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10 Snapchat Emojis Meaning And How Can You Use Them

snapchat emoji meaning

Have you ever used or are you new to Snapchat? You probably wonder what different emojis that are placed next to your friends’ names mean. These emojis aren’t placed randomly at all and can tell you a lot about your relationship on Snapchat and your virtual bond with your friends.

If you are new to Snapchat, it will probably be difficult for you to decipher what they actually mean.

This article is a short guide and emoji presentation, and you will know what they mean, how big the virtual bond with your friends is, and which are your BFF Snapchat friends. (1)

Snapchat Is A Great Tool For Sending Short Videos And Images To Your Friends

Snapchat is an interactive medium known for virtual stickers, augmented reality objects, and the original emojis that appear on your friends’ right when you chat. It is primarily used for multimedia messages referred to as “snaps” and includes different filters, drawings, and effects.

 Snapchat has incredible features, and you can easily share images and videos with many users while chatting, and there is no risk that the shared media will remain within the person as they can be viewed by the user for some specified time, determined by the sender (usually 1 to 10 seconds) before they disappear. That is why it has so many users, and it is considered one of the best media for sharing selfies. (2)

What Do Emojis Represent?

Emojis represent friendship and how much you are engaged with that person, and they act as a certain tracking tool. The more selfies and videos you share with that person, the more they change the look, and this can help you to see how your relationship has changed. (3)

10 Snapchat Emojis Meaning

On Snapchat, you can have 8 best friends in total, but that depends on how active you are, so the number can be lower if you are not very active in the application. BFF emojis appear right to your friend’s name, and they have different meanings depending on the interaction you have with your friends.

In general, 10 emojis can be placed right next to your friends’ names and maybe slightly different depending on the operating system and the telephone you use, so without any further ado, let’s see what they mean.

1. Yellow Heart Emoji Means The User Is Your Number 1 Best Friend

When someone is your best friend, and he or she is the person you send most snaps to, you get a yellow heart.

So, the yellow heart emoji signifies you are best friends, one to each other. It appears the first two weeks after being a best friend with that user, and if you continue to be best friends with the same user after 2 weeks, it changes to the red heart.

It is not possible to have a yellow heart with many users, but just with the one you are best friends with.

2. Red Heart Means You Are Best Friends With Someone For 2 Weeks 

Keeping in mind that red is the color of love, passion, power, danger, and power, having a red heart emoji means powerful emotions as it is more intense than the yellow one, and it means an intense virtual bond. This means that you have been best friends with that person for two weeks, and you have constantly been sending snaps one to other for two weeks continuously.

If you keep this emoji for two months, the read hearts turn into yellow or two little pink hearts, and a pink heart means your friendship is more serious than having a red heart.

3. Two Pink Hearts Emoji Means You Are Best Friends For Two Months In A Row

When you see two pink hearts placed beside your friend’s username, it means that you have been best friends for two months now, or super BFF.

Note: There is a bug in the application which causes two pink hearts to be replaced by a yellow heart by mistake.

4. Smiley Face Emoji Means The User Is One Of Your Best Friends But Not Your Best Friend

If there is a smiley face next to your friend’s name on Snapchat, it means that the user is one of your best friends and he or she is the one you send the most snaps to, but he or she is not your number one friend. If he or she is your best friend, Snapchat will display a yellow or a red heart next to your friend’s name.

This is one-sided emoji, and it means that it is not shared mutually between you and your friend. So, if you do not belong to their Best friends list, the smiley face won’t appear next to your name. Instead, they will see a smirking face.

Depending on the version of Snapchat you have or your telephone, this emoji may sometimes blush.

5. Smirking Face on Snapchat Means You Are Someone’s Best Friend

This emoji appears when you are one of the person’s best friends, but he or she is not one of your best friends. In other words, he or she has been sending you a lot of snaps, but you sent most of your messages to someone else.

6. Sunglasses Emoji Snapchat Means You Have A Mutual Best Friend With Your Friend

If this emoji appears beside your friend’s name, it means that you both have a mutual best friend and have recently interacted with the same people.

7. Grimace Face Means A Friendship Triangle

This emoji means that you and your friend interact with the same person and chat and send videos to that person the most, so you are in some kind of friendship triangle.

It is important to note that this emoji can disappear if both users (you and your friends) start sending snaps to some other users, so this emoji is shown as per recent activity.

8. Snapstrack Emoji Means Constant Interaction With Your Friend For Three Days In a Row 

The flame emoji on Snapchat is called a Snapstreak, and it means that you interact with another person for three consecutive days in a row and that you are exchanging constant snaps. This relates only to snaps as the text messages do not count.

If the snapping goes for several days, a number will appear beside this emoji.

9. Hourglass Emoji Means Snapstrack Will End Soon

This is a reminder emoji that your Saptrack will end soon if you do not send another snap to your friend to keep the Snaptreack going on.

10. Birthday Emoji on Snapchat Means Your Friend Has A Birthday 

If you see a birthday cake next to your friend’s name, it means that you should wish him or her a happy birthday. Actually, that is the date your friend has stated as his or her birthday when signing in on the platform. (4)

Conclusion

As Snapchat emojis can convey different meanings, it can be rather confusing if you are a new user, but when you know their meanings, it is fun and easier to keep track of your friends and start snapping even more!

7 Tips For Planning a Small Wedding

Honeymoon

There are many reasons why someone would want to have a small, more intimate wedding. Weddings can be costly, and you may not have many people you want to invite.

If you’re trying to plan a small wedding, here are seven tips to make your day a success.

  • You Still Need To Plan

Just because you’re planning a smaller, more intimate wedding doesn’t mean there isn’t any planning involved. You shouldn’t wait until the last minute to figure out the details.

You still need to consider photography, guests, an officiant, wedding bands, a marriage license, and more. Give yourself extra time, so you aren’t rushing at the last minute to get everything together.

  • Decide Where You Want To Get Married

Now that you’ve decided to have a smaller wedding, it opens up many opportunities for the ceremony location.

For some, a smaller wedding means heading to the mountains for a micro-wedding with a view. Other times, people want to elope in a foreign destination like Reykjavík with the help of an Iceland elopement planner.

This, of course, will depend greatly on what you consider to be a small wedding. You may not be able to get 20 people to travel to another country. But if it’s just the two of you, the world is your oyster.

  • Get Married In Style

A traditional wedding has a lot of customary things involved, such as a wedding dress or suit and tie. But the best part about having a small wedding is that you can do whatever you want.

Get married in a style that’s suitable for you. You can wear a jumper rather than a dress or bust out those snazzy cowboy boots you’ve been saving. Remember, it’s your day, and you get to set the rules.

  • Talk About The Honeymoon

The best part about having a smaller wedding is that you’ll spend significantly less money than you would with a larger event. That means you can budget for other exciting things like your honeymoon.

Have a conversation with your partner about how you want to take your trip as newlyweds so you can plan your getaway ahead of time. That way, you can get cheaper airline flights and have your hotels booked with one less thing to worry about.

Plus, it can sometimes be easier to take a more significant chunk of time off work, rather than spreading it out over a few months.

  • Skip The Parts You Don’t Care About

Many people don’t fit into the category of a traditional wedding itinerary. Having a smaller wedding allows you to eliminate the parts that don’t interest you.

For instance, you may not want to have a mother-son and father-daughter dance due to your family dynamic. Or you might hate the idea of having a cocktail hour and want to go straight to the dinner party.

Make the day what you want it to be rather than what you feel like it’s supposed to be.

  • Keep It More Relaxed

Planning the perfect wedding doesn’t mean you have to spend the entirety of your time bouncing from one guest to the next, thanking them for coming and catching up.

With a more intimate wedding, you can keep it much more relaxed and be able to take in special moments with the people you love.

Go with the flow and keep what this day is really about in the forefront of your mind.

  • Plan An After Party

When a couple plans a smaller wedding, the event will run a little shorter. This is a great opportunity to surprise your guests by planning an after-party. It can be extremely simple, like heading to your favorite wine bar, or heading to the beach to have a bonfire.

Make it something you and your guests will enjoy to maintain the relaxed and memorable atmosphere.

Conclusion

When you plan an intimate wedding, you actually get to have much more flexibility when it comes to your special day. There is less to worry yourself about and a little more wiggle room in your budget as well.

Remember what this day is all about and allow yourself to enjoy the intimacy of having a micro-wedding or elopement.

Best Kratom Krush Vendor Of 2022

kratom

Kratom’s popularity in the US is rising, with statistics showing that over 1% of American adults use kratom products for various purposes. The herb is readily available to adults, with online kratom vendors selling various kratom products, including capsules, powders, teas, and shots in diverse kratom strains.

However, while trustworthy online kratom brands and vendors like Kratom Krush exist, not all entities selling kratom online sell safe, high-quality products. Therefore, you need to identify trustworthy kratom vendors before spending your hard-earned money on their products. So, below are the top kratom brands doubling as online wholesale/retail kratom vendors.

Kratom Krush

Kratom Krush is a leading kratom brand focused on giving consumers reasonable access to high-quality, fresh, and pure kratom products. Its extensive product portfolio includes kratom powders/teas, extracts, capsules, and kratom leaf in white, green, red, and gold kratom strains. Moreover, the brand offers retail and wholesale prices, making it the best place to purchase bonafide Kratom Krush products at unbeatable prices.

The brand’s dedication to enriching your kratom experience means that they only use organically-grown kratom that meets the federal requirement for products labeled as organic. Second, it submits all its products for batch testing in accredited third-party labs to ensure that all the kratom products you consume are free of mold, pesticides, and heavy metals. The third-party labs also test the products’ purity levels for accurate dosing.

However, Kratom Krush offers a 45-day money-back guarantee to all consumers, signifying its tremendous faith in its products’ quality, purity, and effectiveness. Therefore, if any Kratom Krush product fails to meet your needs, you can contact the vendor for a refund.

The brand’s customer service team is readily accessible via the phone, email, and online chats to help you address such matters. Moreover, the dedicated customer service team can help you with product queries outside the consumer resources on the brand’s website and educational email series.

kratom powder

Earth Grown Wellness

Earth Grown Wellness is arguably the best online vendor for botanical products, including kratom. The brand’s primary goal is sourcing high-quality plant products to allow consumers to savor nature’s gifts and improve their overall well-being.

One outstanding fact about Earth Grown Wellness is its exceptional product variety. The brand features kratom extract beverages and other edibles, powders, capsules, shots, and tinctures in green, red, and white kratom strains.

Moreover, the brand retails kratom products by leading kratom brands. Although it has thousands of herbal products on its platform, Earth Grown Wellness prioritizes product quality and exclusively stocks products by kratom brands that submit their products for third-party quality lab tests. Therefore, you can view accompanying certificates of analysis (COA) for each kratom product on its product page.

Second, the brand also exclusively stocks products by brands offering quality assurance guarantees, including Kratom Krush. Moreover, it follows up on the guarantees on your behalf should you have any issue with a product bought via the Earth Grown Wellness platform.

However, you should report any quality or efficacy issues within the stipulated guarantee period for your claim to be held valid. You can contact the brand’s customer service team via phone or email with any product queries or complaints you may have. Earth brown Wellness offers same-day delivery on 99% of their orders. (1)

yellow powder

Super Speciosa

Super Speciosa is a leading kratom brand synonymous with exceptional product quality, as expressed in the thousands of online product and brand reviews. It holds a Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) certification awarded by the American Kratom Association (AKA).

The AKA’s Good Manufacturing Certification program aims to motivate kratom vendors to uphold and supersede the kratom product quality standards set by the industry regulator. Participating brands like Super Speciosa must complete an annual third-party audit of their production processes to qualify for the certification.

Besides the cGMP certification, Super Speciosa also submits its kratom products for independent lab testing to ensure they are impure and contaminant-free. Therefore, Super Speciosa affordably sells top-grade kratom teas, powders, tea bags, and capsules.

However, the brand also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all its products to any disgruntled customers who may find the product ineffective. You can reach their dedicated customer service team via phone or email for wholesale or retail product queries. (2)

Golden Monk

The Golden Monk brand is an AKA-certified kratom brand famous for merging high-quality products at affordable prices. It sells kratom capsules and powders in popular strains, including red-veined, green, white, and Maeng Da kratom.

Golden Monk submits all its products to independent labs for batch tests to ensure product safety and purity. Moreover, it offers a 100% money-back guarantee to any dissatisfied customers. You can contact the brand via phone, email, or social media platforms with any product or purchase-related queries.

kratom capsules

Organic Kratom USA

Organic Kratom USA sources its Kratom leaves from Southeast Asia’s most trusted kratom suppliers. However, it also submits all its kratom capsules and powders for third-party lab tests to ensure they meet the AKA’s quality standards.

One unique aspect of this brand is that they allow you to create a custom kratom powder blend featuring up to four strains of your choice. Moreover, the brand’s e-commerce platform offers a risk-free way to purchase high-quality kratom and products via wholesale and retail, thanks to the money-back guarantee policy. Organic Kratom USA offers same-day free shipping for orders worth over $79.

Conclusion:

Your kratom product’s quality significantly influences your kratom experience. Therefore, consider purchasing high-quality products from trusted vendors; luckily, you know where to start.

What It Means When A Woman Goes Silent Based On Her Zodiac Sign

when a woman goes silent

When a woman goes silent, it doesn’t mean she has nothing to say. On the contrary, her silence speaks louder than her words.

In a woman’s silence, there’s always a hidden message, and it’s on you to interpret its meaning. (1)

Believe it or not, what a woman’s silence means can greatly depend on the zodiac sign she was born under. So, in this article, we’ll see what it means when a woman goes silent based on her zodiac sign. So, without further ado, let’s get to it.

When An Aries Woman Goes Silent

When an Aries woman goes silent, it means she’s hurt. Her partner may have said or done something that hurt her feelings. So, when something like this happens, she goes silent because she needs to spend some time on her own. She needs to process her pain. She needs to figure things out, reflect on her priorities, goals, and what she wants out of life, and recharge her batteries. She needs to reconnect with herself.

An Aries woman can also go silent because she’s no longer interested in a relationship. She may have had enough of her and her partner’s misunderstandings, bitter arguments, and drama. She may have had enough of her partner’s broken promises, lame excuses, and lies.

Aries women are known for being rash and hotheaded. They react to things fast without carefully thinking first. So, when an Aries woman goes silent, it means there’s rage brewing inside her, waiting to erupt.

When A Cancer Woman Goes Silent

Women born under this zodiac sign are known for displaying passive-aggressive behavior, which is why it can be difficult to know what’s going on in their heads when they go silent. If you do something that can make them feel uncomfortable, angry, or sad, they’ll shut down and avoid talking to you for hours, even days.

Cancer women are also known for being one of the most emotional and sensitive people. They crave the attention and love from those they love the most. So, when a Cancer woman goes quiet and is acting like she’s not interested in you, know that something is going on there.

Cancer women are also known for being overly protective of the people they love the most. So, they can also go silent if you hurt their close friends or family members’ feelings or talk behind their back.

When A Virgo Woman Goes Silent

Virgo women are known as great communicators. If a Virgo woman senses things are going wrong in your relationship, chances are she’ll let you know. Similarly, if you say or do something that hurts her feelings, she won’t be hesitant to let you know she’s hurt and call you out on your behavior.

Virgo women value relationship rules the most. So, if there’s one thing that can make a woman born under this zodiac sign go quiet, that’s if you break some of the rules the two of you have established in your relationship. If you break them, whether unintentionally or deliberately, she’ll feel like she can cut off contact with you without giving you any explanation.

When A Libra Woman Goes Silent

Libra women are very adept at giving silent treatment. When a Libra woman senses that the harmony and balance in the relationship are disturbed, she’ll go silent. If there’s something off in the relationship, she’ll rather go quiet and sweep the problem under the carpet than talk to you about it because she hates drama and conflict.

Libra women are unconfrontational people, and they will do anything in their power to avoid getting involved in any type of argument. When they’re faced with a problem in their relationships, rather than dealing with it right away, they’d choose to pretend as if the issue never existed. This type of behavior can make things difficult for you if you want to find out what the problem is.

Another reason a Libra woman may start ignoring you is that she sees you as a negative person or someone that exudes negative energy. Namely, Libra women love being only around positive people. So, if you tend to be pessimistic or express a lot of criticism, it may now be clear to you why a Libra woman is ghosting you.

When A Scorpio Woman Goes Silent

When a Scorpio woman gets upset or angry at you, she can get mean and tell you things she’ll probably regret saying later. But, in addition to being hotheaded, Scorpio women are also known for being quiet and mysterious. So, when a Scorpio woman goes silent, there might be several reasons for that, but they all come down to the fact that you hurt her or made her mad at you.

If you say or do something the Scorpio woman told you would irritate or upset her, she’ll feel like she can abruptly cut off all contact with you. She’ll ignore you without giving you any explanation why she’s doing that. She won’t bother to wait for you to apologize to her for your behavior or make it up to her.

When A Sagittarius Woman Goes Silent

In addition to being known for being entirely sincere in their relationships, Sagittarius women are also known for being noncommittal people. Getting them to commit is hard.

However, once a Sagittarius woman finds someone she considers worthy of her attention and love, she’ll do everything in her power to be the best partner she can possibly be. However, once she feels like the relationship is not headed in the right direction or that her partner doesn’t have anything to offer her anymore, she won’t think twice about going silent. It’s like she has some kind of a special power that enables her to turn her feelings off at once.

When A Pisces Woman Goes Silent

Pisces women are empathic, selfless, and affectionate individuals who tend to perceive romantic relationships through rose-tinted glasses and idealize their partners. In their relationships, they fully devote themselves to their partners and go out of their way to make their partners feel respected, loved, and admired. And they expect their partners to treat them the same way.

Therefore, if there is anything that can make a Pisces woman go completely silent on you, that is if she notices that you treat her as a second option. Pisces women don’t like feeling not being taken care of and being underrated. They have high self-esteem and value their dignity the most.

Another thing that can make a Pisces woman go silent is if you call her out on her behavior. Pisces women can be caring, compassionate, and loving, but they can’t stand dealing with consequences.

And last but not least, a Pisces woman can go silent if she notices that you’re indecisive. If she can sense that you don’t know what you want to achieve in life and what you look for in a relationship, she’ll go silent to show you that she has no intention of tolerating your indecisiveness.

A woman can go silent for various reasons. And sometimes, those reasons can be determined by the zodiac sign she was born under.

Macropay Reviews the Psychology Behind Checkout Anxiety

paying with card

The most crucial part of an e-commerce website is its checkout page. This space is where consumer interest gets converted to revenue. However, this is also where buyers feel the most anxious, evidenced by the staggering 69.82% online shopping cart abandonment rate from Baymard Institute’s recent study. In this article, Macropay reviews the reasons behind checkout anxiety and how your business can help potential customers alleviate the stress of the checkout process.

Setting up an online store should create a frictionless experience for consumers – from viewing items to placing orders. Each part of the website should consider the customer’s journey every step of the way. Every aspect of the payment experience can contribute to checkout anxiety.

What is Checkout Anxiety?

The term ‘checkout anxiety’ refers to the customer’s innate fear of making an online purchase. Several practical factors can drive this stress when purchasing through an e-commerce website. Among other things, they cannot touch, see, or hold the product before buying. In addition, most people are accustomed to anchoring their decisions after carefully inspecting an item. Moreover, there is almost no human interaction when buying online. And customers are used to asking questions, getting reassurance, and considering opinions from store clerks or merchandisers. Hence, online purchases feel a bit riskier for them.

However, checkout anxiety is not an unbeatable opponent for businesses. In fact, circumventing the factors that create this anxiety can prove beneficial to the company as an added value for the customers. Therefore, it is essential for e-commerce website owners to understand the sources of checkout anxiety and solve them at that level.

Overwhelmed with Choices

One of the reasons consumers prefer online purchasing is the sheer variety of products available at their fingertips. However, according to research conducted on internet shopping anxiety, even the most variety-seeking segment experiences an overload of options. This causes confusion when selecting an item from a pool of hundreds, sometimes thousands. When they finally decide to hit the purchase button, there comes the issue of whether they made the correct purchase. This regret fuelled becomes a learned behaviour which resurfaces the next time they make a purchase. 

Luckily, businesses can take advantage of the increasing capacities of existing algorithms. Aside from limiting their page to only the most relevant products to the search query, they can also use recommendation engines to curate their customers’ journey further.

However, while having too many product choices is not the only concern fuelling checkout anxiety. The topic of cybersecurity and data safety also stirs anxiety during checkout. 

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy

It is getting harder to detect online scams. It is even more complicated if a payment gateway is compromised. Repeat customers trust certain sites but that trust is gone once they click the checkout button and realise that they have been scammed.

Payment gateway security is crucial to the survivability of businesses. It is the business’s responsibility to ensure that its paying customers are safe. This entails optimum cybersecurity and compliant data storage procedures.

Curbing checkout anxiety takes strong safety and security measures. It also does not hurt to offer a payment gateway specifically designed to make it easier for customers to pay with heightened security.

Legal compliance is also a concern business need to watch out for. The General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR is designed to “enhance individuals’ control and rights over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business.” The failure to protect your consumers’ data does not only hold the business as noncompliant, but it also leads to mistrust — mistrust fuels checkout anxiety.

Lack of website credibility

The internet is now a second home to many. Through the years, it has become easier to spot bogus websites created to scam people out of their money. However, even legitimate e-commerce websites can fall victim to the hypervigilance of people on the internet.

Digital fraud is a very real risk with catastrophic consequences. But there are times well-meaning businesses slip up. Not paying attention to details can make a site appear like a scam.

In a 2021 study, researchers found that 90% of US consumers are concerned when sharing their personal information with new e-commerce sites. Therefore, business owners must optimize their checkout process by adding trust signals. These trust signals vary greatly depending on the nature of your business and what your clients value. Some trust signals are as simple as the logo of your payment processor which lets your customer know that their payments are safe.

Other trust signals include glowing reviews from other satisfied customers, sustainable partners, social proof, policy information, membership to credible institutions, or even a statement of guarantee.

Tedious checkout process

17% of US shoppers said they abandoned their cart after selecting the items they wanted because of the lengthy checkout process. On top of that, 18% said they do not trust the website with their credit card information. As the checkout process becomes longer, it opens a wider gap for customers to drop-off. Furthermore, the fact that the process is needlessly long diminishes the trust placed on the website.

The issue of trust is especially important for businesses to tackle head-on. Losing customers due to their checkout process could mean that they will never return to the site. After all, there are a thousand other places on the internet to make the same purchase.

Ease of access and user experience is the issue. Businesses need to use the most trusted checkout payments solution. By integrating Macropay in the checkout process, customers will experience a much faster transaction with the guaranteed safety of their data.

Macropay Review in Conclusion

Macropay can significantly increase a new website’s credibility. Tried and tested, their gateway processes millions in payments. In fact, there have been instances when an interested client would have to be waitlisted.

Battle checkout anxiety by improving the payment process for your clients. Allow your business to thrive. From advisory services to innovative payment technology, all it takes is a little help. Get in touch with Macropay’s payment experts through support@macropay.net

10 Exciting Ways to Spend Your Time With Kids in Chicago

Chicago

One way to make a trip to Chicago more exciting is to bring kids along. Indeed, there are numerous activities you can do in this amazing city. Consider ten family-friendly ways to spend your time with children here.

  1. Kohl Children’s Museum

Young children can take pleasure in the hands-on learning activities at Kohl Children’s Museum. Some permanent exhibits are Adventures in Art, Build It, and Cooperation Station. Kids will have the chance to use their imaginations and get creative.

  1. Shedd Aquarium

At the Shedd Aquarium, families can see astounding animals such as sharks, seadragons, giant Pacific octopus, the Great Horned owl, and more. A few exhibits to love are Abbott Oceanarium, Caribbean Reef, and the Polar Play Zone. Besides this, it can be helpful to have a safe place to put your personal belongings so you don’t have to carry them around. Vertoe provides luggage storage in Chicago and across over 65 major U.S. cities. It’s secure, affordable, and hassle-free and can give you a way to forget about your problems and relax.

  1. Lincoln Park Zoo

Almost nothing can hold the attention of children better than animals. Founded in 1868, Lincoln Park Zoo spans 35 acres. From the aardvark to the Chilean flamingo, your kids might want to stay all day. Some programs to consider trying out are Zoo Camps, Family Nature Days, and Campfire Nights.

  1. Centennial Wheel at Navy Pier

At a height of almost 200 feet, residents and visitors alike can appreciate The Centennial Wheel. Families can take pleasure in the 360-degree view it offers of Lake Michigan and Chicago. Riding high above the city on a Ferris wheel can be a truly memorable experience your curious kids will likely cherish forever.

  1. Chicago Children’s Theater

The Chicago Children’s Theatre provides imaginative plays for children to watch. Examples of shows are The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show and The Beatrix Potter Holiday Tea Party. Acting classes give kids an opportunity to explore musical theater, improv, and multimedia, among other things.

  1. Chicago Cultural Center

In 1897, the Chicago Cultural Center opened and represented Chicago at its best. Here you’ll find free family events, art exhibitions, theater events, music, and more. Further, all ages can enjoy the experiences, sounds, and sights of the Learning Lab.

  1. Chicago Botanic Garden

The Chicago Botanic Garden sits on 385 acres and displays millions of flowers and plants. Children can love taking a nature walk through the ever-changing settings. Alternatively, wait to visit in the fall to see the Night of 1,000 Jack-O’-Lanterns.

  1. LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Families who love playing with LEGO toys can stop by the LEGOLAND Discovery Center. In LEGOLAND, age doesn’t matter because LEGOS are for everyone. Have a blast exploring Miniland, or build a LEGO car and race it down a giant ramp. Or head to the LEGO 4D Cinema where different movies play every 30 minutes.

  1. Chicago Magic Lounge

If your children have never experienced a magic show, you can astound them by taking them to the Chicago Magic Lounge. You and your kids have the rare opportunity to see guest entertainers and talented magicians perform perplexing tricks before your astounded eyes.

  1. Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

At the center of the Lincoln Park neighborhood, you can visit the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Families can witness nature-inspired art and live native animals up close. Exhibits such as Judy Istock Butterfly Haven and RiverWorks are educational and interactive. Some fun programs to consider joining are Winter & Summer Camp, Chicago Conservation Corps, or even In-School programs.

All things considered, children and adults can have the best time in Chicago. Other places you might like to visit include the Museum of Science and Industry, Maggie Daley Park, Adler Planetarium, and many others. Therefore, you’ll be able to explore the city and never become bored.

What Is Foot Reflexology, How Does It Work And How Can Do It Yourself?

If you want to feel better and ease the accumulated stress from your busy and hectic lives, you can use a specific kind of therapy, reflexology. It is a form of massage as reflexologists use their hands and apply pressure on feet, hands, or ears to ease your stress.

It is not typical care, and this Chinese foot massage cannot treat or diagnose any illness, but it can be used as a complementary treatment to some medical ones. It is an antient Asian healing practice based on the principles of connection between different body parts and reflex points of the feet.

Everyone loves a foot massage and feels better after having it. So, let’s learn why this type of massage is worth trying.

How Does Foot Reflexology Work?

Reflexology is a holistic practice that can improve the quality of your life in different ways. It is a mainstay of traditional Chinese medicine.

It has been here for centuries, and it has been practiced since 2300 B.C.

It is a zone and an alternative therapy that involves applying pressure to the feet without any oil and lotion. When applied, it improves your body’s nerve response, gives you balanced energy levels, and improves your blood circulation.

Understanding The  Foot Reflexology Chart

Can you imagine your whole body projected on your foot? This is what basically the reflexology chart is.

The left foot will stimulate the left side of your body, while the right foot will stimulate the right side.

So, how are some parts of the feet connected to your body parts?

To give an example, the bottom of your feet, from the tip to the heel, is related to your spine. The second and the third toe relate to your eyes, while the other toes are connected to your teeth, head, and sinuses.

Here is an example of a reflexology foot chart so you can see the reflexology points on your feet:

foot reflexology massage

Modern science needs more quality and thorough research to confirm how this Asian therapy works.

Some studies confirmed that it could be beneficial for reducing back pain, lowering migraine pains, and reducing stress. (1) (2)

Reflexology Benefits

But, this doesn’t mean that it is not beneficial for many uses, and one of the key benefits of this therapy include:

1. Stress and relaxation (One of the main benefits of this massage as by increasing the blood flow in your body, your stress level is decreased).

2. Pain management ( It can help you with acute and chronic pain. In one 2019 study, it was proved to be effective with children that had chronic pain and reduced it significantly.) (3)

3. Digestion ( The reflexology helps digestion by increasing the blood flow, but more research is needed to confirm this statement.)

4. Eyestrain ( Our daily activities include looking at screens all day long, and reflexology may help with relaxing the tight muscles around our eyes.)

5. Improved sleep ( After a reflexology treatment, you can easily get a good night’s sleep as it reduces the stress and relaxes your muscles.)

6. An overall sense of well–being and clearing your body from the accumulated toxins.

In addition to this, it can:

  • Fight cancer
  • Resolve sinus issues
  • Improve fertility
  • Improve immune system
  • Help you with back problems
  • Fight colds and bacterial infections
  • Correct hormonal imbalances
  • Release arthritis pain
  • Treat nerve problems and numbness from cancer drugs (peripheral neuropathy)

Difference Between Reflexology And The Foot Massage

Reflexology is done mainly on the feet and involves small muscle movements compared to the common massage that can be done on every part of the body and involves large muscle movements.

Reflexology derives from antient Asian cultures. This massage stimulates the complex pathways that wind throughout the body and doesn’t simply interact with the feet’ soft tissues. The reflexologist applies different techniques to treat reflex points that connect feet to different body parts like organs, bones, or body systems. There are numerous reflex points on the feet that can be stimulated to induce healing and lead to balance in the whole body.

This massage has more health benefits compared to the ordinary foot massage that is limited to the feet only.

Foot massage is used for sore and tense feet to relieve the pain, and it is used for stimulating and improving circulation. When your blood flow is improved, it will reduce the tension and promotes healing. You can do a foot massage by yourself or ask someone to do it for you.

A simple foot massage will be kneading stiff or sore areas of your feet with the help of your hands and knuckles. At the same time, you can spread the toes apart to stretch the muscles.

4 Reasons Why Reflexology Can Be Painful

There could be several reasons why your foot hurts while you are having a massage. In fact, there are around 200.000 nerve endings on your feet, so if you haven’t had any foot massage before, it might cause you some weird sensations.

Here is the list of the main reasons why you experienced pain during the foot massage:

1. Because your feet have never been massaged before

Most people have probably had a rare chance of having a foot massage, so pain and discomfort might be part of your first ever foot massage, but do not worry, with time and as you continue to get more massages, the pain is lower, and it will eventually go away.

2. Maybe you have some health issues

If you experience some pain during reflexology, it might be that something else is going on in your body or something is wrong with that particular part of the body. This may indicate that you should pay a visit to your family doctor and do some tests to see if you are in good shape.

In Chinese Reflexology, when some painful point is found, the therapist focuses on it, while in the Western world, is completely different, and the therapist tries to ease the movements and the massage to ease the pain.

3. Your masseuse is applying too much pressure

There are, unfortunately, many poorly trained therapists, and if you end up with this type of therapist, you may feel pain, so it is very important to find the right therapist and try out as many therapists as you can and see what works best for you.

4. Because some congested reflex areas are treated

Reflexology doesn’t resemble a foot massage, and you will usually feel the pain when some congested reflex areas are massaged, but the soreness will go away in a few sessions.

In the end, if the pain is intolerable, it is not wrong to ask the therapist to stop the massage.

How Can You Practice Reflexology By Yourself?

As mentioned above, reflexology is a treatment that takes into account all aspects of a person and has no known side effects, except for some mild ones.

How does it work?

Your hands and feet provide a map of your body’s organs, and just a small gentle pressure may give indirect access to areas in need.

Besides many health benefits stated above, reflexology may also act as a preventive measure to keep your body balanced. This traditional Chinese foot massage creates equilibrium within yourself since it believes that all diseases are caused by some sort of imbalance or vital energy, known in Chinese medicine as QI.

Although it is recommended to see a professional reflexologist for better results and safety or book a reflexologist near you, you can do some easy reflexology techniques at home by yourself to ease pains such as:

  • back-aches
  • headaches
  • general stress and tension

For some step-to-step guide on foot reflexology, you can consult a trained reflexologist or try to practice applying pressure on some reflex points on your feet by yourself and use your hands and thumbs to gently work the area for several minutes.

We offer you a few examples of different pain relief massage techniques that you can practice at home.

 Menstrual cramps 

 If you have menstrual cramps and painful periods, you can use Reflexology to ease the pain. You should try it with mild pressure on both sides of your heels, where the uterus and ovary reflexes are situated.

Stress relief and headaches

There are some specific points on your feet that can ease stress tensions, so to relax this important part of your brain, make some gentle pressure over the tips of your toes and right inside your foot. To ease a headache, try squeezing your big toes and if it is caused by your sinuses, try some pressure on the other toes as well.

Teething pains

If your baby is having some teething problems, gently pressure the web of their hands between the thumb and forefinger to soothe the teething pains.

Stomach aches

If you have some stomach aches, you need to massage your left foot as this is the place where all the reflexology pressure points related to this body part are situated. In this case, you can apply some gentle pressure to the outside of the arch of your foot, next to the heel.

Note: Avoid these pressure points when pregnant, as they might stimulate the uterus.

How Reflexology Can Help Plantar Fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is usually experienced as stabbing heel pain and stiffness when you walk out of bed early in the morning.

It can cause mild discomfort or sometimes debilitating pain and affects around 2 million Americans each year. It is caused by inflammation of one thin ligament that runs across the bottom of your foot. This ligament is the foot’s arch that supports your leg while you walk. It can found usually in runners, and you may have a risk of getting it if you are overweight, menopausal, pregnant, or wear shoes with inadequate support. 

Reflexology may be beneficial as it can relieve some pain, and it can use pressure points techniques to release tensions in the feet. 

Reflexology is a better and healthier remedy than Plantar fasciitis surgery. Similar to another massage, this therapy doesn’t give an instant cure, but with regular reflexology sessions, you can achieve an improvement and you will experience gradual pain relief on a daily basis.

When your legs are soaked in warm salt soak, the reflexologist will start the massage by losing up the tight bands of the fascia, stretching the ligaments, and breaking up the crystals in your legs to reduce the inflammation and ease the pain.

Reflexology Side Effects

If you are pregnant, you should inform your therapist because some pressure points may induce contractions.

Some people have also reported some mild side effects as:

  • Emotional sensitivity
  • Mild headaches
  • Sore feet

How to Study for the NASM Exam: A Complete Guide

personal training

Out of all the personal training certifications, you decided that NASM-CPT is the one for you. It has many specializations, so you’ll be able to land any type of fitness coaching job.

However, due to the material’s complexity, you find it hard to study for the exam. Don’t let the frustration get to you. Instead, follow our guide below to help you study the material efficiently.

1. Schedule Your Exam

It may seem counterproductive, but scheduling the exam first is a great way to enhance your studying sessions. Instead of studying for what seems like an eternity, you’ll have a clear timetable in front of you.

As a result, you’ll have to create a studying schedule and hold yourself accountable. Furthermore, it can help enhance how well you retain information since you’ve planned reviews for each section accordingly.

2. Get your CPR/AED Certification Before the Exam

Having an updated CPR/AED certification is one of the prerequisites needed before becoming a full-fledged personal trainer. So it’s in your best interest to get it before you take your exam to avoid delays afterward.

You can still take the test without it. But you’ll need to ensure you submit your certification before a one-year time frame, or you’ll have to resit the exam.

3. Use Study Guides

The NASM study guide is an effective resource to help you prepare for the certification exam. It breaks the content down into different sections outlining the material you’ll see on the test.

Furthermore, It’ll help increase your studying efficiency because you won’t have to worry about studying irrelevant information. Oh, and did we mention it’s free? 

team

4. Get Help From Flashcards

Your brain is like a sponge; because it absorbs so much, studying the complex concepts can get overwhelming. There are many definitions and exercise science components that you’ll need to know.

At some point, you’ll probably wonder why you decided to torture yourself with this certification process. But you can mitigate some stress with the help of flashcards.

Flashcards have always been a helpful memorization technique because they efficiently work the information into your brain. Furthermore, it gives your brain a rest because instead of looking at pages of text, you have a stack of flashcards with the most relevant information.

As you start reviewing your flashcards, you may feel like they’re not working. Don’t worry; your brain is getting used to the new study method. Repetition is vital when using flashcards, so the more you review, the better chance you’ll have at remembering the information.

5. Progression and Regression Are Essential

When you become a NASM-CPT, it’ll be your job to create a fitness plan aligned with your client’s goals. However, sometimes things don’t always go as planned, which can be either good or bad.

Your client may be progressing faster than expected, so you may need to tweak their program. But if you feel like they can’t keep up with what you’ve created, you’ll need to scale back their regiment, so there’s no discomfort.

6. Take Practice Tests

With the amount of material, you’ll be covering, forgetting something is inevitable. But that’s why you have practice tests.

These exams have material that resembles the actual exam. By taking them a few times, you’ll be able to figure out where your weaknesses are. 

As a result, you can put more energy into studying those sections. Then you can retake the practice exam to see if your efforts have paid off.

Once you get a score to your liking, you’ll have confidence in your abilities and know that you can pass the real exam. (1)

7. Mnemonic Phrases Can Help

You’ve probably used mnemonics from time to time without evening knowing it. Here’s one that will jog your memory:

“Thirty days has September, April, June, and November. All the rest have 31..”

No one really knows hows it ends, but do you remember that rhyme? It was an easy way to remember the number of days in certain months. That’s what mnemonics are—phrases that can help you remember important information.

Exercise science is filled with many complex topics, and using mnemonics can make it easier to process that information. You can use a rhyme (like above), create a song, or use acronyms.

These Tips Can Help You Study for the NASM Exam

The NASM exam is challenging, but studying doesn’t have to be. If you follow these suggestions and prepare accordingly, you should be just fine.

Take your time preparing beforehand and when you sit for the exam, trust your instincts. You’ve put in a decent amount of effort to get to this point.

There’s no reason to overthink anything. Attack the exam with enthusiasm, get your certification, and land the personal training job of your dreams. (2)

Independent Contractor Jobs – What to Expect and Include in Your Job Description

freelancer

A job as an independent contractor entails the same basic requirements as an employee but with more personal freedom and control. You may not be eligible for healthcare, retirement savings, and other perks. This article will teach you what to expect and what you should include in your job description.

Detailed job description

The first step in hiring a competent and experienced driver is to create a description for independent contractor jobs. A job description for an independent contractor should clearly state what the position entails. This will assist the contractor in attracting the right talent and weeding out those who are unqualified for the job. A well-written job description will simplify the process and ensure the success of your project. The job description can be customized to meet your specific needs, and it is available for free download. It will also assist you in obtaining the best possible matches. Just ensure that you include your company name and logo so that your new hire knows exactly what they’re getting themselves into. If you follow these guidelines, you will have an independent contractor job description to attract the best candidates.

Requirements

When applying for an Independent Contractor position, carefully read the job description. Many employers require independent contractors to meet certain requirements to avoid potential legal issues. One of these requirements is that the work is precise. To ensure the quality of the work, the company should have the proper tools and training. It should also have a policy stating whether or not it pays overtime. You should also ensure that you will be compensated based on your services and not be required to work on a set schedule. Also, to be considered for an Independent Contractor position, you should meet fundamental qualifications or requirements, such as having your business license, marketing experience, and marketing skill. You may also take a business bookkeeping or recordkeeping course and create a basic website. (1)

Compensation

While an independent contractor performs services under a contract, they do not have the same rights and responsibilities as an employee. Independent contractors do not have benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans. They must pay their own Social Security taxes and are not eligible for employee benefits. They are also not covered by worker’s compensation. However, there are some ways to make money as an independent contractor.

As an independent contractor, you are responsible for your operating expenses and the quality of your work. Independent contractor pay is typically based on a flat rate and does not include benefits. In other words, independent contractors are not employees, and they do not expect to be compensated for their efforts. As a result, independent contractors frequently have more freedom than employees. Furthermore, they can work on their own time and at their own pace, and they may be able to delegate some tasks to others.

Independent contractor jobs examples

There are numerous examples of independent contractor jobs available. A freelance writer can work as an independent contractor, whereas a real estate agent can work for a company and earn commissions on sales. An independent contractor can do almost any type of work as long as it meets the government’s definition of independent contractor work. An interior designer, for example, can work on a project for an architecture firm while assisting the client with any aspect of the construction process.

Many people in the arts and crafts industry fall into this category. Because they do not have a regular jobs, they are in charge of the work’s creative aspects. A building, for example, might hire an artist to paint a mural, which would be an independent contractor job. An artist may also be an independent contractor if they are not on the regular payroll of a company. Whether they are paid or not, the job is theirs to do, and they can make as much money as they want.

Unique Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For Moms That Love Gardening

gift for mother's day

It is common for children to be in a dilemma when Mother’s Day looms. Most of you may struggle to develop unique gift ideas for this wondrous occasion to celebrate your mom. Well, if your mom is passionate about gardening, there are a few ideas that we have up our sleeves to help make Mother’s Day bright, leafy, and fresh for your incredible mom!

It’s always a good idea to offer your mother a present that she will readily use in the present and the future. Therefore, a gift of her specific interests and passions calls for the perfect celebration. We have some of the most creative gift ideas for all those wonderful gardening-loving moms. (1)

Gardening Gift Options For Mother’s Day

Since we don’t wish you to ever run out of ideas, we have an extensive list of gardening gifts that you can give your mom. These will allow her to practice her love for gardening while enjoying the emotional association with the fact that it was given to her by her most beloved. Therefore, here are a bunch of ideas that you can go for on the upcoming Mother’s Day:

1. Gift Her A Beautiful Meyer Lemon Tree

If you’re unaware of what a Meyer Lemon Tree looks like, here’s a short description. These trees consist of dense-skinned fruits that are a beautiful mixture of mandarin orange and lemon. These fruits aren’t only a wonderful tickle to your taste buds and look beautiful sprawled across their green plant of origin.

This is one of the best gifts because this hybrid fruit is not grown for commercial purposes. Therefore, you’d grow it yourself for your mom to offer her the opportunity of tasting the exceptional sweet-tangy fruit while enjoying the aesthetic pleasure that comes with its leafy and lemon-like appearance.

2. Bird-Shaped Globes For Plant Watering

These are some of the most delicate-looking and classy glass globes, making for the perfect gift for Mother’s Day. These globes will not only appeal to you due to their wonderful appearance but will also have a major functional advantage of keeping your plants watered throughout. Moreover, it is also handy for when your mom is out of town.

3. Floral Design Gardening Gloves

Let’s face it, anything with a floral print adds oomph and lures you in with its vibrant look. Therefore, why not mix the beauty of a floral print with the functional benefit of gardening gloves to make the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Gloves are essential contributors to keeping your hands clean from the soil and mud that your mom is bound to get into if she is into gardening.

4. A Canvas Garden Apron

If your Mother is a gardening lover, we assure you that she will appreciate an apron due to its multiple benefits. A garden apron will come in handy when she’s on the field, scraping through the soil, watering the plants, and doing other tasks to provide her plants with adequate care. This apron will include multiple pockets to keep all the tools required to cater to her plants, such as a garden fork, a spintiller cultivator, and a garden tool sharpener. These aprons also come in handy if you need a pocket to keep your gardening gloves (or, should I say, floral design gardening gloves?)

5. Gardener’s Tool Seat

Among the handy instruments that add to the convenience of the gardening experience, one of the best ones is a gardener’s tool seat. This is perfect for giving your mom a semi-break as she thoroughly tends to her plants. Moreover, this seat has various compartments where she can keep her gardening tools. This seat will serve the purpose of relaxing and gardening simultaneously. What could be better than a chance to sit, garden, and organize through one simple gift?

6. White And Blue Ceramic Plant Markers

One of the most creative and fashionable gifts for a plant-loving mother would be a classy plant marker made of ceramic and colored blue and white. This combination of colors makes for the perfect appearance and will also help your mom keep track of what goes on within your garden.

7. Pollinator Garden Push-Ups

This gift will act as a knight in shining armor for a gardening enthusiast. This will save your mom from the struggle of attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, or bees to your garden or yard. These pollinator push-ups will have all of these taking up major space in your garden in the blink of an eye. Therefore, your Mother can benefit from instant pollination in her garden in the most convenient way.

8. A Water Generating Planter

Gardening gifts have opened up a completely new dimension through water-generating planters. These are aesthetically appealing and have a major functional benefit as it takes condensation from the air and transforms it into water for your mom’s plants. Therefore, she can relax happily, knowing that her plants will never be subject to underwatering.

Conclusion

Therefore, if your mother is passionate about gardening, these creative gift ideas come with the guarantee of a beautiful smile on her face on Mother’s Day. Offer her the long-term functional benefits of these gift ideas while appealing to her aesthetic sense by offering her one of these thoughtful gardening gifts. (2)