Life in general – Page 8

Brain Wave, Health and medicine, Life in general

Is Anxiety Impacting Your Life? It’s Time to Make a Change!

March 5, 2020 No Comments

Image Credit

Not too long ago, mental health had a taboo or stigma attached to it. People didn’t tend to talk about their mental and emotional well-being for fear of being labelled different or unusual. But the truth is a huge percentage of the population will experience a mental health condition at some point or another during their lives. The good news is that nowadays, we are becoming increasingly aware of mental health conditions and their prevalence thanks to people being more open and more money being invested into the scientific and medical research of mental health. Anxiety is a condition that many people face. If you feel you may be suffering from its symptoms, read on. We’ll highlight the basics and give a little advice on how you can alleviate feelings of anxiety in your day to day life!

What Is Anxiety?

Anxiety is a common mental illness that causes unnecessary feelings of unease, worry, fear or dread. It’s expected that we should feel anxious when we are faced with potential threats and dangers. However, if you suffer from generalised anxiety disorder, you may experience these feelings regardless of the situations you find yourself in.

Health Concerns

Anxiety results in mental trauma, but it can also have a profound impact on your physical health too! Common physical consequences of anxiety include fatigue, weariness, weakness, dizziness, feelings of nausea, sleep problems, digestive issues and even chest pain.

Dealing with Anxiety

If you are concerned that you may be suffering from anxiety, but haven’t been officially diagnosed yet, it’s absolutely essential that you visit a medical professional. Your doctor will be able to determine your condition and refer you on to therapy or recommend medication if necessary. You can then practice self care and other methods alongside your therapy or medication to improve your quality of life. Here are some additional treatments and practices you may want to consider as supplementary care.

CBD

CBD is a natural cannabinoid that can help to alleviate or minimise your symptoms of anxiety. You can learn more about this at PearlCBD.

Exercise

Exercise can set feel good chemicals running in your body. These are generally known as endorphins and physical activity releases them, helping to reduce feelings of stress and enhance feelings of happiness or contentedness.

Take Time Off When You Need

If you are going through a difficult period of mental illness, let your employer know. You may need to take some time off to rest and recover in the same way you would from a physical illness. It’s important you take sufficient time to feel better without stress.

Talking

Talking can often make things feel a lot less scary. If you’re anxious, why not reach out to a loved one, a support group, or a helpline? Talking to people as well as your therapist can help to lift a weight from your shoulders.

It really is essential that you make steps towards feeling better if you’re experiencing anxiety. It may be hard, but there is help out there that could change your life!

Brain Wave, Computers and gadgets, Health and medicine, Life in general

Four Ways Technology Is Improving Our Lives

March 2, 2020 No Comments

When you look at news reports, there tends to be a considerable level of doom and gloom around technology. Some reports are obsessed with the idea that tech is going to take all the jobs, despite there being little to no evidence to support this. Other reports lean into the idea that technology is making us less sociable, but this doesn’t seem to be the case either. So, let’s look at some of the ways that tech is actually changing our lives for the better.

Image Source

Health

There’s now quite a lot of tech that is used in the health sector on a daily basis. Personal tech boosts the quality of life while advanced equipment ensures that the latest procedures can be completed safely. One of the clearest and easiest areas where we can see tech improving medicine is with hearing aids. There are countless different types of hearing aids today and this means that everyone can get the full support they need. You no longer have to worry about not being able to hear or struggling to continue to enjoy an active lifestyle while wearing devices like this. Both options are now fully accessible to everyone.

Socializing

You might think that tech is making us less sociable. If you’re a parent, you could be frustrated with the amount of time that your kids spend on different apps or particular devices. However, it’s fair to say that the benefits outweigh the negatives. Thanks to the latest tech, it’s easy to keep in contact with people, regardless of where they are in the world. Essentially, the barriers of distance have been broken down completely. Finally, we have a world that is completely connected where individuals are able to interact regardless of where they are. It’s fair to say that this has brought society closer together.

Fitness

You might think that tech hasn’t had a massive impact on fitness. However, you would be mistaken. Tech has certainly changed the fitness game. With tech, it’s possible to track fitness performance and ensure that we are reaching towards goals. We no longer have to wonder how much we are achieving during a workout. It’s possible to measure performance down to tiny detail. Since we can set goals, we are more motivated to achieve them. This has helped countless people find the support they need to conquer the hurdles they faced when trying to improve their health.

Business

Finally, tech has even improved the business world. New technology has made it easier for businesses to operate in a way that is far more effective and efficient. This has opened up the market to smaller companies, allowing them a chance to compete. Without tech, there is certainly no way that we would have the entrepreneur fuel economy that is clearly apparent today.

We hope you see now the huge positives that tech has brought to the world. Yes, it may be frightening when you assess just how fast it is evolving. However, there is no doubt that is improving our quality of living overall.

Brain Wave, Life in general

Two People Intertwined: How To Work Together To Fix Your Relationship

February 29, 2020 No Comments

Image Credit

It’s always painful when someone close to your heart hurts you but when it’s the person that you are in a relationship with it can hurt just that little bit more. When we get into relationships we can struggle to fix the little things. And when we get to a certain point it can prove to be almost impossible. Working to fix a relationship is not about one person but it’s about working together. What can you do as a couple to ensure that you are both fixing your relationship?

There’s No Shame In Counseling

When a couple is going through a tough time, especially in terms of external problems that are impacting the relationship such as addiction, there is no shame in finding a counselor. Ultimately, plenty of people do it and there are so many different professional approaches to fixing a relationship, from couples rehab to going through therapy. The counseling is one of the best forums in which to start talking about it. If you’re going through a rough patch and you’re not able to find the right way to speak to yourselves about it, counseling can help you to move forward.

Practice Forgiveness

It’s not just about practicing it but actually putting it into motion. If you don’t forgive your partner it’s not going to improve. Whether it’s after betrayal or you’ve both realized that you’ve been psychologically beating each other it can be difficult to keep going through the same incidents in your mind again and again. This is why you’ve got to learn to forgive, but do it sincerely. But what does this mean? It’s about not bringing up the past. If there is a fight that happens if you use this down the line and it means that you bring something up from years prior it’s not about supplementing your defense in the argument. Everybody goes through tough times; it’s about singling out these problems as isolated incidents. Once you learn to make peace with problems in your past and start to seriously believe that you and your partner will work their best to be better for the relationship this is when you can progress forward.

Learn To Be Responsible And Accountable

Sure, it takes two to tango and while one person might be more guilty depending on the situation, if you’re both working to improve the relationship you’ve got to become accountable. If you did something wrong you need to apologize for it. It’s crucial that we realize that we are at fault. Once we start to take accountability for something we are recognizing we’ve made a grievous error and so we won’t make it again.

It is always possible to mend something that is broken but you have to work together. Sometimes you can be like ships in the night which means that you’ll never communicate or confide in each other. And if you continue to lay blame and never accept responsibility regardless of who is at fault this is going to prove to be a massive obstacle to jump over. A relationship is two people and this is why you have to work together.

Brain Wave, Life in general

How to Help Your Child with Social Skills and Communication

February 25, 2020 No Comments

If your child has social and communication difficulties, it’s important to take steps to change that and start turning things around for them. These difficulties usually mask a lack of understanding or an inability to express themselves. Or it might be the case that they haven’t come out of their shell yet.

Either way, there are things that can be done to help them develop more confidence, better social skills and an ability to communicate better. You simply need to find the right approach. Here’s more information about some of the things you can begin to do as a parent.

Play Storytelling Games Together

First of all, you might want to think about playing storytelling games with your child. This is particularly helpful because it helps them to start understanding how to communicate ideas better. And it doesn’t feel like any kind of chore for them either. It’s fun, it’s communicative and it gets them into the habit of expressing ideas openly and in a way that they find enjoyable. It can help a lot.

Ensure They Can Identify Emotions

Identifying emotions is one of the most important social skills for your child to learn about. They can start to communicate more effectively and convey empathy when they understand emotions. There are ways you can assist them with this if you think they might be struggling with it. First and foremost, make it fun. Use pictures of faces expressing different emotions and discuss what emotions are on display.

Provide an Environment in Which They Can be Social with Other Kids

For your kids to develop the right kinds of social skills, they need to have the chance to play and interact with other kids. If your child is an only child, this is something that you will have to go out of your way to set up. Let them spend time with the children of your friends or take them to play groups where they can interact with kids their age. This kind of direct experience is essential to their development.

Image Source

Take Them to Therapy Sessions

Taking your kids to therapy sessions might seem extreme, but it’s massively beneficial to so many children. There are lots of Pediatric Therapy options out there and they can really help with kids who are not sure how to interact with people or to communicate effectively. Of course, therapy can be used for other things too, but not everyone realizes that it’s so helpful with social and communication challenges too.

Discuss Communicating Feelings

Discussing how to communicate feelings effectively is another thing that might really help your child to grow and express themselves. If you know that they’ve struggled with this kind of thing before, don’t be afraid to discuss it openly with them. It can help a lot and it addresses things in a head-on kind of way. Show them ways and strategies that can be used for communicating feelings in a constructive way. It might seem obvious to you how to do these things, but it might not be for them.

Overcome Shyness Problems Together

Shyness is something that many children experience, not to mention many adults too. It’s something that you can work on over time with the right strategies, but it’s important not to pressure your child to be something they’re not. Some people are naturally more shy than others and that’s not always a problem. However, you can help them overcome some of its consequences if you approach it as a team. It can start with simply exploring things together and finding out what triggers shy responses for them.

Encourage Them to Make Eye Contact

With your family, your child might be more open and communicative. But if they struggle with strangers, that’s something for you to work on. One thing to consider is eye contact. If your child doesn’t make direct eye contact with people very often, this might suggest they don’t feel confident communicating with others. Encourage them to do that and it will actually help them communicate better and feel more confident over time too. It’s not a silver bullet cure to these problems, but it’s a good starting place.

Different children struggle with different things and excel in other areas. If your child has so far struggled with communication and social skills, there’s no reason why things can’t improve. Children also learn at different speeds, so you just need to give them the time, space and assistance to develop in this area.

Brain Wave, Life in general

Swerving Trouble On The Roads: Tips For Safer Driving

February 13, 2020 No Comments

Millions of people all over the world rely on cars, vans, motorcycles and trucks to get around and earn an income. If you’re a driver, you might rate your skills highly, but there’s always room for improvement. Over 90% of road accidents are caused by driver errors. Here are some handy tips to help you swerve trouble on the highways.

Speed
Speed is a risk factor for car and truck accidents. It may seem slightly boring to have speed restrictions, but they are there to promote safety and to minimize the risk of accidents. If you crash at high speed, the risk of life-changing, or even fatal injuries, is significantly higher than when driving at low speeds. When you’re behind the wheel, it’s your responsibility to check the speed limit and to ensure you don’t drive too fast. It’s also crucial to bear the conditions in mind. If you’re on the highway, for example, and it’s snowing, it’s probably not safe to drive at the speed limit. Slow down, make sure you have plenty of distance between your vehicle and the car in front, and be prepared to brake. Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration suggest that speeding killed over 9,300 Americans in 2018.

Image Credit

Drink driving

Drink driving is one of the most common causes of accidents on the road. Many people feel that they’re capable of driving after drinking, and this can result in devastating consequences. If you want to drive, it’s best to avoid drinking altogether. If you’re out and you change your mind, and you fancy a drink, arrange a lift home with somebody who hasn’t been drinking, use public transport or book a taxi. Drinking and driving is illegal. If you’ve been hit by a driver who is over the legal limit, it’s wise to seek advice from trial attorneys who have experience in car accident claims. CDC figures show that 29 lives are lost as a result of drink driving every day in the US. Even a small amount of alcohol can slow your reactions and make you take risks you wouldn’t normally even consider.

Driving tired

We all have days when we feel tired and our energy levels are low. A lack of sleep can affect your ability to concentrate and increase your reaction times. If you start to feel tired while driving, pull over in a safe place, get out of the car and stretch your legs, and grab a coffee. If you still feel tired, delay your journey and take a nap. It’s better to arrive late than to find yourself in a situation where you’ve injured yourself or other people. If you have a long journey ahead, schedule stops to eat, drink and get some fresh air.

When you get behind the wheel of a car, you assume responsibility for your own safety, but also that of others. Driver errors contribute to over 90% of car accidents. Careful driving can reduce the risk of crashes and help you steer clear of trouble.

Brain Wave, Health and medicine, Life in general

Slip and Fall: How To Recover From Injuries

February 13, 2020 No Comments

One of the most common types of accidents is slip and fall. These accidents often happen unexpectedly and leave you in pain and confusion. Some injuries can even render you immobile instantly, making it even more confusing. The most important thing at this time is to begin the recovery journey by seeking medical attention immediately. This type of accident can leave you in pain, and the actions taken immediately are based on the severity of the injury.

Image Source

Steps to Help You Recover After a Slip and Fall Accident

Seek treatment

Proper recovery can only start with treatment and proper diagnosis. You will undergo various tests and x-rays to diagnose the extent of the injuries. This must be done immediately because some injuries can be life-threatening. Common injuries include broken bones, concussions, sprains and strains.

Discuss recovery with your doctor

Your doctor will give you a recovery plan. It is not an easy walk, so you need to stick to what your doctor says. Depending on the extent of the injuries, you may have to undergo surgery. Other treatments include medical prescription and therapies. A follow up is also important after you leave the hospital to ensure excellent recovery.

Seek legal help

After a slip and fall accident, you will have a lot to deal with apart from recovery. You are likely to be emotionally and mentally wrecked, especially if you sustained severe injuries. This is why you need a personal injury lawyer to file a claim. Your lawyer can help you get the compensation that can cater for medical costs and cover your loss of income.

Get plenty of rest and eat healthy foods

The type of food you eat combined with enough rest, can help you heal quickly. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is failing to get enough sleep. Sleep aids cell division and synthesis of proteins leading to tissue growth.
For the body to recover, you need a protein-rich diet combined with fruits and vegetables for vitamins. Collagen and protein are essentials to allow wounds and tissues to heal. Therefore, avoid junk food and start eating a balanced diet for quick recovery.

Be easy on yourself

Apart from plenty of sleep, you can be easy on yourself in other ways. If you cannot work, rest, and avoid stressing yourself over things you have no control over. The body is already expending energy trying to repair the injured tissues and bones. You can help it by spending your time leisurely. Spending a few days or weeks at home will ensure you get up fully recovered and start working again. Avoid lying on the couch and, instead, try to move around as much as the injuries can allow you to.

Bottom Line

After a slip and fall accident, the most important thing is to focus all your attention on recovering fully. The sooner you begin this process, the better. Avoid getting lost in what you cannot do due to the injuries. Instead, seek assistance to help you overcome the challenges, and learn some simple self-care tips. Legal services to ensure you are compensated will come in handy financially and in the overall recovery journey.

Brain Wave, Life in general, Money matters

How You Can Reduce Your Transport Costs

February 11, 2020 No Comments

We should consider ourselves lucky that we live in the 21st century; things have been so open, convenient, or comfortable than they are right now. But there’s no denying that there are downsides. One such downside is the cost of this convenience. Take, for example, owning a car. In some areas, it’s essential to have a vehicle if you’re going to have a regular life, and that means that a significant part of your income could be spent on simply getting from A to B. In this blog, we’re going to take a look at a few tips for reducing the costs associated with getting around.

Image Credit

Look After Your Vehicle

If you’re going to spend a huge chunk of cash on buying a set of wheels, then it’ll be in your best interests to ensure that the lifespan of that vehicle is as long as possible. You’ll spend much less on getting around if years and years can pass in between having to upgrade your car. Looking after your car involves treating it with care, keeping it clean, and handling any problems at the earliest stage possible.

Find a Good Mechanic

Another important part of looking after your vehicle is ensuring that the “under the hood” aspect is watertight. No matter what car you buy, you’re going to encounter problems — it’s just part and parcel of owning a car. But the amount of money that you spend to keep your vehicle in full working condition can vary greatly. It all depends on who you’re taking your car to when you have a problem. If you know a trustworthy mechanic, then not only will they help to keep your car in tip-top condition; they’ll do so for a fair price.

Reducing Additional Costs

The cost of a vehicle wouldn’t be so bad if the price was “all inclusive”; as in, everything was included with the purchase of the car. Alas, this isn’t the case, and you’ll have to spend money on any number of additional charges if you’re going to be a driver. It’s important to note that there are always ways to reduce these costs, however — you don’t need to accept the first price that you see. Let’s take your insurance coverage, for example. A smart way to reduce this cost is to buy “pay-per-mile” coverage; you can find more about this on Metromile’s website, but essentially this is about linking your coverage with how much you drive. It could help you to save a lot, especially if you’re a low-mileage driver.

The Cheapest Route

Another good way to reduce the cost of driving is to think a little more carefully about how you’re getting from A to B. We tend to look at whichever is the quickest route, but it might be better to look at the cheapest route. You might find that one route, while taking slightly more time, ends up costing you significantly less money. Even if the savings are minimal, they could add up to a pretty penny when you multiply those savings by many months and beyond.

Learn How to Drive

You wouldn’t take money out of your pocket and set it on fire, yet that’s essentially what many people end up doing. One of the fastest ways to save money on your vehicle is to improve your MPG (miles per gallon) rate. If you’re accelerating and braking quickly when you’re driving, then you’re probably burning more fuel than necessary, which means taking more trips to the gas station. And if you think this will slow you down considerably, think again: aggressive driving generally doesn’t get you there more quickly anyway.

From A to B

You have a car, sure, but it’s not as if you need to buckle up and get behind the wheel every time you leave your home. One of the smartest ways to reduce your car expenses is to simply…use your car less. If there’s a public transport option, then look at taking it — you’ll save money on fuel and parking.

Sell at the Right Time

Finally, remember that you’re not going to keep your car forever. At one point or another, you’ll need to upgrade. It’s recommended that you research the right time to put your car up for sale, in order to get the best return. Leave it too long, and you might get next to nothing, after all. The aim should be to generate as much money as possible, which you can then use to buy your next car.

« Previous 1 … 6 7 8 9 10 … 17 Next »