Your Guide to Eco-Therapy at Home

Image by Valiphotos from Pixabay

Eco-therapy is also known as green therapy or nature therapy and is a relatively new field of psychology. It is based on the theory that people are connected to the natural environment and that investing in their relationship with nature can have a positive impact on our wellbeing. Eco-therapy is a general term for a variety of approaches to intervention and healing, which are based in nature. Some types of eco-therapy are delivered via a therapy group or under the guidance of a mental health professional, but there are several which can be undertaken by individuals at home. 


For example, in addition to the therapy itself, spending time in the sunlight, around trees, plants, and wildlife while breathing fresh air has been found to have a positive effect on mental and physical wellbeing and promotes creativity, positivity, productivity and calmness. In the majority of cases, eco-therapy takes place in outdoor environments to maximise the full benefits, but direct contact with nature is not always necessary. In fact, even photographs of nature or seeing nature through a window has been shown to have a positive impact on mood, wellbeing and health.


Here are some of the most common types of eco-therapy activities which many people find beneficial to both their physical and mental wellbeing which you can try at home. 


Meditation or exercise in a natural setting

Meditation is beneficial for physical and mental wellbeing in many ways, but when done in a natural setting, these benefits can be intensified. The fresh air and sunlight helps to clear the mind and heighten our senses, but we can also use the nature around us to inspire our thinking. For example, we can look at the nature around us and contemplate how it relates to us and our position in the world. Meditation can be done individually in a garden or a group in a place such as a park. 


Many people find water sources like lakes and waterfalls to be a source of great relaxation and rejuvenation. If you do not have access to one in your local area and you have enough space, you may want to create your own in your garden with lake filtration systems.

Being active outside, whether it’s walking, running, cycling or yoga can also help people who are struggling with stress, depression, anxiety or anger issues. 


Horticultural therapy

Horticultural therapy involves gardening activities such as planting, weeding, digging and pruning to promote mental health. Focused projects can provide excellent stimuli for people suffering from stress or recovering from substance addiction and, when done in groups, can reduce social isolation. This type of therapy gives people a sense of purpose and can improve self-esteem while also getting them outside and active. There is also an element of protecting the natural environment which can give people a renewed sense of motivation and hope.


Animal-assisted therapy

Interaction with animals has been shown to have a hugely beneficial impact on physical and mental wellbeing. Just petting or playing with a cat or dog (or any animal) can reduce stress and aggression and the bond between owner and pet can reduce feelings of isolation and give people a more structured routine and responsibilities. If you aren’t able to commit to having your own pet, consider getting involved at a local animal shelter or fostering animals waiting to be re-homed.

The Best Holiday Destinations for 2020

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

As the new year begins and people look ahead to what they want to do, what they want to achieve and where they want to go, one of the things on many people’s minds is travel. So, if you’ve not decided what you want to go in 2020, then maybe this list will help you:

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun is home to many beautiful beaches and stunning hotels, but there is more to the destination than just a resort stay. Cancun also has a vibrant nightlife, which includes the Coco Bongo in the heart of Cancun’s Hotel Zone, where people go for a great night of music and entertainment. Or you can do things like save a Sea Turtle with a turtle release program and learn about the plight of the sea turtles, their nesting habits, and their struggle to survive. Then guests can take baby sea turtles to the ocean and set them free. There are loads of things to do, such as visiting the Cancun Underwater Museum, there are loads of places to stay, such as El Dorado Maroma and loads of adventures to be had.

Kyoto, Japan

Japan will be hosting the 2020 Olympic games, and hoteliers in Kyoto are ramping up their rooms to account for the crowds. There are going to be new hotels opening, but as well as that, there are other reasons you might want to visit Kyoto. The city is home to over 1,600 historic Buddhist temples with many dating back more than a millennium; it is home to 400 colorful shrines dedicated to Japan’s ancient religion, it has one of the world’s largest collections of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is the birthplace of the Maiko and Geisha culture. Need I say more?

Rijeka, Croatia

Croatia’s third-largest city is one that people don’t tend to spend much time in because they use it for the ferry port to get elsewhere. However, it is a place worth going to itself, and as it’s less touristy, you can get a more authentic experience of Croatia. You can mingle with locals, go for a meal or a night out on Korzo, which is Rijeka’s busy promenade, or shop like a local at the central market. Then, of course, if you want to escape Rijeka, just ten kilometers up the coast is a little stone town on the high ground called Kastav. Many of the locals visit Kastav in summer as there are concerts and festivals on including the blues festival, a guitar festival, and the Kastav Summer of Culture.

Rabat, Morocco

This town has been described as Art’s new epicenter, and if you’re looking for somewhere to relax then, this is the place to be. It is a soothing destination; Rabat is the place to be. It is a peaceful town located in Morocco and full of amazing little spots and activities. The temperatures go no lower than 20°C (68°F) all year round, the town has good transportation access, and clean streets. So, put Rabat on your list for 2020.

The British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands have suffered terribly from Hurricanes Irma and Maria, which has meant that they have also experienced a huge loss in tourism too. However, over the past two years, there has been extensive hotel renovations and reopenings, and these islands are bouncing back better than ever. Oil Nut Bay relaunched last year and is spread across 300 acres on the eastern tip of Virgin Gorda. The islands have also called on ‘voluntourists’ to help plant vital, life-giving vegetation. The communities have worked hard to rebuild their islands and homes and will soon be rewarded with plenty of tourists who will continue to help them get back on their feet. 

Quingdao, China

Qingdao is on China’s Yellow Sea coast and often tops lists for liveability as it is home to leafy parks, well-trodden boardwalks, and alluring hiking trails. However, Qingdao is about to get even greener as 2020 will see the arrival of the new China Eden, the first of its kind outside of the UK. The project is being constructed on a large part of environmentally damaged and reclaimed land at the confluence of two rivers. This land was originally used for salt production and prawn farming. The project is set to be themed around water and will have the world’s highest indoor waterfall at its center, plunging from 164ft up, the same height as Niagara Falls. It sounds like it might be worth a visit. 

How To Safeguard Your Health In 2020

These days, we are living longer than ever, thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and technology. We, generally speaking, have better housing, heating, and access to food and medicine, as well as support, which should help us to thrive. 

However, with this increased life expectancy comes more challenges to our health, and we have to take more responsibility for keeping ourselves safe and well. Our lives tend to be jam-packed with work, family commitments, social engagements, and various other things, and far too often, our health gets neglected. We only take action when a problem becomes apparent, at which point is it much harder, or even too late, to do anything. This is why is it is important to take measures to safeguard our health and do what we can to improve our well-being. Here, we share some tips to help you:

Have regular checkups

One of the best ways of pre-empting any health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, hearing problems, and so on is to have regular health checkups. Certain conditions and diseases are screened for once you get to a particular age, such as a cervical smear test or bowel cancer screening, while others you need to ask for yourself. You should also be having regular eye and dental checkups, as your eye and dental health can give you a real insight into other areas of your health. For example, wisdom teeth can be a cause of gum infection, so getting those teeth checked and sorted if necessary can prevent a whole host of other illnesses and conditions.

Eat well

One of the best things that we can do for our health is to eat a healthy, balanced diet. That does not mean completely cutting out that indulgent slice of cake, but making sure you balance it with plenty of fresh fruit or vegetables - at least five portions a day, as well as all the healthy fats and carbohydrates that your body needs to work at it's very best. Too many people associate a healthy diet with weight loss, but it is so much more than that. An improved diet helps every function in your body, from your immune system to your healing ability, to even your metabolism. If you eat right, you give yourself a better chance of living a long and fulfilling life where you can do what you love to do for longer.

Exercise

This is another activity that many people only associate with losing weight, but actually, it is another daily lifestyle habit we all need to get into to improve our chances of better health and longevity. Exercising helps us stay strong, improve our immune system, keep our metabolism going, manage our weight, and keep our organs healthy and strong. It also happens to have other, more immediate benefits, like increased natural energy and improved mood. To achieve a healthy, active lifestyle, try exercising for at least thirty minutes a day. Only fifteen of those minutes need to be vigorous enough to get your heart racing. The rest can be achieved by taking the stairs instead of a lift at work, parking at a space furthest away from the supermarket, getting off the bus a stop earlier, dancing, walking your dog, and otherwise just moving your body and getting out there into the world.

Keep an eye on your mental health

We are more aware of mental health than ever before, which can only be a good thing. Poor mental health can leave us more susceptible to physical health issues and vice versa. If you begin to feel like your mental health is not as good as it should be - feelings of sadness and depression that you just can't seem to shake off, worrying about things that are out of your control or feeling isolated and lonely, take steps to get it sorted. It can be difficult asking for help, but there is no stigma. After all, it is likely down to a chemical imbalance in your brain - you would treat a physical health condition, so you should treat your mental health in precisely the same way!

Keep your brain active

This is important at any age, but even more so as you get older. Dementia is one of the leading causes of death, and while there is a genetic component that is out of our control, there is little doubt that keeping the brain active and engaged can help reduce the risk. Staying curious and having interests that stimulate our brains, such as reading, puzzles, learning a language, or going to the theatre are all fun ways of keeping our minds active. It can also be hugely beneficial for our mental health, as well.

Get plenty of sleep

Alongside a healthy diet and exercise, sleep is one of the best things that we can do for our bodies. These days, few of us get the optimum amount of sleep, and when we do sleep, it can be disturbed. Try to limit the amount of caffeine that you drink after lunchtime, avoid looking at your mobile phone or other devices for around about an hour before bedtime and have a warm bath and drink to help you relax. By practicing better sleep hygiene, you will feel more rested and able to face whatever challenges life throws at you.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration is much more than just feeling a little thirsty. Your body will stop flushing out toxins and waste, and your organs will begin to shut down, leaving you feeling very unwell. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water every day, more so if you are hot or are more physically active. Wear a facemask when you’re in public
If there is one thing you can do in order to protect yourself in 2020, it is to wear a facemask while you are out and about. This will not only help you protect your own health but you can protect others. We need to take the coronavirus seriously if we are to beat it. Plus, facemasks prevent the spread of germs, creating a healthier society on the whole. You can read online about where to buy face masks in your area if you haven’t been able to get your hands on one yet.

You can never prevent illnesses, but you can certainly take steps, like the ones above, to reduce the chances of you becoming unwell and leave you feeling healthier in 2020.

Paying off Our Debts & Saving for our Dreams $4 at a Time #Fiverr #Proofreading #MakeMoney

*This post was originally sent into the blogosphere September 12, 2015, but with the new year coming in hot, I thought I'd repost. We have moved since this post, paid off the credit card entirely, and just paid off my van. I still work for Fiverr and do other things online :-)

It's no secret I have loved Dave Ramsey for a long time. I love his common sense approach and his STOP WHINING attitude. Last fall, due to some different factors, we started adding debt to our credit card, which we had always been able to pay off previously. Then came Christmas, then we bought a bigger vehicle, and then this past summer each kid started starting having some sort of medical or dental issue, as well as fees related to homeschooling starting to pop up (co-op, books, backpacks, uniforms, religious ed, sports, field trips, etc.).

Once I finally came out of my denial, I realized I had to do more than I had been doing to pay off not only our credit card and medical debt, but to maybe even LIVE LIKE NO ONE ELSE someday ... saving money for travel all over the world with my family (which has always been our dream), building a savings account, paying off our vehicle EARLY, paying off our home and moving to a larger space.

BUT HOW?

Back in 2013 when we first got internet access at our home, I found a site called Fiverr.com. I signed up as a proofreader and got many orders immediately. This past year the orders fell off and I was fine with that, as I was busy now with my direct sales businesses and homeschooling. Within the last few weeks, though, I have gotten back on Fiverr full-force and am doing quite well there and can see us paying off our debt $4 at a time. Let me explain!

Basically you sign up on Fiverr.com to do pretty much ANYTHING. Hold signs, do book reviews, proofread, write articles, sell little sewed items, do voice-overs, give advice ... there is pretty much something for everyone to do to make money.

The buyer pays $5 for a service and you get $4. Yes, it seems like 20% is a lot for them to take but (1) they are finding you customers and (2) they give you a lovely website and dashboard to work with and (3) they make the cashing-out process very simple with no minimum.

Now, you can make MUCH MORE than $5 for a service. For example, I charge $5 for proofreading 2,000 words. Do I proofread 2,000 each time and only make $4 total? NO WAY! I proof lots of huge book projects and dissertations and can make up to $200 per project. Fiverr has a Custom Offer button and you can ask for more money, give a deal, extend your delivery time, etc. I even charge $10 ($8 for me) extra if someone wants their order delivered within 24 hours and I am otherwise swamped.

I do most of my proofreading in the mornings when the kids are sleeping before homeschooling starts. I also have to work at night for a while if I have a lot of orders, but the kids are watching movies at night anyway so I try to take the opportunity to pay down debt!

Don't feel sorry for me! Mr. Kerrie makes a lovely wage and we are not broke by any means. I just have big dreams of ZERO debt, a huge savings account and WORLD TRAVEL!

If you or your company have proofreading needs, you can find me here! I usually also have other gigs going on, such as posting book reviews based on the book I have just proofread and book critiquing. I have those gigs paused currently but will get them back up or you can always ask!

Ask me anything in the comments. I'm glad to help you get started on a similar path! Here is my referral code if you want to sign up and give it a try.

Jobseeker: How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market

Hunting for the perfect career can take work and effort, and this is something you are going to need to get right as much as possible. There are so many things to consider when it comes to standing out in a competitive market and making sure you secure the career path you want. You have so much to keep in mind here, and you can do a lot to help in this capacity.

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Make sure you do as much as you can to give yourself more opportunities and increase your chances of being successful. It is important to ensure that you look at some of the best ways of being able to stand out and make a good impression when you are seeking employment. Here are some of the best ways of being able to achieve this right now, and increase your employment prospects. 

Get More Experience

There are plenty of great things you can do that are going to help you when it comes to hunting for the perfect career, and this is something you have to make sure you get right as soon as you can. You need to focus on what you can do to broaden your horizons professionally and try to gain as much experience as you possibly can. Things like VMWare training are perfect for those looking to gain the necessary qualifications to help achieve business success. 

Present Yourself Well

The way you present yourself is also hugely important, and it gives you a great way of being able to stand out against the competition. Think about the way you present yourself, and the different facets that this involves. Come up with ideas that will allow you to present yourself in the best possible way, and there are a lot of things that can help you with this. Think about the way you dress, your posture, keeping yourself well-groomed, speaking correctly, and generally coming across as someone professional. 

Work on Your Interview technique

There are a few hurdles to jump before you find yourself in prime position to be getting the job you want. And one of the biggest of these hurdles is making the most of the interview process. If you can ace the interview you will be in pole position for snagging the job you want, and this is something you need to make sure you get right as much as possible. So work on your interview technique as best you can, and try to come up with ideas that are going to help with this. 

Pixabay.com

There are so many things you need to make sure you get right when it comes to finding the perfect career path for you, and this is something you need to keep in mind. Do as much as possible to find the ultimate career path, and there are a lot of things you can do to help you with this, including making yourself a more attractive prospect for employers. Standing out in the jobseekers market is absolutely essential when it comes to trying to find the career you want.