Thursday, August 29, 2019

6 Office Design Ideas



Many people resent stepping foot into their office. For those who work from home or those who just need to get some work done, it’s merely a room that houses a computer and some documents. In order to really enjoy spending time in your office, it’s a good idea to make it a place that you want to spend time in. Create somewhere that helps you focus, but somewhere which is a space you would happily enjoy a cup of coffee in. Below are a few ideas to help you create an office that really works for you.



1.    The double-up


If you live in a small home, you might resent the idea of devoting a specific part of your home to your office equipment. After all, in a small house, each room should feel comfortable but functional. Installing a murphy bed is just one way of doing this. By adding a subtle desk and reading area, with a discrete fold-out bed, your office can turn into a sophisticated bedroom in a matter of seconds. This is ideal if you regularly have guests staying over.



2.    Book-shelf feature wall


If you strongly disagree with Marie Kondo’s assertion that your books should be handed into a second-hand shop when not used, then it’s time to make the most of your collection. If your office just wouldn’t be an office without plenty of books, then turn bookshelves into a feature wall installment. Break up sections with decor, ornaments, and plants to help create a breathable space.



3.    Laptop tray


Finding a desk with a laptop tray is one of the most discrete ways of keeping your office tidy. Being able to conceal your laptop leaves room for either a desktop computer or other gadgets on your desk. It can also be used to hide all manner of paperwork, or maybe even your phone and tablet devices.



4.    Think outside the box


Wheeled chairs may be the norm in traditional offices, but do you necessarily need one in your home office? Do you even need a traditional-style desk to work from? Thinking outside the box can result in your having a truly eye-catching office that inspires the urge to work, or even creativity.



5.    Unique plant-life


No matter how hard we try to avoid it, specific plans will always remind us of corporate offices. However, houseplants always help brighten up the atmosphere and keep the air clean. Whether it’s a spider plant or a tall Yucca plant, it’s a good idea to find something that doesn’t remind you of your first job. Go to your local garden center and find something that’s unique but easy to look after.



6.    Statement lamp


Light is an incredibly important feature of a happy office. Having enough light to work by and create an open atmosphere will make you much more likely to want to spend your time in your office. Choosing a chic and trendy statement lamp is an easy way of doing this.



Designing a home office should not be all about pragmatism. Designing a space that is creatively stimulating and comforting to be in will make you far more productive. Choosing artwork and features that appeal to you will make it feel like your own personal study.

Advice For Helping Someone Addicted To Prescription Drugs



There is currently a prescription drug epidemic in the USA with astonishing numbers of people becoming addicted to prescription drugs. This can very easily happen to someone, and more and more people are finding that they know someone who is battling addiction, which can be awful to watch. If you know somebody that is abusing prescription drugs, then it can be hard to know what to do because it is an incredibly sensitive issue yet one which is crucial to tackle. So, what can you do about this? There are a few key steps to take, and each should put you on the right path to help the one you love to overcome their problem.



    Understand Addiction



First, you need to understand addiction because it is highly complex. You should also be able to recognize the signs of drug abuse, and these can vary depending on the type of drug being used. Before you take any action, you should spend time researching addiction and the particular drug so that you have a better idea of what they are going through.



    Offer Support



Many people who are suffering from an addiction to drugs do not reach out as they fear that they will be shamed or judged. It is for this reason why it is vital that you reach out and offer your support to them and express your concerns. They may react negatively, but it is essential that you say something before they hit rock bottom (which can make it much harder to recover). You should speak to them in private when they are sober and make sure that they understand that you are coming from a place of love.



    Encourage Them To Get Help



It is likely that there will be denial or reasons why they can’t seek treatment, but you need to be persistent without shaming them (it is a good idea to practice what you want to say beforehand and plan for every reaction). It is a good idea to have already researched an outpatient drug rehab treatment center which you can look at together.



Support Them During Their Recovery



There is a lot of focus placed on how you can help someone to seek recovery for addiction to prescription drugs, but this is only the start of their journey. You must also be there for them throughout their recovery, as there are sure to be a few challenging days where they need to be able to rely on their support system. Stay involved as much as possible to show that you are there for them and help them to take steps which will allow them to rebuild their life without drugs after they have finished their treatment.



The prescription drug epidemic in the USA is worrying, and most people now know someone who is or was battling addiction. It is difficult to know what to do in this situation as it is incredibly sensitive but also important that action is taken. These are the main steps to take, which should put the person on the right path to recovery and a life without drugs.

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Tackle-It Tuesday: Linen Closet Door Organizer

Every Tuesday, I tackle a different project around my home that's been bugging all of us!

We were spoiled in our previous home of 17 years with a huge linen closet in our main bathroom, so big the kids could even hide in it for hide-n-seek. I longed for a closet that was NOT in the bathroom so people could grab things they needed without having to wait for someone to get out of the bathroom.

Then we moved to THE DREAM HOUSE and have a cute little hallway linen closet. The challenge is that it is not deep and the shelves are not wide.

Here's a BEFORE picture of our entire linen closet. I feel like we have fewer toiletries and medicines than a lot of people do, but still it's an unorganized mess no matter what I do. Looking for allergy medicine results in everything getting knocked over.

Monday, August 26, 2019

Can't Sleep Because Of Insomnia?



Your body and mind need enough rest so that they can function optimally. The most effective way of providing your body and mind with this rest is through having enough sleep. But there are a lot of people who do not get adequate sleep because of different reasons. Some are too busy that they only have a few yours to sleep. Others suffer from insomnia where despite going to bed and trying to sleep they are unable to sleep. If you suffer from insomnia you will feel fatigued even during the day because your body and mind will not have had ample rest. This makes it paramount to know the most ideal ways of dealing with being unable to sleep or having irregular sleep. So, can’t sleep because of insomnia? Here are some of the most helpful solutions that can help you deal with insomnia.

Getting the Right Bed and Mattress

The condition of your bed and mattress plays an important role in determining the quality of sleep you get. If you sleep on a bed which makes you uncomfortable you will not be able to sleep properly and you might even wake up at night because of the discomfort. Therefore, you should ensure you sleep in a good mattress which is optimally comfortable and can support your body properly. SleepingCulture provides information about type and brand of perfect mattress – check out their website.

Regular Sleeping Time

To avoid insomnia you should also try to have regular sleeping time. This means that you should have a habit of sleeping at certain time at all the times. Sometimes we get too busy and find that we are sleeping too late. It is advisable to try and be organized so that you can finish what you are doing early to get time to sleep. When you have regular sleeping hour your body will get used and as a result you will be able to sleep without struggling. Check out the Ultimate Bedtime Wind-Down Routine!

Eating Habits

It is also advisable to avoid eating too much food before going to bed. This is because this will affect your body and you will not be able to sleep comfortably. Furthermore, you should ensure you finish eating at least one hour before going to bed. The importance of this is that the one hour will give your body enough time to digest the food you eat and this will allow you to sleep comfortably. If possible you can also eat the kind of foods that are known to enhance sleeping and at the same time avoid stimulants and other foods that prohibit sleeping such as coffee.

Good Sleeping Environment

While going to bed it is also important to ensure that you are in an environment where you can sleep easily. You should ensure there is no noise that can prevent you from sleeping. You should also ensure that the temperatures of your bedroom are ideal for sleeping. Furthermore, you should dim or completely switch off the lights while going to bed. The importance of this that the environment you sleep on plays an important role in determining how you sleep.

 Avoiding Sleeping During the Day

Most of us love sleeping during the day especially after lunch. This will prevent you from sleeping properly at night. The body will already be relaxed and therefore at night it will not need a lot of rest. Even if you are fatigued during the day you should try to persevere until at night. If you wait until it is sleeping time your body will require resting and as a result you will sleep properly.

Avoiding Stress

The mind plays an important role in determining how well you sleep. If your mind is distracted by stress you will find it hard to fall asleep. This makes it paramount to avoid situations that might stress your mind. In case you have a lot on your mind you can try different ways of relaxing your mind such as counting a thousand to one backwards. Such things will take your mind away from the stressful thought and as a result you will be able to sleep easily.

It is evident that insomnia is a condition which affects many people. But as outlined there are different ways of dealing with this particular issue and ensure you sleep properly. Most of these things such as getting the right mattress are simple and they will not cost you a lot. If you do the outlined things you will realize that you are able to sleep properly in a comfortable manner. Therefore, if you cannot sleep because of insomnia there are different things as outlined you can do to enhance the quality of your sleep.

Meeting Success - How To Properly Prepare Your Next Business Meeting

 

Business meetings are an integral part of day-to-day life for office workers throughout the world. Preparing and presenting in front of peers, management, or even clients takes up a great deal of your working day. It is critical that you know how to be efficient and organised to avoid wasting your colleagues and your own time. 

If you are a flexible or remote worker you may need some tips on how to effectively prepare for your next business meeting. Whether you are doing an internet search for meeting rooms near me to try to set the stage for your meeting or if you could benefit from some timeless wisdom for maximising productivity during meetings, you are sure to appreciate the points outlined here.

Let’s look at some of these tips and best practices to ensure that you are fully prepared for your next business meeting.

Know Your Audience


Regardless of the purpose of your next business, it is essential to know the names and roles of everyone who will be in attendance. First impressions make a big difference and using someone’s name when addressing them will make you memorable and will also get people to pay attention to what you want them to hear.

If you are presenting in front of existing or potential clients, learn everything you can about them and their business. Make it personal too, do not give a presentation that is geared towards everyone. Tailor your content to make it relevant for the people in the room.

Know Your Industry / Market


If you are immersed in a particular niche or industry, it is critical that you know the ins-and-outs of the field as well as contemporary developments taking place within it. Knowing what is going on will give you an authoritative presence and help you to be taken seriously by your team and by your clients. 

Prep The Location


Having a high-quality location to hold your business meeting can make or break the atmosphere of your proceedings. Especially if you are a flexible or remote worker, make sure to secure a meeting space with a premium provider. Doing so will guarantee that the space is ready to go when you arrive and will be complete with the furnishings and aesthetic décor to set the stage for your success.

These providers also know that the best meeting locations are easy to find and access. For this reason, you will find the best pay as you need meeting spaces in central business and financial districts which are close to central transportation routes.

One more thing to consider is the type of room to use for your meeting. Make sure that you are using your chosen space effectively to set the right tone for your meeting, whether that be in a boardroom, meeting room, or private office space.

Set A Schedule


Having a list of what you want to accomplish during your meeting and how much time to spend on each task or point is essential. This will help you to keep a consistent flow throughout your meeting without wasting time sorting through what to do next. Make sure to be realistic with your time management and leave some room for flexibility.

Take The Time To Prepare


As the saying goes, those who fail to prepare, prepare to fail. While it can take a great deal of time to prepare yourself for an important meeting, it can make all the difference to your success. While more casual and informal meetings will not always require the degree of preparation suggested above, be sure to keep these tips in mind when the matter at hand is significant for your business.