faster can make you experience horrible things. In fact, you should pull off the road whenever you want to do something that isn’t meant to be done while you’re driving. This can include taking phone calls, eating, drinking, attending your children, etc. And don’t forget to always choose a less busy street to avoid other drivers smash into you. Limit the level of your activities while driving Limiting the level of activities while driving is extremely important, as well as limiting the number of passengers you bring with you. Many countries don’t allow teen drivers to drive with other teen passengers during their first months of driving. Inexperienced teen drivers must be aware of the dangerous environment that could focus more on their friends and less on the road. This is also applicable for other drivers; The interaction with other passengers might put everyone at risk, so it’s best to keep your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Avoid complicated tasks by using technology instead. Supply your car with proper equipment to complete your tasks, such as voice-activated systems, handheld devices, cameras and sensors, and other safety technology that can help you keep your attention to the road. Avoid eating and drinking while driving Being busy shouldn’t be an excuse to get distracted while driving. It may seem like you’re saving time if you finish your breakfast while driving, but it’s much more important to save your life. You could spill drinks and drop food, because let’s face it, no matter how multitasking we think we are, we must also be aware of this major cause of distraction. Even though you might not have enough time to finish your breakfast or lunch at home, you could pull off the road in a safe place to eat. Drivers must do only one thing while on the road: Drive! Multitasking while driving, including chatting, texting, or social media interaction, should be avoided altogether.  Get organized This is another important step for keeping you out of distractions. Remove clutter from your car, organize your documents, and properly store them before hitting the road. Finish your personal grooming at home! Give yourself enough time in the morning to finish breakfast, get dressed, apply makeup, shave, etc. It’s best to wake up earlier and get things done before you walk out of the house. This will help you avoid distractions while driving. If you don’t have enough time in the morning, bring your stuff with you and stop somewhere to finish your morning routine. Get more organized with yourself, especially while driving. Also, avoid angry drivers – if they cut you off, or make inappropriate face gestures, try to simply ignore them and continue driving. Save everything for later or before you start driving Before you start your car:   Ensure you secure all your movable objects so they don’t fall or distract you from your driving.   Place everything in a secure bag and avoid reaching those objects unless you stop the car somewhere safe.   Adjust the climate, radio, mirrors, seat, and other car’s controls beforehand.   Everyone spends most of their time in their cars, so they’ve created a habit to do all those little things done while driving, such as searching for good music, trying to reach certain objects, having phone conversations, text messaging, etc. It’s simple: don’t do it! Your priority is to focus on the road and complete any activity before you start driving. Take the necessary time to drive correctly. Your goal is to keep yourself and other passengers safe on the road. 

For home-workers, the central part of their work-life is the home office. For some, that would mean the kitchen table; for most of us, a specific room to be the headquarters of operations and try to work from there each day. Now that we have to consider strategy before tactics, it makes sense that we should make it the room we enjoy being in, and also a space that gets us in a productive flow state, and by considering these things provide a strategic framework to hacks, we can implement in the office. At home, you have control over least most of the features of your environment, while in a corporate environment, you’ve pretty much just got your desk to upgrade. With that said, we decided to take a look at the best work habits, design, and office improvement ideas that are not only suitable for remote working but create an ideal, concentration-boosting environment. What puts you in a productive mood?  That's a central question to defining your work environment. Maybe being reminded of your goals, your purpose – the reason you do this each day- is enough to get your creative juices flowing—a great way to start upgrading your working space by reminding yourself of these goals every day. Perhaps there is a minimalist approach that puts you in the right mindset, so pop all the pads and pens on your desk in a cupboard and get rid of those browser shortcuts on your desktop.  If you can't find your "why" – you can't bear your "how." So as long as you can't identify the things that trigger your productive flow, you'll have a rough time improving your office on anything more than an aesthetic level.  Lighting and color.  Lighting, believe it or not, can considerably impact the way you concentrate and do your work. Today, according to recent studies, it seems that the lighting system in the working environment has a deeper impact on our lives than we had ever known.  What's more, according to a study, Philips claims that there is a valuable connection between light and circadian rhythms, also known as "build-in-clocks," which is what determines our relaxation, sleep cycle, and stimulation. Not only that, but the light has also been proved to decrease depression as well as improve our mood, energy, productivity, and alertness.  As for colors, it's been said that the color of walls in a working environment can influence not only your mood but it can also cause more arguments and stress in a relationship (yellow being that color). In case your home office happens to be painted with an aggravating shade, then repaint it. If the current color does nothing for you either way – find a color that influences you, which puts you in a productive and relaxed mood.  A good chair.  It's quite simple to overlook the effects of your working space on your ability to be productive. If you're currently using a dining or deck chair, which supposedly isn't made at the proper high, they don't necessarily encourage the needed working posture.  Consider an adjustable professional chair such as those from Aeron, where you can set the right fit for your workspace and body. However, these chairs typically reach $600 or more- but there are also more affordable alternatives around $150 and $250 that will do the thing.  Be sure you test them personally, if possible, and reach for one with adjustable height that can roll and offer enough lumbar support for your needs. An armrest is also ideal, but only if you know to use it properly.  Proper monitor height.  Invest in a large monitor (maybe two) for your small productive corner- just as you would at the corporate office. Not only a larger monitor would go surprisingly well with your new setup, but it will encourage you to be more proactive during your most demanding tasks. Remember to keep a phone only for working purposes as you don't want to mix your professional pressure with at-home pressure- if your budget is limited, you can find one on those buy now pay later phones no credit check websites.  As for your monitors, those from Asus and Acer came up with ideal 24-to 27-inch monitors, but any major brand will offer high-quality monitors. What to avoid? Don't skimp on buying the cheapest product as they can easily lead to eye strain over time due to their lower resolution and thus amplified fuzziness. Although display resolutions are only available in a whole alphabet soup of terms, you should look for one that offers you desired higher sharpness, such as QHD, QWXGA, WQHD, or 4K. Broadly speaking, the display connector may reduce the screen resolution, which can make screens larger than 25-inch appear quite fuzzy. But if you're aiming at the best video quality, then look for monitors and computers that support HDMI 2.x, USB-C connectors, or DisplayPort.  Good internet connection.  Most suburban and urban areas come up with at least one high-speed internet provider; 50Mbps is the minimum speed available, and the more internet users this provider has in one place, the more you want to get a higher-speed.  What's to note is that your bandwidth within your house matter, as well as some of the best connections, are wired Ethernet, so if that's possible, try to connect your PC to your router using an Ethernet cable – WI-FI works great too, but that's only for basic office work, therefore you can't connect your PC to the router, try WI-FI.  When it comes to the perfect home-office setup, there are no hard-and-fast rules. There are only hacks for productivity and small upgrades that work for each of us. If these upgrades don't work for you, that's fine – you got the liberty to experiment until you find what works best for you. What matters the most is being happy and motivated in your home office and that you never stop trying to improve it.    

For the past few months, you’ve been scrolling through your social media, looking at photos of your friends with their significant others frolicking on beaches in exotic destinations. You felt a little bit of envy, but you decided that it’s way too soon to go on a vacation as a couple. You hadn’t been together for that long, and you needed more time to get to know each other. But now you feel ready. You’ve waited long enough! You’re excited and nervous at the same time. You know that this is an important milestone, and you’ll always remember your first trip together. When you look back, you want your memories to revolve around romantic walks and deep conversation against a backdrop of breath-taking scenery. You certainly don’t want them to include huge fights caused by the many things that can go awry when traveling. Although traveling as a couple for the first time has its challenges, with our list of tips, you can avoid unnecessary tension and spend your time enjoying each other’s company. Where Should We Go? Most likely, you have a list of countries you’d like to visit, and so does your partner. If you compare two lists of at least ten possible options, chances are you’re going to find some matches. Once you agree on a country, you can start discussing what region and what activities you’re most interested in.  This is also a great opportunity to find out more about each other. As in any aspect of a relationship, it’s important to keep an open mind and compromise. Even the most compatible couple won’t be 100% interested in the same activities. As long as you allocate an equal amount of time so you both can enjoy your vacation, you’ll be off to a great start.  Set a Budget  Money is one of the most common things couples fight about, so you’ll want to set a budget before you leave. If you don’t have similar income levels, the partner with a higher income might expect to stay at a five-star hotel and splurge on luxury adventures. If you make less money than your partner, tell them that although you also want them to have a good time, you simply can’t afford X, Y, or Z activities.  On the other hand, if you’re the one that makes more money and you insist on some things that your partner can’t afford, you should be prepared to pay for them without making them feel bad. You’re certainly not required to split everything equally, but you’ll need to agree on a fair ratio.  Make a Rough Itinerary Your itinerary will depend on your destination and budget. As we mentioned before, your definitions of a good time won’t match perfectly, so it’s essential to discuss it before you leave so you don’t risk having fights while you’re there. Ask your partner what the top five things that they would like to do on this vacation are. Make your own list and then compare notes.  Don’t plan your day to the last minute because you may be able to power through the first three or four days, but eventually, you’ll get tired and cranky. And aren’t vacations supposed to be about relaxing? Regarding activities, on some things, if they don’t take a lot of time, you can go solo. For example, you like visiting history museums, and your partner doesn’t. They like walking around the city, taking photos. You could spend a couple of hours at the museum while they walk around. Still, most of your activities you’ll be doing together, and you may not even be used to spending that much time together.   Once again, you’ll have to compromise. Maybe you think an activity is stupid or boring, but it’s important to your partner, and it’s their vacation too. This is one of the great things about relationships. You get to try new things, and you may even discover that you enjoy them. Think of it as an opportunity to dive into their world and form a stronger bond.  You Don’t Have to Spend Every Waking Minute Together No matter how much two people love each other, they probably don’t want to spend every waking minute together. Since this is your first trip, it might be the first time you’re together 24/7 for so long. For this reason, if you’re planning a longer trip, let’s say a week, you may want to forego the hotel and look for alternative accommodation. You’ll find lots of options. You can rent an apartment, a villa, or you can find a home exchange platform.  It’s usually cheaper, but the main advantage is that you’ll have more space and more privacy, instead of having to share just one room in a hotel. This way, you can have a bit of space and time for yourself when you feel like you need it.  Set Realistic Expectations  When you go on your first trip as a couple, it’s quite easy to get carried away and form these elaborate fantasies of everything being so romantic and magical all the time. If you leave with such high expectations, you’ll feel disappointed and frustrated when you realize that it’s more like a normal vacation and less like a Disney movie.  Even if this is the first time you travel with your partner, you’ve traveled before. You know that things can get awry. Your flight can get delayed. Your luggage can get lost. Maybe you’ll get a sunburn, food poisoning, or catch a cold. We don’t need to go over all the bad things that could happen because then we’d be going to the other extreme. The point is that it’ not going to be perfect, but that doesn’t matter.  Remember why you’re there. You want to have a good time with your SO and form a deeper connection. When you keep this in mind, any mishap can turn into an opportunity to show how much you care about each other and learn to work as a team. With the right attitude, you can find romance and joy in imperfect moments.  

Have you ever gone through periods where you got the sense that nothing you do has much impact on what's going on in your life? Did you feel ready to give up? When bad things happen to us, we all would like to believe that we'd do anything in our power to change things for the better, but it's not easy to stay strong when you're relentlessly subjected to challenging circumstances. We try to hold on, but at some point, we get tired of struggling. If all of this sounds familiar, you may have experienced what psychologists call "learned helplessness", a concept that's been observed in both humans as well as other animals and which we will explore in this article. We will discuss what learned helplessness is, its causes and what you can do to overcome it.  What Is Learned Helplessness? The concept of "learned helplessness" emerged in 1967 after a series of experiments on animals carried out by psychologists Martin Seligman and Steven F. Maier. They conditioned dogs by administering a mild shock whenever they heard a bell ring. Right now, you're probably thinking of ethical concerns regarding the use of animals in this type of research, but you need to keep in mind that these were different times.  After the dogs were conditioned, they were put in a large crate divided in two by a low fence. One side of the crate was wired to give mild shocks while the other side wasn't. To escape the shocks, the dogs would only have to hop the low fence and get to the safe side, but they didn't. They stayed put and simply took the chocks. The psychologists attributed this behaviour to the dogs having been conditioned that there was nothing they could do to stop the shocks because when they did the test on dogs that had not been conditioned, they easily jumped over the fence.  Since then, the concept of learned helplessness has been demonstrated on different animal species, including humans.  Learned Helplessness in Children and Adults When it comes to people, learned helplessness often stems from childhood experiences. For example, children raised in institutionalized settings or by unreliable and unresponsive caregivers often exhibit symptoms of this behavioural pattern.  In this sort of environment, children go through repeated experiences that reinforce feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. They may grow up with the belief that there is nothing they can do to change their problems, and they have to accept them as if these problems were their fate.  Common signed of learned helplessness in children include: Passivity Low self-esteem Poor motivation Frustration Procrastination Lack of effort Giving up Not asking for help Learned helplessness in children is also strongly linked to academic struggles. If a child makes efforts to do well in school and get good grades, but despite his or her efforts, they still do poorly, they might reach the conclusion that their performance is out of their control which will affect their self-worth.  They'll start to believe that they simply don't have what it takes to succeed, lose motivation, stop trying, and their grades will suffer even more. This learned helplessness regarding academic performance can, in turn, negatively impact their career prospects and affect their confidence and sense of self-worth as adults. In adults, we see signs of learned helplessness when a person doesn't learn or use adaptive responses when faced with difficult situations. They fail to resolve an issue despite there being a potential solution because they believe that bad things will happen no matter what they do, and since they have such little control, they should just accept it.  To give an example of learned helplessness in adults, victims of domestic abuse often hesitate to leave their abuser even if help and support are available because they develop a belief that they cannot escape this type of situation.  However, not everyone that goes through this type of experiences develops patterns of learned helplessness, and it appears that an individual's explanatory style plays a key role. The explanatory style, as the name suggests, is the way someone explains events to themselves. Individuals with a pessimistic explanatory style are more likely to experience learned helplessness because it causes them to view negative events as an unavoidable result of their shortcomings.  Learned Helplessness and Mental Health Learned helplessness may lead to higher levels of anxiety and can influence the persistence and severity of mental health conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder or depression. Moreover, learned helplessness might cause people experiencing anxiety and depression to see their symptoms as unavoidable and untreatable, so they refuse treatment. They enter a vicious circle where their feelings of helplessness and hopelessness intensify symptoms of anxiety or depression which in turn intensify their feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, convincing them that there's nothing they can do to improve their quality of life.  In reality, people can overcome learned helplessness and the most common and effective form of treatment is therapy, in particular, CBT or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.  Throughout their therapy sessions, a person with patterns of learned helplessness can: Explore the origins of their learned helplessness Identify the thought patterns that contribute to their learned helplessness Identify behavioural patterns that reinforce learned helplessness Replace these thoughts and behaviours with more beneficial ones Learn techniques that can decrease the distress caused by feelings of helplessness and hopelessness Learn to work through difficult emotions Talk about abuse, neglect or trauma they may have experienced Receive support and encouragement Learn how to set goals for themselves and how to follow through Ultimately, learned helplessness is a conditioned response – a response learned via associations between past experiences and current ones. If a behaviour is rewarded or reinforced, we are likely to repeat it, and if we are punished for the same behaviour, we will avoid it in the future. This means that the key to breaking out of this pattern of learned helplessness is to unlearn the associations that made us believe that our efforts are futile and we should just accept whatever negative factors are decreasing our quality of life.

It's easy to start making plans to exercise. Either it's your New Year's resolution for the fifth year in a row, or maybe you watched a motivational video and told yourself you're going to start going to the gym. Several weeks later you either never started, or you're on an indefinite break. You're not alone. We've all been there. Motivation is very finicky and usually deserts us when we need it the most. Part of the problem is the way we view motivation. We keep thinking it will just come to us. One day we wake up, and suddenly we'll feel like it. From that moment everything will change. Reality, as you probably already know, doesn't work that way. In fact, more often than not, if we feel even a tiny bit of enthusiasm, what immediately pops into our minds is some excuse why we should postpone it. When it comes to exercising, the truth is that, at least in the beginning, you're never going to feel like it. Motivation will be something you need to create for yourself. Breaking Down Barriers The first step to creating motivation is to break down your mental barriers. What's stopping you from exercising? We're all too familiar with our excuses: we're too tired right now, it's such a busy time at work, it's raining today and tomorrow it will be sunny, it's better to start on a sunny day, it's sunny today, but it's too hot, etc.  But what are the real reasons you don't exercise? Let's look at some of the common ones. It's Unfamiliar If you're not used to exercising regularly, it can be quite intimidating. Unfortunately, any workout routine is hardest in the beginning when you're out of shape. Perhaps you've started and quit several times because you felt exhausted. Then, whenever you're going through a stressful period, you ask yourself: How am I going to fit this into my already busy schedule? And the answer is you don't. What's the solution? Start with manageable goals until you form a habit. Once you find a routine that you can manage both in terms of time and energy, you won't be as tempted to quit. As your fitness level increases, you will find it easier to increase the intensity of your workout without losing motivation. Life Is Sedentary Our modern lives don't give us many opportunities to exercise. You can't get a lot of things done without much physical activity. You work in an office, so you sit all day. You're not moving that much, but it's intellectually demanding and leaves you feeling drained. Then you drive home. You're too tired to cook, so you order takeout. Actually, you can even order your groceries. If you were raised in an active family and you're used to an active lifestyle, you won't have as much difficulty sticking to your fitness goals. But if you don't have that foundation, you have to start from scratch. We View Exercise as a Luxury   Although we know that getting enough exercise is essential to maintaining our health, we still view it as a luxury. As an adult with more responsibilities than you could ever dream of and endless to-do lists, you almost feel guilty when you take the time to go jogging or to a Zumba class. It feels selfish. So you tell yourself you get enough exercise running after the kids and cleaning the house. Then you start thinking about shortcuts. Pills, diets, gadgets, plastic surgery – anything that promises to deliver the same results but without actually exercising. We have to start thinking about regular exercise as a necessity rather than a hobby. The same way you need to brush your teeth, you need to exercise. Give it Meaning Once you've broken down your barriers, you'll want to set some goals. Most people have some sort of goal in mind when they decide to start exercising. Maybe it's losing weight, building muscle mass or simply staying healthy. It's good to have future goals, but if you want to stay motivated, you need more than that. You need to give it meaning. What does losing weight, building muscle mass or staying healthy mean to you? What value does it have? Since it may take many months to achieve these goals, you need to find something that can keep you going every step of the way. You'll also want to focus on the more immediate benefits of exercising like how it reduces stress, gives you more energy, helps you focus and sleep better. Then you'll want to write down daily and weekly goals. For example, you can start by walking 20 minutes per day for a week, and the next week you'll increase it to 25. You need to always know what you're working for – small goals, big goals and why it means so much to you. Our last tip is to experiment and find what works for you. Most people just try to imitate the mainstream idea of exercise. If that doesn't suit you, it doesn't mean you have to give up altogether. Let's say you don't like going to the gym. You don't have any good gyms close by, and you don't have the time to commute. Moreover, having to exercise in front of other people makes you uncomfortable. Then don't go to the gym. That's not the only option. The same technology that keeps us sedentary can help us find new ways to become more active. You can try virtual fitness classes, maybe play fitness video games, find video tutorials you like. If you get bored while exercising, you could get a treadmill or stationary bike and watch your favourite TV show while exercising. This works even better if you allow yourself to watch the show only when you exercise. You want something more social but still not the gym? How about taking dancing classes? Forget the rules. You need to start with something you like. Something that doesn't feel like a chore. As we said before, gradually your fitness level will increase, you'll have more energy, and you can build more intense workout routines.  

Working from home can be great until your pet throws up on your computer, and your neighbor starts renovating their apartment, using all kinds of noisy machinery. Some of us think that working from home is a luxury. Indeed, nothing compares with working from the comfort of our home. However, in the office, your coworkers may often distract you by inviting you to lunch, engaging in conversations, etc. It can be a considerable drawback to get your work done.  Of course, it is helpful to be socially active in the workplace, but you can become easily distracted. At home, it’s easier for you to create a workplace and not be surrounded by coworkers. However, working from home can make you become your worst enemy. Coworkers might not surround you, but you are free to do whatever you want. Not feeling the same pressure to get stuff done may transform you into a lazy and unproductive person. But these issues can be avoided if you follow this great work from home tips. Wake up early! If you want to be productive and finish all your work in time, make sure you get up early in the morning. Set up a few alarms, and make sure you don't fall asleep! Morning sleep is the most confusing, so get started early. When working in an office, you know you have to get up early and get ready. It can help you be prepared in time, as late people are considered unorganized. At home, however, the distance from the bed and desk might seem incredibly long. You may not believe it, but working from home and remain productive is possible. Diving into your tasks as soon as you wake up can be the key to making progress throughout the day. So, wake up, put on a cup of coffee, and start working.  Act like you’re going to the office Pretending you're going to the office can help you be a lot more productive. There's no reason you shouldn't do it if it enables you to be mentally prepared for your daily working tasks. Do all the things you would typically do if you would go to the office. Set up your alarm, get some coffee, and even change to nice clothes. If it sounds weird to you, well, you should know it is helpful for many people. When working from home, it's essential to create a routine and stick to it. It will help you to be more productive and feel a lot more organized. Get ready for the day and act like you're going to the office, or else, you'll find yourself back in the bed. Use the same schedule as if you are in the office. You'll finish your work a lot faster, and remain focused and productive. If you lack certain electronics to make your work complete, such as laptops, iPad & tablets, desktop computers, or computer monitors, you can rent to own computers by merely searching on Google.  Choose a dedicated workspace Just because you're not working at the office, doesn't mean you shouldn't create a working space at home. Working from home brings you comfort and peace, but it can also be why most people engage in other activities while working, and become unproductive. Rather than take your laptop on the couch or bed, create a specific room in your home. Or, you can go from time to time to coffee shops, specifically to work. All you'll need is an internet connection, and you get into the right vibe of focusing on your work. If you can't dedicate your work at home entirely, getting out of the house will help you stimulate your energy and be productive for the rest of the day. Public places can also be helpful for you to work. However, if you feel like you get distracted by those around you, return home and get your stuff done.  Log out from social media Social media is the most well-known reason why people get distracted most times at work. It makes it harder for yourself actually to concentrate and be productive. So, to make it easier for you to focus, log out of every account, and put your phone aside. It might guarantee that you won't be tempting to take too many social breaks. Removing all the browser windows will help you stay focused on your work, and eliminate the chances to engage in too much online activity. Social platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, can give you an uncontrollable impulse to click on them and get sucked without knowing. Eliminating these social networks while working from home can increase your productivity. Take Breaks It can be so easy to engage in your work, that you avoid taking your well-deserved breaks. You shouldn't feel guilty about the fact that you are working from home. Don't let the guilt take over you; use your breaks to relax, watch funny videos, listen to your favorite music, or get away from the desk. Go outside and take a walk, spend some time with a friend, or any other activity that refreshes you and prepares you to continue your work. Breaks, generally, make life easier and recharge you to do a better job. Eat your lunch, take a five-minute break whenever you feel the need, but stick to your schedule!  Determine a schedule and stick to it Specific projects can take longer than you expect. So, for this reason, you'll often do less than you propose. To encourage yourself to do more, estimate how much time you'll spend on each project. Also, it's essential to determine how many tasks to handle in that day. Establish some goals and try to achieve them. Even if you don't succeed in finishing everything you expect, you'll still come out with a solid list of completed tasks. A morning list with what responsibilities you have for that day will help you progress every day. It will help you be honest about yourself, and even though you might feel like doing something else, you'll already know that you've established some rules you need to keep up with. Remember, working from home shouldn't be a reason to be unproductive.

What could be better than having your own dirt bike? You can learn new riding techniques that can be transferred onto the road, not to mention that you enjoy total freedom. Buy a motorcycle already. It doesn’t have to be as powerful as a KTM. Get yourself any kind of ride. If you have been toying with the idea of picking up a dirt bike for some time now, don’t waste any more time and look for a good price.  There are some things you should know when becoming the proud new owner of a dirt bike. Check to see what is there to know. Maybe you knew some of these things, maybe you didn’t. Either way, it’s worth reading.   From the helmet to the boots, you have to be protected     Sometimes when riding your dirt bike, accidents can happen Therefore, selecting the right protective gear is paramount. It will keep you safe on the road and, in case you happen to crash, you won’t end up severely injured.  The helmet will protect you from head injuries during a fall or collision. Unfortunately, it can’t prevent concussions. If you get hit hard enough, you risk being hospitalised.  It’s hard, if not impossible to find an affordable helmet. Actually, protective gear can be pretty expensive. Maybe so, but that’s not a good reason to skimp out on something that can save your life. Don’t buy the most expensive helmet that money can buy, yet get a good piece of protective gear. Helmets such as Bell and Fly are available anywhere. There are some of the best products on the market, meaning that they’re worth the price.  Boots are another thing to place on your shopping list. They protect your feet and ankles, which can get caught between the ground and the foot peg. Additionally, if you wear boots on your dirt bike, it will be easier for you to maintain your overall position. A good pair of boots will protect you against hazards and ensure good stability. Boots may all look the same on the outside, but they’re not the same inside, so choose carefully.      Find a local riding club   At times, you may feel lonely. Nobody in your entourage shares your passion for riding dirt bikes. Why don’t you join a riding club? You can make new friends with open-minded people and, most importantly, get a better idea of what it’s like to own a dirt bike. The best part of all is that you have land and places to go ride when you feel like it. You don’t have a specific schedule to follow. Find out if there are any motorcycle riding clubs in your area.  Get an idea of what the club has to offer before becoming a member. Go to a meeting or talk to one of the club members. Some of the benefits offered by dirt bike riding clubs are access to local events at affordable entry fees and guidance and training and education courses. The conditions for joining the dirt bike riding club are clearly set out in the association’s constitution. If you want you could set up your own club. It’s not a bad idea you know.     Maintain your dirt bike to prolong its life    The dirt bike needs a little tender loving care. Routine maintenance is of the essence because it helps prevent mechanical failure, accidents, not to mention costly repairs. You’re not much of a mechanic, but there are little things you can do to keep the ride running smoothly for as long as possible. Here are some tips to keep in mind:  Change the oil regularly – It’s just like changing the oil on your car, the only difference is that you don’t have to get under the hood. Fresh oil safeguards the parts and keeps them lubricated. Generally, dirt bikes require an oil change every 8 hours of riding.  Inspect and clean the chain – If the chain is over tightened, the mechanical linkages will stretch and eventually break. Check the chain tension and ensure everything is alright. If the chain is muddy, let the mud dry and remove it with a nylon brush. Invest in a high-quality lube.  Charge the dirt bike battery – During the winter, you’ll want to put the battery on a trickle charger. Charge the battery up full before storing the ride in the garage. After the long winter months, it’s necessary to charge the battery once again.    Insurance is part of being a responsible dirt bike owner    If you want to be a responsible dirt bike owner, buy insurance. An insurance plan offers protection that is specially designed for your riding situation. If your bike gets damaged, you’re financially responsible, so it’s worth looking into dirt bike insurance options. A comprehensive coverage plan covers legal liability, accidental damage, theft, fire, and so on. Many types of coverage plans exist, so figure out what you need.  No matter your riding plans, there is an insurance policy to meet your needs and expectations. Generally speaking, premiums are affordable and some insurers even offer discounts on existing policies. Dirt bike coverage is available for both registered and non-registered motorcycles. In some countries, dirt bike insurance is mandatory. If you drive an off-road vehicle in Australia, you’ll need insurance.  The cost of the premiums depends on the type of motorcycle, your age, and how much you ride. All in all, coverage doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Even if it did, there’s nothing more important than security. When you’re not using the dirt bike, keep it in the garage. Let your insurer know you keep the ride in a safe place at all times.  If you’re a first-time dirt-bike owner, then you’ve got a lot to learn. You’ll soon discover that being a motorcycle owner is the best thing ever. Your journeys don’t depend on anyone but yourself. Plus, it makes you feel better. You’ll notice a massive improvement in your mood and health. Go out there and start riding.

Let us ask you this, would you rather watch a video or read a 3000 words blog?  Except for reading lovers, people prefer videos and stats prove it. Cisco, a global technology organisation revealed that in 2020, over 80% of all the web traffic is video.  Do you still have doubts video is a big thing? Have you ever wondered how many users does YouTube have? It gets one-third of the total internet users, over a billion individuals. People upload in 30 days more video content than a major TV network creates in 30 years. Let us put it this way, every 60 seconds, Internet users upload to YouTube 72 hours of video.  Organisations worldwide (90% of online marketers more exactly) use corporate videos to connect with clients, engage buyers, boost sales, and attract possible employees.  It’s a bold (but not smart) choice to neglect corporate video creation these days because data shows it’s one of the best tools you can use to stand out on the market.  Here are our top picks of corporate videos all brands should use not to lose ground to their competitors.  Brand videos Brand videos offer the public an overview of your business because they tell your brand’s story. Over 60% of purchasers buy a product after they watch branded social videos. Brand videos engage customers because they share your mission, goals, vision, milestones, and creation of products.  However, every organisation can make brand videos, so how can you stand out from your competitors? Create authentic content that engages audiences and works as a bridge between the brand and the public. Establish what branding elements make your business unique and transform them into selling propositions. Stay away from technical terms and don’t share too many details about products. Brand videos rely on emotion to create a corporate reputation and engage the public.  Lately, companies are using comedic themes to explain the benefits their services provide because the public reacts better to humorous content.  Training videos For growing companies, training videos are always great because they educate new employees and facilitate the training process. Onboarding training content serves as an introduction to the organisation because it provides information in an interactive manner. Viewers retain over 95% of a message when you deliver it using a video compared to 10% when they read a text.  Training videos save time and money because you don’t pay a specialist for a live demonstration, and your staff can watch the content every time they need it. When the job implies instructions and steps to follow, an onboarding video provides useful information and clarifies complicated details. Uber uses onboarding videos to train its drivers and provides even a step-by-step guide on how they can use the Uber app.   Product videos These videos demonstrate how the product works and lists its features. Most organisations opt for one of two ways of producing a product video. They either focus on the product’s features or on the problem it can solve. The first example is harder to sell because people don’t always understand how a product would benefit them, by discovering its features. The second one offers a hint on how their life gets better because it shows how it solves their problems. A creative product video can include both approaches and increase conversion rates. Videos up to 2 minutes long, engage the most viewers because they present all information the public needs without boring them.  Depending on the goal of the video, you can choose from different ways to present your product. Google promotes a video to showcase its functions, that includes branding elements and engages the audience by sharing experiences they can relate to in their daily lives.  Testimonial videos Prospective customers need to hear what former clients have to say about your organisation to trust it. Word of mouth is still one of the best ways to attract clients because it offers real information about a product. Testimonial videos work similarly to reviews, only that they deliver data in a video format. It can feature former employees or clients who worked with your brand and can offer original reviews about their experiences. Because testimonials are from people who worked with you, they have greater credibility than commercials and they are more likely to persuade individuals to choose your products.  Ask people to review and share testimonial videos on social media to help prospective purchasers understand how your products work. Native videos on social media are 10 times more likely to convince the public than YouTube links. 80% of Twitter users watch video content, so alongside the product and brand videos, you share on this channel to connect with your clients, consider also sharing testimonials.  Corporate event videos If you want to create buzz around an event, use corporate videos to reach viewers. You can use past events to promote an upcoming one. A corporate event video captures the most important parts of past events and turns them into a cinematic video. Pair the video with background music to provide the viewer with an immersive and engaging experience.  You can also hire a company to record the entire event and create a presentation material you upload on your website to highlight the most important moments. It serves as a reminder for your public. Including a video on a landing page makes it 50% more likely to show up on page 1 SERP.  Live streaming is another way to draw attention to an event. You can make live videos on social media to show to your followers how to prepare for the event, what happens during a launching party, and how you evaluate feedback.  Include corporate videos on your blog page to attract more visitors because video content attracts 3 times more people than inbound links.  Now that you’ve gone through our favourite corporate video picks you’ve burning ideas for future content. But before taking action understand what your public wants and which of the above examples better fits them. 

Stress and fear of COVID-19 affect millions of people, especially the ones who already suffer from an anxiety disorder. If you are one of those who are emotionally affected by the pandemic, remember that you’re not alone and you’re not powerless. One thing we know about coronavirus is that it’s very contagious, and a big part of the population is vulnerable.  Still, there is good news for you out there. These tips will help you understand better the situation and get through this challenging and stressful time. Understand Your Fear and Anxiety Unfortunately, we’re living in difficult times, where a worldwide pandemic closed cities and even entire countries. You may have family members on other parts of the country, or you may live in an area that has already been affected by the virus; while others are still hoping. Everyone is wondering “What’s next?”. Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, there’s no way of guessing what happens next. Billions of people isolated themselves in their houses because of the number of cases of coronavirus. And it keeps growing, with Europe being by far the most affected region, reaching high mortality peaks. To prevent the spread of the infectious disease, restrictions have been put in place, and people have been asked to stay at home and practice social distancing.  For most people, the surrounding insecurity coronavirus is hard to handle because no one knows how bad things might get. And this is the moment when most people get emotional and too easy to fall into devastating panic and stress. Understanding what is going on and what you’re going through is the first step into getting better. Fear and anxiety are pretty much normal feelings through these tough times. But there are a lot of things that you can do, even in this crisis, to manage coping with stress, fear, and worry.  Don’t Obsessively Check the News Of course, it’s crucial to stay informed about what’s happening in your area and follow advised safety defences and take part to avoid spreading the coronavirus. But there’s a lot of half-truth going around, as well as too much emotional information that can only feed into fear and stress. It’s essential to be realistic, so make sure you’re able to tell the difference. Not everything you read and watch is true.  Limit your time spent in front of the TV watching the news. The more often you check for updates, the bigger the panic. Continually monitoring the news and social media feeds can quickly install the anxiety and fear rather than easing it. We all have different feelings, so pay attention to what makes you feel worried and stressed. If you’re starting to feel overwhelmed and anxiety is a constant issue, make sure you limit your media consumption each day.  Also, make sure you are asking the right people about recent updates and be careful not to spread wrong information to others. Do your best to verify the information before creating unnecessary panic. If it makes you feel any better, avoid media entirely, and ask someone close to you to pass only major updates you need to know.  Stop Worrying Too Much Everyone is experiencing a massive change in their lives. There are so many things outside of control, including how everything is going to change, how people are going to react after the pandemic, how long the pandemic lasts, and what’s going to happen in our zones. For sure, that’s hard to accept, and most people are searching through the internet to find answers and create different scenarios in their heads. Focusing on what you can’t control can only get you nowhere. Aside from feeling worried, anxious, and stressed. If you find yourself completely caught up in a situation where you always ask yourself “What might happen?”, try instead to focus on the things you can control. For example, you can’t control how bad the coronavirus will affect your city, but you can manage and reduce your risk. Here is some essential advice you need to follow to keep yourself and others safe: Wash your hands as much as possible by using hand soap or a hand sanitizer that contains at least 70% alcohol.   Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with dirty hands. Practice social distance for as much as you can and go out only in emergencies. Avoid crowded areas. During grocery shopping, avoid contact with others. Keep 6 feet of distance between you and other people. Help support your immune system by getting plenty of sleep, eat healthily, and exercise every day. Follow all the recommendations received from health authorities.   If you still feel helpless and anxious, try to find a better alternative to maintain your mental and physical health. Online psychological services is a great way to get help and get through this difficult time. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one who calls for help during stressful times like this. The purpose is to make sure you do your best to stop worrying and focus on things that matter. Remember that there are people out there that care about you and they want to see you happy and healthy, as much as you would like to see them happy and fulfilled.  Stay Connected with People You Care About Even when you’re physically isolated, make sure you stay connected with friends and family members. It’s vital to practice social distancing even with the ones you most care about. Apparently healthy people don’t have symptoms but can still be virus carriers. That’s why the most important thing to do right now is to maintain social distancing.  But social isolation can come with feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and can impact your physical health. That’s why it’s essential to stay connected with close friends and ask for support when needed. Take Care of Your Body and Inner self This is the essential step in keeping yourself positive and healthy. Taking care of your body and spirit can help you face this unique situation caused by the coronavirus. Don’t go rough on yourself because you’ll generate more anxiety and stress than usual. Remember that you’re not alone in your struggle. Keep a healthy routine by getting regular sleep, have daily meals, or work schedule. Also, make sure you take time and do activities you enjoy. Reading books, cooking, exercising, playing video games. All of these will help you avoid stress and fear. With the right care and intentions, you can remain positive, and don’t forget to protect yourself and others, by changing the way you think. Don’t panic and follow the advice regarding public health and safety. 

Taking on a construction project is no walk in the park, especially if you’ve never built anything before, not even a birdhouse. It can be extremely stressful, exhausting and challenging on many levels, not to mention it can take a serious toll on your finances. Whether you decide it’s time to replace the roof, remodel your kitchen, give your whole house a makeover or build an annex, no matter how small or large your construction project is, you must be prepared for what’s about to come.  The idea is not to discourage you from the get-go or stop you from fulfilling your construction dreams, but you must know what you’re getting yourself into if you want the whole process to run smooth and avoid unwanted surprises. There are millions of stories about disastrous construction projects from people who couldn’t finish building their homes, went way over the budget, hired unprofessional contractors or found themselves involved in lawsuits, all because they didn’t do their homework beforehand.   A construction project is quite a complex process and there are many things you must take into account. So let’s have a look at the most important aspects you should focus on before you get down to business.  Asking for permission Not all construction projects are created equal. Some projects, usually larger ones, require permission from local authorities. Generally for projects that involve working on the interior you won’t need to ask for permission. Is nobody’s business what countertops you’ll choose for your kitchen or how you’re going to remodel your bathroom.  But exterior projects are something else. Let’s say you want to add an extension to your house. You’ll definitely have to contact the local planning office in this situation and inform them of your plans. You wouldn’t want the authorities to pay you a visit while you’re in the middle of the project and tell you to stop all work. And keep in mind that even for some interior projects you might need planning permission. So before you start knocking down walls, make sure you’re following local regulations.  Planning your budget  Most construction projects, even the less complicated ones, need a healthy budget to back them up. Don’t start something without having the necessary funds in place because relying on money that you don’t already have in the idea that you’ll manage finances as you go can spell disaster for your plans.  Instead you must put down on paper all the expenses involved, from the materials you need to contractor fees and come up with a budget that is as accurate as possible.  Even if you decide to be the handyman and do everything or part of the work yourself to cut down on costs, you’ll still have to pay for the right equipment. Let’s say you want to work on the roof, so you need to hire professional equipment from a company like UK Forks to get the job done. You should take all these expenses into consideration.  Besides, it’s already common knowledge that most construction projects inevitably go over the budget. That’s why it’s best to have some extra funds put aside for unexpected situations. Think of it as a safety net that can save you from tricky situations.  It’s going to get messy  You can build a tree house or you can add a second story to your house – there’s going to be a lot of mess involved. Obviously, the larger the project, the more mess you’ll have to deal with, but it’s something that you simply can’t avoid. Prepare yourself mentally to be surrounded by tools, noise and leftover materials throughout the project. The question is how can you get rid of all the waste that will inevitably accumulate? It’s going to be time consuming and difficult to dispose of it yourself. That’s why it’s best to look for a skip hire service, so you’ll have one less thing to worry about.  Work with professionals No matter how much of a handyman you are, sometimes you can’t do it all by yourself. That’s when you need to look for reliable people to work with who will help you complete your dream project. You should hire professionals in every domain, from architects to designers, plumbers or electricians who can provide quality services and give you peace of mind. It’s not easy to find the right contractors, so you must put some effort into it and make sure that the people you take in your team are trustworthy. Do a bit of research and get to know them before you sign a contract. It’s always a good idea to read reviews or talk to other clients they have worked with to help you decide.  Project management If you’ve decided to leave it all in the hands of the contractors, don’t assume your job is done and you can go sip a cocktail while they’re working for you. Someone has to supervise all the tasks and manage the project every step of the way. If you have a full-time job and you don’t have enough time to oversee the project yourself, you must find someone to do it for you. For smaller projects you can ask a family member or friend to help you out, but for more complex projects you’ll need a construction manager to run the show. That way you’ll know the work will be done on time and you can move on with your life.  Stay grounded  It’s not easy to keep calm and carry on when you’re dealing with a construction project and things don’t go as planned. The reality is that most of the time, things won’t go as planned. There are so many variables and millions of things that can go wrong and you simply can’t control everything. It’s important to know your limits and only take on tasks that you are able to handle, just as it’s important to manage your stress levels and accept the chaos and uncertainty that come with the job. You must expect the unexpected and try to approach each situation with calm and patience if you want to maintain your sanity. 

An office renovation is a time of excitement for any business. Even though the headquarters remains unmoved, a renovation still represents a fresh start and a chance to breathe new life over the company’s identity. The reasons for an office renovation can be many. Maybe you need to make room for the team to grow, or the space simply does not resonate with the company image anymore. Whatever the reasons may be, before you start tearing down walls and floors, there are some things you need to take into consideration.  Now, I won’t tell you how to completely redesign your office, but the following advice is meant to help you make some changes that will boost employee satisfaction and productivity.  Maximize lighting, both natural and artificial  I’m going to start with lighting because I can not stress how important it is for an office space to be well lit up. Employees spend several hours a day in front of a computer, or reading documents. Bad lighting can take a toll on your employees’ eyes, reducing productivity and increasing the risk of developing eye problems.  Start by installing an efficient lighting system that has just enough light fixtures to illuminate key areas in the office, such as employee desks, common spaces, and conference rooms.  Another way to maximize lighting is to combine artificial and natural light sources. Consider replacing the windows with some larger ones, to not only bring in more sunlight but also create the illusion of space. It may sound like a complicated process, but the outcome will be worth it.  If you are not going to replace windows, then consider giving them a thorough cleaning at least, to allow light to pass through. Hiring a spider lift so that your cleaning staff has access to high areas is all you need.  Include collaborative, as well as private workspaces If your office has cubicles, now is the time to consider ditching them completely. Employees certainly don’t enjoy being trapped in a cube for 8 hours a day, plus they take up a lot of space. Instead, why not go for large tables that fit 6-8 employees? These will take up much little space and make the place look less crowded.  If people need to work alone from time to time, either because they need to be on the phone for longer, or they simply need a quiet space, you can also design some individual offices that employees can use.  Allow people to have the option to work in a collaborative, as well as in a private working space from time to time. This will boost productivity and help maximize the space you have available.  Consider switching to glass walls Another great way to make the space seem larger is to use glass walls. You have probably seen this in a lot of offices from movies and TV shows, where they have conference rooms surrounded by glass walls instead of concrete. This gives out the illusion of a much bigger and brighter office space, plus it looks more modern and appealing. You can also use glass walls to separate an open-space office into smaller office rooms. This way, you get every team working together in the same space, but also provide privacy for each department to work on their tasks.  Make use of vertical spaces If you have a small office, why not leave the floor as free as possible and consider installing some shelves on the walls for storage? Wall desks can have drawers and shelves above them, to still maintain the necessary storage space. If you have a storage room, why not build shelves all up to the ceiling and install a library staircase to access everything? Remember the huge library they had in the infamous TV series, Suits? Now, I know that may take a lot of financial resources to build, but you can draw inspiration from it at least.  Bring some color into the office space You may think that keeping everything as neutral as possible when it comes to colors will show more professionalism, but that’s not necessarily the case. Now is a good moment to bring some color into the office and turn the place into something inspiring.  No, I’m not saying you should paint each room a different color, but an accent wall or some murals should do it. Avoid sticking to whites or grays, as they will only make the office seem more bland. Instead, go for colors such as green, blue, orange or light purple, as they are more subtle, but can turn the space around.  If you don’t want to paint the walls, maybe go for some interesting wall art? Big paintings, that will brighten up the space, or a plant wall to keep things fresh can be a great option.  Allow employees to be creative Even though you will probably take care of most of the renovation process, remember that you are not the only one working there. Allow employees to show their creativity and be a part of the process as well. Let them personalize their office space to their own likings, let them bring plants, hand up photos on their walls and make the space feel closer to home. After all, they are spending a good part of their day there, so they need to feel comfortable.  Another way to get them to e involved in the process is to ask for suggestions before the renovation begins. Ask them to come up with ideas and go through the list when making the renovation plan. Chances are, you will see a number of repetitive ideas, which means there are some issues that need to be taken care of.  An office renovation is a perfect opportunity to not only maximize office space and make the most out of what you got. It is also the moment to let creativity shine and transform the office into an enjoyable place for you, for the employees, and for the clients as well. 

The most overwhelming part of planning a baby shower is picking a theme for the party. What should you choose when there are so many ideas out there? What does the future mommy want? Should you choose the theme or should you ask the parents-to-be if they have any preferences?  Do you lack inspiration? The Internet is the best resource to find a perfect theme. And if you want a fancy idea then you should inspire from celebrities because their baby showers are like regular moms-to-be baby showers, except more opulent. But not all of them like fancy things, some choose to be creative and leave extravagant celebrations for Beyoncé. Celebrity mamas are the best source of inspiration for this type of celebration. Why have a baby shower? If you are the mom-to-be you may wonder why should you have a baby shower when you are so busy getting the room ready, seeing the doctor, and planning everything for when the baby arrives. The answer is that it’s relaxing and fun, and the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with your loved ones before your baby keeps you busy 24/7. Parties can relieve stress and anxiety, states you’ll definitely experience before giving birth.  And where do you count the gifts? Babies need a lot of things and your family and friends are more than thrilled to buy something for the little one. Don’t forget, it’s important to tell them if you prefer pink, blue or gender-neutral items.  Who should host the party? The future mom can plan the party, but she’ll probably be overwhelmed with everything she has to do before giving birth, she won’t have time for organizing the baby shower. So, the best solution is a friend or family member to plan the event. Anyone  willing to celebrate the baby can host the party. As long as the mother is happy, it doesn’t really matter who plans and hosts the festivities.  It’s okay to collaborate with the mother to plan the event because you must find out her opinions and preferences. Even if a surprise party sounds more thrilling, it’s better to tell her what you plan because she is already stressed out with everything she experiences.  Celebrity baby shower themes everyone loves Pajama party – for Kim Kardashian & Kylie Jenner Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner are known for their extravagant styles, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t like to unwind from time to time. To celebrate the upcoming arrival of her second child, Kim preferred a pajama baby shower because this theme allows everyone to relax and rest. Her pregnancy wasn’t free of stress and complications, so it’s understandable she preferred something chill. The guests filled their stomachs with Girl Scout cookies and hot chocolate. They installed some indoor tents inspired by the Troop Beverly Hills to take some amazing photos.  And because Kim Kardashian is a true inspiration for her little sister Kylie, when she had to celebrate the arrival of her baby daughter, she chose the same theme. Only this time Kylie hosted the baby shower outdoors and she opted for pink pajamas.  Meditation, and some CBD oil for Kim Kardashian, again Kim Kardashian has 4 kids, so she has plenty of experience with baby showers. Her youngest baby girl and boy were born via surrogate, but it doesn’t mean she didn’t freak out at the idea she won’t handle the things with 4 children running around the house. She also thought it’s ridiculous to have a baby shower when she didn’t carry the baby, so she found more fit to throw a party that helps her meditate and relax. And because the baby was soon arriving, she thought the perfect way to celebrate it is to have a little CBD with her friends, to calm down before the storm hits.  She and her celebrity guests laid on mats, practiced yoga, and used infused oils to get into a super zen state. Did it work? It probably did because she is thrilled to have 4 kids.  Flowers and bears for Malika Haqq Malika felt all the love her friends could offer when Khloe Kardashian throw her the baby shower. The event was cozy but lavish because her friends surrounded her with support and love, but they did it on style, with outstanding clothes. For the festive occasion, the Good American Founder chose a cozy theme, flowers, and bears. The venue featured larger-than-life teddy bears, balloons, and nude-colored flowers.  The baby shower decorations Malika had should be an inspiration for all hosts because they’ll impress every mom-to-be. If you plan a party for your friend fill the room with congratulation flowers, balloons, and animals made from flowers and greeneries. And you shouldn’t forget the cake. No party is complete without a cake.  McDonald’s for Chrissy Teigen Chrissy Teigen is famous for her cooking books, so it’s no surprise that for her baby shower Kim Kardashian chose the McDonald’s theme. A pregnant woman gets what she wants, and Chrissy loved her flowers and McDonald’s food. The mom-to-be got everything from Big Macs to fries because she wasn’t shy to share that she craved for fast food during her pregnancy.  It’s hard to imagine that Kim Kardashian smells like McDonald’s, but her entire Bel Air mansion did when she hosted the party for her friend.  Books for Naya Rivera and Joanna Gaines If the mom-to-be loves books then you should inspire from the book-themed party Naya Rivera, the former Glee star, had. She even had a cake created in honor of the children’s classic story, I Love You Forever.  And Naya wasn’t the only one to have a book-themed baby shower, Joana Gaines also has one. Her guests even brought her books to create a library for the baby. We should mention that the celebration was for her fifth child, so it’s understandable that she opted for something more picturesque. The setup was simply adorable, the room was filled with balloons and books.  Here are our favorite baby shower ideas. What are yours?

You’ve heard it millions of time but this is still relevant for many pub owners. Keeping things tidy is the key to success no matter how small your pub might be. No, this will take your neither too much money nor time if you stick with a certain cleaning routine. It’s worth knowing that routines, regardless of their objective are a life saviour, especially for a small business. Pubs have always played an important part in society, let alone the British and Irish cultures where people gather almost every evening to meet their friends, find new ones and “unwind”. No matter how small, darky and cosy your pub might you should be able to maintain its hospitability and cleanness if want to avoid bad reviews. Here are some basic tips on how to maintain that atmosphere without too many efforts.   Care for the Equipment  A pub’s equipment lay at the core of your business efficiency. Because this plays an important role, you might need to maintain it as clean and ready as possible for those tough weekends. Bar equipment is highly expensive, so if you can’t invest in new ones, make sure you don’t neglect what you already have. There will always be tons of liquid to pass through the bar, and equipment that will require much attention from your staff. Keeping this equipment up to date and tidy will help you overcome potential expenses.  A great idea would be to have a reliable contractor for when the equipment fails. He should be able to call or visit you on various occasion to make sure everything goes as planned. When we talk about equipment maintenance, we don’t refer only at the top of the bar but also at the tub and pipes that need to be changed and cleaned often. This can be detrimental for your pub’s efficiency since pubs and beers lines can become very dirty ruining the taste of a great ale.  Despite everything, it’s unnecessary to provide high-quality beer if that beverage travels through a murky tube. This will require a minimum staff training to make sure you avoid such nuisance and it’s not as difficult as you believe, you’ll only have to pump diluted cleanser through the lines and let it soak for a while. After you’ve flashed out the lines make sure you soak and rinse as well every faucet and tap. This simple routine should be taken seriously after each keg, or at every two weeks.  Establish A Cleaning Schedule  It might sound overwhelming for many pub owners but, establishing a quick and efficient cleaning schedule is precisely what your small pub needs to flourish. We’re naturally attracted by tidiness and cosiness, a so small inviting pub at the end of the week where you can enjoy a good ale is more than inviting. To make sure you maintain it so, you should establish a clear, efficient and simple cleaning schedule that everyone can keep up with. A great idea would be to implement a daily, weekly even monthly checklist for cleaning and maintenance that your staff can strictly follow. Remember, there is no time to lose when it comes to business efficiency so, if you simply can’t keep up with your schedule you can always for aged clear cleaning services available in your local town.  Check your daily tasks, see what requires attention at the beginning of the day. Usually, daily tasks may include cleaning dishes and other cooking tools, the floor, the tables and so on. Depending on how you’ll build your schedule you may choose to clean the bathroom thoroughly every week, caring for the ducts and more similar tasks, as the monthly routine should include a complete cleaning of your building, assessing your inventory and such.  Remind Your Employees to Stay Clean  Since your business will depend on this, you should ensure that your staff remains clean and sanitized to avoid contamination in your facility. It’s well known that a bar or a pub has various contaminants in it, from bathrooms, spilt drink and food resulting in sticky floors, and lots of organic waste form your kitchen, you name it.  To avoid any type of contamination, there is a simple solution we’ve all heard kindergarten. All your staff can avoid such issues by sanitizing their hand periodically. It would be even better if your staff uses hand-sanitizer after washing their hands.  Get Rid of the Bad Odours  Pubs from everywhere are famous for their odours. This is not actually a bad thing since it’s an appealing part of the pub culture to have a strong scent of food and beer. Even though this might be an essential part of the pub culture, it’s worth knowing that not every large crowd who eats and drink in your pub, will leave a pleasant odour. To avoid unpleasant smells, we advise you to invest in good quality exhaust fans placed in multiple spots so you can ventilate properly after a rough weekend. Also, with so many varieties of organic fresheners, it would be a shame not to use a few for the sake of your business.  Routine lays at the core of success, and there is nothing that proves otherwise. A pub has never been easy to maintain, no matter how big or small it was. It requires patience, good planning and an efficient routine that will work great for you and your staff. For a great pub efficiency, remember to keep your menu updated, your bar’s fixtures as clean as possible and establish an easy cleaning schedule. Even though this seems very plain, there are many pubs that still neglect simple rules, which makes a huge difference between a successful and unsuccessful small business. Things are easier when you have a dedicated staff and a serious cleaning procedure list that will help you stay on top, so make sure you implement simple, easy to follow rules.    

From the story of the famous Disney character Sleeping Beauty to every person we know who insists on taking their afternoon nap for aesthetic purposes, it seems that beauty and sleep are often correlated. Now, we have no clue whether Sleeping Beauty is described by Disney as a beautiful girl because she was asleep for a very long, long time. But we do know that sleeping can actually have a major impact on the way you look. Or at least, that’s what studies suggest. For a very long time, before the ‘50s, specialists believed that sleeping was a passive activity that made our brain and body inoperative. However, later, they have come to the conclusion that sleep is actually a period during which the human brain engages in several activities necessary to life. Activities that keep our minds and bodies healthy. Yet, it seems that sleep is no longer good only for your body and your brain but for your appearance too. If you think that sleep is a negative time in your day, let us tell you that your brain and several other systems in your body have a quite different opinion about this one. Sleep deprivation makes you uglier, study shows Recent findings suggest that people who miss out on sleep tend to appear less attractive to others. In fact, the study claims that only a few sleepless nights are enough to affect your appearance pretty significantly. The researchers asked 25 university students, both male and female, to take part in their experiment to see whether or not sleep can affect one’s appearance. And, after taking a good night’s sleep for two consecutive nights, the students had to restrict their sleep to only four hours a night for the next two nights. The effects were recorded with make-up free photographs of the students both after the nights when they were asked to sleep well and after the two, mostly, sleepless nights. But what were the results of the experiment? After the experiment, the researchers requested 122 strangers they found on the streets of Sweden’s capital city, Stockholm, to take a look at the photos and rate the attractiveness, health, sleepiness, and trustworthiness of the people in the pictures. Unsurprisingly, the strangers were able to determine if the subjects were looking tired or sleepy, and also pointed out that their attractiveness has suffered. Moreover, the 122 strangers also told researchers that they were less likely to socialize with those students who looked tired, associating them with being less healthy as well. At the end of the experiment, researchers concluded that sleep deprivation does make you look less attractive to the people around you. Furthermore, they also suggested that other’s negative perceptions of a tired person might be driven by a disease-avoiding mechanism. Simply put, people don’t want to hang out with people who might be ill. On the other hand, those who get a good night’s sleep and look energetic and fit tend to get a higher score of attractiveness. Beauty sleep is not a myth Now, you may be thinking that the results of the experiment might not be 100% accurate as there are many relative aspects, including the objectivity of beauty. However, let us strengthen this idea with some medical facts. There are a lot of things going on inside your body and brain as you are floating off to Dreamland. From your immune system increasing the production of certain proteins that fight disease to the production of growth hormone which helps grow and maintain muscles and tissues, your body becomes a rollercoaster of processes and actions. Now, what is the medical explanation of the “beauty sleep”? Well, it all starts right from the moment when you get in bed preparing to get some sleep. At that certain point, your body starts to cool down, nearly half of degree. And, to affect your body’s temperature, the circulatory system starts to increase blood flow to the skin. Once you fall asleep, typically during stages 3 and 4 of your sleep, as mentioned above, your body starts to experience a surge in growth hormone. How is that connected to becoming more beautiful overnight? The growth hormone is generally responsible for regenerating body tissues like muscle and bone. However, growth hormone also plays a big part in maintaining the collagen matrix. Hence, it plays a major role in lessening the severity of wrinkles in the face and neck, at least temporarily, and keeping the appearance of youthfulness. To test this theory, researchers analyzed what happens to the appearance of rats when deprived of sleep. The result? One of the first physical consequences that could be noticed was lesions on the skin. Therefore, this indicates that good sleep in important to the integrity of the skin. Now, the skin is the largest human organ of the integumentary system of a body. Yes, organ! And, this organ is made of 7 layers. Yet, the first layer of the skin is mostly made of closely packed dead cells that are constantly removed during the day. Thus, although it has been proved that skin cells regenerate faster at night than they do during the day, a personalized skincare routine before going to bed still remains paramount for that youthfulness appearance. Stress, sleep, skin Sleep deprivation and stress are interconnected because they can have a major influence on one another. Simply put, you may not be able to sleep because you are dealing with high levels of stress or you may be feeling stressed because you are deprived of sleep. Either way, there’s not going to be any good result from each of these scenarios. But what does this have to do with your skin? Stress can have multiple effects on the integrity of your skin. It can cause diseases such as alopecia areata, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. And, as you might imagine, they can all affect your appearance. As for sleep deprivation, you may already know the short-term and long-term consequences including swollen, sunken eyes, dark circles, and generally pale and dehydrated skin. These studies are good reminders of how important sleep is to us. A good night’s sleep is paramount for mental and physical health and for our youthfulness looks.

Planning to reach Rushmore Mountain this summer? If so, make sure you and your car are entirely prepared for your road trip. To get the most out of this experience, you'd better take good care of your car so it can take care of you. There are various ways you can update your vehicle for the perfect road trip, but one should not overlook the basic maintenance process which is more than necessary if you wish to experience this summer to the fullest. Of course, if you’re not able to tackle this basic maintenance, there is no need to worry since there plenty of services happy to put your car back on track and prepare it for your summer requirements. However, taking some time to tackle basic car maintenance will ensure you and your family peace of mind during the trip, thus you won’t have to deal with unnecessary stops and high bills.  Ensure the Battery is in Good Shape Since not everyone is acquainted with how a car battery works when it dies often happens in the most unexpected moment and place. To avoid that, do yourself a favour and while planning the itinerary send your vehicle to get the battery tested and ready for this summer. To make sure everything goes as planned, make sure there is enough liquid in your battery so you won’t have to worry on the way to your favourite place. Replacing an old battery won’t cause you a hole in the budget, but it might be relevant to test it or even replace it if you wish to avoid your car from shutting down in the middle of a highway. Surely there are plenty of tow truck services that can get you out of this situation, but a smarter move would be to get your battery tested before jumping in the car. Even though many would consider that a battery is a small and insignificant thing to check, this can bring you great consequences if neglected. Pack an Emergency Kit Summer road trips are a reason to live for many individuals. However, because this has never been a totally safe experience, it’s especially important to equip your car with an emergency kit. Simply put, the further away you are from home, the more vital your car’s emergency kit becomes. There are plenty of things that could happen during a road trip, a reason why you should not overlook the importance of it. In case your car breaks down, or you’re unlucky enough to get into an accident, packing an emergency kit could be more than handy in such situations. In case you were wondering what an emergency kit for a car should contain here is a Red Cross recommendation: A durable canvas bag for your supplies Jumper Cables Flat tire inflation canister Extra car fuses First-aid supplies Bottled Water Energy bars Blankets Flashlights with extra batteries Foldable shovel Car fire extinguisher Car escape tool Road maps Seasonal supplies Multipurpose tool Check or Replace Your Tires Getting a flat tire is one of the most common reasons why many people call roadside assistance. Nobody likes it when that happens, you know very well how exhausting the entire process. There are many ways you can check your tires. You either make it possible and do it by yourself or you can ask your nearby auto-service to take care of it, so you don’t have to worry while heading towards your favourite location. Even better, in case this happens while on the road you can ask for a mobile tyre service to help you if you don’t have the necessary experience with your car. Yet, it might be crucial to care for your vehicle tires before heading somewhere this summer.  Thus, if you have enough time at your disposal ensure you verify the tire pressure and know how much air is in them. If necessary, you can add more air to bring the tire to an adequate pressure level. These small maintenances are more than necessary to ensure your family's best summer trip. No matter where you plan to go this summer, make it possible to check your car in time. Change the Oil   Another crucial thing you should not underestimate when it comes to your own well-being and your car efficiency would be to change the oil according to your car’s needs. People usually tend to forget how important engine oil can be for their car’s efficiency. As the oil gets older and thicker a car can’t function properly anymore. It won’t matter that you know how to pour more oil when the level oil gets too low because, in reality, this must be changed. Before equipping your car for the road, ensure you have the proper amount of oil in the engine, and it’s also perfectly clean. Changing your engine oil regularly will help your vehicle function at the normal level, so you won’t have to worry about unplanned stops. Check the Air Conditioning Air conditioning is what makes the difference between a hit summer trip and a nightmare one. Keeping a normal temperature inside your car is essential, especially if you plan to take the elders or the little ones in the middle of the summer. Air conditioning is one of the issues that appears very often during summer. These either don’t work properly or they simply cease to function. Make sure you test your car’s air conditioning before leaving so you can spot eventual problems and take care of it at the proper time. Most probably many exciting road trippers have already experienced plenty of issues that helped them organize better future trips. If this happens to be your first road trip experience, make sure to plan carefully every step from your itinerary and check with your local service how to prepare and maintain your vehicle for an unforgettable summer experience.  

Swimming lessons should be a must for every child and all parents should know that is important to teach their child to swim at an early age. Beyond the fact that swimming is great for your child’s health, it’s needless to say that it’s the only sport that can save your life, and your child’s, too. Plus, your kids will have a lot more fun in family vacations, at the beach, or in the pool. Many parents don’t send their kids to swimming lessons because they assume that their child is doing swimming at school already. But not all school provide swimming lessons, and if they do, are often during certain times. You need to be confident enough to allow your kids to fall into the water and ensure they can handle the situation. The benefits of swimming are many but you need to take into consideration these important facts and understand why is important for your kids to learn how to swim. Safety Goes First Children aged under 14 are drowning because they haven’t learned how to swim. It is crucial for all children to learn how to swim at a very young age. Make sure your child is comfortable around water, as this is essential for their own safety. Even if your children don’t show any interest in swimming, you should still try to convince them that this is one of the best ways in which they can protect themselves in case of falling into the pool. Studies have shown that kids who learn how to swim at an early age are much more responsible and careful when they’re adults. Throughout their childhood, they’ll be exposed to many situations in which it’s safer if they already know how to swim. You will be more relaxed knowing that they have the necessary confidence to get involved in any pool party. Swimming is a Great Way to Exercise You have to keep in mind that swimming is the best way to exercise your entire body. Imagine your kids practicing this sport at a young age, they’ll be so healthy and good-looking when they’ll grow up. By convincing your kids to enroll in a swim program, they’ll get the necessary dose of energy and maybe they’ll keep practicing this sport for the rest of their lives. Swimming is one of the best ways to train your body and is for people of all ages, including kids. Develop Personal and Social Skills During swimming lessons, your kids will be informed to follow instructions from the teacher and socialize with other kids. This will provide them both social and personal skills and prepare them up for their future. Wait no more! Search for kids swimming lessons online, enroll your kids and teach them a skill for life. Develop Physical Skills Swimming can participate in your children’s early development and physical skills. It is well-known that those who learn how to swim during childhood are more creative and intelligent. To develop physical skills in children, it’s important to give them plenty of possibilities to be freely active in different places. Lack of exposure to different physical activities can limit the effect of the development both physically and mentally in the human body. It is proven that children who started their swimming lessons at an early age have much more capability in physical activities than other children who hadn’t. Therefore, why does swimming differ from other physical activities? Because you need to work out your entire body when swimming. It keeps your heart rate up, helps you maintain a healthy weight, keeps your organs healthy, tones muscles, and builds strength. These are the most important health benefits of swimming. Children can Continue to Swim Forever If your kids know how to swim at a young age, this skill may remain forever with them. The quality of their life will improve significantly, as this water exercising helps them to maintain good strength for their body. It’s important for every kid to learn how to swim, especially in case of a fall into the water. Help your kid to understand why swimming is so important in someone’s life. Learning how to swim can begin early in life. Babies and toddlers can be introduced to water before they can even walk. Scientific studies explain that a baby’s brain is developed through movements, so, an activity like swimming should be ideal, right? Swimming is Fun Swimming lessons involve a lot of work and patience. Make sure your kids have enough time to play in the water because this way they’ll learn how to swim better. Playing in the water with toys, or splashing each other is purely fun. It’s a great opportunity for your child to have fun and learn how to swim. One thing that you have to keep in mind is that your children need to go often to swimming lessons if they want better and faster results. Kids who live positive and active lives are happier, more intelligent, and healthier. Swimming can improve balance in someone’s life because when you swim, you have to control your body to maintain a horizontal body position. That can help any swimmer to develop and improve a good balance. Confidence  Swimming is great for building confidence and develop athletic abilities. If your kids dedicate a lot of time to swimming, they’ll become more disciplined and confident. It’s true that they might give up some of their favorite activities to become better at swimming. This kind of dedication at an early age can help them make better decisions in their adulthood. Also, swimming is a great opportunity for your children to meet other kids and built strong friendships. Once they’ll learn how to swim, it’s going to be hard to take them out of the pool. There’s no other sport better than swimming, considering how beneficial is for your health. It provides resistance for building muscles and it helps your body to release stress, which means you’ll feel happier. Because swimming requires a big amount of energy, your kids will sleep better in the evening. This way, they’ll have more energy for the next day. 

The reason why you want to renovate your home is probably because you want your personal space to look more beautiful and comfortable. Think about the renovating idea as a business plan, so you’ll be more involved and excited to get it done. It’s best if you hire an architect to organize everything, but if you want to save money, you can do it yourself too. There are so many DIY ideas of how to renovate your home beautifully, yet on a budget. The most important thing to do when planning to renovate your home is to plan everything effectively. This article has some awesome ideas on how to renovate your home effectively and economically.  Do Your Research Before you start the renovation plan, it’s best if you do your research first. Why is this important? First of all, renovating your home takes time, costs money, and can be a bit stressful if you don’t organize everything before. And let’s be honest, you renovate your home for the long term, so it’s necessary to be calculated with this investment. You will be surprised to see how many options you have when you start looking for furniture and decorations. For example, the beautiful couch that you liked maybe can be purchased from another store at a cheaper price. This is the whole point of renovating your home on a budget. Also, if you want to change your windows and doors, make sure you choose very good quality ones, as these are worth the investment and increase your home’s curb appeal. It’s important to keep in mind that if you do your research, it’s best to spend less on decorations and supplies that you can find at an inexpensive price. Go to thrift stores, search online for offers, buy second-hand furniture or ask your friends and family if they have some furniture to gift. You’ll see that you can decorate your house beautifully, yet economically.  Doors Create the First Impression Knock, Knock! Who’s there? The first impression of your house is your door. If you can’t, or don’t want to change it, at least make sure you keep it in good condition. Also, the light in your home can be affected by the color of the doors. When dealing with a dark room, try to paint the ceiling, trim, and door the same color. A lighter one, preferably. So, if you are renovating your house on a budget, make sure you paint your door according to the concentration of light in your home. This way, you’ll improve the lightning of your house the way you want to.  Kitchen and Storage When you renovate your kitchen, you probably want to maximize your storage, too. Take advantage of thrift shops in your area or use recycled materials for DIY kitchen cabinets and storage. This can be done on a low budget and can be a really cool renovation of your kitchen. And also, you’ll save money by reusing old materials. Renovating just became easier, right? Replacing and painting your kitchen by yourself will look as good as buying new furniture.  Light comes through the windows, so, when remodeling your home, install large windows. These will provide you with good lighting in your kitchen. If you want to play around with paint, add a shade lighter than the rest of the kitchen. It’ll make the space look larger.  Bathroom Renovation Again, if you don’t plan on changing the items in your bathroom, you can fix up everything. Start by changing cabinet paints, fixing the pressure of the shower, the toilet, etc. Renovating your bathroom can make it look completely different. You have so many affordable options that allow you to give the space a nice look. As long as you use the right renovation ideas, you’ll see that you actually don’t need a lot of money to make your bathroom look expensive. In terms of aesthetics, a few nice elements incorporated into the bathroom will have impressive effects.  If you have some basic handyman skills, you can give your walls a fresh coat of paint that won’t cost you much. Don’t stick to white colors only, play around with other shades that you like. However, renovating the entire bathroom can be quite expensive, so if you don’t have the budget, consider using a few decorations tricks instead. These ideas will allow you to beautify the space and give it a nice, warm feel. Hang New Curtains Hanging new curtains to your windows will change the aspect of the room a lot. If you don’t have the budget to buy new curtains, just make ones by yourself, or improve the old ones. Two of the most important things when choosing your curtains for your windows are color and fabric. The material will dictate how the curtains will look and hold up over time. To hang beautifully on your windows, you have to make sure you choose a nice, qualitative material. Also, remember that sunlight will weaken fabric over time. So, avoid bright colors, as these tend to face faster than dark colors. Materials such as linen, silk, and velvet are the best choices when it comes to changing your curtains.  Ok, so here are the final thoughts. Renovating your home can be a fun and interesting process. If you do it correctly, you can change the appearance of your home beautifully. And on budget, too. You don’t need an expert to renovate your home, you can use your creativity to make nice improvements to your home. Plus, you can buy second-hand furniture or use the old one and repaint it. It’ll look as good as buying new furniture. There are so many ways in which you can renovate and decorate your home, you just have to do your research first. You’ll be surprised to see how many ideas you can use to make your home look wonderful. The goal is to create a space where you feel comfortable. Hopefully, these ideas will help you renovate your home as you wish.  

What is the definition of music for you? Regardless of your music genre, there is only one definition. Music is an art that expresses ideas and emotions in many forms through the elements of rhythm. If you feel different about music, it’s clear that you need to reconsider the way you feel about music. Every artist will agree that music is the art that feeds the soul. There are a few situations in which music doesn’t fit.  Almost any activity requires music, such as gym sessions, parties, weddings, when you enjoy your alone time, etc. Music can help you develop your social skills and also, works as a therapy for many people. It boosts your creativity and is a perfect remedy for those who want to relax. What type of music represents you the most? If you are looking to learn about many forms of music genres, here you have a few of them that might become your favorite.  Pop Music  Pop music is known as a genre of popular music with its roots in the rock & roll style. This genre produced the most hits. In the ‘70s pop music came in the form of a pop-rock sound. It was the era of Elton John, Jackson 5, and Queen. Back in the 1980s, Michael Jackson became the king of pop. Artists like Prince and Michael Jackson were revolutionary for pop. Michael Jackson’s ‘’Thriller’’ album is still the best-selling album in the history of music.  Rock Music Rock music began to rock the world in the 1950s. Originally called ‘’Rock & Roll’’, this form of music has its roots in the 1940s and 1950s, with genres of electric blues and folk, and also incorporated jazz influences, classical, etc. However, rock music evolved amazingly over the years. Sadly, rock ‘n’ roll is dead. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t still listen to it. It just means that the sounds and forms were replaced with more heavy notes. When you think about the king of rock ‘n’ roll, you probably think about ‘’Elvis Presley’’. Actually, the ‘’father of rock’’ was Chuck Berry. Other famous bands included in rock music are Metallica, Nirvana, Pink Floyd, etc.  Jazz When It comes to music, people have a lot to choose from. If you are reading this paragraph, it means that you love jazz music. So, why jazz? And why should other people listen to jazz music? There are many reasons why jazz music is still preferred by most people. It’s obvious that any type of music has a different meaning for different people. Music is a powerful, unique phenomenon. The elements of jazz in music are full of desire, joy, and uniquely fun. It’s one of the most fulfilling styles of music because it helps you to stay active, positive, and inspired.  It encourages you to express feelings of love, but also, it has a fascinating way to make you enjoy the darker side of life. Jazz music is full of emotions, energy, excitement. There are many ways in which someone can listen to royalty free jazz music and deeply think about the meaning of this style of music. Also, jazz originated in the early 20th century and has become a major form of musical expression. Blues Blues originated in the early 20th century and became one of the most important influences in the growth of popular music in the United States. The blues is more of a vocal form, expressing feelings rather than stories. Blues artists are expressing feelings of sadness and melancholy, often being characterized due to love problems.  The blues influenced many musical styles, such as rock and jazz music. Rock singers such as Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, were influenced by blues music. Also, an interesting fact about this style of music is that the term “Blues” may have come from “blue devils” which means melancholy and sadness.  Metal Music Metal Music is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s in the United Kingdom and the United States. With its roots in rock, acid rock, psychedelic rock, and blues-rock, the sounds created by many bands are mostly characterized by guitar solos, overall loudness, and emphatic beats. The style of metal music is associated with aggression and fearlessness. In 1968, three bands were considered the most famous pioneers of metal music, such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath. Though they successfully attracted the audience, they were often ridiculed by the critics.  In the early 1970s, several American bands adapted metal music into a more accessible form. Alice Cooper, Van Helen, and Kiss are the bands that introduced heavy metal in the US. During that year, Motorhead increased emphasis on speed and introduced punk rock in heavy metal music. In the late 1970s, bands such as Iron Maiden and Def Leppard followed the same procedure and became part of the new wave of British heavy metal music. Before the end of that year, metal fans were known as metalheads or headbangers. There’s a wide variety of music genres that can represent your style. Choose your favorite music style, create a playlist, and let the music play!

Lucky and blessed are those of us who can follow their passions and convert them into their profession. Boredom will never step in, you will never regret investing money and time in it, and, the best part of it all, you will get paid for doing what you love to do.  Yet, converting a hobby into a profession isn’t easy. Especially when it comes to dancing. There’s a huge difference between goofing around your house on your favourite song and performing on the stage of a famous theatre.  It takes real talent, practice, and a little bit of luck to stand out of the crowd and succeed in the dance industry.  Especially since data shows that, in 2019, there were over 17 thousand dancers and choreographers in employment in the UK. So, the competition is fierce out there.  So, if you’re committed to transforming your love for dance into a career, here’s what steps you should take into becoming a professional dancer: Find a dance style that represents you  First things first, growing your hobby into a career needs to start with getting a clearer idea of what exactly about dancing you are passionate of. Going out regularly to dance with your friends or dancing in your living room doesn’t truly give you an idea of which dancing style represents you the best.  There are over 100 dance styles in the world but for sure there is one of them that you are keen on and like the best. And, you know what they say: less is more. Whether you like hip-hop, folk, salsa, tango, or you name it, you must first choose one or two dance styles and focus on improving your dancing skills for these dancing styles. The more specific you get about a dance style, the better you can focus on getting better at the dance moves that represent it.  Find a source of inspiration Finding a source of inspiration for your hobby shouldn’t be difficult. In fact, for sure you already have a favourite dancer whose performances you follow.   How can a source of inspiration help you? First of all, it can help you stay motivated to achieve your goal of becoming a professional dancer. As you see your idol performing on large stages all around the world, your dreams of becoming just as a famous dancer as they are will continue to grow.  Moreover, since your idol is a professional, he or she is certainly a very talented dancer. Therefore, you can easily learn from them a move or two or how to be more expressive through dancing. Simply analyse your idol’s combination of choreography and techniques and include them in your dancing.  Most professional dancers also often share their knowledge with novice dancers to help them improve their skills. For example, Craig Revel Horwood, the famous dancer, choreographer, and Strictly Come Dancing judge, often shares his dancing tips with his fans. On Craig's official site you can find more information about his career which might be a powerful source of inspiration for you to pursue your passion.  Practice, practice, practice Like it or not, no one becomes a professional dancer overnight. It takes constant practice if you want to become a famous dancer and dance in the largest stages all around the world. And, remember that whether you practice at home or take dance classes, like with any other hobby, becoming better takes patience and commitment.  First thing first, in order to improve your dancing skills, you must first identify your weaknesses. For example, some of the most common weaknesses dances have are going ahead of the music, losing balance when making a turn, becoming rough once exhaustion hits, or looking at the floor during the entire performance.  However, every dancer has different weaknesses or challenges. So, you must learn yours. A good idea would be to record yourself while dancing and then analyse the video to spot the mistakes you make often or what you can improve about the posture or a certain move.  Next, you must become more familiar with the concept of sharpness in dancing. In dancing, sharpness represents the different use of speeds and sudden stops to make your moves more interesting and engaging. So, you may want to practice your reflexes in order to wipe off the amateur look when you dance.  Take dance classes Like it or not, there is no better way to learn how to dance like a professional than to be thought by experts from the industry.  Whether or not you become a professional dancer in the future, taking dance classes already has enough benefits to make you sign up for the classes. From the mental and physical health benefits to the opportunity to connect with other professionals from the industry, taking dance classes is sure-fire going to take you one step closer to transforming your passion into a profession.  You will connect with and learn from world-class dancers and choreographers which is the best strategy to improve your dancing skills and to be seen by the right pair of eyes.  Get online  Like with any other profession, once you will become a professional dancer, it will be like running your own business. And, like with any other business, you will have to promote your services, artistic performances in your case.  Yet, until that moment, your main goal should be to take the word about your dancing skills out there in the world. And what better way to do it in today’s digital era than getting online.  Here’s the good news: social media networks got your back when it comes to promoting your dancing skills and building a career out of your passion too. Social media gives you unlimited opportunities these days including exposure and networking, inspiration and ideas, auditions and new opportunities, and even constructive criticism.  So, use the powers social media has today as a strategy to show the world how good of a dancer you are and to make sure that you get seen by the right pair of eyes that will give you the opportunity you need to become a professional dancer.  Transforming your passion for dancing into a career won’t be easy. It takes patience, practice, and incredible marketing skills to make sure you will be noticed. However, all the struggle won’t matter anymore when you will be a star.   

Having a dog is a huge responsibility. As a dog owner, you need to do much more than feed them, take them for a walk, and give them a bath from time to time. Dogs need attention, care, and mental stimulation, in order to grow up healthy and happy. In order to keep your dog happy, you need to learn what their needs are, and how to care for those needs. Dog owners should see this experience not as a chore, but as something that brings joy to their life. A dog’s love and loyalty are things you can’t find anywhere else, and if you learn how to make your dog happy, you will be rewarded with much more than you can think of.  If you don’t know where to start, follow the tips below, to make your dog’s life as good as it can be.    Make sure they have a place of their own By nature, dogs are social animals, and they don’t enjoy feeling left out. Some dogs like to live outside, but most of them want to be able to spend time with you inside the house as well. After all, to them, you are their people. If you usually keep your dog outside, make sure they also have a designated area inside the house, where they can sit and enjoy your company. Whether it is a simple mat that you can place on the floor, or an enclosed area, the most important thing is for your dog to have enough room to play, take a nap and stretch inside the designated area. This can be applied if you keep your dog inside all the time as well. Teach them where their spot is and carefully enforce off-limit areas.    Keep them active Most dogs are very active beings, meaning that, if they don’t have enough space to play, run around and chase after toys, they need to be taken for walks at least once a day. No, taking your dog for a walk does not mean going around the apartment building for 5 minutes, until they do their nasty business. Take your dog to the dog park at least once a week, so they can run free and off the leash, and play with other dogs. If you are an active person yourself, taking your dog with you when you go running, hiking or biking can also be a good idea. Dogs love activity, so they won’t mind an extra-long hike or a walk through the forest from time to time. At home, make time to play with toys, train them to fetch and play tug-of-war with them.    Schedule play dates with other dogs Just like you enjoy going out with your friends, your dog likes to spend time with other dogs as well. Taking them to the dog park, so that they can play with other dogs and “socialize” is extremely important for the mental health of your dog. If you keep them isolated, they will grow anxious and won’t know how to behave when they have to interact with other people or animals.  If you have friends with dogs, schedule play dates and get them together, to chase around and play. This way, you can spend time with your friends and make your dog happy in the process. If you don’t have enough time on your hands, try taking them to a dog daycare facility. Daycare facilities have trained personnel, that know how to take care of your dog when you are at work, or when you need some time for yourself.    Make grooming a ritual Yes, washing, drying and brushing your dog can be unpleasant and time-consuming sometimes, but they need grooming just as much as you do, so why not make this a bonding ritual? Not all dogs like to be washed, let along brushed, even though they very much need it, but with patience and care, you can teach your dog to enjoy grooming and perceive it as quality time spent with you.  If your dog does not like grooming, you have to make them get used to it. Start by presenting to them all the tools you are using for grooming, such as combs and brushes. Give out constant positive reinforcement and slowly move to the next step. If you feel your dog may not like a certain tool or action, spend more time on it and help them get used to that certain step in the process.     Get them some nice treats Nutrition is very important for dogs, but normal dog food can be boring and unfulfilling after a while. To balance things out, get them some nice treats that your dog will enjoy. You can use eats in training session, or simply to reward them for good behavior.  Yummy treats are one thing but do make sure you also incorporate some healthy treats in your dog’s diet as well. Dental sticks, treats that help keeping fur healthy and shiny, as well as nutritional supplements, are welcomed at any time. Just make sure you talk to your vet before, to recommend supplements that won’t interfere with your dog’s diet.    Train them with care When training your dog, never, but absolutely never punish them. Training can not be forced, and the more you try to punish your dog when they fail to learn a new command, the less likely they will be to learn it. Instead, try positive reinforcement. Keep around treats for every training session and reward them every time they do something good. This way, they will learn that the only way to receive treats is to listen to you. Training sessions are your one-on-one time with your dog, so make the most out of it. Use this time for boding and creating a strong relationship with them, but at the same time remind them they need to listen to you. With enough care and, of course, treats, you can teach your dog to do anything.

Are you wondering where you might like to spend your next holiday? Do you like winter temperatures between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius and with less than three rainy days per month? How about waking up to a view of the ocean? If all this got you excited, then Puerto Rico de Gran Canaria is the place for you! Gran Canaria is one of Spain’s Canary Islands, located in the Atlantic Ocean, about 150 km from the northwestern coast of Africa. It’s the third largest island of the archipelago (the other two are Tenerife and Mallorca) and the second in terms of population.   Cristopher Columbus stopped here as well, in 1492, on his first trip to the Americas.   Hopefully, by the time you finish reading this article, you’ll be convinced that there’s no point staying at home, especially if your home happens to be a country that wasn’t blessed with an equally warm climate.  The Beaches Puerto Rico has a beautiful beach, perfect for sun worshippers that can’t wait to get away from the harsh winter at home. You’ll get to meet plenty of Germans, Scandinavians and Britons who fit this description perfectly. Golden sand and blue, calm water as far as the eyes can see. If you just can’t get enough, you can also visit the Amadores Beach within walking distance. In case you want to visit a beach with very fashionable boutiques we recommend Anfi Beach.  While you’re promenading, there are plenty of little stores where you can get souvenirs, swimwear and beach equipment, not to mention the many restaurants and beach bars where you can enjoy fresh smoothies and international dishes under the sun umbrellas.  Accommodation If you’re looking for hotels in Puerto Rico Gran Canaria there’s plenty to choose from so whether you want luxury, family friendly, bed and breakfast or Airbnb, you’re bound to find just the right place.  You just have to do a little research online and you’re going to find lots of nice offers with lots of reviews. Feel Like Shopping? The Mogán Mall has opened recently and it offers 15,000 square meters of facilities, 71 commercial spaces, fifteen restaurants and bars and 750 parking spaces. You’ll see brands like Levi’s, Timberland, Mango, Lacoste, RKS, Base Sports and JD Sports.  Another option is Shopping Center Puerto Rico which is open air and boasts a wide array of clothing stores, souvenir shops, leather goods, bars, restaurants and clubs. This place is considered the heart of the resort, so don’t underestimate the clubs! It was build in the 70s but has undergone a recent renovation. Here you’ll also find barber shops, beauty salons, gyms and tattoo parlors.  A third option (but there are more) is the Europa Shopping Center which is very focused on tourists so you’ll have plenty of international dishes to try and most bars offer happy hours. If the happy hour offers get you in the mood for singing, you’ll be glad to know that there’s karaoke on the menu as well.  Maybe you’re bringing the kids along and in that case you can opt for Barbacoa where they can play arcade games, jump on the trampolines, play tennis or a nice, friendly game of mini-golf.   Fun in the Ocean Puerto Rico is all about water sports! There are boat trips to see dolphins and whales, you can go jet skiing, diving, snorkeling, parasailing, kayaking and so on.  You’ll have no trouble finding a certified diving school which can offer courses from beginner to advanced and where you can rent the equipment. Then you can explore the marine life, shipwrecks and caves.  If you want to take exploring above water, you could join a jet ski tour and combine sightseeing with the adrenaline rush of jumping over waves full speed ahead.  In case you still want to be above water but at a more relaxed pace, how about a lovely kayak tour? You could go snorkeling or simply take in the impressive scenery. You don’t have to be a kayak expert, there are tours for all experience levels and all age groups.  Our favorite is parasailing because it combines the thrill of the speed and altitude with the absolute freedom you get from feeling like you can fly. You also get a bird’s eye view of the turquoise blue water, splendid palm-lined sandy beaches and the rocky ravines.  Fishing If you like big-game fishing, this will be your dreamland. Puerto Rico holds a record for deep-sea fishing but you’ll get opportunities for bottom fishing as well. The main species you’ll find in this region are marlin, snapper, tuna, groupers, eels, seabass, swordfish and sometimes sharks. You can rent a boat just for yourself and go out with the crew, share the cost with a group of friends or mingle with the other tourists and make some new friends.  Perhaps you’ve never experienced the excitement that comes with big-game fishing but you’ll get the chance to do so now. There are many experienced crews that can teach you and since there are so many tourists coming here all years, you don’t need to worry about speaking Spanish. You’ll get all the instructions you need both before and after the catch.  Golf Course Anfi Tauro just so happens to be a 18-hole championship golf course with an area of over 650,000 square meters which opened in 2006. You can enjoy not only the entertaining game, but also the remarkable landscape: lush green gardens, waterfalls, lakes – all bordered by volcano shaped mountains.  For the Kids - Angry Birds Activity Park Maybe you’re planning on having a family vacation, in which case you can take the kids to the Angry Birds Park. They’ll 5000 square meters of learning through play and there’s something for all ages.  By something we mean climbing walls, zip lines, skating, racing circuit, a laser maze, mini golf, foam parties, soccer, basketball, volleyball, parkour track and lots more.  Oh, and of course, snack bar and souvenir shop. They also organize birthday parties and special events.  

As soon you’ve moved into the new home you want to implement those ideas you’ve kept for so long. Now is the perfect moment for you and your family to share great ideas and put them into practice, but not without diligent planning. Improving your new home design and comfort won’t cause a hole in the budget, but it will require great planning.  Some would say that home can be personal heaven if you make necessary improvements and decorate it conform to your needs. Home improvements don’t have to be a hassle, especially if you know yourself to enjoy the process of decorating and fixing. Moving into a new home makes you want to let your footprint and undergo changes that only you can enjoy. Many of us have experienced this along time, a reason why we’ve found some tips on how to start and make your home look and feel great. Furniture Can Be Affordable You’re looking for a way to maintain your budget steady but still wanting to improve your home, checking out furniture stores might be the perfect solution. This can be a better alternative than buying cheaper furniture that can easily fall apparat. We know how difficult can be sometimes to undergo such changes but when it comes to your comfort everything is possible.  This is much simpler than it sounds. Make sure you check if there’s any second-hand furniture store in your local town, make the appropriate measurements in your house and go shopping. In second-hand stores, consignment shops and estate sales you’ll find everything you want at more affordable prices. At these low prices, you’ll still afford to decorate your home and reupholster the new furniture.  Fix or Upgrade Moving into a new home means you have to replace some of the old materials you simply can’t have a taste for with those you love. It’s important to get used to the idea that not everything should be replaced. For instance, you can ask your landlord about certain modifications that have been made in your new home or things such as water pressure, plumbing system and water pumps require fixing or replacing. Such questions are essential if you want to undergo serious changes in your home or want to know if it’s necessary to ask for pump repair NYC. After you’ve consulted with your landlord you must create and keep track of your new list with whatever requires fixing or upgrading. Many people don’t realize it, but this is actually an important step towards a more comfortable home. Ensuring your home’s efficiency won’t cost you an arm and a leg but it will require patience and planning. Update the lighting System Another great way to improve your home comfort and design is through lightning. Of course, that along with great furniture placement, lighting plays an important role in your home’s comfort. Oftentimes an efficient lighting system must create an overall vibe in your new home and makes you feel cosier. Given the latest green trends, using light bulbs under 40 watts are known to be even more efficient. These bulbs are highly efficient when you want to get more relaxed and watch Netflix in the evening. The lighting system represents one of the most simplistic ways of changing the ambience of your home. Light has an incredible effect on our mood. A basic action such as drawing back the curtain can impact mood swings. If you’re looking for a more natural way to improve the ambience in your home, we recommend you invest in a proper lighting system. Even though sometimes we get stuck in a multitude of lighting option, this process can be rewarding. No matter if you choose to use quality kitchen blinds or combine unnatural and natural sources in your kitchen, you can create that much-wanted homey and relaxing atmosphere in every part of your personal heaven. Embrace Greenery Most people enjoy having indoor plants in their homes, and the reasons speak for themselves. House plant can be good not only for your visual beauty but for your health also. Plants are known to act as a natural filter, protecting your home and air from both the exterior and interior pollutants. Recent studies have shown that having indoor plants may improve concentration, productivity and boost your mood. The best thing about having indoor plants is that even those without a green thumb will appreciate the beauty of your home. Here are a couple of indoor plants you might consider helpful: Chinese Money Plant: Known as the Pilea, or the friendship plant is considered a true gem by the plant lovers. It’s very pleasing to the eye and easy to care for. If you’re looking for ways to make your living room look more vivid and natural, this one should be the right choice. Silver Dollar Plant: This plant is the best solution if you’re looking for a drought-tolerant plant. Make sure you get a big container with good drainage and place in a space with direct sunlight. Oxalis: The false shamrock is a plant originally from Brazil, and it’s famous for its vibrant and bold violet colouration. This plant requires multiple hours of direct sunlight, so make sure you’ve found the right spot to place is in your kitchen. Aloe Vera: Another plant that should not miss from your home is Aloe Vera. This plan is famous for its skincare benefits but its beauty too. This plant looks great in any type of container and you won’t regret having it in your home. Plants are the most effective way to jazz up even the most boring spaces in your home. If you know yourself to have a green thumb, choosing a variety of plants to spark up your interior is the right way. Improving the comfort and aspect of your home doesn’t really mean that you must spend exorbitant amounts of money on something that sooner or later would have to be replaced. Oftentimes, adding a few favourite plants, playing with the lights and fixing what’s necessary can do more for your comfort than you think.      

Kids are very enthusiastic when it comes to summer vacations. Every parent knows that if there’s a single destination that kids love the most, it’s called camp. Going to summer camp is one of the most helpful and funny activities in the physical and mental development of a child. It’s the perfect way to convince your kid to spend their school-free months learning how to build friendships and social skills, developing confidence, becoming and staying physically active. Entering a new social world might seem a bit scary at first. However, with all the fun activities, their self-esteem will increase and they’ll learn to be independent as they grow up.  Friendships and Social Skills  Camp provides the perfect environment for every child to build strong friendships and social skills. Camp allows children to meet new personalities, therefore, they’ll learn how to recognize, understand, play, relate, and empathize with others. Interacting in a positive way with other kids can develop social skills. Emotional intelligence increases and they’re likely to be more empathetic. It’s not all about making new friends, it also helps them in the future. They’ll be more self-confident about the choices they make and become more successful in life. So, convince your kids to experience summer camps, it’s clearly an essential method to improve their lifestyle.  Developing Confidence  Many parents are overprotective with their children in order to keep them safe, but being dramatic doesn’t help. That’s why camps are beneficial for developing your kid’s confidence and inspiring them to get out of their comfort zone. They help kids learn that failing is not a mistake, know how to recognize their limits, and understand that they can always start again. It’s important to let your kids take risks, it will develop their confidence and independence. At camp, every child has the chance to learn and discover new skills by participating in all the interesting activities. Also, they can do better in school because of the confidence they gain.  Physical and Mental Stimulation  Is social media affecting your child’s mental health? If they spend countless hours online and they’re constantly glued to their phones, then the answer might be yes. Physical activity plays an important role in raising a child. It can stimulate their brain to be much more interested in physical activity, rather than spending many hours a day on the Internet. Many camps offer a daily routine in which your child can wake up early in the morning, do plenty of physical activities, and eat healthy meals during the day. Outdoor activities are very helpful for your kid’s mental health and mood. A lot of camps have no access to the Internet, TV, mobile phones, so your kid can interact with others more while playing games. There are various places in which your kids can go to camp. Also, don’t worry about spending too much money on a summer camp, they’re more affordable than you think. If you ask your friends for recommendations, or simply search online, you can easily find a summer camp close to your house. If you live in New York, for example, summer camps in Brooklyn NY offer a full program of safe and fun activities.  Connect with Nature Creating a bond with nature may be one of the most important things your child can do. It can improve your child’s mental health and creativity. From hearing the birds singing, to simply walking in nature and capturing all of the amazing views, exploring nature is pure therapy for your children. Camps offer kids the chance to see how wonderful nature is and how great it is to connect with it.  Teaches Teamwork Teamwork is important because it involves kids in all kinds of activities that can be useful as a skill for life. They will learn and understand that working as a team is the most efficient way to get things done easily. They’ll learn how to value the help from others more and grow up with an enthusiasm of being mentally active.  Supports a Healthy Lifestyle  Camps help kids to be more physically active and eat healthier. They can participate in all kinds of sports activities, regardless of the camp they choose to go to. If your kids are not physically active, this is the best opportunity to boost their health. Generally, kids love to get involved in fun activities. Camps organize different games in which children can try many kinds of healthy meals. Who knows, this can be a solution to convince your kids to eat healthier. Great Memories  Camping means great memories. Besides all the things your kids can learn during a summer camp holiday memories are something they’ll gladly remember over the years. They’ll come back to their friends with great and funny stories, which can also improve their communication skills. All the fun and adventure from camp is a magical gift a child can experience. With so many great memories of camp, it’ll be hard to choose a favorite one.  At camp, your child will be happier. Yes, the time your kids spend at camp can increase their overall happiness. Being at camp, and after that, most parents claimed that their kids felt happier and that their self-esteem increased. Disconnecting from technology can help them discover new beneficial activities that they may not even know they’d like. So, if you want your children to build certain skills and better connections with others, summer camp may be the best option. With all of these important benefits, there’s no reason not to let your child experience a few weeks of summer camp. Of course, there might be other places where your kids can spend their free time, but this is a place where they can maximize certain skills. Along with all the fun activities and great memories, kids will learn something very important from camp. To be more confident, to learn how to communicate with others, and to be physically and mentally more active.  

Home improvement is the best way to feel safer, happier and more comfortable in your home. Since you consider your home to be a personal haven, you want to make sure it stays that way. Remember that home improvements usually require diligent savings and patience, especially if you’re planning to remodel your kitchen and bathroom. Improving your home won’t cause you a hole in the budget if you plan in detail every aspect that needs to be changed.  Simply put, implementing a list of priorities is the best way to start. That means you must take your time and even consult with a specialist before investing in exorbitant materials. We know how much you want to improve the comfort in your home but getting hasty in decisions won’t bring you any good. Keep in mind that reinventing your home means that you must look at what you can buy and how can you make the most out of those resources.  Update Your Kitchen When your kitchen has begun to lose its shine, you might be thinking about what you can do to liven it up. But since remodelling can increase your enjoyment, it can also affect your budget. For this reason, you must plan carefully. You surely want your kitchen to be a warm and cosy place where those you love can retreat and share important moments. But you also want to make sure you make the smart choices that suit everyone’s needs. You’ve probably noticed that the more time you spend in your kitchen, the more attention it requires, especially when it comes to home improvements. Let’s say you want to improve your kitchen functionality and space. But in order to do that, you might want to replace your countertops, cabinets and various appliances. Take a good look around and see if you have an underused corner that can be transformed into a multipurpose nook for reading, working, maybe enjoying a quiet cup of tea or simply have an informal dinner. Remember that depending on your kitchen current state you can choose whether to go further or not. Creating your dream kitchen doesn’t have to be a hassle but rather a reason to enjoy every step when implementing your ideas. Renovate Your Bathroom We spend more of our lifetimes in the bathroom than we believe. Therefore, if you’re planning to make improvements in order to increase its comfort and functionality, you’ve made the right choice. Keep in mind that your bathroom doesn’t have to be a work of art, but rather to give an impression of being always spacey, clean and comfy. In order to save some money while remodelling and transforming your dream bathroom, you can opt for buying used fixtures, showers or you might want to find out if there is a boiler rental company in your local town.  When it comes to bathroom renovation you might want to determine how much you can afford to spend on your renovation to decide the extent of the improvements you can make. Remember to implement a list with top priorities for bathroom. Maybe you want to change the fixtures or opt for some granite countertops. Because your bathroom is even smaller, the investment won’t cause you a hole in the budget, compared to what you’d invest on your kitchen’s counters, for instance. Organize and Declutter   Obviously reorganizing your home is also an essential improvement that can make you feel comfortable. The best way to tackle declutter in your home is to focus on stages. You should begin in a certain room or space that requires more attention and organization. Finishing the job entirely before moving on to the next room, will make you feel more confident as you encounter visible success at each step. To organize and declutter you will need at least a couple of boxes or baskets where you can store various items: Put Away Box: You will use this box for various items that can’t fit any more in their storage spaces. These usually are clothes that can stay in the kitchen or maybe a cup in the bathroom. Gather these items and put them back in their designated spot.   Recycle Box: Using a recycle box to declutter your kitchen form items that need to be recycled such as paper, glass or plastic may increase efficiency and make your home look tidier. Mend and Fix Box: We all have various items around our home that require tinkering. Designate a special place for those items so you know where to start next time. Trash Box:  Most probably you have plenty of unnecessary stuff to get rid of, but you don’t know where to start. One reason why people hold onto clutter is because of inertia. We usually bring things in our home and forget about it. For that, you can use a special trash box to make the decluttering process easier and your home more organized and spacey. Donation Box: Designating a donation box to get rid of the good clothes and items you don’t use anymore is an efficient idea. Oftentimes these are things that another person might want or need. Simple home improvements may bring you great results. Having a home that is both inviting, organized and comfy may improve the quality of your life. To make sure you get those much-wanted results, you must plan carefully and make some diligent savings before throwing yourself on investments. Also, talking to an expert before buying necessary materials might be essential.  However, now that you’ve decided to make the improvements you want to make sure everything goes as planned. Gather some ideas, look for inspiration or even talk to someone that has already been through this process. Oftentimes, looking for other’s opinion is the best thing you can do because it will save you plenty of time and help you avoid crucial mistakes. As soon as you’ve established your budget and gathered some essential ideas, you can start your small home improvement project.    

There’s no reason why you shouldn’t take care of your skin, regardless of the season. Most people confront with skin conditions because of their unhealthy lifestyle and a non-existent skincare routine. When thinking about skincare, people tend to include only women in this equation. Both men and women should pay attention to what their skin needs. It might be difficult for men to follow a particular skincare routine, that’s why most of them refuse to do it. But if you’ll listen to what dermatologists say, you’re probably going to change your thoughts about it. The skin needs good care to look healthy and fresh. That doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of time in front of the mirror. Also, don’t forget that skin appearance changes, depending on the season. So, the skincare routine you’re following in the wintertime doesn’t have the same results in the summertime. That doesn’t mean you should change it completely, but it’s essential to learn how your skin changes from one season to another.  Skincare Tips for Winter Time  Choose a gentle cleanser – Your skin needs maximum hydration during the cold season. Choose a nourishing cleanser to help your skin remain soft and keep the moisture in. Avoid cleansers that contain alcohol and added fragrances, as they might be harsh to your skin.  Exfoliate Your Skin – You’ll probably think this is a bad idea because your skin is already dry and itchy. But these are the benefits of using a scrub. It will help you get rid of those dead skin cells and dirt while restoring new ones. Be careful though, don’t rub your skin with cheap products which can harm your skin. Choose only natural, good quality skincare products to make sure you offer the proper care to your skin.  Use a Moisturizer – because of the cold months of winter, your skin tends to get drier, so you have to choose a product that is based on oil, rather than water. For a more intense hydration, apply your moisturizer right after you wash your face. This way, you’ll lock in much moisture, which will keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. Don’t forget about the other parts of your body! Natural lotions, body oils, and body butter will keep your skin healthy and soft. Also, showering with very hot water can lead to dehydrated and itchy skin feeling. Maintain a normal water temperature while you shower to make sure you don’t burn your skin.  Sunscreen – Most people think that sunscreen should only be used during summertime. But it’s important to understand that sunscreen is just as important during winter. To protect your skin from those harmful UV’s, choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 protection.  Drink Plenty of Water – Because of the cold season, you often forget to drink water. But your body needs as much water as it needs during summertime in order to keep it hydrated. Also, another great way to keep yourself hydrated is to drink lots of teas. Ginger and lemon tea are perfect to make you feel warm, healthy, and hydrated at the same time.   Skincare Tips for Summer Time  Summer can change the quality of your skin due to the blazing sun and other environmental pollutants. Not taking care of your skin properly can lead to oily, dull, and blemished appearance. Read on to find out how to take care of your skin during the summer season.  Change Your Cleanser – Unlike the winter season, you should consider changing your skincare routine during summer. That means that your facewash has to change. Due to the high temperatures, your skin tends to get oilier. Choose a cleanser that can help you get rid of all that excess of sebum and dirt. If your skin is dry, choose a non-foaming cleanser. Also, washing your face many times a day can help your skin look clean and fresh.  Exfoliate Regularly – One of the most important steps to keep your skin smoother is to exfoliate it regularly. This step can be done once or twice a week. But remember, do not over-exfoliate, as your skin will get drier and you’ll end up with eruptions. People with sensitive skin, prone to acne, should choose a gentle scrub that feels softer on the skin. Also, keep in mind that is important to exfoliate the entire body, not only your face.  Hydration Is a Must – Remember that your skin must be well-hydrated all the time. Because the skin tends to get oilier in this season, it’s recommended to use mattifying, oil-free moisturizers. Also, hydrating masks are perfect to repair and calm your skin, especially if applied at night.  Don’t Forget About Sunscreen – If sunscreen should be applied during winter, imagine how important it is to use it during the summer season. Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 for better protection from the UV’s. Also, make sure you apply it every 2 or 3 hours if you’re spending all day in the sun. It’s best if you apply sunscreen on the other parts of your body.  Drink Plenty of Water – Drinking water is the key to a healthy lifestyle. It keeps your skin glowing and soft. Don’t forget to carry your bottle of water no matter where you go, it may save you if you feel dehydrated during the hot days of summer. It’s important to drink a minimum of 2 liters of water per day.  Include Antioxidants in Your Skincare Routine – A good antioxidant serum can hydrate your skin a lot, and also, protect it from the environmental pollutants. It’s a good remedy to increase collagen production, and also, it’s suited for all skin types. Including antioxidants in your diet will keep your skin young and healthy.  Wear Less Makeup – Summer means that you should wear less makeup to allow your skin to breathe. Instead, you can use tinted moisturizers. Anything heavy on the skin not only will look bad but it will also clog your pores and lead to breakouts.  With all of these tips on how to take care of your skin in winter and summer seasons, you’re going to keep your skin healthy and good-looking for a long time. It’s important to take into consideration that every skin type needs personal care and you should never neglect its needs.

In today’s modern society back problems have become a constant companion for most of us. Even if you don’t suffer from back pain, you must surely know at least one person who complains about this annoying issue or you might be at risk of becoming one of those persons yourself. In our everyday rush from here to there, overwhelmed by the thought of being on top of everything all the time, we forget what is truly important – taking care of ourselves. Getting lost in the hectic rhythm of the modern world and adopting an unhealthy lifestyle forgive no one. Chronic pain can have a huge impact on how we live and it can change the way we experience everything. Having to fight back problems can seriously diminish the quality of our lives and it can also affect the people around us. Many people struggle to find a cause for their back problems when the answer might be quite simple. The most common cause of back pain is the prolonged time spent sitting on a chair. Of course, when working in an office this is inevitable, but there are right and wrong postures that can make the whole difference.  Common mistakes Working in an office involves sitting in front of a computer for hours. Through our daily routine we cause damage to our body without even realizing it. We might think we are doing everything right, but there are things that go unnoticed and in time they lead to unwanted health issues. There are a few mistakes that most of us are guilty of. Leaning forward while using the computer – most people have a tendency to lean forward while they are focused on working at their computers. It’s a natural tendency that happens unconsciously and can cause a reduction in lung capacity. Since not enough oxygen reaches your body you will experience shallow breathing as a result. Upright siting posture – although we’ve been told since childhood that this is the correct position when siting at a desk, apparently it’s not. Researchers have discovered that sitting upright at a 90 degree angle for a long time puts too much pressure on your spine. Leaning a bit backwards, at 135 degrees, seems to be the ideal position. Holding the phone to your ear with your shoulder – we’ve probably all done this when multitasking. Holding your phone with your shoulder might not seem like a big deal, but when you repeat the action several times throughout the day, your neck and upper back muscles will suffer.  Sitting for too long – yes, you need to sit at your desk when you work, but nobody is stopping you to get up and move a little from time to time. The body needs movement, we’re not build to be sedentary, so sitting for too long is going to affect your overall health. Tips to help you fight back pain You might not feel the consequences of having a bad posture at your desk right away, but the effect is cumulative. At some point in the future you’ll have to deal with the results of your bad habits.  Fortunately, even if your job requires you to spend long hours in front of a computer, there are a few ways to minimize the risk of developing back problems: Check your posture regularly – set an alarm on your phone to help you check your posture from time to time and correct it and stop you from developing bad habits. Choose a good chair – an ergonomic chair that offers lumbar support will help you feel more comfortable during the long working hours and avoid lower back pain.  Opt for a sit-stand desk – a converting desk has many benefits. You can choose how much time you spend sitting or standing without leaving your workspace. It’s a great way to break the routine of being tied up to your chair all the time.  Adjust the position of your screen – the height of your computer screen should be at or a little below eye-level to avoid pressure on your neck and upper back. Get a pair of headsets – to get rid of the habit of tucking the phone between your ear and your shoulder, consider buying a good pair of headsets that will free your hands and keep your neck muscles tension-free. Move – take short breaks regularly to get up and move. Stretching from time to time can be really useful to combat the effects of sitting in the same position for too long. Do some yoga – not at the office, of course. Studies have shown that yoga can help prevent and treat back pain, so now you know what you have to do in your spare time. Massage – another effective and relaxing way to maintain a healthy spine is massage therapy. Depending on your specific needs, there are several types of massage that can help address your issues. Why you should see a chiropractor Chiropractors are highly trained professionals who use a variety of non-invasive techniques to alleviate muscles, bones and joints pain and that is why chiropractic methods are a good alternative if you suffer from back problems. Most people who experience back pain choose to see a chiropractor first, before deciding to try other options like medical treatments or surgeries. That is because chiropractic is considered to be one of the safest ways to deal with acute back pain.  While some medications might treat the symptoms, chiropractic care focuses on addressing the root cause of the problem. Besides, medical treatments also involve dealing with side effects that some people might want to avoid. It’s also worth mentioning that chiropractors create personalized treatments for each individual, as there’s no one size fits all method, and they can also work in close collaboration with other healthcare specialist to devise the best treatment plan for their patients.  Whatever route you decide to take in order to deal with the problems caused by spending long hours in the office, it’s important to be informed about your options and be consistent when undergoing a treatment. 

Most jobs imply some level of stress and we can all look back and remember days when we felt overwhelmed by the workload or anxious about how we come across professionally. There are few career options that can be described as relaxing.  But in recent years, more and more companies are looking for ways to squeeze every last drop of productivity out of their employees and finding corporate euphemisms to replace the word “exploitation”.   We’re “strongly encouraged” to be “agile” through our “power lunches” because it’s “crunch time” or our bosses will start “smart-sizing” the team and “optimize resources” so we could get “streamlined” into “rethinking our future”. What they’re doing is actually paying three employees to do the work of five and this sort of excessive demand leads to an unhealthy level of competition. If they feel under constant threat of unemployment, people’s flight or fight instinct kicks in which increases “workplace incivility” among colleagues.  A recent study published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology examines the link between workplace toxicity and signs of deteriorating mental health such as rumination, insomnia, anxiety and depression.  What Does Workplace Incivility Mean? This term refers to a pattern of low-intensity behaviours that are vague enough to be open to interpretation so that the offender cannot be accused of attempting to harm the target even if they're violating workplace norms for mutual respect and courtesy.  In our day to day lives we would call it passive aggressive behaviour. Some common examples are: Back-handed compliments – disguising criticism through compliments – “I didn’t expect you to get it done… Congratulations! See what happens when you make an effort?” or how about “you’re really professional for your age” Excluding the target from group activities such as going out to lunch or planning to meet at a bar after work Silent treatment Interrupting  Sarcastic remarks Asking for the target’s opinion and then ignoring it  Neglecting to give credit for collaborative work Giving “dirty” or hostile looks Making insinuating remarks related to the target’s professional competence Undermining the target’s credibility in front of others Public reprimands Sometimes, this kind of actions is just a way for employees to blow off some steam when they are unhappy with the workload and can’t find a way to express their frustrations to the managerial staff. Other times, it’s a way of reducing the productivity of the target in order to hurt their professional image in the eyes of their bosses and perhaps get them to quit. How Does a Toxic Work Environment Impact Productivity? Researchers Christine M. Pearson and Christine L. Porath gathered data from over 2,400 people across the United States and Canada and concluded that workplace incivility does, in fact, affect productivity. Not only that, but it also undermines organizational values and depletes resources.  Targets will waste work time worrying about various incidents and planning how to avoid or deal with future hostile interactions with the instigator, it reduces commitment to the company, 20% of persons interviewed declaring they intentionally reduced their work effort as a result, and 10% reduced the time spent at work.  Companies with high levels of incivility among members of the staff experience higher turnover rates, loss of productivity because employees will avoid going to work by calling in sick, lower quality and quantity of work and lack of confidence in the leadership. The good news is that a study published in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that individuals who felt that their company was able to offer them emotional and social support reported higher job satisfaction and lower negative impact on their psychological well-being compared to those that didn’t. This suggests that the adverse effects of incivility can be buffered through feelings of organizational trust.  What About Mental Health? Well, a toxic work environment doesn’t impact only your emotional wellbeing but your overall health. So, let’s start by mentioning a weakened immune system, gastro-intestinal issues, high blood pressure and lower sex drive just to get them out of the way. These are just some of the most common ones since it depends on how healthy the individual was before starting to be affected by workplace stress. Plenty of people find themselves having to go to a Medical Centre and get a prescription just get them through the long days at the office.    When it comes to mental health, the first symptom is a reduction in the quality of sleep since the employee is ruminating over what happens during work hours and how to mitigate their conflicts which results in higher level of anxiety. After a time, the lack of sleep and chronic stress start to manifest as more serious medical conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular problems and depression. Research has also linked toxic work environments with substance abuse.  What Can Employees Do to Protect Their Health? Coping Techniques. If you’re unfortunate enough to work in a toxic environment with high levels of incivility, there are some coping techniques which may assist you in mitigating some of the negative effects it has on your well-being.  The most important one is developing the ability to detach yourself psychologically from work, at least during your free time. You can measure how successful you are in this process by counting how many times you think about work while you’re trying to enjoy the rest of your day or your weekend. It should be as close to zero as possible.  Employees who improve their capacity to relax after work can sleep better and are more adept at coping with the stress associated with this kind of behaviour. We mentioned earlier that it’s a common strategy to become less engaged in the workplace which leads to a reduction in productivity for the company. That may be so, but at least it helps people avoid burnout. This sort of detachment can be achieved through planning positive distractions such as vacations, going out with friends and family, physical exercise and enjoyable hobbies.  The relaxation that comes with prioritizing work-life balance results in lower levels of exhaustion and fewer health complaints. If you find yourself unable to do that because you are forced to stay at the office beyond the designated hours, “until the work is done” you may want to consider looking for a more fulfilling job.  

Having low blood pressure has always been a concern among people of all ages. Those who experience chronic hypertension usually encounter dizziness, loss of consciousness and blackouts. Low blood pressure happens when the diastolic and systolic pressure falls under 90- and 60-mm HG while normal blood pressure is usually less than 120\80 mm Hg. The good news is that regardless if you have a low or to high blood pressure, adopting a healthy lifestyle can be the end of this chronic problem. The most common causes for abnormal blood pressure are the lack of physical activity, genetics, being overweight, smoking or alcohol abuse. Luckily, with the necessary diet, an active lifestyle, and the correct mindset you can overcome an abnormal blood pressure without having to complicate or stressing yourself out. The following tips might come in handy for everyone, regardless of their gender and age: Be More Active Most probably you’ve heard it millions of times, but having a more active lifestyle, can put an end to your blood pressure problem. Some would say that exercising is the best thing you could do to lower your pressure. Additionally, you can be active, look and feel good at the same time through your favourite activity. Maybe you have a passion for hiking, and you haven’t discovered it yet, no matter what physical activity you enjoy, your hearth will be much stronger and more efficient at pumping blood which can considerably lower your blood pressure in arteries. Experts recommend us to have at least 150 minutes of physical exercises, like running, yoga or walking, in order to lower the blood pressure and improve the overall health. Moreover, the more active you become the bigger are the chances to maintain your blood pressure at a normal of 120/80. Consider a Home Blood Pressure Kit As soon as you’ve understood how blood pressure works it would be recommended to invest in a blood pressure kit, to make sure you’re kept updated to the latest changes in your body. It’s important to understand the blood pressure may not be that dangerous if you’re adopting the right mindset, get quality health services and take care of your diet. So, if you listen carefully to your doctor, check your blood pressure at least twice a day and respect your medication, nothing can go wrong. However, if you invest in a blood pressure kit, try to learn how to do it properly so you can get the accurate readings. Increase the Potassium Intake Usually found in most foods, potassium is a mineral that can help us balance minerals and fluids in our bodies. Additionally, potassium can help the body maintain normal blood pressure and boosts muscle contraction. Why do you need more potassium? Mainly because is one of the most important minerals your body that reduces both water retention and blood pressure. A steady intake of potassium prevents stroke, kidney stones and osteoporosis. Usually, potassium deficiency can lead to constipation, weakness and fatigue that eventually escalates to respiratory failure, paralysis and unpleasant gut obstructions. To make sure you get the necessary amount of potassium, implement in your diet foods such as: Potatoes and Sweet potatoes Dried Apricots Lentils Leafy Greens Tomato juice or puree Beans Raisins Milk and Yoghurt Avocado Sea Food Natural Supplements For those who enjoy and appreciate the benefits plants brought in our lives, know very well that plants are the oldest and cheapest and healthiest alternative for normal blood pressure. Although this can be a better alternative to the usual medication, you must first take into consideration your doctor’s advice before starting a plant-based diet because some of them especially if taken in large quantities may cause unwanted effects or even obstruct other medications. However, if you plan to introduce plants in your diet and you consider them to be a better alternative to your health pressure problem, the following plants are known to have considerable benefits: Cinnamon Known to be one of the tastiest seasoning ingredients so far, and you may introduce it in your diet through various exciting recipes. A recent study has shown that Cinnamon may overcome acute symptoms of both low and high blood pressure. Basil This yummy herb goes well-mixed with a variety of foods and it helps you decrease your blood pressure. Containing an active ingredient called eugenol, basil can block certain substances in your body that tighten the blood vessels. Cardamom Originally used in South Asian cuisine, Cardamom has proven to be highly efficient when it comes to low blood pressure. You should consider including Cardamom in your diet through various recipes such as stews, soups, or why not baked goodies if you wish to add an original flavour. Garlic This amazing ingredient can do more than just ruining your breath or adding that amazing flavour in your foods. Garlic has proven to be an excellent aid for those who experience low blood pressure. The active ingredient that makes garlic to be that magic, is called nitric oxide and can help your blood vessels dilate and relax. For those that can’t simply stand garlic in their food, garlic supplements might be a better option. Ginger Recent studies have proved the amazing benefits gingers have on our bodies. This essential ingredient should not miss from your home if you’re dealing with blood pressure problems. Ginger induces relaxation into the blood vessels and lowers your blood pressure. Usually used in Asian foods, ginger is an excellent ingredient that can be mixed with various beverages and sweets. French Lavender There is no doubt that lavender can offer us both an alluring ambience in our homes and extraordinary health benefits.  Many people consider integrating French Lavender in their homes and diet, especially those who're experiencing high blood pressure. Even though not everybody considers lavender to be an extraordinary ingredient for cooking, lavender can be used in the same way we would use rosemary. Meditation Can Be a Life Saviour Most of the times, the main cause of increased blood pressure can be our hectic lifestyle. Luckily, we have now within our reach plenty of stress reduction techniques to help us maintain both our hearth and mind relaxed. There is no doubt that meditation can be now a life saviour. With proper techniques, a correct mindset and diet we can overcome blood pressure problems and learn how to live a more peaceful and less stressful life. To make sure you maintain your blood pressure steady you should not underestimate the benefits of a proper diet, physical activity and meditation. You can start by making small changes in your everyday routines, habits and food intake or even in the way you respond to stressful situations.

We, humans, are very visual creatures and that makes us naturally more inclined to pay attention to and assimilate information when it is given to us in the form of videos rather than audio or text. According to research done by Cisco, by the year 2021, 80% of internet traffic will be comprised of videos and TechCrunch reports that users watch around 1 billion hours of YouTube videos. This growing trend has not eluded marketers and they’re also starting to popularize their products and services by adding explainer videos to their websites and by posting them on well-known social media platforms. Explainer videos are short animated videos that serve to illustrate a complex idea in less than 2 minutes by presenting potential customers with engaging and memorable visual content.  This type of advertisement has become widely-used, as most companies find that it’s a great way of generating new leads and it increases conversion rates. Another advantage is versatility. Explainer videos can easily be combined with already established methods of digital marketing to boost a company’s the bottom line. Email Marketing Email marketing is already a popular digital marketing tool as it offers a ROI (Return-On-Investment) of about 40x. That means you’ll get a return of $40 for every $1 you spend. The messages can be tailored to different audiences and have been shown to offer a more personal and compelling customer experience. Once you pair them with explainer videos, the effectiveness only increases. Research done by Forrester found that emails containing videos are twice to three times more likely to be checked. This results in more recipients ending up on your website where they can learn more about your company and what you have to offer. The traffic alone will improve your Google page-rank and get you higher online visibility.  Social Media Social media platforms put forward another excellent opportunity for you to showcase your explainer videos. Facebook alone has over 2 billion users and Instagram has reached one billion monthly users as of 2018. That’s 3 billion potential customers without counting Twitter, Snapchat or LinkedIn. With such a large audience you can be sure to find your target demographic among the daily netizens scrolling through their social media feeds. YouTube is the most prominent platform for video content and has a user-base of 2 billion. If you don’t already have a popular channel, you can pay to have your videos shown as ads. They’ll be played to users that have searched for content linked to your products or services and you’re only charged if they watch at least 30 seconds. Your Homepage   Having an explainer video on your homepage makes your content more engaging and makes users more prone to spend time there. This also improves your website’s ranking. The presence of an explainer video on your business website does not only help with our alarmingly decreasing attention spans, but it also adds legitimacy to your company. Guests associate a professional looking website with success and reliability. It shows you have the resources to invest in setting it up and you take enough interest to make such an effort. Instead of asking potential clients to navigate through your site and read blocks of text in order to find the information they’re looking for (most won’t do it anyway) you can make a sell in 2-3 minutes right on the landing page by explaining why they should choose you over your competitors, the payment options and where they need to click if they’re interested. That’s what we call making money while you sleep. On Your Company Blog If you don’t already have a company blog you should really consider creating one. It allows you to build a more trusting relationship with your clients as you’ll be able to converse with them through comments and you’ll have a platform to show off your expertise. Not only does a blog that contains explainer videos have a higher chance of moving up on Goggle’s search results but visitors are also more likely to share your link if they find that your content helps them figure out concepts they either couldn’t understand before or they had trouble explaining to others.    Staff Training Training employees through video content is not a new concept. Companies from all corners of the world use this format to give new hires a better understanding of their corporate culture. Big players like Intel and IBM have moved away from traditional face-to-face seminars and provide whole programs in video format. The reason for this is that it’s more affordable, it can be tailored more easily and because e-learning has shown such high efficiency in knowledge acquisition. According to them, employees tend to retain more information and, unlike an in-person presentation, they can review the content several times in case there’s anything they didn’t quite grasp. Moreover, you can use explainer videos when there are any changes in business procedures. If you’re outsourcing your customer support services, you can make sure that changes are presented in the exact way you intended them, without any misunderstandings resulting from the information getting distorted along the way. Sales Pitches When meeting with other companies to either directly sell to them or to convince them to collaborate with you on a project, you or your employees might get nervous and not present yourselves and the advantages of a business relationship in the most convincing manner. Playing one or several explainer videos during the meeting allows for a break to relax and you have the certainty that the sales pitch will be delivered in the most engaging way, regardless of how confident you feel at that precise moment. Especially when meeting with investors, it can be quite challenging to deliver a presentation unlike anything they’ve seen before. Seeing them losing interest in what you have to say only serves to make you even more nervous and more likely to lose your train of though and start to stammer. An explainer video can contain all the statistics that you might have trouble remembering in front of an audience and will also show that you cared enough to invest resources into delivering your company’s details through something more sophisticated that a PowerPoint presentation.

Do you spend a lot of time thinking about how you can make the world a better place and how to make a difference in people's lives?  Then you've probably already thought about choosing a career that gives you meaning and allows you to make a contribution. After a long day at work, you get a special sense of satisfaction knowing that you have made the world and people’s lives a little bit better and that you don’t work just for money and yourself. Teacher Education is one of the most important services society provides and it’s vital to maintaining to fast paced cultural progress we are used to as a species. A teacher’s role is to help guide children, to make them strong, brave and prepare them for the all the good and bad that comes with being an adult. Demand for highly skilled teachers has been on the rise and there's little chance for this trend to change in the future. If you're passionate about teaching, learning and sharing your experience with the younger generation with the intent of making a difference in a child's life, then this is the perfect career for you. People looking to take up teaching should be relatively outgoing, must be good listeners, have great problem-solving and organizational abilities along with effective communication skills so that they're able to convey information in such a way that it reaches the classroom and the students remain engaged and are able to remember what was said to them. Social Worker Social work is a noble pursuit that affords a wealth of possibilities to make positive changes in people's lives. One other advantage is that this occupation offers quite a wide range of paths to choose in terms of causes you want to involve yourself in. In the most basic terms, social workers help people overcome or come to grips with obstacles they’re facing in their day-to-day lives. Clinical social workers are also qualified to diagnose and treat mental health related challenges. There are several areas that you could move towards. You could specialize in child and family social work and then you’d be protecting vulnerable children and assisting families who are in need of help and guidance. As a school social worker, you’d be working with teachers, parents and school administrator to determine what changes would have to be made to increase academic performance for students that are dealing with issues such as bullying, frequent absences, self-destructive tendencies or lack of resources and support. When it comes to working in the mental health sector, you’d be making sure that the individuals coping with mental illnesses or addictions placed under your care have access to all the resources that could contribute to the effectiveness of the treatment they’re undergoing. Another important aspect of social work is advocacy. Social workers often raise awareness on the issues brought to their attention through their work. Health Care Sector Everybody needs a doctor at some point. Either for a minor flu or major surgery, we all go see a physician eventually. We rarely think about how valuable doctors are to our lives. They work diligently to improve to raise health standards for both humans and animals. Many medical professionals from around the world volunteer to provide medical services to people who can’t afford it or are located in regions where they’re unavailable. It’s thanks to the relentless efforts of these doctors and researchers that the medical field has reached such a high point of advancement. A host of new medications and therapies are being developed that contribute to treatment adherence and effectiveness. This is why it's considered such a noble profession. This field also has the advantage of offering many spheres of activity that you could specialize in. Maybe you’d rather be a nurse and offer home care to the elderly.   Or maybe you feel more drawn to the rush that an EMT or paramedic experiences. As an FDNY EMT or paramedic you’d be able to save countless lives, especially since there’s currently a shortage. This shortage means that when people call 911, the ambulance can’t arrive as soon as it should and therefore, they don’t get medical attention as quickly as they should. Unfortunately, when it comes to emergencies every second counts. Psychotherapist or Counselor Even if you haven’t gone yourself, chances are that you know a couple of people who have undergone weekly session of psychotherapy. As social stigma around metal health has reduced over the past few years, an increasing number of people are finding the courage to seek out professional help to get them through hard times. Often, the term "therapist" is used in a broader sense to include a wide range of practitioners who can provide clients with mental health care services. As an example, both a clinical psychologist and a licensed professional counselor handle mental health issues in vari