Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Health/Wellness. Entrepreneurship comes with it’s own set of personal challenges. The grind can have adverse effects on your health and it’s thus important to understand how to protect one’s health. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Self-Care Tips For Entrepreneurs.
When you’re focusing on launching or building a business, it can become so easy to focus all of your energies on one problem and neglect yourself. But, as we all know, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Running around, forgetting meal times, working all hours — they come with the territory, but they only work for so long. To create a sustainable, successful business you need to first create sustainable, successful self-care tools to help you along the way. So, here are five top tips to help you look after yourself.
1. ‘Me time’
Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Well, if you’re an entrepreneur you know yourself how hard it is to find time for yourself. It could be the guilt (“if I’m not working I’m failing”) or you’ve got a to-do list that is too long. But, if you work smart, you can claim some time for yourself. It could be that before the day starts, you could diarise half an hour every morning to look after yourself, in whatever way you want. For some, it’s the chance to do a long meditation or yoga practice, for others it’s a cup of coffee or a bath. The important thing is you stop and focus on yourself.
2. Planning
That takes us to the next step, planning. You may be a pro, or you find it hard, but planning time for yourself will make your life so much easier in the long run. Whatever form of diary you prefer – the one on your phone or even a wall-hanging calendar so you can see your day at a glance – make time for yourself around reviewing business video samples or writing to investors. Focusing on specific tasks in your day can help you be more focused and efficient generally.
3. Meditation
Don’t discount the power of mediation outright. There are many different forms, and they work to help you feel more centered, improve self-awareness, reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, and generally improve your wellbeing. You don’t have to immediately resign yourself to the life of a yogi – you can pick up the practice using different online apps, many of which have free trials (so you can try different styles before start).
4. Your body
Taking care of your mind is important, but looking after your body is, too. To avoid burn-out and to keep yourself fighting fit, you’ve got to take care of your physical health. So, that means creating space to exercise, which will lower stress and provide a boost of feel-good hormones. That also means nourishing yourself with real food, not just something that you grab from the coffee shop when you pop in for a meeting. Many entrepreneurs put their success down to their interest in and commitment to health and fitness, so take it from the best, it’s important. If you find it hard to find the time, you can make this your act of self-care in the morning and get it done before the day starts.
Hopefully, these four tips will help you to look after yourself and succeed.
Two focuses of my blog are STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), and Health/Wellness. While a lot of important work gets done in research labs, there are a lot of potential health hazards as well. A major component of science is thus laboratory safety. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Essential Practices To Stay Safe As A Laboratory Technician.
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Safe lab practices are essential and shouldn’t be compromised on, as a lab is generally a hazardous place that requires utmost attention and a focus on protection. In 2019, 40% of lab researchers and technicians admitted to not wearing PPE at all times. The slightest error or lack of judgment can result in irreparable damage and even death. How can you ensure that your actions or inactions don’t put you or your colleagues at risk? Read further for details.
Due to the varied composition of solvents and other compounds, every chemical in the lab must be kept in appropriate storage containers. For example, it’s not recommended to store organic solvents in plastic containers. Acids should also never be stored in metal containers; neither should HF be kept in glass because it reacts with sodium silicate (the main component in glass) and causes it to corrode.
The reason for proper storage of these compounds and chemicals is to eliminate a hazardous reaction in a close unit such as a lab. It’s a safety measure to protect the lab technicians and others who work within the same space.
Furthermore, flammable chemicals must be handled with extreme precautions. That explains why most labs keep large volumes of such combustible substances in fire-rated cabinets. Lab handlers must also do well to keep acids and caustics apart; they must be placed in isolated cabinets or cupboards with plastic lining. The plastic acts as a buffer against any escaped vapor that may react with any metal element within the cabinet.
2. Quality waste disposal systems
As discussed in the previous list item, proper chemical storage is critical, and that flows into how these chemicals are disposed of as well. The approved method of waste disposal is to have them stored in safe non-reactive bins. An alternative is to use waste bins with a non-reactive inner lining. More importantly, every lab must invest in a hazardous waste removal service to comply with the United States legislation on Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals.
Known as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), these refer to goggles, lab coats, nose masks, gloves, and any other garment intended for self-protection in a laboratory. This includes long pants and footwear that completely covers the lower body and feet. Because of the likelihood of spills and splashes within the lab, you’re better off protecting yourself from biological and chemical agents.
Did you know that some chemical spills on the body can start a chain reaction to developing cancer in the long term? These are substances known to have delayed carcinogenic effects in humans. For instance, medical research indicates that asbestos inhalation can cause lung cancer in the long term. In other instances, chemical inhalation can travel into the bloodstream and cause Leukaemia many years after initial exposure.
The lab environment is a critical area that demands utmost caution at all times. Without these safety measures, it’ll be even more dangerous to choose an occupation requiring physical presence in a lab.
Three focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness, Home/Living and Home/Property Discussions. While the end of Covid-19 may be near, we still don’t know exactly when things will get back what we consider to be normal. As a result, many people will spend their summertime at home again this year. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Enjoy Summertime At Home.
Summertime is a wonderful opportunity to kick back and relax a bit and be with your family. With COVID-19 still lurking around and nothing quite being back to normal yet, you may find yourself spending more time around your house. Know that it will be what you make of it.
Summertime can be fun even when you’re at home and aren’t planning to do a whole lot else or travel someplace. Learn what you can do to enjoy summertime in and around your house and ensure you and your family members make it a memorable and fun season.
Prepare Your Space
You can enjoy summertime at home when you take the time to prepare your space inside and out. For instance, set up a dedicated office if you’ll be working from home some days, spruce up the backyard, and clean and declutter your rooms and belongings. Now is also a wise time to make sure your air conditioner is working properly in case it’s too hot to be outside. Contact a trusted air conditioning repair company should your system and unit need to be serviced. Make your space comfortable and cozy so you want to spend time in and around your home.
Spend Time Outdoors
Spend as much time outdoors as you can to enjoy summertime at home with your family. There’s likely a lot to see and activities to do in your own backyard and community. You may want to consider planting a garden you can maintain and work in throughout the season. Have your patio ready to go with a lounge chair where you can go to drink your coffee or read a book. Also, consider taking family walks or hikes as another way to enjoy nature.
Cook & Grill Out
You can also work and focus on improving your cooking skills over the summer. Eating out can be unhealthy and expensive if you do it all the time. Summer is the perfect time to pull out your grill and cookout with your loved ones. There are many different types of meat and recipes to try on the grill so don’t be afraid to branch out and experiment with a variety of meal ideas and foods. Get the family together and put some music on and play yard games while you wait for the food to be done.
Have A List of Activities Handy
It’ll also help if you’re prepared by having a list of activities handy that you can turn to and do over the summertime. For example, you can create an entertainment room for when the weather doesn’t cooperate, play sports in the backyard, and invest in a small swimming pool to use on warm days. Another idea is to put down a blanket and have a picnic in your backyard or at the local park. Start brainstorming ideas with your kids and spouse now so you have an idea of what will be fun and enjoyable and don’t feel pressured to come up with suggestions at the last minute.
Two key focuses of my blog are Athletics/Sports and Health/Wellness. Many people work out regularly at a gym and or in solitude. To shake things up and challenge themselves, some people take on fitness challenges. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Fitness Challenges To Take On.
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Having a fitness challenge that you can aim for will not only keep you determined to train but is also very rewarding once completed. In fact, having any challenge in life is a great way for you to keep yourself stimulated and entertained.
When it comes to fitness challenges, there are a whole array of events or tournaments that you can enter and compete in. The challenge is deciding which one is best for you and also which one is achievable. After all, you don’t want to set yourself up to fail! Below we have put together three different fitness challenges for you to take on.
Half marathons are a great achievement and something you should try if you are looking for a challenge. Every year there are many half marathons taking place all over the world, so why not take a look and pick one that really interests you? You could also get your friends to join in with you and run for a chosen charity and look into getting some screen printing done on some T-shirts that you could all wear. If you have already run a half marathon then why not look at a full marathon?
Take On A Obstacle Course
There are a whole plethora of obstacle courses that will not only challenge your fitness levels but also your mental abilities. Tough Mudder is a great example of a course that will challenge you in many ways. Most courses involve you having to take on a variety of challenges from swimming in ice-cold water to jumping from great heights. If you want to get competitive, there are time trialled ones, with the winner getting a prize. Obstacle courses are again another thing that is great to be done with your friends or family. Some you can stay overnight as part of the fun.
Take On A Cycling Challenge
Whether you are into cycling or are new to the sport, there are a whole array of cycling challenges that you can take on. Depending on your ability you may want to try an endurance riding challenge and attempt the cycle a few hundred miles. Or if you are new, you could attempt a short distance ride and cycle under 100 miles. Whatever the distance, why not take a look at the events happening local to you and give it a go. If covid has affected your events, there are many challenges that are being done virtually.
Overall, any challenge you take on will be great for your physical and mental health. Whatever challenge you choose to take on, try and get your friends and family members involved as this will keep you more motivated. Make sure you look after your body when taking part in a challenge as you don’t want to injure yourself.
What fitness challenge will you be taking part in this year? Have you tried any of the challenges above? Let me know in the comment box below, we would love to hear from you.
Three focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness, Financial Literacy/Money and Business/Entrepreneurship. Health and personal fitness are a key industry in their own. If you own a health supplement business, there are some things that your business is going to need. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Key Elements That A New Health Supplement Business Needs.
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Health is big business these days and scientific advances mean that there are more health supplements than ever. People use supplements on a regular basis to improve their performance and recovery when exercising, fill nutritional gaps in their diet, boost their concentration, improve mental health, or simply improve their overall wellbeing. If you’re looking for a good business opportunity, the health supplements industry is a good place to start because there is a lot of money to be made. However, it’s a very competitive sector so if you’re going to make it, there are a few key things you need to get right. Here are some of the top tips for starting your own health supplement brand.
If somebody asks who your target audience is and your reply is, ‘people that are interested in health’, you won’t get very far. There are so many different niches within the health industry and it’s vital that you know exactly what you are aiming for. Do you want to target people that hit the gym every day and lift weights or are you more interested in people that use natural supplements to boost brain power? The way that you market to those two groups is wildly different and the ingredients you use are very specific too, so do some market research and think about which specific area of health supplements you are interested in.
Once you have defined a niche, you have to choose a product. Think carefully about the competition that is already out there because if you pick something like protein supplements, you’re up against a lot of competition. One of the reasons that new businesses fail to make sales is that they pick a product everybody else is already making. What you should be looking at instead is new research into emerging health issues and remedies. For example, there has been a big increase in research into gut health and as a result, we have seen a lot of new supplements and health foods designed to improve gut health. However, that market is now becoming saturated too, so it’s up to you to find the next best thing.
Find Somebody To Make It
The next step is production, and it’s very important that you work with professionals. Finding the right contract food manufacturing company is vital to your success because people are putting this product into their bodies. If the quality isn’t right, your business will collapse in no time at all. So, compare a lot of different services and ask extensive questions about their experience in the health supplement field.
Get Your Branding Right
Branding is so important in the health industry because you need to tap into a specific mindset and show the customer that your product will improve their lives. Bodybuilders, for example, will respond very differently to somebody that is interested in alternative Eastern medicine. One will like branding that has lots of strong, bold colors to evoke feelings of power and energy, while the other will prefer calming, spiritual themes.
If you nail these 3 key elements, you will be on your way to building a successful health supplement company.
Three focuses of my blog are Career Discussions, Health/Wellness and Workplace Discussions. In all workplaces, it’s critical to understand how to be safe and to protect your health at all costs. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Be Safer In A Hazardous Workplace.
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Hazardous workplaces can involve many risks and dangers. Whether you work in a manufacturing warehouse or oil well, there will be heightened hazards that could impact you on a daily basis if you are not careful. To reduce the risk of injury and potential threats, it is important to understand how to be safer in the workplace environment. No matter your job, these tips will help you reduce the risk of danger at work.
If you work in a hazardous environment, you must be switched on and alert at all times. You cannot walk around haphazardly and not care about warning signs or potential hazards. It could be the case between life or death or a serious injury.
For example, if you were to spill chemicals on your hand at work, it may result in severe burns. Having a hand surgeon can help you maximize your ability and reduce the impact. Our hands are incredibly important and useful. A small injury can cause life-changing damage, so seeking help and recovery is crucial to minimize damage and impact. Maintaining your health and being aware of your surroundings at all times is so crucial to minimize injury.
Involve Yourself In Regular Training
Dangerous workplace environments will often offer regular training. This will either re-evaluate the dangers that already exist or update and educate you on new procedures. If your company offers regular training, always make sure you attend. It is crucial to be updated on workplace dangers to reduce your risk and maintain your health and safety.
If your workplace does not offer regular training, you could ask for it or read through the manuals on a regular basis.
Keep Your Space Clean
A messy workplace is a potential for disaster. Empty the bins regularly and clean those spills as fast as they appear.
Have a working team in place to clean up the messes created from day-to-day activities. The team is useful in helping you identify potential dangers. These include tangled cords, leaking roofs, dysfunctional equipment, and messy floors. While such a team may not be recognized, they play a very important role in any organization.
Use Equipment The Correct Way
Never take shortcuts when you are using tools, and always take the proper precautions. The leading cause of workplace injuries is when workers take a shortcut on the job. Don’t use a tool that has not been specifically designed for the job. Your chance of being injured in the workplace dramatically decreases when you use tools the right way.
You will always be trained on how to use certain tools. If it appears broken or you are unsure of how to use it correctly, always ask. It is not worth risking using a tool if you are unsure of its safety.
To keep yourself safer in a hazardous workplace environment, ensure to use these tips. It could be a matter of life or a serious injury. There will always be dangers, but it is how you handle them that will keep you safe.
Two focuses of my blog are Creating Ecosystems of Success and Health/Wellness. Many people find positive affirmations to be important tools for moving through the world and dealing with life’s challenges. This guest post lists 15 positive affirmations for you and is entitled, 15 Powerful Positive Affirmations to Help You Stay Motivated at Anything.
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Affirmations have a significant impact on your day-to-day life as it sets your course’s tone and mood. Studies have shown that positive affirmations have mental and physical benefits that impact their overall well-being. Start your day with these powerful affirmations that will keep you motivated in anything.
1. I am a work in progress towards positive change.
Embrace that you are on a journey that you will become a better person. Start the day with the thought that you are a work in progress and that each person has their journey. Tread a positive change in your life by affirming it today.
2. Today is going to be productive.
Boost motivation in whatever project, chore, or goal you have in mind by affirming it first thing in the morning. Start being productive by having a positive thought of productivity. Having a positive affirmation on productivity will set your course towards all your goals today.
3. I deserve success and the things I have today.
Set out that you deserve the success you have today. Knowing that you deserve the things you have affirms that you don’t hold back on your goals, and you are in a constant state of gratitude for everything you have. Aside from manifesting success, owning that you deserve it strays away from self-sabotage.
4. Happiness is a choice, and today, I choose to be happy.
Choosing happiness is a great way to let go of the things that hold your emotions back. Forget things that cannot be changed and choose a better outlook in life by letting happiness prevail in your thoughts. Exemplifying happiness as the choice will reflect on you physically, and the happiness within you will radiate to the people around you.
5. My past does not define me.
Letting go of who you were in the past can sometimes be a struggle. It is easier to accept that the past is no longer in charge of you are in the present. Take every past mistake and difficulty as a learning process. Acknowledge that your past is way behind you and that it won’t hold you back to the things you can do today.
6. The door of opportunity is open, and I will take advantage of it today.
This affirmation shows that you acknowledge that there are a lot of opportunities you can grab today. Positive affirmations are set to open doors that fill your thoughts with nothing but abundance. This thought sets out that you are open to set your life to a positive course of change.
7. All I need is within me right now.
Before you start your daily chores, a positive affirmation that you have everything you need is within you will help get things done. This positive affirmation negates out that there are still things you need beyond what you have. It also highlights that what you have are sufficient to deal with your day to day quests.
8. Note to self: I am enough
Having a mental note that you are enough gets you to a lot of places in life. There will be an instance where self-doubt eats up your day, but knowing your worth and recognizing that you are enough will change your perspective in life. Know that you are enough in all aspects of life. Accept compliments and validation, and accept that you alone are sufficient to keep yourself happy and motivated.
9. I am loved.
Keep this positive affirmation to yourself to have the glowing mindset of great value in this universe. Thinking that you are well-loved changes your outlook and will.
10. My goals are set, and I will accomplish them today.
Keep your eyes and your mind on your short and long term goals. A positive affirmation of your goals for the day will set it on fire. This affirmation is part of you trying to let the world know that you are goal-oriented and there is nothing that can set you apart from it. Abundance and productivity will come your way if you are focused enough and have a positive mindset.
11. I won’t let what other people think of me affect me.
Having a fear of what other people think is a significant obstacle you can easily overcome. Implanting what other people will think of you has a significant impact on your thoughts. Set out that you will mindlessly go on without their negative energy to focus more on your goals.
12. I will nourish my body with the right food choices.
Food can be a great source of comfort, especially when you are having a rough day. Positive affirmations have physical benefits, especially if you are mindful of what you eat. Positively affirm that you will choose healthy food choices, and other aspects of your well-being will follow.
13. I believe in myself.
Create no room for self-doubt today. Believe in who you are and what you can do today. There is no reason for you to doubt the things you are destined to do. You may stumble and fall but know that it is part of the process you are in. You are your best cheerleader, so affirm that you believe in all you can do today.
14. I am grateful for everything I am and everyone around me.
Part of having a better and more peaceful mindset is recognizing some people believed in you. Having a grateful heart plants seeds to pass on the good things that happened to you along the way. A positive affirmation of who you have become and the people around you balance the negative energy set out by others.
15. I am at peace with myself.
There is a difference between being at peace with the world and being at peace with yourself. This positive affirmation sets out that you have accepted your flaws and mistakes and that you are in the process of growing and changing. There is no definite you, and being at peace with yourself can clear out the clutter and clouds of doubt in your mind.
Say these positive affirmations to yourself and feel inspired, motivated, and empowered! Finally, love and trust yourself. You are you – and you CAN!
About the Author
Charles Vallena
Charles is the editor-in-chief at TheSleepMatters.com. He provides expert insights, guides, and reviews on the best mattresses online. When not working, you’ll often see him watching Gary Vaynerchuk and Tony Robbins’ motivational videos on Youtube.
Three focuses of my blog are Career Discussions, Health/Wellness and Workplace Discussions. Working in an industrial setting comes with its own unique set of challenges. If you’re working in such settings, you have to take the precautions to maintain your health. The following contributed post is entitled, Maintaining Your Health In A Modern Industrial Environment.
Working in an industrial area will always come with some dangers. Machines can be misused, accidents can occur, and the materials being used don’t always react in the way that is expected. Of course, though, while you may have to work in a factory, warehouse, or on a building site, you don’t have to accept these risks without minimizing them. To help you out, this post will be exploring several of the key areas that will help you to maintain your health when you work in a place like this.
PPE
PPE can be extremely important in an environment like this, with things like hardhats, knee pads, and breathing equipment being very important to maintain your health. You should make sure that you know the law in your area, pushing your bosses to invest in the items you need for your role. This will be different in every job, with some people needing far more PPE than others. Of course, though, this should be easy to figure out.
Equipment
There is a lot of equipment used in industrial settings that can make or break the safety of your environment. Ladders, warehouse shelving, and the machines used in these places need to be adequate for their jobs, while also being used in the safest possible manner. Training is key when you’re using the equipment that comes in this sort of environment, but you may have to push your employer to put you through this if you feel you need it to be able to do your job safely.
The Building
If you work inside a building, the odds are that you are exposed to particles that aren’t usually found in the air. Many production processes involve gasses that can be harmful to people, and even the dust that is found in many warehouses can damage your health over time. This makes it well worth using some sort of mask or ventilation when you are at work. Many modern industrial workplaces have special air filtration systems in place for this.
Sound
Your hearing is one of your most crucial senses, but it can easily be taken away after years of being exposed to loud noises. People who work in loud environments should always wear ear protection, ensuring that they don’t suffer from problems once they retire, while also ensuring that their employer is safe from legal issues. It can be hard to tell when noise is hurting your ears, but this is something that you have to be very careful with.
With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on your health when you work in an industrial environment. It’s always worth keeping yourself safe when you are work, but you also need to keep in mind that your boss should also be interested in keeping you safe. If your employer ever ignores the safety tools you need, you can easily fight back and take them to court to get the problem solved.
Two focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Health/Wellness. Many people aren’t planning for their retirement, but if you are one of the wise ones who are, there are some important considerations. The following contributed post is entitled, A Complete Guide To Preparing For Your Retirement The Right Way.
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Are you thinking about preparing for your retirement? You should be and this is true regardless of how old you are. Indeed, financial experts agree that you start thinking about your retirement as early as possible. Remember, this isn’t just about protecting your interests. It’s about ensuring that you can do your best for the people that you leave behind. We’ll explore this concept a little more further down the article.
It’s important to realize that there are different factors to keep in mind when you are preparing for your retirement. This does go beyond your financial situation and includes things like your health too. So, let’s get started.
Building Up Your Investments
The first step you need to think about is investment decisions. To invest, you need to learn how to save money effectively. You should be aiming to save about fifty percent of what you have leftover each month. This doesn’t need to be a massive amount when you’re younger, but as you get older you should be building up these amounts as much as you can. If you are struggling to save enough each month, then it’s important to think about how you can be more frugal. You should work to save in little ways such as on your energy bills each month.
When you start building up a solid amount in savings, you can then start looking at investing. A lot of people assume that you need a massive fortune to invest your money, but this isn’t the case. There are investment options for people with low amounts of disposable income. For instance, you can think about checking out penny stocks. As the name suggests, penny stocks are quite cheap and there’s always the potential that they blow up massively even over a short period.
In terms of larger investment choices, you need to think about buying property. You should try and get on the property ladder as quickly as possible. By doing this, you can make sure that you are building up the value in your home, little by little, each year. You’ll then be able to make a profit whenever it’s time to sell. Some people choose to purchase multiple properties. This is an option worth exploring as long as you are prepared for the responsibilities of being a landlord. It’s definitely not an option that you can explore with a hands-off approach unless you are ready to pay for various services.
One of the key benefits of owning property is that you will have something substantial to pass down to your heirs. What is a heir? An heir is someone that will inherit the property that you pass down. This is something that will come into play when you start thinking about your will. That brings us to our next point.
Insurance Options
You should definitely think about insurance choices when you are planning your retirement. The most important insurance option is going to be life insurance. With life insurance, you can make sure that your dependents are covered when you pass away. This includes any loved ones or children too. When you are choosing insurance options like this, then you need to compare a few different options on the market. It’s important that you do get the right deal and you should also look at the fine print. The last thing that you want is for your insurance company not to pay out to your dependents due to a technicality that you weren’t aware of. For instance, a lot of insurance companies will not provide coverage for your death if it is caused by particular diseases.
There are other insurance options that you can consider too. For instance, you might want to think about investing in disability insurance. With disability insurance, you will receive a payout if you develop a disability that means that you are unable to work or potentially earn your previous income. Again, you need to make sure that you are looking at the technicalities here.
You might think that the chances of you developing a disability are low. However, this isn’t quite the case. The grim reality is that it’s incredibly common these days for people to develop a disability before the age of 65. Common issues such as RSI can also impact your ability to work and earn an income.
Focus On Your Health
Finally, you should make sure that you are getting your health in check before you retire. You don’t want to spend your retirement in a hospital bed. If you’re not careful that’s exactly what can happen. The unfortunate truth is that as you get older, it becomes more difficult for your body to heal and it takes significantly longer. If you ensure that you exercise well and eat the right foods you can ensure that your body is strong enough to avoid issues like this.
For instance, you need to make sure that you are consuming a diet that is packed full of antioxidants. These are found in a wide range of different foods such as leafy greens. You can find some great guides online about what foods you should be focusing on here to ensure that you get the best results.
As for exercise, you need to focus on low impact exercise routines. These are the ones that are most likely to provide the benefits to your body that you need and help you avoid issues with potential injuries.
We hope this helps you understand the best ways to prepare for your retirement. In doing so, you can make sure that you do get the best quality of life in what should be some of the greatest years of your life. You will also be able to make sure that you are thinking about the people who you will one day leave behind. Remember, it’s never too late to start thinking about your retirement. Starting down this path early will always mean that you are better prepared for some of the challenges that lie just over the horizon.
Two focuses of my blog are Health/Wellness and Home/Living Discussions. A decision many of us will face is caring for our elderly parents. In some instances that involves moving them in with us, requiring us to prepare spaces in our own homes for their twilight years. The following contributed post is entitled, There’s No Place Like Home: How To Adapt Your Home For Your Elderly Parents.
Aging is a fact of life. Even then, it’s hard to watch as your parents struggle with things they used to do with ease. It’s as if they are no longer your superheroes. However, this is when you need to step in to make their lives more comfortable.
Some children do this by inviting their elderly parents into their homes permanently, yet, even if they remain in their property, you want them to visit and be a part of your life. As a result, it’s necessary to make adaptations to your home, regardless.
The question is, which ones should you focus on first?
Removing Fall Hazards
Hazards are double-edged swords. Not only do seniors struggle to see and or avoid them, but the impacts of a trip, no matter how small it seems, can be very damaging. And, if you have children, or lead a regular life, you are bound to have fall hazards throughout your home. Removing them is imperative, and you can do this with a simple audit. Go around your house and evaluate what’s safe and what’s unsafe, and find it a new place to live if it falls into the latter category. For example, decorative rugs or hardwood flooring might be slippy.
Installing Handles
You can’t go with them everywhere, which means you can’t always be around to lend a hand. Take the bathroom, for instance. Your parents require privacy, but your bathroom might not be conducive to the elderly. A surefire sign is an interior that lacks handles and rails. After all, the less-abled can’t lift their body weight without leverage. Installing hand grips is simple and cost-effective, yet it will make a significant difference to your parents when they visit or come to stay.
Putting Up Barriers
A mistake can be fatal. At the very least, it can be painful and result in a trip to the Emergency Room. You shouldn’t take any chances, and you don’t have to with barriers that are strong enough to shield your parents from further harm. A custom metal fabrication on the upstairs walkway is a fantastic place to start, as is the staircase, and any balconies or balustrades. And, if you have them, you might want to reinforce them just in case. With a custom metal design, you get peace of mind that everything is to a high standard.
You’re not a professional caregiver. You’re a concerned child who does the best they can to assist your elderly parents. This is commendable, but it means you will need help when situations take a turn for the worst. Thankfully, expert care workers are on hand, all you need is their number. Taking down the contact details of emergency contacts should enable you to negate any problems. Of course, you know what to do if it is serious – call 911. Either write them down or store them in your phone or both in case of a situation where you don’t have either handy.
There’s no place like home, not when it’s designed for safety.
