Let That Fresh Air Fuel You 4 TIPS TO MAKE GETTING OUTSIDE EASIER
Hunkering down and waiting for
your melatonin production, which means you feel ready to face the day sooner. So, set yourself a second alarm to head outside and take a quick walk around the block just after waking. Don’t even wash your face or grab coffee. Just get out there. 3. Take your work outside. If you’re working from home, take some work outdoors. Phone and virtual meetings are a great outdoor option, especially if you’ll just be an active listener and aren’t required to do any work simultaneously. Attach a note to your meeting reminders to get yourself set up outside five minutes before you start. 4. Create a schedule. It might feel strange to set reminders throughout the day to step outside, but you easily get wrapped up in activities and overlook breaks, and these reminders are exactly what you need. Start with 10-minute blocks three times a day. If you stick to them, soon you won’t need a schedule to get outside anymore. Winter weather may be cold, but even when you’re bundled up under a jacket and scarf, just 5–10 minutes outside can do wonders for your mood and energy for hours.
the dark and chilly winter season to pass sounds pretty nice. But the reality is, if we deprive ourselves of time outside, we do ourselves a big
disservice both mentally and physically. Staying indoors all day affects your energy and mood, which makes it hard to get anything done, so here are four easy tips to make it easier to get a little fresh air. 1. Make it a priority. Getting outside means making the conscious effort to do so. If you want to reap its benefits, you have to decide to make it a priority in your day-to-day schedule. If you make the act important to you, you have more motivation to actually do it.
2. Use mornings effectively. Waking up and getting the day started can be hard. But studies have shown that natural light helps decrease
How to Safely Lend Money to Family and Friends (and Not Regret It)
Most of us are familiar with the first rule of lending money to family and friends: Don’t. However, it’s not always that simple. Because of our sense of loyalty, friendship, and familial bond, there are times when we feel a duty to help, even if it means lending cash. We may have a friend or relative who is going through a tough time and genuinely needs a financial leg up. There is no doubt that lending to a family or friends can go wrong, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your relationship if you choose to make a loan. Be completely sure of your decision. When you agree to lend money, be sure it’s the right decision for you. It’s not uncommon for the cash-strapped individual to guilt you into saying “yes.” If that happens, you are more likely to feel a sense of regret or resentment, according to Dr. Irene S. Levine, a psychologist and relationship expert, also known as “The Friendship Doctor.” Lend a safe amount. When you say yes to a loan, only lend out what makes sense for you. Noticing a pattern? Keep your best financial interest in mind.
Never be willing to go into debt for someone
else. If your friend or relative needs a
specific amount, but that amount would damage your safety net, suggest a
lower amount. The financial experts at LearnVest say you should only loan an amount you are okay never seeing again.
Put the loan in writing. Don’t rely on good faith or memory. While your friend or family member may initially scoff at the idea of a written agreement, it’s necessary. It keeps the terms perfectly clear. Include the loan amount, as well as a repayment schedule and plan, before agreeing to a loan. You both should know the dates of repayment, either in installments or in full. One more tip: Though it’s a loan between friends or relatives, make the terms of your loan look as clean as possible. Don’t write them down on a sticky note or memo pad. Type up the terms of the loan and the repayment plan. Have both parties sign and date it. This does not make it an official document. However, you can have the document notarized by a notary public, who also serves as a third-party witness to the terms and document.
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