5 Health Benefits Of Having A Financial Plan

5 Health Benefits Of Having A Financial Plan

There are several experts that your doctor may tell you can enhance your health such as a fitness coach, a dietician, or a physiotherapist, but one group of experts that might not be at forefront of every doctor’s or every patient's thoughts are financial planners. Admittedly, if you have a health problem we still strongly advise you to visit your doctor first, but you would also be doing your health a favour if you speak to a financial advisor too. If those last statements have led to a puzzled expression on your face, we are not surprised. After all, financial advisors are not the people who would immediately turn to for health advice, nor should you. We are not suggesting that your financial advisor should replace your doctor, but instead should provide you with financial planning advice that can mean you are better protected from the health issues that can arise from money worries. In many cases, an illness or disease can often be traced, not to some physical event, but to a person's mental health. This is most likely where the phrase "Healthy Mind, Healthy Body" originates from. It can be eye-opening when you discover that many of the physical issues you may suffer from are in part often caused by mental health issues with stress and anxiety being two of the prime culprits. (more…)

5 Everyday Activities Parents Can Use To Enhance Their Children's Language Skills

5 Everyday Activities Parents Can Use To Enhance Their Children’s Language Skills

Parents of children with speech and language difficulties may well have taken them to see a speech therapy specialist such as speech pathologists for help, advice, and a view to finding a treatment option for their child. Doubtless, the treatment recommended will be based upon the specifics of the child's speech development problems, their age, and other factors such as their home environment. A child's home environment can be a huge factor in how effective any speech therapy program is. One example of how is whether or not either of the child’s parents is at home during the day which will determine if the child spends time each day with a childminder. Whilst a childminder may be able to look after the child whilst their parents are at work, their experience may not include speech therapy. Another influence at home would be older siblings who are willing to spend time with their younger brother or sister to help with their speech. The reason why we highlight childminders and older siblings is because, despite neither having any speech therapy qualifications, and that can also extend to a child’s parents, the fact is there are several ways that all of these people with whom the child has regular contact can assist in their speech therapy. (more…)

7 Ways To Build Trust And A Bond With Your New Puppy

7 Ways To Build Trust And A Bond With Your New Puppy

Dog owners will tell you that their entire existence with their dog was a pleasure beyond words, from the moment they first picked them up, taking them to doggie daycare, all the long walks, the play times, the fun, and the endless love and loyalty, these are all part of the joy of owning a dog. A term that is often used about owning a dog is "dog training", but for those who are dog training experts, the term should be “human training" as it is most often what humans do that has the biggest influence on how a dog behaves. For example, a dog owner who pulls the leash tight and crosses the street whenever another dog approaches, is sending signals to their dog that something is wrong. In turn, the dog picks up on those signals and perceives other dogs to be a threat. This can lead to them barking at, growling at, or even attacking other dogs without provocation. In that scenario, it is not the dog that is at fault despite what it might seem. It is the actions and behaviour of their owner that has taught the dog that other dogs are to be avoided and if that means barking or growling at them, that is instinctively what a dog will do. This emphasises how much influence owners have on their dog's behaviour and its general emotional and psychological state. (more…)

7 Ways Both You And Your Dog Can Benefit From Dog Day Care

7 Ways Both You And Your Dog Can Benefit From Dog Day Care

Just as child day care benefits children, it also allows parents to continue their careers knowing that their child is being well looked after, and thus both the parent and the child benefit. Similarly, dog daycare can benefit both the dog and its owners and should not be seen as something which in any way is punishing or harmful for your dog, nor makes you any less of a caring dog owner. To emphasise that point, here are seven examples of dog daycare benefits Benefits Of Dog Care For Your Dog They Can Socialise With Other Dogs In A Safe Environment: One of the most significant benefits for your dog is that it can socialise with other dogs. Dogs are pack animals; that instinct is best served when they can socialise and play with other dogs. It also helps those dogs who are somewhat fearful of other dogs overcome that fear as they soon learn that the other dogs are more likely to want to play with them than harm them. They Will Get Lots Of Exercise: Do not be surprised when you get your dog home; they want to sleep. That will be because, during the day, they have spent lots of time and energy running around and playing with other dogs, which is ideal for keeping them fit and healthy. (more…)

5 Ways You Can Benefit From Axe Throwing

5 Ways You Can Benefit From Axe Throwing

If you have never heard of axe throwing, then you may be surprised to learn it is a hugely popular pastime, and a highly competitive sport. Axe throwing centres are fast becoming the place to go for an enjoyable get-together and chance to show your friends and family just how accurate your axe throwing skills are. The concept is extremely simple in that there is a wooden target with concentric circles, and you score more points the closer your axe is to the centre when you throw.  Think of it a bit like darts, but with more street cred. There are many benefits to axe throwing, and to give you some incentive to give it a go, here are 5 of them. #1 Physical Exercise. It might not be on the same level as marathon running, but axe throwing does take a reasonable degree of physical exertion. The axes have weight to them with the smaller ones weighing around 800 grammes, and the larger ones used in some competitions weighing up to 1.5 kilograms. Add to that the fact that you have to pull your arm back in order to then throw your axe, you will soon appreciate that there is a reasonable degree of physical effort required. What's certain is that after you have thrown that axe several times, you will have burnt off plenty of calories. (more…)

7 Tips For Choosing The Right Wedding Car Hire Service

7 Tips For Choosing The Right Wedding Car Hire Service

One of the most important matters that need to be arranged when a wedding is being planned is the wedding cars. Whether it is just one for the bride, or a whole fleet for the entire family, hiring wedding cars is not just a case of picking up the phone and calling for one as you would with a taxi. You want to plan well ahead because if you find the ideal wedding cars, you do not want to delay booking them otherwise you could end up disappointed if another engaged couple gets in there before you. Beyond this, you want to take care when hiring your wedding cars to ensure that they contribute to making your special day perfect, and to help you achieve that here are seven top tips for choosing the right wedding car service. Tip #1 - Start Searching And Planning As Early As Possible The sooner you decide upon a wedding date and the locations where the service and reception take place, the better. Not only will this help the overall planning, but it means you can start searching for your wedding cars without further delay. (more…)

7 Ways You Can Self-Sabotage Your Partner Visa Application

7 Ways You Can Self-Sabotage Your Partner Visa Application

It is certain that a vast number of visa applications, such as those for a partner visa, are refused, not for relating to the facts about or the suitability of the applicant at face value for permanent residency. In other words, under normal circumstances they would be granted their partner visas. The reason they are refused is instead because their behaviour in relation to their application gave the impression that they were not taken the application process seriously, nor did they treat it with the respect that it deserves. When we say behaviour we do not mean in the same sense as a naughty child, although immaturity often plays a part. Rather, we are talking about the mindset of the applicant, or more specifically their flawed mindset. Below we have outlined some of the behaviours we are referring in more detail. We do so to enlighten those reading, but more importantly to emphasise to those about to enter the application process that they must avoid all of them. Otherwise you risk self-sabotaging your partner visa application. Not Taking The Whole Process Seriously This problem almost certainly stems from a flawed mindset, but why it occurs will differ from person to person. It could be that they genuinely do not care whether they are allowed to become a resident or not, and submit a poor application. In this case do not be surprised if the immigration authorities regard the application as not serious nor genuine and refuse it. (more…)

How To Cope With Backache From Sitting In An Office Chair All Day

How To Cope With Backache From Sitting In An Office Chair All Day

If you have to sit in an office chair for long hours at a time you may be a web designer.  If you are not to get a backache, it’s important to ensure your chair is a good fit for you. Even ergonomic chairs will not prevent a backache if they are not of the right dimensions for you. Tall people need a chair that is larger than one a short person would find comfortable. Often, even though the chair fits and the desk is the right height, people who sit for many hours a day can still end up with a backache. This can be due to any number of factors. In fact, if the computer monitor is not directly in front of you, a neck and backache can develop from the angle of your neck and head. Even though you may only need to turn slightly, when you have to hold that position for a long time, it can put a strain on your neck and spine. If you have a backache at the end of the day – or before – try these few healthy living tips to alleviate it.

  • Place a cushion at your lower back for more support
  • Get up more frequently, stretch and walk about
  • Sit on a cushion with a coccyx cut-out at the back to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve
  • Try and keep your back straight rather than slumping
  • Use a chair with padded armrests to ease shoulder and upper back pain
  • Stretch your arms above your head at random times throughout the day
  • Move your head gently from side to side every so often
  • Inscribe circles with your shoulders to ease stiffness in the upper back
  • Make sure your feet are firmly on the floor and the top half of your legs are horizontal, not sloping either up or down.
  • If nothing else works, try a different kind of chair
(more…)

Can A Stepparent Legally Adopt A Child

Can A Stepparent Legally Adopt A Child?

It is a common scenario that one of the parents who care for a child is not their birth parent but a stepparent. There may come a time, that having discussed the matter with their other parent, and the child, that they wish to legally adopt their step-child, and this is when their family lawyers are most likely going to be required to advise, and represent them, given that it can be a complex process. The first thing that needs to be established is whether or not the stepparent who wishes to adopt their stepchild is actually eligible to do so. The legal requirement and eligibility rules relating to stepparent adoption are laid out in the Family Law Act of 1975. Before a family court will even consider an application for stepparent adoption, there are three basic questions that must be answered.  The first and overriding requirement is that if the adoption takes place, it must be in the best interests of the child. For anyone who has studied or encountered family law, they will have undoubtedly known that whenever a child is involved in any way in family court matters, all decisions will normally have this as the primary part of the consideration. The second consideration is whether the child's biological parent is no longer has any active role in their life. For example, they could have abandoned their family some years ago, or have chosen to live in another country without any contact with the child. (more…)

5 Myths About Divorce You Must Not Believe

5 Myths About Divorce You Must Not Believe

Whenever family lawyers meet with a client there will be many things they need to discuss. There is obviously the divorce and no doubt the client will have several questions which they need to ask. In addition, the divorce lawyer may have to dismiss many of the assumptions and misunderstandings that their client may have about the whole process. Some of this will understandably be due to the fact that most clients are not experts on divorce law, otherwise, they would be sitting on the opposite side of the table. In addition, there can undoubtedly be elements of the client's beliefs about divorce that have sprung up due to some of the many myths that surround it. Many of these myths get passed from friend to friend and relative to relative, no doubt in a spirit of trying to help, but they actually achieve the opposite by sowing the seeds of doubt and worry. Another reason myths can occur is due to the media that we see on our television and online. These can include movies that use dramatic license to create legal and courtroom scenarios that bear little relationship to the real thing. One point about movies is that we get many of them from Hollywood which being in the USA will base their storylines on American law and the legal system as it applies to divorce there. The differences between how divorce is enacted in the USA and Australia are significant, so again this can lead to confusion and concern thinking that what happens in a movie is going to happen here. So, in order to try to eliminate some of the concerns people have about divorce, we are going to dispel 5 of the most common myths about divorce in Australia. (more…)