For sure, most, if not all, of you would agree that 2020 hasn’t been a good year for everyone around the world. People’s everyday lives have changed in ways no one ever imagined would happen in a very modern world. But the good thing is the year is about to end and, hopefully, all the unfortunate things that defined 2020 will soon be over as well.
Of course, hoping is well and good, but you can always take matters into your own hands. There are things you can actually do to make sure that 2021 will be a better year for you at least. Check out three ways you can make your year better in 2021.
Pamper yourself
You probably have ‘Live a healthier lifestyle’ at the top of your New Year’s resolution list for 2021. You promise to exercise more frequently, have a healthier diet, get more rest and sleep, etc. But did you include pampering yourself? Well, you should because pampering yourself is a form of self-care that’ll help make you physically, mentally, and even emotionally healthy. Simply indulging in your favorite mint chocolate chip ice cream or red velvet cake is already a great way to show love for yourself.
You can also go on a shopping spree and buy yourself some designer clothes and bags (for you ladies) or a gaming console and accessories (for you gents). Or maybe get yourself a couple of down pillows, 100% cotton bed sheets, and even a bed fan you can place under the blanket to regulate your bed’s temperature, so you can relax better at home.
Try new things
No matter your age, you should never stop learning because this will enrich your life. And one way you can do this is by constantly trying new things. So come 2021, do exactly this. For you ladies, why not learn how to fix the sink, so you wouldn’t have to call the plumber every time your kitchen sink has a leak? And for you gents, try your hand at sewing, which can come in handy if you need to patch the hole in your favorite basketball jersey.
Perhaps you’ve always wanted to learn martial arts like karate, tai chi, or krav maga. Enroll yourself in some classes, then, and stay fit and active while also learning how to defend yourself. You can also go for adrenaline-pumping activities, such as rock climbing, white-water rafting, and skydiving if you think the experience will be worth your time.
Let go of grudges
Fighting or having misunderstandings with family and friends is part of life. But if this goes on for too long, it’ll definitely weigh on you. In 2021, let go of grudges and extend an olive branch to whoever you’ve had a falling-out with. It doesn’t really matter who’s at fault. Your mom will surely forgive you for any wrongdoing if you drop by her house and bring a bouquet of her favorite flowers.
Or maybe you haven’t been talking to your sister for years now. Pick up your phone and send her a text message asking her how she’s doing. If you come across a friend you’ve had a quarrel with, invite him or her for a coffee just to let him or her know that everything’s good on your end.
Nobody really knows if 2021 will be better than 2020 for everyone around the world. But you can always make sure that the coming year will be a better one for you at least. When the brand-new year comes around, pamper yourself, try new things, and let go of grudges to help make 2021 a better year for you.
Generally, people think that life insurance is a sort of buy-amp-forget sort of thing. But it is not true. Most people do not pay attention to how important it is to review their life insurance policies. According to experts, your accuquote life insurance service policy must be reviewed every 12 months.
Are you wondering why it is important to learn about Accuquote Life insurance in this review by Affordable Life USA? You have landed at the right place. Let’s check out the below-mentioned points to have much-needed clarity.
To Get Excellent New-Age Coverage Advantages
Whether it is about life or a health insurance policy, they evolve with time. If you do not review your policy, you miss the new age coverage benefits. Therefore, it is quite important to get it reviewed to make sure that it goes with the advanced advantages. If your finances are not managed perfectly, it can lead to unwanted stress. It is quite important to stay aware and keep a close eye to make sure that everything goes perfectly.
If Your Family Has Grown
Are you going to be parents soon? Have you been planning to welcome new members to your family? It is quite important to update your life insurance. You should count everything right from the prominent expenses to loss of income, it is important to consider that your coverage should go with your increasing needs.
It would be ideal if you could approach a trustworthy platform such as Accuquote Life Insurance to serve the best to its clients. It is one of the best options if you want to learn about Accuquote Life insurance in this review by affordable life USA. As of now, it has catered its best services to many clients and is being appreciated for serving the best.
While Kicking Off A New Job
You probably are going to find your dream job. The ideal job opportunity can truly open a variety of doors for you. It can bring you closer to excellent goals. Whether you are going to get promoted or kick off a new job, you must consider with your agent to make sure that your policy is still sitting well with your requirements and needs. It is truly significant to account in the context of extra income and make alterations to your employer-oriented life insurance policy.
If you’re exploring life insurance options, understanding the most popular types is crucial. Check out our comprehensive guide on the various types of life insurance policies, including term, whole life, and more, to make informed decisions about your financial future.
Have You Added Debt
Have you had or going to have any loans? If your answer is YES, you need to review your policy. Things such as credit consolidation or home equity loans bring interest payments down. This sort of small alteration in your finances can truly lead to a huge difference in case if income is fixed. Therefore, it is ideal to go with an updated monthly budget regarding your annual life insurance review. Going with transparent and sophisticated finances can truly help to bring huge relief to your beneficiaries.
Conclusion
We hope that you probably got much-needed information after going through this content. So, what are you waiting for? Get Accuquote Life Insurance Review service to make an ideal decision.
The new year is a time for resolutions. It’s a time when we traditionally say “no more” to the excesses of the holiday season, when we say to ourselves that we’re going to be better and live healthier than we did in the frantic months leading up to the end of the year. We are going to exercise more, we are going to eat differently, we are going to spend more time reading and we are going to learn a new language.
However, one thing that is very important to remember as we draw up our list of ways in which we are not going to repeat old mistakes or fall back into bad habits is that we have to be good to ourselves. With the world the way it is right now, we need to remember to take care of our own bodies and minds while we look after each other. Yes, of course it’s important to take steps towards being a better you, but you should reward yourself for doing so, and make sure that you, in the immortal words of Twin Peaks’ Dale Cooper, “Every day, once a day, give yourself a present.” Here are a few ideas to help you get started to being better to yourself.
Sleep aids
Let’s face it, none of us have been sleeping that well during the pandemic. You can be doing all the right things, from cutting down on sugar and caffeine to making sure that you are exercising regularly, but the fact of the matter is that we have all been living under an incredible amount of stress during the last twelve months, which hasn’t been great for our sleep patterns. So, why not take a step towards a better night’s sleep and invest in a little comfort present for yourself?
Switch out that duvet for a weighted blanket, which will help you feel more secure in your rest. An aromatherapy diffuser will send you drifting off with some soothing scents like jasmine or lavender, while a white noise machine will drown out the noises of your neighbours playing videogames into the night. Sleep is such an important part of maintaining a healthy mind and body, so this isn’t just treating yourself, it’s taking care of yourself too.
Proper Exercise Gear
How many of us have been putting up with the same battered pair of trainers this year? How many of us have been wearing the same gym clothes even though they’re falling to pieces because it has constantly felt like we’ve got more important things to be worrying about? How many of us have discovered that the living room carpet is not, in fact, pretty much the same thing as a yoga mat? We have all found ourselves caught in that strange halfway point between rushing too much and not getting around to the things that need replacing, so this month you should make a point of making sure that you have all the tools you need to exercise properly. Treat yourself to a new pair of running shoes. Get yourself a decent coat for those countryside hikes. And yes, get yourself a new yoga mat so you can destress properly at home.
Get Yourself A New Piece Of Jewellery
Not every gift that you get yourself needs to be practical. In times such as these, the treat is just as important as anything else, and there really is nothing like saying yes to that piece of jewellery that you’ve had your eye on for months. The right item can brighten your day, can remind you of times and places you haven’t seen in a long time, and in a time when it feels like many days are simply drifting into each other, it can make an evening feel special and unique.
Whether you are looking for the perfect new pair of earrings, a bracelet to commemorate a special someone, or a necklace to go with that new dress, you can push the boat out just a little to get yourself the treat you deserve. As winner of the UK Jewellery Awards’ multi-brand/fashion jewellery retailer of the year award, Mococo is the perfect place to browse a fantastic selection, so you can be as specific as deciding to shop Thomas Sabo jewellery or browse by theme or price.
Personalise Your Home Office
It may be a new year, but we are all coming to terms with the fact that we probably won’t be heading back to the office for a little while yet. If you’ve been using the kitchen table as your makeshift desk, it’s time to be a little bit kinder to your work self and sort yourself out with a proper personalised set-up. Now, this may not sound as fun as getting yourself a cheeky gift, but the impact on your day to day life will be vastly improved by having a work area where you feel comfortable and productive, and there’s no reason why it can’t be fun.
Sure, a proper desk and a desk chair that isn’t a dining room chair may not feel like the most exciting presents to get yourself, but once you have a proper space, you can start introducing those lovely personal flourishes, like some plant life or a mood lamp. You will also soon see that taking your work about out of your comfort or relaxation space will have a big impact on your mental health as you can close the door on it at the end of the day, figuratively and literally.
Make That First Cup Of The Day Special
We’ve already talked about the importance of a good night’s sleep but let’s face it: we all need a little extra help getting up in the morning right now. That’s why the first cup of java of the day shouldn’t be the end of a jar of instant grounds. Treat yourself to a coffee machine that will give you the same quality cup that you would expect if you were still picking up your regular order from your favourite coffee shop on your way into work. These are the little things that can keep us going, and give us a little extra spring in our step. Whether you’re a frothy cappuccino person or someone who wants that third shot to get them started, you owe it to yourself to make it how you like it.
Discover CBD Gummies and Other Tricks to Feel Calm and Cool
How to Relax Your Mind And Body?
With the start of a new year, we are all looking forward to returning to our normal routines, maybe even without facemasks. Of course, heading back out into social situations without properly distancing ourselves will be rather stressful. As a result, you may experience a bit of muscle tension, headaches and other unwanted symptoms. Fortunately, men and women throughout the UK can take advantage of the smartest tips, from the best CBD Gummies to the right music, to completely relax their minds and bodies.
1 CBD Edibles
By now, you must have heard all about powerful CBD oil for sale. After all, CBD products have become quite popular, thanks to their relaxing effects on a user’s system. Best of all, there is a wide variety of CBD Gummies available on the market. A buyer can choose from a plethora of shapes, sizes, potencies and tasty flavours. While you may crave colourful gummy bears today, maybe tomorrow you’ll be in the mood for sour worms, if not fruity cherries. To top it off, you never have to worry about consuming too much, as it simply isn’t possible to overdose on CBD oil. Look for vegan and sugar-free CBD Gummies too. Your only regret will be not taking advantage of delicious CBD merchandise sooner.
2 PRM
Progressive muscle relaxation, aka PRM, has been helping men and women deal with physical and mental tension since the 1920s. Relying on the proper techniques, a person can enjoy a peaceful frame of mind. PRM was created for and is still used to help folks with a variety of conditions, ranging from stress and anxiety to potentially lethal cancer. To top it off, the steps are simple. First, find a quiet and comfortable setting. Then concentrate on inhaling through your nose and letting it out through your mouth. Meanwhile, tighten your muscles and flex your toes. Without losing focus of your deep breathing, do the same with your legs, arms, and shoulders.
3 Music
It’s no secret that music can soothe one’s soul. Whether you want to hear some classical harps or prefer a little Pink Floyd on vinyl, the right tunes can help an individual manage stress. Calming music can reduce your stress hormones, as well as slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. Nowadays, you can enjoy your favourite songs while taking a bath, walking the dog, in the car, at the office and in bed. Whether you listen to Mozart or the Fab Four, studies show that productivity increases. Just try to limit your time listening to Black Sabbath. Touching movies also have a way of relaxing the spirit.
Folks also like to try meditation, along with breathing and stretching exercises. Whatever works for you, try to use the top relaxation techniques as often as possible. You can depend on them day or night, at your mobile home or on the road. You’ll feel calm and cool, making it easier to enjoy a full night of unbroken sleep. When you roll out of bed in the mornings, you’ll look and feel completely energized. Even one’s fading memory skills tend to improve. With amazing Just CBD Gummies, progressive muscle relaxation, and the proper tunes, calming your nerves will be a piece of cake.
It is well documented that exercise is one of the most powerful stress relievers, with the Anxiety Disorders Association of America stating “Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins—chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers—and also improve the ability to sleep, which in turn reduces stress.” Studies showing similarly positive effects from vacations mean it makes sense to combine the stress-relieving effects of both, with active holidays like skiing and snowboarding.
Twixmas is upon us and never has there been a year where onesies, a good Christmas film and as much festive feeling as possible is needed. However January is right around the corner and we are here to help you achieve your fitness goals for 2021. Whether you are a fitness freak looking to make the most of January or have a general 2021 fitness resolution in sight, here are a few items to consider trying (or buying for fun) for 2021. You don’t have to dedicate yourself to a daily HIIT class to see results with small changes. Try these suggestions to stretch more, get your steps up and move more.
Massage Gun
Every good fitness lover knows the important of rest and recovery and Christmas is the ideal time to take a moment to replenish those muscles with lots of turkey and chocolate orange. Now that’s ticked off the list, use January to focus on rejuvenation rather than indigestion. One such tool is a massage gun, think your own personal masseuse, whenever and wherever you need.
You may already be familiar with a foam roller for easing muscle soreness, however a massage gun can not only be a time saver, but also a great investment for anyone who has stiff muscles. This is true, whether the source of those aches and pains is hunching over a desk for more hours than you should, or an intense gym session. The massage guns of old were clunky, loud and heavy, making handling them more difficult than it should be. The new generation are light, easily manageable, much quieter (though still expect some noise), and there are a range to suit your budget. Take a look at flowsportstech.co.uk, theragun.com and renpho.com
Weighted Arm and Leg Bands
Weighted arm and leg bands can also be another way to take your daily activities to a new level, whether it’s spring cleaning, heading out for a walk or stretching and yoga at home. Add and remove as you needed, a simple way to up your daily fitness goals without taking it to the extreme. If you already enjoy fitness, you can also use these to up your regular regime. They are also very inexpensive, can be easily packed and used anywhere, so whether you are working out at home, in the park or you travel regularly, they will easily fit into your schedule. If you have to have the latest in sportswear chic try shopbala.com or for a cheap and cheerful selection decathlon.co.uk have several to choose from.
Fitness Dice
Keeping your fitness regime fun and flexible is another great way to ensure success! Making sure that you try lots of different types of exercise and just move your body is the main thing. Keeping it different can be tough, especially where home workouts are concerned. Buy some fitness dice to create your very own fun and varied workouts. Simply roll the dice and depending on the set of dice you choose, the exercise, number of reps or time you do it for changes. Find more suggestions for a variety of home work outs here.
Another super portable fitness idea, you can use them in a group or individually and you will be amazed at the variety of workouts which you can enjoy. Roll them a few times before you start your workout to get your regime for that session and you are set! Who needs a personal trainer? Save your money for fabulous activewear instead! Most sets are cheap and cheerful and can be found at sites like etsy.com and phoenix-fitness.com
The year 2020 has been a difficult year for a lot of people. Many had to stay at home most of the time due to the ongoing global pandemic. This has made some people neglect their physical health. After all, many are unable to go to their favorite gym or spend a lot of their time exercising outdoors.
The good news is that 2021 is just around the corner. The New Year gives people the chance to make a fresh start and commit to becoming physically and mentally healthy.
If you’re going to create a health or wellness-related New Year’s resolution, you’ll want to make sure that it’s sustainable and realistic. Establishing goals that are difficult or impossible to reach will push you to break and eventually forget about your resolutions.
Instead of making lofty health goals for yourself, try these resolutions you can keep:
Take Care of Your Teeth
Keeping your oral health in good condition is a New Year’s resolution that you should start and sustain for life. Some dental goals you could make to enjoy a healthier mouth and a brighter smile are the following:
Brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
Discontinue the use of tobacco products and cigarettes (seek help with online programs and support groups to help you kick the habit). You could also rely to buy chewing tobacco alternatives online, to help you quit smoking gradually
Visit your dentist twice a year for a dental checkup and cleaning.
Get a whiter smile by scheduling an appointment with a cosmetic dentist.
Ditch poor habits that can ruin your teeth, such as chewing pencils when you’re nervous.
When preparing breakfast, don’t settle for bacon, eggs, bread and cereal. Look at this most important meal of the day as a perfect opportunity to squeeze in vegetables. If you like scrambled eggs, for instance, throw in savory ingredients to the pan, such as sweet potatoes and baby spinach.
Get Better Sleep
A good night’s rest contributes to better overall health. When you deprive yourself of adequate sleep, you raise the likelihood of developing serious health problems, such as depression, cardiovascular disease and obesity.
If you’re struggling to get some shuteye at night, consider doing the following:
Take note of what you drink and eat. Your eating habits can affect the quality of your sleep, especially hours before you hit the hay. You can enjoy a good night’s rest by avoiding large meals at night, limiting your caffeine intake and cutting back on refined carbohydrates and sugary foods.
Clear your head and wind down by meditating. This relaxing bedtime ritual can get your mind ready for sleep.
Regulate your exposure to light. When you’re trying to sleep, use shades or heavy curtains to block light coming from the windows. Alternatively, you could wear a sleep mask.
Try to sleep in a quiet environment. If you are unable to get rid of the noise generated by oncoming traffic and your neighbors, wear earplugs or mask the noise with a fan.
Curb Your Consumption of Junk Food
Many rely on food found in convenience stores, such as frozen dinners, packages chips and cookies. Although these products are readily available and delicious, they may not have the nutrients necessary to keep your body strong and healthy. What’s more, frequent junk food intake can increase your risk of developing diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
Get Rid of Clutter in Your House
Clear out the clutter in your closet, bathroom and other parts of your home to lower your body’s stress levels. You could throw away stuff you don’t need in the bin, sell it to earn some extra cash or donate it to a charitable organization.
This 2021, avoid creating goals that you can’t easily follow. Try a few of these resolutions to help you become as healthy and as happy as possible.
It’s nearly the new year, and with it the promise of a fresh start, with time to get working on resolutions.
And one of those resolutions could be spending a little less time on social media and embracing a digital detox. Let’s face it, we’ve all been that person, attempting an early night and still up at two in the morning scrolling Insta feeds.
And your detox doesn’t have to be forever, you could start off with just a day, then make it two? You don’t even have to cut out digital bits ‘n’ bobs altogether, just find a way to decrease your screen time.
Whatever you choose, there are various ways to shake off the digital detox cobwebs. Here’s how…
Tips for a digital detox
Tanya Goodin, founder of digital wellbeing movement Time To Log Off and host of the ‘It’s Complicated’ podcast, knows her stuff when it comes to the digital detox. Her top tips are…
Don’t beat yourself up
Getting a good understanding of how most of the tech we’re using is deliberately designed to hook us, is one of the first steps in beginning to get it under control.
Persuasive Tech was designed in a lab in Stanford University in the US in qssthe 1990s. Behavioural scientists and attention. engineers studied what tricks and tools could be developed on screens to keep us clicking, tapping and scrolling on our computers for longer. These techniques have been honed and developed further for smartphones by the billion-dollar software industry in Silicon Valley. Push notifications, auto-play next, the ‘like’ button – these were all designed to give us little bursts of dopamine (the feel-good brain chemical) and keep us on our screens for longer.
So, don’t waste any time beating yourself up when you find it hard to put your phone down. It’s designed to be addictive.
Set boundaries
The problem with the digital world and tech is not that we’re using it, it’s that we’re using if for too long.
In many cases we’re neglecting important aspects of our lives that we could be putting our time and attention into. Setting clear boundaries around your screen use is incredibly powerful. Simply having a vague intention to not spend too much time on your phone won’t cut it. You need hard and fast rules that are easy to implement to keep that compulsive phone-checking in check.
There are two types of boundaries that I find work really well for most people
Boundaries around time: Set specific times of the day or week where you won’t be on your phone. They could be something like ‘I never check my phone until I’ve eaten breakfast’ ‘Sundays are screen-free’ or ‘after 8pm I log-off work email’.
Boundaries around places: Agreeingphysicalplaces where your phone absolutely doesn’t belong are a deceptively simple way of cutting back on idle screen scrolling. Meal tables and in the bedroom overnight are favourite locations to ban phones from. Loos and bathrooms are particularly effective too. Be creative!
Deal with distractions
Because of those sophisticated persuasive tech techniques, our smartphones have the power to distract us even when they’re just in the same room as us. They can even reduce our IQ as our dopamine-hooked brain struggles to ignore them. One study at Chicago University found that, even if our smartphone is face down and switched off on our desk, its presence reduces our IQ by about 10 points. A disaster if you’re trying to produce a piece of work or concentrate on something important.
You can switch off notifications, you can turn the screen to greyscale, or you can even do something complicated with your app organisation, but really the single most effective thing is to put your phone in another room from you. And don’t think hiding it in your bag or drawer is just as good. Those researchers at Chicago found that even if you can’t see it, if you know it’s in the same room as you, its presence still reduces your IQ.
Use tech mindfully and meaningfully
Keeping an eye on mindless screen use is one aspect of living healthily with tech. Making every moment that you spend on a screen count is equally powerful. One study found that those who actively engaged on social media, through commenting and liking, were happier than those who just passively scrolled through feeds without joining in.
There’s no doubt that too much time on screens can leave us feeling unhappy so making sure your use is mindful is your best tool for maximising the benefits of the digital world. Set a clear intention for how your time on screens will benefit your relationships, your work, or the things that are important to you. Instead of being a human lab rat in the great Silicon Valley experiment, you’ll be making tech work for you.
No, you are not dreaming you really can say goodbye to those straighteners and expensive blow-dries once and for all. From revolutionary hair and beauty company GENi Hair comes a brand new, world exclusive frizz-free do-at-home hair kit.
With just one incredibly simple application in your own home you can eliminate frizz and dryness, whilst achieving long-lasting volume and incredible silkiness for up to 12 washes. All without the need for straighteners or a trip to the salon. Put simply, It’s a game changer!
The GENi hair kit includes a Shampoo, Smoother, and a Leave-In Treatment which transforms hair and extensions in only 20 minutes for a salon-quality finish on all hair types.
– Eliminates frizz instantly for silky, shiny, straight hair – Sulphate free, safe for natural hair extensions – Cuts blow-dry and styling time in half – No straighteners required reducing heat damage – Save £100s on expensive salon treatments – Lasts up to 12 washes – Cruelty free, vegan friendly – Botanical ingredients including exotic Brazilian fruits
Shampoo
Suitable for sensitive scalp and hair that is damaged by excessive heat and repetitive brushing. Its formula provides soft cleansing and strengthens the hair fibres.
Smoother
This genius formula – applied after washing to damp hair – eliminates the frizz from your locks leaving them extra silky while pumping up the volume and shine with no nasty side effects.
Leave-In Treatment
Moisturises, strengthens and reinforces the anti-frizz effect. Provides cuticle sealing, conditioning and extends the treatment results. This luxe cream smells delicious and applied to dry and damp hair will also protect your new locks from heat treatments.
The Science Info
GENi Hair Active Technology:
This is a world-first original and unique formula, an innovative use of raw materials and brand new application system exclusive to GENi Hair. The active, L-Cysteine, is absorbed by the hair and because it is in an acidic mean (ph 2.00-3.00) it acts on the hydrogen and salt bridges breaking the structure. With the application of heat from a hair-dryer the connection is restructured with a new configuration. The transformation of the bonds are not permanent since the hydrogen and saline bonds are the weakest bonds in the hair strand, meaning, the results will last up to 12 washes.
GENi Hair is the only frizz-eliminating hair treatment kit you will ever need. So what are you waiting for? Wave bye-bye to that Brazilian blow dry! Or why not gift the luxe pink and gold Christmas brand new At Home Hair Treatment by GENi Hair pack to someone special.
The coronavirus pandemic may have dampened our plans for 2020, it certainly won’t stop us from making important changes around the house. You might have handled numerous quarantine-induced home improvement projects by now, but you still have time to do a few more before we bid this tumultuous year goodbye.
The fact that the holiday season is fast approaching and that limited social interactions are still encouraged give you more than enough reason to give the interior of your home a much-needed makeover. Even if you are not inviting anyone over, you could make your home stand out, especially if it hasn’t been freshened up for some time now. Here are a few great ideas to guide you:
1. Change your interior wall colors
Nothing can make a lasting impression better than a new coat of paint for the interior. Not only does this give your home a fresh new look, it also gives you the opportunity to hide unsightly stains, fix dents, and give your walls a flawless finish.
You can go to town with the living room, hallways, dining room, and kitchen using the right color swatches that will make these areas standout. It all depends on the effect you want to accomplish.
If you want to emphasize space, then it’s always best to opt for neutral colors like gray and white. You may also use beige or subtle hints of blue for a more pastel-like effect. Neutral colors are today’s standard, but it shouldn’t keep you from trying out other colors to give the idea a rebirth. You can go for mint-green or brown to give your living room a turn-of-the-century look.
Choosing the best color for the interior can be tricky. You wouldn’t know if a certain shade lets the interior standout until you apply the coating, so make sure to use apps like the Behr Paint Color Visualizer or Paint My Place to test which color variations are best for your home.
2. Prep your floor
While you might not expect a lot of guests this year, you can still take this opportunity to make the floor sparkle and shine. If your floor is made from engineered hardwood like oak or maple, you will need to wipe it down using a microfiber mop and a non-abrasive cleaning solution. Most commercial cleaners can stain the surface, so opt for the safest options available. Better yet, you can use a simple water and dish soap solution. It’s also best to wipe away spills immediately before they settle on the wood.
In case of tile flooring made from vinyl or ceramic, you will need to keep it free from dust or debris. Regular vacuuming followed by a good mopping should do the trick. Then again, you shouldn’t limit yourself to just cleaning the tiles. You can try creative and cost-effective ideas to “refurbish” the floor without removing the tiles by overlaying it with vinyl. While this method doesn’t seem like an authentic way to refresh your home, it does do a good job of changing the way it looks.
3. Get new furniture
When was the last time you replaced the furniture in your home? Chances are, you have cabinets that have been worn down and ornate chairs that could break at any moment. Replacing old furniture with upgraded pieces is a great way to spruce up your home’s interior. To give your home a modern look from the inside, consider swapping worn down wooden furniture with ones that suit today’s minimalist and retro-inspired standards. You might want to opt for high-quality minimalist furniture if you are planning to allow for more breathing space.
If you want a more comfortable atmosphere in time for winter, consider buying an ottoman chair and getting polyester sofas. These are available at suppliers like Washington-based Kasala, which also sells interior accessories and rugs that will bring out the coziness of the interior.
Then again, sprucing up your home doesn’t necessarily mean you can change everything from the top down. If you are on a tight budget, you can always restore damaged and old furniture. This works best if you want to give your home a fresh face without changing the overall style of the interior.
4. Opt for great lighting
Indoor lighting sets the mood, so if you want a cozier atmosphere during the cold winter, consider investing in lighting fixtures. To give the interior a sense of sophistication, you can add shelf lighting and accent lights to illuminate dark corners. These lights are also great for drawing attention away from areas or items that aren’t interesting. Consider placing these lights near art pieces like paintings or sculptures or just around the Christmas tree.
In addition to mood lighting, you might want to consider installing a dimmer so you can control how intimate the atmosphere will be. If you are not much of a fan of dim lights and you want the interior to look bright for a virtual holiday party you are hosting on Zoom, you can paint the ceiling with bright blues or whites. Again, neutral colors can make any room appear larger as well as brighter, so you might want to complete your paint project by giving the top space a good coat.You can also consider matte walls and metallic fixtures which are always best for reflecting light and emphasizing the decorations and you should also consider installing lights from Naperville.
Bonus: Focus on the outdoors
Preparing your home for the holidays wouldn’t be complete without putting the exterior in a festive mood. After all, people will still want to see a semblance of normalcy, so make sure to give your home a much-needed makeover. You can start by cleaning the roof, and improving the patio through deck lighting. Plus, it’s too cold to repaint the exterior walls anyway, why not give it some color by adding the roof and windows with decoration lights?
The holiday season might be different this year, but it’s still important to keep our hopes up and think about the better days to come. Changing the appearance of your home can help a lot in keeping the festive spirit alive.
Winter is not only the cold season when we want to put on all the warm clothes that are at home. It also means beautiful snow-covered streets, frost on trees, and fascinating snowfall. And it is a great time to take beautiful shots on your camera or video camera. Let’s look at winter photo and video shooting ideas that you can use regardless of your camera or place of residence.
The right choice of equipment will make your shooting better
First, you need to be confident in your shooting technique. Stock up on extra batteries – at the most inopportune moment, the equipment may run out of power, especially if you shoot in the cold season. Just in case, bring a charger and a USB cable. You can go to a cafe or shopping center to warm up and drink coffee, as well as recharge your device.
Currently, the market offers a good deal of equipment from different manufacturers. The most popular cameras are from Nikon, Canon, and Sony, with FujiFilm not lagging behind these manufacturers. Each camera has its own advantages. New models are lighter and compact, so they are convenient to take with you. They also have the function of transferring photos via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to your smartphone. Just download the app that you can use to do this. For example, I recommend taking a closer look at FujiFilm cameras. I started using one of them not so long ago (before that, I’d worked with a Nikon camera for eight years). I like the color reproduction of images in this camera, as well as its size and weight.
If we talk about video cameras, then in this case, the manufacturer Panasonic is in the lead. But Sony and Canon also remain the favorites of professionals and beginners. Choose a video camera based on its functionality: the ability of night video shooting, zoom, image resolution, the ability to use as a camera (so you will save money by getting one device instead of two), the type of card and its maximum volume, camera size, and battery capacity. Some people often pay attention to the appearance of the device, but in my opinion, this is the wrong approach. First, you need to study the device’s functionality, read articles and reviews, and research forums for information. If possible, borrow a camera from your friends to test it and see if you like it.
As you understand, the quality of your photos and videos, your mood, and the mood of your client or friend you are shooting depends on the right technique. Choose your equipment responsibly, based on professional reviews and recommendations.
After choosing the shooting technique, we will discuss tips and ideas for selecting a shooting location.
The secret to successful photo and video shooting is in choosing the right location
Have you already decided where you will take photos or videos? Will it be a walking photoshoot, or will you be shooting in nature? Let’s look at all the advantages and disadvantages of ideas for shooting in winter.
First, you need to prepare for the photoshoot. Decide on the day, be sure to look at the weather forecast, and choose the time when you will go outside. It may be morning time – and you will catch the rays of the sun. Or it could be evening and you can take stunning pictures at sunset. And if there is snowfall on this day, then you will get magic shots, as if you were in a winter fairy tale!
Don’t forget about warm clothes, because you don’t want to get sick after shooting. During the walk, you can go to warm up in cafes or shopping centers, as well as take a break and drink coffee.
Now let’s look at ideas for photos:
Walking photo session on the street. This is the most popular and less expensive type of shooting. You just walk with a person and take photos near the places that you like. It can be a park, a busy avenue, a square, or local attractions. If the person you are shooting is shy or feeling uncomfortable, you can give them some tips on how not to be afraid of taking photos, as well as try to reveal it. If this is your friend, then you shouldn’t have any problems. And if you are shooting a stranger, first talk to them before shooting, discuss ideas, suggestions, and fears. During the shooting, behave naturally, smile, and give the person the opportunity to behave in the same way.
Outdoor photo session. If you have an opportunity to get out of the city, into the forest, mountains, or lake – take it. You have a chance to capture the sunrise or sunset, the play of sunlight or snowfall. Photos or videos in nature are an opportunity to show not only the beauty of a person in the frame but also the beauty of the environment.
You can take your props with you. For example, it can be a battery-powered garland, a thermos and a mug for tea or coffee (or maybe a glass for mulled wine), a blanket, Christmas toys (which you can hang on the fir tree if you are going to the forest), or sparklers.
Sports photoshoot. Winter is a time for active sports such as skating, snowboarding, and skiing. If the person you are shooting is interested in these sports, you can make a great sports photoshoot or record a video with various tricks. Go to the ice rink or ski base, and shoot there.
A love story or a fun photo and video shoot with a group of friends.In winter, you can shoot a beautiful love story. For example, on a day when it’s snowing, you can shoot a couple hugging each other. Take some props with you – a basket with food and a blanket for a photoshoot in nature, gift bags or boxes, as the New Year is approaching. You can take shots of a group of friends walking down the street or having fun in nature. Invite them to play snowballs or make a snowman, and your pictures will be lively and joyful!
Photo studio or home if the cold weather interfered with your shooting.If the weather forecast is incorrect and it is very cold outside, you can arrange a photoshoot in a studio or at home. The list of ideas, in this case, is diverse. On New Year’s Eve, you can create pictures or videos of the Christmas tree. Take a picture of a person or company decorating a Christmas tree, packing or unwrapping gifts, or sitting by the fireplace with a glass of wine. These photos will be cozy and warm and give you the New Year’s mood.
You have read the ideas for photo and video shooting, you already have beautiful frames, but they are not processed. Let’s talk about photo and video editors that are now popular, as well as effects and filters that are used by professionals.
Photo and video processing is another success criterion
Have you noticed that every photographer or videographer has their own style of processing? They may use the same programs, but their work is radically different. Finding your own style in processing is very important. Your work will be recognizable, thanks to an individual style of processing.
The most famous processing programs that you’ve probably heard of are Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom. It is often noted that this is software for professional photographers. I partially agree with this opinion. It is quite difficult to get the hang of these programs from using them for the first time, so I was looking for alternative options. I’ve tried a lot of photo editing programs, both on my computer and on my smartphone, and I’m ready to highlight my favorites.
Luminar – I use this photo editor often. I like its speed and simplicity. I often use the skin retouching tool if I take portraits.
PhotoScape is a simple photo editor when you need to quickly crop a photo or edit brightness and contrast. I would use the effects of this photo editor, but they’ve lost their relevance. You can also edit out the red-eye, remove pimples, and clone objects.
PicMonkey is an online photo editor with a lot of interesting effects and filters. If you don’t like natural photos and minimal retouching, you can use this photo editor. It offers a variety of effects and presets, stickers, and frames.
If we talk about image processing on a smartphone, my favorite is VSCO. Beautiful filters, traditional functions for adjusting brightness, contrast, temperature, as well as adding grain. This tool is available in the AppStore or Google Play.
This year, natural photos without numerous retouching and effects are more popular than frames and filters. It is more pleasant to look at a portrait where the skin looks natural, even with small flaws. Film effects, frames, and captions are common among many photographers.
The field of video editing does not stand still. Every year, there are new trends in video shooting and editing, and 2020 is no exception – subtitles, personal stories, and animation are a small part of the trends. This year, new tools for video editing have appeared as well, and online video editors have become popular, which I want to tell you about.
The discovery of the year for me was the online video editor Fastreel. This is a simple video editing tool where you can crop, edit, add effects, subtitles, and titles. Of course, this is a standard set for a video editor, but this program has a clear interface and fast operation. It doesn’t freeze like some programs. The main thing is to have a stable Internet connection to work in online video editors.
In second place, comes Kizoa. It is also an online program where you can work with videos. This program supports popular video formats (MP4, MKV, DVD, and others) and also allows you to add music to videos. I think it’s very convenient.
Also, I want to talk about FlexClip. In this video editor, you can also choose music for the video, effects, or animations. It’s faster and clearer than I like.
Conclusion
I hope that you have learned more about ideas for photo and video shooting in winter, and how important it is to choose the right technique and program for processing photos and videos. If you have any additions to the ideas or you want to tell us about your experience using the technique or program for processing, then leave your comments under the article.
