Photo by Sava Bobov on Unsplash
It might be a while before you decide to get back on a plane, but there are many people already thinking about when they will get the chance to travel again. Throughout lockdown, there are were stories about people using their time to learn a new language. Of course, that will become handy if they decide to go on vacation in a different country.
If you found yourself taking this step, it could be a great way of starting 2022. However, learning a new language can seem like a daunting task at first, but the benefits of learning a new language are endless - be it social or professional.
In addition to this, you can learn about new cultures and find yourself with an edge over other foreigners for employment opportunities if you choose to live in any of these countries. So, if you're thinking about traveling, here are five languages you may want to learn before you travel to these countries.
Japanese
Japan is a great place that is filled with culture and history that spans generations. Since the rest of the world has been exposed to Japanese culture through popular culture, there are many people who are interested in visiting the beautiful country. While some people in Japan do speak English, it is suggested you learn some Japanese if you decide to visit.
This is because it will be a lot easier for you to learn Japanese customs and social prompts that will help to make your stay a relaxing one.
Swedish
Sweden is one of many great countries that make up Scandinavia. Visitors who want to experience Swedish with its icy ski slopes and rich culture may find it easier to do so by learning Svenska. While Swedish is another country where a large majority of its citizens know English, most signs and many products and people still use Swedish, so knowing the language will come in handy.
With so much beauty and northern history for you to experience, if you're interested in learning Swedish before your vacation, It's worth it. It's fun and will help you feel more at home during your trip!
Korean
South Korea has made the biggest impact in recent years, with the world falling in love with its music, food, and culture. This love of South Korea has blossomed into more people learning about the culture and its language. South Korea stans can Learn Korean with Memrise or other language apps. So they can easily understand not only the people but their favorite K-pop song or K-Drama whether they decide to visit the beautiful country or not.
French
France is one of many countries in Europe that is popular among tourists. Many people visit France each year to experience the culture, history, and art as well as the easy-going ambiance of the French people. Learning French can make your visit even more pleasurable, and you can enjoy your vacation.
These are just a few languages that you may want to learn before visiting their countries of origin. You could learn these languages to make your visit more immersive or expand your chances of getting work if you decide to move to these countries.
*This is a collaborative post*
Running a family can be expensive. In fact, it can be really expensive. Most months you find that more money is going out than coming in, making you wonder where it’s all going.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this, but it requires getting smart about how you’re spending money. You need to let go of any frivolity and simply focus on what matters.
Feeling confused? Don’t be. In this post, we take a look at some essential tips for keeping your family bills to a minimum.
Go Thrifting
Thrifting sounds like something from the 1930s - and it is. But it is also one of the best ways to get the things you need at stunningly low prices.
Thrifting is basically all about finding items in good condition and discount prices. You can do this for practically anything - from cars to grocery shopping.
Thrifting is the perfect solution for families with growing children. Often, you can kit them out with donated clothes instead of buying them new at the store.
Get Smart With Home Energy Usage
The energy efficiency of appliances is much improved compared to where it was ten years ago. Manufacturers have really found excellent ways to reduce energy usage and slash bills.
Lighting has changed a lot too. Alexa smart bulbs, for instance, use LED technology and let you control them remotely. You can also tell Alexa what color or style of lighting you want and she will oblige. Using smart lights in the correct manner will help to cut your energy bills tremendously.
Negotiate With Your Service Providers
Have you ever noticed that your utility and service provider bills seem to go up every year? If you have, you’re not alone. Companies will do whatever they can to raise your bills over time. That way, they can earn a premium.
Falling into this trap, though, isn’t inevitable. There is always room to negotiate. Just look online for cheaper prices and then threaten your current provider with switching to a cheaper tariff. Usually, they will put you on a better deal - even if it might not quite be as good as the cheapest on the market. This way, you can stay with the same company, eliminating the hassle of moving.
Go To A Discount Grocer
Many people go to the same stores over and over again out of habit. But are they getting the best prices? Usually not.
Some people don’t like the idea of going to budget stores because they think that they will get lower-quality produce. This, however, isn’t always true. If you inspect the packaging, you often find that it is identical to that of the premium stores. So by shopping at discount outlets, you aren’t sacrificing anything in terms of quality.
Make A Family Budget Together
Family expenses can soon add up. That’s why it is such a good idea to budget together so that you can work out what you really want. This process is helpful for children who don’t understand the idea that if you spend on one item, you forgo the ability to buy another.
*This is a collaborative post*
There are all sorts of reasons why you might feel nauseous. It might be something that you ate or it could be caused by illness. A lot of people also feel nausea as a side effect of taking medications, especially antidepressants. This can be a big problem because you need to keep taking your medication but the nausea gets in the way. Taking more medication on top of what you are already taking may not be a good idea, so you should look for natural alternatives instead. These are the best natural remedies for dealing with nausea caused by medication.
Image From Pixabay CCO License
Ginger
Ginger is a natural, spicy root that has been used to cure nausea for centuries. The simplest way of making use of ginger as a treatment for medication-induced nausea is to eat some pickled ginger right before or shortly after taking your medication. You can also make a simple ginger tea to drink whenever you are feeling sick.
Peppermint
Peppermint oil is another natural way to treat nausea caused by medication. The easiest way of using peppermint oil for this purpose is to take a few drops under the tongue every time you feel sick. If that isn't effective enough, try making some peppermint tea and drinking it until the feeling has passed.
CBD Oil
Cannabidiol oil, or CBD oil, is a natural alternative to prescription medication for nausea. It is made from marijuana that has been used in many studies as an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting related to taking medications. CBD oil is non-psychoactive, so it doesn't have the same effect as marijuana. You can purchase CBD oil online for a reasonable price and try it for yourself to see if you get results.
If you don't like the idea of using oil underneath your tongue, you can get CBD in all sorts of other forms, like edible gummies. These are often a better option because they are easier to administer.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a natural, inexpensive way to help relieve nausea. Try drinking one or two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with water when you feel sick. You can also add some honey to make the drink more palatable. People often use apple cider vinegar before eating too because it improves digestion and prevents any nausea and bloating.
Try Alternative Medications
Always speak to your doctor before making any changes to your medication routine. If you feel sick every time you take a certain kind of medication, ask if there are other options available. It is possible that what you have been prescribed isn't the best option for you and something else might suit you better without making you feel nauseous after taking it.
Make sure you get enough rest and drink plenty of water throughout the day. Taking medication doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your health, but if nausea is a side effect that bothers you, try out one of these natural remedies for dealing with it. They are cheap, effective, and readily available at most grocery stores.
It’s amazing to think of how we might take our kitchens’ for granted simply because we’re used to using them daily, but really, they’re quite incredible we’re very lucky to have them. Having a place where you can use the appliances you have gathered to craft any meal you wish to, making sure that you eat well, and bringing together a range of stored spices, herbs and ingredients to help you experiment as a home cook is not something that so many people enjoyed in times past.
Yet it’s also true that kitchens, especially family kitchens, have a habit of getting a little bit dishevelled if we don’t keep control over them. Furthermore, a lack of structure in the kitchen can translate to a lack of wanting to plan meals throughout the week, which can, of course, make us feel lethargic about cooking healthy, instead encouraging us to make simple meals from the freezer or ordering takeout as necessary.
So how do you improve the organization of your kitchen, bit by bit? Let’s focus on that in this post:
Racks & Shelving Units
Racks and shelving units can make a big difference when it comes to putting together your odds and ends for cooking. Not every ingredient you have will want to be placed in the food cupboard or refrigerator, especially if you’re a home cook who enjoys having access to everything they need quite quickly, or if you use a lot of natural and raw ingredients like freshly chopped herbs.
A spice rack is the obvious first choice, sitting near your countertop, this can provide an immediate means of adding flavor and getting the best out of foods. You may even want to purchase baskets to store eggs, or hooks in the side of a cupboard you can hang cloves of garlic from. A few shelves for mason jars of flour and other raw ingredients can help you. Having these items nearby but not necessarily taking up countertop space can be healthy, because it gives you the visual apparatus needed to make a good meal. No one ever said a kitchen needed to look like a clinical environment.
Labels Can Help
Perfecting the art of labels will improve your organisation tenfold. Of course, that’s not to say that you’ll need to label certain packaged goods or obvious goods. You don’t need to write ‘egg’ on all your eggs in sharpie.
But it can be helpful to label goods placed in plastic boxes and Tupperware, leftover ingredients, and stored or frozen meals with what they contain and how long they’re good for. This way, you don’t need to root around in the fridge with no idea of what you have in there or what might be good to eat. Just having a little roll of labels nearby and a pen or two is all you need.
Playing Tetris In A Freezer/Refrigerator
Good news! You don’t need to bring out your phone or your old game boy to play Tetris anymore, you can do that in your freezer and refrigerator! Learning the storied art of placing boxes, packaged goods, and tubs of food on top of one another is an art, and you’ll economise on space if you do this.
That said, it’s not just about filling your freezer or refrigerator as full as can be, but making sure that makes some kind of organizational sense. Putting certain items together, using a shelf dedicated to leftovers, one for dairy products, separating raw and cooked meat, and making sure your side shelves make some kind of sense can be helpful. Think like a chef caring for their kitchen stock, thankfully, you only have one refrigerator to worry about here when they have a good few. When using replacement parts for your Frigidaire appliances, you can also make sure this appliance lasts for a long time.
Rotate Your Stock
Rotating your ‘stock’ can be a healthy way of thinking about your kitchen. Bringing older stored items to the front of your ‘to eat’ planning and physically nearer the front of your storage areas can help you make sure that in the long run, you’ll eat most of what you buy, or at least you’ll know what’s in your cupboards.
This can help you avoid coming across a jar of capers or spices you haven’t used for five years when needing to clear space.
With this advice, you’re sure to improve the organisation of your kitchen for the better, bit by bit by bit.
*This is a collaborative post*
When you don’t fancy the gym there are plenty of ways that you can work out at home. Admittedly, it does take a little bit of self-disciple! To help you feel motivated, let’s explore some tools and tips to improve your workout regime.
Home workout tools
1 . Freeletics
Looking for the perfect app to work out from home? Using Freeletics you can access personalized workouts to support your fitness regime. The app focuses on HIIT workouts and includes a digital personal trainer. Freeletics uses a holistic approach, focusing on both self-development and fitness. First, you can input your fitness preferences, your level, and your goals, from here, the AI personal trainer will put together an exercise plan.
With Freeletics there are 20 different training journeys to choose from. Each journey focuses on a different aspect of fitness. Whether you like weights, body weight exercises, or running, Freeletics can help you to create the perfect regime.
2. Open Fit
Using the OpenFit app, you can stream plenty of different classes, app users can choose from Pilates, Tabata, yoga, weightlifting, HIIT, running, and Barre. The app also helps you to create a nutrition program, and set fitness goals. There are lots of features to try including a fitness community, exercise challenges, and meal tracking.
With Open Fit you don’t need equipment, you can practice these workouts from home, using just your iphone. Fancy practicing kickboxing, stretch classes, or weights? With Open Fit you can try all these and more.
3. Alo Moves
Looking to practice yoga from home? Alo Moves provides thousands of fitness videos, including different yoga styles and mindfulness exercises. You can explore many different styles, including Kundalini, Restorative, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, or Hatha. The app also includes Barre, Pilates, Core Workouts, and HIIT Workouts.
Need a few mindfulness exercises to calm your mind? Here you can choose from breathwork, guided meditation, yoga Nidra, sound baths, and more. Alo Move allows you to search based on difficulty, style, or time frame. There are lots of benefits to using Alo Moves such as:
Expert instructors to inspire you.
New classes are added every day.
A supportive online fitness community.
You can track your progress.
4. Equinox+
Using the Equinox+ app you can stream classes in a variety of different styles. You can stream classes directly from Equinox, as well as Precision Run, PURE Yoga, and Headstrong. There are plenty of different classes to choose from, and you can set preferences based on your level and favorite activities.
Set challenges, collect badges and work towards your fitness goals. App users can sync Equinox with Apple Health, to view biometric and heart rate data.
5. 8fit
8fit is a top fitness app and digital personal trainer. The app offers short workouts, meal plans, and goal setting. The 8fit app focuses on non-equipment workouts, these workouts focus on using your own strength. All of the workouts are for 5-20 minutes, so you don’t need to set aside lots of time. Take advantage of all the benefits, including:
Customized diet plans and meals.
Which foods to avoid.
Take a fitness assessment to find our level.
A range of different options from HIIT to aerobics.
6. Seven
Want to make your fitness regime more fun? Then you need the 7 Minute Workout app. These workouts are based on HIIT training, you complete just 7 minutes per day, to build up your fitness levels over time. There are so many advantages of using Seven, such as:
You don’t need any equipment and can work out wherever you like.
The app allows you to compete with your friends.
Design your own workouts tailored to your needs.
Work with fun personal trainers, whether it’s the Cheerleader or the Drill Sergeant.
7. Big Fit Girl
The Big Fit Girl is an inclusive app, designed for anyone who feels a bit ‘intimidated by mainstream fitness.’ If you’re looking for a body-positive app, this is the resource that you need. There are plenty of workouts to choose from, whether you want high-intensity or chair workouts. Check out features like:
Try assisted chair workouts.
Workouts for beginners or intermediate.
Easy to use at home.
Access the VIP group on Facebook.
You can stream workouts when you’re offline.
8. Dance Body Live
If you’re looking for a dance workout from home, check out Dance Body Live. These workouts combine dance cardio and toning stretches, to provide the ultimate fitness experience. There’s a schedule of live classes, streamed from the DanceBody studios in NYC studios. Dancing for exercises has so many benefits, including:
A fun workout that’s accessible for many levels.
Dancing is a great activity to boost endorphins.
Choose from a range of styles, from disco to hip hop or salsa.
9 . Aaptiv
Apativ provides workouts in many different categories, including race training, strength training, yoga, elliptical, and more. New classes are added each week and you can choose depending on your fitness level and interests. The app helps you to set fitness goals, and track your progress over time. There are plenty of HIIT training programs to help you build muscle, lose weight, and burn calories.
Home Work Out Tips
1 . Use everyday objects
When you’re working out from home, you don’t need lots of fancy equipment. There are plenty of unusual uses for everyday items! You can use everyday items to workout, including:
Backpacks: Fill your backpack with heavy items, you can use canned foods or books. Wear the backpack while performing lunges, pushups, or squats. As with any weight training exercise, you’ll need to be mindful of your limits.
Towels: Don’t have a yoga mat? You can just as easily use a towel in the meantime. Beach towels are particularly useful if you want to practice yoga outside.
2. The right space
To improve your home workout regime, you’ll need to create the right space. Remove the clutter and ensure that you have enough room to move. Ensure that the space is well ventilated and that you have your equipment close by. You don’t need to invest in equipment, (but some people prefer to). Whether it’s a treadmill, an exercise bike, or a rowing machine, choose whatever you feel will improve your workout.
3. Make a schedule
To motivate yourself, it can be handy to create a schedule. Give yourself a designated time frame to work out, whether it’s daily, or weekly. When you’re creating a schedule, it’s important to be realistic. Don’t over-promise yourself. If you only have ten minutes to work out a day, that’s fine!
4. Set goals
It can be useful to set fitness goals, to help you progress. You might set weight loss goals, stamina goals, or training goals. Perhaps you’re looking to train for a marathon, or build up your endurance? Whatever your goals are, ensure they are clear and motivational. It can help to use an exercise journal. You can use an exercise journal to keep track of your progress and monitor your goals.
5. Remove distractions
When you’re working out from home it’s important to remove distractions. Turn off the TV, put your phone away, and find a quiet space. It’s easy to get distracted, which is why working out from home can be tough. Once you get into a routine, you’ll soon develop good habits.
With any luck, these simple tips and tools will help you to improve your home workout and keep fit. To improve your physical and mental health, a great workout routine is the key.
*This is a collaborative post*