Many homeowners opt for a paved garden to cut down on the necessary workload and keep it tidy with little expense or effort. We have detailed below some examples of the benefits you will be missing out on by not having a healthy lawn and garden. A good lawn and plants can help make us feel better, be more popular with friends and neighbors, while also being a positive force for the environment.
Health Benefits of a Garden
We may not realize how much an outdoor space can help to keep us healthy and fit. If you are lucky enough to have a garden that is well maintained, you will benefit from having fewer allergies and pests bothering you in the peak season. A beautiful garden will keep pest’s away by not providing them with an ideal environment for breeding, and the pollen count will be lower due to having plants and trees that have a lower pollen count. The university in California has also noted that patients with a view of the gardens recover quicker than those with interior views only, meaning your garden can actually help to cure you of ailments. Along with the physical gains, you will get from having a garden that has been looked after you will also gain from the mental side. Having a beautiful area to sit and relax in after a hard day at the office will reduce stress levels and help those who have attention deficit disorders, allowing them to concentrate more when needed.
Socializing Benefits of a Well-cared-for Garden
Many homeowners are paying more attention to their outside spaces than ever before. The reason we want to have a great back yard is to create additional living space for the family to relax. If you take care of your lawn and keep the different types of weeds under control, you give your family a great space to eat and socialize. A garden in great shape can also offer young children an additional play area out of the house where you know they will be safe and secure. A common feature in a lot of back gardens is having a space to eat and entertain friends, usually a decking or well-designed patio with a barbeque area that you can use when the weather is good. Gain the admiration of your friends by creating a garden that looks good and provides you with a great socializing space to enjoy.
Environmental Benefits of a Garden
Possibly the most significant benefit that having a well looked after the garden is the ecological aspect. Having healthy trees, plants and turf will eat up carbon and replace it with oxygen providing a much-needed boost for you and the local environment. Lawns will naturally absorb a lot of the sun’s radiation while also providing a cooling effect whereas patios, concrete and asphalt will store heat and radiate it back in the air which can make the temperatures soar during sunny spells. Good quality turf will help to retain the soil far better than a sparsely seeded lawn, at the same time it will help soak up the rainwater. As the water will not evaporate back into the atmosphere after a mild shower, this will stop your garden from feeling humid and hot throughout the summer months. A well thought out garden will give much-needed help to wildlife by providing a habitat that they can live in while keeping the unwanted pests at bay. Your garden will attract birds and other insects that eat or repel the nasty bugs that no-one wants to see while they’re enjoying the serenity of their yard.
Start Your Dream Garden
Having a healthy lawn and garden is not as much work as some would have you believe. Choose grass seed that will flourish in your area and start sowing your lawn. Having a good variety of plants and trees that require little maintenance will compliment your lawn area and can be done at a minimal cost. Get down to your local garden center or horticulturists and find out what plants will work in your garden. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get in touch with nature once again and don’t hesitate to make this a communal activity for you and your family.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
The holiday season is officially over, which means it’s time to start working off some of the extra pounds you picked up at mom’s house. While people generally love the idea of looking like the dudes who do commercials for home-exercise equipment, most of us still hate working out and dieting. If you are one of them, don’t worry. There are a ton of startups offering the kind of motivation you need in the form of mobile apps. Such apps use activity tracking as well as fitness and health risk assessment apps.
Today we’ll be exercising our startup muscles by taking a look at some of these young companies and what makes them tick.
8 Motivations to Start Up Health & Fitness:
Fitness gamification is huge right now, which makes sense given that it adds a much-needed dimension of play to the arduous task of getting fit. A great example of fitness gamification is Tep, which is basically a cross between a fitness tracker and a Tamagotchi; though, in the case of Tep, the star is a niftily-designed giraffe rather than a globular cluster of black pixels.
The more a user exercises, the better the giraffe does (users can buy their long-necked pets treats with rewards points they earn from walking, running and cycling). If users slack off, though, it’s curtains for the poor creature.
According to the app’s creators, a group of five super-talented self-starters from Szeged, Hungary, «Tep’s competitive edge relies on emotional connection and the mental „threat“ that the beloved pet might suffer from the lack of proper physical activity and thus offers a solution for curve fatigue effect.»
Does that sound a little dark? Sure. But it’s for a good cause. The founding team’s goal is to help users lose eight million pounds of fat in the next three years; there’s also talk of buying a giraffe.
The founding team built Tep on their own time and dime, but are currently funded by Traction Tribe and prizes from Microsoft’s Imagine Cup.
Tep is available in beta for Android and Windows phones, with an iOS version coming soon.
Wokamon
If you like the idea of a digital workout buddy helping you toe the line, but giraffes aren’t really your thing, then you might dig Wokamon, which comes to us from Mars Zhu and Hazim Abdul Hamid of Noodum.
Wokamon features dozens of animated monsters that get bigger and stronger as you do. Since it comes with a pedometer and syncs with wearables like Jawbone, Fitbit, and Up, you can be sure that every calorie burned gets counted and fed to your growing army of critters.
Connecting with friends on social media through Wokamon earns you reward points, which you can burn on unlocking new creatures.
Noodum and Wokamon are currently being funded by an $18,000 seed investment from Manchester Metropolitan University’s Innospace Incubator.
Gamified fitness apps like Wokamon and Tep have a lot of options when it comes to future monetization. They can either take the Zombies, Run! The approach of charging for downloads (which works if you’re as niche and well-made as that app) or offer in-app purchases for things like new backgrounds, characters, or crystals and boosters for your pet monsters.
For now, though, we can take advantage of both Tep and Wokamon for free.
Teamster
Teamster is an iOS app that, contrary to its name, has absolutely nothing to do with trucking. What teamster does do, though, is help you connect with other people in your area who are interested in the same sorts of athletic activities as you.
Conveniently, users are able to identify which sports they like and their level of skill in each on a scale of 1 to 5, which means you won’t be totally outmatched when you meet up for a game with other users.
When you find another user who shares your interests and skill set, swipe right in the app to add them to your team. Sounds like Tinder is ubiquitous, doesn’t it? Users can then create activities for other users or teams to join.
Teamster comes to us from the Melbourne based duo of Henry Chan and 22-year old Sam McCallum, who has a background in competitive running, cycling, and skiing.
Actually, 2015 is shaping up to be an awesome year for apps that bring social networking logic to the gym. Take Boston-based Perspyre, for example, which is coming out soon with a beta version for Android and iOS.
The whole point of Perspyre is connecting people who love to sweat and giving them access to workouts, advice, and motivation. Users can log into the app via Facebook and take post-workout selfies, record workouts, and brag about new personal records.
Though it’s admittedly a little intense for beginners, Persypre is perfect for those who are already «motivated and dedicated» enough to willingly visit Crossfit and P90x classes.
Perspyre is the brainchild of Jason Chisholm and Jeremy Mays and has received $25,000 in seed funding from John Piret of the investment firm Newbury Piret & Co.
If Perspyre sounds like it’s right up your alley, keep an eye out for the soon-to-be-launched SternFit iOS app which also gives workout buffs a great platform for sharing pics, tips, and workouts.
Rocket Journey
If your meteoric rise to peak physical perfection is still in the launch phase, you’ll find a helpful companion in RocketJourney, which bills itself as the «smartest and friendliest way to a fitness lifestyle.»
The app’s founding trio of Carlos Ayala, Pablo Artee, and Ernesto Cambuston has received funding from 500 Startups, the seed fund and startup accelerator comprised of Google and PayPal alums.
RocketJourney tracks all of your fitness activities from cycling to yoga to lifting to competitive eating — just kidding about that last one — and verifies that you’ve actually worked out through GPS and wearables integration.
The app motivates you to stick to your fitness regime by giving you points for completed workouts and taking away points for missed ones. The same logic holds true for user-created «teams» which add the pinch of peer-pressure that it just might take to keep you on track.
You can register for updates on RocketJourney’s release on the website.
OneSet
OneSet — «Vine for Fitness» — is another promising app to stay tuned for in the months to come. Users can create 15-second videos demonstrating an exercise or «stack» other users’ videos into workouts.
Since videos are organized by muscle group or goal, it’s easy to find the right moves for you.
OneSet’s founding team is based in Waterloo, Canada, and consists of brothers Amad and Shameel Abdullah, as well as full-stack developer George Xu.
GYM radio
Sometimes all it takes to reach the athlete within is finding the right music to sweat to, or the right gym to do it in.
Though GYM radio’s online music streaming service has been around since 2013, its new iOS, Android, and Windows phone releases have made it easier than ever to get amped up and pumped up at the same time.
The app features three music settings — cardio, gym, and hardcore-tailored to give your workout the right feel. Here’s the best part: GYM radio is completely ad-free, which means your runners high won’t get interrupted by voice-actors pitching toothpaste or discount car insurance.
GYM radio also offers a premium upgrade which, for a monthly or yearly subscription, will let you listen offline, skip songs, and get access to material unavailable on the standard version.
Gymhopper
Gymhopper — «Uber for gyms»- is a Swiss startup that aims to help you find the right gym by offering its users discounted individual training passes. Gyms benefit from the app by getting a little extra exposure as well as a shot at their target market, people who are actively searching for a new place to get sweaty.
Gymhopper is currently in series A fundraising but expects an iOS release later this year.
What can fitness startups learn from RunKeeper?
Figuring out how to actually make money with your app is a problem that can plague even the biggest of startup fish. Each of the aforementioned apps will have to figure out the right monetization strategy for their product and user-base. One good model employed by the leading fitness tracker RunKeeper is to partner with other businesses to provide sponsored advertising to users.
That means Teamster’s users could theoretically get discounts on Nike products for showing up at local softball games, and Perspyre users could get 25% off gym memberships for visiting p90x classes 3 times a week.
There are a lot of good ways to get back in shape, and a lot of good startups out there creating more every day.
Read Also:
8 Fitness Hacks That Will Make Your Life Better
How Do I Get Back In Shape? Fitness Experts Share Their Tips!
Almost ten percent of Americans have used some sort of illicit drug in the past month. Many of those people won't develop any signs of addiction.
Typically, people start to use drugs on a recreational basis and over time move from only using in a social setting to using on their own. As time goes on and the disease of addiction progresses, they will begin to exhibit more signs and engage in riskier behavior.
Fortunately, there are ways to catch addictions while they are forming. You can approach a loved one before their habit becomes a real problem, but only if you know what to look for. Learn more here.
1. An Increase of Stress and Feelings of Paranoia:
Most people turn to drugs and alcohol at stressful times in their life. If you know someone who has a history of turning to substances when they are upset and you find out they are going through a stressful period, you may want to reach out to lend them support.
If you reach out and you notice your friend responds with feelings of paranoia, they may be already headed towards developing an addiction. Talk to them about their recent drug and alcohol use.
2. Changes in Behavior:
Depending on how often you are able to see your loved one, you will be able to notice changes in their behavior developing.
They may start to miss work more, have problems in school, and not care about showing up at social engagements. They may also start to isolate themselves more so that they are able to make more time for using.
Their conversations will become dominated by talk of drug and alcohol use. And, they will most likely fall on hard financial times and constantly need more money.
3. Cold or Flu-Like Symptoms:
Cold or flu-like symptoms can develop due to long term use of many drugs including meth and opioids. For those who inject the drugs, they will often develop a cough and a runny nose as well as puffy eyes.
If you notice that your loved one has some of these symptoms but they don't want to go to the doctor, it could be because they have something to hide.
4. Manipulative Behavior:
Drug and alcohol addictions are expensive. Depending on how much access a drug user has to cash, they may frequently be in need of more money to feed their habit.
When combined with the threat of withdrawal symptoms, many addicts will choose to steal or manipulate their loved ones in order to get the money they need. They will come up with lies and tell stories in order to borrow more cash. They may also steal valuables from their loved ones that they can sell later for cash.
5. Unexplained Disappearances:
Unexplained disappearances are a common indicator of addiction. In order to become an addict, you have to dedicate a lot of time to it. The more time an addict spends high, the less comfortable they tend to feel around friends and family members that don't use.
Over time, they may start disappearing for a few hours. After a while, it could become more frequent with disappearances that last for days or even weeks.
6. Dishonesty:
If you are using drugs and alcohol frequently, there are very few people in the world who will allow you to openly continue to your behavior. Many addicts feel they have to lie in order to support their habit.
If you notice that you keep catching your loved one in lies but aren't sure what's at the root of it all, you should consider whether they might be using drugs or alcohol.
7. The frequency of Use:
As mentioned earlier, many people who abuse substances start off by having more control over their use. Over time, they begin to develop a tolerance that causes their body to feel like it needs more just to get high.
The more you ingest, the higher your chance of getting addicted. Many addicts feel like they can quit any time they want. This should be a red flag about someone's use since if the problem is being talked about, they probably should have already stopped.
8. Discovery of Drug Paraphernalia:
If someone is using drugs, you may not always find their stash. But, you can usually find some evidence of their use, such as drug paraphernalia.
Make sure if you confront a loved one about what you have found, that you have all your facts straight before you make the accusation. Most addicts will deny any evidence they are confronted with.
9. Development of a Tolerance:
If you have been using drugs and alcohol yourself and you're concerned that you may be pushing it too far, you should consider whether or not you have developed a tolerance to the substances.
Tolerance is your body's way of telling you that it has made a permanent adjustment to craving that substance. It's a dangerous indicator of addiction.
Other Signs of Addiction:
If you have any of the signs of addiction on this list, then it may be time for you to consider a recovery facility. But there is one more major sign left to mention - continuing despite negative consequences.
If using substances has been leading to problems in your relationships or finances, then you need to take the problem seriously and get help today. Learn more about rehab here.
More Helpful Advice:
Now that you know the signs of addiction, you can keep an eye on your loved ones to make sure they stay safe and healthy.
For more health and fitness advice, check out our other posts today.
Read Also:
Famous Alcoholics And The Symptoms Of Their Addiction
How To Know If You Have An Addiction: 7 Common Signs
Not On The Straight And Narrow: 4 Telltale Signs Of Drug Use In Teens
Do you want to know what happens in rehab? You're ready to admit that you're completely powerless over your addiction to drugs or alcohol.
You know that you need help -- and that a rehab facility is likely your best shot.
But what happens in rehab, exactly? what happens in rehab is a question in the minds of many.
Is it all just 12-step programs and little else? Will you be able to succeed in this environment? Most of all, how will rehab treatment help you to maintain your sobriety once you get out?
These are all absolutely normal questions, and they show a true commitment to getting better.
In this post, we'll tell you exactly what to expect from drug or alcohol rehab.
Read on to get empowered and informed.
The First Step: Detox:
Detox rehab is one of the most frightening -- and difficult -- parts of your overall recovery process.
In fact, this fear of withdrawal is why so many people go so long without getting the help they desperately need.
However, if you enter into a professional facility, you'll get the level of care you need to detox safely. You may even be given medication to help you manage the symptoms of withdrawal.
Most importantly, you'll be supervised, so if something does go wrong, you'll get help and relief right away. Be aware that you may experience nausea, stomach pain, mood swings, insomnia or exhaustion, and many other withdrawal side effects.
Curious to learn more about the overall detox process?
Visit the Recovery Resource Center for more information.
Treating the Emotional Wounds:
Of course, understanding the underlying causes of addiction -- and removing psychological blocks you've likely had for years -- is a huge part of your recovery process.
You'll likely engage in many different types of therapy.
These can range from things like classic cognitive behavioral therapy to things like horseback riding and art therapy. You'll soon learn which ones work the best for you.
You may even receive a dual diagnosis that helps you to understand your addiction. This means that, in addition to dealing with substance abuse, you also have an underlying mental health condition.
Knowing this and getting the right treatment is a huge part of helping you to move forward.
Rebuilding Your Physical Strength:
What happens in rehab isn't always exactly what you see on television and in the movies.
Yes, you'll journal, have breakthroughs and breakdowns, and even go for a few walks along a beach.
But you'll also get a little sweaty.
Often, you're not in the best physical shape when you first enter rehab.
You've been neglecting and abusing your body for a long time. You may be severely over or underweight. You might have problems with nutrition, tired, or simply weak.
Physical exercise is a big part of the recovery process.
You'll do things like yoga, pilates, and perhaps even running to gain your strength back.
Meeting With Other Addicts:
Group therapy is another enormous part of the rehabilitation process.
Connecting with other people who also struggle with addiction and are now committed to recovery is incredibly helpful. Together, you'll all rehash the reasons behind your addiction.
You'll support each other and hold one another accountable. You'll share coping mechanisms and strategies. Sometimes, you'll simply listen.
Group therapy also teaches you how to talk about your addiction to other people, and helps to reduce the stigma and anxiety surrounding these types of discussions.
Connecting With Family Members:
A huge part of many rehab treatments is meeting with your family members for the first time after you've gotten sober.
Often, a therapist will be there to facilitate a meeting between all of you. You'll usually have the chance to address past wrongdoings, apologize, and talk about the level of support you may need from them in the next phase of your life.
Keep in mind that programs like Al-Anon are incredibly helpful for family members and loved ones of addicts. Just as you've undergone intense therapy while in rehab, your family may also have been doing the same thing.
Considering Sober Living and Next Steps:
Once you've completed your rehab treatment, you'll then begin to think about your next steps.
Many people are incredibly frightened of this phase. After all, rehab is a safe and comfortable environment. It's almost entirely free from triggers and reminders of your past addiction, like the bar you used to do drugs at.
Re-entering the real world, for many addicts, comes with a real risk of relapse.
If this is something you're worried about, you may want to learn about your sober living facility options. This is a facility that has a set curfew every night, assigns people responsibilities like cooking and cleaning, and still has a bit of a rehab-like environment.
You'll be able to work and visit with friends and family throughout the day but then return to a safe space at night.
What Happens in Rehab Will Help You Heal:
Above all, remember that it's perfectly normal to feel anxious about what happens in rehab.
In some cases, you may not even remember what it was really like to be sober. Yes, you'll be vulnerable, and you'll confront some difficult things about your past.
But you'll grow stronger and appreciate life more as a result. Above all, know this: you are always worth it, and you deserve a happy, sober existence.
Are you interested in learning more about what to expect out of treatment? Need to know the best way to encourage a friend or family member to get help?
Keep checking back with us for more advice on recovery and wellness as a whole.
Read Also:
Is Outpatient Treatment For Drug And Alcohol Addiction Effective?
3 Alcohol Prevention Tips To Kick Your Old Drinking Habits To The Curb
Cannabis Can Help In The Fight Against Drug Addiction
Famous Alcoholics And The Symptoms Of Their Addiction
When Someone You Love Has An Addiction: 5 Tips On How To Help An Addict
Vaping: More Than Just A Fad
