Monthly Archives: February 2021

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Vitamin D & Depression: Fighting the Winter Blues

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What Does Vitamin D Actually Do?

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble that is naturally present in certain foods and is also produced when ultraviolet rays from sunlight land on the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. The body producing vitamin D in response to sun exposure is why vitamin D is nicknamed the “sunshine vitamin”. Vitamin D has many important functions in the body, including maintaining healthy bones and teeth through calcium absorption, promoting bone growth, protecting against diseases and conditions, and reducing inflammation.

Vitamin D and Depression

Research has connected a link between people with depression and vitamin D deficiency. Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide and spikes in colder months, known as seasonal affective disorder. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is not considered a separate condition, but a type of depression with a seasonal pattern. Weather affects people’s moods. Dull, cold, rainy days make us feel gloomy and unmotivated, while sunlight breaking through the clouds can lift our spirits and give us a little feeling of hope. In fact, the vitamin D receptors in our brain are in the same locations in the brain associated with depression (i.e. the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, cingulate gyrus, thalamus, hypothalamus, and substantia nigra)

Causes of Vitamin D Deficiency

Limited Sunlight

Sunlight can be an individual’s primary source of vitamin D. During colder, darker months there is less access to the sun’s ultraviolet rays to trigger the vitamin d synthesis in the body.

Diet

There are actually very few foods that have high amounts of vitamin D. Without adding any of these foods into your diet there is a high chance that you are not getting proper amounts of vitamin D in your meals.

  • Milk
  • Fish
  • Red meat
  • Egg yolks
  • Fortified foods – certain cereals and juices

Age

Older adults have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency because the skin’s ability to synthesize vitamin D declines with age.

Greater Amounts of Melanin

Greater amounts of the pigment melanin in the skin reduces the skin’s ability to produce vitamin D from sun exposure. 

Obesity

Obesity does not actually affect the body’s ability to produce vitamin D, but the higher levels of body mass and fat sequestered requires higher levels of vitamin D for the vitamin to work properly.

Diseases/Conditions

Since vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, conditions that affect fat absorption also affect the production of vitamin D. For example, conditions such as liver disease, cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and Crohn’s disease all have a negative effect on vitamin D. 

Signs of Deficiency:

  • Aching bones
  • Fatigue or drowsiness
  • Weak muscles
  • Headaches

Signs of Depression:

  • Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Loss of interest in activities you’ve previously enjoyed
  • Feelings of sadness and hopelessness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Excessive weight loss of weight gain
  • Forgetfulness
  • Struggle concentrating
  • Anxiety
  • Thoughts of suicide

Reach out to a doctor if you are having signs of depression. If you or anyone you know are having thoughts of suicide here are some support resources: 

  • Call 911
  • Go to an emergency room
  • Text HOME to 741-741 to connect with a crisis counselor at the Crisis Text Line from anywhere in the U.S.
  • Call the toll-free National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) to be connected with a trained counselor at a crisis center anytime. People are standing by, ready to help without judgment
  • Call Samsha. 1-800-622-HELP (4357).  SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

Solving Vitamin D Deficiency

To treat your vitamin D deficiency the obvious answer is to increase your intake of vitamin D, but how? Ways to increase your intake are:

  • Adding foods with larger amounts of vitamin D into your diet
  • Vitamin D supplements
  • Increasing your sun exposure
    • Natural sources on sunny days
    • In-home light solutions

Helpful Tips for Combating Winter Blues

If the lack of sunlight and lack of vitamin D is affecting your mental health and causing symptoms of depression, the first (and best) thing to do is always talk to a doctor and seek professional help. Outside of that, here are some self-care tips during the colder months especially that can help combat the winter blues:

  • Exercise regularly
  • Maintain a sleep schedule
  • Communicate with loved ones and keeping a support system present
  • Join a support group
  • Stay tuned in with your body
  • Create a mindfulness moment

All in All:

Vitamin D and depression have been linked through various studies, making vitamin D essential for not only your physical health but mental health as well. Getting the proper amounts of vitamin D can be hard, especially in the colder, darker months, but making efforts to include vitamin D in your diet or through supplements will help prevent a vitamin D deficiency. The winter blues can get the best of us, but if we take care of our bodies and our minds we can make it through the gloomy days and get back to the sunshine! 

Remember to please seek professional advice or help if you are experiencing any symptoms of depression. 

This article was originally published at iveeapp.com.

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4 Tips For Improving Your Business

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You’ve spent a lot of time and energy launching and running your business. You may be performing mediocre but also might not be doing as good of a job as you had originally hoped.

The good news is that there are ways to improve your business so you can get and stay ahead over the long-term. Now is the time to reflect and evaluate where you’re at and where you want to be five and ten years from now. Not only set goals and monitor your progress but also apply the following tips so that you can quickly and effectively improve your business.

1. Identify Your Target Audience & Get to Know Your Customer

One tip for improving your business is to identify your target audience and get to know your customers on a deeper level. It’ll help you make decisions regarding your products or services and your marketing strategy. Know and understand who they are and where they spend their time and what they like about your products and services. One option to get more insights is to look into performing customer experience research to learn more about their pain points and so you truly understand them and where they’re coming from.

2. Get Organized

It’s also important that you’re organized, especially when it comes to your business finances. Get your documents and files in order and know what money is going out and coming in each month. It may help to move the information you need to the online space so it’s secure and better organized in one spot. You want to know where to find essential documents and data right away without wasting any time or experiencing delays.

3. Gather Feedback

You don’t know how you’re actually doing or what people are thinking until you ask. Therefore, reach out and gather feedback from employees and customers alike. Ask the right types of questions and dig deeper to get a better idea of what they do and don’t like about working for or with you. Avoid taking their comments personally and use them instead as a learning opportunity to do better and take your business to the next level. You can use these remarks to make impactful changes that will ensure your employees and customers are satisfied and motivated to want to work with you.

4. Discover Best Practices

You may struggle to meet and exceed your goals if you and your staff aren’t on the same page. Therefore, one tip for improving your business is to identify best practices and use them to work smarter instead of harder. Document these processes and procedures so it’s easy to onboard new employees to your company and train someone. It’s wise to keep all you do transparent, which entails breaking down silos and using open and honest communication between departments. Have conversations and brainstorming sessions to help you decipher the ideal way to complete tasks and if there are any roadblocks and obstacles your team is facing that you need to work through.

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3 Reasons You Should Visit the Salon Regularly

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These days, it’s no surprise people take care of their appearance. Whether it’s heading to a tanning salon, getting their nails done or even going to the hairdressers. People want to look and feel good! One way to feel good is by heading to a local salon and being pampered. Plus, having regular salon visits will not only make you feel great, but it’ll also keep your hair happy and healthy too.

Let’s delve into some of the reasons why you should visit the salon regularly.

Salon visits keep your hair healthy

Heading to the best hair salons colorado springs has to offer on a regular basis is great for keeping your hair nice and healthy. A regular trim can get rid of any split ends and promote healthy hair growth. So, if you want to keep those luscious locks, you need a trim! You may think not, because of course, if you’re growing your hair why would you want to cut it, but it’s necessary. If you were to have split ends, those splits could travel up the hair and damage the hair, whilst making it knotty and frizzy. By maintaining your cut, the salon can remove any wispy ends and keep your hair healthy.

Salons use better products

It’s true, salons use better quality products than we would do at home. Not many of us think to invest in haircare products, but salons and hairdressers do. They use products tailored to our specific needs and requirements. Plus, with their years of experience, hairdressers will know the best ways to look after our hair, maintaining its health. There are even many salons that now use organic products which are safer for our hair and far less harsh. If you have curly hair, straight hair, or hair with vibrant colours, a professional will know how to treat it properly, maintaining a healthy shine. Usually at home, we may use generic products, but in a salon, the products used will combat the specific areas we want to target. From nourishing hair creams to growth serums, salons have it all. Heading to the salon also helps you discover new products that you can use at home to maintain your healthy hair between visits.

Coloured hair treatments

If you want to maintain a specific colour, a regular salon trip will do the trick. Not only will a salon be able to colour match the desired colour, but they will also be able to make the right chemical colours to create the formula you want. From colouring your whole head to topping up roots, a professional hairdresser will be able to colour your hair with no problems at all. Box dyes may seem like an affordable way to colour your hair, but in the long run, they’re more likely to damage your hair than help. Plus, you don’t exactly know the weight of dye in each kit which can be a nightmare when it comes to maintaining or recolouring your hair. Not to mention, the formulas of box dyes vary to the formulas used in a salon, so the chemicals in a box dye may react to other chemicals you’re using and create an undesired reaction. It’s often best just to use a trusted professional with colouring, especially if you’re trying to achieve a difficult colour like platinum blonde.

As a bonus reason, it’s actually a great way to relax. You can get pampered having a hot beverage or even something stronger if it has been a long week. You hairdresser will likely even give you a head massage too, helping you to unwind. If you need more advice when it comes to haircare, click here.

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Why Perth Should Be Right Up There On Your Bucket List

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For those of you who don’t know, Perth is a large city in Western Australia. Heck, it’s pretty much the only city for thousands of miles, cut off from the rest of the world. 

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And that makes it somewhat unique. There’s no other advanced western metropolis that is so lonely. London is only two hundred miles from Paris. New York is just down the road for Boston. But Perth is literally a world away from everywhere else, and that’s why it’s a must-visit destination. It retains its frontier spirit. And everyone wants to live there. 

It’s Got A Culture Of Its Own

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Perth is different from the towns and cities you’ll find on Australia’s east coast. Unlike those conurbations, Perth grew out of the mining industry, giving it a very distinctive feel. 

The people who live here have their own approach to life. It’s still Aussie and cheeky, but there’s also a touch of the Wild West about it. 

Hardly any goods arrive in the city via roads. Instead, they all arrive on giant container ships that taxi in and out of the harbour all day. 

Yes – prices are a little higher than elsewhere, but it’s totally worth it, especially for those views over the Indian Ocean. 

It’s Probably The Most Convenient Place In Australia

Urban planners did a good job with Perth. Despite the fact that the city grew up quickly, they managed to create a system that makes it easy to get from one side to the other. The public transport is good, and thanks to outfits like Burswood Car Rentals, hiring a vehicle to get around is also an option. 

Most of the city is concentrated in a very small area in the middle. Yes, there are outlying areas, but tourists will rarely need to travel to these unless you’re house-sharing. And even if you do, there are buses and metros to keep you connected. If all else fails, just call a taxi. 

It’s Close To The Outback

Australia is a wonderful continent because it’s so vast. The country retains vast tracts of wilderness, many of which are now national parks. It’s the sort of place you can get lost for weeks, without ever wanting to leave and go back to civilization. 

Perth is in the ideal location for hardcore adventurers. Head thirty miles out of the city, and you’re really in lonely country. Get off the road and you’ll find all sorts of wildlife, lakes, rivers, ponds, and, of course, plenty of scrub. 

You Can Go On Dolphin Cruises

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If you’ve ever wanted to swim with dolphins, then Perth is the place to do it. The city provides ample opportunities for keen adventurers to swim with the “humans of the sea.” Guide companies provide tours from the bay area multiple times per day, and the dolphins almost always show up. 

You can also take a trip to Rottnest Island if you have a whole day to burn. This area is home to more than 135 varieties of tropical fish, making it a great hang-out spot.

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How to Sell Your Commercial Property Fast with Minimal Stress

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If you are thinking of selling your commercial property, there are several options you have. First, understand why you want to sell. Do you need quick cash, or the property is no longer profitable? You may also want to sell because you are too engaged to operate it, or you are old and don’t want the stress that comes with owning and managing a commercial property. Whatever your reasons are, make sure to get a deal that serves your interest, puts more cash in your pocket with minimal stress. With the current real estate recession, you should get an experienced real estate broker to help you sell the property fast. Why so?

Gray Concrete Building

Photo Credit Pixabay from Pexels

They are More Knowledgeable

An experienced real estate agent, such as Oyler Hines of Coldwell Banker, understands the commercial property selling process, which can be complicated for first-time sellers. There is paperwork to handle, and you need someone to guide you through the sale plan all through to the closing. You may also need to work with

  • Real estate attorneys
  • Title agents
  • Appraisers
  • Property photographers
  • Surveyors
  • Marketers 
  • Videographers

Commercial real estate agents may have experts they can refer you to for quality and fast services. They also coordinate the process and arrange meetings. You don’t even have to attend the meetings freeing your time to take care of other obligations.

They Understand the Market

You may not know your property’s real value, which may lead to under or over quoting the price. The agent sets a competitive price that makes your property stand out in the market and, at the same time, ensures you get the best value. 

They May Have a Ready Market

Their business is to know who is selling or buying property and what each client wants. Therefore, when you approach them, most already know who may be interested in the property. Real estate agents work as the middleman between sellers and buyers, making the selling process faster. Selling on your own can take more time because you may not know many people interested in the property. 

The agents also have the necessary marketing tools to build awareness and cover a larger area. Most heavily invest in social media marketing and other marketing strategies that make it easier to sell properties. They already have ready clientele who regularly check their online updates for new real estate in the market. 

Takes Care of the Hard Work

Before the deal is closed, there are prospects to meet, offers to negotiate, paperwork to take care of, and government approvals to pay. Selling a property can take a substantial amount of your time and effort, sometimes investing your time on leads that don’t materialize. You can concentrate on other things when you have an experienced person handling the sale.

When you don’t want tenants or other people to know you are selling the property, you can do it discreetly through a commercial real estate agent. They may also advise you on the improvements to boost the market value, such as painting the walls, taking care of repairs, and replacing worn-out fixtures.

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3 Top Tips To Make You More Employable As A Graduate

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3 Top Tips To Make You More Employable As A Graduate 

Image from @Free-Photos on Pixabay 

With more people attending university and completing higher education, succeeding in the graduate job market now requires much more than a degree certificate. Companies want to see that there is more to you than your studies and that you have the right skills for the job role outside of academics. We’ve run through a few top tips to make sure you stand out from the crowd in your next application process. 

  1. Find your USP As A Candidate:

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We’re all completely different; everybody knows that. So, even if you’re going for the same job role as the other two hundred applicants (because trust us, graduate roles attract A LOT of attention), there will be at least one thing that is entirely individual to you. This is what we call your unique selling point. Maybe your time working as an assistant in a gaming store has made you an expert on the market as a whole. Or perhaps your time working at children’s birthday parties on the weekend has given you the patient of a saint when working in high-pressure situations. Whatever it is, you need to find your unique trait that can allow you to stand out amongst the other candidates. Even if it might not appear directly relevant to the role at first, make sure to take the time to tailor your strength to something mentioned as a desirable trait in the job description.

  1. Get Your Driver’s License:

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It might not seem like a priority when preparing to enter the job market, but having a full driver’s license and access to a car can make you much more attractive to employers. It is not uncommon for job adverts to list a license as ‘desirable’ for candidates. Many even require applicants to confirm that they obtain a full license to progress with the application process. This is because many roles, especially those that are client or customer-facing, require travel to meet clients at a location most suitable for them. Public transport is renowned for being unreliable, so an employee relying on it to meet clients is a risk for any company. Getting your license might seem daunting, and if so, you’ve probably been putting it off since you were old enough, but here’s your sign to just get it done. With a few hours of lessons a week, fitted in alongside your studies, you’re likely to be able to pass your test within a year. There’s tons of advice available online about how to perform well in your test, and you can read more about it here.

  1. Keep A Record Of Any Achievements And Skills:

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With so much information being thrown at you during university, it’s easy to forget everything that you have learned during your time there. Chances are you’ve kept a record of your grades for when employers ask for them, but it can be useful to go one step further. Employers love when you provide practical examples of the skills you’ve learned, especially in interviews. Therefore, it can help keep a good record of all of the examples of personal development and soft skills your degree program has provided you with. When it comes to completing job applications, all you need to do is link these qualities to the specific role, and your application will really stand out. 

These simple steps might not seem like a lot, but they’ll be sure to make you stand out from the crowd to employers. The graduate job market can be challenging, but if you persevere, you’ll be sure to find the position that’s right for you, hopefully with the help of our advice.

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4 Tips For New Teen Drivers

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As a new drive on the road, you may be very excited about your newfound freedom and independence. However, driving and operating a vehicle also comes with a lot of responsibility.

It’s in your best interest to focus on safety and getting to your destination without any issues. There are a few tips you can follow that will help ensure a positive experience on the road so you can continue to get around by yourself without any setbacks or incidents. You’ll have a much better time out on the road and your parents will trust you more when you act sensibly.

1. Slow Down

One tip for new teen drivers is to slow down and not race around to where you’re going. You may want to use the cruise control function on your car if you tend to speed. Leave plenty of time to get to your final destination and avoid speeding. You may not only get a costly speeding ticket but also might cause an accident if you ignore the signs and rules of the road. There’s a reason you go through a written and driving test so remember what you learned once you’re out driving.

2. Be Prepared

Another tip for new teen drivers is to always be prepared and anticipate anything that could go wrong. Bring a map or GPS with you and have your phone fully charged. Keep a blanket and flashlight in the car and know who to call if you get stuck. You’ll want to contact a towing company such as https://sg3towingandrecovery.com/ if you get into a fender bender or require a jump start. It’s also wise to call the police and make a report if you get into an accident so the event is documented.  

3. Take Good Care of Your Vehicle

You’ll be a lot safer out on the road when your vehicle is in good shape and condition. As the driver or owner of the car, it’s your responsibility to ensure that it’s safe to drive. Be sure to take it in for routine maintenance and take care of any repairs or fixes that it requires right away. It’s in your best interest to save up your money in advance so you have it ready to use if you run into any issues with your vehicle. Remember to take it in for regular oil changes and to check that your tires are in good condition.

4. Focus on Driving

It’s easy to get distracted when you’re on your phone or not paying attention to what you’re doing. It’s essential that if you want to stay safe on the road that you focus on driving and put all your effort and energy into doing a good job. Put your phone away and text or call someone once you’re stopped and aren’t driving on the road. Also, make sure your music is at a reasonable level so you can hear your surroundings and react if necessary. Avoid distractions and tailgating other cars and you’ll likely have a rewarding and safe experience driving to your destination.

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Moving To The City? How To Find The Right Home In The Crowded Metropolis

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Hunting for a new home is not an easy task, particularly if you are looking for one in the city, but whether you are searching for a house to buy or an apartment to rent in the metropolis, here are the things you need to consider:

Local Real Estate Market

Buying or renting a new home can be tricky if you are new to the area. It may not be apparent to you at first which parts of the city are on the rise and which ones are already on the decline.

Make the most of available resources so you can familiarize yourself with the local real estate market. A particular area may appear underdeveloped at first glance but is set to undergo significant transformations in the future.

When hunting for a home, find out if there are commercial, residential, or public developments being planned for in a specific area, and assess if this could affect the desirability of the place. Plans to build public infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, and terminals for public transport could significantly affect the desirability and property value of homes in a particular area.

Location

Long commutes may affect your health and productivity so consider the pros and cons before you decide to live too far

away from work or school. Be aware though that the location of a prospective home can significantly affect its market price.

A home on a busy road, for instance, or one that stands next to a crowded public or commercial property, where there is an unusual amount of traffic and noise may fetch a lower price. Houses and condominiums near business districts, on the other hand, fetch a higher price.

Safety

Assess the safety of the neighborhood. Do some researchers about the crime activity in a particular area before you hand over your money for the property. Make sure to make an in-person visit. A high rise apartment that appears to have a beautiful view of the city on its images on the internet may be located near an industrial site, which can expose you to toxic fumes.

Transportation

Familiarize yourself with the transportation options of the city from buses to subways and taxis. It is important to do thorough research on a city’s public transportation options before you relocate to your new home. If you will depend on any of these to get around the city, go for where public transportation is easily accessible. You may have to lease or buy a new car if you opt to settle in a home where there is no public transportation nearby and you should include this cost in your moving budget.

Get Help From An Expert

Get help from an experienced real estate agent if you are new or unfamiliar with the area. These professionals are experts when it comes to assessing potential homes for you. They can also provide you with the necessary information about the local market to help you make an educated decision. Be honest with your agent about your situation, including your time frame for the move and your budget, sothey can steer you towards a place most suitable for your needs and preferences.

There are many things to consider when moving to a new home in the city. Familiarize yourself with the local real estate market, the safety of your future location, and the accessibility of your perspective home to public transportation.

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