Author Archives: alanhs961

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Changes to Your Business that are Best for Your Health

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Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/IuLgi9PWETU

Creative businesses can be brilliant outlets for talented professionals, but they can also take a toll – the kind of toll we are not always ready to confront or confess. I began my own entrepreneurial career as a successful makeup artist for weddings and events. I eventually moved into a storefront and expanded into wedding planning as well. Unfortunately, business success does not always equal personal wellbeing. I became overworked and my health deteriorated.

I knew things had to change.

Emily Sullivan Events was born of this time in my life and career, as was a laser focus on keeping my company small, overhead low and stress level down.

Do you see yourself in my story? More creatives do than you might expect. We pour our hearts and souls into our work, sometimes at a grave personal cost.

What kinds of changes would make a difference in your career and personal wellbeing?

Focus on the Basics

Taking stock of your personal and professional life is an important first step. What are your priorities? When you accept too many social invitations, even when they relate to business, what are you giving up? Time with your family? Opportunity to tend to self care?

Limit appointments and events to the ones that will help you achieve your goals without overwhelming your schedule. Give your family obligations, children’s events and time with your spouse as much weight, or more, as your business obligations.

Choose Your Team Carefully

Look for a team that complements your strengths. I searched for someone who could take some of the load off my plate and handle all of the physical activities. You might need someone who has the time to field phone calls, act as a leader on event days, or manage other employees day to day. Get the help you need to prevent you from overdoing things and putting your own wellness in jeopardy.

Keep Your Health In Check

You hear it from everyone – your doctor, friends and loved ones: you need to establish a routine that includes exercise, sleep and healthy meals. By the time the ramifications of ignoring these instructions start to manifest, it can be too late to repair the damage. The arthritis flare up that forced me to reconsider my business was my wake up call. It was the evidence that convinced me that the stress of the job was affecting my health. Don’t wait for your body to send such a dramatic SOS. Start incorporating healthy habits today.

Set Boundaries

Establishing your limits and making your boundaries known are the best things you can do. Accept that your to-do list will never be done, but you can still be successful even so. Don’t allow the world around you to influence your values or your self-image.

Life is simply too short to allow your business to rob you and your family of your best. Make the changes that will give you all a better quality of life before it’s too late. You simply won’t regret it.

This article by Emily Sullivan was originally published at honeybook.com

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Ready For A Lifestyle Overhaul?

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Ready for a shakeup in your life? Have the last few months or weeks given you something to think about? Are you ready to create a more enjoyable, better and more personal lifestyle for yourself? 

So here are a few suggestions of where you can make changes to help you improve your lifestyle. 

Photo by Ramille Soares on Unsplash

Hobbies

Did you know that hobbies make you happier? Yes. There is a proven link between doing things we love, and raising our happiness hormones. So that makes hobbies the perfect antidote to stressful situations and life. 

Think about the hobbies you used to do as a child, remember how much you loved them? Do you still do them? Of course, interests change over the years, so you might need to find a whole new hobby! 

You might be thinking about refurbishing an old van and going on long driving trips. VanLife is a big movement, and focuses on travelling minimally, but comfortably. If you do decide that VanLife is for you, make sure you have a good car accident attorney on your speed dial! 

You might be looking for something a little slower paced. Baking bread is a great way to spend time and can be really wonderful for those who love a fresh, warm loaf with melted butter. 

Slow walks through the woods, combined with photography, can be so satisfying too. 

Health

In modern times we often push our bodies and minds into spaces that aren’t healthy for us at all. The pressure of everyday life and the people who need us can make it hard to say no. You can make small and simple changes by taking a multivitamin, drinking more water, and heading to the doctor for a check-up. 

Also, consider how much fruit and veggies you are consuming. And make a conscious effort to increase the amount. You can get an application for your mobile phone or a range of cool gadgets to help remind you to drink more water. 

Socially

Having the same social circle for years is really cool in the current climate or technology. But there are people out there you have yet to meet. Adding new people into your group, or generally just meeting others can have a huge impact on you and what you do. 

New people are going to like different things to you, their taste in music might open you up to new artists and bands. Their love of ice coffee instead of a traditional cup of tea, and even their hobbies. All of these new experiences can give you a fresh perspective and a new zest for life too. 

And if you know that you aren’t giving your friends the best of you, it might be time to think about why you haven’t been keeping in touch as much as you should be. Modern life means people are busy, but how often you keep in touch with people will make a difference to your everyday life. 

And finally, unplug from technology for a few hours every day, read, draw or go for a walk. 

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More Space, More Value: Home Additions that Increase Property Value

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Thinking about staying or moving to another home in a few years? Whatever it may be, certain home additions are worthwhile undertakings, especially when they significantly increase the price of your home.

Patios and Carports

Many urban homes in Brisbane have carports, patios or sometimes both. These house extensions effectively expand a house without requiring extensive construction. A patio can increase your home value by 10 to 20 per cent, and a carport is an attractive addition for families with more than one vehicle. If you’re not planning to sell your home, you can still make use of an extended patio. It extends your living area while keeping the sun at bay and keeping your house cooler. The larger space is perfect for gatherings and barbecues, afternoon tea time or evening parties. A carport will protect your vehicle from the sun, maintaining its paint job and allowing you to drive off without suffering from suffocating heat during summer months.

Conservatories and Greenhouses

A garden won’t affect your house’s valuation, but a well-made conservatory or greenhouse would. A conservatory or a separate greenhouse will give your house a more refined look. You can make full use of a greenhouse even if you have no plans to sell your house. Australia is particularly hot, so make sure you choose your crops properly. Vegetables like tomatoes, cabbage, spinach and peppers are popular crop choices. If flowers are more to your liking, geraniums, petunias, chrysanthemums or orchids can be good options. You can even opt for specialty plants like cacti and other succulents or Venus flytraps and other carnivorous plants. Modern greenhouses can be constructed using polycarbonate sheets instead of glass, so you don’t have to worry about damage or accidents – especially if you have kids or pets in the house.

The Usual Backyard Cabin

Granny flats are everywhere in Australia. An extra living structure in your property will certainly raise its price, but you will probably choose to stay if you opt for a backyard cabin. While popularly used to provide a living space for older relatives, granny flats can have multiple uses. It can serve as an office if you work from home or run a business; you can even list it as a coworking space online. Use it as a workshop for wood-crafting or hobby space for the whole family. Keeping the mess outside of the house can make your family a lot happier and saner. If you don’t want to make a lot of changes, just rent it out as an Airbnb accommodation or perhaps a short-term lease. A backyard cabin is easy to maintain, and contractors can easily reconfigure it if your elderly parents finally decide to move in.

House additions cost money, but they make your house more spacious and comfortable or give it more character. The right additions pay for themselves by either raising your quality of life or raising your house’s valuation if you plan on selling in the future. So choose a project that best suits your needs.

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Sensible Times To Outsource In Business

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Pixabay. CCO Licensed.

Outsourcing is something that all businesses can benefit from, and can range from using legal experts to hiring office cleaning services. But when should you outsource and when you should take on a task yourself? Here are just a few of the key times to consider outsourcing.

When it’s beyond your expertise

There are some jobs, such as cutting, for example, that you may simply not have the expertise to handle, so outsourcing to a professional CNC cutting service is the best solution – learn more here. While you may be able to teach yourself the required skills in some cases, this could still take a lot of time and energy.

Manufacturers for instance will often specialize in certain areas and outsource parts and other processes, such as heat treating. You may specialize in casing for machinery but may require another company to handle electronics assembly. Without spending years studying electronics, there’s no way you can do this task yourself.

Legal support is another task that is commonly outsourced because it requires specialist expertise. Lawyers can help to explain business laws and may be able to help with tasks such as writing legal contracts, applying for trademarks or defending you against a lawsuit.  

You don’t want to be outsourcing tasks that are your specialty. If you can competently handle a task, save yourself the money by doing it yourself.

When it saves you money

Another great time to outsource is when it could possibly save you money. Outsourcing does cost money, but there can be times when you make a return from it.

One example could be outsourcing a delivery service for your online store. Hiring your own team of delivery drivers and buying vehicles is likely to cost a huge amount compared to outsourcing a delivery service.

It’s also often more economical to outsource one-off tasks to save you from purchasing equipment and resources. If you need to print off and mail newsletters but don’t own a printer, you’ll save a lot of money by hiring a printing and mailing company to handle it the task for you.

Always do the math beforehand so that you can be certain that you’re going to save money. Don’t outsource something that you can do cheaper yourself if you can achieve the same level of quality doing it.

When it saves you a lot of time

There are many tasks which take up a lot of time. By outsourcing these tasks, it gives you more time to focus on more pressing things.

A lot of companies outsource office cleaning because it takes up a lot of time – even if it is something you and your employees can do yourself. It allows your team to focus on their core responsibilities, while a team of professional cleaners can then focus on keeping your office tidy.

Similarly, you may want to outsource a task like answering the phone if you’re constantly being barraged by calls and can’t focus on other tasks. A phonecall answering company can take all calls for you, so that you’re no longer having other tasks interrupted.

Of course, there’s no point outsourcing a task like answering phone calls if you rarely receive phone calls. You’re much better off handling these tasks yourself if they only cost you a small amount of time.

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What is Intravenous Therapy?

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Originally posted on iveeapp.com by Amber Theuer on Jan 28, 2020

Used for decades in hospitals and medical settings, intravenous therapy, or IV therapy, has traditionally aided symptoms from dehydration to nutrient-absorption conditions. In the past few years, IV therapy has increased its presence — popping up in independent clinics and delivery services throughout the world.

Intravenous therapy helps users feel their best through rehydration…But it’s more than just H2O that brings you to ultimate wellness!

What is Intravenous Therapy? 

Intravenous therapy is a treatment that administers fluids and nutrients directly into the vein. The intravenous route is the quickest way that medications and fluids can enter the body, as they are brought straight  into circulation. That being said, they can be used by the body almost immediately. 

When individuals ingest nutrients orally, they typically do not receive all of the benefits effectively. This is due to a variety of reasons — from the inability for the gut to process nutrients properly to the lack of tolerance for high vitamin and mineral dosages. 

IV therapy eliminates this issue. Intravenous administration allows you to receive the vitamins, minerals and medication you need — quickly and in the total amount required. 

Why Should You Use Intravenous Therapy? 

You can use intravenous therapy to increase your overall wellness, as adequate hydration and nutrient levels are key in achieving maximized health.

In addition, IV can also: 

  • Lift immunity 
  • Relieve fatigue 
  • Detoxify the body 
  • Reduce stress 
  • Alleviate anxiety 
  • Promote athletic recovery 
  • Enhance beauty 
  • Relieve illness 
  • Boost metabolism 

What Does the Process Look Like? 

Intravenous therapy is easy and safe. IV treatment is virtually painless, with most patients feeling only a slight initial pinch during IV administration. During the treatment, it’s normal to experience a cooling sensation. No major side effects are associated with intravenous therapy.

With ivee, the process of getting intravenous therapy is as simple as calling an Uber! Just download the ivee app and create an account. Select your desired treatment, enter your name, and select any additions you’d like to make to your IV, such as nausea or headache relief. When you’re happy with your purchase, schedule your delivery and enter your location. A nurse will then be to you within 15 to 45 minutes! 

At ivee, all of our carefully formulated treatments are administered by our expert team of nurses. Plus, you provide your allergies and medical history beforehand in order to prevent any potential adverse effects. 

Wellness with the click of a button? And in the comfort of your home?

IV therapy helps you feel your best, and ivee creates an experience that will have you coming back for more.

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Simple Hacks to Improve Our Mental Health

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Mental health awareness is growing across the globe. This is excellent news for everyone as we don’t discuss this critical topic enough.

Your mental health is absolutely integral to your health and well being. We all face mental health issues from common to severe problems. Here are some simple hacks to improve your mental health this year.

Eat Healthy

Pexels

The links between our food, gut health, and mental health are becoming very apparent. Recent research all points to our guts as being instrumental to the health of our minds. 

To put it simply, the healthier you eat, the healthier your mind. Filling your belly full of processed foods high in fat, salt, and sugar is a one-way road to low self-esteem, anxiety, and risk of developing depression.

Try to eat a mostly whole foods plant-based diet this year. The plant-based diet has been shown to help you to lose weight, boost your mood, reduce anxiety, and reduce stress.

Cultivate Joy

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We live in a world where most people either don’t appreciate what they do have or continuously worry about what they don’t have. This makes us all miserable people. 

Instead, the simple act of expressing gratitude and doing the things we enjoy can help to significantly boost our mental health. 

So, this year create a gratitude journal and write down what you are grateful for each day. Spend more time doing the things you love, whether that is making music or building custom airplane models. Do what makes you happy.

Exercise

Pexels

We all know how beneficial exercise is to our bodies. It makes us stronger, fitter, and puts us into good shape. What most people don’t realize is just how beneficial exercise is for your mind too. 

When you exercise, you realize a concoction of mood-boosting chemicals such as endorphins. Regular exercise makes you feel good about yourself and the world around you. Hence, why people get often get addicted to the gym.

Once you become an exercise regular to enter a cycle of positivity. You release endorphins this makes you happy, you go back to the gym, you get in better shape, you feel good about your body, you build self-esteem, and you start to feel good.

Practice Mindfulness

Photo by Spencer Selover from Pexels

Mindfulness isn’t just for spiritual gurus and those who visited India a few years ago. Mindfulness is an essential practice for your overall well being. We spend so much of our lives busy, stressed, and consumed with thoughts about the past and future. We rarely live in the now.

When we start living in the now, we become more present. Practicing mindfulness is done by meditating, expressing gratitude, walking in nature, and listening more. Once we start to ground ourselves, we begin to realize other priorities, such as our emotions.

With practice, you can start to objectively assess your emotions, control them, and choose better feelings. This can help significantly with anxiety, depression, anger issues, or past trauma. A helathy mind needs reflection and practice.

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Should You Go Freelance?

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As the coronavirus continues to spread, shutting down businesses all over the world, an opportunity has arisen. More people than ever are being forced into working from home. 

Many won’t know how to handle this, while others are guaranteed to enjoy it. This might be you, and already you’re thinking whether you could do this full time? You may realize you hate your job, and you need a change.

Freelancing is easier than ever, and with the right discipline, it can add an enormous amount of value to your life.

Should you go freelance? Here are some reasons to consider it.

It’s Not That Risky

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash

Even just ten years ago, being a freelancer was considered very risky. Today, the business world has evolved and being a freelancer has never been easier.

Progress with technology and software has made us more connected than ever. Entire businesses can run remotely without their staff ever meeting each other in real life.

Freelancing is no longer risky and thus becoming increasingly popular across the world.

You Don’t Need Much To Start.

Photo by Caio Resende from Pexels

All you need to become a freelancer is your skills, a laptop, mobile phone, software such as Microsoft Office 365, and a secure internet connection. This is your new mobile office in which you can achieve anything you want. 

You can contact clients via phone, discuss projects over Skype, collaborate on Slack, and complete your accounting on Quick Books. The internet has everything you need to run a small business of your own.

Manage Your Own Time

Photo by Vidal Balielo Jr. from Pexels

Don’t fancy work this morning? No problem, move your schedule back a few hours and work later. Want to drink coffee with a friend? Take the kids to school? Eat lunch with your family? No problem, schedule it in your day.

Freelancing gives you the unique opportunity to create a work/life balance. To lead a life, you actually enjoy. No more sat in traffic for hours each day. No more missed lunch hours. No more overtime.

Freelancing allows you to spend more time with the people you love and more time with yourself. 

Mobile Office

Photo by VisionPic .net from Pexels

You can work anywhere as a freelancer. You don’t have to sit at home in your underwear all day (unless you want to). You can work in cafes, restaurants, outside in the garden or one of the millions of great workspaces available in major cities.

Not only will you get out more as a freelancer, but you will also experience a sense of freedom you can’t have in an office job. 

You Earn It, You Keep It

Photo by maitree rimthong from Pexels

Freelancers keep all their profits. No more working hard every day to make someone else rich. You find clients, start projects, complete the projects, and take all the rewards. Profits can be invested back into your work, saved, enjoyed, or however you would like to use it.

If you have skills and you work hard, finding new clients and projects is easy. It won’t always be high flying, but you will have the opportunity to make more money than you ever did working for others.

Freelancing not only gives you physical freedom but financial freedom if you put the work in.

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Crashing The Company Car: What To Do Next

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There is nothing scarier than being involved in a road traffic accident. The sensation of losing control of a vehicle in which you are currently sitting is terrifying. Add to that the fact you’ve rolled the company car? Scary stuff. 

Most people will tell you not to panic as the company you work for should have vehicle accident management software for moments like this. They’ll see it wasn’t your fault and they’ll be able to walk you through what to do next. The company will also likely have lawyers to worry about all of this for you and cover you with insurance. However, you need to think about your own legal rep and how to ensure that you’re not taken advantage of if you need help. A lot of information will be thrown at you in the wake of a car accident, and you need to take a step back and give yourself a moment to absorb it. With that in mind, here’s what to do if you’re in a wreck with the company car. 

Close-Up Photo Of Steering Wheel

Image source: Pexels

  • Are You Responsible?

The very first thing to figure out is whether or not you are responsible for this mess. It’s not nice to talk about it, but you need to be present in the investigation. The accident software your company installs in company cars will be a big help, as will dash cam footage. Understand whether this was your negligence or negligence at the hands of the other driver, and you will be just fine. 

  • Insurers

If your company is to blame, as in, they didn’t adequately service the vehicle, they will be answerable to their actions – not you. Yes, you’re responsible for driving, but if you were put in a dangerous situation it’s important to be able to get help and back up with the company insurance. They will be liable for costs, not your personal pocket. 

However, if you are to blame for this accident because of non-work related car use or being illegal with the car, you could lose your job as well as a shot at any compensation. This is not the outcome you want here. 

  • How To Handle It

You should never assume your company will take care of it all for you. Insurers are costly and it makes sense to ensure that you have your own legal help to advise you if there has been an accident. Hiring a personal injury lawyer who is knowledgeable on what to do in these situations is going to be the smartest move you could make. 
It may be difficult to deal with all of this legal headache, but deal with it you must. Get some help from a professional before you get back to driving again. You need physiotherapy to get you on your feet and a therapist for your mental health, too. Car accidents are not a joke. No matter what you do, make sure that you get the best advice possible and protect yourself while you recover.

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What Does A Turbocharged Car Deal Look Like?

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Pixabay – CC0 Licence

Owning a car is a necessary yet expensive hazard of being a grown-up. Whether you want to get to and from work as quickly as possible or need space to load the kids, it’s hard to manage without a vehicle. So, finding the best possible deal is a must as the running costs will add up in the long run. Plus, that’s not to mention the breakdown expenses, as well as the fluctuating petrol and tax rates. Yes, you can shop around for an affordable insurance policy once you own a car, but first, it’s about milking the dealer for every penny.

To help you, here are the factors that constitute a turbocharged deal.

High Trade-In Value

The majority of motorists already have a car to use as leverage during the negotiations. And, you should trade-in your vehicle to reduce the upfront price of the car that you want to buy. However, getting the full amount isn’t as simple as asking a dealership for a quote. If they don’t give you a low figure, they’ll add the expenses elsewhere to make back the money. Therefore, it’s essential to watch out for excessive dealer fees or a trumped-up warranty that’s unnecessary. A fantastic tip is to sell your car outright to avoid dealers and their sneaky tricks.

Profit Margin Quotes

Almost every estimate that a buyer gets is based on the listing price that the seller sets. However, a better option is to negotiate a discount based on retail price, which is what the dealer paid for the vehicle. Initially, the reduction might not seem as high if what they paid is more than the listing price. But, keep in mind that the discount applies to any car that is the same make or model, or from the same manufacturer. If the car you want doesn’t have as many “high-end” features, the RP will be lower and the discount will lead to bigger savings.

Practical Perks

Sellers have all kinds of perks that they like to throw in to show that they are going the extra mile. Of course, some of them aren’t applicable to you, and that means you pay more because you don’t get your money’s worth. For example, a longer warranty is more useful than roadside assistance if you already have it with your insurer or bank. A superior protection plan for car owners is about paying less for maintenance and repairs. Although it sounds obvious, motorists will accept add-ons as goodwill gestures regardless. Now, you know that ineligible perks are expensive.

Car Comparisons

You have a vehicle in mind and don’t want to buy another one. Still, it’s worth using another, similar car as leverage. How? By taking elements of the vehicle at a competing lot and using it to lower the price. Does the model you want have more miles on the clock? If so, let the seller know that you’re leaning towards purchasing the alternative listing as the engine is tighter. This should encourage them to reduce the price, even though you had no intention of going with another model.

Do you think you can craft an incredible deal now you know the tricks of the trade?

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4 Harmful Effects of UV Rays from the Sun

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We all know that UV rays can be dangerous to our health. The most commonly known negative effects are related to the skin, which is why a lot of people use sunscreens with UV protection components on a daily basis. But did you know that the harmful effects of UV rays are more than just skin deep?

The high-energy UV radiation emitted by the sun has been linked to a lot of health problems. Among these are cancer, optic issues, and serious skin conditions. Many studies have found that those people who spend a lot of time under the sun have reported health concerns related to UV rays.

Even if you don’t go out often or the beach is not really your favourite place to go, UV rays can still harm you in your homes. Areas that have a lot of sun exposure are also prone to the negative effects of UV rays. Here are some harmful health concerns associated with UV radiation.

Skin conditions

Commonly, people are aware that frequent exposure to the sun can cause damage to the skin. And those who want to keep their skin looking good would resort to the use of sunscreen. But more than appearance-related damages, UV rays can cause bigger skin conditions like sunburn and premature ageing.

When our skin is exposed to the sun for excessive amounts of time, UV rays cause a huge change in the cells, tissue, and blood vessels on the skin. Long-term effects of this can include skin pigmentation and signs of ageing due to the gradual loss of the skin’s elasticity.

Cancer

The skin is the first line of defence against harmful UV rays. But frequent exposure to high-energy UV radiation can ultimately lead to cancer. Skin cancer is a common sickness experienced by people who get excessive sun exposure. It normally happens to uncovered areas of the body like the ears, face, neck, and forearms. The number of people developing it increases over the years as the sun’s UV rays get stronger and more harmful.

Eye problems

When the eyes are exposed to bright light, they naturally squint to minimize the sun’s exposure to UV rays. But this natural protection is not enough to counter high-energy UV radiation, which can still penetrate the eyes and cause serious conditions.

Common eye problems associated with UV rays arephotokeratitis and photoconjunctivitis. These are inflammatory conditions in the eyes, quite similar to the sunburn we get on our skin. They usually occur after excessive sun exposure and can cause extreme discomfort and pain. Although they don’t cause any long term effects on vision, it’s still ideal for protecting your eyes using UV protective shades.

Cataract development is another eye condition that can be associated with UV rays. This is when proteins in the eye entangle and accumulate pigments that can eventually lead to blindness. There are many causes of cataracts, but exposure to UV radiation poses a major risk for cataract development.

Weaker immune system

The immune system fights off sicknesses from entering our bodies. However, studies have found that excessive exposure to UV rays affects the response of the immune system, hence increasing the risk of infection and diseases. It has also been found that UV rays reduce the effectivity of vaccines in the body.

Even in the comfort of your homes, it’s important to take preventive measures to keep yourself safe from UV radiation. Put on sunscreen with UV protection components or install UV protection window films to ensure adequate safety.

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