The Ugly Link Between Alcohol And Your Mental Health

The Ugly Link Between Alcohol And Your Mental Health

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Mental health is a topic that deserves as much attention as possible. Regardless of who you are or what you do, you will likely be affected by mental health problems in some way or another. We already know the strong links between sports and your mental health, but regular people can be plagued by issues as well. 

One of the biggest concerns is that it’s hard to solve issues with your mental health. More often than not, people turn to things that almost form a crutch of sorts. This means that their solution isn’t a proper solution at all. It just exists to almost distract yourself from the problem while you either make it worse or let it fester. Sadly, alcohol is one of the most common mental health crutches. There’s an ugly link between the two, and that’s what we’ll discuss today. 

Why do people with mental health problems turn to alcohol?

We’ve all had a drink or two at some point in our lives. As such, we all know the effects that alcohol has on the body and brain. In essence, it is a drug that changes the way you feel and act. When you consume enough alcohol, you become elated and happier. You no longer care about your normal struggles – at least, not initially. As the effects wear off, you may experience a comedown of sorts. 

Nevertheless, you can start to see why people turn to alcohol when they have mental health problems. It offers them a temporary release from their issues and lets them enjoy life without worrying about those nagging pains in the back of their mind. 

What are the dangers of using alcohol as a mental health crutch?

Obviously, alcohol is not a prescribed medication that you can take to solve your problems. While it may offer temporary relief, the long-term effects are far more damaging. It’s an addictive substance, meaning the more you consume, the more your body starts to depend on it. Before you know it, you’re drinking every day to ward off the bad thoughts in your head. You drink without thinking about it, and you go about daily tasks while drunk. The next thing you know, you’re hurting other people because of this habit. You may end up in a DWI incident and find yourself in court with a criminal defense lawyer trying to keep you out of jail. Put simply, using alcohol as a solution to your problems can end up ruining your life forever. 

Furthermore, there are very strong links between alcoholism and mental health. Effectively, people who develop a dependency on alcohol will end up with more mental health issues. So, it’s not so much a solution as an accelerant of your existing problems! This leads you in a nasty spiral where you drink to escape your problems but end up compounding them and making them even worse. 

In conclusion, there’s a very ugly link between alcohol and your mental health. If you suffer from any issues, then see a medical professional or talk to your friends/family. Don’t turn to alcohol or drugs to try and escape from reality. It may feel like you get some relief, but this can quickly push your life downhill. 

Dive Deep Into Our 2050 Oceans With These Top Oceanologists

Dive Deep Into Our 2050 Oceans With These Top Oceanologists

Ocean pollution and the risks it poses have been rife in the news for some time. Since 2015, particularly, our best oceanologists have reported rising sea levels, decreasing marine life, and a generally bleak picture. And, as eco-consciousness increased last year, 2050 was set as something of a marker for the oceanic point of no return. 

Of course, as with any climate issue we attempt to tackle, there is a certain degree of uncertainty rife in any predictions we can make here. Everything that happens to our ocean from here on out does, after all, depend on the actions we choose moving forward. But, if we want to get a true deep-dive idea of what 2050 could look genuinely look like, there are few better resources than the experts who are out there on the frontline. 

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Using a range of marine equipment, including fantastic contraptions like box corers and bongo net systems, such individuals continually monitor our oceans and their futures. That’s why we’ve put together their predictions, to give you the most realistic view possible of what a 2050 ocean might look like. 

‘More plastic than fish in the sea’ – Ellen Macarthur

According to retired English sailor and ocean activist Dame Ellen Macarthur, 2050 means oceans containing more plastic than fish if we don’t take fast action. And, with the equivalent of around one refuse truck of plastic dumped into our oceans every minute, it’s difficult to disagree. According to Macarthur, fundamental reform is the only way to avoid this eventuality. 

‘Unmanageable sea level rises’ – Michael Oppenheimer

According to IPCC member Michael Oppenheimer and his team, continued increases in carbon pollution could quickly lead to sea level increasing as much as 2 feet 9 inches, which he and his fellow experts deem ‘unmanageable. In fact, the only solution Oppenheimer sees is to reduce carbon pollution as soon as possible. While we’re still past the point of being able to undo the damage entirely, this should see levels rising to no more than one foot, which, while far from ideal, will be much easier to cope with. 

‘Abundance, diversity, and purity’ – Alexandra Cousteau

In direct contrast to other, bleaker ocean predictions, explorer Alexandra Cousteau predicts 2050 oceans that are back to their best. But, as he states himself, a lot needs to change to make that possible. Over three decades of ocean chronicling, the Cousteau family has seen first-hand the impact humans have had. Still, Cousteau believes it’s possible to have more marine life in the oceans once again, as long as we stop overfishing, reduce bycatch, and restore habitats. 

There’s no denying, having looked at these reports, that 2050 could, indeed, be a terrifying time for our oceans. But, what’s evident by turning to the experts is the fact that hope isn’t lost. Far from assuming there’s nothing we can do, then, now seems to be the time for us to stand up and protect our oceans as much as oceanologists have been doing all along.

Why Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer Is The Best Thing To Do

Why Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer Is The Best Thing To Do

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Let’s say you have had an accident, perhaps at work or through no fault of your own, perhaps in your car, it is your right to claim back compensation for this. Although some people may choose to do it alone or go to large businesses, what you really need is a professional personal injury lawyer that will be able to talk you through every step. Here’s what you need to know about the best personal injury lawyers.

1. They are professional and will not waste time.

A personal injury can cause you a lot of physical pain and emotional trauma too and the pain you have endured could definitely cause lots of issues. That is why choosing a personal injury lawyer will be the best idea, because they will understand your case as well as appreciate your personal feelings and opinions. They will be sure to stick to the facts of the case and keep you informed when times are tough. They’ll fight for you and focus on things that are important.

2. They can negotiate impeccably and get you want you want and deserve

When it comes to negotiating how much compensation you should get, you may worry that you will not get as much as you may hope for the damage caused. You’ll need to deal with their insurance representative or their lawyer and that is why good lawyers will be there to fight for you and negotiate incredibly well.  These professionals have training in driving a hard bargain and they will look out for the best interests of their clients. Hire a lawyer and watch the professionals work for you. You don’t want to hire someone you can’t trust.

3. They will push for more money and look at all facts

When you’re pursuing a personal injury claim, your ultimate goal is to get the full amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries. But keep in mind that the tax for settlements of personal injuries can be complex and you will need good advice on this also. The offending party’s lawyer will want to pay out minimum but if they come back with an amount you’re not happy with, they will push for more for you, if possible. After all, that’s their business and they have your best interests at heart. You must be true with all your facts to ensure things work in your favor and this is the case across all legal issues. Being true with your lawyer will give them the best picture and options to work with. Hiring a personal injury lawyer virtually eliminates the risk of settling for less than you want and if you have been injured then you know it is your right to look into it further.

You may need to provide information such as eye witness accounts and look at the full picture of the incident as well as any further information from police. The more that you focus on this and work through things with your lawyer, the better the outcome will be.

10 Ways To Make The Most Of Lockdown

10 Ways To Make The Most Of Lockdown

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Right now, we are very much living in a very unique time. The COVID-19 virus has made such huge changes to the way that we all live our lives. And that’s just something that we all need to be able to cooperate with. We know that the current situation is very hard to live in and changing the way that we used to being can be really strange. Most of all, lockdown life can be really hard to adjust to. When you’re missing your friends and family and doing different things like going for dinner or just socialising in general, it can be tough. However, we all have to do it. That being said, you are within your rights to be able to try and make the most of your time in lockdown.

It may be the case that you’ve been afraid to do anything positive as of late because you feel guilty. Maybe you’re even anxious about everything that’s going on and you feel as if you can’t do anything productive. Whether you’re working from home or you’ve been laid off, you may have a lot more time on your hands right now. And that means that you might be able to do a lot more with your time. It’s true that money can be tight right now and that you may need to work, but you can do that, help others, and have some fun. Let’s take a look at what you can do for that to happen.

1. Get Your Sleep Back On Track

The very first thing that you might want to spend your time doing is sleeping. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean sleeping all of the time, but just sleeping to get yourself back into a rhythm. If you are lacking in sleep, it’s nice to reset your body clock and get it back on track.

2. Enjoy Some Exercise

From here, you’re then going to want to make sure that you can dedicate some time to exercise. As much as we all know that we shouldn’t be going outside right now, we can exercise. So going for a nice walk in the sunshine or getting out for a run is going to be great for you.

3. Get Your Finances In Order

Then, it might be that you really want to be able to get your finances in order? If you know that you need to spend some time going through your bills and pausing them, now is the time to do it. You could even look to try and switch your providers or reduce your bills during this time. From your insurance needs to the utilities you pay, it’s worth looking at it all. That way, you may feel a little more comfortable.

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4. Consider A New Career

Now, this may sound a little odd, but it could be great for you to think about your career. Are you happy where you are? Do you want to try something new? Maybe now is the time to do the things you need to so that you can take your career in a new direction.

5. Do Some Online Learning

Have you ever wanted to learn something new? Maybe you like the idea of learning to speak a new language? Or have you always wanted to pick up a new skill? When that’s the case, you could use the time now to make that happen. Maybe you can take a look at the different online classes that are available? Even if you commit an hour or day, you could be well on your way to learning something new.

6. Start Your Own Thing

The next thing that you might want to spend some time doing, is your own form of side hustle. It could be that you really want to start a business for yourself? Or that you love the idea of creating a blog on the side for passion, that could then potentially turn into something special? When that’s the case, now could be the time. If you have more free hours, you can use some of those for building it up.

7. Spend More Time On Your Hobby

When you have a hobby, you can often feel guilty for wanting to spend time on it when you’re busy with other things. But, it’s safe to say that right now, you’re really not as busy as you once were. And so, that means that you have more time to work on the things that you love. It could be that you’ve always wanted to write a book or perfect your yoga moves? Then now is the time to work on that.

8. Do Family Activities

From here, you’re going to want to think about the different things you can do as a family. Now, if you have children, you’ll know that you have to keep them entertained too. Because right now, they are just as bored as you are. Plus, are you ever going to have another time in your life where you’re altogether – whether you have kids or not. It’s nice to be able to do activities together and just enjoy the time.

9. Help The Community

Maybe you feel a little helpless right now? And that you could be doing a lot more with your time? Then why not help out in the community? If you’re not an at-risk person, then doing what you can to deliver goods or help the medical staff could be a great way for you to use your time right now.

10. Carry Out Fundraising

Finally, you may want to try and do some fundraising. You may find that you feel a tad helpless right now and you know that medical staff and key workers are struggling. But you can do your bit by helping out. If you’re not able to get out into the community or you’re worried about getting sick, you can fundraise at home. This could be in terms of raising money for existing programs or even doing your own efforts in general money for those in need.

How Environmental Issues Could Affect Your Business

How Environmental Issues Could Affect Your Business

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We’re sure you are already well aware of the environmental issues that are plaguing the world we live in. From the pollutants that are passed into the air and waters to the depletion of the natural resources that entire lifecycles depend on, our lives and the planet we live on are under risk.

Thankfully, work is being done to combat the problems that are happening in the environment.

Governments are putting strategies in place to reduce global warming. 

Marine research services akin to Gravity can provide environmental sampling equipment to support the water testing carried out by researchers. Follow the link to visit their site

And the wider population are making changes to their lifestyles, fully aware of their eco-responsibilities.

Still, we are a long way off from tackling environmental issues in their entirety. And as a business owner, you might be affected by some of them. Still, it’s not all bad news for you, as the world’s global concerns can affect you positively as well as negatively.

Let’s take a closer look.

Negative: Pollution could have an impact on your business

We’re not talking about the pollution you produce (see our next point), but rather the pollution that could be around you. If your business is based in a highly polluted area, you might have trouble sourcing new customers and employees. After all, most people are unwilling to risk their lives. From toxic smoke in the air to foul smells due to improper waste disposal, there are all kinds of reasons why people might avoid you. To avoid this issue, you could change business premises. A move out of the city could be good for you if you aren’t reliant on customer footfall, or a change to any cleaner neighborhood could be profitable for you in the long run.

Negative: You could be blamed for the environmental issues around you

If you haven’t taken steps to go green, you might alienate customers and potential new hires. It might be because you are responsible for air pollution in your area, and you could be improperly disposing of your waste too. When people point the finger at you, you have two choices. Make no improvements at all, and watch as your profits slide, or make the effort to go green to restore your reputation. 

Positive: You could market your green improvements

If you make an effort to green, then people will sit up and take notice. You could tell the world about your recycling policies, your paperless offices, and the products that you make from sustainable materials. Customers would take more of an interest in you, and they might choose you over those other business owners who haven’t gone green. And you might attract those hires who are actively seeking those employers who can showcase their green credentials. 

Positive: You could capitalize on the climate concerns of others

When you’re looking for a profitable business idea, you should always consider the needs of the consumer. And in this current climate, what consumers need more than ever are those companies that will help them live sustainably. So, check out these green business ideas, and benefit from the increased profit that will be gained from your eco-friendly customers. 

For good and bad, environmental issues can affect your business. However, it pays to know what you can do to support your business, so use our suggestions and commit to further research to learn more.

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