Blog

Full-Time Job

How To Live Healthily Even If You Have A Full-Time Job

Staying healthy is a challenge—especially if you are working full-time. You wake up early and come home late, and you are always too tired to work out. Living a healthy life should not be an option, it should be mandatory for everyone. After all, the body that we nourish is the same body that we use to work and earn money. A lot of employees nowadays find it hard to commit to a healthier lifestyle. The hustle and bustle of our daily lives may present a challenge for us. Here are a few ways on how to be healthy while working full-time. 1. Prepare your lunch: Preparing your lunch is a very effective way of staying away from fast food. Make a weekly lunch plan; there are a lot of weekly menus that you can find on the internet. Choose the healthier option, and portion control is also essential. Research also shows that eating healthier food like fruits and vegetables may help you feel happier. You can even prepare your day-to-day snacks while you're at it. You may also suggest to the management that your company uses an office snack delivery service for a hassle-free way to get deliciously healthy snacks delivered right to your office. 2. Schedule your exercise: Most of us think that we don't have time to exercise anymore. Well, you are wrong. A quick 20-minute workout in the morning is an excellent way to start your day. Jog at least three times a week, schedule your daily workout, and spend an hour or two of your weekend to bring out some sweat. You always have time to browse your phone, why not spend it on a quick workout instead? Make some effort to stay healthy despite your hectic schedule. 3. Stand up! We spend a lot of our time sitting in front of a computer. Make a conscious effort to stand up every now and then. Find a standing table to work on or walk towards the printer or the water dispenser more frequently. 4. Drink plenty of water: Ever wondered why you suddenly feel tired in the middle of your shift? Chances are, you are dehydrated. Adults need at least six to eight glasses of water every day to function normally. Low water intake can cause a feeling of sluggishness and drowsiness and is detrimental to your health. Keep track of your water intake. Bring a water bottle that will help you keep a timetable of the amount of water you are drinking. 5. There is no health without mental health: According to the WHO, mental and physical health are intimately linked to each other. People suffering from depression are two times more likely to suffer from a heart attack than the general population. Promoting work-life balance is one way of keeping a mentally healthy workplace. Don't hesitate to bring up the topic of mental wellness in your meetings. Anyone in the office can struggle with mental health. Managers should be educated on how to respond to situations involving mental health issues. 6. Control the caffeine: A good cup of coffee in the morning can give you a good kick in the morning. However, caffeine at work can easily give you a crash. Avoid drinking coffee late in the afternoon. Caffeine can lower the quality of your sleep and drinking it regularly will lead to tolerance in which you’ll need a higher dose to feel the effects. Use a smaller mug for your coffee at work or set a cut-off time for your coffee intake. 7. Get enough sleep: This is one of the basics. A lot of full-time workers are not getting enough sleep. This is usually the case for people who spend too much time on their phones, computers, and TV. You are randomly browsing through the internet, and suddenly you notice that it’s already 3 AM! Sleep is very crucial for our bodies to restore the energy that is spent throughout the day. Frequent lack of sleep can lead to many complications. Sleeping well will not only keep you healthy, but it is also important for your job performance. 8. Get a regular check-up: A regular visit to your doctor is needed if not mandatory, as an expert’s advice, as well as early detection of health problems, is vital in maintaining our health. We cannot just leave everything to healthy food and exercise. We need an expert opinion on the changes in our bodies. You may feel as if you have no time for an appointment, but a simple check-up once or twice a year can go a long way in keeping you healthy. Keeping yourself healthy may take some effort, but it is all for your benefit. Health is wealth as they all say.  There’s really no reason to live a healthy life, and while it may seem impossible with your busy work schedule, making small changes can go a long way. Read Also: Unhealthy And Healthy Solutions For Coping With Stress Forever Young: Natural Ways To Live A Longer Life

READ MOREDetails
Longer Life

Forever Young: Natural Ways to Live a Longer Life

There's nothing like a health scare or an accident to make you realize the value of your life. Whether it was your accident or a friend barely escaped death, you realized you need to live healthier. Or maybe you need to start nagging your elderly family member to stop smoking again. There are so many ways how to live a longer life, that it can get overwhelming. We've structured this post so you have one thing to do every month that'll improve your life and your health. It doesn't have to wait until January either - start this list right now! You're only one habit away from how to live a longer life. Month #1 Task: Drink More Water: There's a problem in the US where we drink too much soda and alcohol. While that's fine once in a while, neither should be a daily occurrence. If you drink more than one soda a day or more than one beer, make yourself add in one glass of water. If you want to go the extra step, then replace one of your beverages with water instead. If you don't drink either, then drink a glass of water when you wake up every day. It'll give your body a boost of hydration to start the day and help you wake up! Month #2: Stop Popping Pills: There's nothing wrong with taking the occasional Tylenol or ibuprofen when you're in pain - but people take them all the time. Before you pop them at the first sign of a headache, drink a glass of water, and rub your temples. You can buy pre-mixed essential oil headache sticks that will stop the pain in its tracks. Taking these pills too often can increase your risk of heart attack and even stroke by 10%. They're also hard on your kidney and your liver since that's where they process. If you do have to take one, try to take a lower dose and only take more if you need it. Month #3: Go to Sleep, Please!   Just an extra half hour of sleep a night can do wonders for your life. Sleeping re-regulates everything, so you can see better results in your skin, your mood, your sex life - just about everything. That means putting down your phone before you go to sleep and picking up a book. The blue light our phones and devices emit confuse our brain's circadian rhythms. You can also invest in a sleep tracker watch or app on your phone that tracks your sleep cycles. Then, it can predict the best time for you to wake up when you're in light sleep. That will stop you from feeling groggy in the mornings and you'll bounce out of bed. If you can't sleep easily in general, go see your thermostat. Your body likes to sleep in a chilly room, so set it as low as your budget allows. 67 is a prime temperature. Finally, regulate your sleep schedule. Going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day gives your body a routine, and bodies love routines! Month #4: Get Outside: We know it's hard to get time in the sun, especially in the winter. You drive to work as the sun is just coming up and when you get out, it's already going down. But humans are low on vitamin D, which we get from sun exposure. Not enough vitamin D can lead to depression and general fatigue. Try to take a quick walk outside during a break or eat lunch outside. If it's too cold - find a room with a lot of sunlight in your building. You can take it in a supplement or even buy sunlight if you're really struggling with your Vitamin D levels. But, try to get the real thing if you can - it's always better than faking it. Month #5: Take Time Off: Do you know those vacation days that are adding up? Or those weekends that just feel like work part two with all the things you try to stuff in? It could be hurting your longevity. The body needs a break from work and not taking one can lead to a heart attack. Even if you don't have the money to take time off work or have a real vacation, leave your Saturday unplanned for once. Laze around the house in your PJs and do nothing. Play with the kids and make a late breakfast. Go work in your garden - only if you enjoy it. Your body deserves a break. Month #6: Challenge Your Brain: Not only can this tip help you live a longer life, but it can also help you live a longer, better life. Is there a card game you love playing but never have time for? Do you like doing crosswords or playing sudoku? Keep doing it! Activating your brain in challenging ways keeps it working. Think of it as muscle (which it is), you need to work it out. Keeping your brain active longer can prevent or put off the development of dementia by a few years. That means you'll have more time you can be present with family and friends. If your loved one lives in a nursing home or works with an organization like Families Choice Home Care, ask their nurses if they'll play challenging games with them. Invest in some good mechanical pencils and an extra eraser or a new deck of cards. It's time to play! How to Live a Longer Life in 6 Months: The idea behind these tips is that they'll become a habit in their month, then the next month you'll build on that habit with the next tip. So by month three, you should be drinking more water, taking fewer pills, and sleeping at least a half-hour more. That's the best way how to live a longer life - small changes that add up over time. Want more health and fitness tips? Click here. Read Also: Five Benefits Of Meditation That Will Change Your Life Ways To Stay Fit And Healthy In Your Senior Years

READ MOREDetails
Payday Loans

Are Payday Loans Really as Bad as People Say?

You’ve probably gone to your computer to research online payday loans in Texas and instead been met with a barrage of negative information regarding payday loans. Most consumer advocates demonize this type of finance, saying it is predatory and that it needs to be banned because it does not help the average consumer. That is not true at all. Repeat Customers:   What most detractors of the finance system do is that they focus on the supply side of this business. They don’t look at the demand side, which grows stronger and more demanding every day. What is it that makes borrowers come back for payday loans repeatedly? In order to answer that question, you need to have an intimate understanding of the average borrower that relies on payday loans. This is typically a low to medium income earner whose wages cannot cover surprise expenses such as a broken-down car, medical expenses, or emergency funding for your business. They typically don’t have savings or investments or even the same incentives to save and invest that higher-income earners have. Their real wages have been on the decline since 1972, and so they find it harder every year to make ends meet adequately. Moreover, traditional banks have all but abandoned them and won’t touch them with a 10-foot pole — not since the financial disaster that began sometime in 2007. What recourse is there for such a consumer? What can they do and who should they turn to when their backs are against the wall? Watch Out for Predatory Lending: To be sure, there are some unscrupulous payday lenders that take advantage of borrower’s situations and harass them, making them live in constant discomfort over their loans. They also encourage them to borrow a lot more than they can ever hope to pay back, just so they can roll over the loans or take out other loans to pay the initial ones back and get trapped in a constant cycle of debt. But this isn’t all lenders. To begin with, the lending industry is well regulated with lenders being required to follow strict rules on what they can say or do when trying to recover their money from a borrower. They also aren’t allowed to take borrowers to court in many states. The good lenders are having their name tarnished by a combined team of bad lenders and so-called consumer advocates who don’t quite understand or empathize with the dire situation of the low-income earners who need these loans. These are people who typically have neither good credit nor friends and family from whom they can borrow money or ask for help. The payday loan is their last resort. Would it be fair to take that last resort from them and give them no alternative to replace it? Take Only What You Can Pay Back: There are also many borrowers who take just enough money to meet their emergency needs. They make sure it is something they can pay back with their paycheck, and they pay it all back on time. Just like there are lenders who encourage borrowers to take only what they can reasonably pay back, and do not harass them when they run late on payments. Payday loans are not evil. They are a quick solution to many of the needs of a certain otherwise abandoned section of society. Read Also: How To Save More Money? 9 Vital Options For When You’re Desperate For Money

READ MOREDetails
Pipe Recovery

5 Important Tools For Pipe Recovery Operations

For well lodging and digging you use many types of equipment like drilling tool, lodging tool, measuring tools and more for perfect well. You can attach these tools with a single string or with group o strings and put them down in the wellbore. However, due to some reasons, either the wireline string breaks or the digging tool gets stuck in downhole formations. Does your drilling string often get set stuck inside the well? If so, then use pipe recovery operations to release the string or to make it free from the blocked position. Pipe recovery services use to make the portion of jammed string free from well formations. These services help you in identifying the location of block pipe, to cut the stuck string and finally to bring back the free portion of the pipe from well. If your pipe gets stuck and you wish to release it then, below are some tools that will help to take out the portion of blocked pipe from downhole or well. Free Point Indicator Tool: This tool is used for pipe recovery services to identify the location of stuck pipe in the wellbore. It works by measuring the torque and pressure of wireline in the downhole to identify the location of blockage in the well due to the stuck pipe. You can also use it to judge the stuck point in all type of tube wells, coiled tubes, and well casing. Back Off Tool: Once you are done with a location check of the stuck point of pipe, you might be thinking on the way to release it. There is a back off a tool that helps you to remove the free portion of the string from the well. It works by applying the torque on a stuck portion of wireline and detonate it. Hence the free string gets separated from stuck string and can be pulled up from the wellbore. Chemical Cutter: It is a good tool for the recovery of electric wireline services and is widely used in operations where no need of any torque to pull up the string. It is capable to cut coiled tube, well casing and drill pipe without providing any harm to other portion of pipe or well. These tools are designed to operate in conditions like extreme pressure and temperature which make it best tool for oilfield well. To make a clean cut and not leave any debris in the hole. Radial Cutting Torch: It is lowered down into the well to cut the stuck string. It uses the mixture of powdered metal that a burn with high temperature on ignites and it melts to become molten plasma. This plasma is then ejects through a nozzle onto the target string and cut. Fishing Tool: You can use this tool to release or remove the stuck pipe and any other suspended material from the wellbore. There are many fishing tools available such as spear, overshoot, junk mill and boost basket that help you to recover the stuck string from the well.  A spear is a tool that can fit within the pipe and help to grip the pipe from inside. However, overshoot tool grips the pipe from outside and help to bring it up from the well. Recover the wireline as soon as possible to save the drill time off well. Recovery of the pipe is also a need that protects further damage to the good casing. If you feel that wireline recovery operation is not easy for you then, you may call any pipe recovery service provider. Read Also: Guide To Different Types Of Water Flow Meters

READ MOREDetails
Taurus

Are You a Taurus? 8 Things to Know About Yourself

Are you Taurus? then What words come to mind when you think of a bull? Strength. Power. Intensity. Sublimity. All of the above!? Contemplating the character of this immense animal is a useful first step to understanding the qualities of a Taurus too: that illustrious second sign of the Zodiac that bears the symbol of a bull. Here are some quick facts for you. Taurus's are born between April 20th and May 20th. Their element is Earth. Their planet is Venus. Their lucky gem is an emerald. But what does that all mean for you? What are the specific Taurus traits that might shed some light on you and your personality? Let us help! Keep reading to find out the 8 key traits of this particular star sign. 1. You're Independent: Any Taurus-born is fiercely independent. Strong and resourceful, Taureans can walk through life confident in the knowledge that they have the qualities required to handle any challenges that arise along the way. Taurus doesn't need to rely on the support of others in such situations. They can quite happily navigate any obstacles alone. That said, they have strong social ties too. Their magnetism and strength of character draw valued friendships and bonds between loved ones. 2. You're Hardworking: Taureans are known for their hardworking characteristics too. Bulls symbolize work ethics, strength and power. All of these traits translate into an individual who strives to do their utmost to succeed in a task. Their resilience under pressure and willingness to achieve, all stacks up to create someone utterly committed to working hard. There's a reason we talk about 'grabbing the bull by the horns'. It speaks to initiative, perseverance and seizing the day. Through hook or crook, a bull will get you to where you need to go. 3. You're Dedicated: There's no going back once a Taurean decides on a particular path. We've already seen how you've got a hardworking nature. But it's possible to work hard for a short period of time, before quitting. That isn't in your character as a Taurus! Far from it. Think of a bulldozer. Why do you think it's called that? The image of this mechanical beast pushing, breaking and overcoming obstacles is the exact image that comes to mind when a Taurus gets its teeth stuck into a task. Simply, there's no stopping them. 4. You're Patient: Nothing will stop a Taurus from achieving what they set out to. This is partly to do with their dedication and commitment. But it's also thanks to the quiet patience that runs like a thread through their personality. A Taurus knows what they want and that one day they'll get it. And they're willing to both work hard and wait for the privilege of that achievement. Taureans are patient with people too though, and, for that matter, in almost all other aspects of life. 5. You're Sensual: Taurus is one of the most sensual of star signs. There's a hedonism to their pursuits, making sensory pleasure paramount. From touch, taste, sight, smell, and sound, Taureans place a high value on sensory gratification. There's an intensity to a Taurus. Beauty is big; satisfaction is sought-after. As you might expect, love-making is passionate and important (check out these tips on how to improve your sex-life). There's a tendency to fall hard for someone though, which can lead to challenges for the smitten Taurus. Without due care, the intensity behind their emotions can lead to a neediness that can harm the relationship. Sound familiar? Consider checking out your Taurus horoscope for clues on how to navigate the situation. 6. You Can Be Stubborn: Taureans have a reputation for being stubborn and bull-headed at times. Which makes sense, given the star-sign! Ever tried to get a bull to back down? It's no mean feat. It's the same with a Taurus. However, there's a fine line between stubbornness and extreme commitment. Some might argue they're two sides of the same coin. That's definitely the case with a Taurus. You're extremely committed, but that can easily be misconstrued as stubbornness. 7. You Can Be Lazy: You might be wondering how someone can be hardworking and lazy at the same time. It's a fair question! But Taureans pull it off adeptly. Again, think about a bull. Can you imagine trying to get a bull to do something it doesn't want to? Conversely, with the bit between the teeth, try stopping them from getting what they want! A Taurus creates their own destiny. They're utterly dedicated and committed to their own endeavors and they'll do whatever it takes to succeed. The issue comes when someone else's needs enter the equation. Operating under authority can be a challenge. It's difficult to persuade these zodiacal bulls to behave in the sole interest of others. It isn't malicious. It's simply a conflict of interests between the needs of self and other. 8. You Can Be Indulgent: A Taurus' independence and hardworking nature often lead to the ability to earn a lot of money and be self-sufficient. Think of it as the antidote to your hardworking nature. There's a hedonistic side to you. It feels good to indulge in decadence and material pleasures. You're prone to treating yourself. From long spa days and lust-filled encounters to eating rich, beautiful foods and so on, you like to feel satisfied. Do You Possess These Taurus Traits? There you have it: 8 Taurus traits to help you understand you and your star sign. A Taurus is an intense individual with a life characterized by extremes. Your positive qualities far outweigh the negative though. You're hardworking, dedicated, sensual, patient and independent. You're high achieving and exceptionally popular to be around as a result. Your internal drive can make you stubborn though. Your commitment to your own goals can make you seem lazy to others as well. And your hedonistic desires can lead you to overindulge at times. However you walk through life, you can be sure of having an adventure! Hopefully, the information here will have helped you understand yourself a little better. We'd love to hear about it if so! Can you see these traits reflected in who you are? Which one do you relate to most strongly? Let us know in the comments!

READ MOREDetails
Sports Swimwear

The Essentials of Nutrition and Training and The Most Suitable Sports Swimwear

The life of a sportsperson is narrowed down to these two words "persistence and constancy." Every best move displayed by an athlete depends on many years of training. But the truth is, hard work is not the only thing that contributes to the success of a sportsperson. Having the right set of sports swimwear is essential. In addition, observing a proper nutrition and regular training are also vital Swimming especially is a sport that requires good training and nutrition. Have you prayed and hope for that perfect bikini body by merely staring at swimmers? Basically, everyone is not born to be an athlete. Any wrong move taken by an athlete can influence their performance greatly. There are a lot of elements that can influence the performance of an athlete A Few Factors Of Training That Influence A Swimmers Performance Include: 1. Skillful trainers: The performance of an athlete can be greatly geared when being trained by a skillful trainer. The experience of the trainer will say a lot on the trainee. Today, there are lots of coaches out there and not all of them are able to produce medalists. An athlete should try to work with a trainer that can imbibe and influence him or her with lots of hard work and smart work. Swimmers are advised to use our training swimwear during training so that their performance can be outstanding. 2. Right clothes and accessories: We all know that anyone can be at his or her best when putting on the appropriate outfit. Winning a war does not only depend on a soldier's skill, having the right and best ammunition is another paramount fact to consider. Athletes go through tedious physical activities which are enough to make them stress up. Having a cheap swimwear can add more to the stress and prevent one from giving out a proper performance. The right sports swimwear is very essential. There are some essential factors to consider in making sure that a swimwear is the right one for an athlete. One of the factors to consider is to check if the fabric is a proper one for comfortable movement and also check if it is a chlorine resistant swimwear. There are different features to look out for in both girls' swimwear and boys' swimwear. Not just the swimwear only but with the accessories; swimming goggles and swimmers cap should be carefully selected. Proper and complete swimwear can be purchased online at Nova Swimwear. We put in our best for athletes to get the proper training swimwear, racing swimwear, sports swimwear, and other kinds of swimsuits needed. We deal in both ladies swimwear and men's swimwear, we also provide plus size swimwear you can choose from. We have varieties of the collection which include: ladies' one-piece swimwear, knee-length swimsuit, men's jammers, and boys' jammers too. We have the best Australian swimwear in our online store. 3. Time management: One vital aspect of the training programme of an athlete is time management. Not managing the time properly can change a game over to defeat. Trainers or coaches are to pay good focus on time management. Only training cannot give the desired result needed, a combination of proper nutrition is necessary. The right nutrition enables athletes to do and help them recover quickly from training stress. Scheduling an athlete's food and nutrition is a continuous process. According to body changes, nutrition needs to follow the same pattern. It is common to see swimmers rehearsing in pools in early mornings. Someone might wonder how they have their pre-training food by that time of the day. It is advisable that swimmers eat lie 3 to 4 hours before swimming, so to avoid swimming with a full stomach. If swimming is done with a full stomach it can cause nausea. Early morning training requires waking up to eat in the middle of the night. This, in the right sense, is not appropriate. So, they eat light food before swimming and immediately after swimming practice they eat their proper breakfast. This is why planning athletes' food is so essential. Few Dietary Advice For Athletes Are Emphasized Below: Carbohydrates: Swimmers are advised to have a high carbohydrate food 3 to 4 hours prior to their swimming practice. Carbohydrate gives good energy for high-intensity training. The measurement of carbohydrate needed depends on the kind of the workout the athlete is observing. Some common Carbohydrate food can be energy bars, low-fat yogurt, bananas, brown rice etcetera. Proteins: Proteins aid to build up and maintain the body tissues. They are important for the rebuilding of break down tissues. Eating proteinous food before a workout helps to avoid muscle wear out and conserves energy. Quality of protein should be taken into real consideration more than the quantity. Some of the examples of quality proteins are whole eggs, fish, milk, beef etcetera. Hydration: Having a dehydration is not a good thing for an athlete. They need to maintain a high level of energy always and going below the normal level is disastrous. Taking lots of liquid should be part of an athlete's daily routine. What Should Swimmers Eat Prior Swimming? It has been earlier said that swimmers are not supposed to take in a heavy meal prior swimming activities. At the same time, not eating at all is not a proper idea as it leads to energy reduction and low performance. Swimmers especially are to consume light meals before any swimming activity. Some of the meals they can have before swimming include: A piece or two of toast and a glass of juice. Fig bars. A small bowl of cereal or banana porridge. Raisins. Energy bar. Swimmers should also make sure they maintain a regular intake of fluids. What Should Swimmers Eat After Swimming? It is important for swimmers to eat a heavy breakfast after swimming. Their diet timetable should include a lot of foods with high carbohydrates and proteins to give them fast recovery from any stress. Few meals that are advised to swimmer’s after swimming activities are: Whole egg sandwich. Bowl of oatmeal. Begel. Bananas and yogurt. These are a few nutrition and training info that all swimmers should never forget. Always stay fit so as to give your best performance and don't forget to look fit in your chosen sports swimwear. This can be purchased on Nova Swimwear. Read Also: 3 Tips For Choosing The Right Sports Bra For You 3 Things That All Sports Clubs Should Have

READ MOREDetails
Smart Home

Upgrading Your Home to a Smart Home

It seems like a thing of the future; something reminiscent of sci-fi films set on spaceships, complete with large, omniscient motherboard computers. But having a smart home controlled by virtual voice command technology is very much a thing of the present. With the release of Apple’s Siri technology in 2011, the virtual assistant game was changed. The ability to give commands verbally to an in-device personality, Siri, opened the door for easier, more productive living. Now with Amazon and Google joining the race, and other companies following suit, there’s suddenly a whole heap of new virtual assistant options. Moving away from purely phone/tablet based assistants, the market now includes home-based alternatives. Google Home or Amazon’s Echo (complete with assistant Alexa) allows users to turn their space into “smart homes”, wherein with a simple verbal command, they can instruct their assistant to perform all kinds of tasks around the home, such as turning lights on and off. There are also some things you should be careful about. According to Lendi smart home can be targeted by hackers since the whole house is connected via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Some of the best things include While upgrading Smart Home: Controlling lights Changing a home’s temperature Playing music Opening/closing garage doors There are loads more options you can choose from, and third-party capabilities you can put in place (Amazon’s Alexa can perform over 10,000 tasks!), like creating lighting sensors, or scheduling changes to your lights, alarms, and thermostat. Virtual voice assistants also signal a massive change in the lives of people living with disabilities or illness. The chance to utilise voice commands to perform everyday tasks removes the barrier that mobility issues and physical impairment create. For able-bodied people, virtual assistants are a cool new way to increase productivity and promote convenience. Consider then the massive improvement this technology can make in the lives of people living and thriving with disabilities. The extra support can be life-changing. All in all, another point scored for the virtual assistants’ pros list. So, the basic gist is that having your house properly set up as a smart home is awesome and opens you up to a heap of benefits. However, setting the system up can be confusing. You’ll largely need to consider two things: Choosing your assistant: The main players that hold the monopoly on the smart home/virtual assistant market are Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google’s Assistant. They all have their pros and cons, and your choosing which one suits you best is ultimately a matter of personal preference. They all offer easy-to-use voice commands, but there are several different things to consider when deciding on an assistant: Price Capabilities (what can you do/control?) Compatibility with Android or Apple products Ease of set-up (how long and difficult is it to get running?) Ease of use (Is it perceptive and easy to talk to?) Assistant’s intelligence (How easily and well it can answer questions.) Choose your hardware: After deciding on your virtual assistant, you’ll need physical hardware to support it. Each different assistant offers different options, like the Amazon Echo. They too have their pros and cons. There are also different models of each hardware device, so there are multiple cost, sound and utility options. Your hardware largely depends on which assistant you choose, so that will also narrow down your options. The last important thing to think about when considering the purchase of a virtual voice assistant is your internet’s performance. If you’re having to use your phone’s personal hotspot at home because your connection is slow and temperamental, perhaps think about changing your home internet’s carrier or plan. You’ll need to choose a reliable broadband connection to run and use your assisting device, and you may need to research bandwidth, and how this affects how well your devices stream content and perform commands. Read Also: 8 Smart House Upgrades That Are Totally Worth The Money 8 Tried And Tested Secrets Of A Productive Home Office

READ MOREDetails
Cleaning Helps

How Cleaning Helps Us Feel Better and Why We Don’t Do It

From the moment you wake up in the morning until you go to bed, your days are filled with mostly routine stuff with preferably less out of the blue moments that force you to leave your comfort zone. No matter what you expect or hope to do this day, it is very important to have a plan and be organized, to set small task you know that can be done, and feel satisfied and happy afterward. This sort of task-reward plan helps you feel more in control over your life and more confident to try different stuff. No matter how good it feels, people easily fall out of that habit and return to their aimless daily grind. We talked to guys at Happy Cleans to try to understand how cleaning, as a form of organization, can make us feel better. Hoarding: It is in our society’s DNA to continuously buy and consume products. We just want more stuff and we don’t really care if there’s enough room at home or if that particular item is really necessary. One day you realize that you are surrounded by a bunch of stuff you don’t know what to do with, yet there’s this emotional attachment that just won’t let you let go. You feel relieved when you get rid of things you no longer need because cleaning has therapeutic properties as well. Maybe it’s an old vase that’s been sitting in the corner gathering dust, boxes of old magazines, or old clothes you haven’t touched in years. Whatever it is and however you choose to dispose of it all, there is always the feeling of a restart. You’d be giving your home, and indirectly yourself, a fresh start and more room to breathe. Lack of time: This is the most common excuse people grasp for when facing their filthy home when they leave for work in the morning. Cleaning is not an easy task. It takes a decent amount of time and energy, but excusing yourself with the lack of time is not the solution you are looking for. Work, family, hobbies, these are all prioritized over cleaning, but being well organized by spending an hour, thirty minutes or less every day doing some cleaning, will show great results and the feeling of accomplishment of working towards a clear goal every day will help reduce stress and make you feel better about yourself. Laziness: It’s a great feeling when you are finally able to sit down in your clean home and just enjoy the sight. Don’t let that wave of good emotions trick you into remembering old habits. Before you notice, your home will return to that undesired state of neglect you worked so hard to change. What you can do is just keep the trend of doing less cleaning but more frequently. This should be your new routine, you could also start doing dishes right after a meal or not leave dirty socks on the floor to camp for a few days, etc. Don’t fall into passive state where you feel like you keep hitting a wall, so you choose to rather not do anything. Start with your home, the energy you spend there will boost your physical and mental health. This flow of positive energy will come in handy when dealing with the rest of your daily tasks and smile about it, which consequently means that you’d be eager to do some more cleaning and feel rewarded for your effort. It’s a circle of positive energy and a way forward. Read Also: 6 Tips For Keeping Your Home Clean (With Pets And Kids) Home Hacks: Stuff You Can Clean In One Hour Or Less Feature Image: Source

READ MOREDetails
Job Interview Tips

Genius Job Interview Tips That Will Guarantee Success

No matter how experienced are you when the day of a job interview comes your heart starts to beat faster, words get stuck in your throat, and hands shake like on the first date. We know the feeling, and it’s completely natural to be anxious before attending an interview which might decide your future. Nevertheless, there are ways to control stress and anxiety, and solid preparation is one of them. Not to forget, in order to succeed in your next job interview, you have to put a foundation. A great start is your resume, and you should carefully design it depending on the desired position. The first step is to introduce yourself briefly, tell the main facts regarding your previous occupations, educational background, achievements, and skills. Everything should collaborate and bring the best picture. The second step is to design your resume in a way it would stand out and be easier to scan. To help with that use premade resume templates which you can find on Novoresume. In this article we suggest six tips on how to master your next job interview: Before: 1. Use all possible channels for your job interview: In times of the digital revolution, it would be a shame not to use all possible channels and platforms to get needed information. This point is highly valuable while preparing for the job interview, as you can find all the smallest details about the hiring company. Don’t only check the website, but also include social media, blogs, and articles from additional sources. It is beneficial if you can find finance data regarding the company, analyze it and try to take the main points. Use statements about their business, make a basic forecast about the industry, if possible the company itself. It will surprise interviewers and show devotion to your career and compelling research skills. 2. Make yourself look good: A candidate should research the hiring company, however, not to forget, there is a great possibility that the company will check the applicant as well. To represent yourself well, check all social media accounts, publications and other related public data about you. Even though you probably forgot that picture from the party three years ago, it’s still there, and you should be aware that the company can easily spot it. Clean your photo albums, check all embarrassing posts and publications. It might protect you from an embarrassment during the interview. 3. Pick the right time for the interview: According to the online job market platform Glassdoor, there is a certain time that works better for meetings, and might even boost your chances of getting the desired position. It’s recommended to avoid early meetings, late and before lunch interviews. Those simple factors, as interviewers being too sleepy, hungry or tired have a high impact on your chances to get a job. What is the best time for a job interview? It is Tuesday around 10 am, this time makes sense because people are already tuned in a working week, it’s not early morning, but yet no one is wondering about lunch. Therefore, if you have an opportunity to arrange the time, try using Tuesday at 10 am. During: Prepare questions: Although a job interview is used to test your competence for a specific position, it’s also an ideal possibility to show your interest and curiosity in the hiring company. If you prepared well before the big day, then you should have at least a few questions for interviewers. Don’t be shy and ask, however, try to find issues which interested you but you couldn’t find answers online otherwise they might assume you are just lazy. If before the big day you've found facts regarding the business’s success or failure, ask what caused a particular situation. Again, it will show your knowledge about their business and high interest. 5. State why are you perfect for this position: One of the most common questions during job interviews is why did you choose this position and what does make you think you are a good fit. Why do you consider yourself a perfect candidate is the main one because you will have to convince interviewers with your competence. Before the meeting, study the description of the position, what is it required to achieve it, what experience and skills are needed. Accordingly, you will be able to create a brief story about why you are the one who is the best for this job. After: Send a thank you Email: A short thank you note within first 24 hours after your interview is a polite way to remind about yourself. A great chance is that the hiring company had many other applicants and it’s necessary to remind the company about yourself. A formal and brief email mentioning the main takeaways might guarantee you a next stage of the hiring process. Even though you don’t get to the next step, there is a chance they will offer you some other position because of the enthusiasm you’ve shown. A job interview is a challenging experience, but you can master it and reach the best possible outcome. And no matter how many meetings you’ll have that day, spend enough time and carefully prepare. If you pick the tools and techniques that work for you, then you will achieve the desired position without any hassle. All in all, despite all the study and research, use your confidence and take the matter into your own hands. Read Also: Perfect Resume Samples For Every Job Ten Interview Tips That Might Surprise You: The Medical Edition

READ MOREDetails
Supplemental Insurance

A Little on the Side…Or Not? Your Guide to Supplemental Insurance

Have you ever experienced something you didn't expect? It might have been something good, like bumping into an old friend on vacation or being taken to a surprise party. Or it could have been something not so favorable: a car accident, the loss of a job, a sudden illness… The world is an unpredictable place. Each new day brings its own surprises - both good and bad. We can't plan for those surprises, but we can protect ourselves. In 2017, Americans spent $1.2 trillion on health insurance premiums. Having a good health insurance plan can protect you in the event of an unforeseen injury or illness. But it's not always enough. Some people go to make a claim only to find that it isn't covered. Others can afford to make their monthly premiums, but when they need medical assistance, they can't afford to pay their copays. Even with health insurance, medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy in the US. Supplemental insurance may help cover those costs so you don't need to add a financial emergency along to your medical emergency. What Is Supplemental Insurance? As the name might suggest, supplemental insurance is a type of insurance that supplements your existing healthcare coverage. There is a wide variety of health insurance plans, but most plans give you a choice between a low monthly premium and a high deductible or a high monthly payment with a low deductible. Most people choose to go with a low monthly premium-especially if they're generally in good health. But since 61% of Americans don't have enough savings to cover a $1,000 emergency, that high deductible could ruin them. Supplemental insurance is a separate health insurance policy that can be used to cover additional expenses that you may be unable to cover on your own. You might use it to pay for a deductible, copays, or care that your regular insurance does not cover. Some supplemental insurance companies will even cover lost wages for time off due to illness. Supplemental insurance carries its own monthly premium. However, this premium is often lower than the difference between your current insurance plan and a plan that would cover everything else you need. Types of Supplemental Insurance: Just like every health insurance plan is different, there are several different kinds of supplemental insurance. You can mix and match these plans as needed. Dental Insurance: It's likely that you already have supplemental insurance without realizing it. Most health insurance plans do not cover dental work. And since regular visits to the dentist are an important way to fight dental problems, that could leave you on the hook for expensive out of pocket costs. To cover your dental care costs, you must have a supplemental plan. This supplemental is often provided in your benefits package from your employer without you even realizing it. If you manage your own insurance, your primary insurance provider may offer a separate plan to cover these. Vision Insurance: Like dental insurance, vision care is not typically covered by most health insurance policies. And that's bad news considering that 75% of Americans need some kind of vision correction. While you could always see an optician at the cheap eye clinic in the strip mall, that's a poor substitute for regular appointments with an optometrist or ophthalmologist. An optician can also miss other serious problems that an optometrist or ophthalmologist would catch. Supplementing your medical insurance with vision insurance can keep your vision care expenses from running through the roof. Medigap: Medicare is a state-run insurance program that covers citizens over 65 or certain individuals with disabilities. It is funded through taxes, so recipients do not pay a monthly premium. Many people depend on Medicare to cover the cost of their ongoing healthcare. But it doesn't cover everything. Medigap plans can help cover out-of-pocket expenses or necessary care that is not covered by Medicare. Travel Insurance: If you're traveling away from home and you are injured or become ill, you may not be able to find any healthcare providers within your network. Purchasing supplemental travel insurance before you travel is a good way you can stay covered if the worst should happen. Critical Illness Insurance: While insurance exists to cover unforeseen costs that you cannot afford, every insurance plan has an annual limit or a cap on how much they will cover. If you reach that cap, you must pay for any costs beyond that. If you become seriously ill, it can be easy to reach the cap in a hurry. Supplemental critical illness insurance is used to cover expenses beyond your insurance policy's annual limit. Do I Need It? You might be reading this thinking, "this is all well and good, but do I actually need supplemental insurance?" Can you afford to pay your entire deductible? Can you pay for out-of-pocket expenses like copays and prescriptions? Can you afford to pay for additional care out of pocket? Are you at risk of reaching your policy's annual limit? If you answered "yes" to most of those questions, then you might not need supplemental insurance. If you have a savings account that you can dip into to cover extra costs, you can skip it and pay less per month. However, if you do not have a lot saved up, paying a few dollars more per month for supplemental insurance could save you if you suffer a health crisis. Take a look at your financial situation, your current health insurance, and your overall health and make an informed decision. Protect Yourself: Supplemental insurance is a great way to protect yourself from uncovered medical expenses. But as the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You can help prevent runaway medical costs by taking care of your health. For more articles about how you can stay healthy, visit the health & fitness section of our blog! Read Also: How To Get Low-Cost Life Insurance For Seniors Small Business Guide To Private Health Insurance Exchanges

READ MOREDetails