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Fit Fun – Staying Active in Melbourne

October 15, 2018 by

stay fit

We all know the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle. Being fit increases our overall well-being, makes us feel better, stronger, more capable, more confident, and more energetic. The problem with our modern lifestyles is that, for a lot of people, physical activity has become a chore that we have to squeeze into our schedule on top of everything else, and it is often the first thing to be let go when we are busy. But if you find ways to make fitness fun, then you will want to keep going back for more! Here are some great ways to get and stay fit in Melbourne, while having a blast.

Activity Centres

There are some awesome trampoline parks in Melbourne open and waiting for you! Trampoline parks are fun for people of (almost) all ages and they are places you can take your family. The best thing about trampoline parks is they offer a great workout, without you even realise you are exercising. They require almost zero coordination, and they are plenty of fun! So if you want to do something a little different and spend an afternoon having a blast while working up a sweat then head to your nearest tramp park.

City-cise

The city of Melbourne is trying to encourage healthy living by offering free exercise programs in partnership with the Heart Foundation. But the most efficient way to improve your fitness is by changing your daily habits. Start walking to work if it’s not too far – or walking to the train or tram station. Take the stairs rather than an escalator or elevator. Take a walk around the block on your lunch break instead of staying at your desk. If you can find ways throughout your daily routine to insert physical activities you will make fitness part of your life, rather than trying to find space to insert it. Your health should be a priority, so find ways to make it so.

Mixed Touch Football

Get fit with your friends and partner by playing mixed touch football. This is a great social event which has the option of ending with post-game drinks (depending how fitness focussed you want it to be). You might think that you aren’t athletic enough for touch football, but you will find that winning games actually has less to do with speed and stepping, and more to do with teamwork and tactics. A good team of friends has the chance of beating a group of fast young footy players, which is one thing that makes the game so fun. There’s also something really special and rewarding about being able to exercise with your partner, so encourage each other and give it a try.

Yoga

Yoga has the capacity to change your lifestyle by centring your focus on doing what is best for your body. Research shows that people who regularly practice yoga eat better and make better health choices. Yoga encourages you to centre on your breathing and to recognise and take notice of the feelings and sensations in your body.

By increasing your body awareness, you will begin to make choices that put your body and your health first. After practising yoga, you are not likely to go straight to the local pizza joint and down a meat-lovers before smoking a pack of cigarettes. Yoga helps teach you self-control by putting you under physical strain that requires mental focus.

Joining a gym isn’t for everyone and can be expensive if you aren’t using it. So, try to get active by changing your daily habits and getting involved with activities that you enjoy. Fitness needs to be fun!




Tips for Parents to Raise Successful Children

October 15, 2018 by

children
Every parent wants their children to grow up to be successful adults. They are willing to provide them with the best education and enough facilities to study well and become successful. Sometimes it works, and the child does well in life. Yet, there are cases where children end up unemployed, or in prison and parents wonder what they did wrong. Researchers may claim to know the ‘secret’ to raising brilliant children, but the truth is that there is no exact way that you must raise your children. However, the following tips are informative – they tell you what you can do to ensure that your child stays on track, develops good values and does well in school.

1. Set an example

Children always look up to their parents. 2 in every 3 children consider their parents to be their role models. If you want your child to be successful, you have to be successful. It doesn’t mean that you need to run your own company, or earn a lot. Show your child how hard you work, and how far you’ve come in life. Even if you are a taxi driver or a nurse, you can still inspire your children to be successful in life by doing your job dedicatedly and sincerely.

2. Emphasis on building values

No matter how successful your child can become in life, it is important that he is grounded and disciplined. Teach them to say “Please” and “Thank you”. Explain to him that all men are equal; whether rich or poor. Building a good character will enable your child to make good joins down the road in life. If your child is equipped with good values, no amount of money or success will make him a bad man.

3. Make sure that they are one step ahead

As a parent, it is our duty to ensure that our children are one step ahead. Teach them how to say the alphabets, and count to 100 before they join school. When they are in school, encourage them to do extra reading before classes start. This habit will ensure that they are well prepared before classes begin, and are guaranteed to do well on their tests! It doesn’t mean that your child has to spend all their free time studying during holidays. They can devote three hours a day to study, and spend the rest of their time enjoying! This tip is bound to help your child to always be extra prepared before a big exam, or a business meeting in the future!

4. Make them do their chores

This is one rule that every parent should impose at home, if they haven’t already. Making your children do their chores will teach them how to become independent, and that is the biggest quality of a successful person. If your child can cook, or do the laundry, you can be assured that he will be able to take care of himself when he grows older. They shouldn’t get the feeling that somebody will always do all the work for them in life.

5. Encourage them to dream big

The worst thing that parents can tell their children is to ‘be realistic’. Our children should not have to settle for any less than they deserve. It may seem impossible for you to be able to pay for their college education, but telling them that will just demotivate them and squash their dreams. Children have high expectations. If you can encourage your child to follow his dreams, nothing can stop him from achieving it and becoming successful!

6. Give importance to extra-curricular activities

‘All work and no play will make Jack a dull boy’ is absolutely true! In order to be successful, your child must be encouraged to pick up a hobby, or learn something new. However, don’t force your child to do something they don’t enjoy. Parents tend to pressurize their children to take up a sport or join a class just because the parent likes it. Your child’s happiness is important, so let them explore different activities before deciding what they like. Extra-curricular activities are a great way to de-stress after a long day at school!

7. Teach them life skills

Another way to make your child successful in life is to equip them with life skills that will help them when they grow older. Teach them the importance of team work through sports. This will equip them to maintain a good relation with their colleagues when they start working later on in life. Encourage them to be helpful to others by taking them to visit and donate to lesser privileged people and orphans. This teaches your child that he has a certain responsibility towards the society, and he will always remember that, no matter how successful he becomes.

8. Send ‘positive vibes’ their way

Lastly, as a parent, we must always remain calm and cheerful around our children. There are times when we might be worried because of something that happened at work or a personal problem. When your child senses that you are stressed out or worried, it will affect them, and their performance. Emotional contagion is a phenomenon where people can ‘catch’ feelings from one another. If you are angry or stressed out, your child will also feel irritated and worried, and there will be only negativity in the house. Try to stay positive and cheerful around your children so that they can remain happy and focus on building their future and becoming successful.




How to Help Your Kids Overcome Dental Anxiety

October 14, 2018 by

dental pain

If dental anxiety is popular in adults, it’s even more common in children who don’t always know what’s happening or why they’re being poked and prodded. As a parent, you can help make dental visits more comfortable for your children by proactively addressing their fears and reservations.

Understanding Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is overwhelmingly frequent in children. According to one study, some level of dental anxiety was found to be present in 74.1 percent of children. Roughly 36 percent of children have moderate anxiety, 17 percent have a high level of anxiety, and more than 20 percent have severe anxiety. The study shows that the gender of the child has no significant bearing on the presence or severity of anxiety.

“Dental fear is a normal emotional reaction to one or more specific threatening stimuli within the dental situation, while [dental anxiety] denotes a state of apprehension that something dreadful will happen in relation to dental treatment, coupled with a sense of losing control,” a separate study on the topic explains. “Dental phobia represents a severe type of [dental anxiety] and is characterized by marked and persistent anxiety in relation either to clearly discernible situations/objects (e.g., drilling, injections) or to dental situations in general.”

4 Ways to Help Kids Deal With Dental Anxiety

As a parent, you want to address dental fear before it becomes dental anxiety, though this isn’t always possible. At the very least, you should do your best to prevent dental anxiety from progressing into full-blown dental phobia.

Here are some ways you can help your children fight against this:

  1. Practice Good Oral Care at Home

The best thing you can do for your child is to practice good oral hygiene with them at home. This is true for two reasons: (1) It reduces the likelihood that they’ll have dental issues – such as cavities, gum disease, or other problems that create the need for painful or invasive dental procedures. (2) The more a child grows accustomed to brushing teeth, flossing, and having their mouth/teeth poked and prodded, the less alarming it will be in a dental office.

  1. Choose the Right Dentist

The right dentist makes all the difference in the world. This is true for adults, but especially for children who need to feel safe.

“A great dental practice will want to do everything they can to make you feel comfortable during your dental visit,” Capstone Clintonville Dentist explains. “This includes being empathetic to your fears, using modern dental technologies to reduce drilling sounds, and providing you with safe anesthetic options to eliminate or significantly reduce pain.”

If you can choose the same dentist for yourself and your children, this is best. It further enhances the overall comfort level.

  1. Take Children Regularly

If you only take your child to the dentist once every couple of years, it’s going to be harder for them to get comfortable with the experience. If, however, they go every six months for a teeth cleaning, it becomes part of their regular, anticipated routine.

  1. Try Systematic Desensitization

A recent study of children ages five to 17 (with moderate dental anxiety) asked participants to look at photographs for a few minutes in the waiting room before being seen as patients. The photographs included positive images of dentistry and dental treatment procedures (as well as some neutral images that served as the control).

“The study concluded that viewing positive images of dentistry and dentists did result in short-term reductions in anticipatory anxiety in children, signifying that exposure is a successful intervention tool for children with dental anxiety,” counselor Emily Powell Bass writes. “If this visual exposure technique is used, it would be important to ensure that all materials are age appropriate.”

Whether formally or informally, the more you can desensitize children to the elements of dentistry that they fear, the less anxiety they should feel in the long run. The efficacy of this approach will depend on how much anxiety is already present and what the child’s past experiences have been.

Make Regular Dental Care a Priority

When it’s an emotional experience for everyone involved, it’s easy to stop taking your child to the dentist. You may figure it’s not worth it, so you fail to schedule their next teeth cleaning appointment. But before you know it, one missed visit will turn into two, which will turn into four, five, and six. And when it’s all said and done, you’re doing your child a disservice by ignoring the underlying issue and setting them up for bad oral hygiene in the future.

Your child isn’t alone in dealing with dental anxiety. You need to do something about it before it has adverse effects in other areas. Visit the right dentist – one who understands and acknowledges dental anxiety in children – and teach your child to face their fears.




How to Properly Declutter a Home

October 11, 2018 by

home

Decluttering a home is no easy task, especially if things have gotten out of control over the years and you don’t know where to start. Or, perhaps you want to help a family or friend declutter their home. If you’ve ever seen a show like “Hoarders,” you understand how quickly a badly organized home—coupled with a few bad habits—can get out of control.

In addition to having a clean home, there are plenty of other benefits to decluttering, too. For instance, 67% of people say they would save a half an hour each day if they were more organized. Furthermore, being unorganized can decrease productivity, happiness, and motivation.

Whether you’re decluttering your home to make your life easier, or are moving into a new home and want to sell your current one, there are many reasons why you’d want to clean up. Here’s how to declutter your home and get organized the right way:

Commit To a Routine

This might seem like an obvious tip, but it’s one that’s often ignored. Chances are, you won’t be able to completely declutter and organize your home in one day. As you begin researching organization tips, stick to a routine. This means that whenever you change clothes, you’re putting them away properly and preventing yourself from making a mess as you simultaneously progress.

Do Your Research

The Internet is a great resource for finding creative ways to organize your mess. This is all the more true if you have a small space. For example, if you live in a small, cramped room, you might research the best organization tips for tiny spaces.

You’ll quickly find that there are plenty of creative, effective ways to maximize your space and keep everything flowing smoothly from one shelf to the next, and one closet to the next. You may have to invest in some products that boost organization, but think of these as a long-term investment towards a sound mind and clean home.

Try Different Strategies

Think of each room in your home as a project, and explore different methods that you manage this. There are then several strategies you can use to help you clean and organize each room. There’s the four box strategy, for example. With this method, you’ll arrive at each room with four boxes, each designated to: keep items, relocate items, give away items, and trash items. This not only motivates you to take action with each item in the room, but helps you stay somewhat organized.

Another option is the 12-12-12 Challenge, which encourages you to locate 12 items to trash, 12 to donate, and 12 items that can be returned to their proper place. The idea is to repeat this process each day, and slowly but surely, you’ll have much more space than you might imagine.

Use a Professional Service

Sometimes, it’s necessary to enlist some professional services to really get your home decluttered—especially if you don’t have anyone to help you. For instance, you might turn to a junk removal service to help you properly dispose of your garbage, particularly if there’s plenty to throw out and you want to save yourself a trip to the landfill.

You can also reach out for the help of a professional cleaning service who can deep clean your home after you’ve gotten rid of all the clutter. Lastly, you might want to consider investing in a storage vault if you have trouble parting with certain items but aren’t sure what to do with them just yet, or if you need those items but simply don’t have the space for them.

Work On Your Closet

Your closet can easily become one of the most crowded areas of the home. It’s important that you tackle this particular area, because it’s a spot that affects your day-to-day life pretty heavily. To do so, try Oprah Winfrey Closet Hanger Experiment, a a closet decluttering method that she helped bring popular attention to. With this method, you’ll be able to easily understand which clothes you can get rid of.

Here’s how it works: turn all your clothes hangers in the opposite direction, and once you use a particular item of clothing, you can turn it to face the other direction. Over the next few months, it will be easier to notice when it’s time for certain clothes to be tossed aside.

Take It Slow

If you find that decluttering your home is a bit too overwhelming, understand that it’s okay to take your time. A full days-long overhaul isn’t the best method for everyone. Colleen Madison, the blogger behind 365 Less Things, was able to transform her life when she got rid of one thing per year (take a look at her before and after pictures for inspiration).

According to writer Leo Babauta, baby steps are of critical importance. In one blog post, he described the “5-Minute Method” which encouraged people to spend just five minutes each day decluttering their homes. He also listed 18 steps to help manage each of those five minutes. For example, one tip advised readers to take care of one counter at a time, decluttering it as they see fit. Rather than crowd kitchen counters with too many appliances and other items, take your time removing items you don’t use as much and keeping things clear.




A guide to New York: What to See, Eat and Drink

October 10, 2018 by

nyc guide

First of all, let’s get one thing out of the way: it takes a lifetime (but even then, preferably two) to experience all that NYC has to offer from every possible standpoint. It’s a metropolis of multiculturalism and its incredibly vivid nightlife constantly offers new and exciting experiences that range from mellow jazz evenings with a glass of Scotch to a mingling cocktail-laden gallery opening in the artistic hub downtown.

The city that never sleeps truly has everything a wanderer could dream of experiencing, so prepare yourself for an unforgettable adventure and make sure you visit some of the listed spots – they will dazzle your senses and tease your palate, and most importantly, they’ll make you fall in love with the city of New York!

Don’t skip Central Park

Central park

Of course it’s a cliché, and of course it’s on the list, because not a single trip to NYC can go without heading to this iconic patch of greenery – and a massive patch at that! However, instead of being a typical tourist eager to stand in line for the next Shakespeare in the Park, go be and do what locals do and explore the park without looking at the map.

There are so many breathtaking paths, the perfect sit-down spots around the lake, and interesting people walking by that you will be able to spend hours just walking and taking memorable photos. Don’t try not to, it’s literally impossible to put the camera away.

Head to the Met

Yes, it’s yet another New York-esque escapade that it’s silly to think you can go to the city and back home without everyone asking: have you seen the Met? It’s because this world-renowned museum has earned a reputation of excellence for a multitude of impressive reasons. Even the least artsy people who have entered have found something to admire in a heartbeat.

Even if you’re an art newbie, and still eager to understand what all the fuss is about, you can get acquainted with the collections beforehand and look for them as soon as you enter. For instance, some of their most prized artwork include Van Gogh’s self-portrait, the Temple of Dendur from Egypt, all the way to sculptures by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux.

Enjoy the nightlife

Newyork nightlife

Since your time is precious and limited, you ought to spend some of it mingling with other New Yorkers and enjoying the finest inventions of their night-life – cocktails! The city is a famous hotspot of clubs, galleries, and bars, where you’ll not just meet the most incredible characters, but you’ll inevitably taste some of their staple sips such as the Cosmo, all of them with an authentic twist.

You’ll encounter parties and relaxed get-togethers where many a fine mixologist in NYC turns an otherwise ordinary atmosphere into a spectacle of tastes with their ingenious use of cocktail ingredients paired with delicious canapés. All it takes is to do some digging, talk to people and book your seat for an impeccable evening out in the style of people who have invented the notion of nightlife.

Find a decent brunch spot

Brunch spot

Foodies love New York, and as soon as you stumble upon one of their eateries, you’ll share their enthusiasm instantly. Why brunch, you may ask? Because it pairs the best of breakfast and lunch, comes in a wide range of options, and you’ll be filled with energy to keep exploring the city after your hearty meal. Another plus is that brunches are often less pricey than dinners in their elegant restaurants!

Mediterranean lovers will appreciate the love for food so clearly expressed at the Sparrow Tavern, where celebs as well as mere mortals gladly enter for a batch of potato fries, or a classic pancake meal. The Sullivan Street Bakery will be a perfect pick for lovers of fine pastry, while the slightly classier spots such as Upland offer both the simple, yet delicious meals, alongside fancier options including their famous smoked salmon pizza.

Shop NYC-style

Riddled with vintage boutique stores, little shops that specialize in trinkets, as well as haute couture malls, NYC is the shopping mecca of the East Coast. It only makes sense that you’ll come across a store such as Story precisely in NYC, as this quirky shop has theme-based cycles which shift every four to six weeks – much like the editorial of the magazine.

Aside from the typical brand stores, it’s best to spend some time in markets where artisans gather to show some of their most authentic work, from jewelry, other accessories, all the way to items you can use in your home décor. One such “tradition” is Artists & Fleas which has three different locations across the city, and you should prep your wallet, because you’re bound to find something unique every single time!




23 Things You Discover After Having a Second Child

October 8, 2018 by

baby

So you have a perfect family with two amazing kids and suddenly you start facing things you had never imagined before. Well, I must tell you this is just the beginning. Having a second child may make your family portrait complete, but it comes up with its own set of challenges. However do not be disheartened, simply ensure that you explore this journey of parenthood with your partner to make things easier, not only for you but also for your little brats!

1. You are always spaced out:

Motherhood is always challenging, but with two kids to look after things gets even more difficult. You might feel overwhelmed in the first few years, but trust me things will ease out.

2. Some will always be hungry:

Your day after having two children will end feeding one after another. After you just fed a bottle of milk to your little one, the older one will just then begin to show his/her hunger pangs. So you again begin to cook some healthy yet delicious snacks. If you think it ends here, your partner would just come home feeling terribly hungry.

3. There are always things to be finished:

Your life has already taken a transformation after your first baby, but with the arrival of the second one, your schedule will get even busier. There will never be enough time to accommodate doctors’ visits, play dates, classes and so on.

4. Making your little one sleep is impossible during daytime:

Well, it’s true that the first few months of an infant are mostly passed sleeping away peacefully, but this definitely does not happen when you have an elder sibling in the house.

5. Your infant’s cries will keep sleep away from the elder one at night:

So you thought that the night will be peaceful as ever. With the second one it feels like a distant dream. Most babies cry during the night and this will wake up your elder kiddo during the wee hours.

6. There is nothing called synchronized sleeping time:

You were advised by some mid-wives to make your children sleep at the same time to give you some time to rest. Let me tell you this never happens in reality.

7. Sometimes even two is not enough:

So you thought that having two children will complete your family. Well your friends and family may not agree on the same. If you have two children of same sex, you will always be questioned if you are trying for another boy/girl. These questions will definitely make you lose your cool!

8. You need to prove your capability often:

There will be times wherein you might mess up things while bringing up your two children. Some people might be judgemental for the same and even make you feel incompetent for the job. Take my piece of advice and ignore such people, remember that you are the best in bringing up your kids.

9. Finding help is a nearly impossible task:

While your closed ones were very keen on helping you with your first child, they may suddenly seem less enthusiastic looking after two children. Hiring good babysitters is a task and even if you get lucky, it’s going to burn a big hole in your pocket.

10. Going out does not always seem like a great idea:

The idea of a family outing is always alluring. But you will realise that after your second kid, things begin to look differently. Getting two kids ready may leave you so exhausted that you might not feel the urge to go out at all.

11. The task of cleaning never seems to end:

Like everyone else you like to keep your house clean, but with two kids in the house, no amount of cleaning will help to clear the mess.

12. With the elder one being around you will require extraordinary diaper changing capabilities:

While you rush to change the diaper of your little infant to put an end to his/her wails, your elder toddler might be ready to put up a great acrobatic show at the same time. So to avoid any mayhem you have to change the diapers and return to attend to your elder one, in just a flash. Seems impossible, well motherhood teaches it all.

13. The laundry basket is always full:

Cleaning clothes in the washing machine once is not enough. Your little one needs to be changed frequently, not to forget the older one. The laundry basket never seems empty after two kids.

14. One person suffering from cold equals the entire family getting cold:

Family is all about sharing, even if it means unwanted infections like cough and cold. As soon as one person gets cold, others just wait for their turns.

15. The grocery cart is already full before shopping:

Your grocery visit is due but with two kids the idea does not feel appealing. While you don’t want your kids running all around the grocery store, making them sit in your grocery cart hardly leaves any place to keep anything else.

16. The adult: children ratio is now 2:2:

Your little monsters may feel like taking control of the things after gaining equal majority. So make things work, you and your partner need to deal with each children individually.

17. There can never be a perfect family portrait:

It is always a wonderful idea to deck up your home with pictures of your loving family. If you are planning to enlarge a complete family picture with your kids on the living area wall, think twice. Getting two children look into the camera simultaneously is a herculean task.

18. The level of enthusiasm is not the same:

With your first kid you had been really excited and took extra efforts in doing things like clicking pictures or doing their bedroom. With the arrival of the second child, there is so much more to do that you tend to ignore these gestures.

19. Your shopping list will only include utility products:

With the second child you have become more matured and informed. You can clearly distinct between things that are useful and those that just seem to be good.

20. Planning a vacation is more pocket friendly before your younger one turns 2:

Children below two years can fly free and there is even no entry tickets levied on them. So it seems more economical to take a family vacation before the younger one turns two.

21. Your older one will at some point feel insecure about the younger one:

Though how hard you try to keep the feeling of insecurity away from your older one, he/she may at some point ask if the younger one is going to stay forever!

22. Two kids means double the love and fun:

Nothing is more refreshing than a hug or kiss from your little ones after a tiring day. With two kids you get double the love and caring gestures.

23. Nothing can be more pleasing to your eyes as the laughter of your kiddos:

All said and done, the joy of seeing your kids laughing and growing together is above all pains and troubles. The sound of your little ones laughing will take away all your tiredness.

Motherhood may be challenging but it also the most wonderful journey in a woman’s life. There will be tough times and even merrier times in bringing up two children. The choice however, is totally yours and remember that whatever decision you take is the correct one for your family.




You’ve Started A Business! Now What? Here Are 5 Essential Things to Consider

October 8, 2018 by
domain

Starting a business is only the first step. What do you do once you’ve picked out a business name? There’s a long list of things to get done, but you have to start with a handful of the first ones and work out from there. No point overloading yourself on your first day as a new enterprise.

Now that you’ve started a business, it’s essential to ensure it’s legally protected and properly structured. If you’ve set up as a LLC or are considering this business structure, it’s worth exploring how reliable different formation services are. Checking out zenbusiness customer reviews  will give you a clearer perspective about their service quality and customer experience, helping you make the best decision for your business.

Here are five essential things to get done when you’ve started a new business.

1.      General Liability Insurance

At a minimum, you must get a general liability insurance for small business policy to protect the company. The coverage is intended to protect both the company and employees should they have an accident or injure themselves on the premises. For instance, if some office equipment is knocked off a desk and lands on an employee’s foot, breaking it. You never know what kind of accident can occur. Protect the business from the unexpected.

Get coverage in place to avoid losing your business to a lawsuit, medical costs, and huge damages. It insures the business against a claim that could undo years of hard work developing and scaling up a new business due to a single accident. The coverage level is variable and cover is inexpensive.

2.      Register a Domain Name

While registering an LLC or another form of corporation is something you’ve probably already done, have you registered a domain name for your website yet? For many new businesses, especially ones that plan to sell offline initially, the domain is an afterthought. However, that shouldn’t be the case because there are virtual squatters that will deliberately buy a domain name to match your newly registered company. It’s important to stake your claim early. Most of the best web hosting for small business providers offer free domain registration so you should decide on which one suits your need the most.

Check with NameCheap whether the company name is available in a dot-com [.com] version. If you have a brand name picked out that differs from the company name, you’ll probably want to pick that up as well. If the name isn’t available, see what the domain is currently being used for and whether it can be purchased inexpensively.

If the domain isn’t available, consider buying an alternative top-level domain like one with dot net [.net], dot org [.org], dot io [.io] or another alternative. There are also some generic top-level domains available that are mostly based around certain business types.

3.      Get a Website Developed

Use a professional web designer to get a website developed. The best platform to use is WordPress because it’s easy to update and publishing new content doesn’t require technical assistance. Plan the site structure out yourself, so you can discuss your company’s requirements knowledgeably with the web studio and get a sensible quote for the final web design.

4.      Assemble the Right Team

When you’re putting together your team, don’t go for the first people who apply. Sit down and think about the qualities, experience, and qualifications of the people you wish to hire. Where will you find them and how much will it cost in agency, advertising, or other related costs to complete a successful hiring process?

Avoid working with family or friends. If they don’t work out, it’ll be difficult to fire them later and the friendship will likely never recover. Find the right person for each position. Don’t take shortcuts in finding them. You can always accept a temporary placement until you can find the full-time employee that are right for a given position. You never know, the temporary worker might turn out to be ideal for the full-time position and be willing to make the switch for a solid role with benefits.

Think about the human resources issues too. Things like health and safety in the workplace, an employee manual for the first day, employment contracts, and other important matters must be attended to. Use the services of a good lawyer to take care of the finer details.

5.      Create Financial Projections

Create the best financial projections possible for the first twelve months. Try to include all likely costs and a contingency for things you haven’t thought of. Also, bear in mind that most new business owners overestimate the sales they’ll generate in the first 2-3 years and underestimate their likely costs. Don’t make that mistake if you wish to stay in business.

Once you have a financial projection, work out a plan for how the business will get there. If you’re planning for a certain number of customers and sales per customer, what will the acquisition costs of each customer be? It may be higher than you think. Financial projections don’t mean anything for a business unless there’s a detailed plan of attack to turn the forecast into a reality.

This list is not exhaustive. The work never really ends when you have your own business, but at least it’s yours. That makes it all the more gratifying when you go to work in the morning.




Relax, Let The Experts Design Your Retirement Plan

October 8, 2018 by

Retirement plan

Retirement is supposed to be the best time of your life—sipping a glass of wine while lying under the hot summer sun on a white sand beach. Perhaps dining in a cozy restaurant with your special someone in a skyscraper without the hassle of daily meetings, reports, and deadlines.

When you retire, you are supposed to fully leave working life behind and enjoy a new exciting chapter in your life. However, this may not be achieved by most retirees who are bearing retirement woes and are scared of the chilling issues of social security, puny savings and 401(k) retirement savings plans. These people are anxious about how to go about their retirement life.

When you’re clouded on which goal to accomplish, you’ll definitely be just wasting your precious time on things that aren’t beneficial. Avoid these woes by taking a good retirement planning.

Retirement planning is not to be assumed but must be well designed by an expert who is knowledgeable about the many challenges of financial planning and time management. They will provide you with tools and processes to optimize your retirement for contentment and success.

A good retirement planning coach

It is always best to speak with professionals. Find one who can give you a top-to-toe advice on the course you want to take when you retire. They will help you answer questions like to get a new job or put up a business? They will lay out a clear vision of both the positive and negative factors of the course and help you contextualize pre-retirement decisions. They will also help you view your legacy in full, not only the distribution of assets.

A good retirement planning tool

There are a lot of retirement planning apps to choose online. Choose something that will fully help you determine both income and lifestyle goals. Look for features that tell you how much to save for retirement, how much your retirement savings will be at your target age pension and how much do you need to set as your monthly savings. Find one that is simple and easy to use in analyzing tax benefits, ways to reduce costs and financial issues in context.

A good retirement planning process

This may be quiet hard to gauge when you can’t easily jump from one provider to another, but check the following factors that will guide you toward whether you are working with the right process…

  • It will help you set your goals by developing an action plan designed to motivate and guide you all along the way.
  • Fully assesses your financial position
  • It’s able to identify safe retirement income resources
  • Helps evaluate retirement risks
  • Assists you in understanding health issues
  • Helps you invest your retirement assets
  • Teaches you how to manage your retirement income
  • Gives you peace of mind

With the right retirement planning tool, coach and process, your retirement life is something to look forward to and not fear.




Memory Loss Issues after Baby Birth

October 3, 2018 by

memory loss

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Childbirth is undoubtedly a life changing experience. It shifts your perspective on life and forces you to reset your priorities.  Having a tiny person who totally depends on you is a huge responsibility, and you might find yourself overwhelmed by the fear of failure. Not only that, the sudden drop of hormones accompanied by the social and psychological pressures tends to stress out mommies beyond their limits.Consequently, a common condition noted among mothers is the decline of cognitive functioning which is also known as “the mommy’s brain”.

With the new status of motherhood, you feel like a completely different person. There are instances where you enter into a room and completely forget why you were there although there are pills that help memory recall. Sometimes, you are at a loss of words while having a normal conversation. Indeed, such moments are depressing, but there is nothing to be ashamed of. You have recently entered into a new phase, and your mind needs to readjust. Studies reveal that two-thirds of women face some degree of memory loss or confusion during pregnancy period or after childbirth. This sharp memory lapse is mainly due to sleep deprivation, mundane multi-tasking and the burden of keeping everything normal at both work and home.

Research also tells us that a mothers’ brain shrinks during pregnancy and for up to two years postpartum. It might seem unreal, but that’s true. The gray matter, which is the outer layer of the brain, reduces in size after pregnancy. This portion of the brain executes the function of social cognition. By the reduction of this area, the brain erases less significant neural information and makes space for the new demands of social connection. The term coined for this trimming is “synaptic pruning”. It enables the mother to develop a deep connection with her baby and enhances the maternal bonding among them.

This explanation makes it quite clear that mommy’s brain is an unavoidable phenomenon. So, take some time to process the change within you, embrace it and hold your head up high. You are not doing a bad job; the memory loss at this point isjust natural. Thankfully, following some pretty simple ways will allow you to deal with this phase and be a pro at all that you do. Here is a brief list of steps that can help you overcome the forgetfulness and brain fog that tags along with motherhood:

Establish a routine for yourself and baby

Baby routine

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Generally, sleep deprivation hampers the ability to think, process and retain information. Dementia test reveal how irregular sleeping patterns and lack of sleep can cause a cognitive malfunction. While in the case of mothers, a properly established sleep cycle is essential to keep the baby healthy and your brain at peace.

If you want your baby to sleep through the night, it is really important to keep them awake for longer hours during the day. Set up a feeding schedule and make sure their tummies are full during that time. Also, make sure they stay up for a certain time before going to sleep. Many mothers may question this theory stating that this might obstruct the baby’s overall growth. It is a false statement. If a baby sleeps overnight and takes short nap times during the day, they are more probable to grow well as compared to the ones who frequently wake up during the night for feeding.Eventually, your baby gets used to the schedule and will maintain that for years to come.

While the baby sleeps, you can get done with the remaining chores and make up for the missed hours of sleep. It will certainly leave you fresh, calm and ready to deal with the challenges of the next day.

Stick to a healthy diet

Healthy diet

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There is an ongoing hormonal fluctuation in your body, and the recent transition into motherhood is already taking a toll on your mind. Given such conditions, the best way to get back to normal is through diet and exercise. Thus, enrich your diet with foods that are good for your brain. A few such nutrients include whole grains, fish, nuts, spinach, avocado, berries and red meat.Besides that, make sure you drink lots of water to retain adequate levels of hydration within your body. Dehydration, in general, leads to exhaustion and triggers short-term memory problems.

Regular exercise is a must

exercise

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A multitude of research and examinations reveal that exercise limits the memory loss and curbs away all cognitive problems. Brain tests for dementia, for instance, prove how people who indulge in regular exercise are more resistant to brain problems in contrast to the ones who follow a sedentary lifestyle for prolonged periods. Therefore, physical activity does wonders for your brain.

It is especially needed for mommies to work out regularly as along with their mind their bodies also need to heal. Ideally, you must focus on the exercises that will strengthen your pelvic and abdominal muscles as they become quite weak after carrying the baby within for nine months.

The bottom line is that regular exercise is beneficial for your brain as well as your body.

 Get organized

organisedThe most useful practice during this phase of mommy’s brain is to make a list of important things to-do and take notes. At the beginning of each week, jot down all the upcoming tasks, appointments and other events in a notebook or an electronic planner. Next, make a habit of carrying the planner around or keep it at an easily accessible place. You are certainly going to be distracted on a few days, so better not let the haze overwhelm you. Hence, a to-do list is the best solution as it makes you stay at the top of your game throughout the week.

There is no way you can fight back the biological factors that cause memory loss in the first place, but that doesn’t mean you have no power at all. If you are ready to restructure your lifestyle, give up a few unhygienic habits and adopt healthier ones, you are soon going to get past this phase.

A little effort on your part saves you from a lot of hassle later on and allows you to rejoice every moment with your precious little angel.

ABOUT Alycia Gordan

AlyciaAlycia Gordan is a freelance writer who loves to read and write articles on healthcare technology, fitness and lifestyle. She is a tech junkie and divides her time between travel and writing. You can find her on Twitter: @meetalycia




12 Ways to Keep Kids Occupied At Weddings

October 1, 2018 by

girl
Weddings are a special occasion. It is special for the bride and groom that have decided to spend the rest of their lives together, it is special for the families getting together after a long time and reconnecting with each other, and it can also be a special occasion for the cute little kids attending the ceremony if we put in a little effort to keep them occupied. It is too much to expect children to remain quiet during the wedding ceremony, as they would prefer to play games and eat candy instead. While planning for a wedding, we should not do so by keeping only the adult guests in mind. It is important to invest time and resources into ensuring that our little guests are equally comfortable! However, we have made your work a lot easier by putting together a list of things you can do at your wedding to keep the kids entertained, and not cranky. It doesn’t cost much to set up a play area for the kids, or arrange a few kid-friendly snacks! Given below is a list of 12 things you can do to keep the kids occupied at weddings.

1. A bouncing castle

Kids can get easily bored during a wedding ceremony, so having a bouncing castle set up on site is a great way to keep the little ones occupied! Have a few teenagers take turns to keep an eye on the kids, and be assured that they will have the time of their lives!

2. Crayons at their table!

This is an absolutely adorable idea that instantly brightens up the kids table! Have tiny cylindrical cups with crayons placed on the table for each child, along with a bunch of coloring books. These are bound to make the little ones happy and quiet during the ceremony!

3. Kid-friendly food

You can be assured that fancy finger food will not impress kids. They are also your guests, and it is important to include some kid-friendly items in the menu. Keep in mind that milk and cookies, hot dogs and candy are their favorite!

4. Appoint a babysitter

The best way for both adults and kids to have a good time at the wedding is if there is a trusted babysitter to take care of the children. Have the sitter seated at the kids table, or kid’s room where she can keep an eye on the kids. In this way, the parents can enjoy themselves without any worry!

5. Bubble Station

This is one idea that is bound to get the little ones super excited! How adorable does this bubble station look? This is perfect for an outdoor wedding or reception, so the kids can be occupied for hours!

6. A “Cookies & Milk” Bar

During the day, there might be a long gap between meals when the ceremony is going on. Kids start to get hungry quickly, and what will make them more excited than their favorite cookies and milk? I absolutely love this table of cookies; with so many varieties and the eye-catching labels! If you make your “Cookies & Milk” bar so impressive, then the adults might also start stealing from the cookie jar!

To complement the delicious cookies is this lovely milk station. Include different flavors like chocolate, strawberry and soy milk! The milk can be served in these adorable little milk bottles. A long queue of excited kids is bound to be formed at this counter!

7. Kids love to dance!

Have a time slot for only the kids to dance. They are bound to love it!

8. I-SPY!

Kids love games, and the best way to keep them occupied during the
long wedding ceremony is by engaging them in a game of i-spy. Equip each child with a disposable camera, and a list of all the things
that they need to take pictures of! The kids will be really excited, and bonus- you get great pictures from your wedding!

9. Popcorn Bar

For many years, popcorn has been an effective tool to keep us quiet during movies. During the solemn wedding ceremony, nothing can be more awkward that the sound of sulky whining kids who are bored. The best way to keep them entertained is having them equipped with a tub of popcorn with amazing toppings! How cute does this easy-to-set-up popcorn bar look?

10. Fun centerpieces

Nothing can get kids more excited than Lego! Have a bowl of Lego at each kids table and be assured that they will be occupied when the best man makes his toast! You can also grab their attention with this adorable lollipop centerpiece!

11. Games!

You can set up both indoor and outdoor games to keep the little ones engaged while the adults socialize. For an outdoor activity, you can arrange for a ring-toss game or a friendly game of tug-of-war for the kids. For an indoor set-up, you could set up tables with board games like this one!

12. Set up a kids-only zone

Setting up a kids-only zone is a wonderful idea because the kids have their own space to have fun. You could appoint a known babysitter to stay with the kids at all times. While the adults are dancing and enjoying themselves all night long, the kids can huddle up and watch a movie, or take nap.




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