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Best At-Home Workouts for Remote Workers

breathing exercises

Working from home is way more common than it used to be, which means that more people than ever before are rarely leaving their living quarters. This makes it pretty difficult to make sure you’re moving enough to take care of your body, whether you’d like to maintain mobility in the future, continue feeling relatively energized, or just want to keep some level of physical fitness.

That might mean you’re having a tough time creating a workout routine that works for you, especially if you’re no longer moving unless you absolutely have to. If you’re looking for a workout that’s relatively simple and easy to incorporate into your current work-from-home situation, you’re in the right place. Allow a handful of expert tips to guide your actions, and we’ll break down everything you may want to consider along the way.

Go on a Walk

You’re probably walking around a lot less than you used to when you worked in the office or brick-and-mortar location. And odds are, you’re holed up in only one or two spots in your home while working on your computer. So, if you can manage it, try to go on short walks every other day.

“Walking around can really help get your blood pumping, improve your metabolism, and even get your energy levels up,” explains Karim Hachem, the VP of eCommerce at Maxine of Hollywood. “Even just walking for a few minutes at a time or taking a walk around the block can make a huge difference in the flow of your day.”

This isn’t asking anyone to do an absurd amount of cardio or start running. Simply, going for a short walk can help your body meet several of its needs. You’ll be able to increase the amount of vitamin D your body takes in if you’re going outside, and you’ll also be helping out your digestive system by keeping things moving. 

Stretch Regularly

Adding a bit of stretching to your regular routine can also be incredibly helpful. Not only does this help maintain your flexibility and mobility during a time when you’re not moving as frequently, but stretching can help you in numerous other ways as well.

“Stretch out every part of your body that you can, every chance that you get,” starts Rachel Roff, the Founder and CEO of Urban Skin Rx. “You’ll change up the posture of your body, keep pain to a minimum, and you might even start to feel a little bit more energized just by moving around a little.”

In movement-heavy occupations, stretching can help prevent injuries. However, you’re likely experiencing a lot of pain if you sit in one or two different positions throughout the day. Stretching out your muscles might be able to keep you from getting stuck in these poses, especially when they’re potentially harmful.

Rolling Your Wrists

If you’re working from home, you’re most likely working from your computer. Whether you’re writing content, inputting data, coding, or performing customer service, you’re probably doing a lot of typing throughout the day. This can put a lot of strain on your wrists if you aren’t too careful, so it’s a good idea to ensure they feel relaxed and supported while you’re working. That should especially be the case if you’re working several hours at a time, as many of us likely are.

“Keep your wrists moving, and let your wrists relax,” says Jae Pak, the Founder of Jae Pak MD Medical. “You’ll be very thankful that you do. That’s the muscle you’re using the most if you’re working on a computer all day, and you’ll avoid a lot of pain if you treat your wrists well.”

In fact, this is a good point about keeping your body well maintained, especially for the parts of you that you’re using pretty frequently. Maya Angelou has been credited with saying, “Nothing will work unless you do.” And this is undoubtedly the case.

If you wind up hurting your wrists, you’ll be unable to complete the work that keeps your lights on. The same rules apply if you use other body parts for your work. You must maintain yourself in order to complete the tasks you’re responsible for. If you prioritize completing your work over your own self-care and maintenance, you’ll run out before your work does.

Breathing Exercises

While breathing exercises are technically labeled “exercises,” they certainly aren’t the traditional kind of workout. Regardless, it’s a good idea to take part in breathing exercises on a regular basis. This is useful for maintaining stress levels, getting the most out of breaks, and taking care of your mental health.

According to Dr. Michael Green, the Chief Medical Officer at Winona, “Meditation and breathing exercises can be utterly life-saving. They can help you take your mind off of the stressors of life, as well as get used to hearing your own thoughts without distractions. Very few people are comfortable in silence nowadays, and there is so much strength and goodness in being able to face the silence.”

Breathing exercises can be good for making you more productive in your work, but they can also result in personal growth. Becoming more comfortable with your own thoughts gives you more potential for creativity, mental wellness, and overall organization and productivity. While it can be scary to try and face this kind of “workout,” it can quickly become worth it if you’re willing to put in the work.

However, very importantly, you should be kind to yourself if you choose to participate in this particular exercise. Brené Brown says this in a way that sticks, dictating, “Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.”

In the case that you’re having a hard time with your breathing exercises, you need to be kind to yourself. Ease yourself into the quiet breath work, and take your time while you start making progress. In the long-term, you’ll likely ultimately find yourself with improved mental health, lowered stress levels, and increased productivity.

Conclusion

It would be best to keep yourself moving while you’re working from home, and this is primarily because you need to maintain your personal health during a period of time where this is incredibly difficult. Establishing a habit of moving around, even just a little bit every other day or so, can make things feel much more manageable. Therefore, we recommend beginning with these exercises because they demonstrate very few barriers to entry.

Start your career as a family nurse practitioner

nurse

Working as a family nurse practitioner can be a highly rewarding job with a wide range of benefits. You’ll be enhancing patients’ lives and providing primary, acute and specialty healthcare to families in your community, while also enjoying a certain amount of autonomy and a reasonably high salary.

You’ll also be in demand. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners has estimated that the US could be short by approximately 120,000 family medicine providers by 2030, so now is a good time to consider training as a family nurse practitioner.

The role of a family nurse practitioner is varied, and includes disease prevention and health and wellness education, as well as diagnosis and treatment, counseling and support. In studying to be a family nurse practitioner, you’ll learn how to apply critical thinking skills and use diagnostic reasoning and decision-making skills to positively impact your patients and manage their treatment plans.

The usual route to becoming a family nurse practitioner is to first qualify as a registered nurse (RN), which usually involves obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). In some states, you can start practicing as an RN with an associate’s degree, but be aware that not all employers will accept an RN without a BSN, even if state regulations do not require it.

Once you are qualified as an RN, you can go on to do a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which will come with different ‘tracks’ or specialisms, including that of family nurse practitioner. Many nurses qualify as an RN and work, often full-time, in the field while studying to obtain the qualification needed to become a family nurse practitioner. You’ll find that many programs will ask that you have both a BSN and a year of clinical experience to embark on an MSN.

It may seem overwhelming to think about taking on a master’s degree if you’re already working full-time as a registered nurse, but there are online FNP programs that can be studied remotely, with 100% of the coursework completed online, allowing you to fit qualifying as a family nurse practitioner around your current job. There are also a few different options to consider, depending on your circumstances. You may be able to work full-time and study part-time, or even work part-time and study full-time.

If this is the route you choose, you’ll need to consider the fact that juggling nursing work and study requires a lot of dedication, organization and excellent time management skills. You may, however, find that your current employer is fairly supportive. The predicted shortfall in family health practitioners means that most healthcare providers will be happy to hear that their staff are upgrading their skills and increasing their credentials. Hopefully, they will be accommodating of your study schedule, and may even help to pay for your study program.

Becoming a family nurse practitioner isn’t an easy option or a step to be taken lightly, but online study programs really do make it accessible to most RNs with the desire and motivation to further their qualifications.

Is Blue-Green Algae Safe for Human Consumption? Know the Details 

Blue-Green Algae

A lot has been said and discussed about blue-green algae and whether they are safe for human consumption or not. Blue-green algae belong to a group of bacteria. Many scientific research studies have backed the claim that they can be used as a source of protein. 

Blue-green algae produce blue-green colored pigments that are not only high in protein but other nutrients such as iron, vitamins, and minerals as well. They thrive in saltwater as well as a large freshwater lake. The United States of America uses this ingredient in manufacturing a variety of supplements, including blue-green algae powder, capsules, and tablets. 

If the studies are to be believed, blue-green algae may be used in treating high blood pressure and as a protein supplement. It is also used for high cholesterol levels and other lipids in your blood. Some other conditions that may be treated with this ingredient include obesity, diabetes, etc. However, more research and scientific evidence are still required to support these uses of blue-green algae. 

How are Blue-Green Algae Products Grown? 

Some blue-green algae products thrive under controlled conditions, while others are grown in a natural setting with high chances of contamination. When you buy blue-green algae from the market, we recommend choosing the products that have been tested and are free of the contaminants such as heavy metals, toxins, harmful bacteria, and microcystins. 

Blue-green algae are often confused with their counterparts, such as Ecklonia cava, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus Vesiculoisis, or Laminaria. We advise you to be particular with its use and never choose these counterparts for consumption. (1)

The Effectiveness of Blue-Green Algae 

There are varied opinions about the effectiveness of blue-green algae for your body. But recent studies claim that this ingredient may be helpful in managing various health conditions. For instance, if you want to manage your chronic high blood pressure problem, you may consume this ingredient in any form, for the effectiveness of blue-green algae in treating high blood pressure is high. 

Alternatively, this substance is also used for other conditions, and its effectiveness varies. 

Blue-green algae are rich in many antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, making them effective in offering better health. The consumption of blue-green algae supplements increases your metabolism and boosts your immunity. 

Another area where the effectiveness of blue-green algae has been rated high is in treating the signs of aging. According to studies, this ingredient slows down the signs of aging. Following this claim, many brands have started using it in formulating their beauty products. (2)

Is the Consumption of Blue-Green Algae safe? 

Blue-green algae products that are free from contaminants are safe for consumption for most people when used in the short term. It further depends upon the dosage. For instance, doses up to 19 grams daily may be used safely for two months. If you are a beginner, lower doses of 10 grams per day may be used daily for six months. 

The consumption of blue-green algae doesn’t lead to major side effects. You may experience slight discomforts like headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, and others. 

We strictly recommend avoiding consuming contaminated blue-green algae products as they may lead to weakness, liver damage, rapid heartbeat, and shock. Do not use blue-green algae products that are not tested. 

Takeaway 

While the consumption of blue-green algae is very much in trend, we advise you to have a word with your doctor before incorporating it into your daily diet. Discuss your needs and requirements, and your doctor shall advise you on the dosage accordingly. Lastly, do not buy blue-green algae from a generic brand. Always choose a good brand name to use safely in the long run.  

What You Should Know Before Contesting A Will

law

Being left out of a Will is dreadful and it happens more often than you think. Receiving an unfair inheritance can come as a shock too.

If you find yourself in such a bad situation, having sound knowledge about contesting the Will can be extremely helpful.

This post will help you learn everything you need to know before contesting a Will.

Grounds for Contesting a Will

In the U.K, the law states that the decedent’s wish in distributing the property must be respected. So, you cannot challenge their Last Will & Testament solely on the fact that you feel their decision is unfair to you.

The following are some of the grounds to contest a Will:

Validity of the Will

The law lays down certain conditions to determine the validity of the Will. Among other things, the Will should be signed by the testator in presence of two witnesses. If there is evidence to show that the Will was not duly executed, you can challenge the validity of the Will.

Lack Of Testamentary Capacity

A Will is challenged on this ground when you have evidence that the Will-maker is not aware of the consequences of the Will, either due to senility or the influence of a substance. Deteriorating mental abilities could be a reason too.

Lack of Knowledge and Approval

This ground applies to situations in which the Will-maker signed the Will without knowing its contents.

Undue Influence

If you can provide evidence that someone forced the Will-maker, either by blackmail or manipulation, you may challenge the Will on this ground.

Rectification

Errors in writing the Will or comprehending the intentions of the Will-maker can be dealt with by contesting the Will on grounds of rectification. 

Forgery and Fraud

Sometimes, a Will may not have been written by the decedent at all. With solid proof of the fraud behind them, such Wills can be challenged in a court of law.

Who Can Contest a Will?

Interested persons can contest a Will for appropriate legal reasons. These ‘interested persons’ include heirs and beneficiaries.

If you’re neither an heir nor a beneficiary, you cannot contest a Will just because you feel the property has been unfairly distributed.

Heirs are those who would inherit the property in case of no Will. This can include children, spouses, siblings, and parents. They can challenge the Will if they are left out of it, or given a discriminatory inheritance. Since the absence of a Will would assure them a proportionate inheritance according to law, heirs can contest a Will on proper grounds.

Beneficiaries are those individuals or entities named in the Will and they can contest a Will if they are dissatisfied. Heirs are the most common beneficiaries.

If the decedent has not named a minor in the Will and the minor wants to contest it, a parent or guardian can do it on the minor’s behalf since minors are not allowed to participate in court proceedings.

Lenders to whom the decedent owed money are also considered interested persons. They may contest the decedent’s Will given there’s evidence of the decedent’s debt.

How Long Does it Take?

This is a difficult question with no precise answer. Some Will contest cases have gone on for years.

If everything works in your favour, contesting a Will can take less than a year. We recommend you start the process as soon as you realize there is a problem with the Will.

Also, there are time limits for contesting a Will. Your lawyer can advise you about how much time you have for preparing and filing your case.

Often, for the case to be heard in court, it can take a couple of years. This is why legal teams of both parties would often try to negotiate with the executor and come up with a settlement outside the court.

Costs to Consider

Finding a lawyer who takes up your Will contest case on a contingency basis is tough, as these cases involve a lot of risks and judgment can be unpredictable. Legal teams charge hefty fees which can increase if the inheritance worth is huge.

Apart from monetary costs, contesting a Will is an emotional rollercoaster; questions from the opposition lawyer can be harsh and your morals may be judged. After all, not everyone is going to support you. Bitter truths about your family can come out and haunt you for life.

Now you know why they say to keep your chequebook and your antacids ready before contesting a Will.

Dealing with Family Conflict

Often disputes due to Wills are the reason family members become estranged. 

Whether you win or lose the case, other members of the family might hate you for taking it to the court.

This is why alternative dispute resolution is often preferred to conventional court hearings to save the family’s reputation. Mediation, negotiation, arbitration, and conciliation are some commonly used alternative dispute resolution methods.

Mediation is also called facilitation. In this method, a mediator helps both parties arrive at an agreement.

In arbitration, the arbitrator hears the pleas of both parties and puts forward a resolution. It can be described as an informal trial.

Negotiation is a method in which each of the parties tries to maximize their benefits by persuading the opposite party.

In conciliation, the conciliator helps each of the parties to come up with their objectives and demands. This makes it easier when the parties meet for the settlement.

Chances of Losing

Numerous hearings do not always assure you victory. Risks and complications can change the judgment in the blink of an eye. So, you must be prepared to face losing the case too.

If the Will you’re challenging has a no-contest clause and you lose the case, you won’t receive even the inheritance you were originally meant to receive.

As mentioned earlier, contesting a Will is quite expensive. If you lose the case, you also lose the legal fee you’ve paid.

Even though you know well about contesting a Will, we strongly recommend hiring a lawyer to help you go through this.

If you’re sure of your cause, keep fighting. It will all be worth it in the end.

What is a common subject in Alphonse Mucha’s work?

Alphonse Mucha posters

By the end of the nineteenth century, belief in scientific and technological progress had become a constitutional component of a modernist ideal that fostered a new generation of individuals eager to propose revolutionary solutions and improve the spirit of our civilization. Art became a more independent practice aimed at questioning inherited canons and representational patterns rather than a manifestation of a patron’s will.

Although not as radical as some subsequent genres, Art Nouveau appeared to defy what academia had proposed. Although it was articulated theoretically by leading 19th-century intellectuals like French architect Eugène-Emmanuel Viollet-le-Duc (1814-1879) and British art critic John Ruskin, the concept of breaking the difference between fine arts (especially sculpture and painting) and applied arts was perceived as rebellious (1819–1900). It incorporated Arts and Crafts tendencies and the notion of Gesamtkunstwerk, otherwise known as “total work of art,” as an outcome of the unification of various artistic disciplines.

The movement appeared global, with expressions and renowned artists appearing in various contexts. Alphonse Mucha, a well-known Czech painter, graphic artist, and illustrator, who was active in Paris during the Art Nouveau period, was one of them.

Who Exactly is Alphonse Mucha?

Alphonse Mucha is best known for his posters, which he created around 1895 and 1900. Mucha’s style was even dubbed “le style Mucha” at the time because it coincided with the prevalent Art Nouveau style. Decorative panels, otherwise known as panneaux décoratifs at that time, were posters without text that were intended to be used to decorate interior walls. Mucha’s designs were repeatedly used for various editions after being championed as a business novelty by the printer Champenois.

Mucha endorsed and transitioned decorative panels into a new art form accessible to the general public instead of conventional artwork available only to the wealthy. However, there was something special about Mucha’s artistic works.

Mucha’s work frequently featured women, a common subject during Art Nouveau. When you learn about Alphonse Mucha’s sketches, you will notice that many of his portraits involve female subjects. The femme nouvelle, or “new woman,” was a popular subject because it played both decorative and allegorical functions. Mucha and his contemporaries celebrated femininity as an effective alternative to an excessively impersonal, “masculine” world.

Women and Mucha

Something interesting about Alphonse Mucha is that he is regarded as the artist who transformed female sensuality into Art Nouveau. His big break came at age 35, when Sarah Benhardt, a popular theater actress, requested him to sketch the banner for the play Gismonda. Mucha’s work so impressed the artist that she started to promote it.

Mucha’s women are seductresses who are elegant, sensual and connected to nature. The artist understood how to merge the female body with the physical world through ornamentation, creating iconic pieces that stand the test of time.

His work depicts the journey of an artist who overcame adversity to establish his perspective and style.

These amazing Alphonse Mucha drawings, with their soft pastel color theme and sensitive, swirling lines, were the origin of the artist’s overnight sensation, with stories about the lengths people ended up going to possess them. Mucha’s posters from the final decade of the nineteenth century, at the height of his career, feature women perched within these elegant, feminine aspects in such a manner that they initially blend into their environment.

Alphonse Mucha’s sketches use women as the primary advertising medium, attempting to sell products ranging from liquor and biscuits to bikes and even train travel. It’s hard not to believe that by putting women in a similar pictorial space as products that women were deterred from using, Mucha is making a statement about inspiring greater rights for Parisian women.

Mucha’s impact on women’s lives

Women rejected traditional notions of womanhood during the Art Nouveau period, transcending the domains of domestic life and motherhood. The century’s turning point marked the public emergence of the modern woman and the acceptance of more free and independent sexual expression.

Alphonse Mucha’s drawings reflect this cultural shift. Audiences can see the variations in ideal femininity conceptions between the 1800s and Mucha’s time. Art bears witness to women’s liberation, beginning with domestic oppression and progressing to the upsurge of women in public life. Furthermore, Mucha’s works vividly depict the early transitions toward female equality in Western society.

As a result, his contribution to the Art Nouveau era extends beyond the realm of art. Instead, his creations can be seen as questioning old beliefs of pressured female servitude in the household and promoting women’s inclusion in Western society’s public sphere.

Conclusion

Art is frequently a great indicator of current societal norms. Mucha’s work, without a doubt, captures the core of the period’s view of femininity. His work is a visual representation of the advancement of expectations about ideal femininity at the century’s turning point. The work of elegant Art Nouveau painter Alphonse Mucha has always piqued people’s interest due to its enticing aesthetic qualities, but there has been little critical evaluation of his work.

Given that Mucha is best known for the advertisement posters he created, which spotlighted a female figure as their theme, there is a shortfall in the scholarly literature that ignores the fact that women are arguably the authentic “product” being advertised. Mucha essentially depicted women as charming toys, clothed in lovely ornaments or positioned in captivating poses.

Hair Loss Affecting Your Confidence? Here’s How To Regain Your Sparkle

hair loss

If you suffer from hair loss – due to a condition like alopecia, you may struggle to come to terms with it. The important thing to remember is that most people will experience hair loss at some point throughout their lives; you are not alone. If you feel like your hair loss has affected your confidence levels, there are a few things you can do to regain it. This guide is going to show you how. Don’t let your hair loss define who you are as a person. It’s time to get that sparkle back.

Look Into Hair Replacement Treatment

If you suffer from hair loss, you may be considering hair replacement treatment. A hair transplant is a popular cosmetic procedure and one that can add volume to areas where your hair is thinning. The process involves taking strands from parts of your scalp that produces thicker hair – and moving them to the areas that need it. You can learn more about what happens during a hair transplant by referring to some online resources. Be aware that a hair transplant is not recommended for people who suffer from alopecia. This is because alopecia causes bald patches, but they typically grow back over time. A hair transplant is most suitable for people suffering from permanent boldness.

Switch Up Your Look With Human Hair Wigs

If you suffer from a condition like alopecia, you will notice that your hair tends to regrow in places where it has fallen out. You certainly have peace of mind that it will grow back. However, people experiencing permanent baldness do not experience this same benefit. If you struggle to accept your hair loss, you can switch up your look with human hair wigs. Why not go out of the box and select a human hair wig totally different from your original hair? Switching up your appearance can be a great way to regain confidence, as you can find a human hair wig that makes you feel fantastic. The great thing about human hair wigs is there is so much choice. You can have brown hair one day and pink hair the next.

Reach Out To Others

During periods of low confidence, we may choose to isolate ourselves. Hair loss can affect some people so badly – that they don’t want to go out and be seen by others. However, isolating yourself from others will only make you feel worse. So, the best thing you can do is surround yourself with the people you love the most. Your friends and family are your biggest supporters, and they can give you the confidence you need to accept your hair loss for what it is. Your friends and family can also help uplift your spirits on days when you are feeling down. Don’t be afraid to be open with them. After all, your loved ones want to see you happy, and they can help you regain your confidence – to remind you just how beautiful you are.

Remember You Are Not Alone

As hair loss starts to affect your confidence, it can make you feel isolated and alone – especially if you are surrounded by people who cannot relate to what you are going through. However, you must remind yourself that you are not alone. Hundreds of men and women experience hair loss throughout their life. As we age, hair loss will occur, and that is natural. If you suffer from a condition like alopecia, you may feel even more alone. Alopecia is estimated to affect about 15 in 10,000 people. However, you need to remember that hair loss is temporary with alopecia. Often, one or more bald patches will appear, but they will grow back over time. Try to put things into perspective. It is hair that will grow back. At least you are in good health.

Be Patient

Most people will find that their hair loss is temporary. Therefore, try and be patient with it. Regrowth can certainly be unpredictable. Sometimes, it can take a few years for the hair to grow back. However, it will happen for most people, so don’t lose hope. Even those who suffer from autoimmune diseases like alopecia will notice that their hair grows back gradually. Unfortunately, hair growth is not something that can happen dramatically overnight. Therefore, you must learn to accept it for what it is. Failure to do so will mean you struggle to regain your confidence back. Hair loss is a natural part of ageing, so don’t blame yourself for something you cannot control.

Prioritise Your Health

When we suffer from low self-esteem, it becomes easier to feel worried and anxious about the world around us. Due to the fact we don’t love ourselves, we stop prioritising what is important, and that is our health. However, failure to look after your health can lead you to feel a lot worse. So, it is time to start developing healthy habits to help you lift those spirits. If you are feeling down and stressed about your hair loss, distract yourself with a workout. Regularly exercising can work wonders for your confidence as it releases endorphins. These endorphins give us a feel-good factor and can uplift your mood. Take a look at some free online workouts and start putting them into practice. A healthy diet is also just as important as it will give you the energy you need to get up and go each day. 

Write Positive Affirmations Down In A Journal

During periods of low confidence, we may struggle to like anything about ourselves. You will often find that you think a lot more negatively than usual. To combat these feelings head-on, it can help to write down some positive affirmations in a journal. These positive phrases and statements can help you see the good in yourself. If you struggle to know where to start, look at some examples of positive affirmations online. Try to write at least two in your journal daily, even if you don’t feel like it. On days when you struggle badly with your confidence, you can look back on this journal and try to diminish any negative thoughts you are experiencing.

Avoid Miracle Hair Loss Products

When you first notice that you are experiencing hair loss, you may quickly run to your local health and beauty store to look for hair loss products. However, you must not get sucked into these miracle hair loss products. Unfortunately, no shampoo is going to make your hair regrow overnight. Rather than wasting your money on these over-promising products, you can look into some more natural remedies instead. They may not work for everyone, but they can give you peace of mind that you are trying to stimulate the regrowth of your hair. You can find a list of natural remedies for hair loss online. Be aware that they might not work, but they are worth a try.

Summary

Most men and women will typically experience hair loss as they age. The important thing to remember is you are not alone. Reaching out to others, exploring hair replacement treatments, and experimenting with human hair wigs are just some things you can do to help you embrace your hair loss with open arms. Remember, your hair loss does not define who you are.

What Qualifies as a Wrongful Death?

law

If a loved one of yours died in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you might be able to sue for wrongful death. With the help of a wrongful death lawyer, you can gather evidence, file charges, negotiate, or even fight for a worthy settlement in court.

But what exactly is wrongful death and how can you prove it in a court of law?

What Is a Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

The court concept of a wrongful death lawsuit should be intuitive. If a person wrongfully dies, or in other words, if they die due to preventable circumstances, you can hold the parties responsible for the death accountable for their actions. 

If the death was specifically caused by the action or inaction have another party, that party may be responsible for compensating survivors for costs associated with the wrongful death.

The Elements of Proving a Wrongful Death

Proving a wrongful death in court is, in some ways, easier than proving someone’s guilt in a criminal case, as this is technically a civil case. However, you’ll still need to prove multiple different things simultaneously.

  • Negligence. First, you’ll need to prove that the death was caused by someone’s negligence. If the person died under accidental circumstances, like getting struck by lightning, nobody can be held directly responsible for that death.
  • Breach of duty to the victim. Next, you’ll need to prove that the person responsible for this debt breached some kind of duty they had to the victim. This could be a formal responsibility, outlined by a legal document, or something less formal, like an expected responsibility in ordinary social interactions. For example, motorists are expected to obey all traffic laws and store owners are expected to maintain safe environments for their customers.
  • Causation. After that, you’ll need to prove that the breach of duty to the victim was the cause of the death. In other words, it wasn’t a coincidence that the victim died while the plaintiff was separately breaching their duties.
  • Damages. Finally, you’ll need to prove the damage is associated with this death.

Examples of Wrongful Deaths

These are some of the most common types of wrongful death cases:

  •  Medical malpractice and birth injuries. Doctors, nurses, and other caretakers are responsible for treating you correctly.
  • Motor vehicle accidents. Anyone deliberately or accidentally breaking the law and putting other motorists and pedestrians at risk should be held responsible for the consequences of those actions.
  • Occupational accidents and hazards. Workplaces are responsible for keeping their employees reasonably safe. Even one small breach of duty could lead to a person’s death.  
  • Supervised activities. Nursing homes, daycares, schools, and other institutions often provide supervised activities, putting some people in charge of the safety and health of others.
  • Abuse and neglect. In some cases, the wrongful death is a direct byproduct of abuse and neglect. Unfortunately, this is increasingly common in nursing homes.
  • Violent actions. Sometimes, the wrongful death is attributable to a violent action, like an assault or a mugging.

Types of Damages You Could Receive

If you win your wrongful death case, these are the types of damages you could receive:

  • Hospitalization and medical care. Oftentimes, victims are rushed to the hospital after suffering serious injuries. If you faced significant costs from hospitalization or other types of medical care before the victim passed, you may be entitled to compensation to pay for all those costs.
  • Burial and funeral costs. Similarly, the plaintiff may be on the hook for burial and funeral costs, covering any expenses necessary to lay the victim to rest.
  • Loss of income. If you’re the partner or a close family member who was depending on income from the victim, you may be entitled to compensation equivalent to this income.
  • Loss of potential earnings. It’s also possible for you to win compensation for loss of potential earnings; in other words, how much money could this person have earned in the future if they still had many years of life ahead of them?
  • Loss of consortium. If the person who wrongfully died was a spouse or partner, you may be entitled to compensation for loss of consortium. You’ve lost a partner, friend, and confidant – and loss of consortium payments are designed to make up for that loss as best they can.
  •  Pain and suffering. Subjective pain and suffering may also come into play. If the victim experienced pain or discomfort before passing, you may receive even more compensation.

Talking to a Lawyer

If you have a loved one who has died prematurely, and you suspect you may have a wrongful death case on your hands, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. Your lawyer will help you better understand the nature of your case, your options moving forward, and the best course of action to win a settlement and find some peace of mind.

Zoom Meetings Anxiety: 8 Tips to Help You Out

Zoom Meetings Anxiety

Do you get anxious when Zoom meetings start up? Does the thought of joining a meeting make your heart race and your palms sweat? If so, you’re not alone. Many people feel this way when they have to join or lead a Zoom meeting. In this article, we will discuss 8 tips that will help you overcome your anxiety and make your Zoom meetings a success.

What is Zoom Anxiety?

It’s become increasingly common to hear people talk about Zoom Anxiety – the feeling of anxiety or nerves that comes from participating in video calls, especially for work. There are a few possible explanations for why this might be.

For one, video calls can be more draining than in-person meetings, as they require us to maintain constant eye contact and pay close attention to our body language and facial expressions. Additionally, the lack of physical cues on a call can make it harder to interpret what others are thinking or feeling, which can add to the feeling of unease.

Finally, the knowledge that we are being recorded on video can also add to our sense of self-consciousness.

However, there are a few things that you can do to combat Zoom Anxiety:

1. Improve Your Workspace for Yourself

Try to create a dedicated workspace for yourself where you feel comfortable and relaxed. If possible, set up your camera at eye level so that you don’t have to look up or down at the screen, and make sure there is plenty of light so that you don’t appear washed out.

2. Use the Zoom Live Transcription Feature 

Zoom transcription can be a lifesaver if you’re struggling to keep up with the conversation or want to refer back to something later.

To activate live transcription, go to “settings” and then “accessibility” and toggle on the “live transcript” option.

Once you’ve done that, a running transcript of the conversation will appear at the bottom of your screen, and you can even save it as a text document afterward if you want. (1)

3. Take Breaks

You should also take breaks as needed during long calls, and avoid doing other work tasks at the same time so that you can give your full attention to the conversation. If you start to feel overwhelmed, take a few deep breaths like those you take while meditating or step away from the camera for a moment to collect yourself.

4. Join the Meeting Early

If possible, try to join the meeting a few minutes early so that you can get settled and ensure that your audio and video are working properly. This will also give you a chance to say hello to everyone and get comfortable before the meeting starts.

Additionally, if you know that you’ll be leading the meeting, make sure to go over your materials beforehand so that you feel confident and prepared.

5. Mute Yourself When You’re Not Speaking

One of the most anxiety-inducing things about Zoom calls is the feeling that you might be accidentally talking over someone or that your background noise might be disruptive.

To avoid this, mute yourself when you’re not speaking, and only unmute yourself when you want to contribute to the conversation. This way, you can avoid any awkwardness or disruptions.

Additionally, if you’re worried about your background noise, you can also enable the “mute background noise” option in your Zoom settings.

6. Limit Distractions

It can be tempting to multitask during Zoom calls, but this will only make it harder for you to focus and pay attention.

To avoid distractions, turn off any notifications on your computer or phone, and close any tabs or windows that you’re not using. You can also put your phone on Do Not Disturb mode so that you’re not tempted to look at it. (2)

7. Use the Chat Function

If you’re struggling to follow the conversation or feel too anxious to speak up, you can use the chat function to type out your thoughts.

This can be a great way to contribute to the discussion without feeling like you’re under pressure to speak. Additionally, it can be helpful to read through the chat later if you want to refer back to something that was said. This function is popular among patients participating in online Zoom therapies.

8. Take Advantage of the Virtual Background Feature

If you’re worried about your surroundings being too messy or distracting, you can take advantage of Zoom’s virtual background feature. This allows you to have a different background behind you, which can be anything from a nice scenic view to a solid color.

Remember that you don’t have to be perfect – everyone is struggling with these new challenges in their own way. Just do your best and be patient with yourself. These tips should help you to feel more comfortable and confident in your next Zoom meeting.

5 Ways to Remove Tan From Your Skin

Tan color

Melanin, the skin pigmentation, increases throughout the tanning process as a result of sunlight exposure. The skin is protected from sun damage in this way by the body naturally. When exposed to intense sunshine, your body produces melanin just below the surface of your skin. This assists in absorbing UV radiation. Therefore, the pigmentation increases and the tan gets darker the more UV radiation is exposed to the skin. The face, arms, hands, neck, feet, legs, and back are areas that are prone to tanning. For most of us, the beginning of the summer period becomes a dilemma. We are constantly plagued by sweaty skin, unpleasant sweat odor, oily hair, and, of course, skin tanning. There are many different solutions on the market to address these summertime issues. How about the sun-kissed skin, though? There are several self tan for beginners available as well. Strong Sun Protection Factor sunscreens may seem comforting at the moment, but over time, they might impede the growth of skin cells.

Be at ease now! Even though the tan may fade gradually, if you need to get rid of it right away, this article will show you some quick and easy methods to do so.

5 ways to remove tan from your skin

The immune system is harmed by sun exposure, which can also accelerate skin aging and damage. You must thus combat it with the appropriate tan removal methods. Arbutin, Niacinamide, Licorice extract, and grape seed extract are some ingredients that might aid in lightening skin tone. 5 ways to remove tan from the skin are described below.

Lazer toning

To reduce skin tan, a dermatologist utilizes laser equipment to break down the melanin pigment. High-intensity monochromatic coherent light is produced by lasers (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation).

When applied to the skin, this light energy transforms into heat energy to specifically target the skin pigment called melanin without causing damage to the nearby tissue. To remove the extra melanin, they pierce the skin’s deeper layers.

Rose water, cucumbers, and lime juice face mask

Although saturated lemon juice is successful in eliminating tan, not everyone should use it. Therefore, using a lemon juice facial mask is usually advised. That’s all this was. You must combine one teaspoon of each component for the face pack in a dish. Apply the face mask to the sun-kissed regions and let it on for 10 to 15 minutes until it dries. Use cold water to rinse off. Lemon juice can help you avoid tanning, and cucumbers are known to have antioxidants that are healthy for your skin since they shield it from irritation and UV damage. Similar to cucumbers, rose water is high in antioxidants that help to preserve the pH balance of your skin. This makes it a better choice for people with sensitive skin.

Lightening actives

The prevention of tanning is the primary mechanism by which lightening actives, which are chemical agents, lighten the skin. The use of lightening substances such as licorice, niacinamide, vitamin C, and kojic acid are common components in facial tanning removal procedures that have proven to be effective. The question now is, what precisely are they?

  • Glabridin and liquidity, which are found in licorice root, are helpful for problems with skin tanning.
  • Tyrosinase is an enzyme that helps the skin produce melanin. Tyrosinase is inhibited by vitamin C, which lowers melanin and prevents skin tanning.
  • A fungus that resembles a mushroom that grows during fermentation is the source of kojic acid. It penetrates the top layers of skin and prevents melanin formation, giving the skin a lightning look. 
  • Skin can be lightened and tanned with niacinamide, or vitamin B3. It is efficient because it reduces by more than half the quantity of melanin that pigment-producing cells (melanocytes) transport to the surface.

Microdermabrasion

Exfoliating dead skin cells with an excessive accumulation of melanin pigment is the goal of the microdermabrasion technique, which is a method for removing tans. It promotes the quicker than normal regeneration of new cells, which would not otherwise be the case. The ultimate result is skin that has an appearance that is more youthful, toned, and firmer. There are 2 techniques. Diamond-tip and crystal microdermabrasion are both utilized in this process.

Tomatoes and yogurt

It has been common knowledge for a very long time that tomatoes contain a lot of potassium as well as vitamins A and B. It tastes like citrus and is believed to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Citric acid, which may be contained in tomato juice, is a natural exfoliant that helps remove tans. Yogurt may remove dark spots and discoloration from the skin, in addition to hydrating and soothing the skin. Tomato juice and yogurt, each measured up into a teaspoon, are mixed together. Apply the pack generously to the areas of skin that will be exposed to the sun. Maintain the setting for the full thirty minutes before washing with lukewarm water.

Bottom line

A tan can cause significant damage to the skin. Therefore, you need to take action to remove the tan from your skin. The five suggestions that have been provided here are among the most effective methods for removing the tan from your skin. 

 

Why more than 20% of US people experience mental illness

Mental Health Matters

Every year, an increasing number of American people suffer from some sort of mental disease. In 2019, approximately 20% of the American population, or roughly 50 million people, were diagnosed with a mental disorder. That figure is based on data acquired before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has thrown a whole new group of strains on the US population. Illness, unemployment, solitude, increased medical expenditures, and financial uncertainty are among the new stressors.

The value of mental health data

To properly understand mental health in the United States, a strong dataset is required. We must be completely aware because, to be honest, the statistics are concerning. Every day, one in every five Americans battles with mental health concerns. Half of all American adults (approximately 27 million people) suffer from mental illness without receiving treatment. Major depressive illness affects 10.6 percent of American kids. These are the most vulnerable members of our population and the future of civilization. These young people are the most vulnerable in our population and the future of society. These statistics show that mental illness is a widespread problem in the United States. Almost everyone in the country has been affected by it at some point in their lives, if not through their own personal struggles with these issues, then through those close to them.

Any ailment that affects 50 million Americans or more deserves to be scrutinized so that it can be addressed at its source. This is especially true in the case of mental health, when the consequences can be considerable. (1)

How Does Mental Illness Affect a Person?

Mental illness, particularly untreated illnesses, frequently has far-reaching consequences for people beyond their emotional or immediate mental capacities. Overall health, as well as one’s capacity to excel in career and school, might suffer.

  • Depressed people are 40% more likely to develop heart disease, which is one of the main causes of mortality in the United States.
  • People suffering from mental illnesses are significantly more prone to continue smoking. This, in turn, causes a slew of additional physical health problems.
  • Over a third of persons diagnosed with a mental disorder abuse substances, which has far-reaching physical repercussions.
  • Individuals suffering from mental illness are significantly more likely to have sleep-related issues including sleep apnea and insomnia.
  • There is a clear correlation between those suffering from mental illness and those suffering from chronic ailments including cancer, diabetes, and arthritis.

A considerable fraction of the population in the United States struggles with their mental health on a daily basis. Many of these Americans are suffering from a lack of care, and as a result, they are experiencing the full impact of their sickness on themselves, their families, and their community.

Current developments in minority, low-income, and juvenile populations are particularly concerning. These groups are more likely to exhibit signs of mental illness, to report suicidal ideation, to be jailed, and to engage in drug misuse. (2)

Is aging a disease?

David Sinclair, PhD, a genetics professor at Harvard Medical School and one of the world’s foremost authorities on aging and lifespan, believes so. His new book, “Lifespan: Why We Age—and Why We Don’t Have to,” delves into the most recent studies on longevity and anti-aging treatments. After hearing Sinclair on a podcast, I was eager to read this book.

Science behind longevity thinks that aging is an illness that can be treated in our lifetimes. According to Sinclair, there is just one reason humans age: knowledge loss. The most significant loss happens in the epigenome, which is the expression of genetic information that tells freshly differentiated cells what to be. Aging is analogous to the collection of scratches on a DVD, which renders the content unreadable. A cell’s identity changes whenever there is a drastic alteration in the epigenome, such as after DNA damage from the sun. Sinclair contends that the loss of epigenetic information is the cause of aging.

  • Fertility and NAD: the NAD booster NMN has been proven to restore fertility in mice that have had “mousopause.” Sinclair believes that we are on the verge of a future in which women will be able to keep fertility for far longer periods of their lives and potentially retrieve it if it is lost. Longevity compounds such as NMN and metformin have been demonstrated to promote both female and male fertility.
  • Fasting: there is a strong correlation between fasting and longevity in Blue Zones such as Ikaria, Greece, where one-third of the population lives past the age of 90.
  • Exercise: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) activates the most health-promoting genes. This entails hitting 70-85% of your maximal heart rate. Exercise activates the genes that make us young again at the cellular level, lengthening telomeres and increasing mitochondrial function.