Category: Family

Exercise

Now, just before you think that we’re adding you more stress, you might want to know that exercise has been proven to be one of the most beneficial stress-relieving ways. Workouts such as yoga

skillfully combine the art of exercise with meditation making its overall effects priceless. There are

two significant ways this happens.

● Exercise boosts your endorphins production. Endorphins are your feel-good hormones.

Having more of these hormones enhances yourself-confidence and reduces stress

● Exercise promotes good sleep, therefore, providing one with ample rejuvenation time. Good sleep gets you feeling contented and ensures you can concentrate more passionately and actively in your day to day activities.

Nutritional supplements

Seeing that stress has a multifactorial etiology, we need a multidisciplinary approach to tackle it.

Proper nutrition has been proven to alleviate the stress. There are an array of supplements

That provide the necessary supplements your body needs to relax. Some of the supplements in stores include; organic Wild Microalgae®, whole body algae, the heart of algae, and wild algae

powder among others. The best part is that these products are organic, gluten-free, dairy-free and

Also GMO-free just designed to make your body whole again.

Meditation

Stress is a more of a psychological problem with physical manifestation. Curing the mind is an

important part of getting the stress relieved. This is precisely what meditation offers. All you need

to do is to take some few minutes of your time preferably in the morning before the day’s tasks to keep

yourself away from the cares and troubles of the world. Take deep breathing and clear your mind. Think of nothing and let your mind wander off into the abyss of silence.

The importance of de-stressing cannot be overemphasized. Above, are recommended steps to

reduce your stress levels and live a stress-free human. Follow these three simple guidelines and watch as the quality of your lifestyle improves.

Managing Stress

Do you feel stretched like a rubber band? Have you lost the feeling of being in control of your life? Often times it is easy to over-extend yourself, leaving you with a feeling of “where’s my life”? It is time to take control of your life and learn how to manage stress. What steps can you take?

Pinpoint the stress factor

Whether you are a stay at home mom or a busy account executive, stress can creep in and steal your mental health. Learn how to pinpoint the stress factor and learn how to control it. If you feel like you do not have enough time in the day, time management will help in preventing overextending yourself. Start a time entry journal, organize your time so that you can see on paper if you will be able to get everything done and still have time to carve out 30 minutes for yourself.

Focus on what makes you calm and in control

Everyone has an activity that allows them to de-stress, take the time to treat yourself for better mental health. If you are enjoying yourself, you will not think about the “bad areas” in your life and will focus more on the positive areas which will help reduce stress.

Get active

Studies have shown the best way to reduce stress is to get active. Take 30 minutes a day and do some form of exercise. Walking, jogging, stretching, weight lifting, anything to get the body moving will increase endorphins which are a natural stress reliever.

Make time for fun

Give yourself permission to have fun. Everyone needs an outlet to get rid of stress. If you enjoy playing golf, set up a time on your calendar to go to the golf course. If quiet time, reading a book, relaxes you, put your best effort towards making time to curl up with a good book and relax.

Maintain balance

To live a happy productive life, reducing stress is a must. When a person is dealing with stress, not only does the individual suffer, but others around you will suffer as well. Learn what your triggers are and avoid over-extending yourself.

In a fast paced world, it is very easy to become stressed. Reducing one’s mental stress will allow for a happier, healthier, more productive life.

People can get burdened by challenges they are going through in life. These challenges may be as a result of their financial status, their relationship with others and tragic occurrences in their lives like the death of a loved one. However,people have overcome challenges by having a network of people to rely on for emotional support.

Emotional support is important because one gets a higher self-esteem. Their confidence gets a boost and they can manage through life problems. In addition, it gives people a better ability to cope with stress and feel more in control of their lives.

However, some people are their own support system. This means that they give themselves the necessary support during difficult times. How can one support himself or herself?

Self support can come from prayers. This is especially for the religious people. Turning to prayer can help ease the burdens of their hearts.

Another way of supporting oneself is through self love. If one cannot love himself or herself, who will? People should treat themselves well; cook a favorite meal or buy something new. This will help the person to feel better about themselves.

Moreover, people should do what makes them happy. Even in the face of challenges, engage in fun activities that will result to happiness. This will in turn reduce stress. However, one cannot engage in activities that make them happy while bringing unhappiness to others. One cannot leave their young children unattended just to go party.

Also, have time for self reflection. This is necessary for one to identify their weaknesses and their strengths. One is able to determine the way forward out of their misery.

Finally, reading motivational content can come in handy when one wants to support themselves emotionally. Motivational content exposes one to ways of dealing with life challenges. It also takes one’s mind off stressful situations for a while.

In conclusion,a support system can come from within us. People need to rethink their sources of emotional support. They need to realize that their can be their own shoulder to lean on. They can be the shove they needed to get things emerge stronger emotionally.

In pursuit of ‘the perfect cup of coffee’, most coffee connoisseurs prefer buying their coffee whole bean and grinding it themselves before brewing. But just like any other food or beverage, there are certain conditions that could compromise the freshness – and the taste – of your coffee. Superior coffee beans stored correctly will make a quality cup of coffee. It would be a shame ending up with anything short of quality after shelling out a good amount of money on a bag of coffee beans, just because the beans were stored incorrectly. This article will give you some insight on how best to your coffee beans, for prolonged freshness and maximum flavor.

In order for you to know how best to store your coffee beans, you must first know the conditions that compromise their freshness and taste. These are air, heat, light, and moisture. To longer preserve the fresh, roasted flavor of your beans, they should be stored in an opaque and air-tight container. Clear storage containers are a no-no, as they allow light to pass through thus compromising the taste. It is also important to note that the packaging the coffee comes in is almost always impractical in terms of long-term storage.

The container itself should be kept in a cool, dark location in your kitchen. The location of storage is brought into play because some places in the kitchen are warmer and/or more exposed to heat and direct sunlight than others. For example, a spot on the kitchen counter could be directly exposed to sunlight and heat. This it is not ideal for the storage of coffee beans.

Another good tip storage tip for coffee beans is; it is better to buy it in smaller batches as needed. Probably enough to last you for a week or two. We have already established that exposure to air is not good for your beans. So if you buy it in big batches to store it, frequent access to the container could do damage to the beans. However, should you spot a great savings deal on a bulk buy of your favorite brand of coffee beans, this does not mean that you should shun it completely. You can still purchase in bulk and divide the beans into smaller portions for storage. The large, unused portion can be put in an air-tight container and stored away in a cool, dark place. Also, grind the amount of coffee beans you need immediately before you brew to limit exposure to air.

Refrigeration is the most convenient way of storing food and drinks in almost every household. There has been a long-standing debate on whether coffee beans can be refrigerated or not. For starters, coffee beans are naturally hygroscopic, meaning they tend to absorb moisture from the air around them. If the storage container is not completely air-tight, the coffee beans will absorb odors from foods in the refrigerator. Condensation can also form on the coffee beans when you open the container to take out the amount you need. However, if you must store them in the freezer, make sure that the container is completely air-tight and sealed shut. Then, before grinding, you should let it thaw till room temperature.

Here is why you should never touch the whiskers of your cat!

Cats are very adorable domestic animals hence the reason why most people keep them as pests. Their elegance coupled with a unique fur of variant colours gives them a beautiful physique. These animals are very agile though with a high sense of tranquility. For some reasons, cats have whiskers that contribute to their impressive athletic abilities. But why do cats have whiskers?

What are whiskers?

Most people confuse them to be similar to human hair. However, unlike the moustache of a man, they are not to be associated with fashion. Whiskers are tactile hair like projections from the muzzle of a cat. They can also grow behind the front legs, in the ears, jaws and above the eyes.

Are cats the only animals with whiskers?

Of course not! Some species of mammals also have whiskers. A very good example is the primates. Scientists believe that these animals developed whiskers particularly as a nocturnal sensory adaptation. Some other animals like the dog also have whiskers.

Why do cats have whiskers?

The whiskers of a cat are very important for a variety of reasons. The following reasons summarizes what a cat uses its whiskers for.

Hunting

Whiskers enable cats to understand their environment. They are useful in detecting the location and size of an object. They can also detect texture. Usually, the cat achieves this by brushing its whiskers against an object, or feeling the air currents. Hence, the cat is also capable of detecting approaching objects even with the eyes closed.

Means of communication

When a cat feels threatened, it will retract its whiskers and make them stout. This clearly warns the intruder to stay away lest they experience the true opposite of mercy. However, when the whiskers of a cat are relaxed, it indicates that the cat is peaceful and satisfied.

For navigation

The length of the whiskers of a cat is equally as long as the breadth of a cat. This not only helps the cat to move around but also enable the cat to figure out if it can fit in a certain space.

Athletic abilities

The acrobatics of a cat do not just come easy. It takes accurate calculation of location and acute sense of touch to help the cat manoeuvre through the almost impossible angles.

Here is what you should not do

1. You should not shave the whiskers of your cat

Cutting, shaving or trimming the whiskers of your cat will interfere with the sensory mechanisms of your cat. Your cat will then cease to perform any awesome manoeuvres. Besides, it will be difficult for them to locate prey or find their way in the dark.

1. You should not pull the whiskers of your cat

This is very dangerous. The whiskers are very sensitive. You can agitate your cat and it can bite you or you can escape with minor scratches and bruises if you are lucky. Additionally, those whiskers are deeply rooted in the skin of a cat close to the nerve endings. Therefore, you can not only unnecessary pain your cat but also cause damage to the skin of your cat.

It is important that you take good care of your cat. Feed them well and always ensure that they are clean. Above all, thou shall not shave the whiskers of your cat! Because you now know why cats have whisker, right?

Growing your own herbs is more convenient than buying readily available herbs. Start small by maintaining a simple vegetable garden in your backyard. If you don’t enjoy working in the garden, try keeping plants (herbs) indoors. Generally, herbs do well in any environment. Most herbs require minimal light, sun, and water except a few types like rosemary which needs extra care after planting.

Plant in Pots or in the garden?

A number of factors come into play when deciding whether to grow herbs in the garden or in pots. If you opt to grow herbs indoors, consider whether the place where you plan to put your herbs get enough light during the day. Does it get enough moisture? How about temperature? How many windows does the space have?

Most herbs like basil, chives, parsley, rosemary, and sage do well planted in pots. Potted herbs need more watering and feeding because they won’t get the same nutrients that herbs planted in the ground will. Water is their number one killer –either too much water or little water will affect how your plants grow. There are exceptions like mint that need frequent watering. When watering, allow water to soak for about an hour, and then throw excess water away.

Herbs grown on the ground seem to be less demanding than potted herbs. They get enough moisture, temperature, and light. Temperature is crucial here, especially for flowering plants. They need a regular change in temperature in order to bloom.

Which Compost Should You use?

Most herbs like any other plant do well in loam-based compost. You can boost your plants by adding compost to the soil mixture especially when planting in pots.

Conclusion

It’s easy to have your own supply of herbs at home. To get the most out of herbs, pick them regularly to encourage a good supply of fresh, young shoots.

At some point in everyone’s life, and particularly at the college level, the dream of owning a car is as disturbing as a growing tooth. Scrolling through webpages and magazines, as well as ogling at flashy rides in traffic, become the norm. When it is, however, time to actualize the dream and own a vehicle, reality kicks in. Unlike the flashy rides that once marked their dreams; they now have to choose one based on their budget, priorities, family size or social class.

Lest more people are caught unawares when this happens, here are some actionable tips for first-time car owners to simplify the process.

First, establishing a realistic budget determines what kind of car to buy. This is done by calculating the necessary expenditures and then directing the remainder to the purchase of the car. In this way, you can tell whether you are in a comfortable position to buy the car all by yourself or not. If not so, car purchase financing is a viable option.

Second, knowing the purpose of purchasing the vehicle determines what to buy. For instance, buying a two-seater car when one has a family of six is unrealistic. You do not have to buy something that does not satisfy all your needs.

Third, finding out the proper price for the vehicle safeguards first-time car buyers from exploitation. Each car has an average price when new or refurbished. If the price is too high, that is exploitation. Again, there is a ground for doubt if the price seems too good to be true. To be safe, make sure you conduct sufficient research on your preferred model lest you fall for junk.

Fourth, ensure that you are conducting business with a legit dealer that is unlikely to lie to you about the car. Rogue dealers will know that the car you intend to purchase has a particular fault but will not tell you. It is also important that you agree on terms such as contacting them if the vehicle develops problems soon after you purchase it.

Finally, before completing the purchase, test driving the potential buy is a must: not an option! Test drives ensure that one buys a car that runs smoothly, has the right height, control layout, wheel alignment and favorable outward visibility. Never accept a car that does not impress you on this very crucial (first) drive.

Create time for reading, learning, and growth

Learning something new improves your knowledge, this, in turn, boosts your brain functioning. Reading a novel helps us visualize by engrossing our thoughts in the position of the character in the novel. This enhances connectivity in the brain and improves brain function.

Always stay hydrated

Taking plenty of water, vegetable and fruit juices keeps your brain functioning well. This will also protect your brain cells from damage.

Get regular health checkups and treating any health problem

Heart diseases, hormonal imbalance, and diabetes are some health disorders that could affect your memory. Medications could also affect your memory, it is important to get proper medication from health experts.

Exercising

Regular physical activity improves blood circulation to your brain. New neurons are created and brain power is increased. People who exercise have better multi-tasking and decision-making skills compared to people who don’t exercise. Engaging in aerobics is a great way to improve your brain power. It also reduces the chances of getting strokes.

Get enough sleep

Sleep enhances your memory and learning. Sleep deprivation leads to excessive worrying and makes it hard to coordinate activities. It is vital to get at least 8 hours of sleep to rejuvenate your body and brain. Naps during the day when you feel worn out could also boost your memory. Getting enough sleep also helps you come up with better ways of dealing with your problems and issues.

Building strong social connections

Having meaningful relationships helps improve our emotional and brain health. Excluding yourself from others leads to loneliness, which could lead to depression. People who have active social lives have a strong memory.

Take a good diet (brain-boosting foods)

Foods rich in omega 3 improve focus and memory. They include both animal-based and plant-based foods like fish and spinach. High fiber cereals keep your brain and body energized for longer. Moreover, foods rich in vitamins, nuts and seeds and spices are also a brain booster.

Cut down on stress

You need to cut down on stress since it damages the brain cells that help in new memory formation and recalling of old ones. You should learn to deal with your emotions to avoid getting depressed. Deep breathing and meditation is a good way to manage stress.

Meditation

This is another way to reduce stress and anxiety. Meditation increases the sharpness of the brain and improves its functioning.

Engage in brain games, puzzles and get new experiences

Engaging in brain-training games and puzzles keep your brain sharp since they challenge the brain. To further boost brain power, you need to step out of your comfort zone and engage in new experiences that challenge the brain.

Shocking the pool is an ideal way of ensuring that the swimming pool is free of bacteria and other harmful contaminants. Pool chlorine works by attacking and sanitizing bacteria present in the pool to make it safe to swim. The bacteria may come from sunscreen lotions, bird droppings or debris.

Pool Sanitizer Vs Shock

Chlorine combines with bacteria and other harmful contaminants to kill them but in the process of neutralizing these contaminants, the chlorine becomes inactive forming a “combined chlorine” that makes the pool unsafe for swimming. Shocking helps to remove the combined chlorine through a process known as super chlorinating or breakpoint chlorination that raises the chlorine in the pool to a high enough level for a short time before dropping it down to break up the combined chlorine or chloramines. The combined chlorine will be burned off and turned back into a more effective sanitizer. When super chlorinating your pool, it is advisable to use a calcium hypochlorite for best results.

When To Shock Your Pool

Ideally, if you can smell chlorine in your pool, it means that the chlorine has combined with ammonia and other contaminants and is no longer effective. Shocking eliminates this smell by breaking up the combined chlorine for a safe and clean pool. Shocking should be done on a regular basis depending on the levels of chlorine in the pool. It is recommended to alternate between a chlorine-based shock and a non-chlorine shock on a weekly basis to oxidize any contaminants in the water. Besides reducing the amount of chlorine needed, this method also increases the effectiveness of the chlorine. It is important to test the pool water each week when in use to determine the chloramine level or the difference between total chlorine levels and free chlorine. Chloramines can cause eye and skin irritation while swimming.

The proper range of chlorine in the pool should be between 2 to 4ppm. When your chlorine is within this range, you can use a non-chlorine shock to ensure that the total chlorine and the free chlorine are at the same level all the time. If you add chlorine to your pool over and over again without conducting water tests, the chlorine may be of no benefit. Pool shock is the most effective way to keep your swimming pool’s chemistry balanced and is also a great way to eliminate bacteria and algae to keep your pool water in pristine condition. When done regularly during the high bather load months, shocking significantly reduces the level of chemical exposure to swimmers.