Cleaning

3 Common Areas You Might Miss While Cleaning The Home

August 24, 2020September 6, 2021 JayneLeave a comment

Nearly 3 out of 10 British adults have trouble finding the time to clean their homes, according to a survey commissioned by Beko in 2019. The reason given was that they were too busy to do so, with most simply cleaning as they go and as needed. This does work to keep the house just clean enough to not be uncomfortable. However, many people might still feel anxiety at the fact that dust and dirt may be building up right under their noses.

That’s why it’s important to commit at least one day each month just to clean up the house. However, there are some areas that we might not think to clean but need to nonetheless. The next time you set aside time to give your home a proper tidying, remember these 3 common areas you might miss while cleaning the home.

Hard-To-Reach Surfaces

There are areas in the home that are so commonplace that we forget that they’re even there. Good examples are doorknobs, door frames, windowsills, and light switch panels. Light switches and doorknobs can also be bacterial and disease carriers since everyone in the house touches them every so often.

To clean these areas, first, give them a dusting to get rid of loose particles. Simply spray some disinfectant cleaning solution onto a cloth and wipe away. Microfibre cloth tends to work best as it can pick up dust and dirt faster. Remember to get into the nooks and crannies of the doorknob to dislodge the dirt trapped in them.

Areas Behind Or Underneath Things

Picture frames that are so old they blend into the wall can hide a surprisingly resilient layer of dust underneath. The same goes for the microwave on your kitchen counter or the patch of carpet your sofa has occupied since you moved in.

Once we realize that those covered areas can collect an unhealthy amount of dirt and disease, cleaning them becomes more of a concern. When dealing with tough stains, choose the right carpet cleaner that will suit your needs. You can also create your own solution by mixing dishwashing liquid, vinegar, and baking soda to get rid of tough stains on walls and counters.

Rarely Opened Containers And Drawers

With a large build-up, dust may start spewing from even the smallest spaces. To prevent this, drawers and hidden corners in your monthly home cleaning. Take out all the contents, set them aside, and wipe down the interiors.

Use a natural cleaning solution if the dirt proves to be tough to remove. Then, let the area dry while you tend to other parts of the house.

Don’t fret if you happened to forget even one of these three hidden spaces. But while it has to be done, the reward in knowing that your home is dirty-free and well-maintained is what makes the task even more worth the effort.

Rule Britannia: 4 Reasons A Staycation Beats Holidaying Abroad

August 24, 2020 JayneLeave a comment

Pixabay – CC0 Licence

Are you annoyed because you can’t go abroad this year? Do you wish for things to return to normal so that you can get on with your life? The COVID-19 pandemic has been pretty brutal, and it’s hard to adapt to the “new normal” that people keep on harping on about.

However, as with every storm, there is a silver lining. You may not want to take the risk and book an international holiday, yet you can still experience a Great British breakaway. Before you reflexively answer, you should take a look below.

These are the reasons a staycation beats a holiday abroad.

The UK Is Varied

If you think you know the United Kingdom inside and out, you’re mistaken! Sure, there are some things that you don’t like, and some places you’re not keen on visiting because they don’t sound pleasant. On the flip side, many destinations will make you feel as if you’re vacationing in the Mediterranean or French Riviera. From Devon and Cornwall in the Southeast to the Lake District and Chesire in the Northwest, you shouldn’t be hard-pressed to find an affordable beauty spot that you have never experienced before. Just open your mind as well as a map of Britain!

You’re Helping Local Economies

The economic effect of your holiday isn’t an element that you focus on too hard. Sure, you realise that you spend more cash on a break than usual, but that’s about it. Of course, as the Coronavirus crisis has highlighted, the travel and tourism industries are vital to economies around the world. During a pandemic where thousands of small businesses are struggling to stay open, it’s nice to know that your money is giving them an opportunity to avoid filing for bankruptcy.

It’s Less Hassle

A staycation isn’t stress-free by any stretch of the imagination. However, it isn’t as hasslesome as packing for a two-week trip and heading to the airport at 3 am! For one thing, there’s no reason to fret about the beauty products and medicines in your suitcase. Premium CBD oil for every day wellness is 100% legal in the UK, as are your paracetamol and Ibuprofen tablets. Then, there’s the fact that you can move on if you’re unhappy. A foreign holiday is rigid – once you arrive, you have to stay until your return flight date. At home, you can get back in the car and head home. It’s that simple!

A Staycation Is All You Have

Yes, you may prefer the idea of an exotic holiday in a luxurious destination, yet it isn’t feasible. Currently, the best option is to stay at home where you know you can get home without dealing with an insurance provider and forking out a fortune on flights and accommodation. It’s not as if your hometown will end up on an international watchlist while you’re away! Remember that you need a break, especially when times are tough, so a staycation is an ideal way to unwind.

Where do you stand on the staycation debate?

Family

Do I Need a Family Lawyer?

August 12, 2020 JayneLeave a comment

Happily ever after. Just look at those three words. Few people ever get to say them and mean them. For most people, statistically speaking, marriage and civil partnerships are the fastest route to relationship breakdowns and separation. When this happens, worlds can be turned upside down and entire lives can be uprooted – people can find that they must relocate and start again, and where this person was not expecting a breakup, the sharp change in situation can be difficult to deal with. Add things like division of wealth and child custody into the picture and we can soon start to see how not every couple can manage these things alone.

This is where a family lawyer comes in. The family lawyer can direct how to split possessions and money, and can give an understanding of ‘grounds for full custody of child’. Let’s look at how family law may be relevant to you.

Prenuptial agreements can resolve issues before they occur

Prenuptial agreements are contracts. Both parties must read and sign the contract prior to entering into a marriage or civil partnership (other contracts called post nuptial agreements may also be available once the marriage or civil partnership has already taken place). The purpose of the contract is to distinguish the individual rights and responsibilities expected of each person in the event of a breakdown in the relationship.

The ‘prenup’ contracts could cover a range of situations, starting with unique things such as who gets sole possession of an object with sentimental value, to the much more serious issues of the division of wealth. In any case, the contract exists to serve as an expedited route to separation, meaning that if each party adheres to the terms set out in the contract, a faster and smoother break up can be achieved.

Of course, things change over time, and sometimes there may be further debate over certain parts of the contract that may not hold especially true years down the line, but in general the prenup can open the door to a new life much faster than if a prenup were not undertaken.

Child custody rights

Child custody battles can be ugly. Where a breakup has been emotionally charged, one parent may attempt to muddy the waters of child custody or visitation rights by suggesting the home provided by the other parent is not suitable. This can mean one parent may go weeks without contact with their children, essentially on the grounds of false claims.

A family lawyer can direct a separated parent through the custody rights battle and try to regain contact between the parent and their child on legal grounds – meaning that the parent who is being difficult will have no legal grounds to keep the child away.

Health · Mental Health

Five Signs of Anxiety a Counselor Will Spot

August 11, 2020August 11, 2020 JayneLeave a comment

Anxiety is one of the most common forms of mental illness, with an estimated 1 in six people suffering from some sort of anxiety. For many of us, anxiety os something that we live with on day to day basis, barely recognising the varying symptoms that we’re dealing with. However, knowing the different ways in which your anxiety manifests itself can be half of the battle in dealing with it, so I’ve put together a list of five of the most common signs of anxiety that your BetterHelp counselor will spot, even if you don’t:

Hyperactivity

While you may just think you’re being motivated and getting things done, going on a sudden overactive kick of doing something could be a sign of anxiety. Cleaning the house from top to bottom, overexercising or even talking too much can all be ways that we try to distract ourselves while dealing with the excess energy that anxiety can produce.

Irritability

Most people associate feelings of aniety with fear and worry, but for many people, aniety can actually look like irritability and snappiness. This is often due to the racing thoughts and feeling on edge that the excess adrenaline in your system causes. If someone close to you seems snappy and less tolerant than usual, try to remember that it’s not your fault and could be due to their anxiety.

Hoarding

We’ve all seen the “Extreme Hoarders” programmes on TV, where people live in houses which are so full of stuff that they have to climb over a virtual assault course just to get to bed, but hoarding doesn’t always look like this. Often, people who are hoarding because of anxiety will pick one item which is significant to them and hold onto it because it gives them some sense of comfort.

Dissociation

Dissociation is a feeling of being disconnected from your thoughts, feelings, memories, and surroundings. Often, when people are dealing with Dissociation, they don’t even realise that this is what they’re dealing with, and it’s only when they explain their feelings to a mental health professional that they realise thi is what’s happening. It sometimes resolves itself, but seeking help from a counselor is vital.

Physical Symptoms

There are many physical symptoms which can result from having anxiety, and it’s not uncommon for sufferers to belive they’re having a serious health problem, such as a heat attack, when these symptoms occur. Sweating, heavy and fast breathing, hot flushes or blushing, dry mouth, shaking, hair loss, fast heartbeat, extreme tiredness or lack of energy, dizziness and fainting, and stomach aches and sickness are ALL symptoms which can result from anxiety and can all make you believe you have a physical sickness.

Happiness · Health

Online Counseling – Five Key Benefits

August 10, 2020August 11, 2020 Jayne1 Comment

Five Benefits of Online Counseling — Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash

If there’s one thing that many of us have learned durin glockdown, it’s that it is possible to do things differently. Everything from shopping to learning to medical appointments have moved online to help limit the spread of COVID-19, which is something that we should be utilising even more moving forward, even after the threat of a pandemic is gone. With that in mind, I’ve put together five reasons why you should consider online counseling:

Convenience

The top reason for having online counseling with a service like BetterHelp is that you can do it any time, anywhere. You don’t need to take time off of work for appointments if you can go online in your lunch hour for your counseling session, nor do you need to find childcare if you’re at home with the kids. Online counseling is ultra-convenient – you can even stick to your appointments if you’re on holiday or working abroad!

Comfort

Sometimes, going to a clinic or surgery for counseling can leave you feeling totally out of your comfort zone. However, with online counseling, you can do it from the comfort of your own home where you’ll feel totally at ease. You don’t even have to put shoes on, you can sit curled up in your favourite armchair and have a chat with your counselor. What’s not to love about that?!

Cost

When you visit a counselor in an office, part of what you’re paying for, aside from their expertise, is their overheads. They’ll have expenses like rent for thier office space, business rates, utilities, staff etc. When you see a counselor online, it’s likely that they work from a home office and their cost can be very low, which means they’re able to charge less for their services.

Options

When you visit a counselor in person, you’re often limited by the type of counselor you’re able to see. Different mental health professionals will have different methods of being able to help, and by using an online counselor you can access the type of help you need which you may not have been able to find otherwise. You also benefit from an element of anonymity by using a counselor who doesn’t live or work locally to you.

Travel

Even when we’re not in the middle of a pandemic, travel can sometimes be tricky. We live in a rural location with one, not very regular, bus route nearby. If our car is off the road, getting to appointments is basically impossible, which means online counseling would be a really good option for us. Having an online session means that we only have to travel as far as our PC to get to see a mental health professional.