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13:07:00

Choosing the Right Bed and Mattress for a Perfect Night's Sleep

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We all need to sleep. In fact, it’s recommended that each and every one of us gets a good eight hours’ 
worth of solid kip every single night. This allows our bodies time to repair themselves after a long day 
at work, working out, socialising, or doing whatever else it may be that we do. It also gives our minds 
the opportunity to mull over information taken in during the day, make memories, dispose of needless 
information, and generally get us ready for the next day ahead. Considering the sheer importance of 
sleep, it’s pretty shocking the sheer lack of thought many of us give to it. So, take a moment to think 
over your sleeping habits and routine! If you feel that you aren’t getting sufficient sleep or good enough 
quality sleep, it’s time to start taking some serious steps towards securing some solid z’s. Your bed 
and mattress can greatly contribute to this!

Choosing the Right Bed

When it comes to choosing a bed, many of us focus on aesthetics. We want it to fit in with the rest of 
our furniture and home design. Sure, aesthetics can be important. But quality and comfort really should 
reign supreme when it comes to picking out the perfect bed for our needs and preferences! Some 
questions to ask yourself before actually buying a bed should include:

  • How Big Does the Bed Need to Be? Will a single suffice, or will more than one person be 
    sleeping in it? Would you prefer the extra room of a double, Queen size, or King size base to 
    spread out on?

  • Should You Invest in a Headboard? These can help to insulate the bed from chills and drafts? 
    They could be a good investment if you’re prone to feeling cold in the night.

  • What Kind of Base? The most popular bed base tends to be the divan. Platform divans are 
    relatively firm, while sprung divans tend to give a little more, well… spring.

Choosing the Right Mattress

Next up: the mattress. The mattress needs to be the right size for the bed base you have chosen. 
Single bed means a single mattress. Double beds require a double mattress. Next, you might want to 
start reading up reviews like ghostbed reviews. They will help you to decide between different factors 
like memory foam, gel, pillow tops, innerspring, water mattresses, air mattresses, latex mattresses, 
and mattresses with adjustable bases.

Bedding

Now you’ve got the basics together, it’s time to choose some bedding. Learn more about duvet 
 tog counts so you can ensure you get a duvet that is of a suitable weight and insulation for the given 
season. Opt for pillows that provide the right amount of support and comfort - whether you prefer firm 
or soft. Then, round everything off with some soft sheets!

Sleep really is important, so don’t neglect the above advice! It will help you to put together a bed that 
provides you with a truly comfortable night’s sleep!
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16:20:00

Is It Time You Took Up A New Hobby?

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Have you ever noticed that we tend to focus our attention on giving things up? When January looms, 
we vow to cut out carbs and give up alcohol, and when Lent approaches, our focus turns to clearing all 
traces of chocolate from the cupboards. While it can be hugely beneficial to give things that aren’t good 
for you up, it’s also helpful to think about adding things to our lives. If you don’t want to make cutbacks 
as part of your resolutions for 2019, have you considered enhancing your health and happiness by 
taking up a new hobby?



The benefits of having a hobby

Bringing fun and enjoyment to your life and reducing stress
Increasingly, we devote time to work, looking after children or caring for relatives, and running our 
households. More and more of us are using a lack of time as a reason for missing out on social 
activities and the opportunity to devote time to things we enjoy. When you’re tired, you’ve been running 
around like a headless chicken all day, or you’re stressed about work, you might not want to find the 
time to do anything else, but having a hobby can help you use the time do you have constructively. 
Sometimes, even if we don’t realise it, we need time out to clear our minds, distract ourselves from 
whatever is getting us down or stressing us out, and to have fun. You can’t spend every waking hour 
checking emails, sitting in meetings and clearing up after your kids. Everyone needs a little time to 
themselves, and hobbies provide a really effective outlet. Hobbies can improve mental health, and they 
can also build confidence and self-esteem.

Socialising
Another brilliant benefit of having a hobby is the opportunity to meet new people. Even if you have a 
group of friends and a tight family unit, there’s nothing wrong with being open to forging new friendships 
and spending time with people who have a shared interest. You never know who you could meet at a 
pottery class or a choir rehearsal. You might meet somebody who becomes a mentor to you, you may 
fall in love, or you might emerge with a new circle of friends.

Health benefits
Hobbies are proven to benefit your mental health, but they can also boost physical health. If you’re 
learning to ski, you’re taking tango classes, you’ve started playing golf, you’re jogging every day, or 
you’ve joined a spin, yoga or Zumba class, this is going to benefit your body. Regular exercise 
increases strength, stamina, and endurance, and it can also improve agility, balance, and flexibility. 
If you have an active lifestyle, your risk of life-threatening illnesses will decrease significantly, and you’ll 
feel great, as exercise triggers the release of happy hormones.



Learning new skills
Hobbies can be great fun, but they can also be incredibly useful. A new hobby can enable you to learn 
new skills and it could even open doors in terms of your career. Consider the impact of learning a 
language, for example. Having the ability to speak different languages makes you more employable, 
and it could broaden your horizons. You could look for a job that enables you to travel more or you 
could even consider working abroad.

Getting out of your comfort zone
Many of us are set in a routine, and we rarely take the time or the opportunity to broaden our minds or 
challenge ourselves. Hobbies offer us the chance to get out of our comfort zones, test ourselves, and 
try new things. There’s no harm in giving an activity a go or shaking up your routine a bit. It’s always 
worth being open-minded. You might fall head over heels for a new activity and find that it changes 
your life. Alternatively, if you take a class and you don’t like it, you don’t have to go again.

Doing what you love
When you have a hobby, it’s comforting to know that you don’t have to excel at something to enjoy it. 
You might assume that you’re no good at art, for example, because you weren’t a high achiever in this 
subject at school. Just because you’re not a budding maestro doesn’t mean that you won’t enjoy a 
drawing class or find happiness in getting some paints and a sketchbook out from time to time.
 Spend time doing what you love and remember that nobody is going to judge you. You’re not on a 
talent show or in a class at school.


If you’re looking for a positive step forward to start 2019 on the right foot, why not take up a new 
hobby?
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11:15:00

The Home Repairs You CAN Tackle Yourself

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Image via Pexels


Becoming a homeowner is a hugely important milestone in most people's lives and something we 
dream of. But it's definitely not all relaxing on a pristine sofa or throwing barbecues at the weekend - 
our houses require regular maintenance work to stop them falling into disrepair. Quite simple repairs 
can develop into huge issues if left unresolved, so it's far better to tackle things head on and develop a 
proactive home repairs schedule. If there's something you can do that only requires simple tools and 
isn't dangerous, it's a good idea to learn how to do it yourself and save some money. This will keep 
costs down and make sure that you can call in a contractor when you really need to.

Refresh Your Paintwork

The key to maintaining fresh looking rooms is being able to give them a new coat of paint occasionally, 
and it's something you should be able to do yourself. The key is to spend enough time on the prep 
work before you ever raise a roller. 

Start by removing any fixtures which will be in the way - unscrewing curtain rods and taping up the 
edges of light switches and skirting boards with low-tack decorators tape. Get a pro finish by cleaning 
down the walls with a damp sponge to get rid of dust and grime that will stop paint adhering cleanly to 
the walls. Check for any old nail holes or little surface dents and cover them with filler before sanding 
down. Apply a primer first and then a couple of coats of the shade you've chosen - it's a brilliant way to 
breathe life back into your home.

Service Your Heating and Aircon

The winter means you will have been using more heating while the summer makes demands on your 
air conditioning unit, so spring is the perfect time to service both and prep them. Start by checking the 
copper pipe coming out of your unit - if it feels hot, the units coils are likely to be dirty and in need of a 
wash. Clean out any vents of dust and debris that stop your unit working effectively - if you find a 
problem, call a 24/7 ac repair before issues escalate. Bleed radiators to rebalance the levels and 
ensure even heat distribution. There are lots of simple video tutorials for servicing your heating system 
out there that you can follow.

Reseal Your Bathroom

Redoing the sealant and grouting in your bathroom not only guards against expensive and damaging 
leaks and stops mould and mildew forming, but it freshens up the appearance of your whole bathroom. 
You can get hold of products which soften the old caulking and make it easier to cut away and remove 
with a scraper. Once you've stripped it out, use paint thinner to get rid of any residue. Next, load your 
caulking gun with your choice of sealant and have a few practice runs on an old piece of scrap to make
 sure you can apply it as a smooth even line. If you aren't confident, you can also get strips of caulking 
that you unroll and press into place. Next, use a grout whitening pen to touch up between your tiles, of 
it's chipped and damaged, you can regrout your tiles - there is even coloured grouting available if you 
want a low-key new look.
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14:13:00

Learning At Home - You Can Do It!

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How much time do you waste online? All of that time spent checking Facebook, Instagram and 
watching Netflix… Couldn’t you do something more valuable with your time? Online learning is great for 
many reasons - it can help you find new hobbies, improve your career or simply help you pass the time!

Image Credit: Unsplash under Creative Commons

With so many ways to learn new things, it’s worth giving it a try. Take a look at some of the cool ways 
you can embrace web learning and find a good use of your time online.

Get crafting with YouTube

Getting crafty is easier than ever thanks to YouTube! There are so many fantastic tutorials out there that 
can teach you to do everything from making your own candles to making your own kitsch blankets. If 
you’re passionate about home improvement, you could even learn how to take on more ambitious 
projects and do some great things around your home. Who thought YouTube was just for funny cat 
videos?

Study for an online degree

Studying online means you no longer have to go to university to get a good degree and benefit your 
career. You can use online learning to help you get your education at your own pace, making it the ideal 
solution if you need to work or take care of your family while studying. An online MSN-FNP program 
could help you become a family nurse practitioner and open up many doors. There’s some great 
courses you can take online, and with flexible funding too - you could really boost your career!

Learn a language

You’re never too old to learn a language, and learning a new language online can be a fun new hobby. 
Websites like DuoLingo make learning a language fun and easy thanks to games that are designed to 
boost your memory and help you grasp the basics quickly. It makes such a difference knowing a bit of 
the local lingo before you travel somewhere new, so spend some of your free time learning a new 
language that will be sure to impress friends and family the next time you go away!

Become a superstar chef!

As one of the easiest things to learn online, cooking has to be up there! How many times have you 
seen a fantastic recipe idea shared on Facebook but never set about to make it? What’s stopping you! 
Expand your recipe repertoire and aim to cook a new dish each week - whether you want to eat 
healthier or simply try more home cooking, the (online) world is your oyster!

Online learning is something you can easily fit into your time. Whether you choose to learn during your 
morning commute, while you’re catching up on the week’s TV or while you’re lying in the bath - there 
are plenty of opportunities for you to learn something new. Set yourself some exciting new goals and 
who knows what you could end up learning online?
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10:50:00
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Image via Unsplash

As we approach the end of the year, it's natural to take stock of our job situation and think about what 
we might want to change in 2019. Career oriented New Year’s resolutions are some of the most 
important and impactful changes you have it in your power to make. Perhaps you realise that your 
current job isn't making you happy and you don't feel fulfilled. It could be that you know a  
different career path would be more suited to your skill set and have the potential to make you happier. 
Or it could be the year you want to take things up a level and finally secure that promotion. Only you 
can make it happen by defining those goals and making a plan to move towards them…

Retrain For What You Love

Many people realise that they have chosen the wrong path, but just because you are currently in a job 
that isn't making the most of what you have to offer, doesn't mean you have to stay that way. Retraining 
could be your goal for 2019. Take a look into courses that can be done part time or with distance 
learning if you can't afford to become a full time student. If you think your skills are wasted but you 
aren't sure of your next move, try an online aptitude test to see what might make better use of your 
talents. The first step is to find out what qualifications would be needed for the job you really dream 
about and then find a course of study that delivers. Or you could look to do something like an MBA - 
find courses and view university here.

Gain New Skills

Branching out doesn't always have to mean retraining - sometimes enhancing your transferable skills 
is all it takes. Employers look for evidence of soft skills, such as communication, time management  
and leadership. There's plenty you can do to enhance these skills, from asking for higher profile 
projects that will give you a chance to develop a specific skill to online training courses from your HR 
department. Whether you're looking to get promoted where you are, or find a new job elsewhere these 
skills are always in demand and will serve you well in any job.

Seek Out A Mentor

One way to give your skills a huge boost is to seek out a mentor who can guide your decisions and 
coach you to achieve more. Finding the right mentor can be somewhat of a trial and error process, but 
if you're networking enough and you see someone who impresses you, send them an email inviting 
them to coffee. Come prepared with a list of questions to ask them and things you want to achieve. 
Think about things you may be able to offer in return, such as helping them build their social media 
profile.

Polish Up Your Profile

While we’re on the subject of social media, it's important for you to give your profile a makeover. 
Recruiters are always actively looking on LinkedIn, so make your your achievements and employment 
history is up to date, add details of projects you've worked on and key skills you have and join in the 
debate on some relevant industry groups while making new contacts. You never know where it could 
lead!
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07:38:00

Finding New Hobbies after 50

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Hobbies are creative outlets and special ways to find new people in life. In fact, a life without hobbies 
can become boring, especially when you reach a certain age. This is why you must have a “set” of 
hobbies that can keep you occupied. So, how can an adult find a new interest or hobby? Are you 
wondering if finding a new hobby is easy? If these are questions puzzling your mind, sit back, relax 
and read on!
The Pre-Requisites in Choosing a new Hobby
In general, hobbies are activities you can do for fun! These are activities you must not expect payment 
for. Instead, they must be activities that can help you connect with others and decompress. A lot of 
people believe that watching television and tweeting are their only leisure activities. Well, this is a big 
shame! Hobbies go beyond the television and social media network. It could be anything like collecting 
stamps, climbing mountains, and painting. These are hobbies with true benefits. 
Understand its Importance
To begin with, you must understand that all hobbies are important. The hobby you choose should be a 
creative outlet for energy. It should be something you don’t have access to on a daily basis. Instead, it 
must be something that takes your time and helps you forget regular problems. If possible, look for 
like-minded people who can share your hobby. See here examples of people who started a new way of 
life after 50’s by finding new hobbies. Together, you will be able to experience and experiment new 
adventures. 
Start Small
Your new hobbies don’t have to be big all the time. If you are finding new hobbies, always focus on 
smaller things first. Hobbies require lots of time. The good news is you don’t need to spend several 
hours to enjoy your hobbies. Use the time you watch TV or browse online for a healthy hobby. Here 
are some other examples of hobbies you can start after 50:
Learn to play an instrument. Music stimulates your brain, and this has been proven scientifically. 
Music has the power to invoke complex emotions and psychological states. Different researchers have 
shown that both listening to music and mastering a musical instrument improve memory and 
concentration. At the same time, this hobby teaches you patience and perseverance, because learning to 
play a musical instrument requires time and effort. You can, however, start this hobby at any age.
Reading is the long way to increase the level of intelligence, and this is especially true if you read 
about many different topics, from fiction and biographies to anthologies. Reading reduces stress, helps 
you experience multiple emotions, and teaches you about many topics. Reading is very important to 
gain knowledge about a subject, prepares you for all sorts of situations, and helps you become more 
productive in your pursuit of goals.
Meditate regularly. Meditation helps you reduce stress and get rid of all sorts of worries. With a state 
of calm and an unspoiled state of mind achieved through meditation, you can learn, think and plan 
things in a much more efficient way. Regular meditation helps you have full control over yourself. 
Effective self-control methods are the supreme point when you work on improving intelligence.
Keep your mind engaged. Just as you need to do physical exercise to keep fit, so your brain needs to 
be in shape. If you challenge your brain regularly do new things, so it improves skills and helps you to 
have a sharper mind. You can train your brain in a number of ways, such as Sudoku, puzzles, soccer 
games, or riddles. All these activities help the brain to form new connections. At the same time, through 
these activities, you learn to cope with different situations in creative ways, develop your ability to see 
things from multiple perspectives, and become more productive.
Exercise Frequently. A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body! After all, your brain is like another muscle 
in your body. Regular exercises help your mind and body function properly. Sport reduces tension and 
helps you sleep better. Doctors agree that better blood circulation in the brain means increased cerebral 
function.
Learn a new language. Learning a new language is not always easy, but it certainly has many 
advantages, and one of them is that it makes you smarter. The process of learning a new language 
involves tasks such as grammar analysis and learning new words, things that improve intelligence and 
brain health. It has also been proven by various experiments that people with a high level of verbal and 
linguistic intelligence are very good at planning, decision making and problem-solving.
Put your thoughts on paper. Writing improves language skills, but also helps you in concentration, 
creativity, imagination, and understanding. Writers are often considered to have a high level of 
intelligence. You can write in different ways: on paper or make a blog. However, by writing words you 
have in your mind you learn to express yourself better, and this is an excellent way to stimulate 
intelligence.
Travel to new places. The physical and mental efforts you make during your travels relieve you of 
stress, and the less stress you get, the better you can focus on what you have to do. Each place you visit 
can offer new things to learn: meet new people, try different meals, contact with different lifestyles. 
This puts you in touch with ideas you would not have thought of before.
Cooking. Many of us think cooking is a simple waste of time and that is something to be avoided. 
What you need to know is that those who cook regularly and try different recipes have an increased 
level of creativity. They are interested in quality, they are not afraid to try new things, and they are 
paying attention to details. Every time you cook something, you learn to manage and do more things 
at a time, to accurately measure and to make quick decisions.
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