One and Co

One and Co

Archives for December 2020

by

9 Ways to Stay Ahead of the Competition

Owners of businesses operating in a crowded marketplace face a constant tug of war with their competitors. They are trying to provide the best possible product or service for their customers, but it does not seem to be enough. Providing exceptional customer service alongside a competitive pricing structure will be key in your efforts to stay ahead of the competition, but this will only get you so far. You need to ensure that you are offering customers a reason to choose you over other companies. If you do not have a unique selling proposition, why would anyone pay attention?

Of course, in sectors where there not much separates your product or service offering from that of the competition, here are nine other ways that you can stay ahead of your business competitors.

  • Study your competition

If you do not know what your competitors are offering or why customers choose their product or service over yours, you cannot begin to differentiate your business. You need to conduct research into your competitors to work out where they have an advantage over you, where you have an advantage over them, and what you could learn from their successful or unsuccessful strategies. Click here for more information on competitor analysis.

  • Test early

Many companies spend money and time researching and testing a new idea before they launch it. Why not beat them to it? When you have a new idea for a product or service, act now, conduct a small test, and analyse the results. With a small but successful test, you will be seen as an innovator without investing a lot of resources. If the test is successful you can roll it out on a wider scale; if not, you have tried something new without much loss in terms of resource or productivity.

  • Make analysis part of your daily routine

How often do you analyse your business’ performance? If you are not doing it regularly, it may be time to make it part of your daily routine. By keeping a close eye on the smallest shifts in the market, you will be aware of changes before the competition and predict future trends. When you have a clear idea of what your business needs to be achieving every day, week, and month, you can ensure that your annual targets are on track to be met. It is also advisable to meet with your senior managers weekly to discuss any actions or innovations that may need to be implemented.

  • Invest in your education and growth

Whether you are a business owner or a senior manager in a company, you are never finished when it comes to learning and growth. Years of business experience are invaluable, but if it is all you have to your name you may find you cannot reach the next level. Consider expanding your skillset and deepening your business knowledge by acquiring a high-level business qualification. Many business professionals (and probably several of your competitors) choose to study for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree, so why not go one better and become a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)? A DBA equips business leaders with advanced knowledge and skills to solve complex business problems and carry out an in-depth analysis into specific and relevant topics. Busy professionals can acquire a DBA online so that they can continue to work.

  • Do not get stuck in a rut

If you are repetitive and predictable in your business strategy, your competitors may be able to anticipate your moves and undermine you. The most successful businesses evolve and change their strategy, so do not be afraid to shake things up now and again. Take a good look at your business operation to identify where your processes could be more efficient, or techniques could be improved. New businesses are likely to be entering the marketplace all the time and will bring innovative ideas with them, so to stay relevant you need to be reinventing yourself regularly.

  • Predict competitor strategy

In some ways, beating the competition is a lot like playing chess. Just as competitors may be monitoring your strategy with the hope of exploiting weaknesses, you should be doing the same to them. Look at the way they operate, anticipate their moves, and beat them to it. Consider if/how the competitor will react and what they are likely to do next.

  • Look out for up and coming competitors

You may have one main competitor you tend to focus your attention on, but this is rarely the whole picture. It is likely that several other competitors on the scene might not pose much of a threat at the moment but could soon be snapping at your heels. In fact, the newer the business, the more likely it is that they will be on top of the latest technology, so they may pose more of a threat than you think.

  • Be wary about extreme cost-cutting

It is sometimes necessary to cut costs in a business, but it is not always the best strategy. Cutting costs in the wrong areas can weaken your business and make your competitors more attractive to your customers. In addition, cutting prices can give the impression that your product or service is of a lower value. While your pricing should be competitive where possible, focus on showing the value of what you offer.

  • Listen to advice and feedback

Businesses are rarely built by one person alone, and you need to consider lots of different points of view when making important business decisions. You should be considering advice not only from within your organisation, but also from external experts and, of course, your customers. Customers may not always be willing or able to articulate why they choose a competitor over you or vice-versa but sending customer surveys and reading reviews can help to identify major problem areas in your business. When you have identified pain points for your customers, you can take steps to improve your service.

by

Reasons Why You Might Consider to Move to DC

The United States holds many treasures. Each city is unique and lovely in its own way, however, there’ something special about DC that you cannot easily find in many places in the world. It is extremely interesting and a great place to live.

Those who are into cultural diversity and liveliness will quickly fall in love with this destination. It doesn’t matter whether you would go there to study or get a job, this city offers so many entertaining things that will keep your mind busy.

Moving is never easy, and it can be a bit intimidating, however, if you choose the right location, you will never regret doing it in the first place. So, what are you waiting for? Check out our reasons why you should choose DC as your new home.

Reasons Why DC is a Must

Gardens and Parks

No matter where you choose to go, it’s always a huge advantage to find a place where there’s an abundance of nature and DC is perfect for that. It offers lovely places like the National Arboretum, the National Mall, and the Tidal Basin. Go there when you feel like you are tired of the city chaos and bustle and put your mind at ease.

Amazing Schools and Universities

If you want your kids to attend high-quality schools, then opt for this capital. We suggest you find a quiet, lovely neighborhood where your children will be able to play and that has schools and universities nearby. Namely, some reviews suggest that Daro Apartments in Washington DC have great walkable neighborhoods, so something like this would be a great idea if you need something quiet and safe for walking. A nice neighborhood is always a positive trait no matter where you live.

Now, let’s go back to education. DC offers a first-class public education, and it is home to some of the best universities in the United States, such as George Washington University, Georgetown University, University of Maryland, and American University.

Home of Sport

All fans of sports (doesn’t matter whether you love to play it or participate in it) will be thrilled to know that this capital has numerous alternatives at your disposal. Washington is a city of baseball, football, and soccer.

People who live there will probably tell you that it is very common to come across people running at any moment during the day. It’s all thanks to wonderful green areas. Furthermore, DC has some of the biggest and most popular teams in the United States when it comes to sports disciplines.

Delicious Food

If you’re a true foodie then you’ll absolutely adore this fact. Namely, the capital has some of the best culinary places in the world. You can bump into restaurants of Japanese, Chinese, Mexican, Arabs, and Indians.

However, if you’re more into Spanish cuisine, make sure to visit Jaleo restaurant where you will get to try out top-notch potato omelet made by the popular chef, Jose Andres. On the other hand, if hamburgers are more of your thing, ensure to eat American BBQ ribs.

While it might be tough to make this decision quickly, we are absolutely sure you won’t regret it. We just listed a couple of reasons why DC is spectacular, but you will get the opportunity to see it for yourself if you pack your bags and go!

 

by

As a hospitality business, how can you overcome the wrath of coronavirus?

The hospitality sector seems to have been one of the hardest hit industries by the coronavirus pandemic. It is important to remember that this pandemic is temporary and like that saying goes, this too shall pass. With that in mind, here are some tips to help hospitality venues plan and overcome the wrath of coronavirus.

1. Continue to take precautions

Just because venues are reopening their doors does not mean the virus is gone completely, so it may be important to consider keeping the current safety measures in place. The last thing you want is to be facing another closure, a closure you may not be able to recover from. A good place to start is with your staff, you want to avoid any sign of symptoms and make sure they are fit and healthy to return to work. You can ensure this by providing them with coronavirus test kits. Companies such as Myhealthchecked produce at-home covid test kits which provide 99.9% accuracy within 48 hours, providing you with peace of mind that your business is safe to open and will pose no threat to your customers.

2. Changes in customer behaviour

Whilst many people are eager to get out and about again, others feel a little more anxious about the whole idea. It is natural that after the threat of coronavirus and the length of the pandemic, some people are not so keen on returning to packed restaurants or bars just yet. Businesses that have thrived during the pandemic are those that provide an online ordering system.

If you can, encourage the sale of your products online through delivery or click and collect services, keeping those that choose to stay home in the loop as well as boosting your sales to help recovery.

3. Get yourself out there

One-way businesses may fall victim to the wrath of coronavirus is through the failure to adapt to the new forms of consumerism that have come with the pandemic. With being encouraged to stay home, consumer needs have shifted to online. In fact, the COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed online shopping behaviours, according to a survey of about 3,700 consumers in nine emerging and developed economies.

As people spend more time online, they are spending more time on social media too and so by making sure you have a strong online presence will allow you to promote products and improve interaction. People these days are hugely influenced by social media so create accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep your name in the mix.

4. Maintenance & renovation

With your doors closed to the public, now could be a great time to catch up on those maintenance jobs which were impossible when the place was packed with people. Do some touch ups, fix that leaky tap, rearrange the furniture, so that when you open, you can open with a whole new look that customers will be dying to check out.

It is also a good time to conduct a serious deep clean, everything you can think of – clean it. This will ensure that when you reopen your customers will see your business as a clean, safe environment, encouraging them to return again and again.

 

by

How to Train Your Dog: 4 Helpful Teaching Tips

So, you have come to the conclusion that you need to own a pet, particularly a dog. You are tired of going for walks all by yourself in the evening, or perhaps you have a family and you are keen on ushering in a new member to the family to help spice the lives of your loved ones up.

After visiting the dog shelter and finally adopting the dog breed that is suitable for your lifestyle, what should you do next?

It’s highly recommended that you embark on training your new dog to ensure that it is disciplined and well-mannered.

You wouldn’t want to invite your neighbors or friends over, and have your dog misbehave and wonder around wreaking havoc and causing destruction, would you?

This guide provides both dog owners and aspiring dog owners with some top tips on how you can go about drilling discipline into your new friend, to help ensure that your life together is amicable.

When it comes to training your dog, there are a number of options you can explore to teach your puppy or dog yourself.

Choosing to have your dog trained by a certified trainer is also an option that you can explore, however, adhering to the below-listed tips can help make the training process effortless.

  • Select Your Dog’s Name Intelligently
    There’s nothing as fun as adopting either a dog or puppy taking it home, and getting to give it a new name.

Nevertheless, for the purpose of your dog’s training, ensure that you choose a name that is short and one that also ends with a consonant. This ensures that your dog can hear clearly whenever you call upon them.

Remember, dogs are highly adaptable creatures. So, if you have an adult rescue dog, or a family dog, going about the process of changing their name is a viable option.

If you happen to have a rescue dog breed, you can explore Diamond Pet’s article about how to train a rescue dog.

  • Determine the House Rules
     Prior to having over your newfound furry friend, you need to establish house rules as they play a major role in helping avoid uncertainty on both your parts.

Be it parts of your house that are off bounds, or whether or not your dog is allowed on beds, this needs to be determined before they come to your home.

  • Build a Private Den for Your Dog
     You’ll be surprised to know that dogs are very much like human beings, in that they also require their own private space and privacy.

In periods where your dog desires to have some down-time, it will be guaranteed its comfort and safety if it has its own space.

Be sure to give rewards to your dog whenever they maintain peace and calm while they are in their den as it will aid in nurturing good house-training traits.

  • Consider Neutering Your Dog
    If you adopt a puppy, consider neutering it once it becomes of age as will it help limit its aggression and help with a balanced temperament.

If you prefer an adult dog, then prior to bringing it home, ensure that it has also been neutered as this can play a major role in making it more responsive to training.

 

by

10 toys currently flying off the shelves

Here are all the most popular toys you need to know about

Looking for the perfect gift for your little one? Look no further! Here are our top picks.

Baby Yoda

If there was a character who could act as mascot for 2020, it would be Baby Yoda — otherwise known as The Child. This adorable creature hit our screens in The Mandalorian, and has since taken the world by storm. So it’s no surprise that the Animatronic Baby Yoda that comes complete with over 25 sounds and motion combinations is proving to be one of the year’s most popular toys.

Paw Patrol Dino Rescue

Paw Patrol is one of the most popular franchises among young children, as fans are able to pick their favourite four-legged hero from the gang. The Dino Rescue set takes the team to prehistoric times, coming complete with a cool motorised vehicle, a T-Rex and a figure of fan favourite: Chase.

Diamond Painting Kits

The best presents are the ones that encourage your little ones to get creative. This is exactly what diamond painting kits do, giving your child the challenge of completing a beautiful picture all their own. The end result will be a stunning and unique painting that really shines, and they can then hang it up or display it pride of place.

Diamond painting kits are fun, creative and give your child a sense of accomplishment and pride which is truly priceless.

Vtech KidiZoom

Speaking of getting creative, if you feel like you have a future media star in your family, the Vtech KidiZoom is a fantastic creator cam that includes an HD video recorder, 20 virtual backgrounds, a mini tripod and handle, and a handy wrist strap.

Barbie’s Food Truck

Sit down Richard Branson, step aside Jeff Bezos — Barbie is undoubtedly the world’s greatest entrepreneur.

By this point in time Barbie has had her finger in pretty much every career pie, and clearly she shows no signs of slowing down. In her latest guise, the iconic doll takes the role of cuisine-savvy businesswoman running her own food truck. The truck itself comes with over 30 accessories, from fryers and blenders to menu boards, food and serving trays. There is even seating for customers included, so all your little one’s toys can pay a visit.

Squeakee the Balloon Dog

Balloon animals are fun, but sadly they don’t last long. Or at least they didn’t, until the arrival of Squeakee the Balloon Dog. This crimson canine comes with many interactive features, including training and feeding. He can also be inflated, and can make over 60 dog-like sounds and movements. Squeakee is sure to be your household’s most unusual new pet.

Playmobil Back to the Future DeLorean

The ‘future’ of the Back to the Future franchise may now technically be in the past, but that doesn’t stop the love for the franchise living on in today’s youths. The PlayMobil Back to the Future DeLorean is one of the hottest toys of the moment.

Present Pets Fancy Puppy Interactive Toy

If Squeakee the Dog isn’t your thing, perhaps your little one would prefer the soft and cuddle friends offered by Present Pets. These interactive animals are both cute and lively, and are so realistic that they will actually enthusiastically unbox themselves!

LEGO Star Wars The Mandalorian Starship Toy

The Mandalorian has breathed new life into the Star Wars franchise, and clearly this is reflected in this year’s top toy choices. This LEGO transport shuttle for children aged 10 and up comes complete with three mini figures, including the iconic Baby Yoda himself. Plus, your little one can enjoy the process of building the ship themselves!

UNO and other classic board games

We might think of board games like Monopoly and Cluedo as old hat, but lots of today’s kids haven’t had the opportunity to experience their fun for themselves. UNO is a great example of this. The iconic fun and fast paced card game is a great way to bring the household together for a spot of friendly competition.

by

5 tips for managing your mental health during the pandemic

Research has shown that living in quarantine can throw many mental health obstacles – like anxiety, anger, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – into our paths.

The pressure of a pandemic can leave many of us struggling to handle uncertainty, act productively and, ultimately, remain hopeful when the virus outbreak – locally or globally – worsens. So, what can you do to relieve some of this anguish? Here are a few expert-backed ideas…

Work hard – but not too hard – to preserve a routine

What waking up, eating and sleeping routine did you have before the pandemic? You shouldn’t let that routine slacken now. All the same, though, you shouldn’t exert yourself too much to maintain it…

Nicola Labuschagne, a clinical psychologist at the London-located Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families, explains in a New Scientist article: “Understand that this structure will be organic, which is a polite way of saying that it is likely to go tits-up at some point.”

Wise up to physical fitness and good nutrition

One silver lining of the pandemic is that you probably now have a lot more free time to do many things previously left languishing on your to-do list for ages. Those things could include getting into better physical shape and sorting out your diet.

Using a device like a phone or tablet, you could stream some live, on-screen exercise classes for you to follow at home. Alternatively, you could practice mindfulness – CNN has some tips for how you can “stay in the present”.

Lend a helping hand to others

Right now, many people are struggling both personally and professionally. However, if local anti-COVID rules and regulations where you live allow it, you could help some of these people – and, in the process, go some way towards restoring anguish you may be encountering yourself.

Michael Friedman, associate professor at New York’s Columbia School of Social Work, says in CNBC-quoted words that you should “do what you can to help others, which is a remarkable antidote to depression.”

Limit how much news content you consume

While you should naturally keep yourself informed about what’s happening with regards to the pandemic, you should stick to reliable sources – and, overall, restrict your news intake lest you feel traumatised.

Neil Greenberg, a psychiatrist at King’s College London, particularly recommends that you limit your exposure to “experts’ views about what is going to happen over the next three months – because it can cause anxiety”.

Be aware that things could go (even more) wrong

Yes, use of the word “unprecedented” in articles and news stories about the pandemic has reached, well, unprecedented levels – but it is a pretty apt word to describe the current crisis situation. For this reason, you should account for things potentially veering off-course in your personal life.

That way, you shouldn’t end up being too hard on yourself if the worst happens – and you can feel a little more relaxed if you do develop COVID symptoms and consequently recognise the need to book a COVID-19 test from a firm like MyHealthChecked.

 

by

Adjustable Eyeglasses: Are they worth it?

As one grows older, they develop eyesight issues. However, others suffer from these problems from an early age. Wearing the right eyeglasses is essential to maintaining eyesight. Not wearing the right eyeglasses can cause many problems. Headaches, dizziness, blurry vision, squinting, and worsening eyesight are some of the resulting issues caused by this.

Traditional glasses have a particular lens, the specs of which cannot change. You might have seen adjustable focus eyeglasses available online and in the market. These eyeglasses are for people with:

  • myopia (nearsightedness),
  • hyperopia (farsightedness),
  • presbyopia (nearsightedness in middle-aged and older people), and
  • astigmatism (nearsightedness and farsightedness).

These are also more commonly known as refractive errors.

So are adjustable glasses worth it?

Benefits of using adjustable glasses

If you are wearing glasses for style points, you may not want to consider adjustable eyeglasses because they may feel bulky (though they are light in weight). However, if you are using these for your eyesight, they offer many benefits.

These are as follows:

Eyesight in adulthood

With age, the lens in our eyes hardens, which leads to issues with eyesight. Between the ages of 20 to 30, the eyesight is healthy. However, as we grow older beyond this age, the need for eyeglasses increases. Even if a person had 20/20 vision for most of their lives, they find themselves in need of glasses in later adulthood. According to the National Eye Institution (NEI), those people in the age of 40 and above are susceptible to refractive errors (such as presbyopia).

Exposure to electronic devices

In our day and age, we expose our eyes to digital devices. Digital devices, such as smartphones, laptops, computers, TV screens, tablets, and others, emit blue light. Overexposure to blue light damages the light-sensitive cells in the retina of the eyes. Adjustable eyeglasses filter blue light to prevent permanent damage to our eyes.

woman wearing eyeglasses with black frame

Treating astigmatism

For people suffering from nearsightedness and farsightedness, adjustable glasses offer a solution for both conditions. You can change the focus of each lens to make sure that your vision is not compromised. Some adjustable focus glasses have a tuning dial, which allows you to change the focus at the touch of your fingertips. Moreover, each frame is flexible. You can move it left or right to adjust it to your eyes.

Comfort and robust

Although eyeglasses help in improving vision and avoid further deterioration of eyesight, most of these are not comfortable for wear. On the other hand, adjustable eyeglasses, such as equal plus glasses, offer comfortable nose pads that let the glasses sit comfortably on the bridge of your nose.

Saves cost

Eyesight is not static; it changes with time. If you notice that your glasses are compromising your vision, you may need new glasses. Every couple of years, you may find yourself back at the optician for a new set of glasses. To avoid this problem, adjustable glasses can save costs.

Conclusion

As we have seen, there are many advantages to using eyeglasses to maintain your vision. Whether you suffer from myopia or hyperopia, these glasses offer solutions for all.

 

by

Maintaining Abstinence by Developing a Drug-Free Lifestyle

Maintaining abstinence from drugs and alcohol is always challenging, especially if you are an addict and need to take control of your life. Developing a drug-free lifestyle is one of the most important steps to make this possible. Doing this requires various changes to your life including at work, at home, and during your free time. If you have already been to rehab and completed your program, the next step is replacing the behaviors you previously had with healthy and productive ones.

Getting Started

Perhaps the hardest part of recovery and living a drug-free life is getting started. Most people start by seeking help from a residential rehab center. Drug and alcohol abuse treatment centers such as Harris House place a premium on taking control of your treatment and recovery process because this has been shown to be the best way to recover. Qualified counselors will guide you through the process of creating an individual recovery plan to not only help you recover but to live a drug-free life.

Once you are done with this initial phase, you will enter a continuing or follow-up phase. While you will receive ongoing support and help from your counselors, you will be encouraged to start moving forward, and this is where developing a drug-free lifestyle starts.

Getting Support From Friends and Family

One of the most important things to do once you are out of the treatment center is to avoid the people who used to be involved in your previous lifestyle. These are the people who were drinking buddies or who helped you procure and use drugs. Keeping in touch with people from your previous life is a very strong trigger for relapse.

To develop a drug and substance-free lifestyle, addicts need to develop new relationships and friendships, to find new leisure activities and social patterns.

Your counselor will help you find supportive friends and family members who do not use any substances themselves. They will also show you how to develop and improve relationships with the people in your new circle as well as help you find things to do to fill the time you previously spent seeking and using drugs or alcohol.

Do not despair if you do not have drug-free friends and family members as this is an opportunity for you to join new social groups, create new relationships, and cultivate new, supportive friendships.

Developing a Schedule

A structured daily schedule is another critical aspect of developing and maintaining a drug-free lifestyle. The schedule should be easy to follow so that you can maintain consistency. A chaotic and disorganized lifestyle introduces unneeded stress that can push some to drug-seeking behaviors. Therefore, maintaining an organized and structured schedule is critical and can be your biggest ally.

Many rehab and treatment centers will help you establish a daily or weekly schedule during the early days of your recovery. This structure gives you the tools you need to structure your time properly and ensure every minute of your day is filled with healthy activities instead of drug-seeking and using ones. When trying to maintain abstinence, you should not abandon or deviate from the set structure too much. If you do this, you might find yourself increasingly straying from it, which might lead you back to where you started.

Developing Goals

Remaining sober should be your priority at all times but to develop a drug-free lifestyle that you can keep going into the future, you will need to look ahead into the future. The best way to do this is by identifying and setting larger goals for your life. These goals should be the guide you use to gauge how well you are doing, how far you have come, and how far you still need to go.

At this point, you likely have had more than 3 months of abstinence, so it is time to start thinking about the future. Some of the larger, long-term goals you can write down can include going back to school or getting a degree you have always wanted, saving some money to achieve financial freedom, or seeking a new career.

Other goals you identify have to do with the people around you. These can include reconnecting with family and friends as well as finding ways to maintain these relationships.

Developing a plan on how to achieve these goals should also be on your mind so that you can take the necessary actions to achieve them. Your counselor can help you learn how to identify and develop long-term goals as well as what to do to achieve them.

Spirituality

If followed the 12-step program as part of your rehabilitation process, you may have been introduced to spirituality. The concept of spirituality in the context of recovery and abstinence usually has nothing to do with religion. In this context, it means developing and holding the right values and benevolent goals that guide you to live not only for yourself but for others to find happiness and fulfillment in everything you do.

Spirituality, for many addicts, is an important factor in recovery. Your counselor will guide you on how to do things for others and not necessarily for yourself such as volunteering or offering support to recovering addicts. Being more involved in the community, helping a religious organization, or offering to work for a support group are all ways to live a life larger than yourself.

One thing to understand here is that everybody will define a “higher power” differently and it will be up to you to decide what this means for you. However, many addicts say that their drug-free lifestyles are often guided by a higher power greater than themselves and that is transcendent of everything in their lives.

Living a drug-free life and developing a lifestyle to accompany it is challenging for a lot of addicts. However, there are so many ways addicts can get help to keep them on the right path and help them not stray. Finding people willing to offer support as well as making structural changes to your life are the best places to start.

 

by

2020 Christmas Card Designs That Are Perfect for Your Family

Christmas is on the way, and despite the many challenges we have faced this year, it’s time to spread the joy. The best we can do is to send Christmas cards to the people we love – family.

Sometimes back, it meant composing a handwritten message and mass-produce the cards. But today, things have changed. We are in the modern world, which calls for you to give beautiful Xmas cards with elegant designs. Such cards should match your artistic sensibilities and personal style.

If you’re looking for a good Christmas card design to send to gift your family, look no further. We have listed some of the 2020 Christmas card designs that are perfect for your family:

Traditional Typography Design

Send your loved ones a classic Christmas card with traditional typography. This kind of design brings in your mind copperplate etching.

If you want to make it pop, consider a traditional and unique color—for example, a mixture of deep red and gold accents colors.

Laser-cut Cards Design

Another Christmas gift card to surprise your family is this laser-cut design. This type of card is unique and interesting suitable to send greetings. If you choose this design, there is no regret.

Laser-cut cards feature elaborate cutouts, and you can opt to play hide-and-seek with color and design.

Additionally, this can be a perfect way to showcase your business flair. You can impress your clients using laser-cut card’s creative design. If you like the design, your family will love it.

Hand Lettering

If you’re looking for a classic way to send Christmas greetings, choose an elegant hand lettering design. Add your message using a traditional and religious message. This design can be an excellent way to send a message.

Traditional Motifs

A gift card isn’t a card. You need a card design that can speak about your holiday traditions. If you need such a card design, traditional motifs design.

The card has a simple design and a Christmas tree, both formal and elegant. If you want to make it be at it’s best, send it in a matching stylish envelop having a color flap.

Family-focused

Among all the cards, this might be the greatest choice for Christmas. With a family-focused design, add a family photo at the front and center of the card. These holiday pic cards will spread a smile to your family members.

Opt for your favorite and recent portrait. Add a text over with a simple yet heartfelt message.

Simple and Graphic

Simple and Graphic card features amazing color schemer and a classic design. This design from Zeppelin Graphics is a suitable card design to send a Christmas message. You have distinctive symbols and pair them with different shades, red or green.

The Bottom Line

The perfect Christmas card design allows you to send the right message for Merry greetings. If you want to send a Christmas gift card for 2020, make it special. The right design will impress your family. Whether your choice is for a classic card or a creative flair, your family will appreciate the thoughtful gesture in the card.

 

by

5 Ways to Deal with Winter Aches and Pains

We’ve all had those days in the winter where you ache as soon as you wake up. We’ve all experienced muscle soreness, stiff joints, and other pains. Cold weather, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors, can affect your body in different ways, and sometimes just the effort of staying warm is enough to cause significant aches and tired limbs. Here’s a look at five ways to deal with these winter aches.

Slow Down

At this time of year, one of the biggest causes of aches and pains isn’t the cold weather. It’s the time that we spend running around shopping for gifts, scrubbing our homes, and working extra. If you are busier than ever but still trying to fit all of your daily activities in, you need to start listening to your body. If you are achy and tired, take some time out. Relax in a hot bath, get an early night, and enjoy some rest time.

Get a Check-Up

Aches and pains when it’s cold can be completely normal. Our joints get stiff, we exercise less and ache more when we do. But this isn’t always the case. You know your body. Listen to it. If you ache much more than you’d expect or are experiencing pain with no clear cause, then it’s time to head to your primary care doctor for a check-up.

If you want a second option, or don’t feel comfortable with your current healthcare provider, try to find one using a merit-based incentive payment system. ChartSpan offers a merit-based incentive payment system (MIPS) focused on quality and patient care. Using a MPIS means you know your healthcare providers offer you the very best in quality, preventative care, and chronic care management.

Use Heat Therapy

Heat is a powerful tool when it comes to pain relief. If you are struggling with general aches and pains or DOMS following a workout, relaxing in a hot bath or applying heat packs or hot water bottles to affected areas can be a great idea. But, if you have a specific injury or swelling, an ice pack or cool patches may be more effective.

Stretch it Out

Stretching before and after exercise is always important. It can be even more beneficial in the winter when your body has to work harder to stay warm, and your joints are a little stiffer. Always warm-up and cool down before exercise, even if it’s just a few simple stretches. When you are achy, a yoga routine could help stretch your muscles, and a few stretches when you first get out of bed can warm you up, stretch out tired muscles and joints and get your blood pumping.

Stay Mobile

When you ache, it’s tempting to curl up on the sofa for the day and avoid moving as much as possible. But, while rest is important, staying still for too long can increase stiffness and pain. It’s also harder to stay warm while you are still, and while you may feel better at the time, it will hurt more when you get up. It’s ok to swap a run for a walk and a wights session for yoga. It’s ok to spend the day at home. But, make sure you keep moving, even if it’s just stretching while you wait for the coffee to brew.

Winter aches and pains can be normal. If you are worried, don’t hesitate to see your doctor for more help and advice.