Many of us felt that that turn of the year would see an improvement with regards to the pandemic yet sadly this is just not happening and many of us are once again facing a lockdown. Instead of dwelling on how frustrating this is or how sick we all are of this thing, today we are going to focus on something far more positive and take a look into some new skills which we can learn during lockdown. Mental health experts like Roger Wolfson have been warning just how important it is that we focus on our mental health during this testing time, and one way to do this is to have something to focus on, and here are some ideas as to what you could learn.

A New Language

Even if you only focus on getting to a level where you can converse, learning a new language during lockdown would be the most amazing way for you to spend your time. This is not only a skill which will test your mind, it is one which actually has a purpose and which you can use now and in the future. There are a wealth of resources online which you can find, many free, that will help you to raise your game and pick up a new language.

Chess

It is fair to say that watching someone play chess really does scream ‘classy’ and you can be that guy or gal if you focus your time during lockdown on picking up a new skill such as that. Chess is easy to understand the basics of, but it is a game which you could spend a lifetime playing and still not fully grasp every aspect of it, regarding tactics and strategy. This is a game which is fun and educational and which is seriously going to help with your mental health during lockdown.

Musical Instrument

Not having enough time is often the reason that people give for not picking up a new instrument, well now we have more time on our hands than we know what to do with. The choice of instrument is yours, the key is to buy it and then focus on investing time practicing the craft. It is true that some take to these things very naturally, but no matter how easily you take to the instrument, it is essential that you put in the hours and practice hard in order to keep pushing yourself and to get better.

And finally you could use this time to flex your creative muscles and learn to draw or to write a story. Again these are skills which we so often suggest that we are unable to do because we don’t have the time, yet the reality is that we now have an abundance of time and so investing it in ourselves seems like the best thing to do. Work hard and spend your time gaining a brand new skill, hopefully all of this will be over soon.

 

I was introduced to the ‘Couch to 5k’ app by lifestyle coach Roger Wolfson, and it turned out to be one of the best apps that I have ever used. Roger posted a video at the beginning of the pandemic about how people could stay in shape and he suggested this app, which was designed to get people running. Personally I have never ran before and the thought of running 5 kilometers was a scary one. I was encouraged however at so many comments on the video, from people who were saying just how inspirational the app was and how it helped them to achieve their running dreams.

I downloaded the application there and then, and I can honestly say that I now run 5 kilometers two or three times per week. I love the idea of this app, and here is why it works for people like me, who had no running experience at all.

Realistic Beginnings

For someone who was out of shape like me, it is amazing just how few people in the fitness world actually grasp what it is like to be in that situation. I have been to many gyms and they have put together crazy programs for me which I just couldn’t do, and which then stripped me of my motivation. What I love about this program is that it was designed by a beginner, and it is perfect for other beginners. The app starts off slow and to be honest the first week involves you running for 1 minute at a time, and walking in-between. The slow start means that you get engaged and you are more motivated to do it.

Actual Improvement

The program features 3 runs per week, with a rest day in-between, and this is a great way for you to measure your progress. For example in the first week, by day 3 you can feel the improvement that you have made, in just 3 runs. By the end of the second week however, the difference is absolutely amazing when compared with the first week, and so on. Being able to actively measure your improvements is huge when it comes to motivation, and that is what keeps pushing you to go again and again.

Clear Goal

Another reason why I think that this program works so well is that there are clearly defined goals and one huge goal at the end. Each week the intensity increases and you begin to run more and walk less, each day in reality has its own goal. Whilst this is happening, something that you know the whole time is that you are eventually working towards that magic 5 kilometer goal. What I love about this is that as you are accomplishing the daily goals, you are getting closer and closer to your big goal, and that of course continues to encourage you.

This is a great app for anyone who wishes to get started with running.

 

With the new year upon us, it’s time for people to start setting goals about what they’ll do or accomplish during the next year of life. But sadly, many people’s goals or resolutions won’t get accomplished simply because they either didn’t set the right goal or didn’t put the right plan in place to reach their goal.

To help ensure that you don’t fall victim to these mistakes, here are three tips for setting goals for the upcoming year.

Take Baby Steps Toward Your Goal

Oftentimes, the goals people set for themselves at the beginning of the year are very vague and lofty. And while accomplishing this big goal might be your ideal, it usually takes a lot of smaller goals until you can reach this big goal.

To help you get to your ultimate goal, Elizabeth Scott, a contributor to Very Well Fit, recommends that you make baby step goals toward your big goal. For example, if you’re wanting to create a better relationship with your family members, set smaller goals that might include monthly visits to your grandparents in their assisted living facility, weekly phone calls to your parents or siblings, or sending quarterly update emails to other extended family members. By setting these smaller goals, you’ll work toward accomplishing your bigger goal in a more palatable way.

Make Your Goal Visible

Once you’ve set the goal or goals that you’re going to be working toward this year, it’s time to make your goals visible so that you are able to keep them in the forefront of your mind throughout the entire year.

One way to do this, according to Malika Boyd, a contributor to LifeHack.org, is to write your goal down and place it somewhere that you see everyday or multiple times a day. Then, each time you see your goal, you’ll be reminded of what you want to accomplish so that you don’t get halfway into the year without thinking about your goal again.

Get The Support You Need

Accomplishing new goals isn’t always easy. And while you might have the motivation to reach your goal now, you will likely find yourself wavering at one point or another.

To help keep you on the right course, it’s good to find the support you need to lean on when you don’t have the strength to carry yourself on all by yourself. Leslie Truex, a contributor to The Balance Small Business, shares that you should try to find someone that can serve as a mentor, coach, or even just an accountability partner for your goal. Ideally, this person should be able to give you guidance and advice when you most need it.

If you’re working on setting goals for the upcoming year, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you with this.

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!

 

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.

 

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.

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.

 

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.

 

Everyone is shooting for a lifestyle that they both enjoy living and can also afford with the money they make. In today’s society, it can be difficult to come up with this money without thinking outside of the box. Even if you don’t want to live an extremely lavish lifestyle, you’ll still need to figure out how to afford one that you enjoy. There are methods and ways that you can implement to make sure you have a lifestyle you love to live and can also afford to live. Read on to find out what these five ways are and how you can apply them to your own life.

Invest in the stock market

Investing in the stock market is one sure-fire way to help you attain your goals of affording the lifestyle you desire. To do this, you’ll need to analyze stocks and find the right time to buy and sell them. For example, if you’re interested in buying WOPEY stock then you’ll want to do your research on it to find out the best times to buy and sell.

Every stock is like this, if you buy in at a low price and sell at a high price then you could easily find yourself making quick money on a daily basis. At the same time, if you decide to invest in the long term, you could collect the dividends each month or quarter. The more shares you have of each stock, the more dividends you can collect. This works out in the long run if you can accumulate enough of each stock. Most dividend investors take their time accumulating many blue-chip stocks over the years so their dividend payments slowly rise. Eventually, these dividend investors can retire and live off of their dividend incomes.

Get a side hustle

Getting a side hustle of some sort will guarantee extra money in your pocket every month. Even if it’s a couple of hundred dollars each month, you can use this money to pay off any expenses you might have. You could also use it as extra income or savings to invest with. No matter what you do, getting a side hustle will help you afford a lifestyle that you want to have.

Sometimes your side hustle doesn’t even have to be an in-person job, it can be an online blog that you write for or a survey taking job. You should aim for an extra couple hundred dollars every month and you’ll start to see more opportunities for your lifestyle to take off. Your side hustle could pay for a new car or a portion of your mortgage payment. In today’s society, almost everyone has a second source of income or multiple streams of income in the form of side hustles. The extra money you make will go a long way.

Invest in real estate

Investing in real estate can bring more money into your pockets and help you live a lifestyle that you love. Investing in real estate will lead you to become a landlord and collect a paycheck every month. These paychecks will be for renters living in your properties and you will virtually have to do nothing to get it. Real estate has become popular over the years and will remain popular in the future.

Start your own business

Starting your own business is a great way to make more money and start living the lifestyle that you want. Your business could be a retail business or a reselling business. The great part about having your own business is that not only does it help you make more money, but you work for yourself. Both of these will contribute to a lifestyle you love.

Make wise decisions with your money

Making good decisions with your money is one of the best ways to live a lifestyle that you love. You don’t want to spend your money on things that are out of your price range and you don’t want to lose it on items that don’t gain value. Making sure you buy necessary items and assets that gain value over time are the best places to put your money. Most Americans make around the same amount of money, but you can always make more.

 

Inevitably, there will come a time when your parents will have to deal with various health conditions, and many adult children will struggle with how to help them during this time. With stories about children becoming too controlling or even hindering their parent’s care, you might be nervous about how best to help them. If this is the case, read on for some top tips.

Discuss Their Living Options With Them

When your parent is sick or is struggling to live by themselves anymore, it is time to discuss their living options with them and help them to prepare for the future. By guiding them through the process, you will be able to check that they have a suitable plan in place, especially if they are considering living with you in the foreseeable future. For instance, you should take them to visit options such as Gatesworth Senior Living, which offers a range of care depending on the needs of your loved one. This is especially the case if you are now struggling to look after them as you have done previously.

Recognize and Listen to Their Opinion

Although you need to make them aware of the reality of the situation and their future, when you are preparing your parents for old age, you need to make sure that you can recognize and listen to their opinions, especially if you are going to become their caregiver. Most adult children go wrong by aiming to control their parents and to instead opt for the decisions that support their opinion. However, it is your elderly parent’s final choice about how they are going to spend the rest of their lives, and in terms of both living situation and treatment, this should be respected.

Give Them The Right Support

When your loved one is ill, you need to find ways to give them the right support. To do this, you should ask them what they need and how you can help, rather than leaping straight in. Some of the best ways to help ailing parents include taking them to doctor’s appointments, helping them to remember to take medications, and completing household tasks for them while they recover.

Speak to Their Doctor

Although you should be careful that you do not leave your loved ones out of the equation, you should speak to their doctor about the care that they are receiving. This will give you a better understanding of the health problem that they are facing and can help you to check that they are following the steps that they need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Their doctor may also be able to advise on major decisions and help you realize how their condition will progress as time goes by.

It’s a Balancing Act

However, as well as learning how to be the perfect child for sick parents, you also need to recognize that you have your own life- and potentially your own family to look after. If this is the case, you should work on balancing your parent’s health concerns and care with that of you and your family.