4 Causes Of Stress You Need To Avoid

Friday, February 26, 2021

 

You might think that stress is just another fact of life that is somewhat unavoidable and this is understandable. After all, research suggests that 75% of people have felt completely overwhelmed in the past year. However, it’s important to remember that stress can have a profound impact on your health and change your life in various negative ways. Here are some of the key issues that you definitely need to watch out for and hopefully avoid completely.

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Hair Loss

It’s possible that you are so stressed that you have started to notice your hair fall out. This might not seem serious but it could impact your confidence. On average, we shed about a hundred hairs each day. So, if you notice a few strands every so often, that’s nothing to worry about. It will be time to take notice when you see clumps of hair in the shower or when you are brushing. If you are worried that stress is causing physical changes like this, then you should think about trying a radical treatment option. For instance, some people use herbal treatments in joints to calm down. You might think that it’s difficult to use a treatment like this but with pre-roll packaging, it’s a simple choice.

Weight Gain

You might find that stress and tension is causing you to put on weight. This could be because you are binge heating. While unhealthy binge heating is a common step that people take when they are stressed. It’s easier to reach for the chocolate bar rather than tackle what’s going on. You do need to watch your diet but it’s also worth noting that stress can cause you to bloat even when you are not consuming more food.

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Headaches

Headaches can be caused by immense levels of stress in your life. Stress will typically cause tension headaches. This makes it feel as though there is an elastic band being squeezed around your head. Usually, the pain will be felt by the temples on both sides of your head. To deal with this issue effectively, you should be focusing on completing breathing exercises. This will help you regulate the levels of oxygen to your brain. You can also explore meditating. There are lots of guides online that will help you learn the basics of meditation.

Depression

Finally, if you are constantly stressed and you always feel overwhelmed, then you might find that you struggle to build up the energy to do anything. Instead, you could just want to spend all your time in bed. This can be an early sign of depression, particularly if it lasts for more than a few days and is beginning to impact your typical routine. You could even be missing days of work. If you are worried about this, then it is going to be worth speaking to a therapist. A cognitive therapist will be able to help you reach the root cause of your stress and tackle it head-on before it gets any worse.

We hope this helps you understand some of the worst issues with stress that you can encounter and the right ways to deal with them.




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Puppy Care 101: Simple Steps That Are Sure To Inspire A Happy, Healthy Dog

 
Making the decision to welcome a puppy into your family home can be such an exciting process, as you gain the opportunity to watch them learn and grow as they settle in. It's absolutely essential that you are able to prepare yourself for their arrival, as a puppy maintains a wide set of needs that must be met in order to achieve a good quality of life. Luckily, there are just a few key areas in which you must focus your efforts to ensure you can take great care of your dog, and it couldn't be easier to get started today. So, if you would like to find out more about how you can encourage your pup to be as happy and healthy as ever, then read on to uncover some of the best steps that you can make the most now.

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Research Their Breed

Before you make any decisions or take any further steps surrounding your puppy, you must ensure that you have spent some time researching their specific breed. Each dog will either be a direct descendant of a breed, or a mix of two or more - some mixes, still have dominant breed characteristics, so you must focus on these to get the best result. A puppy's breed can have such a massive influence over their care requirements, as of course buying a teddy bear dog is going to be a totally different experience when compared with the purchase of a large guard dog. Researching their breed will allow you to uncover some essential information, including their susceptibility to training, any food intolerances, health risks to look out for and ever exercise needs. You can find so many different resources on the internet to make the most of, as well as hardback books and canine magazines too!

Provide Quality Meals

Grabbing any old dog food in the supermarket will do nothing but cause your pup serious problems, as you must make an effort to provide them with the best quality meals to maintain great health for as long as possible. It's often recommended to feed your pup a combination of both wet food and dry kibble, as sticking to just one could cause stomach troubles and poor digestion. Find a reputable brand that provides the best standard food, utilising fresh, natural ingredients that you can recognise in their bowl. Consider experimenting with 'raw' or refrigerated foods, as these are often considered the most suitable diet choices that a dog owner can make. If you wish to keep more control over what your puppy is eating, you're more than able to make their meals yourself. Be sure to check a few recipes beforehand, as certain ingredients like onion and salt must be avoided as they are poisonous and cause extreme damage. Whenever you decide to introduce a new food, allow your pup to try it slowly over the period of a week to make sure the change doesn't stop them from eating altogether.

Socialisation Is Key

One of the most essential aspects of a happy pups day is a burst of socialisation, as every dog needs a chance to communicate with other dogs nearby whilst meeting other humans and experiencing the many joys of the outside world. Socialisation can involve any one who doesn't usually live in your family home, as your dog will notice the unfamiliar scent and investigate to find out more. This process is completely natural for dogs, as they're never happier than they are when tracking an exciting animal scent, and they love to bond with others of all species and sizes! You must make sure that your puppy has had all of their vaccinations before you decide to take them out to socialise, otherwise they risk getting seriously ill by picking up an infection from another dog. It's a good idea to take them along to a kind of puppy training class, as this will give them the chance to learn how to interact with other dogs in a safe and secure environment. It's nice to get to the stage where you can let your pup off the lead to socialise freely, but you must be able to call their name and get a response to make sure they do not escape or put themselves in danger.

Making sure that you can look after your pup properly has never been so simple when you can take the time to make the most of the brilliant guide above. Your dog will no doubt repay your efforts with endless love and devotion, so the hard work is most definitely worth it.


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How To Build A Content Calendar for Your Blog, Brand, or Business

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

 

Whether you write a blog, have your own business, or are trying to promote your brand, it's important to plan your content out when it comes to blogging and social media.  This can be done for social media channels, blogs, and newsletters.  Having things planned out can help when you are lacking inspiration and motivation or when life just gets chaotic.  Today I'm sharing how you can build a content calendar that makes it much easier to keep chugging along when you lack motivation. 

Energy-Conserving Tips To Help You Save Money on Electricity

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

 
These days, saving money on electricity is a huge consideration that a lot of us are focusing on. This is mainly because many of us are choosing to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle that is more conscious of the effect that we have on the environment. Unfortunately, a lot of us have developed poor habits that lead to wasted electricity around the home. So in this post, we’ll be talking about how you can conserve energy and save a surprising amount of money around the home.

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Lowering your lighting costs

One of the biggest energy expenses in the home is lighting. Many of us leave the lights on around the home whenever it gets dark, and it’s understandable since we don’t exactly want to be using candles or trying to walk around at night in the dark. But there are a couple of smart ways to reduce your lighting costs.

Consider using natural light whenever possible. This guide from https://elemental.green is a great example of how you can make better use of natural light.

- Try switching to LED bulbs as they tend to last longer and don’t cost as much to run.

- Use smart bulbs that automatically dim under certain conditions, such as when it gets darker or closer to bedtime. You can also use smart lights to automatically switch lights on or off depending on who’s in the room.

- Take advantage of renewable energy when possible

It’s also a good idea to consider using renewable energy whenever possible. There are a number of ways to do this, such as using community solar options from www.choosesolar.com to split the cost or investing in your own solar panels. Investing in solar should be considered a long-term option that takes years before you can recuperate your costs. However, it does offer immediate savings.

With that said, renewable energy shouldn’t be wasted. While it’s nice to generate “ free” energy from the planet, it’s usually not enough to power everything in your home so you’ll need to be mindful of how you utilize it.

Being more efficient with your home heating and cooling

There are countless different ways to improve the heating and cooling of your home. Here are just a couple of tips to consider:

- Make sure your home is properly insulated so that the temperature doesn’t swing wildly. This is great for keeping the heat in during winter and for keeping your home cool during the summer.

- Get a smart thermostat that automatically regulates the temperature in your home. This can help you save a lot of money over time since it automatically switches off heating and cooling in certain parts of the home when it’s not needed.

- Make use of the shade in cool rooms. Use curtains and blinds to reduce the amount of exposure to the sun to keep certain rooms cool throughout the day.

With these simple tips, you’ll be able to drastically reduce the amount of energy that you use on heating and cooling your home.



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5 Effective Habits for a Happy Life

 

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Finding happiness and satisfaction is everyone's dream. But life can throw some shades that might make your heart get troubled and your smile fade. That's life anyway!

Fortunately, there are several ways you can be happy. It could be having the freedom to pursue your dreams, being in a healthy romantic relationship, or having a network of friends and relatives who accept you unconditionally.

Whatever your version of happiness, living a satisfied and happier life is within reach. There are good habits that can make you attain your goals.

Self-Acceptance

Life’s dynamism makes us have a desire to alter, change, or punish ourselves for attaining some goals. But you can never achieve everything you ever dream of. That is why you should cultivate a lifelong and stable relationship with yourself.

Self-discovery is a prerequisite to be a happy soul. Discover your purpose and passion in life. Realizing you cannot be everything in life is the step towards happiness.

It’s all about knowing there are things you cannot change in life. Self-acceptance makes you realize you're a worthy human being despite your insecurities and weaknesses.

Get Surrounded with Positivity

Be grateful and content for what you already have instead of getting depressed for what you don't have. This is a great way to kickstart your day, and the universe will cooperate to give you more reasons to be grateful.

According to Dr. Mike Brooks, the five close people in your life determine how you feel. “Your vibe attracts your tribe.” That’s why you need to accumulate positive vibes and energies around you.

This applies to a partner you choose for a relationship, colleagues, or business partners. The individuals you surround yourself with should give you hope, encouragement, and uplift you. These are people who know you use hearing aid controls or suffer a particular disease without judging or stigmatizing you.

Positive energies uplift your spirits and bring joy and happiness.

Workout

Exercises are often associated with a physique. People workout for an incredible body, get an hourglass figure and maintain good blood flow.

But working out will also bring immense happiness by keeping you sane and healthy.

Research indicates that exercises improve happiness, health status and decrease the risk of depression.

Your body releases chemicals that suppress stress and anxiety-causing hormones.

You can engage in simple physical activities like bike riding, taking your dog for a walk, nature walk, and taking stairs instead of the elevator.

Do What You Love

Being happy means you are content with what you do. That's why it's important to engage in activities you have passion and love for. It boosts your overall happiness.

Give a Compliment

Performing acts of kindness makes you feel satisfied and happy. When you brighten someone’s day, it also boosts your happiness.

But ensure you give a compliment respectfully.

The Bottom Line

Life ought to be lived happily, regardless of the high and low tides. Just know achieving happiness is within reach. These monthly, weekly, or daily habits will help you jumpstart your quest.



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Books I Recommend You Read [February]

Monday, February 22, 2021

This site has affiliate links and sponsored content. Read my Disclosure Policy.


 
Winter is a time when I'm stuck inside so I enjoy reading whenever I have the extra time! Here's what I read this month.



Laundry Mistakes That Are Making Your Life A Misery

Friday, February 19, 2021

 

For those of us who love to clean, laundry day is always a pleasure. What could be more satisfying than the gentle whir of the machine alongside a backdrop of your favorite detergent scent? Finally, you get to remove all those gathering laundry piles, and guess what? You get clean clothes out of it!It’s any neat freak’s dream. Until, of course, laundry day goes wrong.

As well as being obviously unpleasant, laundry issues of any kind can set your cleaning schedule back no end. Even then, there’s no guarantee that the outcome will be any different, leaving you spinning as fast as your washer drum.

Lucky for you, laundry setbacks are often down to a few obvious mistakes. To help you avoid and overcome them, we’re going to consider exactly what those are.

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The color conundrum

We all know that we need to split laundry colors. You weren’t born yesterday, right? But, can you honestly say that your so-called ‘well-planned' color coding system always runs smoothly? One stray black sock can turn a whole load of whites grey, and that’s probably one of the better outcomes! Worse, still, light and dark colors should never mix. It’s a whole headache, and it’s one that you can easily rectify by investing in one of the fantastic multi-section laundry hampers on the market. These go a long way towards removing human error, guaranteeing you never see a dreaded black sock spinning in your whites. Color catchers are also a must for adding an extra layer of protection to keep your colors straight, no matter what.

Perhaps it’s a poorly performing machine?

It’s not unusual to notice little bits of fluff on our clothes after a wash load, especially if you’ve got a pet. But, you don’t need to suffer this fate. While you will want to brush your clothes on entry, your machine should ultimately be able to wash the worst of any remaining fluff away. The fact that isn’t happening suggests you need to invest in either washer or dryer vent cleaning that clears overloaded vents, and ensures that your clothes come out pristine once more.


It’s time to turn to your laundry room




If you’re still having issues, it might be time to turn to your laundry room itself. Too often, the space in which our washes and dryers live is poorly planned, cramped, and generally unwelcoming. This can make sorting difficult, opens the risk of using the wrong laundry powder at any given time, and a whole lot besides. The answer, of course, lies in getting organized. Certainly, making the most of this space frees you to create a folding station, organize all your detergents, and even incorporate one of those multi-section laundry hampers we spoke about earlier. As simple as that, you may just find that your laundry comes out sparkling again.

Laundry setbacks can be stressful, but really, there’s no need to panic. Simply ask yourself whether you’re making these mistakes, and take steps to get back to laundry days you can love.




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How To Make A Pet Fund

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

 


I have talked before about how I decided that a pet fund was better for me than pet insurance but  every person is different.  If however, you are like me and you want to set money aside every month for the care of your pets, this post is for you!

 

5 Ways To Relax When You Are Feeling Too Stressed

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

 

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Life can get stressful. That is not new news, of course, but it is worth reiterating. Relationships, jobs and everything in between contributes to one's anxiety level. A level that can feel like you are carrying a boulder on your back: a boulder that has become commonplace amongst Americans.

According to the American Psychological Association, stress levels in the United States have continued to rise. Right now, U.S. adults have a higher level of stress than they did at the onset of the pandemic.

Now, coronavirus and the country’s lack of unity ranks high on the list of why stress has piled up for many. But at the same time, those same people have to go and live their everyday lives. That could add stress to the anxiety someone is already experiencing. And in a world where mental health is on the backburner, not many people know how to handle their newfound stress.

There are many ways for you to calm yourself down. By using various coping skills, a person can ground themselves. That does not mean that someone will be able to bring their anxiety down from a 10 to a one, but bringing it down at all is positive. It can truly be so beneficial if you ever get the feeling of being on edge. So without further ado, here are some ways to knock that stress level down a peg:

Work Out

Working out is always a great way to get things off of your mind. Instead of focusing on what was going on at work, you need to focus on not falling off the treadmill, curling dumbbells, or getting in that one last rep.

Still, this does not mean you have to be “working out” at the gym. Engaging in physical activity of any kind can be super helpful. You could play basketball, do some yoga, or play catch outside amongst other things. What it is is the least important aspect of it all. The main hope is that it can get your mind off the stressors of your life.

And in addition to distracting you, physical activity can also boost one's endorphins. Those are the neurotransmitters in your brain that make you feel good. Scientifically, it is a fact that exercise can help your stress. Plus, it never hurts to get up and do some cardio for your heart health.

Meditate

Mediating can be a handy way to manage your stress. Now, meditation is not for everyone. But for some, sitting down in a relaxed state with your thoughts can help you get some real clarity on any situation that may be stressing you out. All in all, the goal of meditation is to create a sense of mindfulness for oneself. Being mindfully aware of things can give you a better sense of peace.

Although meditation can be a spiritual or religious practice, that does not always have to be the case. You are the boss of your meditation. You can sit there silently with yourself or listen to a guided meditation online. Still, the only thing that matters is getting your stress down from where it is.

Journal

Journaling can be an essential tool in trying to rid yourself of any anxiety. It is an opportunity for you to get all your thoughts, feelings and emotions down on paper. It is not very often that someone can get that type of release. The only other place you may be able to share as much as you can in a journal is in a therapist’s office. Still, not everyone has access to a therapist. And even if you have a therapist, most of them are not on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

In all honesty, everyone should consider getting a journal. Even if you do not consider yourself a writer, you could jot your thoughts down in bullet points or lists. Your journal is what you want it to be, and having it as an outlet is more of a plus than a minus; even if you do not use it all that much.

Use CBD

Cannabidiol (CBD) has become somewhat of a revelation. It can get somewhat of a bad reputation for being so closely related to marijuana and THC, but that relationship is entirely overblown. Besides, some people believe marijuana can be used in a medicinal capacity.

But without straying from the topic of CBD, it is worthy of noting that CBD does not involve any of the psychoactive effects of marijuana. CBD is just another part of the plant. The plant’s psychoactive component is called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is broken down into categories like delta 8 THC and delta 9 THC.

Even though CBD cannot to create those psychoactive effects for you, CBD can still do a whole lot. CBD can reduce pain, help with substance abuse, and -you guessed it- help with anxiety and depression.

You may be sceptical about using a product like this, but if it helps with your anxiety, what is the harm in it? As people like to say, don’t knock it until you try it.

Distract Yourself

All of the items listed above could be considered distractions, like working out, for example. Just going for a run down the street can be of great importance to your stress level by distracting you from all the other nonsense going on in your life. Still, that does not mean a jog is the only thing you can do.

For some, physical exercise is not their cup of tea. Instead of trying to reduce the stress that way, you could watch television or a movie, read a book, draw, or listen to music. Whatever works for is okay. At the end of the day, the goal is to help get your anxiety and stress down. Whatever the method you use to do that is your decision, but it is important to just go with what works.





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Our Kitchen Makeover

Monday, February 15, 2021

 


So we have some exciting news! We FINALLY had our kitchen redone.  Rather than have a big company come in and do it, we found a guy through a close friend and he worked with my husband on the whole thing.  My husband installed the drawers and doors and repainted the bones after they were delivered cut and painted.   And after a few more weeks we had our new countertop delivered and I am in LOVE!



Reaching Out to Grow Your Business

Friday, February 12, 2021

 


Often times we talk about different marketing tactics to spread the word about your business. And whether you use someone like Bennet Schwartz Sydney to find creative ways to reach an audience or you do it yourself, your business  can reach more people and bring in more clients and customers if you reach out in the right ways.  Obviously, social media strategies are very important in these modern times and can be a great advertising venue.  You can create organic content that shares what you offer to potential customers and allows them to interact with you and engage so you can build a relationship and gain their trust.  Sometimes asking a question to your audience can give you insight into what types of services or products people are looking for and you can explain how you can meet that need.  
 
Speaking out in other ways can be a big help, too.  You can network with local reporters or websites and have them write about what you offer so you can reach customers that you may not have reached through social media alone.  It's a great way to spread the word about your business and what you offer.  Not everyone is on a computer all day so a radio interview, newspaper article, or a feature in any other local publication can be very beneficial.  
 
 
When it comes to advertising your business, you can work with a creative director to figure out the best way to get the word out and even make attractive content or graphics that will catch the eye of consumers.  These people are trained to know the best way to market something to an audience and can work with you to best describe what you offer and make the advertisement appealing and attractive through graphic design, video, or photos.  
 
Remember, every product should provide a solution for something. Whether it’s a book with investing advice or a way to manage finances for a small business, it provides a resolution for an issue someone has.  That's why it's important to know your audience and when you reach a new audience, get to know them, too.  When you have customers, make sure you get their feedback on what they like and don't like and how you could better meet their needs or even attract other people in the same demographic.  
Public speaking at events is another great way to market yourself.   If you are able to find an outlet for this, you can basically sell yourself by explaining your service, your costs, and how you can personally help whomever you are present too.Be sure to do research on the organization or company you're speaking for and find an organic way to advertise your services while you entertain them.  Maybe you give a presentation on ways to keep your home's electricity bill down and then you offer that your company can service their HVAC system every year.  Explain the importance of this and do it in the right way, so it gets the audience thinking of how quickly they should reach out to you to book your services.  Speaking at it’s core really just helps to get the word about you out there. Some may not even know of your existence and your business before you present and that means you have to make a great first impression. Be presentable with your attire, bring props or slides and handouts, and speak with enthusiasm. It’s imperative that you rehearse what you plan to say, preferably in front of a friend or family member so you can get their feedback. If nerves are getting the best of you just remember, they don’t know what you’re going to say because you’re the expert on your subject matter so all they’re doing is eagerly learning.

It's always important to show off your logo when you speak or reach out publicly.  You can work with a graphic designer on this if you don't know where to get started yourself.   You want something they will remember you by easily. Have it displayed on the slides, the handouts, and even on signage right where you’re speaking. If you're doing an interview on TV, wear the logo on your shirt.  Remember that you want to make an impact so you stay fresh in people’s minds. Another great way to start connecting with the audience right off the bat is by telling a personal story they can relate to. It helps to get them ready to listen to you because they’ll immediately resonate with you and be intrigued to hear more.

There are so many great ways to reach out to others about your business, so don't be afraid to take charge!


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