Karen – Page 8 – Eco Karen

How Does an Indoor Garden Work?

If you plan on having a garden inside the home, there are so many things you need to consider. While the garden looks so good, a lot goes into it to ensure it looks and works as well as it does. If you are not careful, your plants might die. Here are the main things you need to know about the garden and make it work.

The Location

The first thing you need to consider about your indoor garden is the location. Often you will find that the garden cannot stay in your living room because it does not have optimal light and temperatures to grow. Whenever you plan out the garden for your home, ensure you consider where you will put it. Most people put their plants by the window or the balcony to get some air.

The Plants

Once you have settled on the location, the next thing you need to keep in mind is the type of plants. Not all plants will work well indoors as some plants can be used for food while some are for aesthetics. Figure out the kind of garden you want to have before you decide to set it up. Many people prefer to put fruits and vegetables in an indoor garden, which you can try out. As long as the plants do not spread around the whole house, you are good to go.

The Care

Another vital thing you have to consider when getting indoor plants for your garden is how to care for them. Just like the plants in your outside garden, they will need to be watered and put in place where they can get enough light. You also need to figure out whether they need fertilizer and get the fertilizer into the house. If you have children, you have to figure out how you will use fertilizer without putting the lives of your family at risk since most of them can be dangerous.

Seasons

The other thing you need to consider when you are planting your indoor plans is the most convenient weather for you. You often find that you can only grow in a certain season, and planting them when it is off-season will mean more work for you that produces less yield. You can get more resilient herbs to harsh winters and hot summers, or you could choose to plant your vegetables in rotation. That way, you will have vegetables in your home all year.

Create a Planting Calendar

While your garden might start small, you might choose to get a bigger place and set up a more elaborate garden indoors. For this reason, you will get to a point where you are planting so much and can lose track of everything. The best way to deal with this is to have a planting calendar. Make a list of the past you want to have in your garden and their seasons. That way, you can always switch up to new plants based on the type of vegetables you have. They will also help you remember to add fertilizer to them and weed them where need be. A planning calendar can also come in handy if you plan on using your product in your kitchen. You can plan your meals around the harvest times.

Final Thoughts

Having a garden indoors is a great way for you to spend time with your children doing something together. It also helps, especially now that there have been so many lockdowns going on. It also ensures you have fresh produce whenever you need it in your kitchen.

Full Spectrum vs. Broad Spectrum CBD: What are the Differences?

CBD or Cannabidiol has been shown to improve one’s health in many ways over the past several years. This all-natural plant extract can help someone by reducing their pain, reducing anxiety, and depression.

Anyone anywhere can obtain premium CBD products as an over-the-counter treatment. The FDA, Food and Drug Administration, have only given their seal of approval to one strain of CBD specifically for the treatment of epilepsy. However, that does not mean the products you can purchase at your local brick-and-mortar store or online are not high-quality products.

When you know the difference between full-spectrum and broad-spectrum CBD products, you can make an informed decision about which is best for your particular health issue.

Full Spectrum CBD

Full-spectrum CBD is going to contain several different parts of the cannabis plant. This means there are going to be trace amounts of THC or tetrahydrocannabinol. This is the compound that gives marijuana users the mind-altering effect.

Cannabis is completely legal in many states and that means CBD can contain higher than 0.3 percent of the THC. Where it is not legal, the amount of THC needs to be under 0.3 percent. In general, this is what full spectrum means.

Broad Spectrum

By contrast, Broad-spectrum CBD will not contain any traces of THC. It may contain other cannabis plant components, but that just means it is not 100 percent CBD. This does not mean it is not a good product, it simply means you need to be careful when choosing this type of CBD.

Pros of Full Spectrum CBD

One of the best reasons to take this type of CBD is the fact there are multiple components of the cannabis plant and when there is more, it gives you many more benefits. This is also known as the “entourage effect” and is one of the major selling points for full-spectrum CBD.

Some of the components in full-spectrum include Flavonoids, Phytocannabinoids, which are THC and CBD, and Terpenes which give the compound flavor and scent. And all this together gives someone the maximum benefits of cannabis in CBD form.

Cons of Full Spectrum CBD

The fact that it contains some amount of THC, even trace amounts, could give the user a “high” feeling. This chemical can also come up with in some drug tests. You may not feel the euphoric side effects with full-spectrum, it will depend on the brand of CBD and the amount of THC within the product.

Pros of Broad Spectrum CBD

Sleep — A young woman is sleeping on the bed

This type of CBD is beneficial if you need to keep a “clear mind” because there is not going to be a “high” feeling. Because there is no THC in this product, it will also be better for someone who is regularly drug tested for their employment or other reasons.

Cons of Broad Spectrum CBD

Because it lacks the combination of elements found in the full spectrum CBD, Broad Spectrum will not be as effective.

To determine which CBD is right for you, you will need to try both types and decide for yourself which works best for your ailments. There are consultants at every CBD outlet that can give you more information.

Maintaining Calmness and Focus Naturally

We live in an increasingly hectic world. Stress is daily, and though there is a difference between good and bad stress, constant exposure to it affects our physical and mental well-being. As our environment is so fast-paced, we often tend to look for stress relief solutions that are fast, too. However, calmness and focus are not achievable with one magic pill that we can simply pop or just one simple practice we can do.

Through different strategies used together, along with proper stress management, you can start to achieve better calm, clarity, and focus. With that in mind, here we’ll explore three natural ways to help restore both the calmness and the focus in your daily life so you can deal better with stress and ace your goals. Read on to find out which you can do – or feel free to do them all together!

Exercise

Nothing elevates one’s mood better than a good round of exercise, whether it’s walking a few laps around the block or sweating it out at the gym. It can release endorphins, the feel-good hormones, freeing you from the fight-or-flight response that stress can trigger. Plus, exercise is also an affordable way to restore calmness and focus, as you don’t need to spend anything to enjoy it. Though nice to have, exercise equipment is always optional, and there are plenty of body-weight exercises you can perform.

Be sure to make exercise a regular part of your routine. Aim for at least thirty minutes of brisk exercise at least three times a week for the best results. Don’t forget to switch up your exercise routines now and then, either, and do a combination of strength training and cardio workouts, if you can. You can even try dancing or training for a marathon for more fun and competitive way to get those endorphins flowing.

Meditation

When you meditate, you focus your attention and eliminate the jumble of thoughts that can crowd your mind and cause stress. This process may lead to deeper relaxation and a more peaceful state of mind. And again, you don’t need fancy equipment to start practicing meditation. There are also lots of meditation strategies you can choose from.

Yoga, for example, is one of them. Reflection isn’t limited to sitting on the floor with your eyes closed and chanting mantras, though. Everyday activities, especially those you enjoy, like cooking, cleaning, gardening, drawing and coloring, and journaling, can meditate on a person. Self-care is also a form of meditation. Following certain diets and lifestyles to mindfully avoid health problems is included in self-care.

Proper Nutrition

Fruits — A different kind of fruits are placed on a rag in nature

Do you experience stress-eating? Although this practice feels super rewarding at the moment, chances are it’s not doing you or your body a lot of good. Most comfort foods we seek are not the best out there. Cakes and pastries, a popular choice for many, teems with excessive carbohydrates and sugar. Other stuff, such as takeout food, contains many calories but doesn’t satisfy hunger compared to whole, natural foods.

Eating junk foods is also related to increased levels of stress. It’s counterproductive to reach out for a piece of a donut or a huge bowl of ice cream when you’re stressed and trying to be calm and focused. Reverse the effects of stress-eating and aim for proper nutrition instead. When feeling stressed and out of focus, choose healthier options like beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables instead of processed goodies. Natural foods can also help provide vitamins necessary to reduce brain fog and make you more focused and calm.

When to Ask for Help

If you practice these natural ways to feel calmer and more focused, but you still feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The inability to focus and keep calm can be a symptom of an underlying condition, like ADHD. When your lack of focus and calm puts you in difficult situations in your daily life, a visit to the doctor is a must. Your doctor can confirm if it is indeed ADHD and rule out other possible conditions.

Medications intended for ADHD, such as Adderall XR or Strattera, are likely to be prescribed, helping you focus on your tasks and calms you down. Yes, maintaining calmness and focus during stressful times can be a challenge, but it does not mean it is not achievable. With proper exercise (at least three times a week!), meditation, and good nutrition, you can finally regain your calm and return your focus to the essential aspects of life.

Making Remote Work Sustainable for 2022 and Beyond

In 2020, working from home was far from a personal decision for many employees, as the global pandemic forced everyone to adapt to the new circumstances and make their homes their offices. Nevertheless, a lot of workers found remote working to be more efficient than their usual, on-site positions. A survey conducted by Flex Jobs revealed that an astounding 65% of respondents wish to remain full-time remote employees permanently. Some of the major benefits of remote work they listed were cost-efficiency and increased productivity. On the other hand, the biggest challenges the participants reported were the inability to step away from work and unreliable technology. Some also noted that this way of working took a toll on their mental health. This means that to utilize these benefits, some adjustments need to be made. Keeping this in mind, here are the essential steps to making remote work sustainable for 2022 and beyond.

Establish a well-rounded digital workplace

When the pandemic forced most companies to send their employees to work from home, no one was prepared. The most common way to manage remote teams was by using popular apps that allow for group video calls to hold meetings and exchange information through email. Although these options serve their purpose, to make the work-from-home situation a long-term solution, there need to be some upgrades. Thus, building a reliable and fully-developed digital workplace is highly recommended. What this entails is employing pieces of software that can easily be integrated with each other while choosing the ones that are best suited for the tasks at hand. Apart from that, the employees need reliable hardware, so providing the necessary equipment for them can help prevent the issues with the tech.

Introduce remote work training

Training employees for their job position is always a viable option to help them reach their full potential. Applying this exact principle to remote work environments can increase motivation and foster productivity. That’s because switching to a remote position requires learning how to navigate all the new software used to build the digital workspace. Being immersed in this novel environment can be a handful, leading to confusion and stress. Thus, training workers how to carry out their duties while working remotely gives them time to process all the new information and make a smooth transition. Even work-from-home veterans can benefit from training, as no company is the same. Having a fully trained staff can help companies with effectively managing a remote team.

Woman — A young woman is working at her laptop

Maintain regular communication with the remote employees

Finding ways to effectively communicate with customers on a remote business model is certainly one of the keys to running a successful business. While clients are undeniably important, so is communicating with the employees. Even though they aren’t present in an office, that doesn’t mean they should be neglected. Since working from home can be isolating, these workers may need extra motivation. Checking on them constantly would disrupt the workflow but finding ways to translate the socialization that usually happens in the office can be very beneficial. Apart from the usual meetings and essential communication, this can include encouraging teams to have virtual coffee breaks. Additionally, there could be virtual team-building events, and if possible, occasional meetups in person. This could help workers still feel like essential members of the team, despite seemingly working alone.

Setting boundaries to ensure work-life balance

There’s no denying that there are numerous perks of remote work that appeal to employees, as well as companies. However, one of the major challenges that arise from this approach is that the boundaries between life and work become a bit murky. Many have reported that they find it difficult to find a work-life balance, especially if their hours are flexible. There are a few different factors that may cause this problem, some of which can be fixed by the remote worker if they find a way to schedule their workday better. However, in some cases, it is not up to the worker. It can be impossible to step away from work when there aren’t any set boundaries, meaning that anyone can contact the employees for work-related purposes at any given time. Thus, establishing the time frame when everyone can be contacted is essential.

By putting in some effort to create a well-established and practical work environment, one can turn remote work into a long-term solution. The key is to provide tools that will make the workflow run smoothly, as well as ways to encourage the employees in the virtual environment.

What Constitutes Sexual Harassment at Work?

Imagine you’re in this situation.

You’ve recently begun working as the manager of a new bar. You’re a little nervous about taking over as the new boss, but a senior colleague appears to be more than willing to show you the ropes, and you don’t question it — why should you?

Then you start to see this coworker behaving in ways that make you feel uneasy — a remark here, a slip of the hand there. You shrug it off and go about your business – perhaps you misunderstood?

Until something happens, a line is crossed, and you can no longer ignore it.

At what point does a situation like this constitute sexual harassment in the workplace? It’s an important question and one that is being asked more and more every year.

Is it acceptable to lean over someone at work? What about admiring them for their good looks? Is it ever acceptable to try to kiss a coworker? Where is the dividing line?

What Does The Law Say?

Me too — A young woman is holding a paper with the message me too

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted sexual behaviour (i.e., something sexual or related to your gender). Some of the feelings you may get if experiencing this include;

An offence to your dignity
Makes you feel threatened, humiliated, or degraded
Makes the surroundings unfriendly or offensive

Having ‘dignity’ simply implies being deserving of respect, which we are all legally entitled to. So, if you’re treated in a way that violates your dignity, it’s another way of expressing you’ve been mistreated and still feel that way. As a result, when it comes to sexual harassment at work, it is being treated with disrespect because of a sex-related issue.

It’s vital to remember that whether or not unwanted sexual conduct violates a person’s dignity or creates an offensive environment is determined by the victim’s viewpoint and whether or not their reaction is fair.

This essentially means that a third party would believe the victim’s reaction is the same as that of any other ‘regular person.’

Most of us will be able to identify with these emotions somehow. However, like with the rest of the definition, the wording is based on how the behavior ‘makes you feel,’ not how the person who is doing it means to make you feel.

It doesn’t matter if you intended to harass someone sexually or thought it was just ‘banter. If it makes the other person feel uncomfortable, then it’s sexual harassment.

What’s the best way to tell if you’ve experienced sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or sexuality; the unpleasant behavior can come from someone of the same or different sex.

A pattern of inappropriate behavior, repeated by someone in the workplace, that the victim has asked to cease, but that continues despite the victim’s request. On the other hand, one-offs can be considered sexual harassment, and it doesn’t matter if someone else doesn’t see things the same way you do.

Sexual comments or jokes, unwanted sexual advances or touching, suggestive looks, gazing or leering, intrusive sexual questioning, spreading sexual rumors, and sending sexually explicit emails or images are all examples of sexual harassment at work.

If you find yourself in this position, then you may want to think about getting the assistance of highly seasoned sex crime attorneys to help advise you of where you’re going next.

Summary

Sexual harassment is not a joke, nor is it something you should ignore. Nobody wants to or should have to work in an environment that makes them feel uncomfortable, and if your sexual behavior is making someone feel that way, it’s considered sexual harassment, and you should take action to prevent it from continuing to you or someone around you.

Riding an Electric Mountain Bike: What You Need to Know

Cycling is a great form of exercise that burns a lot of calories without putting too much strain on the body. If you are considering getting a mountain bike, consider getting an electric mountain bike. Such a bike allows you to ride for longer, go on steeper trails, and take your bike out a lot more. Riding a mountain bike is slightly different from riding a conventional bike. Here are some tips that can help you get the most out of your electric mountain bike.

A Higher Cadence is Better

You need a lot of torque if you take your bike out on a trail. A major benefit of an electric bike is that the motor can provide the extra torque you require for a better riding experience. One thing to note is that the bike provides more torque as you increase your cadence. Your cadence is often dictated by how many revolutions you make per minute. A higher cadence, around 50-60 rotations per minute, makes the motor more efficient and gives you the power you are looking for when out on a trail.

Be Careful With Turbo Power

Turbo power refers to the amount of power you get from the motor to assist your rides. A higher power setting gives you more assistance but drains your battery quickly. This can be disadvantageous if you hit a steep part of the trail and do not have the power to assist you as you climb.

To get the most out of your bike, try to use the higher battery power setting on steeper parts of your trail. One thing to remember is that switching from a low power setting to a higher one can cause you to flip backward. To avoid this, try to increase the power gradually, slide forward and lean forward when using the higher power setting.

Consider Getting Insurance

While most people understand why you need insurance for your car or home, many cyclists do not think that they need insurance for their bikes. An electric bike, especially a mountain bike, can be pricey, and thus you need to protect it by getting the right insurance. The good news for cyclists is that there are companies that now provide electric bicycle insurance. Companies like Velosurance provide cover for crashes, theft, and loss in transit. Velosurance also allows you to add additional coverage to your plan to include uninsured motorist coverage liability protection and medical bill coverage. Their e-bike insurance coverage covers all electric bicycles below 750 watts.

Master How Your Bike Rides

An electric bike is heavier than a conventional bike, which changes how you ride the bike. The bike will follow any trails and contours on the ground, so watch out for that. When you jump over something you will drop faster than you would if you were riding a conventional bike, so this is something else to keep in mind.

A heavier bike also means you have more traction. You will be able to ride in areas where you would have slid on a conventional bike. The additional traction also makes you feel like you can ride faster but avoid doing that, especially on a trail.

Watch Out for Strikes

Anything sticking out from the ground can cause pedal strikes on the downstroke. Because you will be riding the electric bike at a higher cadence, that increases the chances of a strike since there are more downstrokes. This means you have to be careful when picking your line and vigilant of where you ride. When negotiating tricky parts of a trail, you can opt to coast on the bike.

To avoid this issue, many electric mountain bikes have shorter crank arms. Shorter crankarms make an electric mountain bike feel weird, especially when you consider you will be riding at a higher cadence. You will feel like you are spinning the wheels faster than you are. The good news is that this feeling goes away once you ride the bike for some time.

Learn How to Anticipate Stopping

The battery and motor added to the bike make it faster and heavier. This means an electric bike does not stop like a conventional bike; you need more time to stop. This means you need to anticipate corners and anywhere else you need to reduce your speed.

Electric bikes also come with pedal assist, which helps you carry momentum around corners, so lean more into the corner as you go through one.

An electric bike can be an excellent option for those who want to ride on trails but do not want to expend too much energy. They can help you take on more challenging trails and make climbing steeper portions of these trails easier. Just remember to charge your bike and conserve as much power as possible, so you have it when you need it.

Because You Matter: These Are Your Rights as a Seaman

Thankfully, there are several statutes that provide protection to seafarers and maritime workers. As someone who works out at sea, you already know some of the dangers you face on a daily basis, and having protection is vital to ensure you’re looked after and aren’t taken advantage of in any sense of the word.

With this in mind, what are your rights as a seaman? The most common laws in the US fall under The Jones Act, a piece of regulation specifically designed to protect sailors, but what exactly is it, and what does it do? In today’s guide, we’re going to find out.

The Jones Act in the US

The Jones Act is a piece of legislation enacted by the United States

It was enacted into federal law in the 1920s to protect seafarers who were injured or murdered on the job or while serving on a vessel or fleet of vessels. Bear in mind this isn’t Worker’s Compensation.

The Jones Act allows sailors to sue their employers for carelessness that caused their injuries, with a three-year statute of limitations from the date of injury.

You’re not sure if you’re a seaman under the Jones Act? You should consult a maritime accident attorney for the facts, but there are some criteria we’ll explore in the next section that you can look into that should give you a clear idea.

While the Jones Act isn’t too specific, any crew member who spends over 30% of their working time aboard a ship, or potentially a number of different ships, can be classed a seaman and therefore full under these rules and acts of protection.

Workers on crew boats, cruise ships, supply boats, drilling barges, workboats, derrick barges, dive boats, and drillships all fall under this category.

Work on a vessel (or fleet of vessels) in navigation; contribute to the vessel’s mission and purpose; and, be more or less permanently assigned to the vessel (or fleet of vessels) (or fleet of vessels).

If you’re not sure if you qualify as a Jones Act sailor, a marine lawyer can help.

What Are You Protected Against?

Military — A schematic view of the marine soldier

The Jones Act provides rights to sailors who are harmed on a vessel as a result of employer carelessness. As a member of a vessel’s crew, you have the right to work in a fairly safe environment.

You have the right to collect damages if your employer, the vessel owner, or any other firm is liable for creating a dangerous environment that leads you to be hurt.

The Jones Act differs from Worker’s Compensation in that if you can prove blame, you can recover a much wider range of damages than you could under Workers Compensation, which does not need proof of negligence.

Seamen covered by the Jones Act are entitled to past and future lost pay, medical care, pain and suffering, general damages, and maintenance and cure. Maintenance and cure, as a reminder, is an age-old seamen’s privilege under General Maritime Law, which compels an employer to give an injured seaman with essential medical care and lodging and board in the case of an injury or illness while in service to a vessel, regardless of fault.

Summary

If you’ve been injured or taken advantage of at work as a seaman, you’re not sure what your rights are, or you’ve found yourself in a strange situation and you’re not sure how to move forward, hopefully, this article helped, but if you’re not sure, then be sure to seek legal advice that can tell you exactly where you stand.

The Ugly Truth About Plastic

Plastic is an integral material in our everyday lives, but unfortunately, it has extremely destructive capabilities to the environment. Plastic pollution refers to the build-up of plastics in the environment, it is a huge environmental issue that has adverse effects on the planet. The issue is worsened by our actions, with some of us not fully comprehending the negative effects. Therefore, it is important that we fully understand the damaging effects plastic pollution is having on our environment and capably tackle the issues at hand. This article will discuss the dangerous effects plastic pollution is having on the Earth’s environment, and outline tips on how to aid in its prevention.

One of the main factors contributing to plastic pollution is the rapidly increasing production of disposable plastics. According to Oceans Plastic Free, plastic production requires an enormous amount of energy and resources. This process causes carbon emissions and contributes to global warming. Furthermore, recycling plastic is extremely inefficient- only 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled. Two-thirds of unrecycled and incorrectly disposed plastics come from land-based sources, which eventually find their way into our oceans.

A large number of plastics in our oceans creates detrimental effects on our marine life. Plastic takes up to 500 years to fully break down and eventually fragments into smaller and smaller plastics called microplastics. There are 51 trillion microscopic pieces of plastic in the planet’s environment, this equates to roughly 500 times the number of stars in our galaxy. These microplastics are extremely harmful to our marine life, with a lot of marine creatures becoming trapped or confusing them for food; causing blockages and pain in the stomach and intestines. One in three fish caught for human consumption contains plastic- directly affecting humans. Are we eating plastic? And if so, how harmful is it to humans? In seawater, plastic absorbs crucial chemicals that have been linked to endocrine disruption and certain cancers. Regardless of whether we eat fish or not, 70% of the oxygen we breathe is produced by marine plants-which is more the reason for us to protect our marine life. For more information, take this quick quiz regarding plastic pollution:

It is clear that plastic pollution is extremely damaging to the environment, but it is impossible to remove all plastic pollution from our oceans. Only 1% of marine litter floats, with the vast majority of it sinking to the seafloor. It is also impossible to remove all microplastics from our oceans due to their microscopic nature. However, there are various ways in which we can help. For example:

Refuse plastic whenever you can- try not to use plastic straws, plastic bags, etc. Use a reusable straw, or carry a reusable coffee cup to prevent waste.
Recycle- make sure you recycle any plastics and split up your waste into different bins.
Try to buy things that aren’t in plastic packaging- for example, a lot of items are unnecessarily wrapped in plastic. Try to avoid buying these items where you can.
Buy products in bulk- this will prevent excess plastic waste.
Stop buying water- plastic bottles contribute to a large amount of plastic waste, stop throwing away plastic bottles, and switch to reusable water bottles to reduce waste.

It is clear that plastic pollution has extremely damaging effects on the environment, but becoming eco-friendlier can be a massive help. As a community, we can collectively make a significant difference and continue to make improvements in this increasingly worrying situation. The future of the planet rests on our shoulders, and the smallest of changes to everyday life can make the world of a difference.

4 Natural and Holistic Health Remedies for Stress

Stress affects everyone to a different degree, but research has found that it does compromise everyone’s health to some extent.

Stress affects everyone to a different degree, but research has found that it does compromise everyone’s health to some extent. In addition to raising your risks for mental illness, stress can also compromise the immune system and expose you to a variety of physical health problems. Fortunately, there are several ways for you to relax and reduce your stress levels.

Get More Exercise

Your mind and body need exercise for a variety of reasons, and you should be getting a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise each day. In addition to helping you guard against physical disease, exercise will help you to relieve stress. As you experience difficult situations, your brain responds by releasing the stress hormone cortisol. This was originally intended to prepare the body for the fight or flight response, but those reactions are no longer needed in modern society. As a result, cortisol continues to build up until something is done to counteract the effects of that hormone. That’s where exercise comes into the picture. As you engage in physical activity, your brain will release endorphins, which are also known as “feel good” neurotransmitters. Since you can’t feel stressed and euphoric at the same time, your brain will stop producing cortisol and your existing stress level will subside. This is why you always feel happier after a workout or playing a game.

Try Meditating

Meditating is not as easy as it sounds, so you should be prepared to practice consistently on a nightly basis. It involves focusing your thoughts on a single image or thought that you find relaxing or pleasing. As you start out, try to maintain that thought for just 15 minutes. If you feel your mind starting to wander, simply return your focus to the pleasing thought. You can use incense sticks to help you out. Don’t scold yourself or allow yourself to feel frustrated. As you practice, you’ll be able to keep your mind focused for longer.

When you do have more success with meditation, you’ll feel your concerns and worries drift away. Each session will leave you feeling relaxed, and that will give your mind the break it needs to stop producing cortisol. Instead, there will be more serotonin in your mind, which is a hormone that promotes energy and better mood control. Meditation also helps to strengthen cognitive functioning, which is why people tend to solve more problems after meditating. If you struggle to reach a calm enough state to meditate, consider using home remedies, like chamomile and magic mushroom tea, to promote a sense of relaxation.

Guided meditation is an excellent approach to divert your attention away from the stresses of everyday living. There are several guided meditations accessible on the internet that might assist you in finding 5 minutes of focused calm. Another popular way to reduce stress is using products that include CBD and magic mushrooms. To see the variety available online and to find out more information, search ‘buy magic mushrooms online‘.

Undergo Physical Therapy

There are several different types of physical therapy and most of them are effective in regulating stress without the use of drugs. One example is deep tissue massage, which involves massaging various muscle groups throughout the body to reduce inflammation. As the inflammation subsides, the pain and restricted movement you experience in those areas will also be alleviated. Since the brain sends out cortisol in response to pain signals, you’ll also feel less stress. A related type of physical therapy includes reiki healing services, which involves using the ancient Japanese practice of applying pressure to certain parts of the body. By pressing hands against the body in certain areas, the Japanese practitioners believed they were redirecting the flow of energy. There is a similar belief in acupuncture. While both types of therapy are effective, there’s no evidence that they do redirect energy. They may just be effective in that they help the individual relax, allowing stress hormones to subside.

Get Back to Nature

There are several ways you can get involved with nature and animal life. You can get the benefits of this activity right at home by petting your cat or dog. Research has found that interacting with a pet helps reduce stress levels almost immediately. In one study, seniors relaxed and exhibited better mental health simply by caring for pet crickets. In other studies, it was found that spending time outdoors had similar effects. The symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other emotional health problems were alleviated when individuals spent a minimum of 30 minutes outdoors in a natural setting. Whether you go to a beach, park, or forest, getting back to nature can have a positive effect on your stress levels. You can double those benefits by exercising outdoors.

If you have tried several methods of relaxing and still feel the symptoms of stress, talk to your doctor. There may be a medical reason for your heightened stress levels. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes that will make it easier for you to alleviate stress naturally.

Being Energy Efficient This Winter: a Guide for the Eco-Conscious

Making our money go further is something that is important to us all, now more than ever. Following an incredibly challenging eighteen months, we feel confident there will be some people reading this and beyond who have felt the financial brunt of the pandemic in some way or another. It has not been easy.

As we gradually emerge from the grips of the pandemic, there will undoubtedly be some people who are remaining mindful of their spending and overall budgets and want to continue maximizing their money wherever possible. The winter months can be some of the costliest times of year for some people. From the holiday season through to the increased need for heating in bitterly cold weather, there is no doubt this causes worry for some people.

While that is the case, there are things you can do to bring your energy costs down without compromising on your comfort in any way. Interested in being energy efficient this winter but unsure where to start? You have found yourself in the right place at the right time.

Detailed below, you will find our top tips for being energy efficient. No matter where you live or the size of your property, read on for more!

Tackle Gaps and Draughts

Cold winds entering your home are sure to counteract the efforts you are making to heat up the property. While we have no doubt you would ensure that doors and windows are shut during the colder months, as a means of trapping the warm air indoors, it is easy to forget about the smaller gaps. While some people might turn a blind eye to these, there are other gaps in the foundations of your home that can be hard to notice.

Dealing with these gaps in the run-up to the colder months will ensure that you are preventing any cold air from getting into your home. Draught excluders are ideal for putting across gaps under doors should you have them. Blankets make an excellent replacement should you struggle to locat4e draught excluders for your property.

Silicon-based sealants are best suited to fill in any gaps that you have surrounding windows and doors. Giving your home the once over before the winter months arrive will greatly reduce your heating costs and ensure you are as energy-efficient as possible.

Switch To Energy-Saving Products

Energy saving lamp — Energy-saving led bulb is represented schematically

It goes without saying, but when wanting to save energy in your home, the first step would be to swap to energy-saving products. While that is undoubtedly the case, we understand it can be unclear where best to start when switching to energy-saving products. With so many out there on the market, it can be hard to know where to start, but the first step is to make the all-important decision to swap to energy-saving products.

Exploring what products are out there and the energy-saving rates they offer is also recommended. From here, you can establish how much you should expect to save over time. LED light bulbs, for example, are an incredibly common swap that people make nowadays and one that is effective.

There is also a range of resources out there detailing precisely how much you can save by making a swap like this, both now and in the future. If you are interested in finding out more about LED light bulb savings, check out the helpful guides from reputable companies like Carbon Switch. Go forth knowing that the swaps you are making are having a positive impact on your energy efficiency and bank balance alike.

Use Natural Resources

Heating your home in the winter and maintaining a comfortable temperature can be challenging at the best of times. While nothing stops you from relying on the heating system in your property, this could result in your energy costs being higher than you would have hoped, which is what you want to avoid, after all.

While that could be the case, there are ways that you can use natural resources to keep your energy costs low while also ensuring that your home is at a comfortable temperature. This includes the likes of using the sun’s warmth and rays to heat your property. Keeping curtains and blinds open to allow the natural sunlight into your home will naturally heat the room. To maximize this, ensure that you close your curtains and blinds when the sun starts to set to ensure the heat is trapped and remains where you want it.

We recognize these are but some of the ways you can be energy efficient this winter and that there are a variety of other techniques you could also use alongside them. Regardless of which methods you choose to implement in the coming weeks and months, we hope your efforts pay off and emerge into the spring with a lower energy bill than usual!