Sedentary Lifestyle Got You Down? Here’s How to Get Back Up
by Brian McKay
Modern conveniences have made our lives easier, but you can’t deny that they’ve also made us sedentary. When you can clap your hands to turn your lights off, there’s no reason for you to get up from where you’re sitting on lying down. Or is there?
Sedentary Lifestyle by the Numbers
According to an analysis published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, American adults spend an average of 6.5 hours a day sitting. This number goes up to eight hours for teenagers aged 12 to 19. Furthermore, half of the adults in the country spend at least an hour of their personal time on a computer. Whether they’re buying accounts for and playing League of Legends or doing some other personal things, people are spending hours on the computer outside of work.
Of course, using the computer for hours on end is only one manifestation of a sedentary lifestyle. If you work behind a desk, are constantly stuck behind the wheel during rush hour, or love to relax by planting yourself in front of the TV, you’re living a sedentary lifestyle, which can result in multiple health complications. And since these actions and situations are ingrained in your daily life, it can be difficult to change your routine.
But just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Below, we have a few tips on how to sit less and move more.
1. Think before you sit
Before you plop yourself down on a chair to do (or not do) something, ask yourself: do you really need to sit for this? You might not notice, but you probably sit mindlessly all the time. Talking to someone on the phone? Sitting. Reading a book? Sitting. Attending a meeting? Sitting. All of these have alternative ways of doing them without being stationary. You can do chores while taking a call, listen to an audiobook while jogging, and do walking meetings instead.
2. Take frequent breaks
If, like plenty of people, your job requires you to sit in front of the computer from 9 to 5, you have to take it upon yourself to move. You can do this by taking breaks from sitting. Try the Pomodoro Technique or just set a timer for yourself for when you have to get up and stretch. If you’re using a laptop, consider asking for a standing work station.
3. Park farther
Walking more is the single easiest thing you can incorporate into your life to become more active. There are plenty of ways to do this, such as investing time for a walk or a jog, but you can also incorporate it in activities where you typically won’t. Parking your car somewhere farther than your building, for instance, means you’ll be forced to walk.
4. Make activities fun
Being more active doesn’t mean you have to do punishing exercises. You can have fun and still be active with the help of technology. Play Pokemon Go, which requires you to walk around your neighborhood, or play exergames (exercise + games) using action-packed games from your Wii or Xbox console.
It’s not healthy to stay in a sedentary lifestyle. Introduce the changes above to your life and find out the benefits of being more active.
Driving is a necessity for many people and it can be hard to imagine life without it. But it’s also very expensive in a variety of ways. And just because we need to drive, that doesn’t mean we should pay over the odds for the luxury of doing so. There are lots of ways in which you can save money as a driver, and we’re going to talk about some of those tips and tricks today. Read on to find out more.
Always Use Comparison Sites When Finding Car Insurances
Car insurance is one of the biggest costs you have to cover as a driver and no one likes paying it. However, it needs to be in place, so how can you go about finding the best deal? Well, there’s not really any magic trick that you can employ. It’s simply a case of comparing the deals out there and finding the very cheapest. Using comparison sites makes this task a lot easier.
Choose an Efficient Vehicle
Choosing a vehicle that’s efficient enough to offer everything you need while also conserving fuel will save you a lot of money going forward. If you’re struggling to make the most of the fuel you’re paying for, it’s probably because your vehicle is quite inefficient. So when the time comes for you to buy yourself a new car, you should make sure that the vehicle is as efficient as it can be.
If you’re regularly feeling as if your car is having problems, it might be because you’re not looking after it well enough. You can visit www.eliteautomotive.vegas if you have any issues that you need assistance with. And getting your car regularly serviced will help to ensure it’s always in the best possible condition and will be less likely to break down on you without warning.
Learn How to Work on Your Own Car Too
You can also save yourself a lot of money by learning how to fix minor problems with your car yourself. When you know the basics, you don’t have to pay someone else to carry out the work for you, saving you a little money each time. Of course, it’s obviously best to have your car fixed by a professional when it has a real problem that you’re not sure how to deal with.
Adjust Your Habits and Try to Drive a Little Less
As a habitual driver, this one might be a little more difficult for you, but adjusting your habits and driving your car a little less remains one of the best things you can do to save money as a driver. If you can walk or cycle a little more, you’ll spend less on using and maintaining your car.
We all know that owning a car and driving can be incredibly expensive. That’s why it makes sense to take every step you can to save money wherever and whenever you can when it comes to driving. The ideas above should help you to do that, so be sure to make the most of them.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 1.35 million people die each year due to road traffic crashes.
Roadway incidents happen for a number of reasons. Sometimes it’s due to driver negligence, other times external factors are the culprit. In any case, all drivers must practice caution. We identified some common causes of auto accidents belong along with ways on how to prevent them.
Speeding
Speeding is a major cause of fatal road injuries. Drivers who go beyond the speed limit are at greater risk of losing control of the vehicle and causing a road incident. What’s more, the quicker a car accelerates, the longer it takes to slow down when faced with an obstacle.
The smallest increase in speed can heighten your risk of triggering a road collision. That’s why it’s crucial for motorists to know and stay within the speed limits while they’re driving. In turn, urban planners must put up visible speed limit signs and reminders at key points along the road.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving may be caused by action that diverts your attention from the road. This includes texting, eating, receiving phone calls, picking up items on the floor, reaching out to kids in the backseat. These activities can seem harmless at first glance, but can be fatal when done in the wrong moment.;
Stop yourself from constantly checking your phone by turning it off or setting it to do not disturb mode. Keep your phone out of sight or buried in your bag so you won’t be tempted to reach for it.
Improper turns and lane changes
Stop lights, turn signals, and marked lanes are there for a reason. When drivers ignore these guides, they put their own as well as other drivers’ safety at risk.
Pay close attention to signs and obey correct turn signaling etiquette before you change lanes. In turn, urban planners must invest in quality signage and functional stop lights to create a better driving environment. Cities can also partner with thermoplastic road marking paint suppliers to create weather-resistant markings that will promote safety for both vehicles and pedestrians.
Tailgating
Impatience often pushes drivers to problematic maneuvers. This includes tailgating or driving too close to another car. This proximity prevents drivers from reacting in time if the vehicle ahead of them brakes suddenly.
For every 10 mph you travel, leave at least one car length between you and the car in front of you. Allowa three-second cushion to pass but be alert so you don’t have to rush and keep up with traffic should you miss your signal.
Rain
Wet roads. Decreased visibility. Reduced tire traction. Traveling in the rain can be a nightmare for many drivers.
Even the best roads can become slick and hazardous during rain showers. Wet surfaces often cause vehicles to skid or spin out of control, increasing the risk of auto accidents. What’s more, a significant layer of water on the road easily causes cars to slide. Oil from the vehicles can also build up on the road, leaving greasy surfaces that makes for dangerous driving conditions.
While you can’t control the weather, you can take extra steps to weather-proof your vehicle. Most rain-related incidents are often intensified by poor car maintenance. This includes deflated tires that fail to provide a deep enough grip on the road. Rain can also lead to foggy windows which can impair your visibility. Installing a quality defogger and a reliable set of windshield wipers can help maximize visibility.
Getting into a road accident can be a traumatic experience. It can result to injuries, trauma, and financial struggles. Driving responsibly will not only help protect your vehicle but may also save a life.
Companies need to hire people to stay in business and provide their customers with value. But finding people who genuinely share your goals, dreams, and passions is a challenge. A lot of candidates in the job market are just looking for their next paycheck. They’re not all that interested in doing quality, honest work.
Therefore, hiring managers need to focus their efforts on weeding out the rotten eggs as much as they can. Just a single employee who isn’t on your side can create a nightmare situation.
Don’t Hire People Based On Their Potential
It’s tempting to hire somebody based on your perceptions of their “potential.” But unless they have a proven track record, it’s almost impossible to know whether they will fulfill it. Plenty of people appear as though they will be productive and innovative, but relatively few are. Instead, it can take years for them to fulfill your hopes, by which point, they might have lost you a substantial amount of money.
Taking a punt on someone with alleged potential is a significant risk, and you should see it as such. You’re hoping for quality work while paying less than the market rate. That’s not a good idea in general. It can pay off, but rarely.
Don’t Look For The Perfect Employee
On the flip side, only hiring perfect employees is a recipe for disaster. Companies often have a wish list of features and skills that they want their employees to have. Almost always, they’re looking for a person so accomplished they don’t actually exist in the real world. However, the hiring manager feels like they must only take on people of extraordinary quality, just in case it reflects poorly on them.
Failing to hire at all is actually even worse than hiring someone incompetent. When you shirk this responsibility, it’s impossible to get all your work done on time.
Background Check All Your Staff
A candidate might seem perfectly polite and pleasant on the outside. Still, they could be hiding a dark and devious background. Therefore, smart hiring managers employ private investigators to look into whether a prospective employee has a criminal record. People applying for positions in your firm probably won’t volunteer this information freely.
Only Employ People You Need
Hiring people is expensive. For most businesses, wages are the highest cost. Any company that employs more people than it needs renders itself uncompetitive and eventually has to raise its prices to stay afloat.
Your organizational chart might suggest that you need to fill particular positions, but ask yourself whether you really do. Often, competent employees already operating in your business can perform these extra functions as part of their regular working week.
Choose People Who Are An Ethical Match For Your Business
Finally, try to hire people who are an ethical fit for your enterprise. Ideally, candidates should share your values and your vision and support your working practices. Ask questions in the interview to gain insights into what motivates them and use this to your advantage.
Six Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health During COVID-19
by Brian McKay
The COVID-19 crisis is affecting not only people’s physical health but also their mental health. According to a study in public health journal Elsevier, the pandemic has caused symptoms of anxiety and depression, stress, and instances of disturbed sleep.
The constant updates can be overwhelming. Public health measures like social distancing can cause isolation and loneliness, adding to the stress of the situation.
You may not have control of the pandemic, but you can take charge of your mental health. Here are several tips that can help you manage the stress and anxiety of living in these uncertain times.
Control how you see the news
A common source of stress during the pandemic is the constant updates from the news. Minimize listening, reading, and watching any news related to COVID-19 if it makes you feel anxious.
If you can’t resist receiving updates, consider checking them specific times during the day. Make sure that you’re reading news from trusted sources.
Connect with your community
Churches may have closed, but they offer ways for the community to connect outside service hours. With online resources, you can attend mass or say a prayer of forgiveness on online confession booths.
If you’re a member of any class or club, hold online meetings and do what you usually do. For example, if you’re part of a book club, assign a book to read each week or month, then meet online to discuss your thoughts. For gym junkies, grab your home equipment and do workouts together. You may not be able to hang out physically, but meeting online can somehow make up for the distance.
Seek professional help
Thanks to technology, mental health organizations and professionals are accessible. Look for online counseling services and talk to a psychiatrist. They can help you make sense of what you’re feeling and recommend activities that can help you cope with the crisis.
Support and strengthen relationships
If you’re isolated at home, look for ways to connect with your family and friends. Set aside a time each day to text or call family and friends. If you’re working or studying, check up on your classmates, teachers, and coworkers to see how they’re doing. You might be able to share strategies for coping with the situation.
Take care of your body
Being mindful about your physical health will do wonders with your mental health. Wake up and go to bed at the same time. Exercise regularly and eat a well-balanced diet. Take advantage of quiet times from work or school for self-care practices, like yoga, listening to music, or reading a book.
Be patient with yourself
Like many others, you might struggle with coping with the pandemic. And that’s normal. You’re not supposed to get it right the first time. Allow yourself to experience emotions like anger, frustration, and anxiety. The important part is that you shouldn’t be stuck in a rut for long.
The COVID-19 crisis has rendered almost everyone helpless, and the situation can be overwhelming for some. Although you can’t control what’s happening around the world, you can control what you’re feeling. With these tips, you can take care of your mental health despite these challenging times.
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