If you’re currently experiencing these things, you need to re-evaluate your life and start making changes. Here are some suggestions on where to begin.
1. Have a regular exercise routine

Your mind and body work hand-in-hand, so you can try engaging in activities like sports, yoga, or meditation to keep you moving. Exercise isn’t just for weight loss–being regularly active will also give your overall sense of well-being, so you won’t only get to look good, but you’ll also be able to feel good.

Go Sign (Photo credits: www.roadtrafficsigns.com)

2. Set goals

Take some time to think about the things that you want. Having a set of goals in mind will allow you recognize your priorities. Go through this gradually by starting with the small things and slowly working your way up–rushing would just lead to disaster. For instance: You feel like being overweight is slowing you down and is starting to affect your job performance. Going on a crash diet would just make you weaker and even gain more weight in the long run, so the best thing to do is to start having a healthy diet and exercise. It could take months or years, but when you get there, you’ll have the assurance that it’s there to stay.

3. Difficult situations should be treated as tests

Your goal is to do the best you can to pass them!

Stop complaining and whining about how life is always being unfair. Seeing yourself as a victim won’t help–when you encounter a problem, face it instead of immediately accepting defeat.

4. Stay away from negativity

This is not an easy one, especially if you’re swamped with so many problems, but making an effort is half the battle, so the next time you’re faced with a problem, evaluate it and look for its positive side–even a very small hint of hope is enough. Many people swear by the law of attraction (the “like attracts like” belief, wherein if you focus on positive thoughts, you’d get positive results) as an effective method–there is no scientific basis for this, but consider trying it out. Sometimes, positive thinking is all you need to become a better person and to change the world around you.

5. Do activities that make you happy

Playing sports, cooking, baking, reading, sketching, or any kind of hobby that helps you relax and/or challenges you. Make room for these things in your everyday schedule, and not just squeeze them in if you ever have some free time. These will help you stay out of stress and clear your head, so you’ll be recharged for another set of tasks. If you’re already bored with your old hobbies, make some effort to find a new one.

Here’s an idea, why not pamper yourself once in a while and getaway from the day to day grind at a Luxury Hotel and Spa.

Personal development takes time. In order to achieve good results, you must be patient, focused, and disciplined. Good luck, and remember to take your time!

Related articles

• How to have a sustainable health and fitness program
• 3 Elements for personal development & sucess
• Moving Up Versus Moving On
• Positive thinking, and what it means to me!

1. Find the root.

Do not disturb sign (Photo credits: www.mydoorsign.com)

You need to identify the problem and take some time to reflect. Evaluate the things that are making you tired and see if you can change it.

For instance, if you’re dealing with an office bully, or if there’s someone who’s making work more difficult for you, take some time to assess the situation before you do anything. Think of the possible reasons why this person is being difficult, get advice from co-workers on what you should do, or talk to the bully and tell them where you’re coming from. Remember to always keep your calm–controlling your emotions will let people around you know that you’re respectable. If you’ve exhausted all your options and you still can’t make them stop, consider going to a higher authority and telling them how this person is making productivity impossible for you.

2. Teach yourself how to say “no.”

After a hard day’s work, people would usually invite your for a drink or two (or three) to unwind. This is fine if you only do it once or twice a week. If you, however turn this into a daily habit, you will soon suffer the consequences. If you’re already feeling tired and unwell and someone invites you to go out, decline their offer politely and just stay home and rest. Alcohol and tobacco may help release stress in the beginning, but they will slowly wear you out and have a bad impact on your health.

This also applies to those instances where your boss or colleagues would ask you to do extra work. Most would say yes because of the extra pay, but these would also slowly pile up and burn you out. Don’t over-commit and just have enough activities for the day.

3. Take breaks.

A 10 t0 15-minute break in-between all those deadlines can do wonders. You can take a short walk, sit back and do breathing exercises, listen to music, or do some stretching. Backing away from the computer screen or your desk for a while will make you clear your head, so you’ll be able to resume work refreshed.

4. Learn a new hobby.

Look for an activity that you’ll enjoy doing. Pursuing a hobby will allow you to unwind better, and lessen you chances of burning out. Sports would be excellent, because you’d be able to exorcise, but you can also take up other less active leisure activities like knitting and cooking.

5. Prioritize.

Make an organized list of all the things that you have to do. Take care of the most important ones first–if you think they’re too big, you can break them into small tasks and distribute them throughout the week.

6. Have someone to talk to.

It could be a colleague, a friend, a family member–whoever you can share your problems with. Talking to people who matter most to you will allow you to gather suggestions and get advice on how to cope.

Stress in the workplace is not uncommon, and most of the time, one cannot avoid it completely. Apply these tips for good stress management, and to have more productive days at the office. With proper discipline and self-awareness, you will be able to easily confront all the trials that may come your way. Good luck!

Related -

Vitamins to help with sleep and stress

Managing stress in the workplace

Work stress on the rise in NZ – survey

Snow Cat (Photo credit: clickclique)

Snow, ice, frost–these things can wreak havoc on your home and your electricity bills if you don’t come prepared. Before winter arrives, you need to get your home ready for the cold. Here are some simple tips on how to do it.

Inspect your heating system (if you have one) – You can do this on our own (there are many DIY instructions provided online), or you can hire a technician to do the inspection for you. If you’re hiring an expert, make sure that you book the inspection before the cold arrives–customers could pile up as winter gets closer.

Check your roof – Look for broken, loose, or missing tiles / shingles to prevent leaks during winter (if you have a big house, you may want to hire a professional to do the inspection for you). Also, make sure that you clean your gutters–remove the leaves, twigs, dirt and other debris that have accumulated in spring.

Inspect windows and roofs – Prevent leaks in your doors and windows by looking for gaps. You may need to do some caulking and glazing. Sealing doors and windows will keep the heat in more effectively, and also make you consume less energy.

Re-decorate – Rearrange your furniture to introduce a warmer, cozier feel. Change your light covers to dark shades, put chairs and couches near the fireplace, bring out thick materials (fleece blankets and cover would be excellent), and so on. Aside from having a new look, you’ll also be able to easily increase the heat inside the house, making you save on electricity.

Drain your sprinkler – If you have irrigation systems, make sure that you blow them out and drain them before it starts getting cold–they will freeze if you don’t.

Clean the fireplace – A dirty chimney or fireplace could make carbon monoxide enter your home, so make sure that they’re clean before you light them up. Also keep an eye on cracks and other build-up inside.

Check with your power consumption – contact your power supplier to make sure that you are on the right power plan. They should be able to work out the best plan for you based on consumption from the previous years. At the same time ask about any promotions or deals. Also, most power companies like Mercury Energy (for example) have prompt payment discount. Ask about their discount rate.

Switch the ceiling fan direction – If you have a ceiling fan and it’s moving counter-clockwise, look for the button or switch that will reverse the blades to the clockwise direction. Because hot air rises, the clockwise motion of the blades will push more warm air down.

Clean and arrange necessities in your garage – Gather all the gardening tools that you won’t be using in winter (such as lawnmower and rakes), and bring out your shovels and snow blowers. Having an organized set-up will make it easier for you to do the cleaning once the snow arrives.

Have an emergency kit – Prepare for winter storms by stocking up on the necessities: a first-aid kit (that contains vitamins prescription meds, antiseptics, ointments, bandages, and so on), non-perishable food, water, baby and pet food, flashlights, batteries, candles, matches, blankets, etc. Make a list before you go shopping so you won’t forget anything.

Winter can be very brutal, so arm yourself with these tips before it arrives. Turn your home into a warm and safe place with these simple tips, save energy, and have cozy winter days ahead!

Related articles

• Cantabs urged to insulate early
• NZ medical experts brace for arrival of deadly flu
• How to Save Energy This Winter
• Energy Saving Tips

Credit cards Français : Cartes de crédit Italiano: Carte di credito Русский: Банковские карты Tiếng Việt: Thẻ tín dụng 中文: 信用卡 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Credit cards could make things very convenient, but they could also cause us a lot of trouble if not used with discipline. Stay away from debt and practice self-control with the following tips–here are some ways on how to keep yourself from overspending.
1. Keep your cards at home.

There are people who bring their credit cards and swear that they would just use it for emergencies. Sometimes, however, these emergencies become  that really nice pair of shoes, that dress, that latest gadget, or that new set of toys. If you think that you’ll be easily tempted to buy things you don’t need, try leaving your credit card/s at home. If you’re just going to nearby places such as the mall or the supermarket, you won’t really need to carry a card–try having just enough cash on you, and see if your credit card usage will improve.

2. Pay off the card in full every month.

In every monthly billing, make sure that your bill is paid in full, or at least higher than the minimum amount due. If you just pay the minimum, you’re just paying the interest–if you do this every month, you will not be able to pay off the card.

3. Start budgeting.

This is pretty basic–by having a budget and cutting down on spending, you will be able to control the money that you have to borrow from credit card companies. You can begin by listing down all the essential items you need every week or every month, and setting a budget for them–separate the things that you need from the things that you want. Because of credit cards, people tend to spend way more than their income, so you should determine your monthly earnings and necessities. Just stick with what you can afford to pay.

4. Have an emergency fund.

Saving a part of your income means you will not have to immediately use your card in times of money crisis. Set aside around 5 or 10% of your income for emergencies and you will be able to minimize heavy borrowing from your credit card.

5. Stay away from cash advances.

Have you encountered calls and mails from your bank telling you that you can withdraw cash from an ATM or over-the-counter? Sounds convenient right? Look closely–credit card cash advances have ridiculously high fees and interest rates, and most companies do not offer a grace period. This means that the moment you take out that cash, the finance charges will already start to build up. If there’s an emergency and you need to have cash right away, try exploring different methods first. Using cash advance will only cause you more financial problems.

Avoid credit card pitfalls by following these tips. Having a credit card is useful for emergencies, traveling, and online transactions, but if you use it for unnecessary expenses, the price you’ll have to pay will just make you miserable. Stay away from the trap of credit card debt and manage your money wisely!

Related articles

• NZ First says banks creaming profit
• ‘Script kiddies’ in online scam
• The one with the online shopping
• Investigation into Air NZ credit card charges

AA Cancer Care Insurance

If someone close to you has been diagnosed with cancer, you may be uncertain on how you give them comfort. This trying time could be heartbreaking, and could leave both the patient and loved ones in despair. This article will give you tips on how to give support to someone who has just received the news.

Be there.

Stick around–show the person that you’re not going anywhere. Tell them that you’ll always be available to help out. You have to remember, however, that the patient may want to be alone sometimes, so make sure that you know how to keep your distance. The key here is to not disappear and to always keep the lines open.

Allow them to feel whatever they want to feel.

You cannot expect someone who’s just been diagnosed with cancer to be instantly optimistic. This is difficult news, so it’s just normal for them to be sad and even angry at times. It’s so easy to tell someone to only think of the positive, but put yourself in their shoes–would you be able to stay positive 24/7 if you have all those chemo sessions and other tough therapy ahead of you? Encouraging them with positive vibes is always good, but do not force it.

Discuss spirituality.

Ask them about their faith (ie. do they find strength in praying to God? Do they practice Buddhism or Hinduism?) and the beliefs that they hold, and talk about it with them. Spirituality is a big help to those who are facing physical struggles, so ask them what helps them most in times of difficulty, and pray or discuss the teachings with them.

Help them with daily tasks, errands, and treatment.

Ask them if they want you to help out with errands. Offer to drive their kids to school, get groceries, clean the house, cook, drive them to their chemo sessions, and so on. Do not just tell them that they can call you anytime if they need help with something, but give them specific offers that would make their daily load lighter.

Provide them with studies and statistics.

Aside from the emotional support, you can also give them hope by providing facts and studies, so do your research. Visit websites that contain studies about the current situation of cancer, and provide the patient some hopeful statistics. For instance, you can tell them about the current advancements in medicine–that, in the United States alone, there are 12 million cancer survivors alive today. You can also interview doctors, counselors, and other experts; or read books about coping with cancer. The more information from experts that you can get, the more optimistic both you and the patient will be.

Take care of yourself.

The patient will get strength from you, so you should make sure that you don’t forget to take care of your own well-being by exercising, eating right, and having a positive attitude at all times. If the patient sees that you’re happy, they too, will be filled with positive energy.

Cancer is a very tough thing to handle and nothing can ever prepare you. It is important to know how you get through together and never be afraid to seek support.

Useful Websites:

Cancer Society

AA Cancer Care Insurance

Samsung Galaxy S III

Arguably one of the best Android smartphones today, the Samsung Galaxy S III boasts of a competitive price tag and exceptional software features–it has actually been referred to as the “iPhone Killer” by reviewers and users alike. Available in 16, 32, and soon 64GB memory, this comes in Marble White and Pebble Blue colors and launched with the OS Andriod 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (and could be upgraded to Android 4.1 Jelly Bean). Here are some basic specs:

- S Voice (intelligent personal assistant)
- 4.8-inch HD Super AMOLED
- Dropbox storage
- Google Mobile Services such as Gmail, Google Search, Google Maps, Google Play Store, Google Play Books, Google Talk, etc.
- Document viewer using (PDF, Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
- Camera: main camera (rear) has 8-megapixels (with autofocus, flash, and Zero Shutter Lag; and the sub (front) camera has 1.9MP and HD recording

HTC Droid DNA

HTC offers a variety of excellent smartphones, but this one is arguably one of the best. Aside from the 5-inch screen and long battery life, the new HTC Droid DNA also has an impressive quad-core processor, which means you’ll be able to do tasks swiftly and smoothly. Some of the specs are:

- Android 4.1 JellyBean
- 8MP and wide angle lens, autofocus, LED flash
- 5-inch HD Super LCD 3 screen display
- Front-facing camera (can shoot video in 1080pHD)
- 12.8 hours max of talk time

Nokia Lumia 920

Available in different colors, this Nokia smartphone proves that the brand is still making exceptional gadgets. One of the Lumia 920′s most impressive features is the PureMotion HD+ Display, which Nokia dubs as the “world’s brightest, fastest, most sensitive touchscreen”–it could automatically go bright if you go in bright environments outdoors, and you can adjust the screen sensitivity to be able to respond to your finger commands even if you’re wearing gloves. Other excellent features are:

- Camera Sensor is 8.7 megapixels, with autofocus
- 4.5″ Display Size
- 10.8 h talk time
- 74 h music playback time
- Internet Explorer 10 Browser

Apple iPhone 5

Last but not least is one of the most successful smartphones we have today: the iPhone. Recognized as one of the best in smartphone technology, Apple continues to provide users with top-notch function with the iPhone 5–it has addressed its previous flaws, which equals to improved performance. Some of this smartphone’s best features are:

- iOs 6
- Available in 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB
- Retina Display
- 8-MP iSight Camera, Panorama, HD (1080p) video recording, autofocus, LED flash
- Simultaneous video and image recording

Each of these smartphones has its own strengths and weaknesses, so before you purchase one for yourself or your loved one, make sure that you do your research first. Aside from reading descriptions from official websites, also take a closer look at reviews and recommendations–these will give you honest reviews from actual users. Take a look at www.priceme.co.nz,www.amazon.com or www.pricespy.co.nz. Hopped down to your closest mobile stockist like Noel Leeming and have a play around with the different model available.

Take note of these exceptional models, and shop wisely!

Related articles

• Smartphones: The best of 2012 and which phones to buy in 2013
• The smartphone fan’s guide to 2013 – Confused.com
• Mark Cuban: Nokia Lumia 920 ‘crushes’ the iPhone 5
• NZ professionals expecting a ‘workation’ – survey
• Making a smart decision on which phone

1. Planning your trip early will make you find more affordable options. Start comparing plane tickets and accommodations months in advance so you will be able to arrive on the best airline and hotel offers. Most of the time, online booking websites will be cheaper than actually going straight to the hotel. Remember that traveling in peak season will result to higher prices, so having a flexible schedule is always best.

2. In line with planning flight and accommodations early, doing your research ahead of time will give you more ideas on how to save when you get to your destination. Starting early with the guidebooks and doing your online research months or weeks before your trip will give you more ideas on affordable options, such as: free tours, alternative transportation options, hole-in-the-wall spots, and cheap restaurants.

3. Look online for money-saving deals offered to those traveling in groups. Many famous destinations offer discounts for families, so go to their websites and call/send an email to ask how much you should prepare. Also keep an eye on promos–amusement parks, for instance, offer 10-20% discounts if you book in advance. You could even avail of huge discounts if you look for coupons in restaurants, so keep a lookout for these as well when researching online. A number of hotels have a special offer page.

4. You’ll be able to save a lot of cash while you’re in transit if you bring your own food. More often than not, food in the airport, bus terminals, or train stations are not wallet-friendly. Having some food to munch on if you get hungry in-between meals will save you from going to convenience stores that charge ridiculous prices. If you have kids with you, ask them what they want to bring so you’re sure that they’ll eat what you’ve prepared.

5. Learn from those who have actually been on a trip. If you have family or friends who are well-traveled or have been on family vacations before, give them a call and ask for some advice on how you’ll survive on a budget out there.

6. Set a budget and stick to it. One of the biggest reasons why travelers end up broke when they get home is lack of self-control. Before you leave, compute the expenses you should expect, set a budget for each person, and keep your promise that you won’t go spending it on unnecessary items.

7. Stay in hostels or rent a house–for those traveling in groups, these options will be so much cheaper than getting suites in hotels, so scour the internet for alternative places to stay.

Traveling as a group should not put a dent in your savings–all you need to do is do a lot of research and get advice from those who’ve been on family trips before. Starting early and planning carefully will make your family vacation a success, so keep these things in mind, have the best time, and get ready to make some wonderful memories together!

Definition, Causes, and Symptoms

Before we talk about the tips, let’s find out what this travel condition is. Also called desynchronosis, jet lag is a temporary physiological condition. It is a circadian rhythm sleep disorder–a temporary condition that is a result of air travel, when a person crosses different time zones. The longer that you shift from one time zone to another, the longer the jet lag is likely to happen.

Some of the most common jet lag symptoms are fatigue, insomnia, headaches, irritability, nausea, difficulty in concentrating, and diarrhea. Your body clock will be out of sync because of the varying time zones–it will disrupt the natural patterns for daily activities like sleeping and eating. Because the body will not be able to instantly realign with normal rhythms, it could take you several days (or sometimes even weeks) to adjust.

Here are some ways that would help you minimize the annoying jet lag symptoms.

Sleep on the plane

This is one of the most effective ways to fight jet lag. By starting to adjust when you’re on board, you will be able to have less hassles adapting to the new time zone in your destination. For instance, if you’re leaving the United States in the afternoon (around night time in Europe), sleeping during the flight will help you gather up energy for your destination in the morning.

Take at least a day to adjust.

Whether you’re traveling for business or pleasure, you should try to arrange your plans at least one day after you arrive, so do not jump in immediately to meetings or sightseeing activities. You need to give yourself time to rest, settle down, and adjust to the new time zone.

Lay off caffeine and alcohol.

Long plane rides will leave you dehydrated, so see to it that you drink plenty of water during your flight. Also, avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages while you’re on board, as these are one of the main causes of dehydration and disrupted sleep schedules–the free airline wine and spirits could be very tempting, but try your best to say no. The beverages they serve on the plane may not be enough, so it’s best if you have your own water bottle.

Exercise during the flight.

You will have very limited space, especially if you’re on coach, but exerting a little effort in doing some stretching and walking on the airplane aisles will go a long way. Doing some physical activities on board will save you from backaches, swollen legs, and other types of discomfort. Moving around will make the jet lag less severe.

Most Hotels these days offer decent gym facilities so it is worthwhile taking advatnage of these. Exercising helps the body regulate and will help you settle in faster. The Pullman Auckland for instance has a brilliant fitness centre available for guests (and non guest members). Well worth a look.

Jet lag is temporary, but can be very taxing, especially if you’re on a tight schedule (this usually happens to those on a business trip). These tips should make your body adjust better to new time zones, so apply them the next time you take long-haul flights!

1. Research on different ships before you leave.

Do not book the first cruise you find. If you do not have a travel agent booking the trip for you, do your own research and search for different lines and companies online. Keep an eye on websites that have a variety of reviews, recommendations, and discussions–the best advice that you can get is from people who have actually been on a cruise.

2. Take a closer look at the ship’s safety and security features.

Ask for a map of the ship and find your location. Study the layout, explore the different areas, and take note of all the important rooms (especially those that you will be frequenting). Know the nearest emergency exit and pay attention to the safety reminders, and if there’s an orientation before the trip, do not skip it–aside from all the information on safety, this is where you’ll be able to ask questions.

3. Do not drink too much.

Getting drunk and wasted in a cruise ship is never a good idea. Because your judgment could be impaired, you could be a victim of scams (which are not unusual in party cruises) and put your/other people’s lives at risk. One of the biggest factors reported by victims of sexual assault cases in cruise ships had something to do with alcohol, so remember the following: do not leave your drink unattended, do not ask a stranger to hold it for you, do not accept drinks from people you do not know, and make sure that your drink comes straight from the bartender.

4. Only take the valuables that you need.

Do not bring all of your credit cards, do not wear flashy jewelry, wear modest clothes, and just bring the right amount of cash. Being too flashy with your things will make you an easy crime target. If you think that you need to bring some expensive things, it would be better if you leave them in the hotel safe when you go out.

5. Do not travel alone.

Last but not least is to not travel by yourself. It is great to travel alone, but cruises are not really the safest forms of travel for those who want to go solo. Single travelers are easy targets–the ones most likely to be the victims of theft, sexual assaults, and other crimes, so think twice before you reserve that ticket.

Cruise vacations are becoming more and more popular. An excellent way to unwind and discover new places, this form of travel will sure create lots of wonderful memories. Ensure safety by having these tips with you before you embark on your journey to avoid hassles and inconveniences along the way.

If you are building a home, consider the placement of your windows carefully. If you place windows in the right areas of a home, they can act as a passive solar energy collector. This means that your windows can help you keep your home cooler in the summer, and warmer in the window. You will reduce your electric bill and your dependence on traditional energy sources.

When you are working at home on your computer, take the time to turn it off along with the printer and any other speakers or accessories attached to it. These constant drains on your cost you a bundle in the long run and make your overall impact on society less green.

Try using programmable thermostats to save energy inside your home. These let you adjust the times when you can turn on your heater or air-conditioning according to the schedule you set up. As a result, you’re not operating anything as much when you’re not home, or when you’re asleep.

Contact your local utility company to see if purchasing energy from renewable sources is an option for you. Buying green energy directly from an electricity company is one of the easiest ways to go green with your energy use, without having to invest in any major alterations to your home.

Try air drying both your dishes and your laundry to cut back on energy used for drying cycles. With the dishes, you need only set your dishwasher to a clean cycle then move the load to your sink-side strainer when it is done. Drying your laundry in the sun not only reduces energy used via your drier, it also results in fresher, less wrinkled clothes.

To help you increase the amount of green energy you use in your home, try starting by using one room at a time. Powering your home using green energy can be very expensive so if you are in financial hardship, identify the rooms with the most energy usage and start with those first.

Replace your appliances with energy-efficient appliances. Not only will you save energy and cut down on your electricity bills, but you can get a tax break for using these appliances. Look for Vitality Star or Energy Star appliances when replacing stoves, air conditioners, refrigerators and other major electrical appliances.

Use rechargeable batteries. While they might cost a little bit more initially, they will save you a lot of money in the long run. Rechargeable batteries can be used hundreds of times, and they only need to be replaced about every five years. Another benefit is that you aren’t constantly adding corrosive batteries to the landfill.

The tips in this article are many, but they are all so easy to use that you’ll be able to implement each within your own home. Make the changes necessary and monitor the benefits you get from each, then you can select which are working and which don’t fit your needs. You’ll be energy-independent in no time!