From Home Office To Corporate Space - Make The Move Work For You

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If you work from home, you will have no doubt already got a little home office set up. Whether this is in your spare bedroom or it just takes up a small corner of your living room, I’m sure your home office space is perfect for your needs right now. But what if your small business were to grow and you needed to develop your operations? If you were to expand, you might need to start hiring a small team of employees to help you take your company even further. In this case, you would need to move out of your home office and into a larger corporate space.

Not too sure how to organize such a move? Here are some very useful tips.

Make A Plan

First of all, it is really worth taking the time to come up with a moving plan. You need to have your plan in place before you even get started with your packing. The plan needs to answer all of the tough questions regarding the move, such as how many stages are you wanting to move in? When is a good time for you to move? Will you need any help with it? As well as all of this key information, you should include a checklist of all your belongings and the jobs you need to do so that you don’t forget anything.

Use Moving Services

There are a lot of moving services out there, including mybekins.com, that are experts in moving offices. It’s a good idea to hire one of these companies as they will be able to help you move without all the fuss that usually comes with moving. Plus, they will be used to moving standard office equipment and devices, so you don’t have to worry about them mishandling anything during the move.

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Watch Out For Your Documents And Paperwork

If you have any sensitive documents and contracts in your office, you will need to ensure that these are taken care of during the move. You should go through all of this paperwork and see if there are any pieces that are no longer relevant or out of date. If there are, then you should recycle these. Make sure you recycle them in a way that destroys all the information on them, as scammers could find the documents and use them for identity theft. All your remaining paperwork needs to be safely packed and carefully taken care of during transit.

Backup Your Computer

Moving computers is always a delicate job as there is a chance that the machine could be damaged during transit. Depending on the damage, you might lose some of your saved files. So, you should always backup your computer before you move. If possible, you might want to save files onto the cloud using services like the ones mentioned on pcmag.com so that you don’t risk losing any important information or data.

All these tips should help your move go as smoothly as can be!

How to Create a Pushpin Travel Map: DIY Tutorial

For many, summer represents the season of travel. Families set off on cross-country road trips and adventures around the globe to see new sites, takes hundreds of photos and fill their passports with stamps, but there’s no better way to relive your travel adventures than with a pushpin travel map you can hang in your home. 

A travel map gives you a quick glimpse into your past adventures, helps you plan for your next trip, and with a little thought, imagine your dream destinations. Purchasing a pre-assembled map can be expensive and often lacks the personalization and sentiment that goes into creating your own. For us creatives, that enjoy a good DIY project, this tutorial from CarRentals is the perfect way to create your own pushpin travel map that can be customized to your living space. Their beautiful step-by-step guide not only walks you through the process but comes complete with examples, materials and custom legend printables to match the aesthetic of your map. 

In 2-3 hours, you can have a travel-inspired piece of art the whole family can enjoy—They can even help in the creation process! Whether you choose to create one for yourself or gift to family and friends, using this simple “do it yourself” guide makes the process a breeze. 

What to Do if You Suspect Your Elderly Parent Has Depression

Depression is more common than most people think. According to the National Institute for Mental Health (NIMH), roughly 5 percent of the world's population suffers from depression every year. That's the equivalent of 350 million people. Older adults are at higher risk for developing depression or related symptoms, due largely to the prevalence of chronic illness in their old age. What should you do if you suspect your elderly parent is depressed?

Signs and Symptoms

The first step is to understand the common symptoms of depression in the elderly. It is important to note that these symptoms won't be the same for everyone, but they are the most common complaints in older adults with depression. These include:

·         Changes in Attitude: Normally calm and pleasant people suddenly acting irritable suggests a mood change that can indicate depression.

·         Pride in Appearance: Most elderly individuals take pride in their appearance. If your parent suddenly stops caring about how he or she looks, it can be an indicator of depression.

·         Increased Pain: Depression doesn’t just affect the moods and emotions. It can and does also affect the body, often amplifying pain or other symptoms.

·         Antisocial behavior: Is your elderly parent usually the life of the party, but suddenly doesn't even want to leave their room? Social withdrawal is another common symptom of elderly depression.

These symptoms can also be exacerbated by a recent medical event, such as illness or injury, or even by a recent loss.

Types of Depression

Depression is a broad term and can be broken up into four different categories. Minor depression symptoms occur but don't last long. Often these symptoms don't even require treatment. Major depression symptoms are more severe and may prevent your parent from being able to enjoy life. This is the kind of depression you see in the commercials — people can't eat, can't sleep and don't want to get out of bed.

Dysthymia, or persistent depressive disorder, isn't as severe as major depression, but the symptoms can last for up to two years. Finally, subsyndromal depression falls in between minor and major depression. Symptoms are worse than those experienced in minor depression, but are not severe enough to be able to be designated as major depression.

Matching Symptoms

Elderly patients are often plagued with memory problems, something we normally associate with aging and then with dementia or Alzheimer's if the symptoms become more severe. However, memory problems in the elderly can also be a sign of depression that you should be on the lookout for. 

Study the history of their mental decline. Did it occur quickly or slowly? Dementia tends to occur slowly over time, sometimes so slowly that you don't even realize it until it's too late. Mental decline caused by depression happens quickly and affects concentration and movement.

What to Do

Getting an elderly parent to agree to a trip to a therapist isn't always easy. A trip to their regular doctor should be the first step. Take a moment to speak with their doctor in private and express your concerns that your parent might be suffering from depression. He or she will be able to take it from there. They will be able to assess your parent's behavior and mood and, if necessary, refer them to a therapist or psychologist.

If you parent resides in an assisted living facility, take a moment to speak to their nurse — especially if you're not there all day. They will be able to observe your parent's moods and behaviors and make a recommendation.

Treatment Options

What are the options for treatment if your elderly parent is diagnosed with depression?

·         Medication: A psychiatrist might prescribe antidepressants to help your parent deal with their symptoms. Be aware that some doctors might undertreat elderly patients.

·         Therapy: For depression, medication tends to work best when paired with therapy. Talk to your parent and their doctor about the kind of therapy that will benefit them the most.

·         Electroconvulsive Therapy: This isn't used often, but it can be an option for severe cases of depression that don't respond to any other treatment. 

Depression is a serious mental health disorder. If your elderly parent is suffering from depression, talk to them and to their doctor to find out what the best options are. They will help you decide on the appropriate course of action to ensure your parent can enjoy their golden years, instead of just living through them.

Elderly individuals are at higher risk for developing depression than younger individuals, and many of them won't seek help on their own. They took care of us for our entire lives — the least we can do is make sure they get the help they deserve. 

Getting through a divorce financially

Getting through a divorce is like entering an unexplored part of your life, full of insecurity and anxiety. Yes, we’ve all been alone before, but it is not the same as finding yourself alone again after five, ten, twenty, or even fifty years of marriage. While being afraid of this change is a perfectly normal reaction, our anxiety before this new stage of life is not caused only by our emotions. In today’s capitalistic society money issues are the root of every pressure, and the gut - wrenching experience of a divorce is not an exception.

The House That You Built

There are a lot of women who marry young and have children soon after, plunging into a role of home mom. Instead of investing your time and energy into your own career, you’re helping your husband to build his. But that’s okay because you’re a family. You’re building your new life together where everything has its place and everyone has a certain role, just like in the famous nursery rhyme ‛The House That Jack Built’. Building your new life is an extremely cumulative process where the boundaries of individual personalities become pretty hazy. It is sufficient to say that private possessions also become intertwined. So, when the foundations of your married life start to shake and this tremor catches you completely by surprise you could easily fall into a financial black pit. But you need to keep in mind that this is only a transition. The only thing that irreversibly changes is your marital status. Your personality and your capabilities are still there, and it’s time to put them to use.

The Tremor Within

Although it’s very hard to recover emotionally after a divorce unless you can acquire a stable financial footing, this process needs to evolve vice versa at the same time. While the feeling that the person you’ve spent a great part of your life with has turned into a complete stranger can hit you by surprise, often a divorce appears on the horizon much earlier in the form of a deep dissatisfaction. When that happens it is very important to react fast and prevent the explosion of the emotions within. It is perfectly normal to experience fear and anger, but only reason and logic can get you through the storm before you end up in the financial wreckage. The wisdom that pleasure and business don’t mix here gets an additional dimension - the pleasure becomes the pain and the divorce turns the marriage into a strictly business area. In order to keep your head out of the water, you need to cool it down, first.

Acquire Allies, Not Tricksters

The first thing you need to realize is that you can’t do it alone. And we’re not talking about your soon - to - be - ex - partner. Man can usually take care of themselves, mainly because they know they’re gonna get a divorce before their wives even realize something is wrong. So they usually prepare in advance by opening secret bank accounts and hiding assets. Women are the ones who believe until the end, which makes the thorough preparation impossible.

If you had a full - time job during your marriage, the financial situation afterward doesn't have to be that critical. But if your partner was the one climbing the professional leader while you had the supporting role, the sole fact that you haven’t build your own career puts you at a great disadvantage. You might have been the one crunching the numbers, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you have the right financial skills to deal with all the complexities of the divorce. Looking from the legal aspect, the divorce is one giant bureaucratic maze where a professional guide is mandatory.

Of course, every living lawyer and adviser on this earth is aware of this fact, and they often use it to their own advantage, making the actual result secondary. That’s why it is very important to find a trusted and experienced professional who can guarantee a result for your bucks, following a great example of Australian Family lawyers with their ‛no win, no fee policy’. That way you’ll be certain that the legal matters will be taken care of and you’ll be free to deal with creating the strategy to support yourself. Don’t be ashamed to ask around for the advice from someone who has already been through the divorce - word of mouth is often the best recommendation.

The DIY List

Even when you find the right professional help, your job is far from done. Experienced lawyers and advisors will show you the way, but you’ll need to tidy up some things before they go to work. It all comes down to a couple of do - it - yourself tasks in order to reestablish your personality.

• Who you are

The first stop is reclaiming your identity. Look at it as a process of remembering who you really are. Everything begins with the name, so you need to change it on bonds and stocks, house deeds, and car titles. Check if you are both listed on your loans. Is your spouse a beneficiary on your life insurance policy or in your will? If he is, change it and update your will. You need to gather all the paperwork and make copies. Do a research about the things you’re not familiar with because your husband was handling them, such as mortgage and bank accounts. Close all the joint accounts, and don’t forget about the credit. Get credit cards in your own name, notify creditors about your new marital status and immediately pull your credit report.

• What you own

Now to some counting. First, you need to see how much money you have in savings, on hand or invested. But you also need to be aware of all the debts and loans - in spite of the fact they’re joined you’ll still be responsible until they’re all cleared up. What follows is the negotiation phase about other assets. Although your partner might have prepared things in advance, that doesn’t mean he won’t be willing to talk about a way to divide things. Think carefully about the things you’ll let go, but also about the ones you’ll demand. If you can handle emotionally to live in the same house it is very unlikely you’ll be able to handle it financially. if you get it, the smartest thing would be to put it on sale right away.

• Who you want to become

You are about to enter a completely new period of life, so you need to make sure you’ll be able to support yourself financially. First, you need to estimate your post - divorce living expenses. The next step is to acquire a certificate in your profession through certain courses while networking with other working women who’ll be able to help you find a professional position according to your skills. Return to work as soon as you can, open up a bank account in your own name and start saving up.

As we said at the beginning, a divorce is only a transition. All you need is a cool head, experienced and trusted professional guidance, and to remember that you are a perfectly able individual.

Win A Camping Blanket!

As an avid outdoor family we are always looking for the best camping and outdoor gear to help us enjoy our experiences and create the best memories possible! This blanket is absolutely perfect for us as a family as we can let all 3 of our kids use it or use it as a couple. It is super comfy and very easy to transport as it packs into a tiny bundle meaning we can pack more. Visit our Facebook page to enter to win one of your own!

The Montem Sneaky Snuggler Blanket is the ultimate camping quilt! With a temperature rating of 40°+ it keeps you warm indoors and out and you’ll stay comfy no matter where you go. Water and puncture resistant, folding out to a comfortable 54″ by 80″ making it perfect for one and extremely cozy for two.

• Spreading out to 54″ by 80″ this blanket is comfy for one person, and it lets you get close and cozy with two.
• Perfect for camping, lounging at home, and picnics at the park. You can bring the sneaky snuggler to anywhere or any event to feel warm and snuggled.
• With this your body is free to move around on our large one person camping blanket, not bound together in a tough cocoon.
• The Sneaky Snuggler Blanket was designed with you in mind so that you can be all tucked in wherever your adventure takes you. Easily converts to form with its convenient carry bag, only 9″ by 17″, making it the ultimate travel companion.
• This quilt was made for both young and old, anyone who enjoys extreme comfort. Why use a restricting sleeping bag to sleep? Try our snuggly soft Sneaky Snuggler Blanket.

Material: 20D Ripstop Nylon with DWR

Fill: 3D Hollow Fiber Synthetic Insulation

Temperature Rating: 40°+

Color: ‘Murica (Slate with Red Trim)

Size When Spread Out: 54” by 80”

Size in Carry Bag: 9” by 17”

Weight: 3.3lbs

Compact: Yes

Tear Resistant: Yes

Water Resistant: Yes

Make this summer HOT!

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Thrill

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Mental Health & Millennials: How Parents Can Encourage A Healthy Mindset at Any Age

By Ulrich Kellerer, author of One Moment Can Change Your Life: Extraordinary Stories About Ordinary People

 Did you know, according to Psychology Today, 1 in 5 Millennials face higher rates of depression, and 12% of them are anxiety-ridden, much higher than the previous two generations? 

     With the current state of concern in regards to school shootings, the abduction of young girls and boys, it’s not hard to see why teens feel anxious in social spaces. We need to take new approaches to how we discuss mental health with our children, instead of labeling their thoughts and emotions as immature, irrational and bratty. 

It is imperative that we begin to understand what causes these high rates of depression and anxiety among our youth. Something as simple as having regular conversations with your children can help alleviate so many internal issues, and result in healthy coping mechanisms and social skills. 

     Here’s how you can help improve your teen’s mental health: 

1. Create a safe environment for open dialogue. There are things you don’t want to hear about your child’s personal life as a parent, but it is important to listen and advise without judgement. Adolescence is a time of self-exploration, where many mistakes will be made along the way; and it is your job as a parent to give advice as well as lend a listening ear. Your teen may also find discussing certain topics with you to be taboo, but at least they know the opportunity for open dialogue is present.

2. Speak to them without chastising them. We’ve all made mistakes in our formative years, and the last thing we wanted to hear was the scolding from our parents that was sure to follow. It’s easy to turn to yelling and intimidation as a method to suppress bad behavior, but that isn’t the best method to dealing with normal human mistakes. Instead, take a more rational approach. Let your child acknowledge their wrongdoings and apologize. After they’ve apologized, make them aware of all of the outcomes that could have happened as a result of their behavior, and give them a warning. Should they display the same behavior again, there will be consequences to follow.

3. Don’t ignore the signs of mental illness. Adolescents are naturally mood, but that doesn’t mean you won’t notice changes in their behavior when mental illness is present. There are several symptoms you should be aware of if your child is suffering from depression or anxiety: isolation from friends and family, change in eating or sleeping habits, easily triggered by small misfortunes, trouble concentrating in school. If any of these signs are present and consistent, don’t be afraid to seek professional advice. There are some things we as parents can’t fix, and it is our duty to find the best solution to our children’s problems when the situation calls for external assistance.

     These three simple steps will not only improve the relationship between you and your child, it can also help prevent or improve mental health issues that plague our youth. Sometimes all it takes is a listening ear, and a shoulder to lean on to fix a myriad of problems; but it has to start with you, the parent, taking the first step.

ABOUT ULRICH KELLERER:

Ulrich Kellerer is a talented storyteller, book writer and inspirational speaker from Munich, Germany. For over 20 years he has worked in the fashion industry for the brand CLOSED, a leading European fashion company for women’s and men’s sportswear, and his own company Faro Fashion. Ulrich is the co-author of The Soul of Success with Jack Canfield and the author of the recently released title: One Moment Can Change Your Life: Extraordinary Stories about Ordinary People.

For more information visit:

https://www.amazon.com/Moment-Change-Your-Life-Extraordinary-ebook/dp/B07BGHDT9K 

3 Potential Child Health Issues You Can Solve without Much Work

Admittedly, sometimes it’s difficult to get our kids to eat right. It’s hard to make sure they’re getting the right amount of sleep, staying safe outdoors, and doing their homework. Here are three things you can feel good about while trying your best as a parent.

Air Quality

Maybe you’ve never thought about the air quality in your home, but you definitely should. When your air isn’t clean, there can be some pretty nasty effects such as asthma and respiratory problems. The biggest thing you need to do is ensure that your air filters are fresh and in place. There are services now that mail filters to your exact specifications on the frequency you choose. That way you never have to worry about that aspect of keeping your air clean.

Sanitation

It can be a pain to be constantly cleaning up after a busy family. However it can be extremely important to their health. For instance, once crumbs and food particles appear, insects begin to appear very quickly: ants, cockroaches, and more. They can spread bacteria around your home and cause all sorts of problems. Keep your home as clean as possible, and hire a pest control company to come out, that way you only have to worry about cleanliness, not killing bugs. They’ll take care of your home on an ongoing basis and you can focus on things that are more important to you.

Nutrition- Meal Delivery

This one costs a bit more, but has shown to be a promising way to spend time with children doing something valuable. You simply put in your information and they start sending you ingredients along with recipes. This cuts down on shopping time, gas, and provides a guaranteed healthy meal. Cooking with your children can be fun and the interaction can be especially meaningful.

Natural Ways to Stop Excessive Sweating This Summer

Now that summer is here, most of us are delighted to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. However, excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, is an issue that afflicts many more people than you might think and can stem from a large number of underlying triggers. Though it may seem like a trivial matter, it can cause a handful of setbacks: stained clothing, physical discomfort, and social embarrassment, among others. Deodorant may seem like the obvious fix, but this household staple is in fact teaming with harmful toxins such as parabens, propylene glycol, aluminum compounds, and many others. To remedy the burden of hyperhidrosis sans carcinogens and other toxic ingredients, go for a natural fix.

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O., a New York City Osteopathic Physician board-certified in family and anti-aging medicine, suggests the following natural solutions to finally enjoy the warm weather in comfort:

1.     Apply a Natural Astringent like Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is a commonly used natural herb often found in liquid form as a skin toner. The same potent astringent properties that make it a popular natural toner also make it a great sweat-reducer. When topically applied, witch hazel acts as an antiperspirant by tightening the pores. Wet a cotton ball with witch hazel and apply to your most problematic areas. Other natural astringents include black tea, tea tree oil, and apple cider vinegar.

2.     Supplement with B-Vitamins and Vitamin D

Excessive sweating may very well be a sign of an unhealthy endocrine system. To restore hormonal imbalances to optimal levels, B-vitamins will often do the trick. Likewise, vitamin D is an essential piece in hormonal regulation, and nearly half of Americans are deficient in it!

3.     Transition from Processed Foods to Natural Ones

Though highly processed foods may be practical and cheap, they are packed with toxic substances like artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors, and they are very hard for the body to digest. As your body tries to rid itself of these toxins and break down such unnatural foods, it has to work in overdrive, thus producing more sweat. Instead of going for pre-packaged or fast food, especially those high in fat, opt for fruits, vegetables, nuts, organic poultry or meat, and wild-caught seafood.

4.     Cut Back on Coffee and Other Caffeine-Loaded Drinks

As a stimulant, caffeine raises your heart rate and blood pressure, causing sweating to increase as well. Coffee can be double-trouble, as the warmth of the drink can exacerbate the hyperhidrosis problem. Swap out coffee for something a little less stimulating, such as an iced herbal tea like energizing ginseng.

5.     Utilize the Benefits of Baking Soda

Not only does baking soda neutralize odors, it also alkalizes (neutralizes the pH of) your sweat, decreasing the growth of the bacteria in sweat. Mix 1 part baking soda with 1 part cornstarch and add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil to create a sublime natural deodorant.

6.     Try to Drink Less Alcohol

Alcohol both increases heart rate (and thus body temperature) and dilates the skin’s blood vessels. As a consequence, alcohol makes you sweat more. If excessive sweating is a real issue for you, consider limiting your alcohol consumption. 

7.     Less Salt in, More Salt on

Very high dietary sodium has been linked to excessive sweating, as high sodium concentrations make our bodies try to excrete the excess salt in urine and sweat. On the other hand, applying salt onto the body has many benefits in regard to excessive sweating. Salt absorbs sweat, dries the skin, and closes your pores, all of which help to reduce sweat production.

                             

About the doctor:

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the "The Stem Cell Guru" by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer's, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson's. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham's Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers. Connect with him via twitter @drcalapai or at www.drcal.net