Sleeping Positions: Is There A Right Answer?

There is a question as old as time that has split the opinions of people the world over. Which is the best sleeping position? Everybody has their own answer and they’ll argue that the way that they sleep is the best for comfort as well as health. But are there any solid answers that can finally put that argument to bed for good? Fortunately, there is information about the pros and cons of sleeping positions, but if you’re looking for a definitive answer, you’re out of luck. The truth is there are different benefits to each sleeping position so it really depends on your priorities. To help you decide on the best way to sleep, here are the pros and cons of each position.

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On Your Back

This is the position that people often say is the best way to get a good night’s sleep. If you struggle with a bad back then this is probably the way to go. By sleeping flat on your back, you avoid any twists or contortions in the spine so it’s the best way to maintain good back health. It helps you to get the most out of your mattress because you get the most support when you’re sleeping in this position. The ideal way to sleep on your back is without any pillows at all, but most people won’t do that. Having one pillow isn’t too much of an issue but if you’ve got loads, your neck will be at a strange angle and it can affect your breathing.

If you’re worried about wrinkles, sleeping on your back is the way to go. Having your face buried in a pillow all night massively increases the chance of getting wrinkles but sleeping on your back keeps you looking younger for longer.

However, sleeping on your back isn’t always the best option. Sleeping on your back is intrinsically linked to sleep apnea and if you suffer from the condition, doctors will always recommend that you sleep in a different position. It also makes you more likely to snore so if you’re a loud sleep, you might want to think about changing position, if only for the benefit of everybody else in the house.

On Your Stomach

Sleeping on your stomach is often considered to be one of the worst ways to sleep but that’s not strictly true. We’ve already established that sleeping on your back is bad for sleep apnea and snoring. Sleeping on your front is the best way to combat both of those problems. However, it’s not great for anything else so, unless you suffer from either of those issues, you should probably avoid it.

The problem with sleeping on your front is that it doesn’t keep your spine straight. If you’re lying on your front all night, with a crooked spine, you can cause yourself serious problems. You’re likely to wake up with a stiff back and pain in your lower back. The position of your head is another big problem but it can be easily solved. According to Sleep Ridiculously Well, there are special pillows designed specifically for people that sleep on their front. A thinner pillow will make the bend in your neck and spine smaller and reduce the amount of damage that you’re doing to yourself. If you don’t use one of these pillows, you’ll damage your neck severely.

You can sleep on your front safely if that’s your preferred position, you’ll just need a few well placed pillows. Putting an extra pillow under your hips and your stomach, you’ll straighten your spine out and avoid getting back pain.

On Your Side

Studies show that the most popular sleeping position is on your side. The majority of people claim to sleep this way, although we can’t know whether they move during the night so this information should be taken with a pinch of salt. So, most of us sleep this way but is it a good idea. If you’re pregnant, side sleeping is always recommended by the doctor, particularly on the left side. If you’re not pregnant, side sleeping could still be good for you. It’s been proven to reduce the symptoms of heartburn and acid reflux problems so if that’s something that’s a big problem for you, consider changing position.

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However, it’s not all good news for side sleepers. It can cause you problems with circulation if you’re constantly sleeping on your arm. It also puts unnecessary pressure on your stomach and lungs which can lead to more health problems. The shoulder takes the brunt of the weight so it can be damaged as well. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t sleep on your side at all, but it’s a good idea to switch sides each night to reduce the strain on your body.

Sorry if you were hoping for a solid answer about which is the best position to sleep in. The truth is, they all have their merits and it depends on what health problems you’ve got.

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Can I Be Healthy Without Leaving The House? You Bet!

“But I need a fancy gym membership to maintain my health,” comes the reply. There is a myth that to be healthy you must workout seven times a week and eat nothing but vegetables. Of course, this isn’t the case, yet it’s a myth the industry doesn’t want to bust because it makes them money. It isn’t a conspiracy, per se, just a lack of open dialogue.

The truth is that staying fit and healthy is a basic process. It takes hard work and dedication, but a person can achieve their goals at home. Yep, there is no need pound the pavement or hit the gym four or five times a week. For the people that still need convincing, here’s how to be healthy without leaving your home.

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Transform Your Diet

An unhealthy diet is full of carbs and saturated fats. Therefore, you’re more likely to put on weight and increase your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. High blood pressure and cholesterol can lead to the onset of ailments such as heart disease and diabetes. The best thing to do to prevent these conditions is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. From fruit and vegetables to meats, try and keep everything in moderation. The key is to take on a mixture of protein, carbohydrates and fats to help the body run smoothly. Eating so-called superfoods is another neat trick because they contain nutrients which other foods don’t. Fish is particularly helpful thanks to its high omega-3 fatty acid content. The great thing about changing your attitude to food is you can do it at home. Just go online and order your groceries to the house.

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At Home Exercises

Eating a balanced diet is essential, but so is exercising. The idea of working out is where people force themselves into an unnecessary gym membership. Sure, you can workout at home, yet it doesn’t feel as if you are getting the blood pumping. Being in an environment with muscle-bound guys in tight tops, however, feels legitimate. The thing is your body care where you workout as long as you burn calories, which is something to exploit. A well-rounded mixture of home exercises, then, can be just as effective as pumping iron at a gym. From squats to crunches to push-ups and leg crunches, they all take the body out of its comfort zone. If there isn’t enough cardio, then jog up and down the stairs for fifteen minutes. It’s as easy to exercise at home as it is to leave the house.

See The E-Doctor

Yep, seeing a doctor was impossible before the advancement of technology. Nowadays, you can visit a doctor’s surgery for a consultation from the comfort of your living room. All you need is a mobile device with an internet connection according to multiple providers. The way a home health care agency works is with an initial consultation. Once they decide you are eligible for care, they will walk you through their services. Should they need to see you, then the majority of providers will schedule a home visit. Part of staying healthy is taking part in a regular checkup with a medical professional. In 2017, you can do this with a laptop and a Wifi router. The e-doctor will see you now.

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Lie Down

You can eat well and work out three times a week yet your health might not be perfect. Why? It’s because of a little thing called stress. Healthy men and women don’t suffer from high cortisol levels because stress tears the body apart. For starters, the mental impacts turn into physical ones. As such, worrying about a problem can lead to hair loss and high blood pressure. Secondly, it tends to lead to depression and a negative outlook on life. People who are stressed are fatigued and can’t be bothered maintaining their health. So, they eat poorly and don’t leave the sofa for days on end. Thankfully, you can deal with stress at home by lying down on the bed and closing your eyes. Having a couple of hours where you don’t think about anything is a great way to toss your worries aside. The lucky ones have a partner who will massage their troubles away. The thing to remember is that stress is unhealthy and needs dealing with as soon as possible.

It’s nice to get out of the house, especially if you feel cooped up. But, if you don’t get much free time, you can always exercise at home and transform your diet.

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When’s the Right Time to Break Into Your Savings?

Everyone knows that it’s important to save money. We all try to contribute at least some of our funds into a savings account and, over time, it will accumulate and we’ll have plenty to spend on emergencies. However, it can sometimes be difficult determining when we should break the piggy bank and start using it.

One of the biggest issues with using your savings is that it can lead to bad habits. When you start using your savings account for small things like furniture or personal entertainment, you’ll quickly deplete those funds. It’s a good idea to train yourself to never touch your savings, but you can reach a point where you’re saving too much. If you find that you never touch your savings, then this article will give you a few examples of when you should actually break into them and start using it responsibly.

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Paying off your debts

It might sound weird to have savings while you’re still in debt, but it’s actually not too uncommon. Many of us automatically pay money into our savings accounts so it’s not something we actively do, but we sometimes mix it up with essential expenses and thus, we end up with a large amount of savings while still being in debt. Depending on how much debt you’re in and with how many companies, services like debtconsolidation.co can sometimes give you a breather by consolidating all of your debts into a single contract. You can then start using your savings to pay off your debts, and this will help your credit score as well as your personal health. No one likes being in debt because it can be a heavy weight on our shoulders, which is why using your savings account is a perfectly acceptable reason to break into your emergency fund.

When you want to invest

Perhaps your friend has proposed a great business idea to you, or maybe you’ve realised that keeping money in a savings account is rather pointless. Many people chose to invest their money instead of keeping it in a savings account. This is a question that many people have asked themselves, and you can look at this article from moneyadviceservice.org for some advice on how to make that decision yourself. In short, keeping your money in a savings account isn’t going to make your wealth grow, but investing in a business or stocks can be more profitable and will continue giving you money.

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Is there an emergency?

A stash of savings can also be seen as an emergency fund, so if you’re currently experiencing a crisis it may be worth your time to break out the savings and use it for something important. A good example of this is if your laptop breaks and you can no longer operate your company. Replace it immediately so that it doesn’t stop your business in its tracks. Another good example is for your healthcare. If you’re suffering from an illness, then it makes sense to use your savings to pay for healthcare such as medication or a hospital visit.

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Could You Really Put A Price On Your Health?

Living a frugal life is one of the most popular topics online today. With the rising costs of – well, everything – it can be really easy to allow certain elements of life to slide. For some, healthcare is one of those elements that gets left behind. It’s not due to thinking that healthcare isn’t important, we all know how important it really is. However, finances often dictate to us what we can and cannot manage and sometimes health insurance isn’t on the top of the list.

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One thing that any person who lives a frugal life should ask themselves is this: can you put a price on your health? Living without health insurance is not a position most people want to be in. Murphy’s Law states that when you least expect it, the things that can go wrong often will, whether you like it or not. You can bet that you will stop paying for health insurance to save some cash, and it’ll be the day after that you get into an accident or break a tooth and need dental care. Thankfully, there are multiple financing options available for your emergency dental needs and when you get in an accident, you can get some financial grace to help catch up with hospital care payments. For most, though, the choice to ditch health insurance in favour of affording other bills isn’t a personal choice made ‘just because’; it’s a choice made because the alternative is not affording the rent or groceries for the month.

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Learning how you can manage your finances a little better so that you can manage to afford health insurance is going to be key and even living a frugal life, this can be done! Sure, many places offer free medical care for those on a tight budget, but the income thresholds are very strict and therefore if you simply have a higher cost of living for your basics and yet aren’t on a low enough income to qualify for free health, you need to know how to manage. Check out our tips below to help you overcome the financial hurdles of ditching healthcare.

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1. Options! Health insurance has so many more options than you may be aware of so look into plans that are high deductible. You can be covered for the larger, scarier events in life should they happen to you. It’s also important to remember that with a high deductible plan, while it may seem steep on paper, is easier to pay off $1,000 than it is to pay off $40,000! Your workplace should also offer you a health option and if you haven’t been told about it, enquire with your HR department. The rules for having healthcare do vary and if you get it as a perk through your job, it can make it far easier to afford!

2. Out Of Pocket Costs. This is the place most people have an issue; even with health insurance, the out of pocket medical expenses can be difficult to cover. It’s easy to say to have an emergency pot to cover these sorts of costs but when you’ve nothing spare at the end of each month, it gets a little tricky. Reducing the amount that you pay for out of pocket expenses before insurance kicks in includes shopping around for clinics and doctors that cost you less money. You can be smart when it comes to paying for your medical costs, you just have to be aware that you don’t have to stay with your primary caregiver.

3. Payment Plans. It sounds like an easy one, but it’s surprising the number of people who don’t know you can set up payment plans to catch up with your bills. Many clinics and hospitals will allow you to set up a plan to pay off your bill, and while costs can add up quickly, it can be a better option than waiting around to be in pain before you call the doctor and worry about the next bill.

4. Free Clinics. For those who really can’t make any room in their budget, there are free clinics available to give you the best care. There are sliding scale fees on offer that match your income and can make health care far more affordable. This is welcome news for those who fight to pay the basics each month and you can sometimes qualify automatically for your bills paid if you have chronic illness.

Don’t put a price on your health; you matter and being alive and healthy matters, too.

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10 Life Skills That Are Also Great Career Skills

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Can’t get a job because you have no experience? Just because you’ve never worked in that role before doesn’t mean you don’t have the necessary skills already. Many life skills can actually make great work skills. Here are 10 life skills – some of which you may already have – which can be used to succeed in a work environment and may even be able to be used to persuade an employer into hiring you.

Having a creative hobby

Creativity can be a key asset in many jobs. A hobby may be proof that you can put your creativity to practical use. This could anything from the ability to crochet a blanket to owning a vlog to being a brilliant maker of children’s cakes. A creative hobby can look even better if you’ve been able to turn it into financial profit such as making money from a blog or selling handmade jewellery – even if it’s just a one of occasions it’s still worth putting on your CV.

Being a member of a club or sports team

Being a member of a club shows that you’re social and a team player. This could be anything from a dance club to a martial arts club to being a member of a local political group. You may have been able to reach a leadership position within a club which could look even more attractive on a CV. This guide How To Use Activities And Clubs To Improve A Resume offers more information on how to use this experience when applying to a job.

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Caring for the sick and elderly

If you’ve had to care for a sick or disabled parent or grandparent, this could be evidence that you are great at caring for others. This could help you when getting into careers such as home care or even nursing as this guide The Best Places To Work If You’re A Nurse shows. Many courses and apprenticeships look highly upon these kind of life skills – so don’t forget to mention this experience on your application.

Caring for children and animals

If you’re a parent or a pet owner, you may also be able to use these skills when working with children and animals. Even looking after a younger sibling or dogsitting for somebody else may be enough. Such work shows that you can take on responsibility and could be used to help persuade employers that you’re capable for the job.

Being DIY savvy

Are you a dab hand at DIY? When it comes to many trades such as plumbing, electrics and decorating, showing that you’ve taken on your own DIY projects in the past can be valuable. These practical skills can translate well in many jobs and make you a good hands-on problem solver. Make sure to give an example of such DIY jobs when applying to these roles or apprenticeships.

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Splitting the bill

Are you the one that’s often left in charge of splitting the bill? This shows a mathematical approach to problem solving that could be handy in many admin roles, accountancy jobs and even hospitality roles where you may need to work with change. It also shows a level of delegation and negotiation skills. It might not be something you want to put on your CV, but could be a small quip to throw out in an interview to show evidence of being a good problem solver.

Being a social media success

Many businesses are now seeing the advantage of social media as a marketing method. If you’ve got a large following on social media, employers may see this as a skill – particularly older employers who aren’t as savvy when it comes to these mediums and may want to someone to show them the ropes or even take control of their social media for them. This guide Your Twitter Address: Should You Stick It On Your CV? gives more information on when you should and shouldn’t show off about your social media following. Successful blogs and Youtube accounts could also be worth mentioning on your application, especially if they show an enthusiasm for the job area.

Handling multiple group chats

If you’re used to juggling multiple group conversations and are able to text and message back swiftly on all occasions, you may already have a key multi-tasking skill essential in many of today’s businesses. Many jobs now involve heavy use of email, which may involve having to keep on top of an overflowing inbox in which different requests are constantly coming through from different people. Again, saying that you’re the ‘group chat master’ might not be appropriate on many CVs. However, you could use it as a quip during an interview to show that you can multitask and deal with the quick relaying of communication needed in many of today’s jobs.

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Having good culinary skills

Do you like cooking home-made meals? Showing a passion for food will clearly help when applying to a role as a chef, but it could also help in other jobs – showing other skills. Being a good cook requires multi-tasking, time management, creativity and an attention to detail. This could be another attribute worth putting on your CV, or something that could be worth mentioning when giving examples of soft skills relevant to the job in hand.

Being good at puzzles or video games

That gaming talent could actually be proof that you’re a good problem solver. Research is continuously finding that those that are fast puzzle solvers or pro gamers are also great at fast creative problem solving necessary to many careers. Don’t consider this an irrelevant interest as it could help in an application – so long as you’re able to show proof of the job-related skills that it provides.

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Boost The Value Of Your Flat or Apartment

When it comes to houses and other kinds of property, there’s plenty you can do to sway a buyer. You have outside space which you can transform into gorgeous gardens, you can build off road parking on your plot. You can create tonnes of kerb appeal by upgrading the front of the property by painting the bricks, having rendering or another kind of covering to generally make the property look its very best. However when you’re selling a flat or apartment, you’re much more limited. Because you only own the apartment itself instead of the building, there’s a lot that’s out of your control. But there’s plenty you can still do to boost the value and attract those all important buyers.

Get It Tidy

One of the main issues people have when it comes to apartment living is finding space for all of their possessions. If a buyer sees that you are struggling for space, they will assume that they will too. Getting the place very clean, tidy and organised will create a far more welcoming appearance. It will sell buyers a kind of lifestyle, and show them how they could be living if they bought your property. Clean carpets, windows, skirting boards, anywhere that would normally get missed on a regular day of cleaning. Organise your possessions so that the flat doesn’t look cluttered or full to the brim, this could be an excuse for you to start your packing now. Box things up you wont need and put it into self storage, that way you make it easier to make your home look beautiful and give yourself less to do when it does sell as well.

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Paint it Neutral

Buyers in general love neutrals. Light neutrals like white, cream and very light grey all help maximise the space and look modern and clean without being distracting. In a smaller property like a flat or apartment this is even more important, since you absolutely have to make the most of the space and light to stop it looking cramped and dingy. Sand the walls, fill in any holes and make them look completely smooth. If they’re in bad condition, you may need to hire a plasterer to re-skim them. Give them a coat of paint and you will quickly see the space transform and open up. You could always add a clock, a piece of art or perhaps a shelf with a plant on if you feel it looks too stark. But avoid colour (especially dark colour) and pattern which can close rooms in, and anything too personal. A buyer needs to be able to come inside and imagine their own life there, with too many personal trinkets it’s distracting and difficult to do so.

Get The Right Lighting

Speaking of maximising the light with colour, your actual lighting is very important too. You need to make sure rooms are well lit, particularly if you’re going to be having viewings later in the day when it’s a bit darker. Spotlights are useful in kitchens and bathrooms, they look modern and prevent any dark corners. A couple of lamps in rooms like bedrooms and the living room help the place to look cosy and set the ambiance. Make sure main light fittings are neither too large or too small, a huge chandelier in a small flat for example could look a bit strange. But you don’t want something too small either that’s going to make the room look dull and dim. Another way to get the lighting right is to maximise natural lighting. You might need to switch up your blinds or curtains, let as much daylight in as possible during the day. Placing a large mirror opposite the windows too will reflect it back and brighten the space further.

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Give It The Edge

One thing you could do is look at other similar properties for sale to see what kind of thing is on the market, sites like http://rumahdijual.com/jakarta-utara/apartemen-pulomas allow you to look through tonnes of apartments. Once you know what kind of thing is currently out there, you know what you need to do to make yours better. Certain features will give yours the edge. Maybe it’s a new, super modern kitchen or beautiful bathroom. It could be something simple like switching up the taps, or you could have built in furniture installed. It can be difficult parting with cash for these things when you won’t be around to enjoy them, but it could mean adding thousands on to your asking price.

Finish The Odd Jobs

Any cracks, chips or unfinished jobs in your flat won’t be missed by a buyer. Even if they aren’t big problems, a buyer will assume that they are. In a house it’s bad enough, but in a smaller space any issue is going to appear like a much larger one. So get any black mould cleaned up and repainted. Any chips or cracks should be sanded and filled. Any wobbly door handles, wonky doors, loose toilet seats or anything else should be put right before you invite buyers in for a viewing. Otherwise you’re cheating yourself out of a larger asking price, you might put some buyers off altogether.

Utilise Your Balcony

If you’re lucky enough to have a balcony or any outside space at all, really make the most of this. Give it a clean and tidy, paint any railings and spruce it up with pots or hanging baskets. You could even get a small bistro set to show people that there’s space to sit outside. A balcony or outdoor space is a huge bonus when it comes to flats and apartments so you should do what you can to draw attention here.

There are some particular challenges when it comes to making a flat or apartment look its best for property viewings. But bear in mind these simple tips and you will increase your chances of it selling quicker, and for the best price possible.

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4 Common Causes Of Excessive Itching

Apart from pain, itching is one of the worst sensations that one can experience. It’s persistent, annoying, and if you give into the urge to scratch then you can do serious damage to your skin.

When itching becomes a chronic problem it is called pruritus, though this is more a term for the symptom than the cause. To find the cause, you’ll need to examine your lifestyle and potentially seek medical investigation. This is often more difficult than it sounds, To determine the true cause can be a process of elimination, but here are four areas you should consider as potential suspects.

#1 – Allergies

When it comes to health issues, allergies are often the source of the problem. The allergy only needs to be mild to cause aggravation. When it comes to chronic itching, allergies are the number one suspect — but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to figure out what you’re allergic to. The best option is to ask your doctor for an allergy screening test, which can identify the most common allergies. If this comes back negative, you may still have an allergy that not identified on standard screen. Ask your doctor for antihistamines on a trial basis and see if they make a difference; sometimes, a diagnosis by treatment is the best option you have when it comes to itching.

#2 – Dehydration

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It’s a little-known fact that dehydration can cause itching. There is some debate over how much water we should drink every day, but if itching is a problem for you, then it’s worth upping your water intake and seeing if this makes a difference. Water helps to flush toxins from your body; toxins that may have been building up and causing your itching issues. It’s worth giving it a try just to see if it makes a difference.

#3 – Roundworm

Roundworms live happily in your gut, helping you to digest food and helping keep your gut flora in check. However, they can occasionally become problematic and spread into the rest of your system; itching is the main symptom of this. Take the time to peruse useful information about roundworms and the issues that they can cause. While it’s not pleasant to think about your body playing host to a parasite, it’s even worse to just leave said parasites to feast on you because you don’t like the thought of them! If you suspect you have ringworm, take action, and banish the beasties once and for all.

#4 – Medication

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A number of medications can cause itching as a side effect. If you have recently started taking a new medication, then this should be your first suspect. For the most part, side effects will usually pass after a month or so. If you’re still itching at that point, then it’s worth speaking to your doctor in an attempt to get a differential diagnosis on the problem.

When you have found the cause of your itching, you should be able to treat it successfully — making you happier, more comfortable, and feeling good inside your own skin.

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