People Management Tips from a Successful UK SME
Many business owners excel at the core activities of their company but can struggle with the supporting functions that come with it. It’s certainly true to say that not every business owner is a natural leader and manager of people, and nor would they consider themselves to be. However, this is something that must be learned, at least until the business is large enough to hire someone who is if the SME is to be a success. So what are the realities of people management for business owners? We spoke to Vasco de Castro, the co-founder and business development director to find out what he has learned about people management during his time at the helm of the new international workplace fruit provider Fruitful Office. 1. Make your team the focus of the business It’s the business owner who has grown the company from the ground up, so it can be difficult to let go. However, once you start taking on staff, it’s important to step back and play a supporting role. The tendency is to think the business is all about you, but it’s the people who work for you that play a key part in creating the business’s culture. Making time for your team on a personal and professional level and listening to any problems or issues they may have is central to the perceptions they form about the business. It’s also important to acknowledge that in their specialist areas, employees may well be more knowledgeable than you. Asking for their input and acting on the insights they provide will help them become a valued part of the business. 2. Let them shine The reason you’ve hired the workers you have is hope that they have the specialist skills you lack, so it’s essential you give them the support and space they need to put those skills to good use. The tendency to micromanage is something business owners should resist at all costs. Understandably, you will be protective of your business, but once you’ve provided clear direction and made your expectations clear, it’s time to step back and let them shine. As Vasco de Castro explains: “In my view, it is the role of the leader to provide the vision for the business and communicate it clearly to employees. It’s then down to the employees to make it happen.” 3. Remember the bad bosses you’ve had in the past When you’re finally in the position to be in charge, remember all those horrible bosses you’ve had along the way and make sure you don’t become them. There are a number of small and simple steps you can take to make your business somewhere your employees actually want to work. Recognizing their achievements, giving them the freedom to make their own decisions, trusting them and actually getting to know them on a personal level all help. However, simply allowing yourself to relax and enjoy what working life has to throw at you has an important part to play in creating a loyal and energized team. What do you think is the key to successful people management in an SME? Do you agree with Vasco de Castro? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
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Understanding Steroids And Their Legalities
Anyone who wants to build muscle would definitely have to do something. First, they may sweat themselves off by going to the gym. However, if they intend the result to be way faster, it would not hurt to check on the best legal steroid available. Just luck for most people because there are tons of legal steroids out there and most of them would not require a prescription. At this point, it may just be right to check online to actually learn more about it. A Closer Look At Legal Steroids And More: Here are some of the things you must take note of as far as steroids and their legalities are concerned. Please do not fail to take note of the following in case you plan to be involved with any of them: Anabolic steroids are not legal because they may pose dangerous side effects. Among them are hormonal problems and liver toxicity. It should not be snubbed that steroids rage may only be about pretty bad things. There are legal steroids on the other hand which may just be pretty assistive and useful for the body. They do not pose any side effects as compared to that of the first one. As a matter of fact, they are meant to promote the growth of muscles. The best steroids identified are Tridenosen and Mesobolin. These can be selected by those who are actually interested. Mesobolin is dubbed as the best-ever legal steroid. It may work as an alternative. It can be a substitute for anabolic steroids because as said, the latter has many dangerous side effects. Mesobolin then would always be a combination of two prescriptions and as well as anabolic agents. The first one is obtained from a plant that has the ability to stimulate the synthesis of protein and it may be as good as that of the Dianabol steroid. Another is that the execution of protein synthesis may be fast with Mesobolin. You can learn more from Steroidsmag. There is a steroid that starts to gain popularity among fans in Europe and Australia. It is Tridenosen. This is claimed as the best legal steroid out there because of the work it usually performs. It is far from an anabolic steroid because it is unlikely to affect the hormones. There is terrific retention of this type of steroid. It may also increase the production of natural hormones such as growth hormones and testosterone. Tridenosen is thermogenic and anabolic. It may increase the blood supply which is normally directed towards the skeletal muscles. The main reason why this occurs is that there is an amazing component found in the said steroid. Such is called ATP or the adenosine triphosphate. This would provide high levels of cellular energy which would then promote a high amount of protein synthesis in the entire body. That is how it works. Here are some of the things you must know about steroids before you take one. Please be mindful of them so that you can be guided accordingly. Read More: How Does Smoking Weed Affect The Society? The Effects Of Drinking And Driving Under The Legal Age Of 21.
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7 Essential Apps for Your Mac in 2020
Choosing applications for a new computer from Apple or updating a set of programs on an existing Mac or MacBook, the user always faces a choice. Buy expensive and fancy software or give preference to a free alternative? To choose something from novelties or to establish the programs checked by years? Use regular applications or look at third-party products? Read also: Best iPhone Spy Apps Without Jail Breaking Although Macs are natively well equipped with software and applications, it is not always possible to do what you want using only software built into Apple computers. Limitation in the playback of audio and video formats, or incompatibility of FaceTime with competing devices of the brand, find a list of the best Mac apps and essential software to install on your Mac. Here are 7 Essential Apps for Your Mac in 2020: 1. Safari: macOS natively embeds the Apple web browser safari. Connected to your iCloud account, it syncs your data easily between all your Apple devices. Discussions around which browser for Mac is better, most likely, will never be resolved. Computers Apple comes with a proprietary browser Safari-in it, users get such functions as Siri, payment with Apple Pay, video in the mode "picture in picture", the ability to turn off the sound right from the tab bar and others. Use this browser is convenient if you also use Apple mobile devices - bookmarks, browsing the history, tabs are synchronized by iCloud. 2. Hotspot Shield Free: For a comfortable and secure Internet browsing, it's worth looking closely at programs that help you manage connections. VPN-service Hotspot Shield Free will help to secure the computer when connecting to public Wi-Fi points. The application allows you to select the IP of the country you want to use, establish an automatic connection, and access services that can be blocked. The only downside - free of charge per day is provided up to 750 MB, for a greater amount of traffic through VPN will have to pay. 3. Sophos Home: Even if you know the basic rules of secure Internet browsing, installing an antivirus is still worthwhile in order to protect against accidental risks when working. One of the convenient free options will be Sophos Home. Antivirus protects against malicious software and phishing attacks, and also offers parental controls. It is noteworthy that the program records attempt to access web pages added to the blacklist. 4. 1Password: If you are willing to pay for the security of passwords, we recommend you try 1Password. For $81.41 the user gets the opportunity to install the application on 5 devices and use synchronization by Dropbox or iCloud. The advantage of the service is that it is possible to create a single master account for managing passwords and other confidential data - that is, in essence, you will only need to remember one password. However, the high cost makes it more suitable for working in the corporate environment than for personal use. 5. PDF Reader Pro Free: Most programs for working with PDF files on the Mac are paid, but a good free solution will be the program PDF Reader Pro Free. The application supports annotating files, tagging, filling out forms, and merging multiple PDF files into one or splitting one document into several. It is also important that the program allows you to convert PDF files to iWork, Microsoft Word, and a number of other formats. 6. Telegram: Facetime and iMessage installed on a Mac perform most of the tasks associated with communicating on a Mac, especially if iOS devices are used in parallel. However, their big drawback is in connection with Apple platforms, which limits communication with the owners of Android and Windows-devices. Therefore, it is worth installing a free cross-platform messenger for third-party developers on the Mac. Their choice is great - Skype, Viber, WhatsApp, Telegram, and so on. 7. Alfred: A regular application Spotlight can perfectly search for files on the Mac and execute fast commands, but if you do not like it for some reason, you can try the free application, Alfred. The program can quickly perform calculations, search the Internet, find any text, image, or file that you previously copied. The application is self-learning and gradually begins to give priority to results depending on the user's preferences. Read also: Top 5 Digital Wallet Apps For Android Top Apps To Help You Manage Your Money
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Online Gaming Websites That Make Money
The emergence of e-Sports has made gaming a very profitable industry with over 1 billion active members of the community. Even if you aren’t interested in playing games, there are other ways that you can make money online from online gaming websites. Here are some options if you are interested in making money from online gaming websites: 1. Professional Gamer The most obvious method of making money from online gaming websites is by playing them. Whether you play competitive online games or are an online gambler, online gaming is a very profitable industry. 2. Online Trader (Website) Online games require in-game currency and items to improve. These can be bought in-game, but new online markets have emerged as a means for gamers to buy/sell their items for real currency. Many gamers are willing to spend a little extra money to get the best items – even if it is frowned upon by some members of the gaming community because of the lack of effort required. 3. Experience Booster (Website) Online games may also require experience/skill levels apart from basic items and currency. These levels can be quite time-consuming to improve. To save time, boosters offer gamers the opportunity to level up without having to do it themselves. There are boosting services like elo boost to help such players. Boosting varies from assisting a player on their account to boosters actually logging the persons account for them. The latter option is usually the one you pay for and offers quick results. Check out elo boosting services here. You could actually play this online game and become a booster playing the game League of legends. There are other similar games too; including, Dota 2 and Overwatch where you can also become a booster. This method is also not appreciated by other gamers because it allows people to access areas of the game that they are not appropriately skilled for, which can affect other gamers’ gaming experience. Booster websites can be risky and there are many fake ones out there. Be careful in using a booster because if you give money to someone that is lying to you, you will most likely never see that money again. If you choose to become a booster, make sure you develop a good name for your business, because one can easily lose all their customers with one bad review. 4. Advertisements (Website) If you don’t want to make money from any game itself and prefer writing reviews, streaming, or providing other gaming content, advertising could be the option for you. Advertising works on the amount of traffic generated by your website. The more popular your website, the more you will be paid by businesses to advertise on your site. AdSense, by Google, is a popular means of monetizing your website with advertisements and allows you to be in control of which adverts are featured. Advertisements can have a negative effect on the popularity of your website because some people do not enjoy having to dodge hundreds of adverts. 5. Online Gaming Affiliate (Website) An affiliate is someone who provides content, on their own website, about certain other products/services. Instead of using adverts, which can be annoying, people can choose to become affiliates of bigger companies. These companies reward these websites on a commission basis, based on how many clients they attract to the affiliated business. The more reach you generate for that company, the more money you will make. Commission income allows you to generate a lot of income, but also requires more work to develop and maintain. One of the most popular online gaming affiliate work to do is with online casinos. There are very good rates for these jobs and some casinos offer 50% of earnings to affiliates. These affiliates can earn up to 6 figures monthly – more than enough for you to focus on nothing else. Other than being a professional gamer, the other four options mentioned above all make use of online gaming websites to generate an income. With all website-based businesses, it can require some research before any tangible ideas can be formed, but with patience, you will be able to structure a successful business for yourself. Something important to realize is that all these website-based revenue streams are based on reach. If people are not interested in your website, you will struggle to make money. This is true for an online market, a booster business, advertisements, or affiliates. All these businesses require to reach and that is the currency of the online world. The more customers you can attract, either for yourself or for other businesses, the more money you will earn in the long run. Take your time to develop your website and don’t rush things, expecting money to just stream in. Hard work and dedication are needed in the online gaming business industry and just because the potential earnings are good, doesn’t mean it can be done easily. Read More : The 10 Best PC Gaming Desk Accessories 8 Ways For Computer Games to be Educational Techniques
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9 Feng Shui Tips for a Calmer Kitchen
Everybody wants a little more health and prosperity in their lives. Kitchen feng shui is one of the ways to do it and it isn't as difficult as you might think. In feng shui, the kitchen symbolizes wealth and prosperity. As the place where your food is prepared, it also symbolizes nourishing and sustaining life. Try incorporating these 9 kitchen feng shui tips into your home. With good Chi energy flowing, things just might take a turn for the better. 1. Location : If your house is already built, you can't do much about the location of your kitchen. But if you're building a new home or planning to remodel, keep these location-related kitchen feng shui tips in mind. If you're remodeling in anticipation of a sale, read this blog for more ideas. The best location for the kitchen is not the same in every home. Feng shui principles consider the age of the home and the direction (on the compass) that the house is facing. They even consider astrological elements at the time of the home's construction. Because of this complexity, choosing the right location can be very difficult. It is best to ask for the recommendation of a reputable feng shui practitioner. 2. Colors : Feng shui has something to say about the color scheme that you choose for your kitchen. You want your kitchen to have a warm, inviting feel and good energy to it. An easy way to accomplish that is to pick the right colors. Yellow is an excellent kitchen feng shui color as it is thought to be good for digestion. Choose a shade anywhere from soft butter to vibrant squash. Many people like the freshness of a white kitchen. You can do it, but make sure you balance it with something warm, like warm wood tones. Earth tones make great, soothing kitchen colors as well. For an energetic pop, try combining earth tones with a gentle sky blue. It's easy to overdo the blue, though so take care. In an existing kitchen, it's easy to repaint the walls. And something as simple as adding your own tile splashback (in the right color, of course) can really change how the room looks. 3. Balance the Elements : The materials that you use when building your kitchen are important. In most kitchens, 4 of the 5 Chinese elements will appear naturally. These are: Fire Earth Metal Water Wood The stove brings fire and granite or tile countertops bring the earth. Many appliances are made of metal and there's water running from the sink. If you have real wood cabinets, you've got all 5. If you don't, it's as simple as bringing in a potted plant to balance them all. 4. Keep Things Working : The golden rule of feng shui is to ensure that Chi energy is flowing well. This is the universal life force and it is the power behind feng shui. In order to keep the energy flowing well in your kitchen, keep things working. If you have a leaky faucet, fix it. Check to make sure cabinet doors swing open properly. You should even take it so far as to throw out chipped bowls or cracked dishes. Plus, make sure your knives are sharpened. Taking care of your things helps good energy flow and helps you take care of yourself. 5. Keep it Clean : Along the same vein, you should keep your kitchen clean. There are several important tasks you should do every day. Keep the counters cleared off and clean. Only store appliances you use every day on the counter. We'll talk more about this in a minute, but your stove is important in feng shui, so keep it spotless. Wash the sink often and keep the fridge clean. On occasion, you'll need to do a deep clean. Pull everything out of your cabinets and clean out the back corners. You may even want to put down new shelf liners if necessary. 6. Keep it Orderly and Organized : As you put everything back, organize it. Put similar things together. For example, put sweet spices together on one side of the cupboard and savory on the other. Adjust the shelves to make the most of your storage space. Put taller items together in a tall space and fill a short space with little items. If you don't already have them, add some space savers. Lazy susans, stacking shelves and tray racks are all helpful items. Toss out items that you don't use any more. What is the point of cluttering up your cupboards with unnecessary stuff? 7. Fill It Up with Healthy Food : Promote health and wellness by filling your kitchen with healthy food. Organic, fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent choices. Not only is the nutrition good for you, but also they bring healthy healing vibrations from the earth. This type of energy is very good for your body. 8. Add Some Life : Bring life into your kitchen by setting out something living. This helps to bring positive energy into the mix. A petite potted plant, a vase of fresh blooms, or a bowl of fruit all work nicely. 9. Use a Mirror Over the Stove : In feng shui, the stove is a very strong symbol. Not only does it represent fire, but is a very powerful symbol of wealth. Treat your stove with respect by keeping it clean. Promote the flow of Chi energy by using all of your burners. To further magnify the effect, hang a mirror over your stove. This is a great way to effectively "double" your store's presence in the kitchen. Proper Kitchen Feng Shui : Proper kitchen feng shui is an important element in feng shui for your home as a whole. Thankfully, just following these simple tips will help Chi energy to flow more freely, enriching your home and your life. Try a few and let us know how it works out in the comments. We'd love to hear from you! Don't forget to check out our home and garden section for more great tips! Read Also : 10 Unique Kitchen Hacks To Save Your Time In Kitchen And Cooking 4 Tips For Choosing A Good Kitchen Tap Installing A Kitchen Tile Splashback – The Basics
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10 Helpful Kid Closet Organization Hacks
Every parent knows how hard it is to keep their kid's room clean. In a matter of minutes, a perfectly clean space and be destroyed by little hands. This applies to closets as well. But the good news is there are things you can do to keep your child's closet more organized. We've gathered the top 10 helpful kid closet organization hacks you can try out at home. Check them out below! 1. Start with the Essentials : When doing any sort of home or DIY project, you have to make sure you have all the supplies you need. This totally applies when it comes to kid closet organization. The good news is that you don't have to spend a lot of time creating or assembling things. Most of these items are available at local stores and are simple to implement. Here's a basic list of things you may need: Kid-sized hangers (Adult ones are too big and will lead to disorganization) A hamper Storage baskets Drawer inserts Hooks for the wall Shelf dividers Head to your local home decor store and you will be on your way to complete closet organization. 2. Utilize Storage Bins : Another kid closet organization hack is to add extra storage. As you've dealt with your child's closet, you probably have noticed that there's not enough storage space. This is a common problem. But there are many solutions! The biggest thing is choosing what kind of storage solution that you need. Do you have young children who can't reach their hangers? Or do your kids have a lot of toys and nowhere to keep them? Perhaps you have two kids sharing one closet. No matter what, adding storage is your solution. Here are some potential options: Bins Baskets Extra wire shelves Rubbermaid containers 3. Have a Designated Place for Shoes : Have you ever walked into your kid's room and found pair after pair of little shoes lying around on the floor? This is a common frustration for many parents. One way to solve this problem is to have a designated place for shoes in your little one's closet. You could have a specific basket on the floor of their closet that your kids can easily access. Another way to organize their shoes is to have a specific shelf that they can reach that is for shoes only. 4. Develop a Hanging System : It can be hard for kids to pick out clothes when there is no organization system in place. One way to fix this problem is to come up with a hanging system. One idea is to hang them by category. You can split things up according to these styles: Short sleeve shirts Long sleeve shirts Tank tops Dress shirts Dresses Shorts Pants Pajamas And any other categories they have You could also coordinate them by color if this system is too complicated. Either way, this is a great kid closet organization hack. Your kids will know exactly where to put their clothes, whether they're Nicki's Gucci for kids or their pajamas. 5. Another Kid Closet Organization Hack: Go Vertical : Some closets are so small or are so packed already that there's no room for extra shelves or bins. In this case, consider going vertical with your storage. One great way to do this is to utilize the door. Pick up an inexpensive shoe organizer that hangs on the back of the door. This can be used to store a variety of things, including shoes, clothes, and toys. If you have a baby, you could keep diapers, wipes, or onesies in a shoe organizer as well. And the best part is that you're not taking up any shelf space with it! 6. Label it All : With so many bins and baskets, it can be hard to keep things straight. That's why labeling is a great idea. If you have a label maker, this is super easy. Just create different ones for toys, shirts, pants, etc. If you don't have a label maker, that's totally fine as well! You can create them just using paper. Then just glue or pin the labels to each storage container. This will make your life much simpler! 7. Double Your Hanging Space : Many apartments and homes only have one closet rod and, usually, it's up high. For little ones, these are often impossible to reach. That's where closet doubler rods come in handy. You can install them below the normal rod and they're not that hard to do. Having this means your kids can reach their clothes easier but it also doubles their amount of hanging space. 8. Color Coordinate Bins : If your kids can't read yet, labels will do very little to help them organize. Instead, consider color-coordinating their storage bins. For example, red could be for books, blue could be for toys, and yellow could be for shoes. Whatever you decide to do as far as colors, help your child understand the difference between the various containers. 9. Keep Two Extra Containers in Their Closet : If you're like most parents, you have a lot of clothes for your child. Some they have outgrown and others they haven't grown into yet. These can cause a lot of clutter in your kid's closet if you're not careful. That's why it's a great idea to always keep 2 large containers, one for each category. That way it's all organized. This is especially great if you have more than one child. This makes organizing hand me downs much easier. 10. Stop Sibling Fights : Did you know that the average pair of siblings fight or argue 3.5 times every single hour? As a parent, you want to do everything you can to stop this from happening! One great way is through keeping their closet organized. If you have kids that share a closet, divide the space. Make a clear division between their clothes to avoid unnecessary contention. Final Thoughts : Now that you've read through these closet organization hacks, it's time to implement them! Choose your favorites and try them out. Have questions? Feel free to contact us. Want to discover more parenting hacks? Check out our blog! Read Also : 10 Effective Homework Tips For Your Kids Things Every Employee Ought To Know About Medical And Family Leaves
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10 Tips for Saving on Prescription Drug Costs
Per capita spending on prescription drugs is higher in America than anywhere else. This is primarily due to the increase in brand-name prescription drug costs. For anyone dealing with ongoing health issues on a strict budget, this is a big concern. Many people in this situation end up going without much-needed drugs. Unfortunately, even with health insurance, many drugs can still be rather expensive. It's becoming more and more necessary for people to seek out ways to reduce costs while still staying healthy. This may seem impossible, but there are ways. In fact, there are more ways than you may realize. If you need to cut your prescription drug costs, keep reading. We're going over ten options that will help you save. 1. Take Advantage of Samples : Before you start a new medication, make sure you ask about samples. This way you don't pay for anything upfront while you test out the drug to make sure it's right for you. Doctors usually have plenty of sample packets of drugs, especially new ones. Pharmaceutical reps provide them when visiting offices. Drug manufacturers also offer 30-day samples for some drugs. Instead of paying for an entire month's supply, ask your doctor about samples. This is perfect if you have a short-term illness, or aren't sure the drug will work. 2. Always Ask for Generic : Prescription drug costs are always higher for brand-name options. However, many drugs have generic alternatives that aren't as expensive. The same manufacturing standards are applied to these generic versions, but they don't carry the same advertising and research costs. Essentially, you're getting the same drug for much less. Make sure you ask your doctor about generic alternatives to all drugs you're on. If you're skeptical about them, ask about their effectiveness and if they'll have the same effects as the name brands. 3. Get 90-Day Supplies : You can often save on prescription drug costs by opting for 90-day supplies instead of the standard 30-day. Many times, local pharmacies will offer discounted rates if you go with 90-day. Your insurance may also offer reduced prices and even provide free delivery. If you're trying a drug for the first time, it's a good idea to stick with a 30-day supply first to make sure the drug works for you. If it does, look into 90-day refills going forward. 4. Always Compare Prices : You may not realize this, but drug prices fluctuate between pharmacies. Instead of using the pharmacy closest to you, call around to different ones in your area and ask what they charge for the drug you need. This is especially helpful if you don't have insurance, as name brand drugs may have significant price differences from one pharmacy to the next. Once you find the pharmacy with the best deal, make them your go-to source. That way they have your information on file. Remember to always check pharmacies in grocery and retail stores. 5. Shop Online : When it comes to reducing your prescription drug costs, you have to consider shopping online. Web-based pharmacies have gained popularity over recent years, and for good reason. They carry most major drugs at low rates. For example, pharmacies have a user-friendly database of available drugs with price comparison and medication information. You should also look into mail-order pharmacies. Some insurance companies offer discounts for using them. 6. Split up Your Doses : A great technique for cutting down prescription drug costs is splitting your pills in half. It may be possible to get a higher dose of a drug from your doctor and then cut the tablets in half so you're still taking the proper amount. If the price for the higher dose is the same, you'll be cutting your cost in half. You also won't have to bother with refilling your prescription every month. It's crucial that you talk to your doctor about doing this first, as this isn't safe with some drugs. 7. Patient Assistance Programs : Some drug manufacturers offer aid for individuals on a budget. These assistance programs provide discounts for certain drugs. When you're searching online for these, make sure you enter the name of the drug you're on in your search query. Some of these programs come with conditions, such as only being available for a few months' worths of the prescription. But when you're trying to say money, every little bit helps. People on Medicare usually aren't eligible, so make sure you look into the details. 8. Seek Alternatives : There's a good chance a completely different drug is just as effective at treating an illness as the one you're on. And, it may be much cheaper. Many times, doctors aren't aware of the cost of certain drugs. That's why it benefits you to ask if something else could provide the same treatment. You may find that an alternative is much cheaper. 9. Discount Cards : Look into whether you're eligible for prescription drug discount cards. Some insurance providers will offer them, even auto insurance. Other organizations like AARP sometimes provide discount cards to members. Search online for pharmacy discount cards. You should always ask your pharmacist if they have any coupons available. Another place to check is the drug manufacturer's website. Sometimes you can request to have coupons mailed to you for certain medications. 10. Don't Rule out Over-the-Counter Drugs : It's important to stay on top of the treatment options for your illness. There may be an over-the-counter option that can effectively treat your symptoms. In fact, some prescriptions medications were once over-the-counter. If you're on multiple prescriptions, ask your doctor about the possibility of supplementing one of your medications with an over-the-counter drug. This could drastically bring down the cost. You also shouldn't rule out holistic treatment options. Don't Get Buried Under Prescription Drug Costs : The cost of visiting your doctor is high enough as it is. Even if you have health insurance, co-pays can add up. Add the high cost of prescriptions and your medical bills start becoming intimidating. Take some of the stress off by using the tips discussed above. You may be able to save some cash without giving up a healthy life. For more articles on living a healthy lifestyle, check out our blog. Read Also : What’s It Like In A Drug Recovery Center? How Does Smoking Weed Affect The Society How To Choose The Right Online Pharmacy
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10 Weird Facts About Antidepressants
People are working longer hours, have less time with family, and are constantly battling stressful situations. In addition, being constantly inundated with the news through social media can make anyone depressed. There's not enough time for daily yoga and meditation. As a result, many of us are turning to antidepressants to get us through these stressful times. But antidepressants come at a cost, and it's important to know all the facts. Some of these facts aren't common knowledge, and often your doctor won't even discuss them before prescribing antidepressants. Here are 10 weird facts about antidepressants that will surprise you. 1. We Don't Know How Antidepressants Work: Antidepressants have been around for a long time, and yet, we still don't know exactly how they work. And since everybody's depression is different, we don't know how well they work for varying degrees of depression or if they sufficiently treat depression at al. In fact, we don't even know if they're safe for long-term use. 13% of Americans take antidepressants, some for other illnesses like anxiety and fibromyalgia. Yet studies -- mostly paid for by pharmaceutical companies -- include only a few thousand people. Many of us have been told that depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, but we don't really know if that's true either. What most studies look at is our brain's level of serotonin. However, neither lowering nor increasing the level of serotonin in the brain reduces the symptoms of depression. If low levels of serotonin were the cause of depression, then antidepressants wouldn't take several weeks to work. They would work immediately, or at least within a few days, once the levels of serotonin increase. But they don't. Another interesting fact about antidepressants is that some don't even increase serotonin and still work as well as any other antidepressant. 2. All Antidepressants Are Equally Effective: It's a known fact about antidepressants that pharmaceutical companies spend a lot of money pushing one pill over another. Doctors aren't pharmacists and tend to push whatever antidepressants they're most familiar with. At times, they're buddies with the pharmaceutical sales rep. A fact about antidepressants is that there's no evidence that one antidepressant is more effective at treating depression than another. What a person needs to weigh is the cost and side effects, which can vary greatly from one person to another. There are over 30 different kinds of antidepressants available. They all work on different parts of the brain, inhibiting or increasing receptors of certain hormones. They have different side effects, and they all are equally effective. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't. 3. They Don't Work Immediately: All antidepressants take several weeks before they're fully effective. It can take anywhere from two weeks to a month before you know if it's the right antidepressant for you. One unfortunate fact about antidepressants is that many people have to cycle through several kinds of antidepressants, suffering from a variety of side effects before they find the right one. That's a long time for trial and error. And eventually, the effectiveness wears off over time. Many people build up a tolerance, and signs of depression return. Then you need to try a different antidepressant, and the trial and error process begins again. This could make anyone depressed. Fortunately, there are other treatments like TMS which don't require you to take any medication at all. 4. Dosage Makes No Difference Either: Many doctors start their patients off with a low dose and then gradually increase over time. There's no evidence that this is necessary or that higher dosages are more effective. Since this is the case, you're better off taking a low dose and having less negative side effects. It's a myth that a person will get better quicker if they are on a higher dosage of an antidepressant. 5. Antidepressants Can Help Your Sex Life: It is a pretty well-documented fact about antidepressants that one side effect is a lowered sex drive. That said, depression itself can lower your sex drive too. Interestingly, this low-libido side effect can have its benefits by helping men with premature ejaculation. Antidepressants can delay ejaculation, and for men who suffer from premature ejaculation, the delay can be a big help. One study found that men who took an SSRI a couple of hours before intercourse had longer ejaculation times compared to the placebo group. 6. Animals Get Depressed Too: Americans spend an estimated $15 million a year on medication for their depressed cats and dogs. Depression symptoms for animals aren't too different than those for people, so it's fairly easy to detect. However, it's difficult to treat animals with therapy. Instead, some veterinarians are treating pets with antidepressants. Zoo animals are on antidepressants too. They are being used to treat everything from aggression to obsessive-compulsive disorder. 7. You'll Feel Worse at First: Not only do antidepressants take a while to kick in, but your symptoms may be exacerbated. It's not uncommon for you to feel more tired, less hungry, less ambitious, and sadder. Things will get better. It just takes a while. In addition, the side effects don't help either. This is why doctors usually start a person off with a low dose, to reduce the intensity of side effects, before they find the right medication and dose. 8. Antidepressants Can Be Harmful: Antidepressants come with a long list of side effects, many of which mirror the symptoms of depression, lethargy, insomnia, nausea, anger, violence, and even suicidal thoughts. The side effects can sometimes be more debilitating than the illness it's treating. A person needs to seriously weigh the pros and cons. Often a person can mistake a side effect of the medication as a symptom of depression. Since we don't know how the drugs work, it's hard to know. Another fact about antidepressants is that once you start, it's not safe to quit cold turkey. A person should wean off of them slowly, and many aren't willing to do this. Quitting antidepressants quickly can be dangerous. 9. You Can Overdose on Antidepressants: Too much of a good thing can be too much. As mentioned, more isn't always better, but often people have prescribed higher doses of antidepressants anyway. You can overdose on antidepressants, and the symptoms of overdosing on them aren't always obvious. Zoloft overdose symptoms can include lethargy and nausea, which may be confused with ordinary side effects. Other, less obvious overdose symptoms include high blood pressure or inflammation of the pancreas, which can be mistaken for a cold or flu. However, if a person seems agitated, confused, or is vomiting, that's not normal. If someone taking antidepressants has these symptoms or becomes incoherent or unresponsive, call a doctor immediately A Zoloft overdose also can lead to a life-threatening condition called serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome can occur when dangerously high levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin build up in the brain. 10. Antidepressants Can Interact with Other Drugs: It's very important to tell the doctor prescribing antidepressants if you're taking other drugs. It's also essential that you're honest about your use of recreational drugs and alcohol. All of these can have harmful interactions with antidepressants. Don't ever share your medication with anyone, especially if you don't know what other medications they might be taking or if they are using recreational drugs. Interactions can be deadly. Facts About Antidepressants Revealed Now that you know more about antidepressants, you can make a well-informed decision about taking them. Depression is debilitating, and some people battle with the disease their whole lives. For some, antidepressants are a last resort, and for others, they're hoping for a temporary solution that will give them an opportunity to have a better perspective. No matter the reason, there is no shame in being depressed or needing treatment. However, there are other methods of treating depression that can be used in conjunction with medication, such as therapy, exercise, diet, and natural remedies. Many of these have been proven to be equally effective. For more great articles about staying healthy, visit our blog. Read Also : 3 Ways To Connect With Nature And Quiet Your Mind Your Guide To HRT For Men All That You Need To Know About Dandy-Walker Syndrome
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Tips from the Pros: Creating the Perfect Tweet
We apologize now if the title brought you here under false pretenses because, just as there is no perfect book or no perfect painting, as with any art form, there’s no perfect tweet. However, while perfection may be unattainable, there’s still pretty darn good. In this article, I’ve picked the brain of James Williams, the digital marketing manager at one of the world’s most instantly recognizable brands, to bring you tweet-worthy insights on everything he has picked up in over ten years in the job. Here are his top tips... 1. Keep it brief : With a 140 character limit, tweets have to be short, but research has shown that using just 100 characters is actually the optimum length for a tweet. In fact, tweets with less than 100 characters get a 17 percent higher engagement rate, showing that short is definitely sweet. However, brevity should not come at the cost of clarity. You must use as many characters as you need to make your message clear and include a hashtag if there’s an obvious trend to attach to. 2. It’s not just the job of your marketing team : Research has shown that customers trust businesses more if the CEO tweets. It’s a fact of life that we all trust people more than faceless entities. If a company’s tweets come from the CEO, or even someone writing on behalf of the CEO, then their idiosyncrasies, sense of humor, language, and tone will all come across. This can really help to make the content stand out. 3. Respond to queries quickly : If you open up your Twitter for customer care then you need to make sure you respond to queries quickly or you risk doing more harm than good. Responding quickly in a way that really helps the customer can boost the way you are perceived and help to build trust online. If you can’t commit the resources to review and reply to tweets quickly, you’re better off not using Twitter for customer services at all. 4. Don’t tweet ‘cold’ : When using Twitter for outreach purposes, never tweet potential publishers and bloggers without building a relationship first. Simple things like following their accounts, re-tweeting, and sharing their content all increase the likelihood of a positive response when you do choose to contact them. It might take a bit of time but it’s far better than just barging in. 5. Keep it light on self-promotion : Nobody wants to follow a Twitter account that’s all about you. It’s like the boastful kid in the playground. There’s an often-quoted rule on Twitter that 80 percent of your tweets should be ‘other’ content and just 20 percent should be about you. The other content you post is extremely important and should inform, educate and entertain your audience. If it doesn’t, don’t post it. What are your best Twitter tips? Please share your thoughts with our readers in the comments section below. Read Also : 8 Expert Ways To Build Your Personal Brand On Twitter! Using Social Media To Promote Start-Up Businesses How is Social Media Playing A Role In Career Building?
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3 Ways to Connect With Nature and Quiet Your Mind
Living near nature can help women live longer, with women in the greenest areas living as much as 12 percent longer than women who live in more built-up areas. You need to connect with nature to stay fit and healthy. Although male mortality rates do not show as much of a clear link, making time to connect with nature has many positive health benefits for both men and women. In fact, a range of studies have shown that regular contact with nature can improve everything from pain control to eyesight, as well as reduced stress levels and less anxiety. But, that's not to say that we all have to move to the countryside to take advantage of these health benefits. Simply making time to connect with whatever natural surroundings you live close to is enough to refresh your mind and improve your health and well-being. Here are three ways to connect with nature and quieten your mind. 1. Create Time Alone in Nature : It's great to experience the beauty of nature in the company of friends or family. But, when we're with other people, we tend to talk. This may be because we worry about what the people we're with think of us. Or we might just feel the need to fill the silence with chatter. However, the best way to connect with nature is by experiencing it alone. Being alone in nature allows us to focus on what we can hear, see and feel in these natural surroundings. Whether it's blades of grass between our fingers or the rush of water from a nearby river, you'll become much more aware of what's around you. So, if you go for a hike with friends, ask for an hour by yourself. Or head to the park or even out into your garden and emerge yourself in the sensory experience that nature offers. Other than hiking, traveling different beautiful locations is always a great way to behold the true beauty of nature and fall in love with it all over again and again. If you have the love for travel, you should consider traveling as much as you can and plan to visit some of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world. Some naturally beautiful places include the fjords of Norway, the Greek Islands, Islands of Maldives, Switzerland, Kashmir in India, Nepal and so on. 2. Find Your Special Spot : You'll find that as you spend more time in nature, especially alone, you'll start finding special places that you're drawn to. It could be a tree you like to lean against when you visit your local park, or the rocks you often sit on to watch the ocean waves crashing on the shore. Wherever you feel most connected to nature, take the time to really get to know it. Go there in the heat of summer and the midst of winter, know it by day and by night. Noticing the small changes in nature as well as the contrasts between seasons helps you put things in perspective as you become more aware of how you are a part of something bigger than yourself. 3. Sleep Outdoors : Since Americans spend around 93 percent of their time indoors, it's important to actively seek out ways to experience longer periods immersed in nature. There's no better way to get in touch with nature than by waking up to a stunning sunrise, the sounds of birdsong and the smell of fresh morning dew. It certainly beats your alarm clock! Make Time to Connect with Nature : Whether you live in an urban area or in the middle of the countryside, it's important for your mental and physical health to take time out to connect with nature. Do you feel that you spend enough time in nature? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below, or contact us for more information. Read Also : 5 Ways You Can Be Inhibiting Your Fitness Top 10 Muscle And Strength Building Exercise At Home Choosing A Diet Based On Your Personality Type
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5 Ways You Can Be Inhibiting Your Fitness
When it comes to fitness, you might be your own worst enemy. If it feels like you’re doing everything right, but still not getting the results you want, why are you still sticking to the same routine? There are many ways you might be getting in your own way and getting to the bottom of it starts with honesty. Are you really being honest with yourself when it comes to diet and exercise? Are you diligently tracking these figures—or are you over-obsessing? Too much in either direction can be dangerous. Here are five ways you might be inhibiting your own fitness and what to do about it: Not counting every bite if you’re looking to reduce fat. It’s not as simple as calories in, calories out, but sometimes it is. If you’re sticking to a certain caloric intake every day, make sure you count every single bite—and beverage. Alcohol is packed with calories and lowers our inhibitions, which is all part of alcohol’s lethality when it comes to diet goals. Count those calories, but keep in mind that there is an emerging eating disorder in which people “save” calories for alcoholic beverages. It’s been dubbed “drunkorexia”, and can lead to even more dangerous eating disorders. Getting too obsessed with the scale. Unfortunately, the scale can lie. Like a watched pot, it’s not going to give you what you want if you’re checking it daily—or multiple times per day. Doing so is a slippery slope and can lead to dangerous habits. The scale can only tell you weight, which doesn’t account for muscle or water retention. If you really want some numbers to help guide you on your fitness journey, use a tape measure. Measure the biggest part of your upper arms, the largest part of your chest, the smallest part of your waist, widest part of your hips, and largest part of your thighs and calves. All of these areas, especially the belly, can also fluctuate throughout the day. However, it’s a much safer (and saner) number system than the scale. You don’t push yourself at your workouts. Many people aren’t honest with themselves when it comes to their workouts. Could you be doing a harder level on the cross ramp? When the spin instructor tells you to empty the engine on a power interval, are you? If you’re working on muscle mass, do you really tap out between eight and twelve reps or could you do more (and increase the weight)? Working with a personal trainer can help you avoid cheats, as can working out in a group setting. It can be too easy to compromise when you always workout solo. Plus, group settings or a personal trainer can bring out your competitive spirit. Not getting enough sleep. Lack of sleep has been linked to weight gain. Since most Americans are chronically fatigued (and overweight) there’s a clear correlation here. One of the best things you can do is get enough rest. This will depend on you and your body, but ideally, you’ll be able to wake up without an alarm. If that isn’t doable, see about squeezing in a power nap mid-day. It’s seemingly one of the easiest ways to keep your weight in check. It also helps you get the most out of your workouts. You can’t give your all when you’re exhausted. Be realistic with rest days and cheat days. These days don’t mean you can go all-out on a binge. Some people find a cheat meal is safer. Others re-learn how to gauge their fullness. Cheat days can be helpful because they give your body what it’s craving, but it still needs to be in moderation. A rest day doesn’t need to be a complete rest, either. You can go on a walk or take a gentle yoga class. Again, honesty with yourself is key. If you’re getting in your own way, you’re also the one who can stop it. Pinpoint your biggest struggles and see what you can do to put yourself first. Read Also : Your Guide To HRT For Men How Does Smoking Weed Affect The Society Things To Pay Attention To When It Comes To Servicing Ultrasound Probe
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10 Effective Homework Tips for Your Kids
It has been already been proven how important the role of a parent is in a kid’s performance in school. If a parent takes an active interest in their child’s studies, it makes them realize the value in what they are doing. This is especially true with homework, which is one of the areas where kids struggle in the most. These are ten of the ways for kids to be more encouraged to do their homework: 1. Set A Good Example : Before anyone else, the parent is the first role model kids will look up to. With this logic, it is important for parents to show that they value learning. Giving advice is not enough. You can start by showing them that you are reading a book while they are making their homework. It will help a lot because you are helping set behavioral expectations for the child. 2. Leave Them To Do Their Work : One of the basic things parents always forget is that they should leave the child to learn on their own. Let them finish their own homework. Never mind that they make mistakes. Making mistakes is part of learning. Of course, as a parent, you still get to make suggestions and help out. But the majority of the task must be carried out by your kid. 3. Make Your Home Conducive To Homework Making : There must be an area in your house that will be used for making assignments. This place must be well-lit and comfortable enough for the child. It is also a must for the area to be filled with the right supplies so that it will be easy to finish homework. This includes scissors, pencils, papers, glue, and others. 4. Minimize Distractions : One of your biggest enemies as a parent in getting your kids to do their homework is the distraction that external factors provide. This can affect the focus that the child is putting on their school work. As much as possible, there should be no devices when doing homework. This means no television, computers, smartphones or tablets. Even loud music may have to be banned. 5. Assist Them In Making Plans : Proper planning makes conquering homework more manageable for the child. Parents can help out in teaching their child planning to achieve this. As an example, it would be smart for your child to divide their homework into portions that will be easier to tackle. Also, teach them to take into account possible breaks. Fifteen-minute breaks may be enough. These breaks should be incorporated into the schedule they set for making their homework. 6. Schedule Regular Study Time : The key to the kids being used to doing homework is by doing it regularly. There is no cookie-cutter approach to scheduling regular study time. What parents need to understand is that what works for others may not work for your child. Just because study time after dinner is best for another child does not mean that afternoon study breaks are inappropriate. 7. Meet Up With Their Teachers : Parents should have a strong relationship with their children's teachers. Both parents and teachers have certain expectations as to how the kid must perform. As your child's second parents, it is important for both parties to have a dialogue to ensure the academic success of your child. 8. Motivate And Monitor : Parents must be monitors and motivators. Encourage them to study and finish their homework on time. Ask them about their day at school and if there is anything that they should know about their school work. Exhibit some control over their studying without being too repressive. 9. Do Not Forget To Praise Them : Children will be more motivated if you praise them. If they do well on an exam, compliment them and post their exam results for everyone to see. If relatives visit your home, do not forget to mention their achievements. 10. Get Help : If the parent has done everything they can to improve the homework habits of their child, they need to seek help. Start by talking to the teacher so you can get another perspective. If they exhibit learning or attention problems, you may also have to visit a child psychologist. Conclusion : Apart from applying these useful tips, you can introduce various learning and education apps to your kids if they are capable of learning things themselves with the help of apps. Say, for example, the top tutoring app can be a perfect solution to all the study related problems of your kids. If you are an android user, this has this Google Play study app on your phone and give your kids access to this app. If you are an iPhone user, this cool learning English iTunes app can be a great fit. Read Also : Transform Portals Of Learning What Is Somatic Psychology And How Does It Work? English As A Second Language: Ways To Find Great Teaching Materials On A Budget
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