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10 Unique Date Ideas

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What are you going to do on your next date? See a movie? Go to a restaurant or bar? Not that there’s anything wrong with those ideas, but wouldn’t it be nice to mix things up?

Here are 10 unique date ideas that put new life into an existing relationship or get a budding one off to an intriguing start.

  1. Take a photo walk. Grab your smartphones or cameras and walk through an interesting part of town. Snap some pics of flowers, animasl, buildings – whatever grabs your interest. Create a digital collage of your date. Post it if you like to share.
  2. Attend a small-town festival. Every town has them, and every summer weekend there’s one not far from you. Watch the parade, taste the local food, enjoy games and demos in the park, listen to the bands. Drink in the flavor of the place.
  3. Be a tourist in your own home town. Take a bus tour, a Segway tour or a narrated walk through historical buildings. Visit the gallery, museum or other point of interest that you like to show out-of-town visitors.
  4. Have a cookout together in a local park. Plan a menu, shop for ingredients and fire up the charcoal on a public grill. Enjoy some tunes on your phone and Bluetooth speaker. Don’t forget the marshmallows!
  5. Volunteer together. Enjoy each other’s company and do some good at the same time. The opportunities are endless: soup kitchen, park or roadside cleanup, meals on wheels, lifting and stocking at the local food shelf. Maybe it will be a one-time thing, but it could be a source of satisfaction for one or both of you for years to come.
  6. Test drive cars. Maybe one of you is in the market, but if not, so what! Certainly you’ve been curious about how the latest sporty car, SUV or luxury pickup handles. Pick your persona for the occasion: you can act like a couple looking for a car together or an advice-giver helping out a friend.
  7. Read a book in a special spot. If it’s a nice day, you can pick a quiet corner of a park, or you might settle in at a coffee shop. You can each bring your own material and read mostly silently, occasionally commenting on what you’ve noted. Or if the setting seems right, one of you might read aloud.
  8. People watch. Pick a bench in a park, or even watch from your car in the parking lot. From a car you can comment without offending anyone. Couples are the most fun to observe. What do they see in one another? In what ways are they like you?
  9. Attend a workshop at a building supply store. Many conduct classes and teach you how to build a deck, wallpaper or replace the trap under your sink. Enjoy each other’s company and learn something new.
  10. Do yoga in the park. Many communities offer class sessions. If you’re self-conscious, take a class in a gym together.

4 Diverse Careers Where Coding Skills Give You The Edge

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It’s a given that coding skills set you up for a rewarding career as a coder in a range of industries. In fact, the demand for this skill set is growing. However, you’ll discover that not all the demand lies in traditional careers. Below, you’ll learn about four diverse careers where coding skills give you the edge. 

1. UX Designer

A UX designer focuses on the user experience. They do this by making sure the product is both enjoyable to use and easy to implement. Some of the responsibilities that you can expect as a UX designer include building product wireframes, conducting user research and making changes based on that feedback.

Using your coding skills can make it easier for you to conduct A/B tests and breathe life into mockups. This is because you’ll have experience with CSS, JavaScript and HTML which are basic front end skills used in web development. Being able to communicate with engineers and others in similar roles is easier when you already understand what their job entails. 

2. Digital Marketing Analyst

The job of a digital marketing analyst is to collect revenant data. They then analyze and summarize the data before using it to gather insights. Some sources where data might be gathered include web analytics tools, social media, the business’ website and email. 

This high-demand career uses the information gathered to gain insight about the user’s experience for the company. You’ll be able to improve the way users interact with the business while growing their audience. The end goal is to develop more customer relationships. 

In order to present your findings to stakeholders, coding skills come in handy. For example, JavaScript can help you make presentations that are more appealing visually.

3. Product Manager

Technology companies are just one place where a product manager can be found. This vital role is the connection between those teams that are developing the product and executives. 

You’ll be leading cross-functional teams, so coding skills will come in handy. Using them, you’re know how to better explain the products goals. You’ll also be able to effectively address additional features and any technology limitations. 

4. Growth Hacker

As a growth hacker, you’ll focus on marketing the company you work for. Using experimentation tactics across many marketing channels, you’ll help increase the users of a service or product. 

A good way to describe a growth hacker is that it’s a hybrid role with a singular focus. You’ll use engineering, marketing and product manager skills while you find new ways to engage users. 

Coding skills will come in handy when you’re a growth hacker. Some duties you might find yourself doing could include running A/B tests, creating a new landing page or building new customer acquisition tools. 

Coding skills set you up to stand out from the competition and excel in a number of careers. Gaining this high-demand knowledge gives you an edge in your career. 

The surprising benefits of running

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Many people are attracted to running because of the physical benefits it brings. For people looking to lose weight (or keep it off), improve their endurance and stamina, and just to feel better overall, running is one of the best types of exercise there is. But there are some surprising benefits of running that make it an even more attractive form of exercise than it might initially appear to be.

Running can help you feel better when you’re awake, to be sure. But running also helps you with sleep. Indeed, you can get to sleep faster and sleep deeper and better if you’re a runner. As Johns Hopkins Medicine reports, there’s a correlation between exercise and deeper sleep. Researchers don’t know exactly why, or what time of day is best for exercising to bring about better sleep, but there are some indications as to how the correlation might work.

According to that article, “Moderate aerobic exercise increases the amount of slow wave sleep you get. Slow wave sleep refers to deep sleep, where the brain and body have a chance to rejuvenate.”

However, aerobic exercise results in an endorphin release, so if people exercise too close to bedtime, it can actually delay sleep. Exercise also raises the core body temperature; the Johns Hopkins article advises, “Elevation in core body temperature signals the body clock that it’s time to be awake. After about 30 to 90 minutes, the core body temperature starts to fall. The decline helps to facilitate sleepiness.”

Not only does running help you to sleep better, it also helps you to think better when you’re awake. A Runner’s World article lists a number of connections between the exercise that comes specifically from running and cognitive function.

One of the ways in which this happens is that you literally build up your brain as you run. According to the article, “Exercise drives the growth of new nerve cells (neurogenesis) and blood vessels (angiogenesis), which combine to increase brain tissue volume.” It also points out that “regular exercisers increased the volume of their hippocampus – that part of the brain linked to learning and memory.” That two percent boost is intriguing when you consider that scientists didn’t think that part of the brain could grow at all in adulthood.

And your brain doesn’t just get bigger with each run — it gets better. The Guardian points to numerous studies showing increased cognitive function associated with running in several different areas. That includes executive function, described in the article as “a suite of mental high-level faculties that include the ability to marshall attention, tune out distractions, switch between tasks and solve problems.” It also points to connections between exercise and improved memory, as well as running-generated endorphins contributing to better overall brain health.

So, while there are clear physical advantages to running, the mental side of what you get from pounding the pavement can’t be overlooked. Start a running regimen, and it might be reflected in how rested you are and how much smarter you might feel. 

4 Research-Backed Health Benefits of Cycling

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Cycling is a low-impact physical activity that you can incorporate into your routine as a casual activity, mode of transport, or competitive sport. Beyond the widely known benefits of cycling, such as weight loss, stronger legs, and less stress, there are other lesser-known but research-backed health benefits of regular cycling. These include;

1. Improved brainpower

In addition to better mental health, regular cycling (exercise) can reduce depression and anxiety. In a sample of over a million study participants in the United States, researchers discovered that low-impact physical activities like cycling are linked to more brainpower. Another 2019 study revealed a link between cycling and improvement in cognitive functions.

But it’s not just adults who can benefit from regular cycling. A 2014 study featured in Pediatrics revealed that bike-riding activities more positively impact children. Also, regular exercise can help control issues such as attention deficit disorder in kids.

2. Reduced risk of cancer

Regular cycling could help maintain a healthy weight. A combination of a healthy weight and a conscientious diet (one with lots of lean proteins, healthy grains, and leafy greens) can lower your risk of cancer. A 2015 study review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association evaluated about 14,000 men. The study included participants with higher fitness levels. As they approached middle age, they were at a reduced risk of colorectal and lung cancer.

3. Lower risk of Parkinson’s disease

Cycling regularly can also ward off Parkinson’s disease. A 2018 study confirmed that regular exercise could lower the men’s risk of Parkinson’s disease. According to this study, putting just over three hours of cycling weekly at a pace of 10 miles per hour (mph) to 12 mph can lower your risk significantly. Plus, more exercise comes with other health benefits, such as better cardiovascular health.

4. Slow aging

As it turns out, aging can cause a gradual loss of muscle mass. It might not give you eternal youth, but various studies have revealed that cycling and other low-impact to high-intensity interval workouts have considerable anti-aging benefits down to your cellular level. Connective tissue and fatty tissue start invading, affecting your muscle’s ability to contract. Fortunately, regular exercises such as cycling can help slow down muscle mass loss.

According to a 2017 study, people who perform low-impact to high-intensity exercises have an increase in mitochondrial capacity. Therefore, the better your cells’ mitochondria can function, the more rejuvenated you will look – the slower the aging process. Note that a decline in mitochondrial activity can result in physical decline, which manifests as aging.

Summary

Regular cycling offers many health benefits and can help lower the risk of several common health conditions. For instance, it can boost your brainpower, lower cancer risk, slow your aging process, and reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. It’s also suitable for most people, and you can safely add it to your daily routine. Be sure to wear protective gear and ride in areas with less air pollution.

 

 

4 Surprising Ways Procrastination can supercharge your Productivity

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By focusing on the negative side of procrastination, researchers often ignore its good side, especially when it comes to supercharging your productivity. In fact, most researchers believe that positive procrastination (scheduling tasks for a later date) is key to sustaining a higher level of productivity. It helps you leverage the ‘get on with it’ instincts you have when closer to a deadline, without the pressure of feeling disorganized.

Here are the ways positive procrastination can help improve your productivity.

1. Focus better

A study published in The Journal of Social Psychology revealed that delays resulting from time spent gathering important preparatory information and planning can be beneficial. Purposefully delaying task-solving could mean that you prefer working under pressure, probably as it makes you feel motivated and challenged. This can force you to focus better when handling the task in question.

Also, pushing daunting tasks closer to due dates often creates pressure, and that adrenaline boost may be what you need to get the task done. The right amount of pressure can force you to eliminate distractions and concentrate on the task at hand.

2. Make better decisions

Active procrastinators often plan their tasks in an organized fashion. However, they don’t restrict themselves to following a time structure or preplanned schedules. This allows them the flexibility to deal with new demands and changes as they come. That means they can make better decisions and deal with competing tasks effectively.

Few things hinder productivity and efficiency than time put into tasks that are no longer necessary. Similarly, when you delay important but not urgent tasks, you have the time to accumulate crucial information that can help improve the final outcome. This can also help determine what tasks are necessary.

3. Deactivates your inner perfectionist

One of the reasons your projects go on far longer than necessary is perfectionism. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to switch off that soft voice that keeps telling you, ‘it’s not right yet.’ Active or positive procrastination offers you a practical way to disable that soft voice and become more productive. That means you will adopt the ‘good enough’ attitude because you no longer have the luxury of overanalyzing your work.

4. Improves your creativity

When you actively put off a task for some time, your preoccupation with the task may not disappear entirely. Instead, that pending task ‘runs in the background of your mind, buying you the time you need to find an innovative solution. A 2017 study featured in Personality and Individual Differences revealed a correlation between active procrastination and creative imagination – the ability to come up with creative ideas.

Wrap up

The positive side of procrastination is rarely discussed. Most people believe that it correlates with poor work performance. However, positive procrastination is associated with more creativity, better decision-making, the ability to focus well, and avoiding the downsides of perfectionism. Remember, these benefits may not apply if you always put off tasks indefinitely.

 

4 Ways to Keep Insects Away and Keep Pets Safe

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Organizations such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals report that cats and dogs, among other pets, are highly sensitive to everyday mosquito and bug repellents. What’s particularly concerning is the use of N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide, commonly called DEET. This compound reportedly causes tremors, seizures, and neurological conditions that may prove fatal to beloved four-legged family members. That’s why it’s essential to talk with your veterinarian about healthy pet-friendly ways to keep pets away, such as the following.

1: Employ Citrus Juice

One of the things mosquitoes cannot stand is the scent or taste of citrus. Pet-lovers can squeeze a ripe lemon and rub a little on their skin to deter mosquitoes from biting. You can also chop up a citrus fruit and boil the pieces in water. After bringing to a full boil, steep the liquid for an hour and use it as an insect repellent spray. If flying pests irritate the family dog or cat, spray a little on their coat and give them the relief they deserve.

2: Put Flora To Work Repelling Insects

There are certain plants that biting flies and mosquitoes dislike. The good news is human beings often enjoy their smell and pets remain comfortable around them. The following is a list worth considering.

  • Citronella Grass
  • Sage
  • Allium
  • Marigolds
  • Lavender
  • Mint
  • Bee Balm
  • Basil
  • Catnip
  • Lemon Balm
  • Rosemary

Strategically placing potted plants on porches, decks, and patios can reduce the number of unwelcome insects. Planting things like basil, marigolds, and mint, among others, also deters bugs and varmints that harm vegetable gardens without impacting pets.

3: Rethink Bug Repelling Home Remedies

There are plenty of so-called home remedies used to rid homes of ants, roaches, and other bugs that pose a health risk to unsuspecting pets. For example, homeowners in rural areas use products such as Borax to reduce the number of crawlers infiltrating kitchens.

Mixing white, powdery Borax with confectioners’ sugar creates an attractive and deadly bait for carpenter ants. Unfortunately, the household cleaning product has a debilitating effect on family pets. Comprised of sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate, it causes stomach problems and injures the kidneys if a significant amount is ingested. The point is to check the ingredients in these seemingly effective home remedies and determine whether they are pet-safe.

4: Deploy Alternative Pet-Safe Products

Pet-supporting companies have developed wide-reaching products that help humans get rid of insects without harming pets. For instance, a fossil-based product called Diatomaceous Earth targets bedbugs, fleas, and roaches, among others.

Property owners can sprinkle it on the ground, and insects suffer dehydration when they come in contact with the substance. The product is considered pet-safe, and some reports indicate it can be applied to their fur to deter parasites. That’s a win-win.

There are also effective sound devices that repel biting insects that may be suitable for homes with four-legged family members and citrus-based sprays that can cover your yard’s perimeter. It’s important not to employ popular chemical insect deterrents simply because they are perceived as effective. How they affect pet-life matters.

How To Improve Your Memory: 6 Secrets Revealed

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The ability to remember is one of the most important skills we can possess. Memory helps us learn and retain information, and it’s essential for our personal and professional lives.

Unfortunately, many of us struggle with memory problems at some point. Improving your memory doesn’t have to be difficult, though. You can do many things to make it easier for your brain to remember information. This article will discuss six of the best ways to improve your memory.

Get plenty of sleep

One of the best things you can do for your memory is to get enough sleep. When you sleep, your brain can store information and consolidate memories. A lack of sleep can lead to problems with focus and concentration, making it more difficult to remember things. On the other hand, too much sleep can also be detrimental to your memory and has the same effect as not enough sleep. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night for optimal memory function.

Exercise regularly

Exercise isn’t just good for your body but also for your brain. Regular exercise has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function. It helps reduce stress levels, which can negatively impact your ability to remember things. Regular exercise will also give you better sleep, which, as discussed earlier, is essential for good memory. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise on most days of the week.

Eat a healthy diet

What you eat affects your overall health, including your brain health. Eating a diet high in healthy fats, antioxidants, and vitamins has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function. Eating a lot of unhealthy foods, on the other hand, can have the opposite effect. Some of the best foods for memory include blueberries, salmon, avocados, nuts, and seeds.

Take supplements

Various supplements have been shown to improve memory and cognitive function. These include omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and ginkgo biloba. Along with a healthy diet, these supplements can help improve your memory and overall brain health. However, talking to a doctor before taking any supplements is important, as they can interact with medications you may be taking.

Use mnemonic devices

Mnemonic devices are memory techniques that can help you remember information more easily. One of the most popular mnemonic devices is the acronym, which is a phrase you can use to remember a list of items. For example, you can recall the names of the Great Lakes using the acronym HOMES: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior Mnemonic devices are a great technique to use when taking an exam.

Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is a form of meditation that has been shown to improve memory and cognitive function. It involves focusing on your breath and being present in the moment. You can practice mindfulness by taking a few minutes to sit quietly and focus on your breath each day. Being calmer and more present can help you focus and remember things better.

There are many things you can do to improve your memory. These include getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and taking supplements. By following the above tips, you will be well on your way to improving your memory.

4 Hacks to Keep Your Phone More Secure

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Did you know that at this point in 2022 something like 83% of the world’s population has a smartphone now?

That’s more than 6 billion smartphones.

Here’s another statistic for you. Roughly 60% of fraud, from all sources, starts with a compromised mobile device. 

Does that make you a little nervous? Does it inspire you to maybe learn a little more about how to keep your smartphone safe and secure? You’re not the only one. These four hacks (unfortunate choice of words there) will help.

 

1. Learn About Passcodes

 

You lock your phone, right? Right?

Ok, good. Now, make sure you lock it securely.

The rule for passcodes (or passwords) is simple. More complicated is better.

It goes like this. If someone wants to access your phone, they’re probably not going to try to guess your passcode one combination at a time. They’re going to use a computer system to do it. That means that a lot of guesses can go through per second.

You’re not protecting the phone from a person as much as from a computer dedicated to cracking your password. When you think about it in those terms, then you realize you want a passcode that is too complicated for a computer to figure out.

If you’re using numbers and letters, don’t use real words, and add as many characters as possible. If it’s a geometric lock, get creative. 

As for biometric locks, they go both ways. An attacking computer won’t be able to fake your fingerprint or face, but they’re really only as secure as your passcode anyway.

So, whenever possible, make your passcodes more complicated.

 

2. Two-Factor Authentication Is Your Friend

 

Let’s make this as simple as possible. Single-factor authentication is when you need a password to log into something. Two-factor authentication is when you need a password and a connected device or account.

The second factor can be your smartphone or an email address (usually), and it basically means that unless a hacker has access to your password and the second factor, they aren’t getting in.

Complications are good, right? This means that a hacker has to be good at hacking and an effective thief. It’s probably the best security feature you can use.

 

3. Trust No One

 

Yes, we all appreciate the irony. How can you trust this advice if you don’t trust anyone?

Classic political thriller lines aside, when it comes to taking links and downloading things to your phone, skepticism is extremely healthy.

The easiest way for someone to steal your password, account information, or even your current physical location (yes, it is creepy) is through a malicious link or download.

This is the golden rule of the internet. If you didn’t specifically ask for it, assume it’s malicious. That goes for emails, links, downloads, and anything else. Unsolicited internet activity is the enemy.

 

4. VPNs Don’t Protect You

 

This one might hit hard — especially considering the fact that every social media account ever seems to be sponsored by some major VPN provider.

 

Look. VPNs are very useful for a lot of things. They are not protective features. A VPN doesn’t make any of the malicious links and downloads (that you now distrust) safe to access. That’s not the point.

 

A VPN can help you access content in other countries. It can make it a little harder for internet companies to track your activity. When you make and manage it yourself, it’s a great way to create a private connection between two devices.

 

But, none of that includes protecting you from phishing emails, keyloggers, or any number of countless threats on the internet.

How to Be More Grateful – And Why This Will Help!

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It can be easy to get swept away in the fast lane and forget to stop and show appreciation for what you have. A life well-lived is one of gratitude and thankfulness. Being grateful is an essential aspect of every individual’s life. Psychological studies show that gratitude is solidly and consistently associated with greater happiness.

Practice Abundance and Gratitude

By being grateful, a person appreciates what they have instead of reaching for something new in the false hope it will make them happier. Some people continually have an unsatisfied urge until every physical and material need is acquired. A grateful person refocuses on what they have instead of what they lack. It may feel contrived at first. However, this mental state grows stronger in the practice of abundance. Look for the gifts and emphasize appreciation. Every person can be grateful, regardless of their age or environment.

Appreciate Everything

Gratitude is not reserved for life’s “flush and big” things. The practice of gratitude begins small, with appreciating every positive thing in life. Then comes the realization that nothing is too small for thankfulness.

Appreciation resets our brains, and we feel more positive and seek the good in our lives. We tend to experience happy emotions and strengthen our connections. We rarely appreciate the little things in life until they are taken away from us. By actively paying attention to the positive things around us, we can be impressed by the beauty of life. Don’t leave anything out while practicing gratitude. It is as basic as enjoying the clear weather or how fast your mailman delivered your mail last Friday.

Find Gratefulness in your Challenges

Gratitude is more than being appreciative of great experiences. Looking back on challenging circumstances, how did they turn out in hindsight? This focuses your mind on thankfulness. Examine some of your former experiences to see how they have shaped you into the person you are now.

Volunteering is one way to express gratitude during difficult times. It gets you out of your head and teaches you to appreciate what you have while adding value to your community. Nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers to meet their objectives. Helping others is an integral part of boosting your happiness. When you serve others, you will experience their gratitude and reflect on the grateful emotions surrounding you.

Practice Mindfulness

Consider five things you are grateful for each day. Envision in your mind while maintaining a grateful mood in your body. This will automatically retrain your brain and shift to the appreciative mode. Daily practice resets your mindset to be innately more appreciative, and you will begin to feel more content. Eight weeks of gratitude practice allows people to exhibit altered brain patterns that lead to improved happiness. Your brain is a powerful tool, so embrace mindfulness.

Wrap up

Gratefulness is a daily moment-to-moment practice. Appreciation stimulates positive emotions, improves outlook and mindset, and develops great connections. No matter how challenging, always look for the gifts because they are there. In doing so, you will appreciate why living a life of mindful gratitude is vital when built upon. 

5 Tips You’ll Need To Know When You Buy Your Next Car

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You’ve decided to buy a new car and are probably wondering where to start. There are so many factors to consider – price, type of car, features, color – it can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! Follow these 5 tips, and you’ll be in the driver’s seat in no time.

Know what you can afford

Before you start shopping for your next car, it’s essential you know how much you can afford. Having a budget will help you narrow down your options and avoid falling in love with a vehicle that’s outside your price range.

There are many factors to consider when determining your budget, including the cost of gas, insurance, and upkeep. Once you’ve looked at the numbers, you may need to adjust your expectations accordingly.

But by knowing what you can afford ahead of time, you’ll be in a much better position to find the perfect car for your needs and budget.

Figure out the right car for your needs

Buying a car is a big decision. Not only is it a significant financial investment, but choosing a vehicle that meets your specific needs is also important.

For example, if you have a family, you’ll need a car with enough seating and storage space to comfortably accommodate your children and their gear. A car with good snow traction and heated seats is handy if you live in a cold climate. And if you travel long distances, fuel efficiency is a top priority.

By taking the time to figure out what you need in a car, you can narrow your search and find the perfect vehicle for your lifestyle.

Decide if you want to lease or buy

Think about how long you plan on keeping the car. Leasing may be the better option if you only need it for a short time. However, if you plan on keeping the vehicle for several years, then buying would likely be the better investment.

And think about how much money you are willing to spend upfront. Buying may be better if you have a large amount of cash available, and leasing is best if you are low on funds.

Shop around for the best deal

Getting the best deal possible on a new car can save you thousands of dollars. Spending time researching the prices of similar vehicles online will give you a good idea of how much you should expect to pay.

You can then visit several different dealerships and compare their prices. And don’t forget to negotiate! Many dealers are willing to haggle on the price of a car, so it’s always worth trying to get a lower price.

Test drive and inspect before you buy

When you’re in the market for a new car, it’s important to take the time to inspect the vehicle. An inspection can tell you if any major mechanical issues need to be addressed. It can also give you an idea of the condition of the car.

A test drive will give you a feel for how the car handles on the road. So when you’re ready to buy your next vehicle, take the time to inspect it and take it for a spin.