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Telecommuting is becoming increasingly popular today. For the family with children, a stay at home job means that you don’t need to pay the exorbitant daycare bills. However, it takes a unique person to work from home with kids and juggle everything.

Children thrive in their home environment. Having the pleasure of working from home means that you get to be a part of all their milestones. Additionally, you don’t need to worry about what may or may not be happening at the daycare or babysitters’ home.

Setting Boundaries When You Work From Home With Kids

No one can care for your child like you. Consequently, it’s a real balancing act to try to juggle the role of employee and parent simultaneously. How can you bring in the bacon while making lunch and changing diapers too? Here are some healthy boundaries to help you make working from home with kids a success.

1. Maintain A Routine

Some jobs are a bit more restrictive than others. Whether you can work whenever you want, or you need to punch the virtual time clock doesn’t matter. You must have a routine to be successful.

It’s easy to get your days and nights mixed up when you allow the children to dictate the routine. To feel and be a success in this job setting, you need a schedule. The beauty of being at home is that you can lay in that extra 15 minutes or you can take a longer lunch.

Get up bright and early and start your day. You don’t need to account for traffic on the commute and dressing for success. Just make sure you keep a schedule so that the children don’t get their sleep patterns off balance, which can affect the entire home.

2. Have A Dedicated Workspace

Working from your dining room or the coffee table in the living room will only last so long. You must have a dedicated space so that you can be organized. Also, the children must learn that this area is off-limits to little hands.

If you’re lucky to have a room where you can close the door, then it works out great. No matter where you set your home office, it must be a space that allows you to concentrate. If your children are younger, then you will need to be close to keep an eye on them.

Kids of all ages must learn that they can’t mess with your papers, scissors, pens, or other necessary office supplies. Establish early on that your space is for you only. Having clear rules about your work area will help to learn the importance of leaving you and your things alone in this zone.

If your children are older and more responsible, then you may want to put a sign on the door to let them know when it’s safe to come in. If you’re going to be on a conference call or doing a Skype chat, then you want to put a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door.

Having some simple boundaries can save you from some embarrassing situations that can arise as you work from home with kids.

3. Have A Sitter on Back-Up

While working from home allows you the freedom to watch your children, there may be times when you need to go to the office. Each career has different demands, and you must be flexible to adjust to those requirements. If you need to go to a meeting, then your boss is not going to want you to bring the children along.

Have a person that you can trust to watch your kids for a few hours each week, if necessary. Even if you don’t need to go to the office, you must get out and get some fresh air at times. You and your children will enjoy a break from each other on occasion.

4. Enhance Your Ability to Focus on One Task at a Time

Before you even begin your job where you work from home with kids, you need to be a multi-tasker. You may be changing diapers while talking to your boss or a client. You need to learn the power of the mute button on the phone.

Get a good pair of earbuds that have noise cancellation features. There are times when you need to ask the children to be quiet, and you don’t want the entire office to hear your banter with the youngsters. No matter how hard you try to mold them, your children are not always going to be perfect angels.

It takes a special person to balance the life of a parent and career individual from your abode. Setting boundaries is imperative, but you must also be able to do a juggling act every day.

5. Learn to Drown Out the Chaos

Have you ever seen or been with a parent that has their kids screaming and playing around them and doesn’t seem to be bothered by the noise? You must become that parent who can tune out the chaos to get anything done. No matter the age of your children, you will always have them at your door and in your face wanting and needing you for something.

Sadly, it doesn’t seem to get any better when they are older. To be a parent who works from home with kids, you need not let every little noise bother you. Unless you’re on the call with a boss or talking to a customer, then drown the noise out.

Some parents who work from home like to play classical music in their earbuds while they work. They can still hear the kids should there be an incident that they need to help with, but they can focus on the task at hand, thanks to the likes of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.

6. Let Workers Know You Have Kids or Pets

Your employer should know if there is anything that can distract you during the day. Some jobs know and expect that there will be children, spouses, and pets that can interrupt, and they are okay with it.

If your job requires you to be on video conference calls, you should let everyone know upfront if a child may come in crying or a dog may bark. It helps everyone else to learn why you may have that mute button on more than the next person.

Don’t wait until you’re in the middle of a meeting before you let everyone know. Working at home can be chaotic on a good day, so it’s best that your company understands your situation and knows what to expect during such events.

7. Carve Out Time for You

Boundaries are essential with your children, but you must also set some personal boundaries to ensure your sanity. Working from home is not for the faint of heart. You won’t get the social interaction that you need.

In your weekly planner, you must include things that allow you to have some free time. You need a night with your buddies or wine with the girls. You must have some time that is just for fun and relaxation that’s outside your home.

When you work and live in the same place, it can be quite overwhelming never to have an escape. Your sanity demands that you have some time away from your home and out amongst other people.

8. Tell Your Children What You Expect

You must tell your children what you expect while you are working. They should have clearly defined rules to ensure your success. While you cannot talk with a newborn about rules, a five-year-old can undoubtedly know the importance of leaving mommy or daddy alone while they’re telecommuting.

When you work from home with kids, you must somehow make money while taking care of their needs. So they need to know why your job is so outstanding and why they need good behavior. Make a rule sheet and enforce these rules to ensure that your days are a little easier.

9. Give Your Children an Approved List of Activities

Your kids need to have an approved list of activities that they can do while you are working. Some great things for them to do can be:

•Color
•Watch TV
•Play on Tablet
•Video Games (with limits)
•Play with Toys

Then they also need to know things they cannot do, like:

•Go Outside Without Permission
•Ride Bike Too Far
•Play with Noisy Toys
•Argue with Siblings
•Get in Swimming Pool or Hot Tub Unattended
•Cook

Keep in mind that these guidelines must be written the age in mind. A 15-year-old can do some light cooking or ride their bike, but you wouldn’t want a seven-year-old to feel adventurous.

Final Thoughts: Strike a Balanced Life and Work from Home with Kids Successfully

Whether you chose to work from home with kids or you were forced into this role, you need to make the best of the situation. Telecommuting is the wave of the future. It can be a great way to make a living and be there for all your children’s little moments.

Childcare is such a considerable cost, and you can’t forget the savings in transportation costs too. If you can make working from home with kids a success, then, by all means, you should do it. Setting effective boundaries will ensure that your home can be both your haven of rest and place of employment.

One of the best ways to relieve stress is by taking a trip to the spa. While it’s the little things in life that matter, you may not be able to afford to have such luxuries. Thankfully, you don’t need to go out and about to create a spa day at home.

A spa day at home is a way for you to unwind and release some stress and tension that you carry around. There’s very little that they do at a spa that you cannot do at home. Additionally, it’s very beneficial to have some “you” time where you put the children and spouse on the back burner for a few minutes.

Pampering Yourself with A Spa Day at Home

If you have no idea where to begin, we have created a list for you to simplify the process. Grab some candles, essential oils, bath salts, and a beautiful, fuzzy robe, and you’re ready. Here are some ways to let the pampering begin.

1. Do a Cleansing Facial Mask

There are hundreds of facial masks on the market. You can find ones for dry, oily, or combination skin. There’s no need to spend a fortune as you can usually get sample packets that give you a one-time treatment before you buy a more significant portion.

Mud masks are great because they draw impurities from the skin as well as hydrate. The black charcoal masks are great for those who have acne and whiteheads. Though it’s challenging to pull off the cover once it’s dried, it brings with it all the dirt and debris that hides deep in your pores.

Masks and facial scrubs can stimulate the collagen in your skin to generate new cells. You will look and feel amazing when you scrub all the build-up off your face.

2. Pedicure for Pennies

Your feet take a lot of abuse, so a foot soak is in order. Do you have cracks and rough spots that are driving you crazy? Wintertime is the worst for dry skin on your heels. Thankfully, you can get rid of this before summer’s sandal season.

Start by pouring some Epson’s salt into a tub of moderately warm water. Put your feet into this tub to soak for 10-15 minutes. Once you pull them out, the skin will be softened and more comfortable to remove.

Take a pumice stone and work those rough patches out. Pay special attention to the sides and heel of the foot. One your feet are silky smooth, then rub a foot cream on them to seal in moisture.

Lastly, clip your toenails and add a color of polish, if you so desire. Your foot makeover can be a fantastic transformation that doesn’t cost a fortune.

3. Manicure Miracles

Your hands are busy throughout the day. Do you have hangnails and need to get them back into shape? Start by trimming off all the overgrown cuticles that are edging up your nail.

Next, clean out any debris from underneath the nail. Then, clip the nails to the desires shape. Finally, buff the top surface to promote growth and evenness. Now, you can color or gloss them to look like a million bucks.

4. Tweeze Those Brows

Are your brows on fleek? Having well-manicured eyebrows are all the rage. If you love threading, then you can accomplish the same thing with tweezers or wax. You can mold and shape those brows and then use color to make them stand out.

5. Laser Hair Removal

As you begin to age, you may notice that you have hair growing in places that it shouldn’t be. Even guys have hair creep up in the ears, eyebrows, and nostrils that can be unsightly. You don’t need to go to the spa to make your hair problems go away.

There are many laser hair removals system that you can buy to use from home. These systems are inexpensive and work well. Just be sure to read the reviews before purchasing as some are better than others.

Forget paying $100s for each treatment. You can get rid of that hair in your home for pennies for each session.

6. Have a Spot of Tea

One of the best things about going to the spa is all the gourmet teas that they offer. These teas are amazing and have the perfect herbal blend to put your mind, body, and soul at ease. Thankfully, you can make these drinks at home.

Chamomile tea is one of the best options for calming you, but don’t forget the power of peppermint, either. A lovely hot cinnamon tea is also refreshing. When you’re in the middle of a pamper session, a cup of tea will hit the spot.

7. Muscle Healing Massage

One of the best parts of going to a spa is the massage. They use oils and rub all those tired and overworked muscles. Now, you will need some help to pull off this part of your spa day at home, but it’s worth the effort.

Light some aromatic candles, put on some soft music, and grab your favorite essential oils. Your spa day at home wouldn’t be complete without a fantastic massage. Plus, you will feel so much lighter after the stress is rubbed away from your body.

8. Bubbling Bath

Who says bubble baths are just for kids? There is something mesmerizing about sitting in a tub of hot water with bubbles all around. Use the hottest water you can tolerate and fill the tub with oils and bubble bath.

Next, light candles and put them all around the tub for an ambient glow when you turn off the lights. Then, put some soft mood music on to help you relax your cares away. Fill the tub as high as you can get it, and then you can soak for as long as you like.

9. Take Care of Those Dark Circles

Do you have dark circles under your eyes? It’s a common problem for someone who isn’t getting enough rest, has sinus issues or is under stress. Get a few cucumbers to place on the eyes.

Cucumbers have been used for decades to help erase dark circles. They have cooling properties and are loaded with vitamins and minerals to stimulate healing in this area. They can also help with fine lines and wrinkles.

Leave the cucumbers on for about 10 minutes or until they become warm. A cold cucumber works best to help the dark circles. Plus, cucumbers can be used as sunscreen and hand sanitizer when juices and mixed with other agents.

10. Hot Oil Treatment

Your hair can develop split ends if it’s not cut promptly. Hot oil treatments can help with split ends as well as nourish every shaft. You simply heat the mixture, leave it on your hair for the allotted time, and wash it out.

Hot oil treatments can be done every month or more often if needed. They don’t leave the hair greasy afterward. Instead, the hair is silky, shiny, and repaired. If you don’t have the premade kit, then you can use olive oil too.

11. Yoga

Now that you’ve done all the things to have your body calmed, why not try some yoga. Doing deep breathing exercises will help to remove any lingering stress. Yoga is an excellent way to open your mind, as well as heal your body and soul.

Doing this ancient practice as often as possible will only help you. When you learn to control your breathing, you can stop anxiety and panic in its tracks. It can help you to gain control of your life and stress levels too.

12. Moisturize from Head to Toe

Lastly, you’ve pampered yourself with your spa day at home. Now, it’s essential to seal in everything you’ve done with a great moisturizer. From head to toe, your body needs hydration.

Now, you don’t want to use the same moisturizers on your face that you use on your feet. Buying a few different varieties will help to address the dryness issues wherever you need them. There’s nothing better than a silky-smooth body that feels great to touch.

Plus, when you feel good about you, then your confidence will radiate for others to see. No one wants alligator skin so that you can take care of that with the right moisturizer.

Final Thoughts on Treating Yourself to a Spa Day at Home

Once a week or so, enjoy a spa day at home for one. You will treasure the quiet moments and the time you’ll have to spend on self-care. Who knows? Maybe your in-home beauty treatments will add up so some serious savings of cash.

Have you recently found yourself working from home?

As you’re no doubt aware, billions of people, including you and yours, feel the impact of the COVID pandemic. Due to the massive footprint of the virus, the world has had to find new ways to do things – and this includes how we go about our work.

What we are seeing is the eventual, inevitable transition from office-based to home-based, remote work. It just so happens to be occurring in the midst of one of the worst pandemics in modern history.

But with great challenge comes great opportunity. Remote work may just be your milieu.

In pre-COVID life, a small minority of individuals (around 18 percent at last count) had the good fortune of remote-based work – and it’s pros and cons.  However, it’s a new paradigm for most of us.

As one who worked in a corporate environment for years before transitioning to a remote position for four years, this writer can provide a bit of insight as to the experience.

The transition to working from home usually goes something like this:

Phase 1:

“I’m working from home – and it’s AWESOME!!!” You then proceed to dance or do a little shimmy.

Phase 2:

“I still don’t know what I’m doing yet! But, working in my PJs is so great!” Sure, you can’t drag the tech support guy to your cube, but who cares? (That dress shirt and pajama bottoms look great by the way!)

Phase 3:

“This is pretty much like any other job without the commute. Well, and the not getting dressed thing.” Yep, it still feels like work!

Okay, so I oversimplified things a bit. The truth is that we’re all different; some will fall – and stay – in love with remote work. The majority will come to feel rather indifferent, and a small minority will wish they were still in a cube. (Never understood that last group.)

For those who have only recently moved to their home base for work, you had a different – and probably, more challenging – experience. Everyone seems to be sheltered up. Nothing feels familiar. There’s uncertainty everywhere.

Not fun.

But regardless of the challenges in remote work, we can all agree that it’s necessary to remain productive. You may find that creating the right remote work habits could just take you and your career to a whole new level of success. (The reason for this is simple. In this writer’s extensive remote-based job experience, I’ve found that many people are flat-out bad at working from home. More on this later.)

In this article, we’re going to be discussing how successful people stay productive at home. Let’s do this!

8 Things Productive People Do When Working From Home

 Without further ado, here are eight things that the productive among us do when working from home.

1 – They Start Early

 From presidents of nations to CEOs of major companies, it seems that most people who are successful – at home or anywhere else- tend to get an early start. Rising earlier than one’s counterparts seems to provide an individual the feeling of having an “edge.”

There are, of course, practical benefits to getting up “at the crack” as well. For one thing, early risers are allotted more time to waking up and getting into their groove. The transition from sleep to wakefulness isn’t necessarily an easy one, so the earlier one starts the process, the better.

Second, people who get an early start are permitted some enjoyment in the morning.  Most people go from the fog of sleep to rushing around within a matter of minutes. This approach tends to create a sense of inner conflict and stress that carries over to one’s work.

Making some extra time to relax and enjoy the morning tends to put one in a better state of mind. Of course, such a mindset is also much more conducive to productivity.

2 – They Limit Distractions While Working from Home

 Unlike at a traditional office, there is nobody to monitor your activity. While a liberating feeling, this newfound freedom makes it all-too-easy to fall into the trap of endless distraction. Combine the internet, the pandora’s box of aimless distraction with poor impulse control – and we’ve got a real problem.

It is, therefore, crucial to limit unnecessary distractions and train the attention.

Concerning the former, it should go without saying that work is done in a quiet environment. Remote work is not an invitation to permit intrusions upon your workspace. You’ve still got a job to do.

Concerning the latter, now’s a good time to strengthen your attentional muscles. The cool thing is that by avoiding distractions, you are already doing that to a high degree! Follow up this discipline with concentrated (though relaxed) attention to the task at hand. Work in extended spurts with short breaks and finish what you start, always.

3 – They Approach Work The Same Way

 Work is work, no matter it takes place. That is why remote work, while satisfying for the many benefits it offers, gradually loses much of it’s initial “Holy crap, this is awesome!” feeling.

Remote work, if gone about in an undisciplined manner, can feel too much like a house chore. You’ll tend to it, but only to get it done and out of the way. While we all get into this sort of funk, it is essential to not allow your environment to overly dictate how you approach your work.

 The easiest way to avoid this is to remind yourself that you are indeed at work consistently. While your physical location is at home, your mind should be in work mode.

4 – They Stay Active

This one is perhaps why it is so hard to work remotely in the COVID landscape. Many states have instituted strict “stay-at-home” orders, limiting what one can do outside the home.

Still, it’s entirely possible to venture outside from time-to-time. If you have a lawn, do some calisthenics, yoga, or some other exercise that requires little extra space. If you have a mask (and you should), get out for a short stroll.

In short, do something to keep your body (and just as important, your mind) active and engaged. Speaking from personal experience, you’ll probably slack off in this regard on occasion because it’s so easy to just stay in. That’s okay! Just get back after it!

5 – They Perform High-Value Work First Thing

If you’re active a morning bird, use this energy to prioritize and work on your most valuable tasks. Too often, workers sit down at their desks and immediately fire up their email. Unless checking your email is a mission-critical task, resist the pull.

Instead, spend this time productively by focusing on the essential.

Follow a page out of the book of American Express’s former CEO, Kenneth Chenault, who said that the “last thing” he does before leaving work is write down three of the top things to do – and then tackle them first thing in the A.M.

6 – They Schedule Everything

It’s said that Elon Musk keeps a schedule broken up into 5-minute intervals. 5. Minutes. We’re not telling you to do something that structured. However, most successful people that we know of keeps a schedule. Successful people – whether home workers or officegoers – measure their time and how it’s spent.

It turns out that scheduling things carries some genuine benefits. In fact, research shows that people who keep a routine tend to have lower stress levels, better mental health, less anxiety, and – this is cool – more time to relax!

7 – They Set Boundaries

As mentioned, working remotely is a new experience for most of us. For years, we’ve been able to separate our professional and personal lives – at least proximity-wise.

This separation becomes more complicated when working from home. Gone is that time buffer between leaving home and arriving at the office – and vice-versa. Gone is the physical separation between where you live your life and where you perform your work.

People who are successful in working from home are aware of this change and act accordingly. If you are to keep work going smoothly, it is necessary to set boundaries immediately – and make them known.

8 – They Keep Their Mind Right

 This last one may very well be the most important.

Everyone knows that we are all dealing with an unprecedented amount of uncertainty. Some of us don’t even know when we’ll be “allowed” to leave our homes. If that’s not bad enough, there’s an unstable economy, a lack of transparency from government officials, and confusing messages about the state of public health.

Final Thoughts on Staying Productive While Working from Home

Whatever you do, keep your head up and your mind right. How you do this is up to you, though it wouldn’t be a bad idea to practice some relaxation techniques, meditation, or something else. If you prefer, try getting in a regular physical workout.

Above all else, may you and yours be safe and free from fear during these uncertain times.

There are many advantages to installing a home energy system in your home. The latest solar panel energy technology will not just save you money by cutting your electricity bill, but also contribute to a cleaner world.

By relying on the clean energy technology of solar panels, your family can look forward to reducing your electrical consumption and slashing your power bills.

A solar power system is designed to convert sunlight to energy. The main benefits of installing a solar system include:

1. Reducing the cost of electricity
2. Having a source of power to your home in the event of a power outage
3. Reducing your carbon footprint
4. Adding value to your property
5. Receiving financial compensation for extra electricity going back into the power grid

How home solar energy systems work

Solar panels capture sunlight and converting this into Direct Current, or DC.

This Direct Current moves to an Inverter which converts the direct current it receives to Alternate Current or AC. This is electricity which can be used around the home.

Image source: istockphoto

Modern Inverters are created to get maximum energy production. Unlike older versions, the current generation of solar energy systems can continue to function even if one solar panel is not operating.

The AC (electricity) produced in an Inverter can be used to power home appliances and electronics such as the TV, computers, fridge and cooktops, lighting and air-conditioning and heating.

Today, slimline solar energy storage batteries are available. They make a smart choice for families who want to capitalise on their solar panel investment.

By using battery storage there is no wastage of excess electricity.

The electricity not used in your home is stored for later use. If the battery becomes full, excess power is sent back to your local power grid, and you are compensated at a set rate per kilowatt. And all the while, your solar panels continue to generate more electricity for your home to use.

Two Major Considerations

Interested in joining the millions of others that harness the natural power of the sun and use solar technology as a sustainable energy source in your home?

For everyone that makes a major purchase for their home, they must always balance the major considerations of cost versus quality. For every family, this will determine if installing a household solar power system is the right choice.

The Cost Issue

There is no doubt that installing a complete solar energy system is not cheap. And it is not something you should DIY. If you are building a new home, talk to your property developer about including a solar energy system as part of the design.

When done professionally, a high-quality solar system will add value to your property. But the cost of installation will be thousands.

To reduce this cost many governments, offer rebates. Installation companies also offer payment plans.

Do your research.

While these rebates or plans may not offset the cost of the installation immediately, an efficient solar panel system is definitely a cost-saving feature for your home.

Solar panels help homeowners save money immediately and in the long-term.

• Immediately using a residential solar system will reduce the household power bill and avoid purchasing power from the local electricity grid.
• In the long-term, having solar panels also protects the homeowner from rising electricity costs. It is also an added feature that will improve your property’s value.

The Quality

The cost of installing a home solar system is an issue for many families. As with most things in life, price dictates quality.

There is no doubt that choosing high power-output solar energy panels will create maximum energy output. Which means more electricity.

The energy technology industry moves fast. Always check that you are being sold the latest quality solar panels and that they comply with the current industry standards.

Remember, to create a high power-output solar energy system, you need high-performing solar energy products.

These are the key factors to consider when comparing solar panels:

• Suitability for residential application
• Energy yields
• Stringent testing (including internal testing) for high-performance
• Reliability
• The durability of solar materials that will save on repair costs
• Long warranty periods that offer peace of mind for repairs and replacement
• Performance efficiency even in the shade
• Weather resistance, especially if you live in an area prone to frost, sand or even hail
• Suitability for your roof (i.e. sloping or non-sloping)
• Materials used to build the panels

Weighing up the Value

Once you ascertain what solar panels are best suited to your home environment, it becomes a matter of weighing up the initial cost with any government rebates and your expected benefits.

Research is clear that by harvesting energy for the sun, a home solar energy system will save you money long-term and reduce reliance on the electricity grid. This and the environmental good you are doing the planet might also be a factor in your decision.

If you do decide to install a solar energy system, make sure you get the most out of your solar technology.

Talk to a local expert or your property developer for appropriate advice and correct installation.

What To Look For In A Home Health Care Provider

A home health care provider can play a very important role in the overall well-being of your loved one.

When they visit your parent, spouse, or other relative, a home health care provider can ensure they are taking their medications properly. They can also assist them with injections and things like wound care. They can even educate them about health-related issues and just talk with them about how they’re feeling.

It’s why it’s absolutely imperative for you to choose the right home care company to provide you with an in-home care provider. It could affect your loved one’s quality of life in a big way and ultimately determine how happy they are.

Before you hire a health care provider to visit your loved one’s home, you should see exactly what they have to offer. Here is what you should look for in a home caregiver.

Experience

The first thing you want to do before bringing a home health care provider on board is ask them how much experience they have dealing with those who have health issues.

Your ideal in-home care provider should have at least a few years under their belt and should have experience working with those throughout your area. The last thing you want to do is hire someone who just became a health care provider and isn’t prepared for all the work that goes into caring for someone in their home.

When you work with a home care company like Families Choice Home Care, they will make sure your home caregiver has the experience it takes to set you up with the best care possible. It’s why you should start looking for health care providers through a company like them.

In addition to finding someone who has a few years on the job, you should also strive to track down a health care provider who can cater to your loved one’s specific needs.

For example, if your loved one has a condition like diabetes or dementia, the health care provider should have some experience working with others with the same condition in the past.

This will make it a lot easier for them to provide your loved one with the quality care you’re looking for.

Education

A home health care provider doesn’t need to get the same kind of education that a doctor or nurse does. But there are certain training courses and certifications that they need to complete before they start working.

The home health company that you go through should be able to tell you more about what sets their employees apart from the rest. They should, at the very least, meet the minimum requirements established in your state.

You want to know that, if something goes wrong with your loved one’s health, your home health care provider will be able to step in and do something about it. The only way that will be possible is if they have undergone the proper training.

Patience

In many cases, those who need home health care the most are the ones who give their home health care providers the most trouble.

Some people don’t like the idea of having someone come to their home to help them out. They think they’re just fine on their own and don’t want to have to rely on anyone to take care of them.

This is why in-home caregivers need to be able to practice patience. Your loved one might give them a hard time or refuse to cooperate when it comes to getting an injection or taking medications.

Those who are dealing with something like dementia can be incredibly difficult to deal with at times and can present challenges to those caring for them.

Your health care provider should know how to navigate the rocky waters while giving your loved one the care they need. It takes a special person to be able to do it, but it’s possible to find someone who can be patient, kind, and firm all at the same time.

Excellent Communication

In order to provide the best possible care for a person, a home health care provider needs to be able to communicate clearly, both with your loved one and with you.

The provider needs to be able to find the best ways to talk with your loved one about their health. There needs to be a sense of trust between the two parties in order for their relationship to blossom.

The provider also needs to be able to talk to you about any problems that arise. If your loved one is insisting on skipping meals or not taking medications, they need to talk to you about it and come up with a solution with your help.

If the communication between all of you isn’t good, your loved one isn’t going to be able to get the care they need. It’s important to establish good communication right from the very beginning to make things work.

Reliability

Above all else, you need your home health care provider to show up every day ready to work. Otherwise, your loved one won’t be able to get consistent care from someone who is qualified to provide it.

While your provider may need to take an occasional sick day, you should steer clear of using someone who is constantly calling out for one reason or another. You should also contact your home care company if this becomes a trend so that they can find you a new provider.

You want to find someone who wants to help you and your loved one. It will make a big difference and enrich your loved one’s life in ways you couldn’t have imagined.

Hire a Home Health Care Provider Now

If your loved one needs a home health care provider, you should start looking for one for them right away. The sooner you find one, the sooner your loved one can start getting the care they need.

Health is something you shouldn’t ever take for granted. You should be mindful about improving your own health as well as the health of those around you.

Check out our blog for more tips on taking care of your health.

High Tech Home Fitness Gear You Need to Consider

It’s 2018, and for a lot of people, getting fit is at the top of their to-do list for the new year.

If this is the case for you, you’re probably trying to make a lot of changes in your life right about now. Aside from changing your eating habits, it’s time to invest in high tech home fitness solutions.

Why? Because they’ll make your life so much easier, that’s why!

So if you’re not able to hire a personal trainer and are looking to go solo on your fitness journey, consider reading this list to find out what kind of high tech home fitness gear you should be buying.

Fitness Apps, Trackers, and Watches

If you’re big on using your smartphone, it’s definitely worth your time to look into fitness apps to send you push notifications and daily motivation to keep you going.

Equally, you may want to invest in a dedicated tracker for your fitness so it doesn’t get lost amongst all your others apps and notifications. Read on to find out our top recommendations.

TOMTOM Touch Cardio and Body Composition Fitness Tracker

This great little fitness tracker is among the best you’ll find. It comes with small as well as larger straps to suit different sizes and sits comfortably on your wrist as a noninvasive monitor of your daily body composition and heart rate activity.

What do we mean by body composition? We mean body fat and muscle mass percentages. Every movement you make will also be tracked to log calories burned, distance walked, as well as time spent sleeping.

The heart rate monitor tracks your resting heart rate as well since this is a great indicator of your overall fitness level.

Retailing at ?99.99, you get a comprehensive 5 days of tracking out of this nifty gadget before any charging is needed. It’s also waterproof and can be worn in the shower whilst at the gym.

Don’t forget to download the TOMTOM Sports app to really get the most out of this device.

BellaBeat

BellaBeat specialize in fitness jewelry you can incorporate into your daily look. The Bellabeat leaf can be worn as a clip-on attachment to your clothes, as a pendant on a necklace, or as a bracelet.

The many options mean this tracker can be adapted to suit a variety of different lifestyles and fashion styles.

Different accessories like chains and straps mean one leaf can be re-purposed from one style of wear to another depending on the occasion

The health tracking technology of the Bellabeat leaf monitors your body and mind, with a focus on mindfulness and balance.

Daily activity, sleep cycles, mental health, and menstrual cycles are all aspects that will be tracked by this innovative and modern new device.

BellaBeat Spring

Everyone knows staying well-hydrated is a key to a healthy lifestyle. Especially when you’re introducing more and more physical activity into your lifestyle, this becomes crucial.

Many people are bad at remembering to drink at regular intervals and find this makes them more prone to headaches or dry skin.

Introducing the BellaBeat Spring. Just like the Bellabeat, the BellaBeat Spring has a slick, modern design. A glass water bottle, its goal is hydration tracking, so if drinking regularly is something you struggle with this is the product for you.

With tailored goals and drinking reminders, you can track all of your hydration habits through its combined app, just like the BellaBeat leaf.

Fitbit Blaze Smart Watch

Designed to look more like a traditional watch for easy wear, the Fitbit Blaze effortlessly records workout intensity, heart rate, run stats and more. Connected to GPS, it’s also able to map your regular routes and track your steps.

Calls, emails, a calendar and connection to Gmail and Facebook accounts means that while you’re wearing this fitness watch, you’ll always be in the loop.

A true lifestyle product, this is one to look out for if you want to enmesh your fitness with your daily schedule, routine and social life.

High Tech Home Fitness Gadgets and Accessories

Here are some of our top picks for fitness gadgets that you must have in your life.

Headphones

Many of us can’t get on with the often repetitive movements required of daily home exercise without some good tunes jamming in our ears as a distraction.

If you relate to this sentiment, consider checking out the headphonesaddict list of best headphones for running to help you make your choice.

UA SpeedForm(R) Gemini 2 Trainers

These trainers offer the ultimate in innovative UA SpeedForm(R) technology which means you’ll have zero distractions while running. ArchForm offers additional support and soft cushioning for your foot for a better fit and feel when jogging.

The shoes molded toe cap also adds support and durability. The embedded interior sock liner combines moisture wicking technology with seamless comfort.

You’ll find that these trainers are incredibly light-weight whilst also being extremely durable. A smart investment for an impassioned runner.

Naboso Proprioceptive Yoga Mat

This incredible piece of high tech home fitness gear is bound to impress any yogis out there. This barefoot training mat is made from a material specifically designed to stimulate the nerve proprioceptors in your feet and hands.

Most training mats actually block these nerve endings due to their thickness, which in turn can throw off your posture, alignment, and stability during exercise.

This unique, patent-pending material used in the Naboso training mat is scientifically tested to match the way the body’s nervous system works, allowing for improved postural control, stability, and strength.

Stay grounded and connected through your feet and hands through all the movements and exercises you make when practicing your daily yoga.

Peloton Bike

This indoor fitness training bike should be the latest addition to your home gym.

Created to bring you the most immersive indoor cycling experience, its screen streams 24-hour access to studio cycling classes so you can get fit without even leaving the house.

If running is more your thing, you’ll be pleased to know you can now reserve their new and upcoming state of the art treadmill.

Ready to Invest in The Best of High Tech Home Fitness?

Start your fitness journey today and smash your health and wellbeing goals with the help of some of this top of the range high tech home fitness gear.

For more on health and fitness in your daily life, why not browse our the health section of our blog today?

5 Pieces of Equipment You Need for Your Home Gym

Whether it’s to save money on a pricey gym membership or to avoid being around other sweaty people, lots of people choose to exercise at home. If you’re thinking about putting together a home gym, there’s never been a better time than now.

Building up your home gym is a better investment than a monthly gym membership. You can get equipment that works better for you than what might be at a gym. Best of all, you won’t have to wipe someone’s sweat off of it before you use it.

Once you decide that a home gym is your ideal way to work out, it’s time to start putting together the must-have gear for your workout. We’ve put together a list of the top 5 pieces of equipment that everyone needs to have for their routine.

1. Dumbbells

Dumbbells offer a lot of versatility for bodybuilding and just staying in shape. If you only have space for one piece of equipment, having some weights should be the one piece of equipment that you keep around. Whether you use them during your dedicated workout hour of the day or just while you watch TV, they’ve got serious versatility.

You can work out every part of your body with just one pair of dumbbells. If you’ve got premade dumbbells, with set weights, you’ll have to set aside some space or get a rack for them. The hexagon shaped rubber dumbbells are some of the most comfortable and longest lasting.

If you’re just starting out, get 3-5 sets in a range of weights. Find light ones that you can jog in place with, then get some that are fairly easy to lift over your head. Next get some that you can’t lift over your head just yet.

If you don’t have space for a big rack of dumbbells but still want some versatility, look for adjustable dumbbells. This way, you’ll be able to get every kind of weight you need for a variety of workouts without having to compromise your tight space.

You’ll also be able to save money by getting variety with just one set of adjustable dumbells.

2. Stationary Bike

One of the best workouts you can get is riding a bike. If you don’t live in a place where you can commute to work on a bike or if you work from home, a stationary bike is your next best option.

There are a wide variety of bikes to choose from, including the straightforward mechanical bike to bikes with digital displays and networked technology. You can hop up on the bike and get in shape during those periods when you otherwise might just be sitting on your couch watching TV.

An airbike is a great option for people who are looking to get in great shape. With an air bike, the harder you pedal, the more the fan will resist. You can change resistance at your own pace and do some high-intensity interval training.
Rather than the average stationary bike, you can push and pull with your arms while you ride, giving you an additional upper body workout.

Once you decide to get a bike, put it someplace where you’ll see it every day. Putting it in your garage or in the corner of your spare bedroom will mean that it might just end up collecting dust after a few months.

Check out BodyGearGuide.com to see what’s offered in the world of bikes.

3. Pull Up Bar

This is one of the cheapest and easy to use pieces of equipment you could get for your home gym. What’s great about pull up bars is that they’re not just for pull-ups.

Once installed, you can do all sorts of gymnastic exercises. If you’re in especially good shape, you could hang from it and do sit-ups. Getting to that level, you’ll be in fantastic shape in no time.

Like the stationary bike, it should be put in a higher traffic area of your home. Putting it someplace out of sight will lead to it being out of mind, which won’t help you get into the shape you want.

If you take some natural supplements and use your pull-up bar every day, you’ll build up strength in no time.

4. Rings

Rings are an inexpensive and versatile addition to your home gym. They offer you a wide variety of options for exercising.

If you have experience doing gymnastics, you’ll find some familiarity and find comfortable ways to work out with them. You can add a lot of variety in your upper body exercises with some simple, lightweight rings.

Take a break between reps to just hang or hold yourself up. The feeling will leave you strong but relaxed.

5. Jump Rope

If you travel a lot or are short on space, a jump rope is a great addition to your home gym. It’s a great way to get a full body cardio workout in just 15 minutes.

If you’ve got experience, you might like to get a lightweight speed rope to work on timing. Or if you want a full-body workout, a weighted rope will help you work on your strength.

Whatever your skill level, a jump rope is an easy way to get into working out. If you’re a dancer or a runner, this will get your whole body in shape for that. Jumping rope is easy to fit into a day and has a higher yield of results than most workouts that are as simple.

Build Your Home Gym Today

Even if you’re on a budget, it’s easy to start building your home gym up. Don’t forget to pick up a comfortable pair of running shoes for working out in. They should offer heel and toe support and be good for making a light jog in, even if you won’t be running.

Pair this all with a good set of workout clothes that you feel comfortable in and you’ll be able to start working out every day of the week.

If you’re looking for more fitness tips, check out our list of fitness books.

How to Market Your Home to Luxury Buyers

Looking to sell your luxury home? Your marketing needs to be on point. Here’s everything you need to know about how to sell it quickly at a competitive price.

Luxury Homes for Sale – What’s Your Price?

It’s important to sell your luxury home at a competitive price.

A competitive price is found by your real estate agent through comparative market analysis.

This takes into account the value of your home while being cognizant of the other luxury homes for sale in your area. Your real estate agent will sift through data, tour comparable homes, and call on brokers for insight.

Buyers in your area have more to spend than most. This doesn’t mean they won’t deliberate and negotiate.

This is why listing your home at a competitive price is essential.

Marketing Materials

The price of your home is just one part of your marketing plan.

Luxury homes for sale are not commonplace. Your marketing plan should have a refined, compelling strategy to match.

Create a unique website for your home.

Ensure that your website is mobile friendly. Sites with intuitive navigation, which are gorgeous and clean will charm potential buyers.

Seek out the best, innovative marketing materials to post on your website and other venues your agent deems appropriate.

This means professional picture, video, and drone photography. Hire skilled writers for your ads and brochures.

Showcase your home’s amenities. This includes:

• Design (intricate details and open floor plan)
• New technology: control locks, heat, and AC from your phone
• Pool
• Home theater
• Spa bathroom
• In-home gym

Location

Luxury homes for sale should emphasize their exclusivity and the gorgeous landscape in the marketing materials.

When buyers see your marketing materials, the exclusivity and privacy of your luxury home should be apparent at first glance.

Showcase the land around your home with picture and drone photography. Whether the greenery around your home is beautiful but simple or lush and colorful, ensure that its design matches your home.

Time of Year

Selling at a certain time of year is important for anyone selling a home, however, luxury homes for sale raise the stakes.

Things to consider are school, terrain, and weather.

Being cognizant of schools in your area is important for anyone selling a home. If your luxury home is in a school area, it’s important to consider the children of potential buyers. Be prepared to give some information about the schools.

Many families with children will be looking for a new home in late Spring and Summer. Selling outside this window means that fewer families are shopping.

Fortunately, it doesn’t exclude all buyers.

Potential buyers look for luxury homes outside this window, but they still want an unforgettable viewing.

If you live near water or your luxury home is lake or oceanfront, extreme weather could mean unfriendly cold, wind or even hurricanes if your luxury home is on the Gulf.

Aim to show your home in the right season, when the weather is pleasant.