4 Diseases You May Contract From Flood Waters and What You Can Do To Protect Yourself

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It has been raining here for more than a week. Most of the metro is now flooded and the surrounding provinces have been placed under a state of calamity. Nothing new if you live in the tropics. Incessant rain, tropical storms, and flooding are a yearly occurrence from late May until August. 

Flooding can be caused by a variety of reasons. Nature can dump a lot of rain during high tide which gives rise to flooding in low lying areas. However, in urban places, flooding is usually the result of poor drainage systems, inefficient waste management, and lack of urban planning. Whatever the reason may be,  getting trapped in a flooded area is bound to subject residents to water-borne diseases. The 4 most common diseases are Cholera, Typhoid Fever, Leptospirosis and Hepatitis A.

Cholera

Cholera is a disease characterized by severe watery diarrhea. This is caused by ingestion of water or food contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. This bacteria thrives in stagnant or brackish water. Flooding may cause displacement of this contaminated water which may find its way into water pipes that have been compromised. Cholera is most often the first concern of health workers attending to the victims of flooding who are temporarily housed in evacuation centers. Lack of adequate toilets and issues with sanitation are factors that may cause an outbreak. 

Typhoid Fever

Typhoid Fever is brought about by eating food or drinking water contaminated with the feces of a person infected with the bacteria Salmonella typhi. This bacteria can survive for weeks in water or dried sewage. Common in highly populated areas with inadequate toilet facilities, poor personal hygiene and sanitation. One person infected with the disease may cause an outbreak in the area. Symptoms of the disease are fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, generalized body aches and pains.

Leptospirosis

When we hear of the term Leptospirosis, the first things that come into our minds are rats and floodwaters. Leptospirosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Leptospira. The hosts are not only rats but also other domesticated/farm animals such as cattle, pigs, horses, horses, and dogs. The bacteria get into the soil and water through the feces and urine of infected animals and may survive in that environment weeks or months. Humans get infected through contact with urine or other body fluids of the infected animal or through contact with soil/water contaminated with the bacteria. The bacteria can enter the human body through a break in the skin or contact with mucus membranes (eyes, mouth, nose). Wading in floodwaters is a common cause of this disease outbreak. Symptoms of the disease are high fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and nausea, chills muscle aches, and diarrhea. May also present with jaundice and later on, kidney failure and meningitis.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a viral infection and is highly contagious. Although wading in flood waters does not have a direct correlation with getting the disease, a person may get the disease by ingesting water contaminated with fecal matter. In places where there are long-standing floods, the water supply pipes may be compromised and contamination may set in. An outbreak may also be observed in evacuation centers. One asymptomatic person may pass on the virus through unsanitary food preparation. There are many other modes of transmission of the disease which you may read here.

How can we protect ourselves from these diseases?

Basic knowledge of proper sanitation and hygienic practices are our first line of defense against these diseases. Here is a list of ways to keep these diseases at bay (with our without flooding in your area):

• Wash hands thoroughly and frequently, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
• Practice proper sanitation. 
• Clean your surroundings to get rid of breeding places of mosquitos and rodents.
• Do not drink water or any beverage from questionable sources. When traveling, it is best to drink bottled water and use bottled water too when brushing your teeth.
• Avoid wading in flood waters. However, if it cannot be avoided, thoroughly wash the parts of your body that came in contact with the flood. Use an antibacterial soap and apply rubbing alcohol (surgical solution) on your skin before drying off.   
• Get vaccinated! 

We do not have any control over the forces of nature. Flash floods, storm surges, landslides are all brought about by incessant rain. As long as we are prepared in the event of any calamity, we are ensured of our survival and we can protect ourselves from falling ill. 

A Beginner’s Guide to Working Out

For a beginner, deciding to work out and get in shape may be a little intimidating. There are a lot of blog sites, magazines, and people who will tell you what you need to do and where, and how, and it all can be overwhelming. No worries! Here, we will tell you the only tips you’ll ever really need. 

1. Be Consistent

Being consistent means you are decided that you want to do it. You don’t need to hit the gym every single day and beat yourself up for 3 hours, at least three times a week will do. Just make sure that you stay active by doing simple jog, stretching, or yoga in the morning to keep your body in sync to the lifestyle you’re going for.

2. Eat a Balanced Diet

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A balanced diet maintains the energy you need to keep working out. Try not to splurge too much on protein shakes and all other food items that claim it will help when you work out, all you need is a balanced diet to keep your body feeling good and energized.

3. Stay Hydrated!

Working out means sweating a lot and that means losing water, sodium, and chloride in your body. Drinking electrolyte drinks will surely help with this, but water and a balanced diet will do just the same. 

A change in lifestyle may be challenging, and if you need a little more help that can’t be achieved with hours in the gym, visit Marie France to give you the body shape and body contour you want!

Getting Your Home On Trend In 2018

When you own a traditional home, it can be hard to capture the feeling of modernity because you’re in the midst of crown moldings and original Victorian archways. When you have an older house but love a modern theme, it’s going to be up to you to try and grab that mood you so crave. There’s nothing wrong with a house with a bit of a past, but if you want to bring it up to date and make it feel more modern, then you’ve got some work cut out for you. As long as you’ve got the right budget for it, you can use some of the six ways to modernize your home below.

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Colour. Brightening up your home is going to make a big difference to how modern it can look. Modern trends in magazines are often picky and sparing with their colours, knowing that pops of bright colour against a monochrome background has a far bigger impact on the eyes than a room hosed down in fluorescence. Aim for grey and white as a theme, with bursts of oranges, yellows or pinks. A neutral background is better because you can change the accessories and furnishings as you need to.

Light Switches. You can always tell the age of a house by its fixtures, and light switch plates are a huge giveaway. Old, yellowed and old-fashioned light plates can bring down the entire mood of a room, so get these upgraded and your inexpensive change gives you that modern look you want.

Hardware. Similarly, to the light plates, the doorknobs and handles on cupboards and drawers being old can change the tone of a room. The cost is low, but the difference is amazing. Give it a try and compare new pictures with old ones to see how amazing it can look.

Bye, Bye Popcorn. If you’ve lived in an old house, look up. That popcorn on the ceiling? It’s outdated, ugly and so not the way that we like to have our ceilings anymore! It’s almost forty years old and it’s just not as envied as it used to be. Watch this video to see how to get it all removed and replaced by a lovely flat ceiling!

Flooring. Carpet is the flooring of choice for most in the bedroom, but downstairs it’s vinyl and hardwood that is making waves. You can visit this website to see the more modern upgrades that are available. No matter what you do, make sure that the colour of the flooring works for the walls of your home.

Paint. Old wallpaper needs to be scraped down and replaced with a swift lick of paint. Paint is the cleaner and cheaper upgrade but boy, does it have an impact! Choose light colours where you can to bring out the brightness of a room, especially where you find large windows.

Your home can capture that modern trend with a little elbow grease and a lot of planning. Make your home as modern as you can to bring it to 2018!

Splashing For Joy With These Bathroom Ideas

When it comes to renovating certain rooms in your home, we can all agree that there are perhaps two main rooms in the home that can add the most value and have the biggest impact. The kitchen and the bathroom. The kitchen is definitely one of those rooms in your home that are expensive to completely renovate, whereas the bathroom, albeit can be pricey, can be done more at a more reasonable price and can still make a big difference to how you feel in your home. So I thought I would share with you some of the ideas you can take on board to makeover your bathroom. 

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Think about going the whole hog 

If you are serious about making over your bathroom then you could go the whole hog and replace it in its entirety. A new bathrooms suite can add a huge amount of value and it also gives you the chance tomaybe rearrange the layout and floor plan to best suit the space you have. Or to add in added features like a standalone shower or roll top bath perhaps. However, when it comes to big jobs like this to avoid any issues with pipes it might be advisable to seek the help of local plumbers to ensure that the work carried out is correct and won’t cause future problems. 

Could you have an eco-friendly focus?

Maybe you like the idea of having a more nerdy efficient approach to your home and your bathroom can actually be a huge part of that. You could consider installing low flow toilets and shower units to ensure that you don’t waste as much water each time you use the appliance. Also things like motion sensor faucets can ensure that taps don’t get left on any longer than they need to be. Even changing the bulbs can make a big difference to how green your bathroom is. 

Maybe you want budget friendly changes 

Sometimes we just don't have the budget to do everything we want to do in our homes, and I understand that. So there are more budget friendly changes you can make to ensure that you get the makeover you want. Painting is a great way to change how a room looks and feels, and it can make a massive impression on anyone who hasn’t seen your bathroom for a while. A change of color scheme could also be achieved through changing accessories and even as simple as changing the color of your towels. 

Changing one area could make a huge difference 

Finally, just changing one thing in your bathroom could make the big difference in terms of looks and it can much be cheaper than replacing the whole bathroom. It could be as simple as changing the flooring, or lowering the ceiling so that you can install modern spotlights. Maybe it is adding new tiles to the floor or to the walls to make your current bathroom suite feel a little more indulgent. 

Let’s hope some of these ideas have you splashing for joy when it comes to changing your bathroom.

When You Really Should Stand Your Ground

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Are you one of those people who like to avoid conflicts? That is excellent because it means you should manage to live your life without raising your stress levels too often. However, there are some instances in which you should always make a stand and dig your heels in to ensure you get justice. Standing up for yourself at the right times is vital in this society because nobody else is going to do it for you. If you don’t make a stand and highlight your rights, there is a chance the offender will continue their actions and affect many other people. So, sometimes you have to be brave and shout until the world hears. 

When doctors make mistakes 

Doctors and surgeons make mistakes all the time that lead to pain and heartache for their patients. If that ever happens to you or something you love, it is imperative that you take the professionals to court and make a malpractice claim. Malpractice cases can take a long time to reach their conclusion, and so you will need the backing of an experienced lawyer with an excellent track record. Do not accept the first compensation offer you receive, and make sure you keep fighting until the judge awards a suitable package for your upset. Failure to do that could mean the doctor or surgeon goes on to hurt other people. 

When law enforcement officers lie

Everyone agrees that we need law and order in our society so we can function and play our roles unhindered. However, there are some instances in which police officers break the rules, and video evidence of those instances is becoming commonplace online. If you see that someone in your community is being framed by a less than ethical law enforcement officer, it is vital that you speak up and let the world know the truth. That is essential not only for the individual concerned but also for the culture in which police officers operate. The public cannot stand by and allow a few bad apples to ruin the bunch. 

When you see bullying in any form

Bullying can occur in many different ways, and it’s not always children who find themselves on the receiving end. You might encounter harassment at work, and you might even see someone attempting to take advantage of a senior at some point. If that ever happens, it is your duty to highlight the issue and do something about it. Do not ignore the person and allow them to get bullied by someone who does not have their best interests at heart. Alert the authorities or step in and say something at the time. 

It is critical that everyone learns to stand their ground in the situations mentioned in this post. If people turn a blind eye to injustice, the case will persist and worsen as time progresses. So, you need to nip those actions in the bud the second you notice them. Encourage your friends and all the people you love to do the same thing. If people follow that advice, the world we live in will improve. 

Do you Spend Hours Listening to Music? Good - Here's Why

Do you spend hours listening to music? In the car, in the mornings with your coffee? Perhaps you listen to classical music in the evenings? Or just on some headphones on the way to work. It doesn’t matter how you are listening to music; it only matters that you do. Why? Well, in 2011 scientists found that music releases dopamine – the feel-good chemical in the brain. 

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Some songs bring us back to those points in time. Sitting in long grass with headphones in, watching the world pass by, little to no reasonability. The smell of summer in the air, small puffs of clouds passing by, and daydreaming. Or, a song that gets you pumped up and ready to take on a big meeting at work, the horrid rush hour traffic or reminds you of feeling confident and in control. 

We all have music that takes us to particular places in our life, triggers important memories that we have stored away. But how can we expand on that and use music to improve our mental health? 

Focus: Classical music is the best thing for helping you focus, it also brings a lot of calm. Generally, any music with a tempo of 60 beats per minute increases your brains' ability to process information. Playing classical music in the background while you get on with your task is one way to utilise it. 

Social Connections: Music can stop us feeling alone, often times sharing playlists with friends, going to live music places or chatting on forums about bands you love can alleviate some isolations. 

Motivation: Eye of the Tiger anyone? If you need a bit of a boost to get through chores that you just can’t face right now, pop on some of your most loved upbeat tunes. Once the beat catches you, even on a not so great day, you’re likely to bop along and slowly work through what you need to do. 

Expression: If you have problems telling your loved ones how you are feeling, then consider making them a playlist of songs to help them understand. Music is compelling as a communicator, from ecstatic happiness to feeling like you can’t breathe right now. Whatever it is you want to say, you can use music to convey that. 

Relaxing: This one kind of goes without saying, music helps you relax. It doesn’t matter if you choose to have it in some headphones, or on in the background, taking a minute out of whatever is going on it your day to inhale, exhale and switch off a bit is helpful. 

When you have time, sit down and make a playlist for a few moods, things to perk you up, things to get you in the zone for your favorite activity, music that brings you back to particular moment and music that has made an impact on you. You might even consider picking up an instrument like the ukulele and using https://musicianauthority.com to take it to a whole new level of enjoyment. 

“Music is the greatest communication in the world. Even if people don't understand the language that you're singing in, they still know good music when they hear it” - Lou Rawls

A Daydreamer's Guide To Visiting Lake Como, Italy

I dream of traveling the world. My greatest yearning is to be able to go to places I only read about in books. I have a modest travel bucket list of 15 places I would like to see and visit in this lifetime. Having ticked off only two in the list, I know have a long way to go.

Italy owns the top spot on my list. The primary reason I would love to visit Italy is that I would love to have a luxury vacation in one of those rental homes in Lake Como. This is written in big, bold, red font on my travel bucket list.

The other reasons I chose Italy is because I would like to visit the Vatican City, the seat of my Catholic faith. I would want to see St. Peter's Basilica, The Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican museum. I want to have a chance to marvel at the structures built by the ancient Romans. Of course, no vacation would be complete without having a chance to dine with the locals and experience authentic Italian cuisine. 

I was born, raised, and still living in a busy city. I dream of living far away from an urban jungle, where I can indulge in a laid-back lifestyle close to nature. This is why I am filled with the wanderlust of Lake Como.

Well, since Lake Como, Italy is on the top of my bucket list, I have done my research on the place. So if and when my dream becomes a reality, I will be well prepared. In this post, I will be sharing what I have learned so far. So here goes.

Where is Lake Como?

Lake Como is located approximately 31 miles north of Milan, near the border with Switzerland. Oddly shaped like an inverted Y, with depths of up to 1,300 feet, it is one of the deepest lakes in Europe, The serene waters, the rich and perfectly maintained gardens and luxurious villas with a view of the Alps make it the most idyllic destination for total relaxation. It has also been the favorite vacation place of the noblemen and wealthy since the Roman times.

For centuries, the lake's majestic views have drawn artists, musicians, even royalty to this place. The beauty of Lake Como is the inspiration behind countless works of art and musical masterpieces. If I were to get a chance to visit Lake Como, I would probably be so inspired I could write a book!

Getting to Lake Como is an hour and a half to two hours drive from Milan if you have a rental car. Another way is to take a train that from the Milan Central Railway station to Lake Como. Travel time through this route would be close to three hours. I am determined to get there someday so I have researched transportation, fare, and routes. I think I would choose a train ride and enjoy the scenic countryside.

Well, since Lake Como is on the top of my bucket list, I have done my research on the place, if and when my dream becomes a reality.

Where to stay and Best times to visit

There are several cities and villages on Lake Como so finding a place to stay would not be difficult. The major tourist destinations are the towns of Como, Argegno, Bellagio, Gravedona, and Tremezzina. You can choose to stay in a lakeshore villa or you can opt for a place in a higher elevation that would offer a view of the lake. Of course, deciding where to stay would depend on your budget.

Summers in Lake Como run from July to September and is the peak tourist season. Temperatures reach a high of 30C (86F) during this time. Many outdoor activities become available, like swimming in the lake, playing golf, and kite surfing. Since these months draw in the most number of tourists, expect high rates too.

The month of May is generally considered the wettest month, so if you don't like rain, avoid going there during that time. Autumn is always a pleasant time to visit too. The changing colors of the leaves on the trees and the serene waters of the lake give you that dreamy, romantic vibe!

If you love winter activities then the months of December to February would be the best time for you to visit. Not only will it give you the chance to try out the ski resorts, you'd also benefit from exploring the place with fewer crowds. It would be nice to spend a Christmas holiday there, wouldn't it?

Things to do and Places to See

There are various activities to do while in Lake Como. For the nature lovers, you can always choose to go hiking. A popular choice is the 45-kilometer long Sentiero del Viandante located on the east coast of the town of Como. It offers fantastic views and historical landmarks along the path. If you are looking for more thrills, you may want to try zip lining or bungee jumping. Yes, they have those too at Lake Como.

Water sports are widely popular in the warmer months. Aside from swimming in the lake's refreshing waters, one can also engage in sailing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing. If you'd rather opt for easy activities, you may go fishing or take a relaxing boat ride. There are ferries that offer scenic trips throughout the length of the lake. Tour guides on board will be introducing you to grandiose lakeside villas, and even point you to the villa owned by no other than George Clooney!

Lake Como offers its visitors a chance to take a walk in picturesque gardens. You will be surrounded by perfectly manicured lawns, trees, and shrubs and be awed by the beautiful flowers blooming everywhere. What a romantic place for a leisurely walk hand in hand with your loved one! If you are still looking for unique places to visit, try going to some olive groves and purchase authetic olive oil right from the source. A wine tour would be an exciting activity too.

Take advantage of visiting centuries-old churches and museums. The Basilica of Sant’Abbondio is one of the oldest churches in Como. Construction started in the 5th century AD. Renovations and extensions were finally completed in the 14th century! Another place worth visiting is the Como Cathedral or Duomo di Como. It is a beautiful, massive church dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built between the 14th and 18th century. Its facade boasts of intricately carved statues, representing the gothic style architecture of the period.

As I mentioned earlier, any vacation would not be complete if you don't indulge in the local cuisine and experience the delicacies native to the region. Forget those diets for the moment and enjoy good food, good wine, great coffee and dine al fresco!

The plan

I believe I have done enough research. Here is my simple 5 step plan to make this dream into reality:

1. Create a vision board
2. Use that as a motivation to save money for the trip
3. Set a target date and check the cost of airfare from here to Milan
4. Check availability and room rates for accommodation.
5. Save. Save. Save!

I am determined to be in Lake Como someday soon.

I will create my vision board today and pin it on my office wall. One day, I know, Lake Como will no longer be a dream but a beautiful memory of a once in a lifetime trip.

3 Ways Stoicism Can Make You More Resilient

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In life, it’s generally best to try and acquire positive habits that will improve our circumstances, make us happy, and guide us towards success, without us having to sacrifice our wellbeing and struggle dramatically in the process.

Nonetheless, it is sometimes necessary to use sheer willpower to push through difficult times, find the light at the end of the tunnel, and win the rewards we are seeking. A demanding profession such as being a skilled personal injury attorney, for example, will invariably require some force of will — both to qualify in the first place, and then to practice successfully.

For this reason, it can be immensely helpful to have a philosophy at hand that helps us to thrive and become more resilient in high-pressure situations.

Here are some ways that the ancient art of stoicism can help you to become more resilient.

By reminding you to focus on what’s in your control

The key focus of stoic philosophy is to understand what is completely in your control, what is outside of your control, and to know the difference.

The reasoning used by the ancient Stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus led them to conclude that the only thing that was ever truly in our control was our own thoughts and responses to things. That’s because we hold on to these things when all else is taken away from us.

For this reason, the Stoics argued that everyone should focus primarily, if not exclusively, on their reactions to situations, rather than to the situations themselves. 

Everything outside of a stoic’s immediate control is considered “indifferent” — either a “preferred indifferent” or a “dispreferred indifferent”. What this means is that there are some external circumstances that you’ll enjoy more and less than others (including everything from wealth to violent death), but that the only true “good” is behaving virtuously.

In life, it’s often not possible to know for sure what the future will hold. But we can always act properly.

By reminding you that virtue is more important than popularity or comfort

The stoic understanding of “virtue” can be a bit confusing and perhaps contradictory, but the basic idea is that acting and thinking in the “right and honorable way” is the only true “good” in life.

Everything else — from popularity to comfort — is seen as an indifferent (as mentioned above).

This stoic doctrine can help us to consider that, even if we’re not completely content with how things are working out in our lives, we can always take pride in acting with virtue, courage, and honor.

By encouraging you to enjoy the simple pleasures in everyday life

One thread that runs through much of stoic philosophy, is that it is good to appreciate and take pleasure in the small blessings we encounter in our everyday lives, rather than always feeling displeased and discontented until we achieve our next great goal.

As stoicism encourages the enjoyment of “preferred indifferents”, as long as they don’t interfere with virtue — will have free license to properly revel in those moments over the course of the day that makes you smile. The taste of your breakfast, the sight of a beautiful sunset, or the cool breeze on a hot summer day.

Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These Little Lessons

Are you struggling to get to sleep at night? That’s an issue because, without the right amount of sleep, you will find yourself feeling more stressed through the day. A lack of sleep will impact you both physically and mentally so you must do what you can to make sure that you are getting the right level of sleep each night. So, how much sleep do you need?

Well, you can function on anything from a few minutes to a few hours depending on how much sleep affects you. However, to function effectively or reach your maximum potential, experts suggest that you aim for at least eight hours a night. Be aware though, that the quality of sleep does matter. Takes dogs for instance. Now, if you have a furry friend, you might notice that dogs sleep a lot. Indeed, a domestic dog will spend roughly seventy-five percent of the day snoozing away. This is because they hardly ever reach the deepest level of sleep. That’s why even the slight jolt will wake them. They are constantly on alert.

To get the best rest, you need to make sure that you are reaching REM stage four. We’re going to look at the stages of sleep a little further down and what can impact you reaching the later stages.

Essentially though, there are a few lessons you need to get a good night of sleep.

Get Comfortable With The Right Kit

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If you want to make sure that you get a good night of sleep, then you need to make sure that you are comfortable. This can be quite difficult because everyone sleeps differently. So, if you share a bed, your sleeping behavior might not be the same as your partner. The good news is that you can fix this by getting an adjustable bed. While expensive, these type of beds allows you to change the slope, depth and firmness of each side of the bed. 

Or, you can just make sure that you have enough space with a big bed. By purchasing big beds, you can make sure that you don’t feel squashed or uncomfortable through the night. You may also want to purchase a memory foam mattress. If you can’t afford one, you can get a memory foam layer for your bed that could be just as effective. 

Ultimately, you have to find the right bed for you and make sure it fits your sleeping behavior perfectly. Not every bed suits every person.

Tech May Torment You 

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You may not know that electromagnetic energy from some of the tech that we rely on such as the cell phone, the laptop or even the smart TV can keep us awake. Ultimately, it stops us getting from the deepest level of REM sleep and this could leave you feeling exhausted in the morning or drained. If you are constantly feeling like you haven’t been to sleep, you might want to think about making your bedroom a tech-free zone. You might think that you won’t be able to wake up without your phone alarm. But, without that tech under your pillow, it’s possible that you’ll wake up earlier without the wake-up call and feel refreshed enough to not reach for the snooze button. 

Correct Your Diet

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There are a few things in your diet that could be impacting your level of sleep. Are you a coffee drinker? Caffeine counteracts a chemical in your body that is used for your natural sleeping pattern. Drinking too much coffee can cause you to feel more awake when you need to sleep and exhausted when you want to be awake. You might also find that you are a restless sleeper. Have your sheets been torn off the bed when you wake up in the morning? If so then you might want to think about adding a banana to your daily diet. With a banana, you can regulate your body movements and stop your body from tossing and turning due to the potassium it provides. 

High levels of sugar in your diet can also impact your sleeping pattern. Particularly, if you are consuming sugary snacks a few hours before the lights go out. 

The Chicken Or The Egg

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Finally, consider what comes first: Are you stressed because of a lack of sleep, or, is stress causing you to have trouble sleeping. It’s an important question because if stress is causing your sleep troubles, there are ways to correct that. Try writing down your issues before bed and that way you’ll be able to make you deal with them and get the good night of rest you need. 

The Only Tips You Need To Keep A Busy Mom On Track

Organizing your family can feel like a tough task. There is always something to do, places to be or kids sports clubs to attend. To keep all of that information in your head would be crazy. It’s easy to forget things or become unorganized over time. So I thought it would be a good idea to share with you some tips for getting your family life on track.

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A good calendar or journal

The first tip for getting more organized would be to consider getting yourself a big wall calendar or journal. This will be an essential tool to keep you on track. It allows you to place all appointments and events in the one place. At a glance, you will be able to see what you have on that day and week. This avoids you double booking yourself or overcommitting. You will also be able to communicate with anyone else involved and organize the week ahead of time. This will help for pick and drop offs.

Meal Plan

Planning your meals in advance can save you time and effort during the week. Especially on those busy nights where you may end making something unhealthy or ordering in. Meal planning can save you money on a weekly basis as you tend only to buy what you need. You may also want to think about batch cooking in advance, meaning you save even more time at night when preparing meals.

Keep all your family health check up to date

It can be difficult to remember when you need to do what. Especially when it comes to family health check ups. From health checks at the doctors through to eyes and hearing tests, they all need to be kept up to date. You also need to be able to manage expectation of appointments like hearing, so you can find out more online on how you can do that. Health checks are essential to keep underlying problems at bay or to hopefully stop and resolve issues in the future. Eye tests, hearing and general health check ups should all form part of the yearly schedule for the family.

Organize your home to make life easier

You don’t need to be one of those super organized people with labels on drawers or color coordinated wardrobes. But you can make life a little easier for yourself. School bags can be kept in the same place, as can coats and shoes that you need each morning. Try and pack things the night before to save yourself the morning rush. All it takes is to think outside the box a little at what could make things easier. Then put a plan in place to implement it.

Keep a schedule

Finally, try and keep yourself to a schedule each week. This is for things like grocery shopping and chores. If you know what needs to be done each day, you will have a much better chance of getting it done. Rather than being busy doing a lot of nothing. Again it can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, but see how much more organized your life gets by doing it.

I hope this helps you get your family more organized.

Bring Some Class Into Your Garden

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It's a far too common occurrence that a lot of people tend to focus, almost exclusively, on the interiors when taking care of their homes. Now, there's nothing inherently wrong with this. After all, you're going to end up spending the vast majority of your time inside your home, so it makes sense that you will focus a lot of your energy on it. However, it becomes a problem when you focus so heavily on the interiors of your home that you start to neglect the outdoor spaces. Your garden is a part of your home as well, and if you're not paying enough attention to it, then it's going to start to suffer. With that in mind, here are some ways to bring some class into your garden.

Keep the lawn trim

There's a pretty good chance that your lawn is the most significant and obvious part of your garden, so it only makes sense that it's going to have a serious impact on how it looks. Even if you're not paying that much attention, you can tell at a glance if your lawn is unkempt and overgrown. Because of that, it's important to mow it as frequently as possible. If you only mow it occasionally, then you're just going to end up with a lumpy, uneven lawn that both looks and feels pretty unpleasant.

Create divisions

One of the best things that you can do to help your garden look just a little bit neater and classier is to divide it up into sections. If you just have things growing all over the place, then it's going to look a lot messier, and sometimes that's okay. Having areas where you divide your garden into different areas for things like flowers, vegetables, seating areas, and the lawn can really make a huge difference. Not only that but it makes it a whole lot easier to take care of that way as well.

Improve your patio area

There's no point in having a really nice garden if all you can do is sit indoors and look at it through your window. You should make sure that you have a patio area that you can actually use. Using things like Indian sandstone can help to bring a touch of elegance to your patio giving you an area of your garden that is not only practical but pleasant to look at as well. That way you can create a space for yourself where you can sit in your garden and enjoy all of the hard work that went into making it as wonderful as it is. 

Now, no one is saying that you need to dedicate all of your time to your garden, after all, the key is to find the best possible balance that allows you to bring them both up to the highest possible quality. If you're able to balance spending time on your interiors and exteriors, it's going to be that much easier to make it a part of your everyday routine.

You And Your Family Need To Find Some Time To Unwind

Every member of your family has a hard week, whether they’re working in an office full-time or studying at school full-time. You might not relax together as a family as much as you’d like because you’re all busy during the week. Once the kids finally do finish their homework and you’ve all had your dinner, you probably just want to crash onto your bed and fall asleep. Rest is an important part of relaxing and recovering after a long day, but you and your family should also find some time to relax whilst you’re still awake. Eating dinner together is important, but that shouldn’t be the only time you gather as a family. The following suggestions should give you some ideas for family activities to help you unwind. If you have a free weekend then you should use it to try these things out.

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Do something creative.

The best way to unwind as a family is to do something creative together. You could try painting as a family. None of you need to be the next Van Gogh for this to be fun. You just need a blank canvas, some paint, and the desire to be creative. If you create a work of art then you could even hang it on your wall. That’ll be a testament to the importance of spending time together as a family. If the piece of art is an atrocity then you can hang it on the fridge and laugh at it as a family. Either way, it’ll bring you all together, and it’ll be a great way to unwind. Of course, there are other creative ways to unwind. If anyone in the family can play guitar then you could sing songs around the fire in your back garden.

Have a day of games and festivities.

If you really want to get the kids on board with the idea of spending the weekend together as a family then you should promise a day of games and festivities. You could play a classic game of Hangman with a pencil and a piece of paper. You could get Monopoly out if you think you’ll be able to play it without people getting too competitive. You might even want to try out an escape room in your local area. Solving riddles in a locked room with your family before the time runs out will teach you to work as a team. Of course, it’ll be an adventure too. The point is that your day should be full of fun things for everyone to enjoy; don’t just organize a day out that will make the parents happy. It’s important that you connect as a family.

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Relax outside.

The best way to unwind with your family is to get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air. You could simply relax in your garden by playing on the water slide, or you could even head out to your local park. Take a frisbee and pack a picnic. You could have a really fun day with the family if you just got outside and did something together. You don’t need to plan an extravagant day out; what matters is that you’re all together.

Why Aren't They Taking Your Business Seriously?

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There are a lot of challenges that are going to face you when you start any kind of business. Whether it's getting the funds together or attempting to reach out to the largest possible audience, being a small business that's just starting out can often involve a lot of roadblocks. However, it's often the case that one of the most significant roadblocks that you have to deal with is the perception of your business from the outside world. This happens far more often than a lot of people realise but, in the internet age where anyone can set up their own business, it's often hard to get people to take you seriously. If you're not doing things exactly right, it can often be very easy for customers and investors to assume that your business simply isn't worth taking seriously. With that in mind, here are a few things that you can do to show the world that you really do mean business.

Improve your branding

The first thing that sets any truly professional business apart from the amateurs is their branding. The reality of the modern world is that customers are surrounded by so many businesses that it can actually be kind of overwhelming. Because of this, most customers end up having to focus on the most surface level aspects of a business when choosing between them. This might sound shallow but modern day customers just don't have the time to spend weighing up various different businesses. If your branding looks amateurish, then customers are going to assume that the rest of your business isn't going to be worth their time.

Use a virtual mailbox

It's a real shame, but a lot of the time, if a customer sees that your business is based out of your home, they will assume that you're not worth paying attention to. It won't matter how great your product or service is, they will assume that you're an amateur. Fortunately, there is a way around this. The use of a virtual mailbox from a site like physicaladdress.com can help to present your business as being much better established than it is. Customers can see that your business has a dedicated space and, regardless of the reality that your product was always high quality, will be much more likely to give it a chance.

Leverage your size

Of course, you don't always have to treat your business's size as a disadvantage. There are so many huge companies out there, and customers are actually becoming less and less interested in them. Instead, customers are becoming more engaged with smaller businesses that they can relate to on a personal level. You might not have considered it before, but one of the best things that you can do is to leverage the size of your business in comparison to bigger companies. You can show customers that you're far more connected with them than huge businesses could ever be. Creating this personal connection with your customers is something that is so valuable and far easier for smaller businesses to achieve.

Project confidence

One of the most common mistakes that a lot of new businesses make is that they act somewhat apologetic for their size. They often act as though customers would be better off going with a larger business since they simply can't achieve the same results. This is tantamount to business suicide. No matter what level your business is working at, you need to make sure that you project the kind of confidence that your customers are interested in. Be unapologetic in boasting the things that your business can provide. Your customers want to have faith in your business, and without that faith, they're almost certainly just going to end up going elsewhere.

It's easy to get discouraged when your business is first starting out, and you're surrounded on all sides by much larger and more well-established companies. It can often be enough to make you feel as though you're never going to be able to reach that kind of level. Just remember that even the biggest and most successful business in the world started out in the same position as you. Focus on what you're doing and the level that you're at rather than spending all of your time worrying about businesses that are way higher up the food chain than your own. Once your business reaches those heights, and you're in direct competition with them, that's when you can start to be concerned about what they're doing.

10 Simple Steps To Creating A New Life For Yourself Abroad

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For a lot of people, the dream is always going to be to move overseas. Whether this has been a dream of yours for a long time, or it’s something that you’re only just starting to think about, you may find that moving abroad is all you want to do. Because when you have a dream, it tends to be something that you fixate on until you make it happen. As dreams go, they’re often always going to be scary, big, exciting, and just that little bit out of reach. Because they wouldn’t be dreams otherwise. But when it comes to moving abroad, this can often be something that you know you want to go after, but you just don’t know where to start.

It’s safe to say that the process of moving overseas isn't going to be easy. If so, we’d all be doing it. But at the same time, it’s not something that has to be impossible. As long as you have the right expectations and you’re willing to put the work in to make this happen, you can enjoy a new life abroad. Because this is what it’s all about - creating the best life for yourself. If you’re happy with your life and you very much want it to stay as it is now, then perhaps moving abroad won’t work for you. Because everything will change. But if this sounds like a dream come true, here’s how to create a new life for yourself abroad in ten simple steps.

1. Know Where You’re Heading

While some people will know exactly where they want to be when it comes to creating their perfect life abroad, not everyone will. Because sometimes, it’s more of a vision than a definite plan. So the first thing you need to do is figure out where you want to go. This list might be able to inspire you https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2018/01/08/quit-your-job-and-move-abroad-the-cheapest-places-to-live-in-2018/. When you’ve chosen a location, the fun can then begin.

2. Know What To Expect

Next, you need to have a bit of a rough idea of what life is going to be like for you. The worst thing you can do is to have all of these incredible images of what your new life overseas will be life to them find out that actually it’s nothing like that. So, connect with other expats, join forums and get talking to people online. This is often a great way to make sure you’re managing your expectations.

3. Get To Know Local Laws

As a part of that, you’re also going to want to make sure that you get to know any laws or customs that the location will have. If these are drastically different to what you’re used to, it will be handy for you to figure this out well in advance. That way, you’ll ensure that you are going to fit right in as a new resident.

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4. Visit The Area

But before you make any rash decisions on heading out when you’ve never even been to the location before, you’re going to want to make sure that you visit. Paying a visit for a week or two and taking a vacation there will allow you to get to know the different areas, and scope out the place before you dive right in.

5. Rent Somewhere

From here, the next thing that you need to do is find yourself somewhere to live. At first, it’s often a  good idea to find an apartment rental, just so you can be sure that you’re in the right place. Something like this - http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0411/finding_an_apartment_rental_abroad.shtml can often help you to make the right decision.

6. Find A Job

The next thing on your list needs to be a job. Ideally, you’ll have enough money saved to support yourself for a while, but you will also need to be actively looking for a job. These tips https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/9-tips-that-could-help-you-land-a-job-abroad-0916 should be great for helping you with your search.

7. Set Up A Business

On the flip side, maybe you want to start your own business and that’s always been a part of the dream for you? When that’s the case, you will want to know the local procedures like https://www.rumah.com/panduan-dan-referensi/mengurus-sertifikat-tanah/contoh-surat-perjanjian-jual-beli-ruko before you dive in. You may also want to speak to a commercial property specialist to get their advice on the best way to go about it.

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8. Make Friends

When you do move, or even beforehand, you’ll want to ensure that you can make new friends. This may seem hard but as this shows https://www.buzzfeed.com/erinfrye/all-new-friends/ you can make it happen. This will also help you to settle into your new life.

9. Contribute To The Community

At the same time, you’ll also want to make sure that you’re apart of the local community. Join in with events, help out, and make sure that you’re really getting involved. This is often the best way to make sure that you can adjust to the new location and really make a life for yourself here.

10. Live!

And last but not least, you have to make sure that you embrace the new life that you’re created for yourself. Above all else, you have to enjoy it. Even if you get scared and things aren’t as you’d expected, run with it. Of course, life will be different now, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Instead, you just need to be able to out yourself out there, try new things, and get used to this way of life. When you do, you’ll be able to live the life that you’ve always dreamed of.

Why People Need To Apply For Loans

There are many reasons why people borrow money. In my opinion, people are forced to borrow money as a last resort when they could not raise the amount of money that is urgently needed. For those who are borrowing money for the first time, especially from family members or friends, it is not easy for them to open their mouth. They run the risk of their pride being hurt if their request is rejected.

In the old days, parents borrow money from rich relatives to put their children through higher learning but now we have study loans from educational ministry, association, etc. Once their children starting working, the loan will then be paid back in installments. There are advantages and disadvantages with borrowing money for their children education. With the loan, their children had the chance for better education and a better future. The disadvantage is that the children have to pay back the loan once they started working. 

These days, having your own personal transport such as buying a car is necessary when the young people joined the working force. In countries, where there is a good public transport system, owning a car may not be necessary. It is only when public transport is scarce that getting a car is necessary. When we don’t have the cash, we need to apply for a car loan before we can buy a car.

With an auto loan, we get a buy a car to commute to and from work but the disadvantage is that we are burdened with the repayment of the loan for the agreed period, sometimes for a minimum of 10 years. The same applies when we want to buy a house. We need a bigger loan to purchase a house. Applying for a house loan could burden us with many years of repayment.

One advantage of taking a loan e.g. housing loan from established loan lender is that the loan is covered with insurance and if the borrower dies before the full repayment of the loan, the next of kin that inherited the house need not have to continue with the loan.

Sometimes, applications for a loan can be rejected or disqualified for certain reasons when terms and condition were not met or complied. What happens is that people who need the money urgently will turn to alternative means to borrow money such as the California bridge loan lenders. Bridge loan lenders provide homeowners with residential bridge loans in California or commercial bridge loans for real estate investors. These bridge loan lenders offer fast approval and funding, competitive rates and reliable service for direct bridge loan financing.

Is It Necessary For An LLC To Have An EIN?

When choosing how you are going to operate your new business, you may decide that an LLC formation is the best structure to have. There is a lot of flexibility within an LLC, which can be beneficial for both you and any business partners you may have. However, what’s important to remember is that this entity type is not federally recognized. This means it varies from state to state. As such, you may have to apply for EIN online to get it registered with the federal government. Let’s take a look. 

How Does an LLC Work?

A limited liability company is designed to allow business owners to run their company in a few different ways:

First, you can be an individual and form an LLC. In some states, you have to have at least two partners, but that’s not always necessary. 

Second, an LLC has pass-through tax benefits, which means that your business earnings and wages are not taxed separately. The money you make is only taxed once, not twice. 

Finally, since it has limited liability, partners in an LLC are not responsible for business debts or financial burdens. This is one of the better benefits of having this entity type. 

Overall, you can run the business on a more personal level while still keeping your liability to a minimum.

What is an EIN?

An employer ID number is used to create a separate tax entity for business purposes. While you can start your LLC with your social security number, an EIN may be necessary for the following reasons: 

• You have employees
• You have more than one partner
• You wish to be taxed as a corporation or partnership (meaning you don’t want to use your SSN for business expenses)

To get an EIN, you can use a third-party organization to help you fill out the paperwork and get the number from the IRS. Fortunately, you can usually get the number in a day or so and start using it right away. An EIN is also helpful if you want to open a business bank account since most financial institutions won’t accept an SSN. 

Bottom Line

An EIN is not always necessary for an LLC, but it’s recommended. 

Moving Country: It's Expensive, But You Can Cut The Costs

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You’re probably excited and apprehensive about moving country in equal measure. The new experience is exciting, but the cost of moving can be stressful. Still, whilst moving your entire life to a brand new country was always going to be an expensive process, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do to improve your situation. There are lots of ways to reduce the costs of moving so that you’ve prepared yourself financially. And that’s important because you’re going to need a strong financial safety net. Here’s some advice to cut the costs of moving country.

Learn about buying property abroad.

We’ve talked a lot about the logistics of buying property abroad before because it can be confusing for anyone who doesn’t understand the laws of a foreign property market. Of course, investing in foreign property is tricky whether you’re looking to sell on that property or keep it. It’s important that you learn about the foreign property market before you purchase a new home in a new country. You need to know how the terminology works in a foreign country, for example. That isn’t just a matter of the language barrier - it’s just that the property market isn’t universal. Details differ from country to country.

You might even want to seek help from a specialist who can help you with your property purchase to make sure that you’re getting a fair and cost-effective deal. Otherwise, you could end up wasting a lot of money on a bad property; and the costs might continue in terms of maintenance or other expensive aspects of the property that you didn’t fully understand because of the linguistic and legal difference between your present home country and your future home country.

Prepare for the costs of becoming a citizen in a new country.

Unless this is only a temporary move, you’ll probably need to become a full citizen if you’re going to move to a new country. Of course, this comes with its fair share of costs. You should head here if you’re looking for a cheap option when it comes to the immigration medical examination. The technical side of moving to a new country can be costly if you don’t do your research first. You might also want to save money by learning about the difference in cost of living when comparing your home country to your future home country. You might want to rethink your expenses to make a new budget for your new life. This will help you to avoid costly lessons once you’ve already moved.

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Transport your belongings cheaply.

The final way in which you could save money when moving country is to make sure you transport your belongings as cheaply as possible. Obviously, your possessions are very precious to you; you want to make sure they reach their new home safely. However, speed doesn’t matter. And you can save a lot of money by choosing to ship your belongings overseas rather than transporting them via plane. Otherwise, you could be spending 4 times as much as money. Save yourself a massive expense.