Health and Wellness – Page 24 – The Big Words Blog Site

5 Reasons Fishing Is The Best Hobby For Your Health

Two key focuses of my blog are Athletics/Sports and Health/Wellness. Humans have been fishing all throughout history. While its an industry and a sport, it’s also a therapeutic activity. If you’re looking for an activity that’s good for your well-being, fishing is something you ought to consider. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Reasons Fishing Is The Best Hobby For Your Health.

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There’s nothing like a new hobby to challenge your body and mind. Perhaps you haven’t ticked many items of your new year’s resolution list yet, but thankfully there’s still time. Maybe you’ve considered a few hobby options, and haven’t made a decision? Well, fishing is a great hobby to improve your health. There are many benefits to grabbing your fishing gear and heading to the waters!

1 . Great exercise

Fishing is an excellent form of exercise; you’ll give both your lungs a heart a nice bit of stimulation, plus work those muscles when you’re casting and reeling! Of course there are many different types of fishing, and some are more active than others. Fly fishing is usually done from a drift boat, however some adventurous fly fishers like to wade into the water. When you’re knee-deep in the water, standing strong and throwing the rod, you’ll be working your core!

2. Learn new skills

When it comes to fishing, there’s so much to learn, from the types of equipment and sustainable fishing practices to the best forms of bait. If you choose to try deep sea charter fishing, you’ll get to learn about the different fish you’ll catch (depending on the time of year). With this info, you can schedule your trip whether you’re looking for Yellowfin or Snapper! A fishing charter trip can be a real once in a lifetime experience, whether you’re a novice or a professional.

3. The great outdoors

Many studies indicate that the great outdoors boosts our health, whether it’s swimming in the ocean, hiking in the forest, or a fun-filled fishing trip! In our modern society, many of us have lost our connection with the natural world. We go from our offices to our TVs and forget about the joy of the outdoors. When you take up fishing, you’ll get out in the fresh air and help your body to raise it’s endorphin levels. Being out in the sun helps you to get enough vitamin D which is essential for a healthy immune system. For a fast way to boost your wellness levels, fishing is the key!

It certainly helps to live near a location where you can fish such as a lake or a river. Since many of the best fishing spots are out in the wild, some people combine their fishing trips with hunting as well. It’s a similar hobby that uses some of the same skills, such as understanding your surroundings and setting up the ideal conditions to successfully catch an animal.

4. A social hobby

One of the best things about fishing is that it’s a really social hobby. A fishing trip with family or friends is excellent fun, or you might like to go to a local fishing club. At a fishing club, you’ll get yourself some fishing buddies plus gain some great fishing tips. A fishing trip with friends is a great way to find new camping spots across the country and explore the countryside.

5. Improved concentration

Fishing requires a lot of concentration, and so within just a few weeks, you’ll see your concentration levels improve. As we age, it’s important to do activities which boost our cognitive health, and fishing is undoubtedly one of them!

Check out sites like Facebook or Meetup to see if you can find a local fishing club in your area. When you are starting out it really helps to have some connections and like-minded hobbyists.

6 Simple Ways To Practice Self Care At Work

Two of the focuses of my blog are Career Discussions and Health/Wellness. As many of us spend our adult lives pursuing our careers, we must also think about how to do so in the most healthy ways possible. Depending upon what your career involves, you should consider what you can do to maintain yourself self to maximize both your performance and your health. The following contributed post is entitled, 6 Simple Ways To Practice Self Care At Work.

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Over the last several years, employee burnout has been on the rise. The term refers to becoming exhausted, overwhelmed, or unwell due to work. According to a survey cited in Thrive Global, ‘60% of office workers in the United States and Canada feel burned out.’ The study’s respondents pointed to impossible deadlines, large workloads, pressure, and breaks amongst the contributing factors.

Your own job might involve reasonable workloads and deadlines, yet this doesn’t mean it’s not possible to become stressed. To reduce your stress levels throughout the working week, it’s important to establish a self-care regime. Whether you commute or work from home, these simple steps will set you up to practice self-care at work.

1 . Meal-prep

Most of us can appreciate that a good self-care regime involves eating healthy and nutritious food. If you pre-plan your meals, it’s easier to establish and follow a healthy regime. Prepare or plan your lunches on the Sunday before the week has begun. Spend time researching new healthy recipes, and use apps such as ‘Noom’ or ‘YogicFoods’ for some inspiration.

2. Perfect your space

Working in a dull and unattractive looking environment does nothing for your morale and well being. Try to perfect your working space as much as you can. According to a survey in ZenBooth, ’46 % of professionals said office design impacted heavily on their productivity.’ Another study by The World Green Building Council found that ’69 % of businesses that implemented healthy building features reported improvements in employee satisfaction and engagement.’ These healthy features included good ventilation, lighting, attractive interiors, plants, and collaborative workspaces.

3. Occasional Telecommuting

An Owl Labs study found that’ full-time remote workers reported being happy in their jobs 22% more than workers who are never remote.’ Perhaps the current COVID-19 lockdown has ruined the fun of working from home! Nevertheless, when things return to ‘normal,’ keeping the odd telecommute day here and there is highly beneficial for your well being.

4. Inventive breaks

It’s vital to take regular breaks throughout the working day to avoid burnout. If you want to improve your self-care, you’ve got to get a little inventive with your breaks. Use them wisely to do activities which help you to relax. If you’re working from home, it could be a quick sunbathe in the garden! You could try a brief work out, meditation session, or reading a book? Instead, you might take time to write a reflective passage in a journal or maybe take a walk in the park. Whatever helps you to feel peaceful, make sure that you practice these activities, throughout your day.

5. Set boundaries

Set boundaries for yourself and with your co-workers about how much work you can realistically take on. Juggling too many projects at the same time is bound to affect the quality and stress you out. It’s essential to aim high, yet set yourself realistic expectations about what you can achieve.

6. Prioritise health & safety

It’s vital to pay close attention to health and safety to look after yourself during the working week. Review your health and safety training often, and report anything that you are unhappy with. Even in an office role, for instance, it’s important to use ergonomic furniture to stop yourself from sustaining an injury. If you are unfortunate enough to become injured at work, you’ll need an excellent personal injury lawyer behind you. Companies such as Hadley Law Firm provide some great services.

3 Tips for Staying on Top of the Important Things

The first principle of my blog is Creating Ecosystems of Success and a key focus is Health/Wellness. Many people have problems managing their lives. This is particularly true when shouldering responsibilities for one’s self and others. The following contributed post is entitled, 3 Tips for Staying on Top of the Important Things.

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Everyone has certain important responsibilities that they have to attend to, as well as various chores and less pressing obligations that nonetheless have to be handled, in order to prevent significant problems from developing.

Whether you are trying to remember to change your auto insurance, or are planning a vacation getaway with a special someone, it’s essential to have effective strategies at hand in order to stay on top of the important things in life.

Here are a handful of tips for staying on top of the important things.

Simplify your life as much as possible

It’s very easy, all things considered, to forget important tasks and duties – and to procrastinate on important projects – if you have too much going on in your life at any given time.

If you’ve got dozens of different tasks to keep track of, combined with all sorts of distractions in your everyday life, and a host of decisions that need to be made on a regular basis, it will naturally be harder to get anything done.

According to the book “The Paradox of Choice,” by Barry Schwartz, an overabundance of choice is actually psychologically detrimental, while also increasing the degree to which people remain static or become so overwhelmed or otherwise complacent that they let important things slide.

So, in order to stay on top of the important things, begin by simplifying your life as much as possible. For starters, work on filtering out those distractions and decisions that don’t enrich or benefit you in some way, but that instead serve as time sinks.

Use automated tools and systems to keep yourself reminded

Part of the reason why the budgeting service You Need a Budget is so popular with such a broad audience, is because it helps to streamline a usually difficult process – namely money management. Specifically, it “automates” a lot of the irritating number crunching, and can allow you to track “scheduled” transactions and so on – but it doesn’t “automate” the overall process to the extent that it allows you to be complacent.

If you are at risk of forgetting about important pending transactions, or upcoming appointments, consider using automated tools and systems to keep yourself reminded.

Simple forgetfulness and inattention are frequently the reason for a failure to get important things done.

Use a task and project management system that requires mindful engagement and review

There are various task and project management systems out there which thrive specifically because they focus to a significant degree on promoting regular engagement and review of various tasks and projects.

David Allen’s famous “Getting Things Done” task management system, for example, involves constantly reviewing the different projects that you have to handle, so that you can continually identify and act on the “next action” down the line.

Ryder Carroll’s paper-based Bullet Journal Method, on the other hand, involves writing entries out by hand, and copying them out during regular “reviews” and “migrations.” The overall effect is that you’re forced to remain proactive and to engage with your to-do list.

Generally speaking, task and project management systems that require mindful engagement and review are going to be much more effective in terms of actually ensuring that you get things done as required.

How To Make Health Insurance More Affordable

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“Getting insured is the best way to afford healthcare – but what if you can’t afford health insurance? While rates can be expensive, there are a number of cheaper insurance options out there.”

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Two of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money and Health/Wellness. A major personal cost depending on your stage in life and circumstance is healthcare. Most people don’t understand their premiums and how to manage the costs but it can be done. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Make Health Insurance More Affordable.

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Getting insured is the best way to afford healthcare – but what if you can’t afford health insurance? While rates can be expensive, there are a number of cheaper insurance options out there. Here are just several ways in which you can lower the cost of health insurance.

Check if you’re eligible for Medicare or Medicaid

There are federal and state programs in place across America that could help to pay for some or all of your health insurance. These are only eligible to certain people however.

Medicare is eligible for those over 65 and those with disabilities – while you must still pay a contribution, this program could allow most of your insurance to be paid for you. There are a number of different plans out there ranging from Medicare Plan A to Medicare Plan G. These each offer a different level of coverage.

Medicaid is meanwhile eligible to those with a low income, pregnant women and people with certain disabilities – participants pay little to nothing for coverage providing they meet requirements. This is largely state funded, unlike Medicare, so can vary a little from state to state.

Talk to your employer

Many employers offer health insurance to employees as a company benefit, often making contributions to help lower the cost. If your employer does not offer this, you could try talking to them about the possibility of setting up a scheme. Even if they contribute only a tiny amount to it, it will still save you some money and it has tax benefits for your employer.

Join organizations with health insurance perks

Aside from working for a company that offers health insurance, you may also be able to gain access to cheap health insurance by becoming a member of certain organizations. This includes state farm bureaus, university alumni associations and automotive clubs such as the AAA.

Raise your deductible and use a HSA

A high deductible plan can also save you money. The deductible is the amount of money you’re willing to pay out of your own pocket before asking an insurer for help in the event that you need to pay for healthcare. It could mean that you still end up paying for most minor healthcare, but you’ll still get some assistance if you need major treatment such as surgery.

A HSA (Health Savings Account) could help you to pay your deductible. This is a savings account in which your earnings are contributed on a regular basis. The main benefit of such accounts is that you don’t have to pay tax on any earnings that are put in these savings accounts.

Start living more healthily

Health insurers tend to ask a number of questions about applicants’ lifestyle in order to get an idea of how healthy you are. If you smoke, drink heavily and do little exercise, you could find that your rates are higher – this is because there’s a greater risk you’ll need to claim insurance for healthcare. Even getting check-ups with – or listening to – experts like David Minkoff can be a part of this.

While you can lie about your lifestyle to gain access to cheaper rates, this could backfire if you’re found out. Start living more healthily so that you can honestly take advantage of cheap insurance – less health problems could also mean less health insurance claims in the future, which means cheaper future rates.

A Guide To Starting Your Own Successful Crossfit Gym

Three focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Health/Wellness. A lucrative business to start is a Crossfit gym. There individuals who are hypervigilant about their health and want to challenge their bodies like never before. The following contributed post is entitled, A Guide To Starting Your Own Successful Crossfit Gym.

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Have you always wanted to start your own business? Are you interested in fitness? If so, you might have considered combining the two. If you’ve ever been to a crossfit gym and loved the atmosphere, maybe you’ve even thought about what it would be like to open your own crossfit gym (or box, as they call it). This guide will tell you what you need to know about starting your own successful crossfit gym so you can decide whether it’s for you. Opening one of these gyms requires specific licensing and training, but that’s not all. You’ll also need to take into account the following things:

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Choosing Your Name And Business Entity
You’re going to need to make it clear that you’re opening a crossfit gym, so consider this when coming up with a name. This might be descriptive of the location as well as the fact that you are focusing on Crossfit, for example. Just ensure that the name is available in your state and that you will be able to get the correct social handles and domain names to go with it.

A business entity will also be required. Usually, you’ll want something that provides you with protection from liability.

Create A Business Plan
A business plan is the most important part of any business, so this is something you really want to take your time with. Using a ready made business plan template will ensure you have covered all of your bases and that you’ve not missed anything out.

This will usually take a lot of work, but you’ll be glad you did it when it comes time to find investors or apply for loans. They will want to look at your business plan to ensure you have everything planned out and be assured that they will get their money back. This also means doing plenty of research beforehand – who are your competitors in the area? Are there any crossfit gyms nearby? You need to be sure that there’s a market for your services!

Get Certified
Before you begin, you’ll need to get some certifications. Being a level one trainer is key to opening your own box. You’ll need to learn how to safely perform and teach workout techniques. Once you’ve done this, you’ll need to be prepared to pay yearly licensing fees to Crossfit. If you want your gym to be an official affiliate, then you will need to budget for these fees annually.

Register Your Business
Now it’s time to register your business and get your employer identification number. This is going to make paying your taxes possible and obtaining business loans far easier.

Get Funding
You may not have enough money to start this venture all on your own. You not only have the cost of opening the gym to think about, but the certification fee, licensing fee, rent, equipment costs, taxes, employees, and more. You’ll want to have more money than you think you need for the startup costs.

Find Your Gym Space, Purchase Equipment, And Everything Else
Once you have funding in place, you can find your gym space and get permits. Make sure you are happy to pay the specified rent before you sign on the dotted line. Don’t forget about business insurance, as this will protect you from many risks that come with opening a business like this.

You can then purchase all of your equipment, install gym turf, and hire employees (if you need to).

The community aspect of Crossfit makes it attractive to most people. Make sure you build this sense of community in your own gym so that people want to join. This is how crossfit becomes a lifestyle for many people!

Coronavirus Lockdown Doesn’t Make You Powerless. It’s Your Opportunity To Take Control

Two of the focuses of my blog are Current Events and Health/Wellness. The Coronavirus/Covid-19 Pandemic/Crisis has created unprecedented and complex circumstances for everyone. While the situation sorts itself out, you don’t have to let it be the end of your world as there are potential opportunities to better your life in the meantime. The following contributed post is entitled, Coronavirus Lockdown Doesn’t Make You Powerless. It’s Your Opportunity To Take Control.

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How are you, dear reader? It’s okay if you need a moment to answer that question. Like the rest of us, you’re likely dealing with a completely different paradigm in every aspect of your life and work. Your day to day is likely far removed from what it was even at the start of this year. You may be grappling with unforeseen expenses potentially combined with a loss of income. You may have either or a lot less free time on your hands. You may have assumed the role of teacher as you homeschool your kids using resources provided by their school. You may be sleeping a lot less easily, even if you’re lucky enough not to have been directly impacted by the virus itself or lost anyone to it.

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You may feel as though life has spiralled out of your control right now. But fear not, dear reader. This may feel like the end. But it’s actually just the beginning…

Lockdown liberation

While in lockdown you may feel isolated. You may be cut off from the people, places and and activities that bring you meaning. But look at this not as an incarceration but a liberation! No longer do you need to define yourself by the places where you shop or the products you own. You’re no longer the clothes you wear or the car you drive. This can be a very liberating opportunity for you to redefine and reinvent yourself. Whether it’s by giving your business a new marketing push or re-engaging with new hobbies or interests. Now’s the time to pare down the distractions and focus on what really matters.

Cut unnecessary costs and take control of your budget

Now’s the time to start thinking about all those wasted costs that quickly added up in your pre-lockdown life. From the monday morning latte to the beers with the team after work on Friday. Necessity is the mother of invention. Now’s the time to make budgeting your new best friend. See how much you could save on auto insurance with a pay-per-mile company like Metromile. Invest in preparing, cooking, freezing and reheating more homemade meals. See if you can save money by switching your energy, phone or broadband providers. You might just learn that you have more control of your household budget than you thought.

Rethink your diet

Speaking of home cooked meals, the long lines and bare shelves at the grocery store might just be the shot in the arm that you needed. Now that access tro sugary, salty and fatty processed foods is restricted, it’s time to take control of your diet and start making good on those health and fitness promises you made yourself at the start of the year.

Rediscover your creativity

To paraphrase a fictional character… You’re not the car you drive, the clothes you wear or how much money you have in the bank. You are the sum total of all the things that bring your life joy and meaning. If you’re able to get that in your work, fantastic! But if you’re not, it’s time to re-engage with your old interests and rediscover your creativity. Pick up a paintbrush, dust off that manuscript you were working on or get together with some friends over video chat to make a podcast.

Whatever brings you happiness or meaning, the COVID-19 lockdown isn’t going to remove your control over your life… it might just be what hands it back.

4 Signs That Alcohol Is Taking Over Your Life

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. Though it’s not normally thought of as one, alcohol can be a drug of abuse which can ravage the life of the abuser and their family. Some people don’t know once alcohol has taken hold of their lives. The following contributed post is entitled, 4 Signs That Alcohol Is Taking Over Your Life.

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Alcohol dependency, addiction – call it what you want, it’s a serious health issue to worry about. People with an alcohol problem are usually one step away from falling down a deep and dark path that leads to a host of health and social issues. The biggest problem with alcoholism is that it gradually bleeds its way into your life. Many people are living with alcohol problems and they don’t even realize it.

Consequently, here are some telltale signs to be wary of that show alcohol is taking over your life:

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You’re spending way too much money on booze

Take a look at your bank statements or have a look in your fridge at home. Do you see loads of transactions in bars or loads of money spent on alcohol in grocery stores? Is your fridge full of alcohol, and your bins packed full of empty bottles? This shows you’re buying way too much alcohol all the time. It’s an early warning sign that you’re becoming dependent on the substance. You need it in your life, and you feel compelled to have some around you to drink every single day.

You’ve been given charges for drink driving

In terms of clear warning signs, they don’t get much clearer than this. Driving while intoxicated is a terrible thing to do. If you get caught doing this, then it impacts everything from your car insurance to your livelihood. Some companies may fire you if you’re caught with a charge for a DUI, particularly if you’re caught while you’re working or if you’re still wearing your work uniform. To get to a state where you think it’s okay to drink and drive, you must have some sort of dependency on alcohol.

You wake up with a hangover every day

Do you wake up with a pounding head, dry feeling in your throat, and a feeling of slight nausea? If so, then you’re exhibiting the signs of a hangover. This happens when you drink a lot of alcohol, and it’s normal to experience this after a night out with friends once a week. But, if you have a hangover every day, then it shows you’re drinking far too much alcohol every night. Also, the signs of a hangover can also be something entirely different. It may be withdrawal symptoms from not drinking. If you start drinking and feel better, then that’s another bad sign.

You’re becoming a recluse

Are you spending less time with friends and family? Have you got into arguments with the people you care about? If so, then you may have an alcohol problem. Alcohol abuse can be damaging to your mental health, as it changes your mood. In turn, you shut yourself off from others and decide to stay inside or be by yourself. You can get annoyed easily, pushing away those you care about. If this sounds too familiar to you, then you have a problem on your hands.

Be mindful of these signs as they show that you have a genuine drinking issue. It’s important to seek out solutions right away as this can have a negative effect on your mind, body, and personal life.

5 Ideas To Help you Get Around Easier

A key focus of my blog is Health/Wellness. A key to our personal health is our mobility and ability to get around our locality, from city to city and even around the world. In some instances this may involve physically being well enough to move around, and in other instances it involves finding and using the right mode of transportation. The following contributed post is entitled, 5 Ideas To Help you Get Around Easier.

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Getting around and from A to B is something that we all need to do. Although, right now, you may find that you may not be going to as many places as you were before, it’s safe to say that you still need to be able to get about. And so do many others. Yet, when this isn’t usually that easy for you or you are currently without your usual mode of transport, you may need to consider new ideas. Maybe you have mobility issues and you’d like to be able to change that? Let’s take a look at some of the ideas that might inspire you.

1. Stretch Out

So, to start with, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re trying to work on your mobility more. If you know that you tend to get a bit achy after walking too much or you struggle with mobility, stretching can help. Just five or ten minutes a day can make such a difference.

2. Use Support

Now, as a step on from that, if you know that you are struggling to get around at the moment, then maybe you need to be thinking about support? This could mean looking at different canes or even an electric scooter to help you get around quickly. If your mobility is compromised, it’s definitely best to support your movement than let it get worse.

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3. Invest In The Right Car

From here, you’re going to want to make sure that you’re able to invest in the right vehicle for your needs. And this isn’t just picking out the one that is the prettiest or the one that you think sounds coolest. When it comes to being able to get around easiest, you’ll want to find a car that’s efficient on fuel or cheap for you to run. Sure, if you have the budget available, then definitely think about investing – but make sure your money counts.

4. Work Out Public Transport

Next, it could be that you just want to be able to get out and about in the most efficient way possible? When that’s the case, public transportation could be best for you. Sure, at the moment, we’re advised not to use it unless absolutely necessary and some services aren’t running. But in general, public transport could be the most efficient way for you to get to work or out and about – especially if you live in a big city.

5. Consider An Alternative

Finally, you may find that you like the idea of using a bicycle or a motorcycle instead? Sometimes, you don’t want to walk everywhere – but at the same time, you don’t want to use a car. There are many reasons why a car wouldn’t be suitable. But maybe getting a bicycle to help you get from A to B could be perfect. So think about what you can do to find the perfect movement solution that is cost effective and most suitable for your lifestyle.

Bucket List Holidays That are Within Reach

A key focus of my blog is Health and Wellness. A key part of our personal health is taking vacations. Vacations not only renew our personal health but in many instances the destinations are lifelong dreams. The following contributed post is entitled, Bucket List Holidays That are Within Reach.

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We all have a list, either written down or somewhere in our minds – what we would do if we won the lottery, if that big investment comes through, if we are suddenly gifted with a huge inheritance from a long-lost relative. It will be different for everyone, but top of many people’s lists is a fabulous holiday. Well, it might be time to seize the day. Below, we’ve listed some top, bucket list destinations that might be within reach even before you make it big. Read on to find out how you can enjoy a luxury vacation without breaking the bank.

1. Yachting

If you’re dreaming about turquoise waters, hopping between islands that look like paradise, being brought champagne on ice whilst enjoying the sunset over the ocean, then a corporate yacht charter is the dream holiday for you. If sunbathing on deck whilst sipping on a cocktail and enjoying the open water is your idea of heaven, then look into a yachting holiday for your next escape. There are some excellent value-for-money packages – which doesn’t mean scrimping on quality one bit. You can enjoy the Rockstar lifestyle, cruising between tropical islands. The ultimate celebration of a lifetime.

2. Safari

There are plenty of reasons a safari is top of so many people’s list of dream holiday destinations. Experiencing an entirely different way of life and seeing animals that you’ve only encountered before in zoos or onscreen. If you love travel and wildlife, then an African safari is the perfect getaway for you. You will be embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, and doing so surrounded by spectacular landscapes and animals in their natural habitats. Even if you just want to relax in nature, you can do so, and there are plenty of safari options to suit every budget.

3. The Pyramids

If you are looking for an experience on vacation that will take your breath away and is truly stunning, then look no further than a trip to explore the Egyptian pyramids. There’s a reason these huge stone monuments are listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – seeing the feat of human building and engineering in a time before machinery is truly awe-inspiring. There is so much history in the stones and it’ll be an educational trip for kids as well. Do your research and find out whether an Egyptian adventure is the perfect vacation for you (with or without the kids)!

4. Blue Lagoon

Swimming in the bluest lagoons you’ll ever see in Iceland is an unforgettable experience. The water is heated so, although you’ll be surrounded by snow and ice, you can relax and unwind in the warm water, looking out over the unspoilt, snowy landscape. Not only that, but while you’re in Iceland, you can catch another natural phenomenon that makes it onto many people’s bucket lists – and that’s the chance to experience the Northern Lights. Many people dream for years about standing beneath the curtains of light in the sky so, if that appeals, take the opportunity and book this once-in-a-lifetime trip.

How To Grow Your Home Care Agency

Three of the focuses of my blog are Financial Literacy/Money, Business/Entrepreneurship and Health/Wellness. As significant percentages of the population age, home care agencies are going to take on a greater importance. If you’re in this type of business/sector, there are keys to growing your business. The following contributed post is entitled, How To Grow Your Home Care Agency.

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As the population ages, there are more and more people in need of care, whether in retirement homes or with in-home care. This means the time is ideal for those with a home care agency to grow their business and find plenty of new clients. Here’s how to grow your business so yours is the agency that stands out.

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Offer Longer Visits
Many people worry about their elderly relatives not getting a good quality of care, due to rushed workers not having enough time to spend with each person they see. To make your agency stand out, try to strike a balance between the numbers of staff you have and how many clients they visit each day so each client gets a suitable length of visit to make sure they’re getting good quality care.

Embrace Technology
Technology has become a big part of many areas of healthcare, including home care for the elderly. Use tools like SwyftOps to schedule care tasks, and allow the family to track what tasks have been done when, offering greater efficiency for you and peace of mind for your client and their loved ones.

Be Flexible and Responsive
One of the main reasons that people resist help from a carer is that they feel they have lost control over their own lives. By offering a service that is responsive and flexible, you can better adapt to the individual client, so they feel respected and listened to. For example, don’t have a set schedule that you apply to all clients. Try to adapt to their own preferences around things like meals and sleep.

Think Personal
It can be easy for a rushed careworker to concentrate on just ticking over their tasks as fast as they can so they can meet their targets. Allow them time to treat each client like a person, not a task to be ticked off. This means they’ll be able to talk to them and get to know them, offering a much more personal level of service that clients will like.

Offer Support For Relatives
When your workers aren’t there, care falls to your client’s relatives. Their relatives may not always be sure how best to support them, especially in the case of conditions like dementia. As well as caring for your client, try to offer support for their relatives too while you’re there. Answer their questions, listen to their concerns and worries, and try to offer useful advice for caring for the loved one when you’re not there.

Ask For Feedback
You can’t improve your service if you can’t identify the problems. Regularly ask for feedback from your clients and their relatives. This will help you to find any common issues that are concerning people, allowing you to correct them and keep your clients happy.

You should also make sure to offer your staff frequent training to make sure their skills and knowledge are up to date. Use the feedback to find the gaps in their knowledge that would benefit from further training.