Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Experiencing Job Burnout? Here’s How To Deal With It

 

A 2021 Deloitte survey involving 1000 respondents revealed that approximately 77% had experienced burnout in their jobs. This type of burnout occurs when you feel physically and emotionally exhausted due to your job. Moreover, you experience a loss of personal identity and reduced accomplishments. Career burnout can be devastating to your health, as it can increase your risks of developing cardiovascular diseases, respiratory conditions, type 2 diabetes, etc. You also risk getting anxiety, irritability, depression, anger, and other mental conditions. If you’re currently experiencing job burnout, here’s what you can do to fix it. 

1. Take a break 

Sometimes, a break from the usual work routine is enough to regain your desire for your job. However, this isn’t the usual five-minute break or a few days off work. You may need to take a full vacation to destress and practice self-care. Indeed, taking a vacation comes with its benefits. For starters, you can decrease your cortisol levels when you hang out and have fun with loved ones without the thought of work deadlines. Moreover, you’ll find it easier to get new energy and motivation for work after relaxing your body and mind. According to Forbes, many companies leverage vacations to battle high burnout rates among their employees, crediting their benefits. 

However, your vacation may be pointless if you still attend to work-related tasks. Therefore, ensure that you’re away from work. You can begin by effectively communicating with your team members that you wouldn’t be available during your vacation. Also, it’s prudent to keep your replacement up-to-date with important contacts and notes to prevent them from calling you when you’re away. 

2. Switch up your work responsibilities 

Another factor that causes burnout is boredom at work. A Udemy survey revealed that approximately 43% of workers feel bored at their jobs. Another research indicates that workers feel bored for 10.5 hours weekly, amounting to 68 days annually. Other research articles state that workers leave their jobs because they aren’t being challenged. Workplace boredom can lead to sadness, demotivation, and anxiety if not addressed immediately. Also, killing work time, low self-esteem, and feeling disconnected at work are signs that your job is tedious. 

Therefore, it’s important to look out for these signs and deal with them effectively. It’s prudent to speak to your HR manager about other career options that fit your skills, experiences, and values. Moreover, you can request that they include tasks that challenge you and increase your motivation. 

3. Change your workspace

Your workspace can cause your lack of motivation for your current job. You’d find it helpful to change where you work to reduce your risks of developing burnout. Research by Becker Friedman Institute for Economics indicates that 30% of workers were more engaged and productive when working from home. If you feel that working in the traditional workspace setting stresses you out, you can arrange with your managers to work from home. 

It’s also prudent to separate your work life from household activities to avoid increased stress. Fortunately, you don’t have to be stuck at home when remote working. You can choose to work from a coffee shop, a park, or a place that keeps you less stressed.

There are several ways to combat job burnout without leaving your current job. However, you can consider changing your career if you’re still demotivated after trying several options. That said, going for a job you enjoy will prove helpful. For instance, a career in direct care services will be a great option if you enjoy working with seniors or people with disabilities. 

Helping People Start a Business

 

Starting a business is not an easy task. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and time. However, anyone can create their own business with the right tools and resources. This article will provide helpful tips and advice on starting a business and information on the different available types of businesses.

Start with the foundation and make sure it's strong.

Building a successful business takes time and effort, so it's essential to have a plan in place from the beginning. A good foundation for a business requires you to do your research and choose the right business type. You should also have a solid marketing strategy.

There are many different types of businesses that you can start, so it's essential to choose one that fits your interests and abilities. Some of the most popular business types include:

  • Service businesses: These businesses offer a service to their customers, such as plumbing, carpentry, or hair styling.
  • Product businesses: These businesses sell a product that they create or import, such as clothing, furniture, or pet supplies.
  • E-commerce businesses: These businesses sell products or services online.

Once you've chosen the type of business you want to start, it's time to create a business plan. It's essential to be realistic when starting your business plan and include all necessary information.

Choose your market wisely.

When starting a business, it's essential to choose a market you can enter. There are a few things to consider when making this decision:

  • Your target audience: Who is your product or service for?
  • Your competition: What other businesses are offering similar products or services?
  • Your resources: Do you have the time, money, and expertise to compete in this market?

If you can answer these questions honestly, you'll be well on your way to finding a successful market for your business. So don't rush into it--take the time to do your research and make sure you're making the right decision.

A failed business can be costly, both financially and emotionally, so it's crucial to put in the effort up front to make sure you're headed in the right direction.

Do not try to do this on a shoestring budget.

If you are starting a business, you will need to invest some money. You may be able to get started with a small amount of money, but it will not be enough to sustain your business in the long run.

You need to invest in the things that will help your business grow, such as advertising, marketing, and employee salaries. If you try to do this on a shoestring budget, you will not be successful in the long run.

So, it would help if you looked for a financial institution that uses an alternative data credit scoring system. This system gives unbanked individuals access to loans that they can use to start their businesses. In this situation, you can access loans even if you are still starting a business and have yet to set up a bank account.

Create a realistic business plan.

When starting a business, one of the most important things is to develop a realistic business plan. The business plan shows your goals, strategies, and how you plan to achieve them. It will also help you track your progress and make necessary adjustments.

A business plan should include:

  • Your company's vision and mission
  • An overview of your products or services
  • The target market for your business
  • Your competitive landscape
  • Your marketing and sales strategies
  • Your financial forecasts
  • A detailed implementation plan

Creating a business plan can be a daunting task, but it's essential if you want to make your business successful. By taking the time to develop a comprehensive plan, you're putting yourself in a much better position to achieve your goals.

Register your business with the state and get an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS.

If you're ready to start a business, the first step is registering it with your state and getting an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS. This number identifies your business on tax forms and other official documents.

Businesses with employees need an EIN. Partnerships, corporations, or LLCs also need it. The EIN is used to report employment taxes and other information about the business to the IRS.

Hire the right employees and provide them with the necessary training.

If you want your business to be successful, you need to make sure that you hire the right employees and provide them with the necessary training. This will help them learn the ropes and understand your company's culture. Additionally, it will help them be more productive and effective in their roles.

Starting a business can be a daunting task, but by taking the time to do your research and create a realistic business plan, you're putting yourself in a much better position to achieve success. You should also register your business with the state and get an EIN from the IRS. Finally, hire the right employees and provide them with the necessary training. You're ready to start your own business with these tips in mind!

Friday, April 1, 2022

If you have always had the dream of starting your own business, then you will know what a thrilling experience it can be. You may feel as though you have so many exciting things to look forward to, and that you are also excited about the future. Either way, before you dive into starting your own company, you have to make sure that you are ready and that you are thinking about all of the aspects that come with starting your own company. If you can do this, then you will soon find that things end up working in your favour.

You have a Passion 

You have to remember that passion alone is not enough. It is essential, but passion alone will not make your business successful. You need to make sure that you believe in your idea and that you are focused on what you need to do in order to make it work. If you can do this, then you will soon see that you are able to get a solid idea of the future. You also need to make sure that you have the experience to back-up your idea as well. Just because you are passionate about working in healthcare, doesn’t mean that you should go and start a healthcare company, if you have no prior experience. Take the time to undergo training and also make sure that you do what you can to try and explore your options. If you can do this, then you will increase your chances of experiencing success. If you want to go into the medical field and you have experience, check out Medifit Design and Construct.

 You have a Solid Plan 

Cashing in your current pension and taking a leap with your business is never a good idea. Before you even think about leaving your day job, you have to make sure that you have a plan. It doesn’t matter whether you have a full plan or whether you have a few ideas jotted down because you have to make sure that your idea is viable. Some of the things that you may want to plan out include whether or not the market is saturated and if there is anything that you can do to make yourself stand apart. If you can do this, then you will soon find that things work in your favour.

You have Ideas for your brand

You have to remember that your brand is ultimately the way that you will connect to the world. Do you want your brand to be funny, irreverent, or classic? You also have to make sure that you know your brand and how it connects with your customers. If you have a good idea of the brand that you want to create, then this will give you a solid foundation for your business, so make sure that you do not overlook things like this when exploring the idea of starting your own company.

So, starting a company isn’t easy, but there are things that you can do to try and make sure that you get the best result out of your venture. Ultimately, it all starts with being prepared and taking your time.

Autoimmune Conditions: What You Need To Know

Being diagnosed with an autoimmune condition can be a shock to anyone, not least because even those of us who are constantly worried about getting ill tend to focus more on bigger, more catastrophic diagnoses. While issues such as cancer and heart disease certainly merit our full concern, none of this should diminish the seriousness with which we treat autoimmune diseases, which can be hugely complicated to deal with. If you’re concerned that you might be experiencing autoimmune symptoms, it’s worth looking deeper into the matter - so let’s have a look at what you need to know about such conditions.

What is an autoimmune condition?

This is a complex question in and of itself. Autoimmune conditions are still not fully understood, but what we do know is that these are conditions in which our bodies’ immune systems attack healthy tissue by mistake. Some examples are Addison’s disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

What causes autoimmune conditions?

This is unclear, but the leading theory is that rogue organisms - possibly bacteria - change the immune system in a way which causes it to mistake healthy tissue for diseased tissue. As a result, our bodies essentially attack themselves.

What are the signs of autoimmune conditions?

It very much depends upon the condition that you have, but telltale signs include fatigue, rashes, joint pain and an unexplained general feeling of illness. Other signs include seemingly isolated instances of decay, such as damage to the teeth and frequent infections.

How do you treat an autoimmune condition?

Treatment can be a long-winded process of exclusion, as the exact nature of the condition may not be immediately clear even after medical testing. Usually, the principal treatment will be to supplement a compound that the body is not making properly due to the condition - which may be vitamin B12, insulin or thyroid hormone among others. Until the exact condition is known, treating the peripheral symptoms is important: antibiotics will fight infections, physical therapy will help with pain and porcelain veneers are durable and strong weapons to mitigate tooth decay. Autoimmune conditions can rarely be cured, but the symptoms may be controlled to a great extent.

What is the prognosis for autoimmune conditions?

If you are diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, you will probably have it for life. While this sounds like a stark warning, it is important to know that the condition itself is almost never fatal, and you can expect to have the same lifespan as someone without the condition. The question of quality of life is more important - and as long as your condition is treated and the symptoms managed, there is no reason that your life need be greatly impaired. The issue of vital importance is that you get to the bottom of what’s causing your illness, and have the correct treatment. This may take time, but it’s worth it.

If you’re diagnosed with an autoimmune condition, it’s natural to be worried, but bear in mind that celebrities such as Venus Williams, Missy Elliot and Selena Gomez have all had varying diagnoses and thrived at the top of their industries afterwards. These are illnesses to take seriously, but they don’t need to be considered catastrophic if you look after yourself well.

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

If you feel as though you have a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle, then you may not give a lot of thought to yourself and the signs that your body is giving out to you. This is normal, but even if you feel healthy, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t taking care of yourself mentally. Burnout is a major issue, and it can happen to the healthiest people if the demands are strenuous enough. If you want to help yourself, then this is the guide for you.

You have Bad Breath

Even if you have pearly white teeth, that doesn’t mean that there is not a problem brewing underneath the surface. It may be that you have gum disease or that you are struggling with bacteria at the back of the mouth. If this is the case and you have pain as well, then you may want to look into wisdom teeth removal. If you do, then you will be able to feel healthier and you may find that you are able to start taking better care of yourself overall.

You’re Stressed

Whether it is your relationship, family or even work, constant stress can put a great deal of pressure on your health. Cortisol is a stress hormone and it is very corrosive. When your mood is low, you may find that you end up making poor cognitive decisions and this can lower your self-worth. High cortisol levels can also cause you to gain more body fat and it can also add to inflammation too. This can all lower your confidence, which is the last thing that you need.

You’re Experiencing Brain Fog

Even if you have had a good night’s sleep, you may find that you wake up feeling incredibly spaced out and that you end up walking out the door without the crucial things you need to begin the day. It may be that you forget your wallet or your phone, and this can really make your life hard. Sure, this could be brain fog, but it also shows that a more serious condition could be at play. It may be that you have a hormonal imbalance or that your thyroid is dysfunctional. Mind lapses may also indicate that you are suffering from depression as well, so it is vital that you look into things like this if possible.

You have Muscle Twitches

Most people spend a lot of time sitting at a laptop or even in front of a television. This means that they do not give any kind of thought to the odd muscle twitch or cramp. That being said, if you experience frequent movement then this can indicate that your magnesium levels are too low. This comes with a lot of other risks, such as cardiac arrest or even sudden death. If you want to alleviate this twitch, then you need to consume more magnesium-rich foods. You may want to add an essential vitamin to your diet as well, as this will help you to stay healthy overall.

Why you might be grinding your teeth

 

When it comes to your health, your mouth and teeth are a great indicator of how you’re doing. While many people think of mouth health in terms of how straight and white their teeth are. While a great smile is a lovely thing to have, there’s lots more to consider too, and one of these is teeth grinding. 

So what causes you to grind your teeth, what are the side effects and what can you do about it?

Teeth grinding

Also known as bruxism, teeth grinding often occurs when you are sleeping, so you may not realize that you’re doing it. Some people only find out on a trip to the dentist when being assessed for orthodontics.  The teeth are clenched together tightly while the jaws move back and forth, causing the grinding motion. 

Effects 

Consistent teeth grinding can cause a lot of problems for you. Teeth can be damaged, loosened, or even lost. The muscles of the jaw and face can also be affected too. 

How do I know if I’m grinding my teeth?

Some people grind their teeth when they’re awake, which is easy to identify. But if you are grinding your teeth in your sleep, and haven’t had them picked up by a dentist yet, there are some things that can give you a clue. These include waking up with aching jaw and face muscles. Some people complain of an increased number of headaches and migraines

Some people find out because their partner has seen and heard them doing it in their sleep. It’s not fun to sleep next to someone grinding their teeth. 

Causes

There are a number of causes of bruxism. Stress and anxiety can often be a factor. People with misaligned teeth or missing teeth also have higher instances of teeth grinding as do those with sleep apnea. 

Treatment

If your dentist has identified that you’ve been grinding your teeth, they will take steps to repair any damage as well as prevent you from grinding them in the future. The treatment will depend on what is causing your grinding. If you are stressed, you should take steps to reduce your stress levels in your life. If you constantly find yourself chewing gum, pens, or pencils, get out of the habit of doing this. 

Your dentist might fit you with a bespoke protective mouthguard that will cushion your teeth during the night, preventing you from grinding them. 

If you are getting headaches and jaw pain, use over-the-counter painkillers and warm compresses to help with the pain. 

Key points

Identifying and correcting teeth grinding is important. If left too long, it can cause a lot of damage to your teeth, as well as reduce your quality of life through constant muscle pain and headaches. 

If you think you might be grinding your teeth, but aren’t sure then book an appointment with your dentist who will be able to assess the condition of your teeth and come up with a treatment plan. 

Veganism is spreading, and it’s affecting more than just what we eat. We’re getting vegan clothes, vegan accessories, vegan furniture, and much more. The basic premise is always the same: avoiding the use of animal products as best as possible. However, the root cause of why people turn to veganism can differ from person to person. 

Having a strong ideological framework or belief at the core of your veganism can help you better understand your motivations. What’s more, it can make it easier to remind yourself of why you put in the effort in the first place, which can make that effort a little easier to put in.

To reduce the suffering of animals

The notion of animals suffering, as is prevalent under the factory farming that produces most of the animal food products that we see on store shelves, is often the first step for a person to become a vegetarian and then vegan. Looking into the impacts of factory farming on animals can be harrowing, but it is often important to get a full understanding of the extent of suffering that the modern non-vegan diet allows for.

The animal right to life

Preventing unnecessary suffering is one thing, but some will argue that we can simply mitigate this by gaining animal products without the need for undue cruelty. However, at the base of this point comes the question of whether you believe animals have a right to life, as many do. Essentially, this dictates that humans don’t have the ethical justification to end animal life when we’re able to feed ourselves and live healthy lives without having to do it and that, simply put, most animals are killed or otherwise exploited out of convenience because it’s one of the easier ways we know how to produce food.

The faith-based reasons

There are plenty of faiths, such as Hinduism, which avoid the consumption of meat in general, for instance. However, while there is plenty of reference to eating meat in the Bible, there is still a good Christian basis for going vegan as well, as you can discover as you learn about Christianity. There are many who believe that all living things existing in the universe are loved and cared for by God and that, in the current production methods that we get animal products from, the kind of cruelty tolerated simply isn’t consistent with that belief.

To better preserve our environment

If you research more about the agricultural industry, you will start to realize that going green can help the environment in a wide variety of ways. The CO2 produced in animal farming can be catastrophic and, indeed, while there are transportation and storage issues faced by producing a wide supply of vegan foods, these are issues that technology and better infrastructure can solve by ensuring that more local land is used for the production of food, rather than relying on global and cross-nation supply chains that already exist to import and export animal products and more wasteful.

To improve your own health

There’s no denying that a balanced vegan diet takes some work. However, there are vegan replacements for all of the nutrients abundant in meat, including the easily-absorbed proteins found within. That said, eating meat might offer some easier access to these nutrients, but they also offer higher blood pressure, higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, and even some forms of cancer. When you learn about going vegan, you also typically learn the nutrition needed to manage a healthy vegan diet and end up becoming a healthier person at the end as a result. What’s more, you will be more likely to use your own organic foods, which cuts out much of the uncertainty of the food manufacturing process.

To find more sustainable ways of feeding everyone

Veganism might be more than just potentially the way to help reverse the ongoing climate crisis fueled by the human use of fossil fuels. It might also be able to help more sustainably feed communities and families, including those who are in the direst need of it. If you took the land necessary to produce the meat and dairy to feed a family, you could use it to grow enough crops to feed three families. Despite the fact that plant foods require water, animals require a lot more water and resources to grow and harvest, so it offers no advantages.

Living a vegan lifestyle always takes some work. However, by understanding the ideological basis for your actions, you can be more consistent and committed to them. Perhaps none of the frameworks above applies to you, it’s still worth taking the time to find your own.

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

When you're budgeting for a car, there's more to think about than the initial cost. Of course, you have to consider how much you have to put forward for the purchase of the car. However, owning a car also means paying for its upkeep and covering the running costs. You have to consider the cost of a car over its lifetime, not just how much you're going to pay for the vehicle itself. What costs will you have on a day-to-day basis? How much could you end up paying in repairs and maintenance? There are some essential expenses that you'll need to include in your budget.

The Cost of the Vehicle

Obviously, the initial cost of the car is going to be your first concern. Whether you want to buy a used car outright or you're looking for financing options for a new car, you have to consider how much you have to spend now and any ongoing payments you might need to make. Monthly payments are arguably the most important thing because you'll be on the hook for them for a long time. You need to work out how much you can really afford each month, but you need to do it while taking other expenses into account.

Day-to-Day Running Costs

Knowing how much your car is going to cost you to run each month will help to give you a clear idea of your total expenses. Firstly, you will need to think about how much fuel you will be using. If you don't know based on how much you already drive, you can estimate how much you will be driving to help you work out the amount of fuel you'll be using. You'll also have to take into account expenses such as parking, toll road costs, and washing your car.

Insurance and Taxes

Some additional expenses for keeping your car running include insurance costs and taxes. The taxes you have to pay may not vary much, but your insurance costs can. You can visit onesureinsurance.co.uk if you're looking for a broker to help you find the best insurance deal. You should consider the premiums you'll have to pay, as well as what you might have to cover before your insurance kicks in if you do need to make a claim. You don't want to be stuck with a big bill because your insurance won't cover your costs.

Regular Maintenance and Repairs

You can expect to have to pay for some maintenance and repairs for your car over its lifetime. It's better to prepare for them rather than let the expense take you by surprise. There are some simple maintenance tasks that you can easily do yourself, such as changing your oil, but it's definitely smart to have a professional take care of some of the more complicated tasks. Having a maintenance budget and an emergency fund will help you to be prepared.

Be sure to include all of your costs when you're budgeting for a new car if you want to check that it's affordable.

Thursday, March 24, 2022

 

In life, there are so many different obstacles and so many different variables that will be thrown your way. For a lot of people, challenges are met with a can-do attitude at all times. They’ll feel no burden, and they’ll happily attack every problem & error. It would be great if we all had the capacity and the chemical balance to do so. 

Unfortunately, a large portion of people have all kinds of mental health challenges that take over. These struggles can literally affect how your life goes. It can start from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to bed. They can then completely turn your routine and, thus, life upside down without any sense of guilt. If we don’t help out our brain from time to time, it’ll have a hugely negative effect on how the succeeding years can go.

The good thing is that there are plenty of things that can be done in order to fix many mental struggles. Here are just a few examples of what you could do: 

Always Talk To Someone You Can Trust

Opening up about your issues to just anyone may not be as productive as you’d like. It sure is freeing, but it could come back to bite you on the backside. Find someone you can trust, and let them know about certain things. Perhaps a family member, a friend, or even someone in the mental health world.  

Seeking Professional Help And/Or Guidance

We’ve just mentioned it, but a mental health professional could allow you to attack certain problems quite significantly. You might also be dealing with other issues that border your mental struggles, so perhaps something like sober homes could come in handy if you are dealing with an addiction of any kind. Professional help is a lot better than sitting idle.

Stay On The Move As Much As You Can 

Sitting around does absolutely nothing for your mind or the situation you’re in. You tend to simply begin to think about all the problems that are going on. This can lead to you spiraling out of control and making things even worse. Do whatever you can to keep your mind and body occupied.  

Recognize That Mistakes And Flaws Are All A Part Of Life

If you’re worried about certain things you’ve done or that have happened, you have to understand that you’re meant to go through mistakes and errors in order to become a better person – and a stronger one. We’re not meant to know how things go in life – we’re supposed to mess up and learn along the way.

Do You Best Not To Neglect Food And Water

While it sounds like something pretty difficult when things aren’t going well, food and water can help so much. Your mind can begin to catastrophize and make things worse if you have little-to-no energy in your system. If you’re not well in terms of your mental strength, the idea of eating can be difficult. You may lose your appetite somewhat. Do what you can to ensure you’re putting nutritious meals into your body, though – it could save you. 

Top Tips For Novice Cat Owners

Cats may make terrific companions for people who enjoy being around them. They are adorable and fluffy, and while they certainly require care, they do not necessitate the same level of attention as a dog - for starters, they do not demand daily walks!

However, before you adopt a cat, you should conduct thorough research and prepare yourself. Cats can live for up to sixteen years on average, which is a very lengthy period of time in any species. 

Fortunately, we have put together some pointers for novice cat owners to make the process a little less complicated.

Think about your way of life

Despite the fact that cats are by their very nature independent creatures, they are not fully capable of taking care of themselves. Before bringing a pet into your home, be sure that your way of life is suited for your new companion. The type of cat you should get should be dictated by your lifestyle, including how busy you are, whether you have young children or other pets, and how much time you spend at home. For example, very busy people may find it difficult to find the time to care for a cat that requires a lot of grooming and attention, particularly for highly intelligent and active cats. If you are going to become a parent, or if you are frequently gone on vacation or on work, you may wish to postpone your decision for a while. Some cats, on the other hand, are well suited to living with people with busy lifestyles. 

Any allergies?

Does anyone in your household suffer from allergies, or do you? If you have a history of severe allergic responses, you should consider having yourself tested for feline allergies before bringing a cat into your household. On the other hand, some persons with allergies may eventually become accustomed to their own kitty while remaining sensitive to other cats. A safe bet is to select a cat that has a low level of allergies. Consult your veterinarian, literature, or the staff at your local animal rescue center for recommendations.

Feeding them

Certain cats, like some humans, are pickier eaters and have stronger food preferences than others, just as some humans are. It is unlikely that you will find many people who will turn their noses up at the prospect of eating canned tuna or salmon. However, getting into this habit can be a costly endeavour. Try them on a variety of healthy dry cat food and wet foods until you find one that meets their needs as well as your financial constraints. Remember to pick cat food according to the cat's age - if you have a kitten or an elderly cat, you may want to get a meal that is specifically customized to their nutritional needs. It is also beneficial to keep some treats on hand or to make some.

Keep them flea free

This is something that none of us wants to think about, but it is an unavoidable part of cat ownership, especially if you do not want your home to get infested with the little animals they bring into the house. Your veterinarian can advise you on the finest flea preventative or treatment to use and can prescribe it for you. It is recommended that you do this once a month or more frequently. If you are unfortunate enough to get bitten by bugs - and it does happen, even to the most diligent and meticulous of pet owners - keep an eye out for the unmistakable bite marks on your ankles and lower legs. It is possible to use flea bombs and sprays that are successful; however, it is necessary to keep on top of things because fleas can remain latent in furniture and carpets for years at a time.