Is Your Pet Too Aggressive?

The last thing any family wants is an aggressive animal in the house. However, keeping pets is a good way to build your children’s confidence and help them to become caring individuals. So, it can be somewhat of a double-edged sword. Thankfully, there are lots of tricks you can use to encourage your family friend to become docile. In most instances, you just have to fulfill their needs and ensure they get everything they require. There are also some alternative strategies you could consider if you’re willing to spend a bit of cash. With that in mind, read the information on this page and apply it to your situation.

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• Consider paying for specialist training

There are experts out there who can help to decrease aggression and encourage your animal to stay calm. They use various techniques to make that happen depending on the individual situation. Services of that nature are particularly useful if you own a dog. Learn more about dog training by researching the topic online, and see if it seems appropriate for your pet. You can also get the same assistance with almost any animal you might have in your home. It’s just that canines tend to respond faster than most other creatures. A quick Google search will highlight all the training providers in your area. All you have to do is get in touch.

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• Make sure your pet stays active

Aggression can appear when your animal feels less than satisfied with their lifestyle. For that reason, you need to ensure your pet gets enough exercise every single day. Cats will take themselves off and remain occupied without assistance in most instances. However, the same isn’t true for dogs. You have to take them out for a walk and let them off the lead as much as possible. Try taking a toy along that you can throw. That will encourage your dog to run fast and get his heart pumping. Tiring themselves out like that will decrease aggression levels and turn them into friendlier pets.

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• Create a safe and relaxed environment

The environment in which your animal lives could play a significant role in their temperament. If there are lots of arguments and negative atmospheres in your household, your pets will pick up on that. So, you need to work hard to ensure you create a relaxed and calm place for them to exist. Think of them like you would your children. If you’re going to have a disagreement, make sure you go into a different room so your pet can’t hear. It might sound silly, but your shouting at people in your family will upset your dog or cat.

Now you know about some of the best ways to tame your pets, make sure you put them into action. You should notice improvements straight away if you follow the advice from this page. Of course, sometimes animals have a predisposition to aggressive behavior. If that’s the case with your pet, you might have to give it to someone with more time on their hands. However, you can always try again with another one in the future.

Calling All Coffee Lovers! Viper Coffee Gifts #Coffee

How many coffee drinkers do we have reading our blog? Most of our family enjoys coffee, a couple don't drink it at all, and a couple are coffee lovers...yes, I am in that last category. I usually have two 16-ounce cups a day, sometimes more. And if I'm traveling, then I'm planning our stops/bathroom breaks around where I can find a Starbucks or Dunkin' Donuts! It's become something of a joke in our family, and even amongst friends, that I tend to sometimes overdo on the coffee. Apparently I'm not alone however, because not too long ago I stumbled across Viper Coffee, a company that specializes in gifts for coffee lovers.

I was able to choose a couple items for review from Viper Coffee. It was hard narrowing down my selection, because they have so many great sayings and phrases available on both shirts and coffee mugs. I finally made my choice, placed my order, and anxiously awaited the arrival of the package. Viper Coffee keeps you updated on the status of your order via Facebook Messenger, which I found neat and helpful. I didn't have to get the tracking number from my email, pull up the carrier page and go through the normal process. Instead, Viper Coffee messaged me when the order was placed, when the first item shipped, the day it was out for delivery, and so on. Very handy to stay up on when your order will arrive!

The first item that arrived was the coffee mug. My favorite way to start a morning is with a cup of coffee and my Bible devotions. That quiet half hour before the rest of the family is up helps me get through the busy-ness of the rest of the day! So, I loved the fact that Viper Coffee had this mug available that says, "Happiness is a cup of coffee and my Bible". I love it! The mug is 11 ounces, so it's a nice size to get the day started.

The second item I ordered was a T-Shirt Hoodie that arrived a couple days after the mug. This is available in various shirt styles, sizes and colors, so no matter what your favorite style is you can find something to fit! This shirt is so perfect, and I have received so many comments, compliments, and jokes about it. It is so comfortable that I could easily wear it every day. Perfect for lounging around the house with a good book (and cup of coffee), running errands, or even for a morning jog in the cool weather.

All in all, I'm very happy with both items I received from Viper Coffee. I have bookmarked the site because I know I'll be doing some Christmas gift shopping here this year! Whether you're looking for a gift for a friend or you're a coffee lover yourself, Viper Coffee is the place to shop!

How To Win The War Against Insomnia

It is estimated that a third of adults in the US suffers from insomnia. If you fight regular battles against sleepless nights, you’ll know the impact all too well. The trouble is that the longer you go without sleep, the more severe the symptoms. Sleep deprivation can be incredibly damaging to both your mental and physical health. If you’re waging war with insomnia, here are some tips to ensure you emerge victorious.

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What’s keeping you up?

If you struggle to sleep on a regular basis, it’s important to try and determine the cause. Perhaps there is no single factor, but it’s beneficial to have a think about why you can’t seem to close your eyes and keep them shut throughout the night. Are you feeling stressed? Or is something or someone disturbing your sleep? There is a multitude of factors that may contribute to sleepless nights. Here are some of the most common causes of insomnia.

Stress

Stress is a very common contributor to disturbed sleep patterns. In some cases, stress develops after a traumatic event, but it can be associated with areas of your life such as relationships and work. If you’ve got a lot on your plate with deadlines approaching or you’re preparing for important meetings, this can make it tough to switch off when you get into bed. If you’re arguing with your partner or you’ve fallen out with a family member, this may be on your mind when you try and get to sleep. Money worries are also a common cause of both stress and anxiety. It’s very difficult to sleep soundly when all you can think about is paying bills and trying to stay afloat if the water heater breaks or the car needs work. Sometimes, stress can have a long-term impact on your sleep quality because you start to associate getting into bed with feeling stressed. After so many sleepless nights, your body starts to make a negative association with sleep, and far from being the most relaxing part of the day, nightfall brings even more stress.

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Physical health problems

There are lots of different illnesses and health problems, which can increase the risk of insomnia. Examples include conditions that affect the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, and your hormone balance. If you suffer from illnesses like Parkinson’s disease, heart disease, asthma or you have an injury that is causing you to experience severe pain, you may find it hard to sleep even when you feel exhausted. If you do have trouble sleeping, see your doctor. It may be possible to find remedies and treatments that can alleviate these issues.

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Mental health conditions

Psychological conditions, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder can elevate the risk of insomnia. In some cases, medication prescribed to treat these illnesses can also impact sleep patterns.

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Sleeping environment

Your sleeping environment plays a very important role in your ability to sleep soundly every night. Think about where you sleep. Is it conducive to rest and relaxation? Or is it noisy or light? Do you toss and turn trying to get comfortable or find it hard to switch off when you can hear people talking outside? Your routine can also affect sleep. If you go to bed too early or too late, you may find that you don’t sleep as well as you should.

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How to overcome insomnia

Once you’ve pinpointed a cause, you can start thinking about the next step in the war against insomnia.

Coping with illness

If you have underlying physical or mental health issues, and they are affecting your ability to sleep, your first port of call should be your doctor. It may be possible to try different types of medication or dosages to try and remedy sleep problems. Your doctor may also be able to help with problems like pain during the night, and anxiety related to being unable to sleep. Sometimes, physical illnesses can have a knock-on effect on your mental health. If you’re anxious about your health or you’re worried about the future, speak to your doctor.

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Dealing with stress

There are many different ways to tackle stress. In some cases, there are practical solutions. If you’re swamped at work, for example, arrange a meeting with your boss, and ask for more help and support. If you’re constantly worrying about money, it’s wise to seek help from a financial adviser. Even if you’re not in the best situation, there may be solutions, like bad credit borrowing options, out there. The sooner you address the problem, the better. If you’re already in debt, it will only get worse.

If you’re stressed because you feel like you’ve got too much on, there are lots of self-help techniques you can try. Some people find meditation helpful while others swear by exercise. Creative activities can also help you to relax, and they’re a great way of enabling you to channel your emotions in a positive way. It may also do you good to take a day or two off. If you’re trying to juggle lots of things at the same time, try and hone your time management skills. Plan your schedule in advance, and don’t forget to set aside some time to yourself.

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Creating a more positive sleeping environment

If you can’t sleep because you can’t get comfortable at night, it’s too light, or you’re woken up by the neighbors every night, take steps to create a more positive sleeping environment. Use heavy curtains or blackout blinds to block out light, and post a note through the door politely asking your neighbors if they could be a little quieter at night. If this doesn’t work, try using earplugs. Leave tablets and laptops out of the bedroom, and try and avoid checking emails or trawling through your newsfeeds on social media when you get into bed. It’s good to take time to relax before you try and nod off. If you have difficulty winding down, listen to music, read a book, run a bath or have a massage before bed.

It’s also hugely beneficial to get yourself into a bedtime routine. Regimes are not just for children. Your body works on a timer, so get your internal clock used to going to bed and getting up at set times. If you start going to sleep at 11 pm and getting up at 6 am every day, for example, you’ll soon get into a rhythm, and you’ll be getting enough sleep each and every night.

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Insomnia affects millions of people all over the world every night. If you find it tough to sleep, it can have a detrimental effect on your physical health and your mental wellbeing. Before you resign yourself to a lifetime of sleepless nights, there are ways of overcoming insomnia. Perhaps the most important thing to do is to start by pinpointing potential causes. Think about what’s getting you down or why you can’t seem to stay asleep during the night. Once you know what the problem is, you can try and tackle it.

If you have health problems, whether they affect your mind or your body, don’t hesitate to seek advice from your doctor. If you’re struggling with stress, try and identify solutions. Sometimes, there will be practical ways of coping with stress, and in other cases, you may benefit from emotional support. Make sure you’re trying to get to sleep in an environment which affords you peace and quiet. Don’t underestimate the benefit of getting into a routine, especially if you find that you’re falling asleep on the sofa and then spending the entire night staring at the ceiling or listening to the ticking of the clock.

Weird Ways You're Hurting Your Teeth

When it comes to cavities, erosion and other commonplace dental problems, we all know the common culprits; bad brushing, soda, sweets, and so on. While these are all important to watch out for, there are many other things which could be wrecking your smile, which a lot of people are totally oblivious to. Here are some of these hidden dental hazards, and the best way you can keep them at bay.

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Cardio

You may think that long cardio workouts are a universally good thing, but in reality, they can take a heavy toll on your pearly whites. When you compare the oral health of athletes to that of non-exercisers, it’s more or less a given that athletes will have more erosion, the gradual wearing down of enamel. The more time endurance athletes spend training per week, the greater their risk of cavities becomes. This is due to the fact that exercising reduces the amount of saliva you produce, which is filled with minerals that strengthen your teeth and neutralise the acids that cause wear and damage. Fortunately, there’s an easy way around this. Make a point of brushing your teeth before you exercise, and rinsing your mouth out with water after every time you eat something sugary or acidic.

Heartburn

The chest pains you get from heartburn suck, but they’re certainly not the only thing you should be worried about when it comes to this condition. Acid reflux can do permanent damage to your teeth as well. The acid which comes up from your digestive system can cling to your mouth, dissolving the enamel just like the acid from soda and energy drinks does. The difference is that the acid from your stomach is even more potent! If you’ve been having a lot of heartburn, it’s important to keep tabs on what it’s doing to your teeth. Any established dental clinic like Platinum Smile Dental will be able to check for signs of erosion located at the back of your mouth, which is the most common sign of acid reflux damage. After that, if necessary, you can talk to your general physician, and ask them for the best solution for tackling your heartburn. Prescription medication can often be the best solution. This brings me onto my next point…

Medication

While medication is essential to maintaining and protecting our health, too much of it can have some serious drawbacks. If you’re taking dozens of different meds for allergies, blood pressure, cardiovascular health and various other things, it can lead to a dry mouth. This may not sound like much of a side effect in itself, but it can totally wreak havoc on your teeth. This is due to saliva protecting against the acids that are behind erosion and decay. A simple way around this is chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free hard sweets through the day, which will help to stimulate your saliva glands. You should also try to stay away from sugary and acidic foods in general. It may be worth bringing up your dry mouth to your physician, and seeing if there’s any alternatives you could use.

Interesting tidbits.  Do you have any to share?

Maintaining the Work/Life Balance

Where does all the time go? In the 21st century, it can often feel like we’re moving at a 100 miles per hour. There’s mouths to feed, promotions to be earned, homes to be cleaned...and that’s before we even start thinking about keeping on top of our social lives. If it feels like your life is geared too far toward ‘work’ and not nearly enough toward ‘life’, then have a read of the following advice and reclaim some of your existence.

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Establishing Our Priorities

Our lives reflect our priorities. Whatever we put our time into, that’s what our lives will show. If you’re working all day, twelve hours a stretch, then then what does it show? That you prioritise work over anything else! Take a step back and see where it is you’re putting your energy. It might just require a small tweaking to get your life back on track; or you might realise that something much bigger has to change - your mindset.

Cutting the Tasks

If you’re a naturally energetic person, then you might find yourself committing to every opportunity that comes your way. And in the 21st century, those opportunities will be plentiful. Consider dropping a few of your less important tasks, and put more time into the ones that are important. And if you need a valid reason to invest in home automation products that can do your housework for you, then having more time for your friends and family might be all the motivation you need.

Using the Time Wisely

We generally do not use our time anywhere as efficiently as we think we do. For example, how much work did you do today? You might have been sitting in front of a screen for eight hours, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you were working for eight hours. In fact, you might have been doing actual work for less than half that time. That’s a lot of time wasted, time that could be spent doing something more productive!

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Switching Off

Whenever our tasks our done, we tend to fall into the habit of scrolling through our smartphones, checking Facebook, watching TV, or all the other things that we think help us to “switch off”. But these things don’t help switch us - they waste our time. Consider switching off the internet and allowing time to wash over you uninterrupted. You’ll be amazed how much longer the day seems to be when you’re not picking up your phone every few minutes. And when we’re “bored”, that’s when good things begin to happen!

Time Just For You

You’re constantly caught in a battle between your work, friends, and family, but how often do you bring yourself into that equation? You should be making sure that on your list of priorities is a time set aside just for you. Ultimately, we’ll be able to be at our best and most creative if we feel peace within ourselves, which can only be achieved by spending some quality time on our own.

What do you do to help balance work and life?

DIY Solutions For Common Problems

DIY no longer seems to have the same appeal it once did. While past generations were all very handy, it seems that fewer people are carrying out repairs themselves. Of course, there are a range of problems which are simply too difficult to attempt on your own, but there are also plenty that require significantly less effort so you don’t need to call in the experts.

There are a variety of problems that seem to occur in every home, and many of them have relatively straightforward solutions. If you’ve been putting off that DIY task for months and months, here are a few quick fixes to give you that push in the right direction.

Running Toilet

There’s nothing more frustrating than a toilet that just won’t seem to stop running. A common cause is a leaky rubber flapper, which allows water to flow into the bowl when you flush. You can confirm that this is the cause by putting some food colouring into the tank. Next, wait a few minutes. If you see the colour bleeding back into the bowl, head down to your local hardware store to pick up a new flapper. If the issue seems more complicated, you may have to get it touch with some plumbing heroes. They’ll be able to get your toilet up and running again.

Holes in the Wall

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If you’ve recently taken a picture off your wall, you will have been left with an ugly looking hole that you will want to fill up. Use a putty knife to fill up any holes with premixed spackling. Wait for it to dry and then use a sanding sponge to smooth over the spot. If you don’t have any original paint that was used on the wall, simply head down to your local paint store where they will be able to match the colour if you bring in a sample.

Sticky Lock

If you have a sticky lock that’s causing you difficulty, all you need is a bit of lubricant to help sort out the problem. While WD-40 spray silicone may seem the most obvious solution to the problem, it can end up attracting dirt and worsening the problem. Try some powdered graphite instead. Use some that comes in a tube so you are able to squeeze it into the keyhole. Don’t forget to put a little on the latch as well.

Diverting Gutter Run-Off

Gutters that are leaking water right next to your foundation can cause a whole host of problems. A flexible corrugated drain pipe will extend your gutter downspouts so you can divert it away from any areas which are getting close to the exterior of your property. Whether you choose to bury the pipe or leave it exposed, make sure the water is being diverted away from the house rather than towards it.

Sticky Windows

If your window has been painted shut, use a utility knife to score the paint. Next, use a putty knife and gently tap it into the gap using a hammer. This should get your sticky window loosened up again.  

Do you have any other great ideas for DIY repairs?  Be sure to share them.

Changes in Your Lifestyle That Will Help To Reduce Your Stress Levels

We all lead busy lives and it can feel like we have no down time. If you find that you don’t have time to exercise or to meal plan or to even sit and watch your favorite TV show, then the chances are that you are running on empty. That is never going to be a good thing if you carry on. You might be feeling run down and perhaps even stressed. Stress can affect our health so much, so it is important to deal with stress as and when it arises. So if a busy lifestyle is leading you to feel unwell or constantly rushed, here are a few things that you can do, to beat that stressful feeling.

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Make time for exercise

It can be hard to fit everything in that we need to do, but exercise does need to be made a priority as it can affect our health so much. When we exercise our body rewards us with plenty of feel good hormones. So that is a massive benefit when we are feeling stressed. You can also release stress through certain exercises like boxing or running. It is so much better to get all the stress out in an environment like the gym than to bottle it all up and make yourself feel even more stressed. If you want to try something new when you exercise, then look for some new, different exercises like these, to help reduce stress and anxiety: womenshealthmag.co.uk/health/stress/4353/11-free-activities-to-ease-anxiety/.

Try meditation

When you take the time to just be by yourself or to meditate, then it really can be a massive help when it comes to your stress levels. Think about it; how likely are you to be getting stressed out when you regularly take time out to think and reflect? Being with your thoughts helps you to process them and think about all that you need to do, or things that have happened. Even just taking the time to listen to your breathing can help you to switch off from the stress of everyday life. Some accessories like a mat or some stress ball if you are looking to make this part of your regular routine. Shopping somewhere like meditativewisdom.com could be a good place to look.

Take regular tech breaks

We can get so caught up with social media and tech, that it can really start to affect your stress levels or overall health. When you use a screen in bed, or close to bedtime, it does affect how well you are able to sleep. Social media is notorious for causing stress levels to be increased due to it’s competitive and quite passive aggressive nature. So if you find that you feel worse after checking your Facebook feed, schedule yourself in some regular social media and tech breaks.

Is there anything else that has helped you to feel less stressed that you would add to the list? Would love to hear what you think.

House Move: A Smooth Check In

There’s a sense of excitement that beats like a giant heart at the center of a house move. It’s the infinite possibilities of a new beginning, the challenge of an unknown place, the relief of leaving the old and broken behind. Naturally, there is always a lot of stress that goes with it: Have you packed everything? Will the kids like the new place? Are you done cleaning the old house? Are you sure you haven’t forgotten anything? Moving house is about balancing the excitement and the stress with grace and agility. But once you’ve started the machine, there is no way back. So keep in mind some steps that may not seem essential at first but that will make your life a lot easier if you follow them.

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Keep Everyone In The Loop

It may seem like a good idea at the start not to worry the kids with the idea of moving house. Naturally, moving house is stressful for adults, but you should always include your children in the preparations. Children will need time to accept the idea that they will be living in a new home, so get them in the loop about your project as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you begin to visit houses to let them know. If possible, try to take them to the essential visits, such as when you go for a second or a third visit to the same place to help them visualize. At the same time, open up about the subject of moving house with your suppliers. Some might be able to provide useful advice on locations that they continue to supply. Similarly, some suppliers are happy to help you switch to the best partners in your new locations if their services can’t follow you.

The Emergency Luxury

As you move in, the first couple of weeks will require some emergency solutions to make you feel at your ease before you can take your marks in the new place. So it’s important to create a sense of luxury with the little things that you can bring home rapidly and at an affordable cost. For a start, remember the pleasure of a fresh cup of tea. There’s nothing worse than finding white scales in your freshly brewed tea, unfortunately, hard water is very common. So, start by testing the quality of your water as you move in. If you find that it is too hard, allow yourself a taste of luxury with a water softener. Not sure which one to pick? Have a look at the database of Fleck water softener reviews and ratings from actual customers to gain a better understand of the solutions available. Another great idea to bring a feeling of ease and comfort is to buy a high-quality coffee machine. Is there any better feeling than a fresh cup of cappuccino?

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The Test Of Ownership

The last step in creating your space in the new home is the start decorating. Your home décor is more than a case of vanity: It’s the time to express yourself in your house and to give a personality to each room. There’s nothing like a colourful wallpaper with an elegant carpet to bring a room to life. If you are the adventurous type, create an ambiance by adding decorative items such as cushions, frames, rug, potted plants and even a pair of curtains. Take ownership and show your colours!