Smart and Easy Ways to Make a Wall Stand out in Your Room

Homeowners often get engrossed with decorating their homes and their rooms! Everyone wants to stay in an ambiance that breeds beauty and creativity, in easy, simple ways. There are several ways to get a room filled with impressive décors, like furniture, geode table, side tables, potted plant, ceramic décor, and many more (visit ToolBox Nerd for more ideas). When it comes to the walls, homeowners need to think smart and creative. Using a chunky painting is cliché. If you want something striking, you need to think out of the box. You also need to ensure that the décor item doesn’t cost you a fortune.

You can count on some of the smart tips discussed below:

 

1. The wall murals

 

One of the best ways to make a selected wall stand-out is to work less on it and add more to its appeal. The canvas wall murals are the best way out. The leading service providers today offer multiple textures to choose from. These are custom vinyl wall murals that act like decals but cover the entire wall. The wall art is easy to print and install on the wall. Usually, it’s a high-end, self-adhesive fabric, and the images get printed in HD quality. So, whether you choose wavy lines or box prints, the design adds a different look and dimension to the wall. You can use the same in one or many walls, based on your overall home décor.

The vinyl wall murals are easy to avail and are affordable. You can place an order and print the same within a short time. It’s easy to put up on the wall and takedown as well when you want. In terms of the design, the service providers offer you total creative freedom. If you get stuck anywhere or have a query, you can ask for assistance. Also, the vinyl wall murals last longer and are sturdy. Of course, there are other ways to decorate your walls too! For example, you might want to invest in some acrylic photo blocks to display family portraits or your favorite artwork. Photo blocks are really eye-catching and will help to make your house feel like a home. Accordingly, if you are tempted to invest in some of your own, you can get your acrylic photo blocks at Bumblejax online.

 

2. White paint and a unique décor item

 

Is there a specific wall in your house that you wish to decorate distinctively? If yes, then you can put your creative cap on and go all out, brainstorming the best ideas. For instance, opting in for a minimalistic wall décor will draw attention. One of the best ways is to choose a white paint with a semi-gloss or matte texture. Make sure the surface has a sheen and is smooth. You can use a huge dream-catcher or any abstract art frame. Else, you can also place a coat and cap holder and keep it bare and well-maintained. Perhaps you can place one hat and a coat to add to the show. Keeping an armchair that looks antique beside it will also add to the appeal. 

 

3. The attractive wall decals

 

If you want to make your room wall appear trendy and smart, the wall decals are the best options. Usually, decals are available in multiple quotes, designs, letters, and images. Choose the one that complements your wall color and room décor the most.

The majority of urban dwellers are opting in for canvas wall murals today. It’s just one item that can literally dress up your wall and change the look of the room and space around. If you want one, browse online and order one today.

What Every Parent Should Know About CBD

With so many states legalizing cannabis for either medical or recreational use, the use of cannabis to treat medical conditions is on the rise. In 2018, the Farm Bill passed, making the use and cultivation of hemp legal in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Even before the bill passed, companies began manufacturing products containing one of the primary cannabinoids in hemp, cannabidiol.

Cannabidiol, also known as CBD, is the second most prevalent compound found in both hemp and marijuana. Unlike its sister compound, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), CBD does not get you high. When the CBD comes from hemp sources, it must legally have less than 0.3% THC to be legal. When it comes to marijuana sources, it can have varying amounts of THC.

Adults have varying ways of ingesting CBD, which can be purchased as an oil, dried flowers, in supplements or infused in salves or creams. CBD can even be crafted into edibles, such as baked goods, Hemp gummies, and drinks. Edibles are becoming increasingly popular as there is something for everyone. CBD oils can also be inhaled by oil vape pens or used in cooking.

With the rise of adults using CBD to treat various ailments, there have also been suggestions that CBD could be good for children too. We’ll discuss the issue in this piece and you can check out Lazarus coupon code.

What Do We Know About CBD?

We know that marijuana has been used for millennia to treat various illnesses. However, since all marijuana and cannabis-related products have been illegal since 1970, it has been almost impossible to get federally funded research studies completed on cannabis, including its compounds, like CBD. However, making hemp legal will have changed this. CBD is now used for many different reasons and by different age groups of people. You can now in fact get CBD beard oil private label products, alongside many other types of products that include CBD that you wouldn’t expect. In 2015, the DEA relaxed some of its rules making CBD so difficult to study. Then, in 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved Epidiolex, a CBD compound intended for children with seizures. Now that CBD has been legalized, there are new studies in progress.

Concerns About CBD

Anecdotal evidence about the efficacy of CBD abounds, but there are some concerns, especially when concerning use in children. One of the primary concerns is the fact that products have been inconsistent in delivering a specific amount of CBD. Products could have more, or less, than the advertised amount of CBD. Many products for sale have been analyzed and found to have fallen short of the amount of CBD advertised.

Another concern is the fact that while CBD derived from hemp is federally legal, CBD derived from marijuana is not. This particular kind of CBD is only legal in states that have legalized the medical or recreational use of cannabis. However, it remains illegal on a federal level.

What Disorders Can CBD Help Kids With?

A few years ago, it was well-publicized that CBD oil derived from a marijuana strain drastically reduced the number of seizures a girl diagnosed with Dravet’s Syndrome was having. That particular strain was named after the child, Charlotte’s Web. Since many parents have sworn by CBD reducing the number of seizures their children have been having.

Most of the participants in the study noticed an improvement in the symptoms of seizures, restlessness, and rage attacks. This improvement was noticed after just one month of treatment. Symptoms continued to reduce over six months of treatment.

How is CBD Given to Children?

CBD can be given in many forms. Many parents use a CBD oil tincture placed under the tongue because it acts quickly. However, CBD is also available in gummy candies and other treats. CBD can also be given in capsule form. Parents should be careful to read the label of the product thoroughly to ensure the correct dose. Parents should also choose a product that has been independently tested to verify the product has the amount of CBD on the label.

Is CBD Safe for Kids?

The World Health Organization has acknowledged that CBD is well tolerated and has a good safety profile. However, they made note that any adverse effects could be because of interaction with medications. Always speak to your child’s doctor before administering any drug or supplement.

Why Haven’t You Bought a Reusable Coffee Cup Yet?

It is hard to find a person who doesn’t like coffee, whether a creamy latte or a bitter espresso. With the fast pace of our world, a lot of people prefer ordering coffee to-go, but many of them don’t know how much waste disposable coffee cups produce.

You have probably heard about the trend on reusable coffee cups, but many consider these items as only fashionable showing-off bought for taking photos. However, reusable containers are much more useful and beneficial than you might think. Here are five reasons why you need to buy a reusable coffee cup without delay.

It is surprising how much we can achieve by change so little”, comments zero-waste recycling guide Antonia Ko. “All we need is a small set of principles and habits focused on preventing most forms of trash or leftovers entering your bin. When you actually dive into it, you can encourage, rethink, and redesign the life cycles of so many resources so humanity can reuse most if not all products”, she adds.

Your Coffee Stays Hot for Several Hours

Most reusable coffee cups available on the market allow keeping the temperature of your drink. In contrast to takeaway cups that get cold even before you enter your office or cross the street, reusable cups can keep your coffee moderately hot for a pretty long time.

As, on average, the temperature of latte or cappuccino is about 160°F, you can expect it to stay warm for an hour for sure. If your cup is made of thick glass, you can leave your drink even for a couple of hours.

On the other side, disposable cups don’t protect your hands from hot drinks inside, either. By having a reusable coffee cup, you will forget about such a problem. Most models have silicon or wooden sleeves that protect your hands from hot liquids inside the cup.

 

No More Leakage and Spills

We all know what weak protection takeaway cups offer. Although they seem sealed, with only one opening for a mouth, it is easy to spill some coffee on yourself when trying to take a sip. Many reusable coffee cups allow closing the drinking opening so that you can walk on streets holding the cup comfortably or put it in your bag without worries.

Moreover, usually, reusable cups have a sleek design and don’t consist of many parts. It is only a cup, a cover, and a holder. While disposable cups usually have a separate glued bottom that may result in leakages of coffee and stained clothes, reusable ones were made as whole items with the convenience of coffee lovers in mind. Thus, they can be considered splash-proof and extremely useful for people who are always on the go.

 

Discounts in Coffee Shops & Other Saving

Many coffee shops, including global coffee chains such as Starbucks, offer discounts to the coffee fans that bring their reusable cups. It may sound like some cents saved, but within a year, you can actually save from $100 to $200, depending on how often you order coffee to go.

Moreover, by making yourself a cup of coffee at home and pouring it in the reusable cup, you can save even more on your morning coffee. Take your coffee from home instead of buying a pricey one in a coffee shop on the way to work, and you will save even thousands of dollars if you drink it daily.

 

Reduced Environmental Impact

According to Wired, in the long-term run, reusable coffee cups proved to contribute to reducing one’s environmental impact. The point is to use such an item as many times as possible and be smart about washing it. Instead of cleaning the reusable cup only, it is better to do a full load of dishes at once.

Also, disposable items form most of the plastic found in the ocean, with takeaway cups being the main ones. Therefore, by using a reusable coffee cup, you save the world hundreds of plastic cups and spoons yearly.

You may wonder, are paper coffee cups that bad for the environment? Unfortunately, they are not pure paper. All “paper” takeaway cups have a thin plastic lining for preventing coffee leaking. Thus, such cups can be processed in standard paper recycling mills and get accumulated in landfills, polluting the environment.

Most of the reusable coffee cups are made recyclable, with non-toxic materials, and BPA-free. Thus, you are assured of not only taking care of the environment but yourself. And even those items that are not biodegradable prove to be more environment-friendly in the long term, as you use one cup for many drinks and don’t throw it away after finishing your coffee.

A Stylish Items That Will Soon Become a Must-Have One

Disposable coffee cups have become such a huge problem and polluting source that governments of some states and even countries implement regulations regarding coffee to go. For instance, some insist on making coffee enthusiasts pay more for a single-use cup to-go, and this rule is already working in some coffee shops and areas. Others argue about the elimination of disposable coffee cups at all, the same as with plastic bags and other single-use items.

Although we can’t say for sure which laws will be adopted in the future, the fact that disposable coffee cups will be prohibited is undoubtful. Thus, if you want to be able to drink coffee not only at home or sitting in a café, it is worth getting yourself a high-quality reusable container and enjoy coffee anywhere. Thanks to the variety of sizes and colors of such reusable cups available on the market, one can choose the item to their liking.

 

Final Thoughts

As you can see, reusable coffee cups are the future. Nowadays, more and more coffee enthusiasts get themselves such reusable solutions for many reasons, including the mentioned above. From saving on a morning coffee to the comfortability of use, people stress out the benefits of owning a nice many-use cups.

As seen on GiftWits, such coffee cups are extremely useful. It is possible to find a splash-proof, BPA-free item of your favorite color that will serve you for many months and even years. This way, you will cut down expenses and waste produced by disposable cups.

If you haven’t got yourself a reusable coffee cup yet, here is a sign to pick one without delay. Choose the item according to your preferences and enjoy your coffee wherever you are.

How Your Offensive Language Is Hurting People Around You

The old saying that actions speak louder than words isn’t entirely true. We make all kinds of life choices with words only. Think of the marriage that starts with a simple “I do”, and all the promises and commitments we make every day with the help of language. 

It’s only natural to expect that same form of communication to have a negative impact, and a permanent one at that when it’s particularly hurtful and damaging. The need to conform to politically-correct terms is not just a legal issue, but a question of ethics and basic human decency – carefully choosing words to describe a feature to someone or describe someone’s identity can mean the difference between respect and verbal abuse.

Getting to know the subtext of what you say and recognizing negative patterns in communication is a great start to reducing and eliminating bias and prejudice from our perception, so it’s vital to start making changes in how we communicate.

You don’t know the whole story

We all have different levels of patience, different humor preferences, or different experiences that have shaped what we perceive as funny or acceptable to say to someone else. Simply taking into account that the other person may have gone through a traumatic experience that you’re not aware of can serve as a boundary for you to consider the potential consequences of your words. 

While some people might feel comfortable joking at the expense of sexual abuse and harassment, you’ll find that many who have had such an experience might not be so eager to laugh. These words can serve as triggers, cause anxiety, and diminish your chances to build a relationship because they will no longer feel safe in your company. Who knows? Maybe their abuser has made the same jokes before actually escalating to taking actions.

There are a time and a place

Each culture has different tolerance levels for vulgarity, profanity, and what can be deemed offensive or abusive in terms of your vocabulary. If you live in Australia, for example, it makes sense to rethink your verbal repertoire to adjust to local expectations, since there’s a clear legal difference between lighthearted humor with a few unsavory details and being clearly offensive and verbally abusive. This is especially vital if you conduct yourself inappropriately near a school or in a public area.

There are many different situations involving offensive language that experienced criminal lawyers in Parramatta and other cities in Australia can handle, but their outcome depends on the circumstances, so it’s wise to consult a professional to assess your situation. Laws clearly show cultural expectations and recognize the individual’s rights, they also protect your integrity when someone tries to use offensive language to undermine you, insult you, or cause harm.

No need to make someone feel uncomfortable

We swear all the time, and we often use a range of curse words even in front of our kids – which is precisely how they pick up these phrases. Yet we are role models, and we have the power to help our kids understand how using words can make their peers feel sad, hurt, or uncomfortable. 

Even if our words aren’t directed at the person to whom we’re talking, they might feel uncomfortable with your communication style. They might recognize patterns that reveal negative stereotypes, subconscious bias, or prejudice, all of which can further alienate them from you. Your kids might do the same and alienate entire groups of classmates if they start using the same negative language patterns they’ve picked up from you. 

A slip-up or a behavioral pattern?

Sometimes we may even surprise ourselves with how we choose to phrase something, which in turn, may become a vessel for self-discovery. After all, we speak, read, and write every day, and we use language in our thought processes, but it’s not a one-way process. While our thinking does shape our words, our words also have an impact on how we behave and think. 

From a long-term perspective, consistently using offensive language can become a reflection of your values and lead to unwanted negative actions. You may resort to hurtful behavior when you’re prone to using abusive verbal patterns. It pays to listen to yourself and to others around you who tell you how they feel regarding your own communication approach. Perhaps there’s a deeper issue than a one-time verbal slip-up, so use your language to uncover your attitudes and grow as a human being over time.

Story Writing Tips for Children

Tell your child to read a book and they’ll tell you it’s OK, this book is a film on streaming services now, so there’s no need to actually read the book. It’s not a problem with imagination that children have when it comes to enjoying a good story, it’s a problem with the delivery. See, if the story is being read to them, the character voices and the build-ups and the quiet parts are all narrated in keeping with the rhythm of the prose. But when they’re on their own? That’s like asking a child to be excited about someone else’s imagination, rather than using their own. That’s why children love storytime. And what they love even more than storytime is writing their own stories. This will light up their thinking caps with bells and whistles, and keep them occupied for entire hours, what with drawing the characters too, and designing a front cover. Here’s how.

Writing a story from scratch

In the adult world, there are seven established pathways or ‘plotlines’ that build convincing narratives. It is very difficult to write a good children’s book, but you can get some great advice here. When it comes to your child writing their first story, we’re going to borrow heavily from one of these seven types of story: “overcoming the monster”. For this, you will need a beginning, middle, and end (and you’re going to need printer ink, lots and lots of printer ink because if there’s one thing that kids love to do with their word documents, it’s hit print, you have been warned – see https://www.printerinks.com/11/2p-n-011/inkjet-and-toner-cartridges/xerox/)

Once upon a time…

The beginning of the story should start with a disaster caused by the “monster”. This means you’ll need a location and a villain. Let’s say the location is a castle and the villain is a dragon. The disaster could be an attack on the castle, in which the dragon steals treasure from the king and queen.

The resistance begins…

The middle of the story should contain the voyage of a hero or heroes that fight the villain to right the wrong that was done at the start. In our example, we’re going to suggest that a brave prince and princess duo set off to challenge the dragon for the stolen treasure. Along the way, they’ll have to help each other to climb through the branches over a swamp that contains mythical ‘mud-sharks’. Again, ask your child to write what’s happening and draw the scene as they imagine it.

The end…

The dragon is defeated, the treasure is recovered, etc. An obvious ending, but kids aren’t looking for a twist. And if your child struggles with the drawing element, check out free online drawing lessons for children for great tips.

Create a Great Impression With Tissot Watches on Your First Date

People often fret before their first date! The need to please a person reigns supreme. And for that, both men and women plan their attires and accessories for a long time. It’s essential to wear comfortable clothing so that you are at ease. Also, when it comes to accessories, you need to choose bags, belts, and shoes that complement your attire. Colour balance is crucial. However, when it comes to your watch, you need to go classy and decent. It’s here that you can count on the best brands.  

Contrary to popular opinion, you choose a branded watch to add more grace and style to your look, instead of bragging a name. And today, there are several options for you to choose from. There are online watch dealers that helps you to browse through their online collection and select the best wristwatch model. You can count on the Tissot watches and other brands as well. Make sure that you browse through the flagship and recent models so that you choose the best that you can afford. 

How does a branded watch help to create a great impression?

The first dates are mostly about impressions. It’s also about quirky conversations, fun, experimenting with food and drinks. But all that follows when you set the initial pace correct. And there are several ways in which your branded watch can help you create a lasting and decent impression. 

1. It adds to your style and feel-good

When you are confident, you feel good, and it automatically adds to your persona and overall mood. Wearing your choicest wristwatch adds a special mojo that helps you to strike a conversation funnily, that will make the other person comfortable and humor as well. It will give you a finesse with which you can conduct yourself on the first date.  

2. No over the top statements

 

Even though you should impress your date, there’s no need to go over the top. The best brands design their watches in a way that it blends in style and utility. You can choose from the smart leather and metal watches and avoid being over the top. When you make any over the top statements, it shows that you are trying too hard to impress your date. And that will work against you. 

3. Dressing well is always a bonus

If your date thinks that you wear well and your attire and accessories are well-coordinated, that’s a plus point. It shows that they have noticed you carefully and have taken a liking for your dressing sense and accessories. Branded watches have a subtle way of creating a lasting and classy impression. Both the watch dials and bands get designed in a way that it complements your casual and formal attire as well. People get attracted to you and want to spend more time with you.

So, if you have a date, make sure that you wear your best-branded watch. Choose a classy instead of a flashy design, and you are good to go. You can browse online to get the best watch models.

Tips for Saving Enough Money to Go on Vacation with the Family

After a long year of working and attending school, your entire family could benefit from going on a long, relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, if you’re living from one paycheck to the next, it can be downright impossible for you to try to save up enough in order to start planning your next adventure. There are many ways for you and your family to save up money so that you can start planning ahead.

Bring in Extra Money

There are lots of ways for you to bring in some extra money that can be put directly into your vacation account. You might choose to sell some unused furniture or items that are just lying around the house. You can sell these either by holding a yard sale or selling them online to local buyers. If you don’t have much to sell off, you might want to consider taking on some overtime at work or doing some freelancing.

Refinance or Consolidate Older Debts

If you’re in a significant amount of debt, it can be suffocating to try to see the light at the end of the tunnel. If you’re trying to save up some cash for a vacation while tackling debt, you probably won’t be able to meet your monetary goals. For this reason, you need to either refinance or consolidate the debts that you have. If you have old student loans, you can refinance them to save some money and get a longer repayment term.

Set Up a Special Account

The problem with trying to save up money for a vacation in your regular checking or savings account is that you’ll be tempted to use it. Your account is running a bit low, so you simply take it out of the savings. You need cash for an emergency, so you dip into what you have saved up. It’s a good idea to create a special account specific to going on vacation. You may even want to set a restriction that you cannot dip into these funds until it comes time to travel.

Send Funds Automatically to Your Vacation Fund

You can automate your savings in order to prevent forgetting to put into the account. Most banks allow their customers to set up automatic transfers that allow them to choose the amount and time to send money over to a separate account. You won’t even realize that money is being put into this fund each week, and you’ll have significant savings when it’s time to take a trip with your loved ones.

Plan Ahead

The earlier you plan for your trip, the cheaper and more affordable it is going to be. Likewise, you’ll be able to get a feel for how much the vacation will cost so that you have enough time to save up for it. You can check flights and hotel fees well in advance to actually needing them. If you have the money for it, don’t hesitate to establish some bookings while you are able to get them at their absolute cheapest and most affordable.

Smart Ways to Decorate Your Living Space While in Isolation

The whole situation with the coronavirus isn’t exactly ideal. People have to spend more time indoors than ever before, and shopping for decorations is limited. You’re pretty much stuck with what you’ve got, and no one is inspired by looking at the same rooms all day, every day. Even in these tumultuous times, decorating your living room is as important as ever. In fact, it’s something you’ll need to not go crazy from being indoors all day. Luckily, there are some clever ways to redecorate without needing a lot of shopping or effort. Here are a few that might interest you. 

Bring a bit of nature inside

People didn’t get enough outdoor time as it is, but the current situation is turning out to be even worse. Spending time inside is the norm right now, and there’s a severe lack of fresh and natural environments around us. Luckily, there’s a way to bring a little bit of that natural freshness inside your home.

Potted plants can be real life-savers when you need to stay inside for a while. They let your house breathe and make it feel livelier. The soft green hues of leafy plants help you relax and focus, and research has shown that they also affect peoples’ stress levels. Add a few of them in your living room and it’s going to make your home feel more comfortable. 

Rearrange the living room

During isolation, you’re probably going to be spending more time in your living room than anywhere else. It’s where all the entertainment is, and it’s where you’ll interact with your family. Being there more than usual is going to have you sick of the room in no time. Switching things up would be great, but you can’t really go out shopping for new things. 

On the other hand, you could always make some changes without introducing anything new. Rearranging the furniture works well to freshen up a room. Instead of having everything centered around the TV or entertainment center, you could create a chic chaotic arrangement with the furniture. You could also make a coffee table the focal point of the room. This will make it easier to get people into board games or cards. It’s something that would do everyone some good when they get bored of isolation.

Add tasteful touches

While you can’t make enormous contributions to your home’s design, there are still a few small details you can add to your rooms from time to time. Something that adds a little flavor and personality will make spending time in these rooms more tolerable. 

Rugs are a great place to start. They make any room feel cozier and their colors and patterns can really draw your attention. Since you can’t go around flea markets and shops to check them out, looking for modern rugs online would be a better option. You can find rugs that fit any kind of home design. You’ll find everything from chic and messy-looking rugs to clean and sleek rugs that would work well with a minimalistic design. 

Candles are another addition worth introducing to your home. They can create a nice atmosphere that changes the feel of a room. Let’s not forget about the romantic aspect as well. You can have nice candlelight read in your living room and feel like you’re in a chic café. Plus, candles aren’t hard to come by. You can find the most diverse scented candles on the internet. Think about the atmosphere you want in your home and recreate it with the wonderful smell of candles. 

Put emphasis on the windows

Since we’re all yearning for a little more fresh air in our lives, windows and balconies are this year’s saving graces. If you haven’t been spending a lot of time there before, you certainly are now. It might be time to make them a little more comfortable and attractive while this whole situation lasts.

Take the clothes hangers out of your balcony and put a few chairs up. Enjoying the springtime on your balcony won’t be equal to going outside, but it’s as close as you can get. Take some of those candles and use them at night, it’s going to make for even more of a cozy environment.

Being cooped up inside probably has you wishing you had bigger windows to let even more air inside. Try to free up space around your windows and spend more time there as well. Keep them wide open and add a potted plant on it. It’s not much, but it’s going to freshen it up. 

Conclusion

Just because we’re all isolated inside doesn’t mean our houses have to be less attractive. You should do your best to make use of this situation and spruce up your home as much as possible. Even without any external additions, you can still decorate your home to your tastes and make the time you spend inside more interesting and comfortable. 

How Your Sleep Patterns Affect Your Children’s Sleep

Adequate sleep is something that people of all ages need to stay healthy and happy. It’s especially important during childhood and adolescence when the brain is still developing. Unfortunately, many children and teens aren’t getting the sleep they need. According to Sleep Standards, most teens are sleep deprived — a recent study found that only 15% reported sleeping 8 1/2 hours on school nights.

As a parent, you probably know just how important it is for your children to get enough sleep. But have you ever thought that your own sleep patterns could be affecting how much rest your kids are getting? Here’s what you need to know so the whole family can get more (and better) sleep.

Know the Facts About Sleep Deprivation in Children & Teens

To understand just how important sleep is for kids and teens, we need to look at how a lack of sleep can have an impact on their health and well-being. Overall, sleep deprivation can contribute to diabetes, obesity, mental health disorders, disruptive behavior, and more. Having the proper tools and information at your disposal to understand the effects of a lack of sleep is important and can primarily affect vulnerable populations.

The effects of sleep deprivation can even disrupt normal brain development. Poor and inadequate sleep has been associated with structural changes in the brain and can contribute to issues with memory, cognition, and attention.

Sadly, chronic sleep deprivation in young people is very common. In 2013, 68.4% of high schoolers were sleeping less than 8 hours each night. Younger children need even more than 8 hours to stay healthy.

Be Sure to Reduce Screen Time Before Going to Sleep

By this point, we all know that we shouldn’t have screens in our bedroom. The light from electronic devices can disrupt melatonin production, making it harder for us to fall asleep. Plus, if we’re engaged with media use, it’s much more interesting to keep using our devices than it is to go to sleep.

As a parent, you need to set boundaries surrounding screen time and enforce them for the whole family. If you tell your kids to turn off their devices two hours before bed but you’re still surfing on your iPad, they might not take the rules very seriously.

Are You Letting Your Kids Get Enough Sleep?

Kids and teens need more sleep than adults. Their developing brains need extra time for rest, and it’s important for parents to help them get the amount that they need. The amount of sleep needed decreases as a child grows up, but even children as old as 13 may need up to 11 hours of sleep each night, while older teens need 8-10 hours.

So how can you, as a parent, help your child get enough sleep? You might consider setting an earlier bedtime for the family so that everyone goes through the ritual of tucking in for the night together. Then, the adults can get up early and have some time for themselves in the morning before the kids get up. You need to let your kids get enough sleep, even if that means making some adjustments in your schedule.

Consider Having Kids and Teens Meditate Before Sleep

Kids are often over-stimulated in the evening, whether from media use, homework, or family time. When bedtime rolls around, it’s a good idea to have everyone take a deep breath and start to wind down.

One good way to do this is to implement a daily meditation practice in your household before bed. Relaxation techniques can be helpful for children who find their mind racing at night, have anxiety, or just can’t calm down enough to sleep restfully. Meditation can help to improve well-being, and might just set the mood for a restful night’s sleep.

Be Active With Your Kids During the Day

Achieving deep and restful sleep starts long before bedtime. Exercise is important for both physical and mental health but will also help kids sleep more soundly. Physical activity doesn’t have to mean structured exercise—it can be tag in the backyard, yoga together in the living room, and even chores like cleaning or helping with dinner.

Kids spend a lot of time in front of their devices or sitting at a desk, especially during the school year. You might have to get creative to keep the family active, but it will be well worth the effort. Plus, it’s good for you, too!

Be a Good Role Model

When it comes to building better sleep habits in your household, you can’t just tell your kids what to do. You have to model good behavior yourself. Being a role model for good sleeping habits isn’t always easy, but it will make your home happier and healthier more quickly than you might imagine.

10 Places to Find Your Inspiration

You’ve hit the creativity brick wall.  Whether you’re a writer, a painter or a creator of professional stock photography this happens to all creative types from time to time.  No matter how imaginative you think you are, there will be occasions here and there where you will need a proverbial kick in the creativity pants.

The next time this happens to you, take a deep breath and look around.  Sometimes the next great idea materializes right in front of you when you search these tried and true themes for your inspiration.

Holidays

Tired of creating still lives of Christmas lights and ornaments?  Look to some of the more unusual holidays celebrated around the world for your genius.  There is a day dedicated to just about any food, fetish or trivia somewhere.  Search the web and you’ll find a wacky holiday, festival or celebration sure to be a catalyst to your creativity.

Nature

It’s hard not to be inspired by the beauty of nature.  The majesty in a sunset, the colors of the rainbow or contrasts in fields of flowers are all awe inspiring.  But the trick is to see beyond the obvious draw to find originality.  Look small – at the tiny spider building a web on that stunning flower.  Look big – at the storm clouds parting to form that breathtaking rainbow.  Draw from contrasts of light and dark, hot and cold, big and small.  Look not as an observer, but as an artist and you’ll be sure to see a new side to Mother Nature.

Travel

It’s easy to create awesome imagery when traveling to exotic places, but try to be a tourist in your own backyard.  Think like someone who’s looking to book a trip to your area – or better yet, think like the tour director, travel agent or pamphlet designer looking to promote your area.  What is unique to your geography? To your history? To your climate? To your architecture, or people, or traditions?  Use these as your muse.

Humor

Sometimes we simply take art – and ourselves – too seriously when all we really want is a good reason to laugh.  Use your naturally silly side to capture practical jokes, caricatures of folks you know, or just a good old fashion pun.  Think of any person, place or thing and then see how many different ways you can use that in a humorous setting.  Don’t forget to poke some fun at yourself while you’re at it.

Science

Geek is the new chic!  Every avenue of scientific research and study can be a model for your thoughts.  Go to an observatory, or science and nature museum, with an open mind.  Read scientific magazines or watch television shows that discuss astrology, chemistry or any other scientific field.  Or just watch The Big Bang Theory for a few days to see what physics can inspire you to do.

News and Current Events

We all read a paper or watch the evening news so why not use the relevant topics as motivation.  See what’s trending on social media for insights into what the world is talking about and challenge yourself to see how many ideas you can brainstorm from a single hashtag.  Look at the topic of the latest viral video to see what they bring to mind – if nothing else, you’re sure to see some really cute videos of kittens to make it worth your time.

Animals

And speaking of animals, they are a great boost to ideating.  They can be used as a subject in their own right, or studied to identify characteristics that translate well into art;  kitten/playful, fox/sly, dog/loyal, crocodile/cold, etc. etc. etc.  Use them to represent universal themes like a butterfly flying free.

Everyday Life

List all the things you do on an average day.  What are the weekly or monthly items on your to-do list?  What annual events centered on home, work and family occupy your time.  These can each be an impulse to an idea.  Close your eyes and let the mundane become exceptional.

Food

We’re already a world of food paparazzi; why not use the daily bread to add incentive.  If you like to cook, think farm to table to uncover unique examples.   If you like to eat, think happy times with friends and family shared over a kitchen table.  An apple a day keeps the doctor away.  Fish is good brain food.  Every aspect of the food can generate a wealth of new angles to consider.

Health, Nutrition, and Fitness

We are bombarded daily with the importance of balancing nutrition and fitness for good health and the consequences of not doing so.  Instead of obsessing over them in your personal life, let the topic encourage new visions.

A few additional tips to help with your creative flow.

  • Keep a notebook or journal to jot down great ideas when they come to you.
  • Try doodling as a brainstorming technique. It’s amazing what can come to you when you release your mind to the creative process.
  • Get moving! There is scientific proof that motion helps to improve creativity, so take a walk to help get those juices flowing.

Images copyright Karen Foley via Dreamstime.com.