This Home Made Life logo

Trish

Stress Relieving Activities for Work and Home

Stress is an issue for many people. Last year the Mental Health Foundation carried out the UK’s largest-ever stress survey.


The survey found that 74% of people have been so stressed that they have felt unable to cope. The effects of stress were also concerning. 46% of respondents stated that they made unhealthy eating choices and more than 50% of people surveyed said they felt depressed or anxious as a result of stress.

Managing Stress

Whilst some stress is normal, when people regularly feel overwhelmed by stress it’s important to develop some coping strategies. Fortunately, a range of stress relieving activities is out there to choose from. As everyone is different, it is worth trying a few to discover what is most enjoyable and effective.

At Work

People spend a lot of their lives at work, so it makes sense to have some stress-relieving activities that can be easily used at the office. Using stress-relieving strategies at work reduces the stress that employees take home and can improve sickness absence and productivity.

Breathing strategies can be invaluable, particularly when in the middle of a tough day at the office. Diaphragmatic, also called belly, breathing is proven to quickly reduce symptoms of stress and is recommended by the NHS. Learning a few breathing techniques is an investment – use whenever stress strikes.

MIND, the national mental health charity, recommend taking breaks during the working day, getting a lunch break and going outside for a short walk. It’s also crucial to plan workflow to manage stress. UK office supplies can provide what’s need to take the stress out of a heavy workload. Choose from beautiful leather-bound retro Filofaxes, desk and wall planners, or put a stress-relieving elastic rubber band ball on your desk to be used as a fidget toy!

At Home

Chilling out at home is sometimes easier said than done. This is where unhealthy choices like overeating or drinking alcohol can creep in. Consider introducing some healthier destressing techniques as alternatives.

Finding flow in creative pursuits is fantastic for stress relief. Painting and colouring are very popular leisure activities. Invest in a good set of pens, paints and brushes and a sketchpad to keep at home.

Camomile tea contains an antioxidant called apigenin, which is is known for its calming effects. A cup before bedtime can naturally aid a good night’s sleep which is also crucial for managing stress.

The Stress Management Society recommends switching off gadgets particularly before bedtime, taking regular exercise and staying properly hydrated. Exercise needn’t involve the gym, it can be something as simple as a 20-minute walk or perhaps a gentle yoga session.

The basics of stress management are pretty simple to remember, the trick is to make time in the day and evenings to incorporate them into a regular routine. This will prevent stress from building up and avoid any negative effects, which can cause potential health issues.

If you want to learn more about our blog, please click here.

Decorate This Christmas a Little Differently!

Christmas is all about happiness, colors, decorations and fun. No matter how many holidays we get but they are always less to celebrate Christmas. Everyone wants to make the most of their time. However, decorations planning, and execution always take most of the time in holidays. Since, everyone desires to decorate their Christmas day differently to make it unique and memorable.

You should definitely think smartly to save this time and utilize that in making memories with families and friends. To make the most of your times in this Christmas holidays, we have gathered number of ideas to have your house decorated differently without investing too much time.

  1. Go rustic this Christmas: The rusty look always compliments any home style perfectly. The rustic aesthetic look can also ensure good quality pictures and many decoration options. Usually people focus on red or other bright colors therefore, choosing rustic look can make your décor stand out in a good way. You can buy Christmas lights Melbourne, candles, fur carpets, lanterns, and plants to complement the whole décor beautifully and give more warm welcoming feels.
  2. Welcome your guests with a Golden Glow: Creating a welcoming and outstanding ambience for Christmas holidays can be super simple and easily executed. Opting for golden lights instead of typical green, red lights with white and golden décor for the Christmas tree and candles for surroundings can instantly set the mood for festivities while crafting a cozy atmosphere.
  3. Focus more on the dinner table: The main ingredient of Christmas is food. Having your dinner table decorated properly can simply complete your ideal Christmas décor. The easiest way to deliver your cozy, stylish or any other look is through decorating dinner table accordingly. Dress up your dinner table this Christmas with lush garland, silver candle holders, wood chargers, golden, rusty or silver flatware and cinnamon stick to complete the perfect look.
  4. Ditch ribbons, colorful wrapping papers for gifts this Christmas. You should always prepare gifts according to your house décor. One of the ways to prepare gift for complementing any décor is by using simple rust, brown, or white wrapping papers with added pretty piece of greening tied in rope and a tag with any beautiful quote or poetry. Adding some words can enhance the beauty of gift greatly.
  5. Don’t limit your decoration to living room: Usually people decorate their living room or drawing rooms along extravagantly while leaving the rest of the house. You should totally not opt for this. Spreading colors all around can create remarkable ambiance. This Christmas allow the festivities to overflow every part of the house. From the entrance to the backyard. This will give you more options for taking pictures and give guests more Christmas feels.

Internet is always overflowed with multiple ideas for Christmas decoration. However, too many options can get you even more confused. Therefore, above we have the best ones gathered for you. Remember to add your touch in any theme you choose to make it more natural, cozy and fun.

The Basics of Car Electrical Systems

Compared to some of the first cars, in which the electrical components consisted basically of car headlight bulbs and the battery, today’s modern automotive vehicles have complex electrical systems. Cars are able to run and function properly thanks to a myriad of parts, circuits and computers, and when something goes wrong it is not always a simple fix. That is why most vehicle owners rely on the professionals to make repairs. However, it is good to understand the basics of the electrical system, and there are three basic elements.

Battery

The battery is essential because it provides power to the entire car. It stores the power necessary to start the engine and operate car accessories and other electrical systems. A battery is made up of stacked lead plates that are immersed in a mixture of sulfuric acid and water, and they are separated by insulators. There are six plates and each one can store up to 2.1 volts of energy, and the type of electricity it sends is direct current (DC). Without a recharge from other electrical components, the battery would discharge all of its power.

Alternator

The alternator is what produces the alternating current (AC) to recharge the battery. It is a generator that is driven by the belt from the engine, and it is able to turn mechanical energy into electrical energy. Alternators can produce significantly more energy than batteries, but they cannot store this current, which is why they convert it from AC to DC so the battery can store the power.

An alternator cycles on and off as opposed to constantly producing electric current. It works with the battery to meet the vehicle’s demands, so it only runs about 50% of the time.

Starter

You may not use the starter that frequently in a day, but it is critical to the operation of your vehicle. It uses the most power in the electrical system, and it gets this power directly from the battery. Because of the amount of power it needs to start up, major power-using components should be turned off. These components and accessories include the stereo, air conditioning and air blower.

Diagnosing Electrical Issues

Once you know the basics to the electrical system of your vehicle, you may have a better idea of what is the culprit when you come across an issue. Since the battery has a direct effect on the other systems, this is often the first thing to look at. Batteries wear down over time, and you should look for the best car battery replacement every three to five years.

If the battery seems to be draining or dying regularly before the normal replacement time, you should inspect it for additional issues. The car battery cables may be loose or corroded, or perhaps extreme temperatures are weakening it.

An alternator also has a lifespan of around three to four years, and some problems it causes can be confused with the battery. Some common issues that occur when there is a problem with the alternator include:

  • Stalling
  • Dimming lights
  • Fading radio

The starter is typically the culprit when there is a slow cranking engine. However, if it is not starting at all, it is probably due to the battery.

Because of the complexities involved with the electrical system, it is always a good idea to get your vehicle inspected by automotive professionals. They can correctly diagnose the issue and provide maintenance advice to keep your car running in a reliable fashion.

3 Things to Consider Before Picking a Lot to Build Your New Home

You might have the perfect home envisioned and all the financial details already worked out. At this point, it doesn’t matter where you build your home as long as it gets built, right?

That’s not necessarily true. After all, location is everything in the real estate world, and there are so many factors you need to consider. Here are three things to keep in mind before picking a lot for your new home.

Tour the neighborhood

Of course, it’s essential to tour the neighborhood of the lot you’re wanting to build on multiple times. Your house might look the same no matter where you decide to build it (it depends on the shape and slope of the land), but your neighborhood will vary.

On top of monitoring traffic and noise, you want to research crime rates in the area. You might even look up neighborhoods that are on their way up, as this could lead to a cheaper-priced home that will really increase in value.

If you have a family, then checking the schools in the area is another important step. However, if you live a fairly active lifestyle, then you might speak to luxury home builders who can point you to active communities where they often do business. You might even see how other people take care of their yards and homes.

Consider bringing a second set of eyes (preferably unbiased ones) with you. After all, you have home-buying goggles on and a brand new house on your mind. Someone with an unbiased opinion can help give you another perspective and point out any concerns.

Ideally, you’ll want to visit this property during different times of the day and possibly even the week. This can help you get a better idea of your neighborhood. And of course, you’ll want to look into things such as the slope of the land, how the sun hits your home, the soil, the sewer, etc.

If, for example, the brightness of the sun and how it hits your house ends up being a problem, then window replacement might need to occur so you have more energy efficient windows. The key is doing as much research and browsing as possible, so you can be ready for anything and build your home on the most fitting lot.

Your commute to work and other destinations

Loving where you live can be just as important as loving the home you live in. As an example, if your new commute to work will be longer than your current commute, then where you live could become a hassle.

Likewise, if you live far from a city or the nearest town, then you might have to drive a good distance just to get to the grocery store or restaurants. However, that might be the type of lifestyle you’re looking for.

Consider your lifestyle

Going off of the point above, if you’re an outdoorsy person who likes to hike, fish, and camp, then choosing a log cabin for sale could help you live that lifestyle, since you can build a cabin in the woods or in the mountains. Especially in scenic states like North Carolina, you can live right on top of some stunning natural vistas.

However, if you prefer city living, then you would naturally want to build on a lot that’s close to the city. If you have kids and want to live in an area that’s quiet, then you’ll want to pick a spot that’s far enough from busier streets to avoid the noise pollution.

Everyone has a different budget, but it’s important to take your lifestyle and the other considerations into account when picking a lot to build your new home. This process shouldn’t be rushed and you should consider every detail.

 

3 Things You Should Do Before Putting Your Home on the Market

Getting your house ready to sell is a lot easier than you might think. Most of the time, you don’t have to make costly improvements or remodels. You just need to spend time on some minor tasks that will get you the highest price for your home.

Of course, keep in mind that if you have major issues (like a non-working HVAC unit), you need to either fix or disclose those problems. But if your home is in good condition with no big issues, you can probably list your home within a couple of weeks. Just make sure you do these three things first.

Declutter

Decluttering your space will make the home much more appealing to prospective buyers. This means removing knick knacks and excessive decor, cleaning out your closets, and removing junk from under the beds. One reason for this is to give the illusion of space. That doesn’t necessarily mean making the home look bigger than it is; it really means showcasing the space that’s there. Think of how quickly a room can close in on you when it’s filled with junk.

Another reason to declutter is to allow potential buyers to better imagine themselves living there. You want them to be able to visualize the space as their own, with their own family photos and keepsakes rather than yours.

While you’re decluttering, go ahead and start packing. Get a storage unit if you need to, but start to pack up stuff you’re not using. Leave only the essentials in your home. This goes for pans, cooking utensils, clothing, linens, and decor. This process will help prepare you both emotionally and physically for your upcoming move.

Call in the professionals

Almost every home has some minor issues in need of repair. Maybe you have leaky faucets, sagging doors, cracks in the walls, broken locks, or running toilets. Whatever they are, if you can’t fix them yourself, now is the time to hire someone else to do it.

Go through your house and make a list of all the little things you need a professional to fix. Then, get recommendations from your neighbors on the best handyman for the job. You might even check online for reviews and prices before making your choice.

If you have any problems with insects or mice, this is also a good time to call the exterminator. Nothing will kill a sale faster than an open house where roaches or mice make an appearance. Instead, call someone who specializes in residential pest control so you can make sure the only guests attending are humans.

Stage your home

If you were to ask any realtor how to “sell my house fast in Sacramento”, he or she would tell you to stage your home well. And you don’t need to get carried away or spend a fortune to do it.

Simple things like a fresh coat of paint, some tasteful throw pillows, and nice rugs can make a big impact. If your furniture is outdated or worn, consider borrowing furniture from a friend or just removing those pieces.

When painting your rooms, keep the colors fairly neutral, but stay away from stark white, which can make a room feel cold. Instead, use grays and beiges that add some warmth and depth without overpowering the space. Also, if you didn’t remove your personal items during the decluttering process, now’s the time to do so. Take down your family photos and replace them with simple pieces of art if you have it.

If you don’t feel that you have the eye for this type of thing, there are plenty of people who stage homes for a living. Your real estate agent probably even has a list of professionals you can hire.

 

5 Expert Tips To Remember When Choosing Home Furniture Online

 

Home furniture online buying is both easy as well as risky. On the screen what looks right for you may not be the perfect choice. Not able to feel the quality of the furniture or the texture of the furnishing can lead to impulsive buying by falling for the look of the item. Choosing the right colour involves a lot of challenge as the right shade may not match with what one seeks in the actual product. Some expert tips if remembered while choosing the home furniture online will go a long way. The most important tip remains not to choose on the basis of price but on the basis of quality. The other pointers to keep an eye for is mentioned below.

  • Know the wood type: Wooden furniture are of three types which are veneers, composite wood and solid wood. The solid wood pieces of furniture are very expensive and look very nice. However, it is prone to scratches. Veneers on the other hand come with a not so expensive wood which has improved quality of wood covering it in several layers. Composite wood pieces are created from a mixture of plastics, resin and ofcourse wood pulp. This is the cheapest piece of furniture but will not hold strong in the long run.
  • Choose as per your lifestyle: The individual’s lifestyle must always decide on what colours and fabric that one must choose. If we have a child in the house, there is no use settling for a pristine white sofa which will become black in no time. Same is with the case of pets. In case there is a playful dog in the house a lovely suede couch will be ripped in many places in no time. So with children and with pets it is important to stick to dark colours and fabrics that are stain resistant.
  • Be realistic while experimenting with colours:  A lovely green corduroy armchair looks fascinating on the mobile screen. Once it is brought home, we do up the walls of the rooms and buy other stuff equally bold and bright. Soon one gets tired of the vibrant colours and we sell of this item for an armchair of neutral colours. So, it is best to be prudent while choosing sofa online in India. For the large pieces of furniture it is always best to stick to neutral colours. The bold colours can be saved for the smaller decorative pieces in the room.
  • Drawers and Cabinets to be checked:  After procuring a cupboard or a set of drawers online, we must make sure that the drawers come out smoothly when pulled, latches in a proper manner and shuts evenly. The handles and the knobs must work well too and should fit tightly.
  • Closely inspect the legs:  A piece of furniture is as strong as its legs. The legs are better if heavy and joined to the mainframe that a chair or sofa has, instead of being nailed. Metal legs can spoil the carpets. It is always best when the legs are made of wood.

Therefore, home furniture online buying is an exciting exercise and requires a lot of planning and thought as well.

To read more on topics like this, check out the home & garden category.

How to Cook with CBD Isolate

Cannabidiol (CBD) oil seems to be everywhere. Every industry from food to beauty has started to cash in on the popularity of CBD oil, and for good reason. CBD has been hailed as a panacea for ailments including anxiety, depression, insomnia, pain, acne, inflammation, and post-traumatic stress disorder. In response, ointments, bath bombs, and gummies can now be found pretty much everywhere. Still, the best way to receive the benefits of CBD is to consume it orally. For the more faint of heart who don’t enjoy the taste of CBD, the obvious solution is to cook with it.

Where can I find CBD oil?

The first step is to find the best CBD oil for your needs. When buying your CBD isolate, the source and manufacturing process of your oil should be a factor in your decision process. When cooking, you normally seek out the freshest ingredients. This should be true for when you cook with CBD, as well. 

The best way to ensure that you’re purchasing a quality product is to buy your CBD from CBD exclusive websites. As CBD rises in popularity, an increasing number of online retailers will begin carrying CBD oil in their stock. Unfortunately, these same sites will also claim to know which CBD oils are best. They’ll publish listicles with “expert” information that is woefully misleading. Avoid these sites at all cost. Instead, if you’re relying on reviews to find the best CBD oil, utilize sites dedicated to the subject, such as The CBD Insider. 

The CBD Insider site is dedicated to finding the best possible CBD products. For example, check out their Panacea life review. This should be your standard when considering CBD sites. The second factor to consider is the origin of the hemp being used to create the CBD. Find CBD whose hemp is grown in the United States, especially in Kentucky and Colorado. 

The United States has a higher standard for growers and the hemp is grown safely with fewer chemicals. CBD oils created with hemp grown in China, by contrast, can put you at risk of being exposed to dangerous pesticides. Look for filtered, decarboxylated oils for cooking. These tend to work the best and have a milder taste, as well. 

CBD Tips and Tricks

Before you begin cooking with your CBD oil, you should keep a few tips in mind. 

Be conservative

When it comes to cooking with CBD, a little can go a very long way. CBD tends to taste a bit bitter and its unique flavor can negatively affect the taste of your food. Start with smaller batches of your chosen food items and experiment with the amount of CBD you use in each batch. This way you’ll be able to find the perfect distribution of CBD oil for your individual tastes.

CBD needs a carrier oil

In order to be used in a dish or in baked goods, your CBD oil will need to be infused into a fat or oil before it can be used. In other words, CBD requires a carrier. You can use anything from coconut oil to butter to ghee to lard. However, don’t sue anything water or alcohol based to carry your CBD as the oil will separate from it and make the mixture inert. 

Temperature matters

Heat has a strong effect on the active components of CBD oil (i.e. the phytocannabinoids). In some cases, high temperatures can kill these active components and even cause CBD to evaporate. Don’t heat your oil directly and make sure that if you’re baking with CBD that you’re not baking at temperatures higher than 320 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Storage

When you’re not using your oil, make sure to store it in a cool, dark place. Storing your oil in a dark, amber colored bottle is even better. 

Cooking with CBD can be a joy and incredibly helpful for those with pain and anxiety. Follow these tips and tricks to make sure that your oil retains its effectiveness while contributing to your delicious creations!

Live Answering Service vs Other Types of Answering Services: Which is Best?

Are you regretting your choice to hire that new receptionist? After the long training period, the holiday hours and cost of benefits, and the extra expenses in office equipment, this feeling is completely understandable. If you’re feeling this way, it might be time to hire a professional answering service.

Questions to Ask to Decide if an Answering Service is Right for You

Before you can decide on the right type of answering service for you, you must first decide if you need an answering service at all. The best way to determine that is to answer these 5 questions:

  1. Are phone calls going missed outside of your normal business hours?
  2. Do you have an enormous amount of voicemails each week?
  3. Is the high call volume keeping you or your receptionist from performing other office tasks?
  4. Is call volume high in general?
  5. Do messages go unaccounted for, leading in loss of business?

If you answer yes to any or all of these questions, it’s time to hire a professional answering service.

The Benefits of Investing in an Answering Service

In addition to solving the problems mentioned in the questions above, there are so many perks to hiring a service to man your phones. The most significant one is that all of your customer calls will be answered no matter what. Answering services work 24/7, 365 days a year, meaning your phone calls will always be answered even during non-business hours. This has been proven to increase sales and improve customer retention rates.

Another benefit of an answering service is the reduced company cost you’ll experience. You won’t have to pay a receptionist salary and there’s no need for added expenses for employee holiday hours, benefits, and overtime. You also won’t have to pay for office expenses or training costs. You’ll save tens of thousands of dollars with an answering service.

Types of Answering Services

Now that you’ve decided that an answering service is right for you, you must decide on which type you’d like to invest in. Here are the 4 main types of answering services used in businesses around the world:

Why Choose a Live Answering Service

HowStuffWorks says that “live answering services give callers the opportunity to talk to someone who may be able to meet their particular needs better than an automated service. The operator also can decide whether the call is urgent enough to send through immediately.” Also, having a “robot” answer your phones – as is the case with an automated service – can seem impersonal and be a turn off to current and potential customers.

With a live service, the representatives have been thoroughly trained on better serving your customers. They won’t just help with answering phones and redirecting calls, but they’ll also take appointments, handle scheduling issues, process orders, and handle urgent customer service matters. All in all, you can’t go wrong with hiring a live answering service for your company.

 

Hiring an SEO Agency for Your Small Business? Here’s What You Need to Know

Search engine optimization is one of the top marketing strategies for small businesses. In fact, it is not just a good idea to invest in the services of an SEO agency, but rather it is an essential step if you wish to see your company thrive and prosper.

Maybe you already know the ins and outs of SEO and have been practicing DIY SEO for your company’s website. Performing SEO strategies on your own is a great way to save money, but it is also extremely time consuming. If you’re concerned about dishing out some cash and hiring a service, just think about the high rate of ROI you’re likely to see when you hire a professional SEO service.

Before you choose an agency or individual to start optimizing your website to its fullest potential, you should know a bit about common SEO practices so that you can partner with an agency that will show results.

What is Search Engine Optimization?

First thing’s first, before you can hire a top agency you need to have a basic understanding of what SEO actually is. SEO is short for search engine optimization, and that pretty much says it all. This marketing strategy is centered on one sole purpose: to optimize your website for search engines. But what does this even mean, you ask.

When internet users visit Google or another search engine, 90% of the time they don’t have a specific website or URL in mind. These users are on the hunt for something, and they have a general idea of what that is. This general idea comes in the form of keywords, which are then typed into the search bar and Google spits out the top results.

In order for your site to show up as one of those top results, you need search engine optimization. Google uses a series of algorithms to rank web pages based on their value and relevance. There are many strategies involved in SEO to be seen as valuable and relevant in Google’s eyes, including things like keyword optimization, link authority, and valuable content throughout your website.

Why is SEO Important?

We’ve basically covered this, but let’s get into the specifics. Google as well as other search engines (but mainly Google) is the #1 resource for consumers. Consumers trust Google, maybe a bit too much, but what Google says often goes.

Studies show that if an internet user is searching for a specific product or service, that user will choose a company that shows within the first page of results 95% of the time. If you aren’t on the first page, you have very little chance of landing a new customer from organic internet searches.

The Time Frame for Seeing SEO Results

If you do end up hiring a professional to perform SEO for your website, try to be patient. Optimizing your site can not be done as a quick fix. It takes time, typically taking at least 3 months but it is more likely that you’ll see results after 6+ months of strong SEO practices.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below, or contact us at This Homemade Life!

DIY Reputation Management vs Hiring Reputation Management Services

The importance of a company’s reputation is often underestimated, until of course something happens to tarnish a once sterling reputation. If this has happened to your company, you and your fellow team members have probably been working frantically to clear that bad rep up to make it whole again.

Maybe you’ve even considered hiring professional reputation management services. Deciding on whether to go at reputation management alone or hire someone to help is the first step, and it’s not an easy decision to make. There are several factors to consider if you’re on the fence about it.

There’s a lot more involved than you’d think

There are a lot of moving pieces to reputation management and many factors involved that you might be surprised to hear about. Reputation management is all about getting your brand name out there to the public in the most positive way possible. This is done through several means, including social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram as well as search engines like Google.

If you want to go about reputation management as successfully as possible, you’ll have to focus on all – rather than just one – of these moving pieces. A common mistake is to only set your sights on managing your social media rep, but there is so much more involved that just Facebook comments and criticisms.

Brand reputation management is time consuming

You might think that you can squeeze in a few of your newfound reputation management strategies and practices here and there, but it is technically a full time job. If you stay on top of it from the very beginning of your company’s creation, you might be able to handle it on your own. Otherwise, you’ll need someone working on it full time.

Experts know the importance of all 3 aspects of a brand’s reputation

The main misconception about reputation management is that it is only necessary in the face of a reputation-related crisis. This is not the case, not at all. In fact, even when your reputation is seemingly flawless, you still need to put some effort into reputation management practices. If you’re company is large enough and experiences high sales volume, you might even consider hiring a full-time staff member to specialize in reputation management.

Professionals understand that it isn’t just about fixing what has been broken, it is also about maintaining what’s already there – and building what isn’t. That said, there are 3 main aspects of solid brand reputation practices: build, manage, repair.

The first step is to build it up with practices like social media marketing and search engine optimization. Then you must maintain it with review management and strong customer support. In the face of a reputation crisis, rebuilding must be done so that your company’s profits don’t take a huge hit.

As you can see, implementing a reputation management strategy for your business it will be extremely difficult to do on your own. If you are a small business or just starting up, go ahead and give it a try. Otherwise, your best bet is to hire professionals to work their magic.