Three Smart Tips for Parents Fighting the Common Cold While on Vacation

December 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Vacations should represent a time to get some serious rest and relaxation.

However, what happens when you wind up falling ill when you’re supposed to be having the time of your life?

Perhaps the best way to avoid a flu snafu or common cold while traveling is being prepared. After all, something as simple as a stuffy nose has the potential to put a serious damper on your travel plans. This is especially true for small children or anyone in your family who’s particularly prone to illness.

Don’t set yourself up for disappointment in case of a cold while traveling. Instead, keep the following tips in mind when it comes to keeping you and your family healthy whether you’re planning a long excursion or a weekend trip.

Get Your Rest

It’s well-documented that proper sleep is the foundation of a strong immune system; however, there are plenty of potential disruptions and distractions to plague us while traveling.

Kids crying on airplanes. Noisy hotels with paper-thin walls. The list goes on and on, doesn’t it?

Instead of losing hours of sleep, take a proactive approach to ensuring that you get proper rest. For example, small investments such as ear plugs can help you sleep through noise regardless of your travel plans. Additionally, make sure that you’ve studied your lodging accommodations and be on the look out of any reports of noise complaints.

Supercharge with Supplements

Although sleep may very well be the best medicine, you can also give your immune system a boost through some cost-effective supplements. Consider any combination of the following to be fair game when it comes to keeping yourself in tip-top shape on-the-go:

  • Dramamine, which can help you avoid motion sickness during a long car ride or on a cruise ship

  • Vitamin C, which is noted to help keep your immune system in check

  • Fish oil, which offers up essential omega-3 fatty acids you may be neglecting from your vacation diet

The aforementioned supplements can be purchased for dirt-cheap online; however, you could potentially also pick them up at a drug store as-needed once you’ve reached your destination.

Pack Accordingly

In short, make sure that you pack appropriately based on where you’re traveling and how you’re getting there. This rings true for both your attire (think: layers for cold weather) and prescription medication.

For example, there’s no use in trying to bring an entire pharmacy in your carry-on bag. Given stringent regulations on what you can bring on a plane, you may not be able to bring all of your liquid prescriptions along for the ride. If you have access to a drug store or pharmacy, it may make more sense to make a quick trip once you’ve landed to ensure you have the medications you need.

On the flip side, if you’re traveling on a cruise ship, it’s absolutely crucial that you over pack as many cruise lines offer bare-bones medical treatment. Additionally, many cruise ships jack up the prices on even the simplest supplements. Instead of allowing yourself to get stranded in terms of your medications, make sure you fill them ahead of time and can bring them along with you.

Nobody wants to get sick on vacation, plain and simple. That being said, you can can steps to avoid the common cold both prior and during your journey. When it comes to avoiding illness while traveling, “be prepared” and “better safe than sorry” are most definitely the mottos to live by.

Filed Under: health, traveling Tagged With: , , ,

Top 4 Safety Travel Tips

December 7, 2016 by Leave a Comment

travel tips

Taking a vacation is one of the things that helps make life fun.  In fact, studies show that four out of five domestic trips made are for leisure. Getting away from it all is sure to be ideal for better health and less stress. However, you will want to be sure to make the most of your trip, and this means not worrying about what could go wrong. The ideal way to do this is to be as prepared as you can be by putting specific safety tips into place before you leave. Knowing these tips will enable you to have fun while taking time off work.

Tip #1: Secure your home

One of the ideal ways to ensure you won’t have any issues with your home while you’re gone is by activating your security system before you leave. It’s ideal to rely on this type of security to keep your home monitored when you aren’t there to do this job.

Some of the things you will want your security system to do is alert others if an intruder enters your property. This could involve creating a loud siren noise that will blast the neighborhood when an individual attempts a break-in.

The more advanced systems may get in touch with the police immediately if this occurs or you could even have cameras installed that enable you to watch your property at any time.

Tip #2:  Update insurance

One thing you will want to be sure to do is to update your health and auto insurance before leaving. You may need to simply review your policy or make some major changes to help ensure you’re properly covered. The last thing you want to do is to have to make an emergency room visit away from your local area and not have insurance.

Of course, if you’re driving a long distance it’s imperative to have the right amount of auto insurance. This will allow you to feel secure if you’re involved in any type of accident. Additionally, having health insurance as an added protection plan can help you feel even more confident.

Tip #3: Plan for travel emergencies

Getting ready to hit the road is sure to be exciting. Regardless if you’re going a long distance or only making a short trip, you will want to enjoy your time.

It’s ideal to plan ahead for any travel emergencies that may occur and below are a few ideas to enable you to do so:

1.  Tell a friend where you’re going in the event you need assistance for any reason.

2.  Pack a food kit to keep in your car in the event you’re stranded.

3.  Do some research and look for the closest medical facility in the area you’re headed. Be sure to put the address in your GPS.

4.  Keep a bag of essentials in your car that may include a flashlight, blankets, and other things to make you feel more secure.

Tip #4: Create a first aid kit

It’s important to have a first-aid kit with you when traveling. This will enable you to address minor accidents with ease and allow you to feel more prepared.

Be sure to have bandages, ointment, over-the-counter pain relievers and other items you may need in an emergency travel situation.

The key to having the most fun on your vacation is to alleviate the stress and enjoy the surroundings. This can be done with a little bit of preparedness beforehand that can allow you to have the peace of mind you need while doing so.

Filed Under: lifestyle, safety, traveling Tagged With: ,

How To Know If You Are A Millennial Geek

December 2, 2016 by Leave a Comment

pic4

Since the Millennials have become the dominant generation in the workplace, the cultural impact of their social behavior and their favorite devices is what defines what is now fully accepted as cool by the generations Y and Z. And believe it or not, being a geek is one of the trendiest features you could have. Let’s have a look at their top 5 traits.

You Can’t Live Without Your Phone

Do you find yourself taking pictures of your food or the signs in the shops to share in real time with your best friends? 39% of Millennials engage more with their smartphone than with their friends, family, children, co-workers, and partners. Yet, as they mainly use the device to keep in touch with these same people, we can safely argue that Millennials are always talking to the ones who matter to them. If you find yourself turning to your phone for support in life, the geek force is already strong with you!

You Are A Digital Freelancer

No generation values independence as much as the Millennials do. The Millennial geek goes one step further as he or she has landed the dream job: Freelancing. A freelancer is, as you might have guessed, someone who can look in the mirror every morning and greet the best boss on earth with their bed head smile. The preferred freelancing roles tend to be focused on digital projects, such as web developer, designer, and blogger (or even vlogger for the lovers of video blogs). In short, the freelancer is that trendy person who takes their Macbook to the local coffee shop and works from there all day while slurping delicious coffee. Naturally, this is the glitter image. In truth, freelancing is a combat of every day. Thankfully, there are a few basics to follow to make the freelancing life smoother, https://havesippywilltravel.com/2011/12/laws-that-every-freelancer-should-know.html. But this is a little less true for the geek who can be so talented that clients are queueing up.

You Wonder When Your Favorite Shows Will Be on Netflix

You rely on demand TV to satisfy your appetite for good and original shows. Did you cry when Netflix took Doctor Who off? Are you eager to find out when the show of your heart will be back? By the way if you are anything like me, you will surely enjoy this little read www.netflixupdate.com/when-will-supernatural-season-10-be-on-netflix/ that takes the edge off the long waiting for the next Supernatural season. This is the natural evolution of DVD sets, and the geek is very aware of this low-cost high-quality form of entertainment. So be aware that we don’t talk about watching TV anymore. As a well-equipped geek, you will be watching your favorite series on your favorite screen device, which could be your tablet, your laptop, your TV, or even your phone.

You Embrace Healthy Food

The growing interest in healthy nutrition and organic food has developed new areas of expertise in the population. When in the 1990s healthy diets used to list lettuce and diet soda, the educated geek diets are more diverse nowadays. They can rely on a vegan only approach to food, on careful ketosis calibration, on the addition of healthy alternatives from other cultures, or even on purely free from products (as we can see now with gluten and lactose free diets). It’s not uncommon to find tofu and chia seeds in a geek cupboard, because, contrary to the common beliefs, the Millennial geek loves healthy food more than anything else.

You Are Socially Awkward

The image of geeks has changed. If you remember the 1990s, the geek was generally represented as an overweight man who wore thick glasses and was too shy to talk to girls. Stop. Wake up now. This is a cliché. Geeks have a tendency to behave awkwardly in social events for a variety of good reasons: They are so qualified in a highly specialist subject that they find it difficult to discuss more common topics such as the weather or pop music; being freelancers they don’t share the normal 9-to-5 routine and therefore don’t understand any office-related discussions; they spend so much time communicating via digital forms that they are not sure how to send smileys IRL.

So, be honest with yourself, how much of a geek are you? Being a geek is representative of the Millennials generation, but don’t feel sorry if you don’t score high on the scale. Not everybody’s charm relies on social awkwardness!

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

A Travel Guide for New York City on a Budget

November 29, 2016 by Leave a Comment

New York is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the world. This iconic city is on the wish list of every traveler with interests in the arts, history, culture and nightlife. New York is an attractive destination but the question is, is it ideal for budget travelers as well? Yes, it is and you’d be wrong to assume it to be too pricey a destination to visit. You can plan well in advance and visit the city in an economical manner.

Here are some tips to get a New York City tour on a budget:

Get the trip planning right

First things first, a cost-effective trip of New York requires good planning. You need to research which sights are near each other so that they can be visited together–saving time and money. You also need to find out which days museums offer free admission, this will give you big savings.

Save with bundled tour passes

The easiest way to save on your NYC sightseeing is by purchasing a bundled tour pass, especially when you wish to visit a lot of popular places and attractions in the city. Tour passes bundles various tours and activities thereby offering you a reduced price.You are also spared the inconvenience of paying separately for each tour. The more they offer, the more you save!

Look for discounts & coupons

You can visit websites of several landmarks and attractions and find coupons or discounts. Not all attractions in NYC have an entry fee and you can search to know which are free. Similarly, you can collect coupons and then get discounts on food, shopping, entry to landmarks etc.

Save through inexpensive events and Broadway tickets

New York is a city that offers a lot of free concerts, art exhibits, music shows etc. Want to save money on Broadway theater tickets? Visit one of the TKTS discount theater ticket booths located around town. There are 3 of them: one in Midtown, one at the South Street Seaport and one in Brooklyn. They sell discounted tickets for same day matinee and evening performances.

Be selective about transportation

Buy a MetroCard and get non-stop rides for a week or even longer. A MetroCard pass offers you unlimited trips on both the subway and buses in all 5 NYC boroughs for the duration of the pass. Or purchase a hop-on hop-off bus tour that gives you a guided tour through the city while offering a way to hop-on or hop-off the bus near popular city attractions.

Experience the real New York on foot

New York is a great city explored by foot. Since most of Manhattan is based on a grid system it is hard to get lost. Below Houston Street there is no grid and it is a bit easier to get lost but getting lost is half the fun–you never know what you may find!

Navigate around cycle routes

Biking is also fun. Bikes can be rented for an hour, a day or longer. New York is a bike friendly city and is becoming more so every day! You can bike around town independently or join a bike tour with a guide.

Dine away from upscale market

There are lots of different types of ethnic foods in New York and if you want to save money that is the way to go. It is also a lot of fun to try all the different foods that New York has to offer while saving money at the same time! Be sure to check out bars offering happy hour discounted prices.

Stay outside Manhattan to save on lodging

Don’t book a hotel room in Manhattan when cost is a major consideration. Rather, try one of the outer boroughs where prices are not as steep. Hostels and apartment rentals are great alternatives to pricey Manhattan hotels too.

Shop at a flea market

New York is a shopper’s paradise. Try visiting one of the weekend flea markets to find something unique and interesting. Canal Street is a great place to save a lot on purses, jewelry and similar items.

Overall, book your hop–on hop–off New York tour and explore the best this metropolis has to offer. Plan well in advance and be sure to return home with lots of memories!

Filed Under: traveling Tagged With: , , ,

First Time Flu? Three Crucial Tips for Taking Care of Your Kids

November 25, 2016 by Leave a Comment

The flu represents a potential nightmare for any parent and child: however, what do you do when the seemingly inevitable happens?

After all, anywhere between 5% to 20% of the population will get the flu as per last year’s flu statistics. With flu season almost in full swing, you can take all of the precautions under the sun and still have your child fall ill.

Instead of assuming that the flu could never infiltrate your home, take the proactive steps to prepping your household for such illness and ensuring your child’s comfort and safety at the same time. Beyond going to the doctor and receiving the proper medication, the responsibility of making your child feel better is ultimately on your shoulders.

Ask yourself: are you doing everything in your power at home in case your child catches the flu? Whether you suspect your child may picked up the flu or might have something more serious than the common cold, keep the following tips in mind as you play the role of home doctor.

Sleep is the Best Medicine

The most important aspect of recovering from the flu, regardless of what treatments and medicines are prescribed to your child, is a good night’s sleep. It’s crucial that you quarantine your child to their bedroom to avoid the potential spread of any sickness and give them comfort, whilst also regularly checking on them throughout the day to avoid any feelings of isolation or loneliness.

That being said, most children with the flu tend to sleep intermittently throughout the day, so you need to do the best you can to ensure a quality sleeping space for your child. For example, consider the following as the absolute essentials:

  • Something to keep the sun out, such as bamboo blinds, to make sure that the sun doesn’t interrupt your child’s slumber during the day

  • A dehumidifier to encourage easier breathing and cleaner air quality

  • A bedside fan to ensure that your child doesn’t get too hot when running a high fever

The fewer potential disturbances to your child while they sleep, the better their recovery will be.

Fill Up on Fluids

Obviously you should provide your child with plenty of fluids, including any combination of water, sports drinks such as Gatorade and citrus juices with plenty of vitamin C. While whether or not milk increases mucus production is still a point for debate, it’s probably better just to go with any of the former to ensure that your child stays probably hydrated and their symptoms don’t’ become irritated.

Since illness can have an impact on your child’s appetite, you may get some strange requests as a result of their cravings. Regardless, hot meals such as condensed soups are always a safe bet if you’re on a budget.

Doctor’s Orders

You should have an open dialogue with your doctor’s office in case anything seems off in terms of your child’s treatment or recovery. Strive to stick with your doctor’s orders but also consider having additional pain relievers or medicines on deck for the sake of your child. Simply make sure that nothing you offer your child has adverse drug interactions with their prescription medication (a quick Google search or conversation with your child can help you figure this out).

Fighting the flu requires a lot of patience and attention on your part; however, your child’s health should always be your number one priority. Do everything in your power to make your child comfortable and hopefully their symptoms will be gone sooner rather than later.

Filed Under: health Tagged With:

Best Romantic Getaways in Europe

November 23, 2016 by Leave a Comment

Europe has long been a mecca for couples in love. Splendid architecture, rich history, and mesmerizing atmosphere of European cities attract honeymooners and lovers from different countries of the world. If you can’t decide where to spend your romantic weekend, here is a list of the most atmospheric European cities compiled by marrybrides.com.

Venice, Italy

Venice is Italy’s most romantic city. It’s a great destination for a day trip. Built on the water, the city is a network of canals, so the best way to plunge into the local atmosphere is to take a gondola ride. This “floating” city is very popular among tourists and romantic couples, so you need to plan your trip and go there not in a high season. But a gondola ride is not the only thing to do in Venice. Contemplate beautiful architecture walking down its streets, get a bird’s eye view of the city from the tallest building in the city, and kiss standing on one of the city bridges.

Budapest, Hungary

Prepare your eyes and your camera because you’re going to see a lot of beautiful things in Budapest – a real pearl of Eastern Europe. Gothic architecture, cobblestone streets, medieval buildings, and old bridges will make you feel you traveled back in time or rather lost in a fairy tale. Visit the Castle District to get that fairytale feel among the turrets of Fisherman’s Bastion. Watch the sunset and steal a kiss standing on the Chain Bridge over the Danube.

Vienna, Austria

The capital of Austria can be also called the capital of waltz. Vienna will steal your heart at first sight and make you fall in love with your significant other once again. Grand palaces, elegant gardens, monumental streets, and the smell of coffee create a truly romantic atmosphere of the city. Don’t miss the chance to take a waltz dancing class and sip Viennese coffee.

Copenhagen, Denmark

In 2013, Copenhagen was voted as the happiest city in the world. It’s beautiful and romantic and it will make a great romantic getaway for your couple. The city is green and clean and one of the reasons for that is that most citizens use bicycles as a means of transportation. Visit the most popular Copenhagen’s attraction – the Tivoli amusement park, get a bit childish and believe in miracles. Wander about the city and find the Nyvahn Harbor and the street of the same name famous for its brightly painted houses. Rent Segways and get to the iconic statue of the Little Mermaid – the official symbol of the city.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Being nicknamed as the Venice of the North, Amsterdam is often considered to be even a better alternative to the Italian city. Narrow streets lined with elegant houses and neat trees invite you for a romantic stroll. Explore Amsterdam’s best museums and galleries, eat street food, rent a bicycle, and contemplate beautiful architecture reflected in the water.

Barcelona, Spain

If you’re looking for a place where to celebrate your anniversary, Barcelona is what you need. This seaside city will fascinate you with beautiful scenery, splendid architecture, and magical ambiance created by the sounds of Spanish guitar. The magic fountain and a spectacular flamenco show should be included in your must-see list.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: ,

Take advantage of furnace filters this winter

November 21, 2016 by Leave a Comment

pic3

FURNACE FILTERS – the unsung hero of effective central heating.

In this article, we’re going to figure out what a ‘furnace filter’ really does, how it effects the warmth and comfort of your house and whether all types of homes – including your apartment – needs them.
What is a furnace filter then?

Your furnace works by drawing in air, heating it up, and forcing the air back out to the central heating system around your house or apartment. With all the air coming in and out of it, it needs a filter to make sure it doesn’t clog up with dust and gunk.

The furnace filter protects the blower fan from all the dust and yucky bits that the furnace’s duct pulls in. Its job is not to clean and purify the air, as many people believe, but to remove contaminants and prevent the air-circulation of dust, and any other type of debris, in your home – very useful indeed.

Thanks furnace filter.

How do I maintain my furnace filter?

Every home should have a furnace filter. It’s vital in controlling the air quality of your home as well as the smooth running of your heating.

So, how do you maintain your furnace filter? Does it need to be changed? How often?

Your filter needs to be replaced as often as is necessary, and depends on your home environment. If you have pets who shed hair or family members with severe allergies, you will have to clean it out more often than if you don’t.

Changing your air filter around 4 times a years (without any pets or other special circumstances involved) is a safe bet we’d say. Again, this all depends on the type of filter you have and individual circumstances.

You can also vacuum and clean your filter as often as possible to increase its lifespan.

Worried about costs? Don’t be! Filters are cheap to replace – don’t fear – it’s not going to be a bank busting investment every few months when it’s time for a replacement.

Tip: When buying a new filter, make sure you know what type of filter you’re looking for! They come in a vast range of different shapes, sizes and qualities and you don’t want to come home with the wrong one!

Does my apartment need a furnace filter?

Yes. Every furnace needs a filter to run efficiently.

Some apartment complexes will do this for you… however, some won’t.

When moving into your apartment make sure not to overlook this and ask the landlord how your heater/air conditioner works. If there is a misunderstanding and no-one is looking after your furnace, your air-quality and heating efficiency is going to start heading south. Not only this, but it will also hit your bank balance! A poorly filter makes for a poorly, ill-running furnace that will have to work twice as hard to clean the air.

If your landlord is not involved with the maintenance of your furnace, don’t panic! It’s easy to do by yourself.

Just follow the tips provided above as a brief guide to furnace filter upkeep.

Hopefully we’ve shed some light on your filter furnace frets and concerns. For more tips from the top about heating and radiator upkeep and repair, whether it’s for trade radiators, or stylish radiators check out Designer Radiator Direct.
 

 

Filed Under: home Tagged With:

How Does the Sun Age Your Skin?

November 21, 2016 by Leave a Comment

We all love when the sky is a pretty blue with a scattering of puffy clouds and a heaping helping of bright sunshine. Many of our best memories are made outdoors. From early afternoon picnics to lazy days spent at the beach to fun outings at the park, sunny days are the best kind of days. However, in all the busyness of those fun times in the sun, sometimes we forget to protect ourselves from the sun’s rays. Here is a quick look at how the sun ages your skin and what you can do to protect yourself from that damage.

What are three signs that your skin may have aged due to sun exposure?

  • The first sign you may notice is loss of moisture in the skin. Skin that has been damaged by the sun often loses some of its moisture and essential oils. This results in skin that is dry and can be scaly or itchy.

  • Another sign that your skin has been damaged is sunburned skin. Skin that has been exposed to the sun for too long can redden and hurt. Not only is this sort of sun injury painful, but frequent sunburns can increase your risk of skin cancer.

  • A third sign that your skin has been damaged by the sun is an increase in wrinkles. Sun-exposure damages the elastin in your skin, making your skin sag and loosen. It is no longer as elastic and doesn’t spring back when stretched, which increases skin wrinkling.

What are some ways you can prevent your skin from aging prematurely?

  • Limit the amount of time you spend in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm, when the sun’s rays are at their strongest and most damaging.

  • Slather on the sun block. Choose a sun block with an SPF of at least 30. Also, be sure that your sun block is broad spectrum, which means that it doesn’t just protect against one type of the sun’s rays, but instead protects against both UV-A and UV-B rays.

  • Reapply sun block after swimming, toweling off or excessively sweating.

  • Don’t forget to protect your lips. Many lip balms now come with sunscreen in them. Choose one in a scent you like which will make reapplying often more enjoyable.

How can you minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles?

  • There are several ways to minimize the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Although injections are an option, many people prefer using a peptide cream both for its convenience and its exceptional results. Here is a website you can visit for more information on this type of cream and its benefits: http://eliteserumrx.com/anti-wrinkle-formula/argireline/ .

Now that you know how simple it can be to take good care of your skin and to prevent it from being damaged in the sun, you will be able to implement these ideas into your daily skin care regimen, which will give your skin a more youthful and glowing appearance that you’ll love.

Filed Under: beauty Tagged With: , ,