There are many great reasons to bring a dog into your life. They’re loving, loyal, funny and make great company. If you rescue a dog, you’re giving them the chance to live their lives in a warm and loving home and give them the attention they deserve. However, dogs can also be badly behaved, and if you neglect their care or their training, you could find yourself dealing with some serious damage to your furniture, your clothes and more. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your pooch happy in their home and keep your house in order. Read more about what you can do to protect your home from your dog with these useful tips.

Looking for a unique and interesting new party look? It can be a lot of fun to experiment with ethnic clothing pieces, and take inspiration from what women wear across the globe. If this is something you're looking to try, here are a few pointers for getting it right. 

Add some sparkle

Adding a bit of sparkle is the perfect way to make your party look stand out. You could go with sequins and embellishments, or materials like silk and velvet which glitter naturally. Otherwise, consider adding some ethnic style jewellery to a plain dress to give a nod to the style. Do some research into the country and dress and take inspiration from the kinds of pieces they wear. For example, in India sarees are popular, and you'll find people wearing them from festivals to religious ceremonies. While they're commonly seen in bright colours, you could go with a dark shade which is perfect for evening, and jazz it up with some sparkly accessories. 

Bright vs dark colours

Birthdays and festivals deserve bright colors because they represent happiness and celebration. If you are going for a birthday dinner, dress in bright casual clothes. In terms of Indian dress, something like a bright coloured kurti with heels would be perfect birthday dinner look. If you're looking for an outfit that fits a formal events like an office party then something like a dark coloured kurti with a lehenga skirt of a different colour would work well. 

Prints and patterns

In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about our over-obsession with beauty and vanity, but, let’s not forget Helen of Troy “the face that launched 1000 ships”. The story of the fiery Spartan princess may have been a myth. Yet, even back in 1200 AD women loved to be upheld as symbols of high standing female agency. So, even though the flattering selfie cameras the majority of us walk around with today may make it easier to capture beauty, that’s not to say it hasn’t been celebrated and held in high regard since the beginning of time. It’s just that women before had to depend on artists, musicians and sculptors to immortalise and capture beauty, and there were far fewer options when it came to accentuating beauty. Yet another interesting contrast to make is the connotations we draw from the word beauty. We think of cover girls, runway models and flawlessly striking beauty influencers. Thanks to our preconceived notions of beauty, our relationships we have with the term has become increasingly strained over the last few decades. Whilst the media and technology are undoubtedly to blame for our misconceptions around representations of beauty, it’s always interesting to look to the history of the term and the societal changes beauty has experienced. 

Beauty has always been part of our landscape, so we shouldn’t be all too surprised that beauty and the cosmetic industry are so dominant in the 21st century. A recent study by Statista stated that in December 2017 the cosmetic industry in the UK alone was worth 9.77 billion pounds. Whilst many people embrace the opportunity to enhance their own aesthetic, news of the market value hasn’t pleased everyone. There have even been multiple books published to documenting how our obsession with beauty is harmful to women and girls and we’ve become afflicted with ‘beauty sickness’, but you’ve got to ask, what’s the alternative? 

Beauty: What’s the Obsession? 

Everywhere we turn we are surrounded by cultural depictions of beauty. The songs we hear on the radio, the portrait paintings, the perfume ads. But it’s only when we capture and accentuate our own beauty or strive to a higher standard that a problem is perceived. But, it’s only natural in a society where beauty is worth it’s weight in gold that we will want to not only be surrounded by beauty, but to accentuate our own. If we take the Oxford English Dictionaries definition of beauty as “A combination of qualities, such as shape, colour, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight”. Beauty hardly seems like the common enemy to the population as it has been suggested, yet our relationships with the connotations of beauty have become toxic regardless. With more young women and girls suffering from body dysmorphia and eating disorders than ever before, it’s about time we got a healthier view of beauty. Yet, the new technologies which are being introduced every day may make that a little more difficult. 

The Technological Beauty Revolution

The high resolution, portrait-setting enabled cameras are only the beginning for the digitalisation of beauty. We are constantly moving closer to a world in which technology and beauty are inseparably entwined. Not only are we now getting to experience several game-changing new technologies, we are also seeing many other online and digital industries be inspired and accentuated by beauty. If you’ve been on Instagram or any other social network recently, you will have noted that there is a fair amount of people; mainly younger women and girls using apps such as Facetune. Facetune allows users to attain the airbrushed image which young women have been sold as a ‘beauty standard’ by the media for decades. Forgetting that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, users are able to remove their blemishes, whiten their teeth and even reshape their faces to achieve a professional editing finish. 

While some technological advancements are promoting unhealthy and unrealistic ideals upon young women and girls, there are plenty more apps which help beauty enthusiasts to engage with beauty brands. Unarguably the introduction of the technology by beauty brands was a bid to boost sales. Yet, that doesn’t mean users don’t get to have fun while interacting with the non-traditional channels which allow them to discover new and exciting products to boost their confidence. Augmented reality and artificial intelligence apps which allow you to test out make up before making a purchase are fun as well as informative. Online shoppers are now able to evaluate and buy products easily by only using their smartphone. Users will get to see how different beauty products will look with their complexion and skin tone by trying out different products from retailers. Whilst augmented reality may sound like something from a science fiction film, 75 of the top 100 beauty brands are now investing in the technology. Not wanting to be left behind in the digital revolution, brands such as Rimmel, Smashbox, Covergirl, Maybelline and many, many more are all keen to cash in on the novelty. 

So, whilst Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are helping to bring the beauty and cosmetic industry to a whole new level, we also see beauty influence in pretty up every digital aspect of our lives. Beauty has even come to influence Clover Casino. Whilst in the past traditional slot machines weren’t able to appeal to an individual’s aesthetic preferences, the evolution of the gaming industry ensures that players receive the visual experience we want. Online slot games such as Asian Beauty, Golden Goddess and Irish Eyes. Alongside the visual aspects of the beauty-inspired slots, you will also be able to immerse yourselves into different cultures along the way. With Asian Beauty, you get to sample the elegance and grace exhibited by the Emperor’s daughters as you’re transported to a whole new world. With Golden Goddess, players are able to lose themselves in the same way as they would reading a fantasy novel or watching their favourite Disney film. 

Who knows, maybe in the future we can look forward to a Helen of Troy-inspired slot game?

Choosing the right career is one of the biggest decisions you'll ever make in your life. It's even more frustrating for medical students who want to become doctors. Becoming a doctor is a long path that starts with four years of medical school. Wondering if medical school is for you? The following five signs will give you an idea if this path is right for you. 

You Understand the Commitment 

Some people expect four years of medical school to be easy while others think it's too difficult. Medical schools are highly selective for a reason. They're looking for the best candidates. If you did well enough in undergraduate school, then you're likely to succeed. If you work hard enough, you can graduate medical school. You have to keep in mind that medical school is a big commitment. You have to prep for the MCAT exam for an extended period of time. Most of your time should be committed to studying when you're outside of the classroom. Getting through medical school is not a race, it's a journey. It's the first step to a long process that is rewarding. This is especially the case if you choose to do a residency. Knowing what you're getting yourself into can help you prepare for medical school. 

You Have the Right Intentions 

As with any life-changing commitment, the right intention can have a positive impact on your medical school experience. If you want to go to medical school because your parents push you to become a doctor, then you're likely to set yourself up for failure and disappointment. Medical school is something you should desire. It's not something that you feel you should do. Another common misconception that brings people to medical school is the desire to become the best. The desire should become a doctor who makes a positive impact on others. Your reason for becoming a doctor shouldn't come from seeking someone's approval or impressing your family. Determine your core reasons for wanting to get into medical school. 

You Want to Volunteer 

Medical school is for you if you're interested in volunteering and helping others. Since the admissions process is extremely competitive, volunteering is one of the best ways to stand out among your competition. It shouldn't be seen as the ultimate goal of becoming a doctor. The reason why you want to volunteer is that you want to help patients and their families. Volunteering sounds boring to some people. Some students don't enjoy the idea of working for free. If this is the case for you, then you might not be ready for the healthcare industry. Caring about people's health as well as their pain can help you become committed during the most challenging phases of your medical school training. 

You Exhausted All of Your Options 

Maybe you had a desire to become a doctor, but you haven't considered the other career options. The only way to know if medical school is for you is to realize your options. This doesn't mean you have to think outside of the scope of healthcare. If you're interested in working in the healthcare sector, then you should look into other possible careers such as advanced nurse practitioner, emergency medical technician, medical technologist, and physicians assistant. All of these positions require less time in school and still have a strong job outlook. It doesn't hurt to research each of these careers to see if they would benefit you. 

You Have a Great Support System 

Support from your friends and family is enough to get you through medical school. Lack of support from your loved ones can prevent you from reaching success. That doesn't mean someone else's opinion should stop you from pursuing your dreams. If you and your family aren't the same page, this will only continue as your career thrives. 

Do your research about medical school and what it entails before you commit to it. Find out if it fits your wants and needs. Determine if you can see yourself becoming a medical student. Medical school is right for you if you're willing to inspire others.

Vowing to look after our finances is nothing new for most of us, every year we all make resolutions to be better with our cash. But sticking it out long term can be difficult, as we feel restricted or deprived cutting back on luxuries and the things that we like. Here are some of the ways you can improve your finances, but without a massive change to the way you live your life.

Reduce Bills

The most obvious place to start is with your bills. There are many ways that you can find ways to stop paying out so much money without having a negative impact on your day-to-day life. The first to consider is your utility bills. There is a good chance that you are paying out more for the running of your house than you need to and one way to combat those costs is by making the most of comparison websites. You see the adverts on the TV all the times for the likes of Compare the Market and Uswitch, and what their objective is to save you money. So the first suggestion is reduce your utility bills by making the most of the offers available elsewhere - also if you threaten to switch the company you are currently with might just offer you a better deal because customer retention is important to them. Utility bills are not the only regular outgoings that you can save money on. You should look at other expenses such as your mobile phone plan and TV commitments. Are you using all of the services you are paying for? Remember, you are looking to cut back on elements of your life that you don’t need in order to save money for the ones you enjoy. 

Use Money To Make Money

Saving money isn’t always the way for everyone. Some people are better off by making more money and that can be done with the cash you currently have. Investing your funds in places like the stock market or into startups can be beneficial to you in the longer term but also there are short term gains to be made. By conducting your own research online you will find there are plenty of bloggers and financial experts who are giving advice on how to use your money to boost your bank account. It might seem too good to be true, and sometimes it might be, but knowing that you can make some cash from careful investments is something a lot of people ignore through fear of losing out or not understanding. 

Consolidate

Being in debt is expensive, as each month you carry a balance, you're accumulating interest. Sometimes, the simple act of consolidating your debts can save you heaps of cash. Even if you don't have the best credit score, you could check out options like the UK's leading direct lender for Guarantor loans. Use the loan to pay all of your other debts, and close the accounts. Not only will you save money where you're not paying multiple interest rates, but it makes life simpler too- you only have one expense to pay rather than lots of different companies. 

While there's no magic pill that one may take to remain forever young, there are things that we can, fortunately, do to have youthful skin and prove that age is just but a number. Here are 15 natural ways to maintain beautiful and youthful skin

Go the balanced diet way

Your skin needs as many nutrients as the body to fight off any free radicals that cause skin cell damage. Free radicals often damage your skin's cell structure by breaking down collagen hence resulting in signs of aging. Incorporating foods rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients in your diet like spinach and blueberries prevents this by boosting your skin's ability to fight off the inflammation caused by these radicals. In a nutshell, a balanced diet incorporates all the nutrients that your skin needs, thus resulting in youthful skin.

Take in lots of water

Keeping your skin hydrated is the lifeline of having that wonderful youthful glow. Water usually flushes out toxins that cause acne build ups resulting in clear skin.

Get enough rest

During sleep, you give your skin and body a chance to repair and rejuvenate itself hence preventing dark under the eye circles and wrinkles.

Be active

It may not seem like it, but working out or exercising gifts you with beautiful glowing skin. It promotes proper circulation of blood, ensuring that the nutrients and oxygen are transported to all parts of your skin. Exercise also helps in flushing out acne-causing toxins when your sweat, resulting in flawless and firmer skin.

Make use of essential oils

Oils like lavender, Tea tree, Frankincense, Peppermint, geranium, and Lemon just to mention a few, boast of anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-microbial, and anti-bacterial properties which when combined help fight against any free radicals that cause aging to our skin. However, you should check this complete buyer guide before you buy essential oils to make sure that it is from a trusted brand as you will be applying it on your skin.

Don't be a sun worshipper

While Vitamin D is good for your skin, staying in the sun for long exposes your skin cells to the damaging UV rays which break down collagen hence causing it to lose its natural elasticity.

The start of the year is well underway and if you haven’t had a chance to start thinking about how you’re going to improve your business in 2019, now might be the time. While you can make changes to your business all year round, the start of a new year is a great time to jump on the motivation bandwagon and start making a real difference to the way you work. Whether you want to start focussing more on social media, you want to hire the first member of your team or you want to start renovating your office space - the changes you make in 2019 could make an incredible difference to the year you have. With that in mind, here are 12 ways to improve your business in 2019:

Set Goals You’d Like To Achieve In 2019

The first thing any entrepreneur should do at the start of every year is set themselves some goals they would like to achieve. These can be personal, monetary or absolutely anything you want - as long as they follow the SMART rule. This means they need to be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-Based. For more information about SMART goals and how to set them, you can visit this site here.

Create A Year-Long Detailed Business Plan

Once you have set your goals you can use these to create a year-long business plan. This will be a detailed month by month guide that allows you to reach the goals you have set. It will include time-frames, tasks you need to carry out and information on how you’re going to measure your achievements. Although it’s not necessary to create one, it’s one of the best ways to ensure you reach every single goal you have set. 

Hire Your First Team Member Or Expand Your Team

If you don’t have any team members, or you’re looking to expand your team, 2019 could be the year. Outsourcing tasks that you have to do on a regular basis is a great way to free up your time for the things that make you more money. If you already have a team but you’re finding you’re still completing tasks that are taking up too much of your time - perhaps it’s time to consider expanding?

Consider Redecorating Or Renovating Your Office Space

Whether you work from home or rent an office space locally, renovating this space could be exactly what you need. Whether it’s carrying out a deep clean, completely overhauling the look and feel or adding a few simple touches - you’ll be surprised at the difference it can make. For more information on the supplier of premium diamond polishing pads for deep cleaning, you can visit the website linked here. 

If You Haven’t Got An Office Space, Consider Renting One

If you’re finding it hard to work from home it may be time to start considering hiring out an office space, especially if you have team members that are now working for you. Office space is available to hire at affordable rates, however, if you are on a bit of a budget there is always the option to work from a co-working space a couple of days a week.

Go On A Course To Learn A New Skill, Or Expand On One You Already Have

It’s never too late to learn something new and if you feel it will help improve your business, there’s no better time to sign up for a course than at the start of the year. Lots of course creators will often start deals and promotions at the start of the year as it’s one of the most popular times for course signups. Take the time to work out what skills you want to improve, then do some research into the best courses out there. 

Consider Offering A New Product Or Service

If you had an incredible 2018 and you want to replicate that in 2019 then why not consider offering a new product or service? Create a product launch plan and get working on all of your fabulous ideas!

Expand Into A New Country

In accordance with the above point, if things are starting to go well it may be time to think about expanding into a new country. Whether that means shipping your products abroad, offering your services overseas or travelling to deliver training and presentations - conquering the world will be within your sights in no time!

Consider Your Social Media Strategy

If you haven’t already looked at your social media strategy, 2019 is definitely the year you need to add this to your list. Most teenagers, young adults and adults now use at least one form of social media so if you pinpoint the right strategy, you could be marketing your products to hundreds of new people every single day. If you don’t know where to start, consider hiring a social media consultant to help you out.

Start A Company Blog

If you don’t already have one, this year is definitely the year you need to start a company blog. Content is key when it comes to improving your websites SEO and if you want to show up in Google search results, this is absolutely vital. 

Work With Influencers To Increase Visibility

Although the world of influencer marketing may seem scary, once you know how to find authentic influencers in your niche, it’s super easy to implement! Having people that are influential within your target market test out and talk about your products and services is a great way to get your name out there, especially if you’re a brand new company. 

Think About How You Can Build A Community 

Building a community around your brand is a great way to ensure that your name is never forgotten, especially amongst your loyal customers. There are lots of different ways to start building a community out of your customers including starting Facebook groups, inviting them to join a members-only club or offering exclusive discounts to those who sign up to your newsletter. 

Are you looking to refresh your business in 2019? 

Alcohol poisoning can happen quickly, and can sometimes be difficult to spot- especially if you've been drinking yourself. It can be incredibly dangerous and even fatal if you don't seek medical help quickly enough. It's easy to get carried away on a night out, but would you know the signs and symptoms of alcohol poisoning if someone in your group started presenting them?

Dizziness 

The official location page of the rehab centre states that dizziness is one of the signs of alcohol poisoning. Most people that are drunk will be a little unstable on their feet, but falling over or being so dizzy that they can't get up isn't normal. If this is happening on a regular basis, it's worth considering rehab. 

They Act Sleepy 

It's not uncommon for people who are drunk to get home and fall asleep, however someone who is actively trying to drink more and is also acting sleepy should be stopped. It might be more than just drunken sleepiness, it could be that they are losing consciousness, and their body is breaking down. Be aware and watch over your friends, these symptoms are easy to miss if you are accustomed to people getting drunk and falling asleep around you. 

Intense Vomiting 

Most of us have woken up after an evening on the drink feeling (or being) sick. Alcohol is an irritant and irritates the stomach lining, along with changes in blood sugar levels, hormones being thrown out of whack and lack of sleep, its no wonder it can make us feel nauseous. However, extreme, intense vomiting should never be ignored. If they're vomiting before they even get to bed, you need to ensure they don't choke in their sleep. If they're unable to take in water the next day and still feel extremely bad, it's time to seek medical help. 

Inability To Speak 

Slurred speech might be common, but being so drunk that they're unable to speak properly or communicate isn't a good sign. If they're showing other symtoms of alcohol poisoning, get them down to the nearest A&E or all night clinic for help. 

Technological advancements are designed to make our lives simpler and this is never more the case than when it comes to technology that helps us to build a smart home. Not only can automation help reduce your workload but it can also have other benefits to your life, benefits which can keep you safer and reduce your bills. Read on to find out some of the ways that smart home technology can improve your life. 

You Can Lock & Unlock Doors With Your Presence 

Think about it, how many times have you left your home and struggled to remember if you actually locked the door behind you. A smart lock can keep you safe and give you peace of mind as it detects your presence and automatically unlocks the door on your approach and lock it behind you when you step outside the door. You can even unlock your door remotely, giving you the opportunity to let trusted people into your home if you need to. Your neighbour could go in and water your plants, or you could let your parents in if they arrive for a visit early. Take a look at some of the other benefits of smart locks. 

You Can Automate Your Lights & Control Them Remotely 

Smart lights can cut your energy bills and make your home more secure. You can, for instance, turn lights on when you are not at home to fool outsiders into believing there is someone present. This is known to be a useful tool in preventing break-ins. You can also set lights to turn off automatically as you leave the house, preventing you from leaving lights on by accident. You can read our post about setting up lighting to help you achieve the right aesthetic when you set up your own smart lighting. 

You Can Cut Spending On Your Energy Bills 

A smart heating system can be controlled remotely. This means that you can turn your heating down if you know you won't be home and thus save on heating costs. If you are not sure what you will need in order to set up a thermostat and smart home automation, you can always approach Creston London, experts in home automation systems. 

You Can Easily & Affordably Secure Your Home 

A home security system isn't just about locking doors and turning lights on when you are not home. With home automation, you could also make use of the ability to see who is outside your property at any time, make use of sirens should a door be opened unexpectedly and even get alerts, no matter where you are when someone rings a doorbell. There is no better way to keep your home safe and secure. Take a look at what smart home security systems can do. 

You Can Keep Your Family Safe… Even When You’re Not At Home 

A security system can also be brought inside the home to make sure that your children are safe. You can get alerts, for instance, if a medicine drawer is opened or if someone should enter an area that has dangerous elements within the home. You can also use cameras to know what your children are up to, even when you are not home.

There are certainly moments in the life of every company when you have to consider if the brand and image that you’re working on is working hard enough. If it truly reflects who you are and the values you represent in your industry. If you’re not sure if you need to change your business brand and style, take a look at these five pointers and ask yourself the hard questions.

1. You Don’t Feel Unique Anymore

How much can you honestly say you stand out from the competition? Are you coasting along with everyone else or is there something about your corporate image that really stands out? If you feel like you’re cruising along in the shallows with the rest of the competition then it’s time to make a drastic change and a rebrand could provide just the jumpstart you need.

2. Your Customer Has Moved On

And you haven’t quite managed to keep up with them. If you’re struggling to make real connections with your existing customer base then something has definitely changed. It might be that they’re getting a better deal elsewhere or that what you’re offering in terms of product or price just isn’t what this set of customers needs. It’s time to get some smart business know-how in to determine who you should be targeting and to stop chasing existing markets that don’t respond.

3. You Need To Up Your Costs

If people think they’re getting the same old product from the same company but paying more for it, they’re not going to be happy. When you need to up your costs and therefore your prices, it’s the perfect time to relaunch offering a whole new look and helping to reposition yourself as a market leader that’s worth paying extra for.

4. Your Products Have Moved On

Quite naturally as your business has grown so have your products and your services. If a new customer found you in a Google search they might just as easily scroll past you because your appeal isn’t at all obvious. To stop losing business in this casual manner, you need to rebrand and find a new and clever way of retaining something of the old while showing exactly who you are. If, for example you, manufacturer goods such as Agentdraw how are you selling your services?

5. You’re Out Of Step 

While everything around you has changed, you’ve kept your head down and ploughed on. While your products are sound they are considered old fashioned and are not reaching a younger market. Now’s the time to get that branding agency in to shake up your image and appeal to a new and willing set of customers.

Making the case for a rebrand can be an uphill battle, particularly if you have grown to love the image and values that are associated with your company. But very often growth does involve a certain amount of necessary change and when that need arises it’s time to grab that bull by the horns and get it done. 

When you talk to a lot of people, education can be quite a touchy subject. With many leaving school fairly early to pursue work, the element of life which involves learning tends to stop, and this will limit your scope to go further. Of course, it isn’t always easy to stay in school when there are bills to pay and you want to get on with life. This doesn’t mean that you have to avoid education entirely, though, with routes which can help almost anyone to boost their credentials and make their future brighter. To help you out with this, this post will be exploring one of the best examples of the paths you can follow.

The Research

This process has to start with a little bit of research, and this is the first hurdle which can halt your progress. To make it a little bit easier, you can find some examples of the sorts of areas you will need to figure out below, but it will also be worth spending some time thinking about it yourself, using your existing knowledge to renew your learning. There are more options than ever before when it comes to studying, and there are loads of different websites which can help you to understand them all.

The Subject

When you work too hard throughout the week, month, or even year, it is easy to get stressed which can really take its toll on your mental health. A relaxing day or two will bring everything back into balance, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvinated- ready to grab life by the horns.  The following are some of the effective ways to spend your relaxing day. 

1. Body Massage 

You could use a full body massage after a long day at work. It helps to reduce the tension in your muscles, as well as promote blood circulation. Massage parlors with great massage supply  items are everywhere. However, if you cannot make it to a massage spa, you can at least try to do it yourself. Get a non-sticky lubricant oil and massage your legs beginning at your toes all the way up to your calves. Afterwards, massage your hands starting from your fingers all the way up to your elbows. 

2. Get enough sleep 

After days waking up early to go to work and coming back late, you need to not set your alarm during a day off. This will give you enough rest and relax your mind and catch up on any sleep debt that's accumulated. Go to bed at your normal time, but wake up on your own without your alarm. 

3. Meditate 

Meditate to calm and revitalize your mind. It will help you to think clearly. If you don’t have time to go for extensive meditation, even a 10-minute meditation will refresh your mind. Find a quiet place and sit down on a floor or on a mat with your legs cross-legged. Align your back, neck and face on a straight line. Put your hands on your knees comfortable with your palms facing up. Then, breathe in and out three times. Feel the air as it gets in. Exhale slowly as you chant ‘OOM’ until the breath is out. As you chant ‘O’, feel the waves traveling through your navel, chest and then through the throat. Pause momentarily for 30 seconds before repeating. Do this three times and you will be good. 

4. Journal 

Write down your thoughts and feelings on paper to help to introspect and make sense out of a situation. It will also help if you include what you are grateful for to dispel negativity. Sometimes our mind can be cluttered and we can stress about things we're not actively aware of. Journalling brings everything to the surface, where we can work through it and make sense of it.

5. Music and visualization therapy 

Lighting scented candles and playing soothing music is a good way to start for a refreshing bath. The soothing music could be sounds of ocean waves. The music should be playing while you prepare to soak. Imagine yourself on a beach chaise partially immersed in the ocean water. Imagine your stress going away as the wave recedes. Feel the relaxation as it kicks in and enjoy the moment. This is one of the things you can do to fall asleep faster at night. 

6. Laugh 

Laughing out loud can make you feel good by slowing down the production of cortisol, a stress hormone. In response to the slow production of cortisol, the body will produce endorphins that will make you feel good. Laughter will help you cope with stress. Share funny anecdotes, read jokes, watch funny clips and other fun things that can make you laugh. 

7. Breathe the right way 

We breathe in a way that's fast and sharp when we're stressed. Relax yourself through slow and deep inhaling and exhaling without jerks. Relaxation for the mind will kick in when you let your stomach inflate when you inhale and deflate when you exhale out slowly. Let inhaling be your inlet for a new refreshing dawn and exhaling be your outlet of emotions. 

8.  Do Yoga 

Yoga lowers stress in your mind and relaxes and tones your body. It will promote your emotional well-being. It involves poses that allow for a good circulation of blood full of oxygen. Common yoga poses that have proved to be very effective include Downward Dog and the Seated Forward Bends. The Corpse Pose will give you the relaxation for the mind you are looking for. Whether you are at home, at work, or traveling, yoga is there to relieve you from stress. Learn how to relax with yoga and lead a stress-free lifestyle.

One of the most significant trends in 2018 was one we could all get behind – slowing down your life. We are so connected and have so many responsibilities today that cutting out the excess and focusing more on the things we truly love is great for everyone. Slowing down allows you to be more relaxed, it saves you money and, of course, means you can connect more with the things and people that mean the most to you. Let that trend continue into 2019, and follow this guide to enjoy more of your everyday life. 

The Power of Slowing Down Your Life 

From enjoying experiences you love that much more to reducing stress in your everyday life, there are so many benefits to cutting down on what you do every day and instead picking up more meaningful activities. 

Reputation matters no matter which line of business you enter. If you make a bad name for yourself at any stage on your business journey, you can bet it’ll come back to bite you in a significant way. In fact, you may start to see business slip the moment customers have a bad word to say about you. Left unchecked, this could even lead to the end of your hard-earned dreams. Hence why business owners work so hard at perfecting their image and getting customer service right.

Managing real estate

Sadly, in fields like real estate, this becomes a difficult thing to manage despite all your best efforts. Even with all the licensing and sales training in the world, your reputation could be in jeopardy. Why? Because you aren’t as in control as you might like. After all, you primarily rely on landlords and vendors to keep your company ticking over. And, that in itself can spell disaster. The sad fact is that neither landlords nor vendors care all that much about your reputation as a company. Why should they? You may be able to provide them with a service, but there are plenty of others like you who could do the same. As such, they may not think twice about misbehaving or leaving a bitter taste in YOUR customer’s mouths. And, guess who that’s going to reflect poorly on? You, of course. That said, this is a tricky issue to work around. To some extent, your landlords and vendors are your customers as well. As such, trying to alter their behaviour or call them up on issues still isn’t going to help your cause. It's a tricky situation and one which leads to the downfall of countless real estate efforts.

Check, check, check those credentials

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that you need to check the credentials of any landlord or vendor. In fact, anti-laundering checks are a legal requirement on anyone you’re considering doing business with. Legalities aside, checks can also secure your reputation. By using something like the KYC check offered by Credas, you can get a thorough understanding of every potential client. You’ll be able to verify identity and get a handle on credit history. All the better for ensuring everyone on your books upholds your business ethics. 

Take a more active role

Some estate agents are all in while others choose to take a backseat. Some let vendors show clients around while others insist on doing so themselves. Newsflash; if you want to keep your reputation intact, you should be as active as possible. That means hosting viewings yourself, and even taking care of any rental properties. Your clients will appreciate your taking the responsibility off their hands. You, in turn, can make sure that every interaction ends how you would like. Never again will any outside source hold your reputation in their hands.

For a lot of businesses, the warehouse sits right at the center of it all. Without a well run warehouse, you're going to find yourself running into all sorts of problems. You're not going to be able to provide customers with quick and well-organized shipments, which can lead to some serious dissatisfaction and complaints. Not only that but if your warehouse isn't being run as efficiently as possible then you're going to have a much harder time keeping track of your inventory. These sorts of problems might not seem like the most crucial things in the world at the time, but they can have a hefty negative impact on your business a little way down the line. So, with that in mind, here are a few ways that you make your warehouse more efficient, for the good of your entire business.

Reduce your inventory

One of the biggest ways that a business can turn their warehouse into a disorganized mess is simply to fill it with far too much stock. By adopting a leaner approach to your inventory, you'll be able to create a neater, more organized environment. Make sure that you pare down your inventory to precisely what you need and nothing more. If you have a product which you send out regularly, then have your suppliers deliver smaller amounts more frequently, rather than filling your warehouse with safety stock. This way you not only make it easier to keep track of everything but you also avoid filling your warehouse with stock that you're unable to sell.