8 Ways to Become More Eco Friendly at Home.

{Collaborative Content} There’s more to being eco friendly than just recycling your trash at home, and many people don’t realise how easy it is to become that little bit more eco friendly in their homes and with their lifestyle. Being eco friendly doesn’t mean you have to cut out things you love from your life, and it can actually save you a ton of money in the long run. Interested? Take a look at these tried and tested ways of being more eco friendly at home.

Switch to one vegan day a week

Veganism is on the rise and if you don’t want to cut out animal products from your life, you don’t have to! However, switching to vegan meals one day a week can dramatically reduce the impact you’re having on the environment. Plus, you’ll be surprised at how delicious vegan meals can be!

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Bamboo

Bamboo is a product that many people only associate with being in the garden or for pandas. However, bamboo is an extremely sustainable product that can be reused and recycled. Things like toothbrushes and kitchenware can be traded for bamboo versions and not only help the environment, but look great too.

Create your own vegetable garden

Growing your own salad, fruit and vegetables is not only great fun and rewarding, but also a very sustainable option compared to buying produce that’s been sprayed with pesticides and packaged in plastic. It’s also a great way to get the kids involved!

Start a compost heap

If you love gardening then this one's for you. Starting your own compost heap with veg peelings and other recyclable waste will leave you with super nutritious soil that you can use around your garden - and on your vegetable patch!

Install water butts

Have you ever stopped to think about the amount of water you’re using to water your garden? The amount in litres will stagger you! Installing water butts around your garden to collect rainfall will dramatically reduce the amount of water you’re using from the hose, not to mention the amount of money it will save you. Rain water is free!

Switch to eco friendly light bulbs

The next time you have to replace your light bulbs consider switching to an eco friendly version. They may take a minute or two to kick in, but they’ll save you money and they’re more friendly to the environment!

Think carefully about replacing appliances

Appliances can use a lot of energy to run - at least older appliances can anyway! These days, appliances are tested rigorously for their energy rating and performance. Check the 5 star energy rating the next time you need to replace an appliance around your home.

Only use reusable containers and packaging

Finally, plastic bags and containers are not good for the environment, so why not make the switch to cardboard, paper, and even glass containers for your groceries and storage? Not only are they environmentally friendly, but they look much better and last so much longer! Don’t forget to switch to reusable shopping bags too!

How to Get Active Without the Intensity!

{Collaborative Content} There are so many reasons why people might not want or be able to exercise in a physically intensive kind of way. Some people have physical conditions that stop them from doing that kind of exercise, and other people simply don’t like or enjoy it. It’s up to you to make sure that you workout in a way that works for you. And if you’re looking for less intense options, the exercises below will serve you well and offer what you’re looking for.

Yoga or Pilates

Yoga and pilates are very good forms of exercise for people who also want to relax and feel mental health benefits from the activities they do. There’s a lot more to yoga and pilates than many people realise, and you need to take the time to learn the ropes if you want to do them properly. Lucky there are online tutorials and classes that can help you with that if you like.

Go Swimming

Swimming is one of the best ways to be active for people who have weight problems, weak joints or other muscle issues. That’s because being in the water gives us a sense of weightlessness and our weight isn’t having to be supported by our joints. It’s a way of being active without creating that impact on our joints and body in general that comes with other types of exercise.

Or Water Workouts

As well as swimming, there are many other water workouts that you can make the most of. Water aerobics have long been popular with older people for the same reasons discussed in the previous paragraph. But they can be just as beneficial for all kinds of people, so give them a try if something you’re interested in and you feel you would benefit from.

Make Long Walks a Regular Occurrence

Making long walks a regular part of your routine is definitely a good idea. Walking is not intense and doesn’t involve the physical exertion that comes with running and jogging. You can invest in a good pair of anti chafing shorts and supportive shoes, and from there you’ll be ready to walk long distances in comfort and reap the health benefits that come with doing so.

Put On Your Dancing Shoes

Dancing is another great way to get physically active and it’s something you might want to look into if you’ve never tried it before. It can be very intense depending on the type of dancing you choose to do, but it certainly doesn’t have to be and that’s what matters most. So why not put on your dancing shoes and give it a try? It could be just what you need.

The intensity with which you workout is not always the thing that matters most. Just because you’re not interested in intense forms of exercise, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t exercise and be active. Movement is always important and helps our bodies in a multitude of ways, so make the most of the tips above.

How to Take Control of your Life

{Collaborative content} Taking control of your life and your situation might sound easy in theory. But it’s no coincidence that so many of us feel as if we don’t have control of our lives and living situations. It’s so easy to feel as if life is overtaking you and passing you by in certain ways. But you don’t have to accept the situation as it is because there are ways in which you can take control and put yourself in the driving seat. Read on to find out more about doing that.

Reassess Your Priorities

First of all, you should take the time to assess your properties and reassess the direction you’ve been taking in life. If you’re feeling a loss of control, the chances are that things aren’t going exactly how you want them to and that something needs to change.

Act on the Conclusions of Those Reassessments 

Once you’ve taken the time to reassess the things that are important to you in your life and the things that aren’t, you need to act on the conclusions that you come to. If you fail to do that, you’ll make the mistake of knowing what the problem is but not actually doing anything to change it.

Focus on the Things You Can Control

Focusing on the things that you control is always better than worrying about the things that you definitely can’t. If you make the mistake of focusing on things that are out of your control, you’ll only make yourself feel even more powerless and that’s definitely not what you want. So try to focus on the things that are most important to you and the things that you can control to some extent.

Pursue Hobbies and Interests That Mean Something to You

If you want to make sure that you feel in control of your time and the things you focus on, you should try to find a hobby that works for you. If there’s something you always wanted to try or learn more about but haven’t because of other people’s judgment or simply being unsure, why not just go for it? Learn tarot card reading with this introduction to tarot, learn a new language or try skydiving if you want to. Why should anything be off limits? 

Stop Trying So Hard to Satisfy Everyone Else

Finally, you need to make sure that you stop trying so hard to keep everyone else happy. Of course, you want those you love to be happy, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pursue the things that are important to you and the things that will make you happy in life. Not everyone’s needs need to come before yours all the time because that’s not sustainable for you.

As you can see, there are plenty of steps that can be taken to ensure you remain in control of your situation and your life. After all, your life is yours to live and you don’t need to live by other people’s rules if there are other paths that you want to explore in your life. 

The Ultimate New Baby Health Buys.

{Collaborative Content} When you have a baby on the way, the sheer amount of stuff you need to buy is almost unbelievable. Before you know it, your home will more baby items than you know what to do with.

Alongside all of the cute clothes and baby toys, it’s also a good idea to have a range of items that can help you to deal with all of those infant coughs and colds they might get. Here are a few items that parents swear by. 

A First Aid App

Many parents to be take specialist infant first aid classes before the birth of their baby. This is an excellent way to build up knowledge and confidence. Remembering everything you learn in these can be difficult. There are a number of great apps that you can download that will be able to give you information on treating illnesses and detecting symptoms. 

Make sure you use one that is produced or recommended by the NHS so that you know the information is accurate and in line with current medical advice. It can often help you to make a decision on whether to visit a pharmacist, make an appointment with an online gp or see a doctor. 

Thermometer

A temperature is often one of the first signs that your child is under the weather. You can often detect a fever by placing your hand on the chest or back of your baby. But if you have hands that are usually too hot or too cold then it might be more difficult to tell how hot they are. That’s where a thermometer comes in very handy. You can track your child’s temperature accurately. Various types of thermometer exist and can cost anything from a few pounds to almost £100. 

You can buy digital thermometers that can be placed in the mouth, but these are often difficult to use with babies who tend to be uncooperative. Easier options are in-ear thermometers or infrared ones which you don’t even need to touch your baby with. They simply need to be placed near your baby’s head. These are extra useful for taking the temperature of a fussy or sleeping baby that you don’t want to wake up.

 

Nasal Suction Bulb 

When your little one has a blocked nose, it can make them really fussy and affect how they eat and sleep. That’s where this ingenious little device comes in. It’s a complete suction bulb that you use to remove the blockage from your baby’s nose and make them a lot more comfortable.

Extra Mattress Protectors

A baby who is vomiting or has diarrhoea is likely to produce a lot of mess. While you can wash clothes and sheets, you want to protect the mattress of your crib or cot. It’s best to have more than one mattress protector so that you can swap over quickly when you need to. 

Fever Reducing Medicine

Babies have their own brands of medicine, often Nurofen or Calpol. These are used to reduce pain and fever when your baby is ill. Having a supply of these in the house can be a great help when your baby is feeling unwell. Be sure to read the label carefully and follow the correct dosing instructions for your child. 

Even though they are designed to taste nice to kids, babies often won’t take them well from a spoon. Some brands come with a really handy syringe that you can use to feed the medicine straight into their mouth.

 

Colic relief

Colic can be really distressing condition for parents as well as the baby. It involved prolonged periods of intense crying and discomfort that can last for hours. The exact cause of colic isn’t clear but it doesn’t cause any long term harm even though it’s an incredibly difficult time in any parenting journey. 

There are a number of products on the market that can provide some relief from colic. Gripe Water, Infacol and Colief are the most well known. 

Always get colic diagnosed by your GP or health visitor to rule out any other issues.

Antiseptic Cream

There are so many uses for a tub of Sudocrem, you’ll wish you bought shares in it. You can use it for soothing nappy rash, skin complaints, cuts and scrapes and insect bites. It can be used by all of the family too so it’s cost-effective. 

High Factor Sun Block

Baby skin is extremely sensitive and burns much easier than that of an adult. It’s so important to keep it safe. You should keep the baby out of the sun wherever possible and keep their skin covered and a hat on. Use factor 50 sunscreen designed for children too. 

Baby Monitor

Once your baby moves into their own room for sleeping and naps, you want to be able to keep checking on them without necessarily having to go into the room and disturb them. 

There are a number of different types of monitors, from a basic sound only model to a high-def, sound-activated, video monitor with night mode and temperature tracking. 

With smart assistants becoming more popular in people’s homes, they are opting for cameras that can be accessed and controlled through their smartphones or Alexa speakers.

 

Room Thermometer 

Keeping your child at a comfortable temperature when they are sleeping is really important as overheating can be dangerous. A digital room thermometer will let you know if your baby’s room is too hot or too cold. Some are basic thermometers and other models have coloured surrounds that change from blue to red depending on the temperature.

 

Nail Clippers

Baby nails grow so quickly, they can even be born with really long ones. It’s best to keep them cut short as this will prevent them from scratching their own faces or getting dirt trapped under them. Cutting their nails can be a bit nerve-wracking. You can find many types of specialist baby nail clippers which have safety guards to stop you from accidentally catching your baby’s skin. 

Takeaways

Looking after a baby can feel a little daunting, especially if they are ill. Having a selection of helpful medical devices and medicines at home can make it a little easier to cope during these times. 

A Staycation will soon be on the Cards.

{Collaborative Content} Lockdown rules will soon be changing, making staycations a possibility for all! If you’re thinking of booking one, here’s what to look for in accommodation: 

It would not be right to mention such places without talking about the unique character they boast as well as the stunning location they are set in and consequently the magical views you will be able to make the most of. 

So first let’s speak about the distinct character that you will experience in a holiday cottage. Nothing beats the homely and cosy feel of a cottage. You will feel comfortable and at ease. You will be able to relax and thoroughly enjoy your holiday. It will be like your own little home for the week or weekend. 

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When it comes to location you will be able to take advantage of places that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to. Hotels tend to be located on busy main roads. But if you choose a cottage you may find yourself in a secluded woodland location or even by the beach. Imagine waking up every morning and looking across exquisite gold sands and crystal clear sea. You could even go for a morning walk amongst the beautiful scenery before breakfast. What a way to start the day!

There is no limit to the luxury you could benefit from when staying in a holiday cottage. Why not take a look on the Internet and look for inspiration prior to doing your actual holiday cottage search? You will be able to see some of the magical cottages situated all over the UK and indeed the world. You will discover how they offer something truly different. From their unique décor and stylish outdoor seating, to their offbeat locations, to the added lavish elements they offer. This will open your eyes to the level of fun and opulence you can make the most of by choosing this type of accommodation. Did you know that you can even find cottages with their own steam room or sauna? What about cottages with their own personal bar? The possibilities are literally endless. You may simply want to choose a cottage with a lot of charm and character – somewhere that looks cute and pretty! This adds to your overall holiday experience. It gives you something to talk about and something to remember.

If you are ready to find the ideal holiday cottage for you, all you need to do is start searching on the Internet. This is the easiest and most efficient approach to take. There are various factors you will need to take into account in order to narrow down your search. Where in the UK would you like to stay? There are lots of beautiful areas. Sussex in particular has a reputation for being a picturesque county, with an array of quaint cottages to choose from. You will also need to determine how many people are going to be staying in the cottage. Aside from this, determining a price range is important. You should do your research to determine the average price being charged for the sized cottage you require. After all, you don’t want to have to break the bank in order to benefit from a lovely vacation, yet if you go for something that seems too good to be true there is every chance that it will be! And, nothing can spoil a holiday more than staying in awful accommodation. 

3 Steps to Finding the Perfect Dentist.

{Collaborative Content} Whether you are moving to a new area or are in the need of a new dentist, it can be an overwhelming time to find the best one for you. For some it is a worrying appointment so finding a professional yet caring dentist who walks you through each procedure to make you feel at ease is important.

Where to start

When you start looking it is normal to feel as if every dentist is the same but there are some factors you need to keep in mind to ensure they have the right qualities for you.

To make it easier for you, it is best to start your search by researching the dentists that are situated nearest to you because this will ensure that limited travel is involved when it comes to regular or emergency appointments.

Be mindful of their opening hours as this could make a big difference to whether you can visit them outside work hours or if you will need to complete these appointments on your day off or in work time.

What the dentist provides

When it comes to choosing your dentist you want to ensure that they have the correct licenses to complete the types of procedures you may need. Check for any obvious warning signs such as business permits as this will avoid any scams.

If you are after regular check ups, family needs and all round requirements then you will need to find a dentist such as the Life Dental & Wellbeing as these will be able to cater to the needs of your whole family tailored to your needs.

Reassure yourself

It can be easy to get hooked up in a dentist that looked good but you know nothing about how they really are with their customers. Ask your family and friends around the area to see which ones they recommend. Question them to understand what types of treatments they have had and how they found them as they can say a lot for a dentist. If they have been with the same dentist for a long period of time, this can show a lot of trust with the company and give you reassurance to why they have stayed for so long.

Ensure you do further research into the dentists they recommend as they may have only been to their dentist for their yearly checkups and cleaning so having any recommendations of what they are like with other treatments.

Another great way to find a new place is to ask your current dentist if they recommend anyone in your new area as they could be part of an organisation.

Search online at social media platforms and reviews on review sites to see what people think of them. Comments on posts and on platform pages can make a big difference to your confidence in them. People who share more in depth stories and thoughts about them is the reviews that will give you more of an idea what they thought rather than the simple, one worded answers. 

Beat Anxieties with These Herbal Remedies.

{Collaborative Content} Is anxiety holding you back? There are lots of ways in which you can overcome anxiety. One option could be to try herbal remedies. Below are just a few forms of herbal medicine that are proven to be effective anxiety-relievers. 

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Ashwagandha 

Ashwagandha is an ancient medicinal herb. It has been shown to have many health benefits including boosting fertility and helping to fight depression. It is also a popular remedy for anxiety (it is said to be as potent as some medically prescribed anxiety drugs).

How should you take ashwagandha? In most cases, it is consumed as a powder. This can be mixed with ghee, sugar and honey and eaten using a tablespoon. Alternatively, it can be drunk in a glass of warm milk. You may be able to find ashwagandha online or at your local herbal pharmacy.

 

St John’s Wort

St John’s Wort is a medicinal herb that is sometimes used to treat menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes. It is also an effective mood booster - many people with both depression and anxiety find that it is able to relieve negative feelings.

St. John’s Wort is most commonly taken in the form of a liquid or capsules. By placing dry herbs into hot water, it’s also possible to turn it into a tea. You can buy St John’s Wort from your local herbal pharmacy.

 

CBD oil

CBD oil comes from the cannabis plant. It is known to have various health benefits from relieving pain to treating acne. It is also a great stress-buster and an effective remedy for anxiety.

CBD oil is sometimes referred to as hemp oil, although is different to hemp seed oil. Some people administer it directly into the mouth using a tincture, while others mix it in with smoothies or add it to food. CBD is also available in other forms such as tablets and edibles. You can shop for CBD oil online or buy it from your local herbal pharmacy. 

Valerian root

Valerian root has long been used for its sedative effects. It is a popular remedy for those dealing with insomnia. It’s calming effects also make it a great remedy for anxiety.

What is the best way to take valerian root? Valerian root extract can be consumed orally by directly placing it under the tongue. Alternatively, it is possible to put dried valerian root in hot water and create herbal tea. You can find this ingredient at your local herbal pharmacy. 

Lavender

Lavender is also known for its calming effects. Many people use the scent of lavender to help them get to sleep. It can also reduce stress - and therefore reduce feelings of anxiety.

While you can eat lavender, the scent alone is often enough to have its intended effect. There are many ways to produce the scent of lavender including growing lavender flowers, lighting scented candles, using lavender sprays, burning lavender oil in a diffuser or using lavender bath products. Consider exploring different options to find the right one for you. 

Why Should you Start Now to Plan for Summer.

{Collaborative Content} The summer is a great time to get outdoors, try something new, visit someone new, and generally have fun with family and friends. Living in lockdown in the UK it can feel like the summer is a way off, and that dreams of summer trips and sunny BBQs feel quite a long way off at the moment. However, last summer allowed for some fun, with small gatherings allowed, as well as trips abroad and the UK, so it makes sense that something similar will happen this year, especially with the vaccine being rolled out at an amazing pace. 

If you don’t want to let the summertime run away with you, and before you know it you’re thinking about autumn, then it can be a good idea to plan now for the summer. Although you may not be able to book things right now, if you have an idea of what you want to do, it will make it easier to just go and do it, when restrictions allow. Making plans will help it to be a summer to remember.

Planning for a trip

If you’ve grown a little sick of the same four walls, then making plans for a trip could be a good idea. Although there are more risks to going abroad, it could be easier to plan for a holiday in the UK this year. With self-catered accommodation it can be easy to stay in your bubbles and get away to visit somewhere new. You could even think about using short term student accommodation in the summer, as there are very few students using them in the summer. They can often be pretty good rates as the accommodation is simple, but in some cool towns and cities in the UK. Make a list of the kind of places that you would like to visit and then you can go from there and see what will be available.

Try something new

With lockdown and being at home more, you might have already been trying something new, such as learning a new instrument or starting up a new hobby. But with some good weather to enjoy, hopefully, you will be able to try something else new in the summertime. What would it be for you? You might like to try gardening, hiking somewhere different, painting, boating, open-water swimming, and so on. If you want to be indoors, then there are likely to be many online classes available still, from cooking to learning French.

Relaxing time

Even if you plan to stay at home, getting some time off work to relax a little can be so worth it. One thing that you could start to do is to create a bucket list for being at home. How about making a list of books or movies that you want to read or watch before the summer is out? How about creating a list of jobs or projects that you want to get done but just haven’t got around to? You could simply put together a list of the things that you want to do at home, like sunbathe, have a BBQ in the garden and a picnic in the park. 

Conservation Crisis The Game - Review

{Gifted} My 8 year old is very much interested in wildlife, animals and everything related to conservation. When you ask him what he would like to do when he is older he will either answer a Zoologist or a Zoo keeper so he can work on conserving the population of rare and endagered animals. His passion in this we extremely proud of and when we were offered the chance to review the game Conservation Crisis (RRP £29.99) from Tunza Games I knew he would love it. 

Conservation Crisis puts you in the centre of the action. You are in control of a wildlife reserve that is in crisis and needs you to work on saving endangered species, you choose a species and race around the board trying to save it from extinction. I loved the concept of this game, it is almost a bit of strategy mixed with a fun element of being in charge of your own wildlife reserve.

You are given $100,000 of funding per round and you can put this towards a variety of things during each round such as projects to build, staff to hire to help rebuild the reserve and save the endangered species.

- Aimed at age 7 years + and for 2-4 players, with an average playing times of 60 minutes. 

Included in the beautifully illustrated box are: 

- 1 x main board 

- 4 x wildlife reserve playing boards

- 120 x tokens

- 25 event cards

- 4 x wooden playing pieces 

- 15 x community staff meeting cards 

- 10 x bribe cards 

- A selection of dollars 

- As mentioned above the aim of the game is to make your way around the board to the orange locations to buy and rebuild the nature reserve and to increase the wildlife population, the winner at the end of the game is the person who has the most wildlife at the end of the game. 

The set up of the game is fairly self explanatory and each player chooses an animal to save (elephant, tiger, rhino or gorilla) and uses the wooden playing piece of the same board colour. The player then places a token on 0 and 100 wildlife which marks starting with 100 wildlife. 

The wooden pieces are placed at HQ where the game starts. The bribe and community cards are placed on the marked areas and the 'crisis averted' card is placed near the bottom of the event cards. 

A player is in charge of the donor funding and each player receives $100,000 of donor funding ans also a starting crisis fund which may be played during the game but only in an emergency and up to a maximum of $100,000. 

There are no dice in the game which is helpful so they don't get lost! Dice always go missing don't they! You can choose whichever path around the board following the arrows but have to stop on the orange and black locations on the board when they arrived at. When a player stops on an orange location items can be purchased for the reserve. On the black locations the instructions must be followed. Only one player can be on an orange location but multiple players can be on black locations. Once the player has completed the instructions or purchased an item the go is then over. 

The little black tokens are placed on the players wildlife card to indicate what has been purchased, the staff, wages, buildings and wildlife population. The little tokens are what stumped us a little during the game! We weren't full sure what we were meant to be doing with the little black tokens, whether we removed them each go or just kept adding them - the instructions weren't overly helpful either which was a shame.

Once the player has made their way around the board and reached HQ again the player will receive further funding (assuming they have spent all of the previous money, if not they receive no furrther funding until this has been spent). The player must then follow the instruction on HQ which include turning over the bribe card if they have one, take an event card, apply for funding, receive tourist income, pay staff if they have any and receive wildlife. The game then continues. 

This is a great game and even more an important idea and concept, it was really enjoyable to play if not a little confusing at times. My 5 year old lost interest after a couple of rounds but my 8 year old loved it and was getting quite good at purchasing items and became quite competitive! We did feel the instructions were quite lenghty and at times a little confusing but we played it as well as we could. I would defintely  say the age recommendation is spot on, any younger and it is a bit more of a challenge. I think it is a game the more you play the better and more simple it becomes. What I LOVE about the game is it designed to be used as almost an educational tool to bring to the forefront of people's minds the challenge conservationits face around the globe. Even more so for every purchase of the game is donated to the conservation partners and if you download the associated app it will help fund more conservation projects which is fantastic. 

Conservation Crisis is available to order from Amazon and would make a lovely gift for anyone who is interested in animals or conservation or just loves a good board game! 

* Please note I was kindly sent the item free of charge in exchange for an honest and open review, all thoughts are my own. 

Working from Home - 5 Tips to Keep Productive.

{Collaborative Content} It is often difficult to remain attentive and productive in a usual workday. But what happens when you start working from home? It can be challenging to concentrate and be productive amidst all the distractions that come with working from home. From kids watching TV to the temptations to grab something from your fridge, how do you make sure that you don’t get distracted and get the job done each day?

 

Pixabay – CC0 License

How to Remain Focused When Working From Home

1. Create a morning self-care routine

When working from an office outside your home, you can easily follow a morning routine that includes waking up and leaving your home for work. This is a simple structure that is easy to follow and can keep you energized and focused. This is why you need to also have a morning routine when working from home. Consider spending the first two hours on self-care. This means that you can use the time you would use to commute to work to write your journal, exercise, listen to music or meditate. Remember to consume nutritional formulas from https://ancientandbrave.earth/ to give you the energy you need when exercising.

2. Set rewards

If you have kids, you know the best way to get them to do something is by promising a reward like a candy bar or watching TV. Just like kids, adults also react better when they know there is a real and tangible reward. Therefore, set a reward and don’t skimp on it after it motivates you to get the job done.

3. Avoid multitasking

Your home has millions of distractions – piles of dishes, TV, and your mobile phone. However, not all these distractions deserve your attention.  Sometimes, your brain may assign significance to activities and tasks that are less important. You can avoid multitasking by pinpointing essential projects and addressing them before the end of the day.

4. Strategize your time

The 40-hour week is now becoming a thing of the past. In the 21st century, examples such as the Japanese 4-day workweek have proven to be more productive, which means that the clock isn’t the best indication of getting things done. Therefore, if your home office allows some level of flexibility, consider planning your day based on the projects and not timepiece. You can do this by identifying the projects that have to be completed in a day and set goals to accomplish them.

5. Create a schedule for your children

If you want to remain productive during the day, you have to create a schedule for your kids. For school-age kids, create a morning schedule for them. This will help you to get most of the work done without any interruptions. After the lunch hour, you can schedule safe screen time so that your kids remain occupied as you focus on finishing the remaining work for the day.

However, if you have younger kids, you can plan some home activities for them. Remember to also include lunchtime and nap time in their schedule. You may want to plan these activities before so that you organize your schedule and focus on your work.

Bottom Line

Nearly everything about how we work is evolving, especially after the pandemic. This makes it harder for people to work from home without getting distracted. However, if you make your home workspace comfortable and follow the above tips, you will be able to stay productive and complete your work without wasting time.

A Moonpig Valentine's Day.

{AD} With Valentine's day fast approaching it will be, no doubt a different kind of day - very much the like to the last 10 months, a little different! No meal out, no cinema trip or hotel stay but a day possibly similar to every other day! However, Moonpig have you covered to prepare for a big night in. I actually love a night in, there is nothing better than being in some comfy loungewear, getting a bottle of wine chilled, making the sure the children are in bed on time and curling up on the sofa with the husband and watching a decent film. Meals out and hotel breaks alone are a luxury at the best of times, let along in the middle of a pandemic! So these quiet nights in are fine by me. However, with Valentine's approaching how about mixing those quiet nights up a little and injecting some romance into it aswell. Let Moonpig be your one stop shop for the romantic essentials and plan your very own Valentine's night in <3

Moonpig has everything you need to arrange that perfect, romantic and cosy night in as a couple to celebrate Valentine's together. There are a whole variety of beautiful products to choose from for couples, for him or for her, it really is the place to go for all your valentine needs. 

It is ideal for us as a couple, as although we never make a huge thing of Valentine's we do tend to enjoy a nice meal, buy some token gifts and enjoy some time together (minus kids!). Here a few ideas to get you in the mood and provide some inspiration if you are struggling with what to purchase for the day of love!

- Flowers! They are a classic to gift to your loved one. Moonpig have a gorgeous variety of floral bouquets to choose from, such as a dozen red roses to the prettiest mixed bouquets. These vary in price and come in secure flower boxes with water provided. A really nice gift for your loved one to receive.

- How about a candle? I absoutely love candles and making my home smell nice - even more so since we have a Labrador puppy! I love Yankee candles and these huge ones last forever and smell incredible. They can really make a romantic atmosphere too. The scent here is 'The Last Paradise' and smells beautifully fresh and floral. This size candle retails for £20.00.

- Smellies! There are some gorgeous scented items on Moonpig, these Miss.Patisserie bath slabs and shower steamers are utterly divine, a perfect beginning to your Valentine's day or a lovely way to end the day. I just adore the packaging, oh so pretty (RRP £25.00).

- Booze. Who wouldn't love to receive a nice bottle of gin or similar as a gift. This beautiful Edinburgh gin (RRP £35.00) is a special Valentine's edition with notes of chamomile, lemon balm, lemon grass and kaffir lime leaf alongside the rose and hibiscus flavours to create its signature pink hue. A delightful and delicious Valentine's drink. Yum!

- Finally, how about a gift experience?  This couples 'at home date night' is a virtual date night that you activate when received using the provided pin. Desgined specifically for couples to connect, this experience can be used to connect with quizzes, musical challenges, riddles and more! A great idea and such fun. 

Moonpig really is a fantastic website for not only Valentine's day but for all other special occasions, head over to the website for a browse! Have a wonderful Valentine's day.

* Please note we were kindly sent the items free of charge in exchange for a blog post, all thoughts are my own.

3 Things that Would Make the Perfect Car for Grandparents.

{Collaborative Content} If you have been wondering what kind of car to suggest to your aging grandparents who don’t want to be driven around but instead, prefer their freedom, then you’ve come to the right place. A car for older people has to have a number of different aspects to it, that a family car might not have. There are three key areas to focus on. Accessibility, such as being able to get in and out of the car in the first place. Comfort, such as great heating, seating, and the ability to sit for long hours without feeling annoyance. And thirdly, the car must have lots of driver aids to keep them safe. However, this final one is more complex than it might seem so we’ll touch on that in just a moment.

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Getting in and out

This all comes down to picking one of the best mobility cars on the market. Peugeot 5008 is a crossover and is known to have great fundamentals inaccessibility like most crossover types. It has large doors, lots of space inside, plenty of things to grab hold of, and optional extras that make getting in and out easier for older people. These types of cars also come with options such as a retractable staircase that can be used to step into the car instead of climb or sit in. the large doors are perfect as they allow for a great big gap in between the steering wheel and the seat, so older people don’t feel they need to squeeze into the car.

 

Comfort level 

One of the main things about cars for older people is the level of comfort they provide. They must have a few things. Heated seats are a great option that you can have. These keep you warm, even in very cold temperatures. For elderly people who can’t get as warm as they once could just from their own body heat, this is a godsend. The in-car heating has to be panoramic so that the heat transfers around the car and not just in one area. Vents in the back module are important for this reason. Climate control has developed rapidly so that the rear seating is just as warm as the front.

Driver aids

Having cameras in the rear and in blindspots can greatly improve the safety of the driver and passengers. Older people might have trouble turning around to see someone like a motorbike, so this kind of visual aid is helpful. The console screen will show them what is behind or to the side of them. Parking sensors are a must. Even though these usually come as standard now, the amount of sensors is still optional. Having 360-degree sensors is a little more expensive but very helpful. Vibrating chairs are the answer to lane drifting. Alerting the driver when they have veered into another lane without necessarily steering into it, the chair vibrates to let them know to take the proper action. 

Cars for older people need to have great access. They must also be comfortable so it's a joy to drive and be in, for long hours if need be. The third but very important factor is, driver aids need to be practical and plentiful.

 

Helping Your Child Follow your Dreams.

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{Collaborative Content} Every child has dreams of being something when they grow up. In the past, kids wanted to be famous footballers or singers. Now, they might want to be a YouTube star with millions of subscribers eagerly logging on to watch every new video. Most of the time, these dreams don’t come to fruition. Your child grows out of it, or they try something new and realize their original dreams are not what they want. But, regardless of what they want, you must help them follow their dreams, and here’s how.

Get To Know Them 

It sounds strange to suggest that you get to know your kids. You see them every day. You’ve known them all their lives. But, do you know your kids? Chances are they have interests that you don’t know about. If you want to encourage them to follow their dreams, you must get to know them. You can spend time with them as they practice and ask them about what they are doing or how they are doing it. Not only will you learn more about their hobby, but your child will also be pleased that you're showing an interest in their life.

Help Them Gain Self-Confidence 

Generally, there are two types of kids. There are the boisterous, loud children who love being the centre of attention, and there are the shy kids who prefer to stick to the sidelines and won’t put themselves out there. There is nothing wrong with either personality, but if your child shows signs of shyness, you can help them boost their confidence to give them the driver to show off their skills. If they have dreams of performing or being in front of an audience, this confidence is vital for helping them feel comfortable in all situations.

Look For the Best Clubs and Schools

If your child gets to the point where they grow out of local clubs and schools, you can help them achieve their potential by identifying the best institutions in the country. Football academies or the Royal Academy of Dance are renowned places that will give your child the skills to make it and achieve their dreams. There’s only so much you can teach them, so working with professionals will ensure they have all the support they need, potentially leading to success in the future.

Don’t Live Vicariously Through Them 

Parents who live vicariously through their kids are the worst. They are usually parents who had their own dreams of success but never made it, maybe because of an injury. While it’s reasonable to be happy for your child following their dreams, you mustn’t make it about yourself. You shouldn’t push your child if they don’t want to be pushed. This can make them fall out of love with their dreams and damage your relationship with them. 

Dreams 

If you’re a parent, you already know how fickle kids can be. They might show an interest in one hobby today, only to forget about it entirely tomorrow. But, if your kids show a genuine, lasting interest in something, you must do everything you can to help them achieve their dreams. 

Things That Change when You Grow Older.

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{Collaborative Content} Everyone grows old, and everyone eventually starts to struggle with the little things in life. It is a natural part of life for us to grow old and start a whole new chapter, and today we want to discuss this and consider some of the things you might expect at this time of your life. 

There is nothing to be scared of about growing older and it is important for you to be prepared for what may come in the latter years of your life. Here are just a few of the things you will notice happen to you when you start to grow older

You’ll know the doctor on a first name basis 

As we grow past the age of 26, our bodies start to lose cells at a faster rate than we create them; and as we grow older this gap increases and this is why we suffer from more health issues when we grow older. You’ll notice that as you grow older you will end up visiting the doctors much more often and you will likely eventually know your doctor by their first name. 

You’re less mobile

When you grow a little older, you’ll notice that your joints are much more stuff than they used to be. It is important as you grow older to not be discouraged by the changes in your body and ensure that you do everything you can to adapt to these changes and make life a little easier for yourself. You can consider things such as physiotherapy, Elderly care, or different medications to help you live your life during these changes. 

You don’t work 

When you reach a certain age it will be time for you to retire for good, and this is something that will be amazing. After working for 40-50 years of your life you will now be able to be free and spend the twilight years of your life enjoying everything the world has to offer. The culture shock of no longer working might hit you hard and the best way to tackle this is to find a new hobby to take up your time such as painting or gardening. 

You have more time

Now that you are older and you are no longer working you will have a lot more time to enjoy yourself and do the things you love. Take the chance to go travelling, to learn how to cook new foods, and try new things. Having more time to enjoy the little things in life can be amazing and it will make you so happy and feel amazing every day. 

You struggle to see 

One of the health issues you will likely suffer as you grow older is a loss of your sight. Losing our sense of sight is common and it is something that affects people of all ages so it is nothing to be worried about. If you do start to notice that you can’t see or things are blurry you can go to your optician and either get some glasses or contact lenses to help you see. 

You may lose hearing

Your sense of hearing is something you will also likely lose as you grow older and it is something that you will need to get used to. Consider a hearing aid if you struggle to hear what people are saying because often if you don’t address a hearing issue it can impact things such as your relationship with your family and even your confidence if you start to withdraw from conversations because you can’t hear what people are saying. 

Your taste will change

As we grow older our tastes will change and this is natural even from the time we are children. Foods you like now might not be foods you like later, and on the other hand you might suddenly decide that you love certain foods more than you ever did. Enjoy trying new foods as you grow older and even re-try things you used to hate to see if your taste has changed.

You might get lonely 

It is so important when you grow older and you retire from your work that you stay sociable and fill your days with activities that make you happy as well as bring you into places with others. Things such as dancing, art classes, dog walking and more can bring you closer to others and will ensure that you don’t become lonely during your latter years. Make time for family and make sure you don’t waste time on your own.